Daily Current Affairs: 25 March 2026

Analysis for 25 March 2026

Jharkhand Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kalpana Soren Receives Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award

[Jharkhand]

Key Updates:

Kalpana Soren was honoured by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) at the WE Annual Women Summit and Felicitation 2026.
The award ceremony was held in New Delhi and hosted by the women empowerment vertical of the BRICS CCI.
The recognition was conferred for her contributions towards advancing women-led initiatives and community development.
The summit was attended by several dignitaries, policymakers, and international representatives.

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National Chintan Shivir concluded at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar (End of February) ▼

The two-day National Chintan Shivir was organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs at Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist Band and AI Chatbots during the event.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PMVIKAS), National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), UMEED Central Portal and Haj modernisation were showcased as key minority welfare initiatives.
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian described PMJVK as a transformative scheme for infrastructure development in minority concentration areas.
Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, acknowledged the support of the Bihar Government and Nalanda University officials for hosting the Shivir.
State Ministers Imkong Mar (Nagaland), Kento Jini (Arunachal Pradesh), Samdup Lepcha (Sikkim) and Sukla Charan Noatia (Tripura) shared regional perspectives on minority welfare schemes.
The Chintan Shivir focused on five thematic areas: Infrastructure Development (PMJVK), Socio-economic Empowerment (PMVIKAS + NMDFC), Waqf Management, Haj Management and Scholarship Schemes.

Sashakt Panchayat - Netri Abhiyan and Nirbhay Raho Initiative: ₹4,35,236 Crore Allocated for Rural Bodies (Mid of March) ▼

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) organised a national conference in Delhi to commemorate the first anniversary of the Sashakt Panchayat - Netri Abhiyan.
The Nirbhay Raho initiative was launched under the Nirbhaya Scheme to enhance women's safety and leadership in rural governance.
The initiative aims to provide capacity building and legal rights training to 14.5 lakh elected women representatives.
A total of 17.5 lakh male representatives will be sensitised on gender equality as part of the programme.
The financial allocation for rural bodies has been increased to ₹4,35,236 crore for the 2026-31 period.
The conference showcased the Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled SabhaSaar platform designed to improve inclusive local governance.

Purple Fest held at Rashtrapati Bhavan to celebrate Divyangjan (Mid of March) ▼

Purple Fest was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India.
Over 8,000 Divyangjan visited Amrit Udyan which was opened exclusively for them during the day-long celebration.
President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu witnessed cultural performances by Divyangjan at the Open Air Theatre in the President’s Estate.
The President stated that the Constitution of India’s Preamble establishes ideals of social justice, equality of status and dignity of the individual, and Directive Principles grant Divyangjan the right to education, work and public assistance.

Golden Jubilee of Sarok Festival celebrated on January 10, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the 'Sarok Festival of the Aka Hrusso' community at Bana in Bichom district, marking 50 years of the festival as a symbol of cultural heritage and continuity.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the appointment of four more Special Observers in West Bengal to bring greater transparency to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh IPS took the salute during the Passing Out Parade of CRPF Batch No. 434 at the Recruit Training Centre (RTC), Avadi, in Tiruvallur.
KIIT shines on the global education map, ranking 5th in India for attracting foreign students.

CA P. V. Narayana Rao appointed as Co-opted Member of ICAI's Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB) for 2026-27.

[Institute of Chartered Accountants of India]

Key Updates:

CA P. V. Narayana Rao has been appointed as a Co-opted Member of the Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for the term 2026-27.
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1987 and secured a Gold Medal as University Topper in Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) from Kakatiya University.
He served as Chairman of the ICAI Warangal Branch in 2015 and as Co-opted Member of the Public Relations Committee of ICAI (Central Council) in 2016.
He is currently the Vice President of the Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Tax Bar Association.
The Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB) was established by ICAI in February 2020 to develop sustainability reporting standards aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

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Government appoints Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as Whole-Time Member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Mid of March) ▼

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of three years.
Murty is a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and previously served as the Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts.
The appointment increases the total number of whole-time members on the SEBI board to four, alongside Sandip Pradhan, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, and Amarjeet Singh.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey is the current Chairman of SEBI, having assumed the position on March 1, 2025.
The SEBI board structure consists of a chairman, four whole-time members, and four part-time members representing the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Ministry of Finance, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Murty previously served as a part-time member on the SEBI board as a representative of the MCA.

CA Prasanna Kumar D elected President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for 2026–27, CA Mangesh Kinare elected Vice-President. (Mid of February) ▼

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) elected CA Prasanna Kumar D as its 74th President for the 2026–27 term.
CA Mangesh Pandurang Kinare was elected as Vice-President of ICAI for 2026–27.
Prasanna Kumar D served as Vice-President of ICAI during 2025–26.
He was a member of the ICAI Central Council in its 24th, 25th, and 26th Councils.
He chaired the Visakhapatnam Branch of ICAI in 2001–02 and the Southern India Regional Council in 2013–14.
As President, he will chair ICAI’s Executive, Finance, Disciplinary, and Examination Committees and serve as Editor in Chief of The Chartered Accountant journal.

A.V. Girija Kumar appointed Chairman of IRDAI Reinsurance Advisory Committee. (End of January) ▼

A.V. Girija Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Reinsurance Advisory Committee (RAC) by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
The reconstituted RAC includes Praveen Vashishta, former CEO and Managing Director of Howden Insurance Brokers India Pvt. Ltd.; Roopam Asthana, former CEO of Liberty General Insurance; and T.L. Alamelu, former Whole-Time Member of IRDAI.
The committee has been constituted for a tenure of three years under Section 101B of the Insurance Act, 1938.
The Deputy General Manager (Reinsurance) at IRDAI will function as Secretary to the RAC.

Narayan Ramachandran heads PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) constituted 9-member SAARG committee. (End of January) ▼

Narayan Ramachandran, former country head and CEO of Morgan Stanley India, chairs the SAARG committee formed by PFRDA.
The committee includes former whole-time member Ananth Narayan, Motilal Oswal Co-founder Raamdeo Agrawal, DSP Mutual Fund MD & CEO Kalpen Parekh, and First Global Founder & CMD Devina Mehra.
PFRDA mandates the SAARG committee to review and modernise the National Pension System (NPS) investment framework within 9 months.
The panel will benchmark NPS guidelines against leading global pension systems and the evolving Indian investment ecosystem.

Lionel Jospin, former French Prime Minister, dies at 88.

[France]

Key Updates:

Lionel Jospin served as Prime Minister of France from 1997 to 2002.
He introduced the 35-hour work week and extended free healthcare through universal health coverage.
Jospin was born on 12 July 1937 in Meudon and studied at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris and École Nationale d'Administration.
He led a left-wing coalition called the 'gauche plurielle' during cohabitation with President Jacques Chirac.
Jospin was eliminated in the first round of the 2002 presidential election after far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen advanced.
He announced his retirement from politics on election night in 2002.
Jospin later served on France's Constitutional Council from 2015 to 2019.

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International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day observed on 20 March (End of March) ▼

International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day is observed on 20 March.
French brings together hundreds of millions of people around the world.
At the United Nations (UN), French is part of everyday life, shaping debates and work on the ground.

Ricky Andrew J Syngkon laid to rest; Meghalaya government declares holiday in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. (End of February) ▼

Ricky Andrew J Syngkon, 54, Shillong Lok Sabha MP and founding member of Voice of the People Party (VPP), died on Thursday evening at a hospital in Shillong after a sudden cardiac arrest while playing futsal in Mawlai Mawiong.
His mortal remains were laid to rest at Sumer Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Ri-Bhoi district on Saturday.
The Meghalaya government observed a holiday in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region on Saturday as a mark of respect.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma visited Syngkon’s residence at Pohkseh locality in Shillong on Friday to pay homage.
The Meghalaya legislative assembly adjourned its ongoing budget session on Friday after paying tributes to the late MP.
Syngkon had served as assistant professor in the department of economics at North-Eastern Hill University before entering politics.
In the 2024 general elections he won the Shillong parliamentary seat as a VPP candidate, defeating three-time Congress MP Vincent H Pala by 3,71,910 votes.

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released coffee table book 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman' authored by Vijay Goel. (End of February) ▼

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the coffee table book 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman' at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
The book is authored by Shri Vijay Goel and contains rare photographs, archival material and personal anecdotes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Shri Radhakrishnan served as a Member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha during Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The release event was attended by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, and Vice Chairman of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Vijay Goel.

India and France Elevate Relations to Special Global Strategic Partnership during President Macron's Visit (End of February) ▼

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated the India-France relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
Bilateral trade between India and France crossed $15 billion in 2024-25, driven by aircraft manufacturing, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.
An annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue was established to review the implementation of the elevated partnership and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
The leaders launched the India-France Year of Innovation and the India-France Innovation Network.
An H125 helicopter final assembly line was inaugurated at Vemagal, Karnataka.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran entered a joint venture to produce Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) missiles in India.
The bilateral agreement on defence cooperation was renewed for a period of 10 years during the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.
Reciprocal deployment of officers will be implemented at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group was constituted to enhance technological cooperation.
A Joint Declaration of Intent was signed for cooperation in the sector of critical minerals and metals.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a centre on advanced materials and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for scientific collaboration.
The protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two nations was amended.
The Indo-French Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health was launched at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
New centres were established for Digital Sciences and Technology, Metabolic Health Sciences, and a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and ANRS signed an LoI for cooperation in research and development on infectious diseases and global health.
T-Hub and Nord France signed an LoI for strategic cooperation in start-up ecosystems, innovation, and technology.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) renewed its MoU on renewable energy cooperation with the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty.
The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, signed an LoI with La Poste, France.
President Macron invited PM Modi to the Group of Seven (G7) Summit to be chaired by France in 2026.

Goldman Sachs (GS) cuts India’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5.9%

[Goldman Sachs]

Key Updates:

Goldman Sachs lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Gulf conflict estimate of 7%.
The revision follows the Gulf conflict and higher Brent crude price projections of $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April.
India’s inflation is forecast to rise to 4.6% in 2026, prompting Goldman Sachs to expect a 50-basis point hike in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy rate.
Goldman Sachs projects India’s current account deficit to widen to 2% of GDP in 2026 from 1.3% in October-December 2025.
Among major economies, India faces the largest growth forecast cut, compared with China (4.7% from 4.8%), South Korea (1.9% from 2%), and Hong Kong (1.8% from 2.6%).

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Fitch Ratings (Fitch) Raises India FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.5% (Mid of March) ▼

Fitch Ratings (Fitch) upgraded India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) to 7.5% from the previous projection of 7.4%.
The agency revised the India FY27 growth estimate upward to 6.7% from the earlier projection of 6.4%.
India’s GDP grew by 7.8% in the third quarter of FY26 and 8.4% in the second quarter, while the FY25 growth was recorded at 7.1%.
Global GDP growth is projected at 2.6% for 2026, assuming oil prices do not exceed $70 per barrel.
Inflation in India is projected to reach 4.5% by December 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the policy rate at 5.25% in February, which Fitch expects to remain unchanged through next year.
Brian Coulton serves as the Chief Economist of Fitch.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) revises India’s FY 2025-26 growth forecast to 7.3% (Mid of January) ▼

International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.

Goldman Sachs (GS) forecasts India GDP growth at 6.7% for 2026 and 6.8% for 2027. (End of December) ▼

Goldman Sachs projects India’s real GDP growth at around 6.7 per cent in 2026 and 6.8 per cent in 2027.
Global growth is expected at 2.8 per cent in 2026, above the consensus estimate of 2.5 per cent.
Emerging markets, including India, are expected to outperform developed peers amid stronger domestic demand and favourable structural trends.
India’s growth benefits from strong domestic consumption, public infrastructure spending and limited exposure to global trade disruptions.
Goldman Sachs estimates China to grow at 4.8 per cent in 2026 and 4.7 per cent in 2027.
Inflation pressures are expected to ease across most economies by end-2026, supporting accommodative monetary stances in several emerging markets.

United Nations (UN) upgrades India's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and projects 6.7% for 2027. (Start of January) ▼

The UN has raised India's 2026 GDP growth projection to 6.6% from the earlier 6.4%.
India's GDP is forecast to grow 6.7% in 2027.
India's GDP is expected to expand 7.4% in 2025.
Inflation in India is forecast at 4.1% in 2026.
On a financial year basis, India's economy is estimated to grow 7.2% in 2025-26 and 6.6% in 2026-27.
The US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil.
The US accounts for around 18% of India's exports.
Globally, GDP growth is projected at 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than the estimated 2.8% for 2025.
The US economy is anticipated to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2% in 2026.
China's growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approves AIF, FPI, InvIT, REIT and governance reforms in 213th board meeting.

[Securities and Exchange Board of India]

Key Updates:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) held its 213th board meeting in Mumbai on 23 March 2026.
SEBI amended AIF Regulations 2012 to allow Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) with no active fund management to retain residual assets for up to 3 years subject to 75% investor approval.
SEBI introduced net settlement for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in the cash market to cut funding and forex conversion costs.
SEBI expanded retail access to Social Impact Funds (SIFs) by lowering minimum investment and easing disclosure norms.
SEBI allowed Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to invest in greenfield projects, hold multiple SPVs, borrow for capex and refinancing, and undertake maintenance expenses.
SEBI revised fit-and-proper criteria to bar persons with pending FIRs for economic offences or securities law violations and reduced disqualification period to six months in specified cases.
SEBI mandated SEBI staff to liquidate or freeze personal securities holdings, file initial, annual and event-based conflict disclosures, and recuse from decisions when conflicts arise.
SEBI approved creation of an Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC), a digital monitoring system and a whistle-blower framework for stronger conflict-of-interest oversight.

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Government appoints Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as Whole-Time Member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Mid of March) ▼

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of three years.
Murty is a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and previously served as the Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts.
The appointment increases the total number of whole-time members on the SEBI board to four, alongside Sandip Pradhan, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, and Amarjeet Singh.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey is the current Chairman of SEBI, having assumed the position on March 1, 2025.
The SEBI board structure consists of a chairman, four whole-time members, and four part-time members representing the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Ministry of Finance, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Murty previously served as a part-time member on the SEBI board as a representative of the MCA.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) doubles simplified documentation limit to ₹10 lakh for duplicate securities. (End of December) ▼

Sebi has doubled the monetary threshold for the simplified documentation process for issuing duplicate securities to ₹10 lakh from ₹5 lakh.
Investors holding securities valued up to ₹10 lakh will now be required to submit fewer documents.
Notarisation of the Affidavit-cum-Indemnity Bond will no longer be required where the value of securities is up to ₹10,000.
Sebi has prescribed a standardised Affidavit-cum-Indemnity Bond format and rationalised documentation for securities valued above ₹10 lakh.
Listed companies and RTAs must process requests strictly in line with the revised procedure, and investors who have already submitted documents under the old framework will not be required to resubmit them.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) tightens merchant banker capital and liquidity norms (Start of January) ▼

Sebi mandates Category I merchant bankers to raise minimum net worth to Rs 25 crore by January 2027 and Rs 50 crore by January 2028.
Category I entities must hold liquid net worth of Rs 6.25 crore in phase-1 and Rs 12.5 crore in phase-2.
Category II merchant bankers require net worth of Rs 7.5 crore and Rs 10 crore across the two phases with liquid buffers of Rs 1.875 crore and Rs 2.5 crore.
Underwriting obligations capped at 20 times liquid net worth with compliance deadline of January 02, 2028.
Half-yearly chartered accountant certification mandated for capital, liquidity and underwriting compliance.
Minimum revenue thresholds set at Rs 25 crore over three years for Category I and Rs 5 crore for Category II with first assessment in FY29.
India raised over $21 billion through IPOs and public issues in 2025 becoming the world’s second-largest equity issuance hub.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Revamps Mutual Fund Regulations and Rationalises Brokerage Caps (Mid of January) ▼

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has notified revamped Mutual Fund Regulations that will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
Sebi has introduced a provision allowing mutual fund schemes to charge a base expense ratio (BER) linked to the performance of the scheme.
The new regulations introduce the concept of a base expense ratio (BER) which represents only the fee charged by an Asset Management Company (AMC) for managing investors’ money.
Levies such as brokerage, securities transaction tax, stamp duty, and exchange fees must now be disclosed separately rather than being aggregated under the total expense ratio.
The brokerage ceiling in the cash market has been reduced to 6 basis points (bps) from an effective 8.59 bps.
The net brokerage cap in the derivatives segment has been lowered to 2 bps from 3.89 bps.
The framework expands the responsibilities of trustees and key managerial personnel to tighten oversight and reinforce governance standards across AMCs.

L & T Finance Ltd. (LTF) joins United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

[United Nations, L&T Finance]

Key Updates:

L & T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) headquartered in Mumbai, has become a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
The UNGC is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, with over 20,000 participants across more than 160 countries.
By joining the UNGC, LTF commits to aligning its operations with the Ten Principles concerning human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
LTF will report annually on its progress in implementing the Ten Principles of the Global Compact through its annual reporting.
The company is also a signatory to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) to measure and manage financed emissions.
S&P Global Ratings upgraded LTF's long-term Issuer Credit Rating to BBB/Stable and short-term rating to A-2 in August 2025.
Fitch Ratings assigned LTF Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings of BBB- with a Stable outlook.
LTF is currently implementing its Lakshya 2026 strategic plan to transition into a digitally enabled retail finance company focused on Fintech@Scale.
The company's flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, Digital Sakhi, focuses on women's empowerment and digital and financial inclusion.

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Romania Ratifies International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement (Start of March) ▼

Romania’s Ambassador Sena Latif presented the Instrument of Ratification to Joint Secretary (ED) P.S. Gangadhar, the Head of Depository.
Secretary (ER) Sudhakar Dalela of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Romanian Vice Minister Clara Alexandra Volintiru witnessed the ratification.
Romania became a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) after depositing its ratification.

Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and Startup Policy Forum (SPF) sign MoU to accelerate fintech and digital innovation. (Mid of February) ▼

Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and Startup Policy Forum (SPF) signed an MoU at Black Swan Summit India 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
GFTN is a Singapore-headquartered platform established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and spans more than 130 countries.
SPF represents over 65 high-growth Indian startups collectively valued at more than USD 100 billion.
The collaboration focuses on strengthening global-India innovation corridors, enabling structured policy dialogue, and supporting international expansion of Indian startups.
Priority areas include digital finance infrastructure, responsible AI, digital assets, cross-border payments, and regulatory innovation.
GFTN is chaired by Ravi Menon, former Managing Director of MAS.
SPF works closely with DPIIT, the MeitY Startup Hub, and the IndiaAI Mission.

World Bank Group and India launch Country Partnership Framework with USD 8-10 billion annual financing (Start of February) ▼

The World Bank Group (WBG) and India announced a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) envisaging USD 8-10 billion in annual financing over the next five years.
The CPF is aligned with India's Viksit Bharat vision to become a developed economy by 2047 and was discussed between Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and WBG President Ajay Banga.
The partnership prioritises private sector-led job creation to accommodate the approximately 12 million young people entering India's labour market each year.
The strategy focuses on five key sectors for job creation: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, health care, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
The framework targets four strategic outcomes: boosting rural prosperity, supporting urban transformation, investing in energy security and core infrastructure, and strengthening resilience.
India is the largest client of the WBG, with International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) commitments of USD 20 billion across 79 projects.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) holds commitments of USD 16.72 billion across 174 projects in India.
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has provided USD 618 million in guarantees for Indian projects.

United States exits India-headquartered International Solar Alliance following Trump executive order (Start of January) ▼

United States President Donald Trump withdrew the country from 66 international organisations — including 31 United Nations Organisations — via an executive order.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is the only India-headquartered organisation among the 60-plus institutions that the United States has now exited.
The ISA was conceptualised on the sidelines of the COP21 in Paris in 2015, when the landmark Paris Agreement was signed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in average global temperature.
The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
The ISA’s key theme is the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, aimed at mobilising "$1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030 while delivering energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in the installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity."
According to the official website, more than 100 countries are currently its signatories, with over 90 countries having ratified to become full members.

Goldman Sachs Cuts India 2026 Growth Forecast to 5.9%

[Goldman Sachs]

Key Updates:

Goldman Sachs has lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Iran war estimate of 7%.
The bank predicts a 50 basis points increase in policy rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) due to currency depreciation pressures.
India’s inflation is projected to rise to 4.6% in 2026 from an earlier forecast of 3.9%, while remaining within the RBI target range of 2-6%.
The Current Account Deficit (CAD) of India is projected to widen to 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2026 from 1.3% in the October-December 2025 period.
Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
The RBI kept the benchmark repo rate unchanged at 5.25% during its February meeting.
Brent crude prices are projected to average $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April before declining to $80 per barrel in the fourth quarter of the year.
Growth forecasts for other economies were revised to 4.7% for China, 1.9% for South Korea, and 1.8% for Hong Kong.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI is scheduled to meet earlier next week.

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Goldman Sachs raises India CY26 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth Forecast to 6.9% (Start of February) ▼

Goldman Sachs has raised India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for calendar year 2026 by 20 basis points to 6.9 per cent.
The upward revision follows the United States (US) reducing reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the previous 25 per cent.
The revised 18 per cent tariff rate aligns India with other Asian economies that face US tariff rates ranging between 15 per cent and 19 per cent.
India’s bilateral goods trade surplus with the US doubled from approximately $20 billion in CY2015 to about $40 billion in CY2025 year-to-date.
The expansion in trade surplus was primarily driven by higher surpluses in electronics, pharmaceutical products, and textiles.
American crude oil accounted for 7 per cent of India’s crude imports by volume in Financial Year 2026 (FY26) up to November 2025, compared to 4 per cent in FY25.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) revises India’s FY 2025-26 growth forecast to 7.3% (Mid of January) ▼

International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.

Goldman Sachs (GS) forecasts India GDP growth at 6.7% for 2026 and 6.8% for 2027. (End of December) ▼

Goldman Sachs projects India’s real GDP growth at around 6.7 per cent in 2026 and 6.8 per cent in 2027.
Global growth is expected at 2.8 per cent in 2026, above the consensus estimate of 2.5 per cent.
Emerging markets, including India, are expected to outperform developed peers amid stronger domestic demand and favourable structural trends.
India’s growth benefits from strong domestic consumption, public infrastructure spending and limited exposure to global trade disruptions.
Goldman Sachs estimates China to grow at 4.8 per cent in 2026 and 4.7 per cent in 2027.
Inflation pressures are expected to ease across most economies by end-2026, supporting accommodative monetary stances in several emerging markets.

World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, up from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 and edge up to 6.6% in FY28.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India's FY26 growth at 7.4% on January 7.
South Asia’s growth is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026.
Global growth is projected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% from 2.1%, while China's economic growth is forecast to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
The WB projections assume that 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.

Union Ministry of Rural Development confers National Award on Karnataka Grameena Bank for Self-help Group (SHG)-Bank Linkage

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

The Union Ministry of Rural Development selected Karnataka Grameena Bank for the National Award for Outstanding Performance in SHG-Bank Linkage for the year 2024-25.
Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the award to the bank’s General Manager, V.M. Rukmini Devi.
The award was presented at the National Conference on Financial Literacy and Capacity Building and the 25th Central Level Coordination Committee (CLCC) Meeting held in Hyderabad.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wins Central Banking Initiative of the Year Award for launching .bank.in domain (Mid of March) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the Initiative of the Year Award from London-based Central Banking for creating the .bank.in domain.
India became the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for its banking system.
Only RBI-regulated entities are permitted to use the .bank.in domain to combat phishing and look-alike website frauds.
Banks were mandated to migrate their net banking websites to the .bank.in domain by 31 October 2025.
Major banks including SBI, HDFC, and ICICI have migrated their websites to the new domain format www.bankname.bank.in.
The initiative involved the Indian government, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks according to an official statement.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wins Central Banking's Initiative of the Year Award for launching .bank.in domain. (Mid of March) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the Initiative of the Year Award from London-based Central Banking for introducing the .bank.in domain.
India became the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for its banking system through .bank.in.
Only RBI-regulated entities are permitted to use the .bank.in domain to combat phishing and look-alike website frauds.
Banks were mandated to migrate their net banking websites to the new domain by 31 October 2025.
Major banks including SBI, HDFC, and ICICI have migrated their websites to URLs such as www.bankname.bank.in.
The initiative involved the Indian government, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks as stakeholders.

Indian Banks' Association (IBA) honours Karnataka Bank with multiple Banking Technology Awards. (Mid of January) ▼

Karnataka Bank won the Winner title in the 'Best Fintech & DPI Adoption' category.
Karnataka Bank was adjudged Runner-up in the 'Best Tech Talent' category.
Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Technology Bank' category.
Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Digital Financial Inclusion' category.
Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Digital Sales' category.

MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary announces Scheduled Commercial Banks' Gross NPAs fall to record 2.15% in September 2025 (Mid of February) ▼

Gross NPAs of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) for domestic operations declined to a historic low of 2.15% as of September 2025.
Public sector banks (PSBs) recorded a gross NPA ratio of 2.50%, private sector banks 1.73%, and foreign banks 0.80% as on 30 September 2025.
The slippage ratio for PSBs fell to 0.8% in September 2025, lower than the 1.8% recorded by private sector banks.
Over 30,000 pre-admission cases involving defaults of ₹13.78 lakh crore were settled under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) as of March 2025.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiated the Asset Quality Review in 2015, followed by the government's 4R strategy: recognition, resolution, recapitalisation, and reforms.

Svatantra Microfin completes amalgamation with Chaitnya India Fin Credit, creating Rs 22,000 crore AUM entity.

[Chaitanya India Fin Credit Private Limited]

Key Updates:

Svatantra Microfin completed amalgamation with Chaitanya India Fin Credit and Svatantra-Holding after approvals from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
The amalgamation is effective from the NCLT-Mumbai bench order dated 12 March 2026.
Post-merger, the combined entity holds assets under management (AUM) of about Rs 22,000 crore including its housing-finance business.
Svatantra Micro Housing Finance Corporation has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Svatantra Microfin.
The merged entity operates through about 2,200 branches across 20 states and employs around 25,000 people.
Since inception the company has disbursed approximately Rs 70,000 crore and serves around 5 million customers.

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Kotak Mahindra Capital Company (KMCC) divests 30.99% stake in Infina Finance for ₹1,293.91 crore. (End of March) ▼

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited (KMCC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank, signed definitive agreements on 21 March 2026 to sell 30.99% of its holding in Infina Finance Private Limited.
KMCC will transfer 9.90% stake (2,17,899 equity shares) to Derive Trading and Resorts Private Limited and Bright Star Investments Private Limited for ₹413.35 crore.
KMCC will sell 12.10% stake (2,66,321 equity shares) to the estate of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala through its trusts for ₹505.20 crore.
KMCC will divest 8.99% stake (1,97,870 equity shares) to existing shareholder KF Trust for ₹375.35 crore.
Post-transaction, KMCC’s stake in Infina will drop to 19%, and Infina will cease to be an associate company of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
The transactions are expected to complete on or before 31 March 2026, subject to customary conditions precedent.

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (Axis Max Life) and Saarathi Finance Partner for MSME Credit Protection (Mid of March) ▼

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (Axis Max Life) has entered into a strategic partnership with Saarathi Finance to bridge the credit gap for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The collaboration integrates the Group Credit Life Secure insurance product into the lending framework of Saarathi Finance to ensure financial continuity for entrepreneurs.
The initiative aligns with the national vision of achieving Insurance for All by 2047 and enhancing financial inclusivity for MSMEs.
Sumit Madan serves as the Managing Director of Axis Max Life, while Vivek Bansal is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Saarathi Finance.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) approves merger of 17 Power Grid Corporation of India subsidiaries (Start of February) ▼

Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) sanctioned orders on 27 January 2026 for merging 17 wholly owned subsidiaries of Power Grid Corporation of India.
The sanction orders were received by the company on 4 February 2026.
The restructuring uses two composite schemes: Scheme/Group-A and Scheme/Group-B.
Twelve subsidiaries, including several regional transmission systems, will merge into POWERGRID Khavda II-C Transmission Limited.
Five subsidiaries—POWERGRID Bhadla III and POWERGRID Ramgarh II among them—will amalgamate into POWERGRID Vataman Transmission Limited.
The mergers take effect retrospectively from the appointed date of 1 April 2024.
Disclosure was made under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves SBI Mutual Fund to acquire up to 9.99% stake in Bandhan Bank. (Start of March) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved SBI Mutual Fund’s proposal to acquire up to 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in Bandhan Bank.
RBI communicated the approval through a letter dated 25 February 2026.
The approval is subject to compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, 1949; RBI (Commercial Banks’ Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights) Directions, 2025 dated 28 November 2025; Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999; and Securities and Exchange Board of India regulations.
If SBI Mutual Fund fails to acquire the major shareholding within one year from RBI’s letter date, the approval will stand cancelled.
SBI Mutual Fund’s aggregate holding must not exceed 9.99% of Bandhan Bank’s paid-up share capital or voting rights at any time.
If SBI Mutual Fund’s aggregate holding falls below 5%, prior RBI approval is required to raise it back to 5% or more.
Bandhan Bank shares closed 1.77% higher at ₹186.11 on NSE on Thursday.

Delhi Green Budget 2026-27: Rs 260 cr for Free LPG Cylinders on Holi & Diwali

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the Delhi Budget 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 1,03,700 crore.
Government earmarked Rs 260 crore to provide one free LPG cylinder per household on Holi and on Diwali.
21% of the entire budget is allocated as a 'green budget' for environment protection.
Revenue expenditure accounts for 70.3% and capital expenditure for 29.7% of the budget.
Delhi's revenue surplus is projected at Rs 9,092 crore for 2026-27.
Rs 7,887 crore is allocated to the Urban Development Department and Rs 5,921 crore to the Public Works Department (PWD).
Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will receive Rs 1,000 crore for road improvements and Rs 1,352 crore for dust-free roads.
Rs 350 crore is allocated for the MLA Local Area Development Scheme.
Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been allocated Rs 9,000 crore and Rs 200 crore is provided for underground shifting of overhead electricity wires.
Rs 12,645 crore is allocated to the health sector and Rs 19,148 crore to the education sector.
Rs 90 crore is allocated to provide free cycles to 1.30 lakh Class-IX girl students in Delhi government schools.
Rs 5,110 crore is allocated for paying Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women beneficiaries.
Rs 300 crore is earmarked for the development of the trans-Yamuna area.

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Ghaziabad and Delhi ranked most polluted Indian cities in January 2026 by CREA (Start of February) ▼

Ghaziabad was the most polluted city in India in January 2026, recording a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 184 micrograms per cubic metre.
Delhi ranked as the second most polluted city with a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 169 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly three times the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi recorded 24 Very Poor days, 3 Severe days, 2 Poor days, and 2 Moderate days during the month.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines Air Quality Index (AQI) categories as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderate (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500).
Across India, 123 out of 248 cities recorded monthly average PM2.5 concentrations above the national standard, and none met the World Health Organization (WHO) daily safe guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
Of the 97 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) with sufficient data, all 97 breached the WHO daily safe guideline.
The ten most polluted cities in January 2026 were Ghaziabad, Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Greater Noida, Dharuhera, Gangtok, Singrauli, Bhiwadi, and Narnaul.
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana each had three cities featured in the top ten most polluted list.
PM2.5 are defined as fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Union Power Minister launches Indian Carbon Market Portal at Prakriti 2026 conference in New Delhi. (End of March) ▼

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) organised Prakriti 2026 under the patronage of the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Indian Carbon Market Portal serves as the central platform for implementing and administering the Indian Carbon Market.
India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 has nine notified methodologies and over 40 registered entities submitting projects in biogas, hydrogen, and forestry.
The government has notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.

Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Program (DRAP) launched to achieve Zero Dumpsite India by September 2026 (Start of February) ▼

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Program (DRAP) under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0.
DRAP targets scientific remediation of 8.8 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste across 1,428 dumpsites in India.
Sites with over 45,000 metric tonnes of waste are prioritised; no minimum limit for Union Territories and Northeastern states.
Central financial support under DRAP is ₹550 per tonne of waste.
States must prepare Micro Action Plans and monitor progress through the DRAP Portal.

Haryana Agri Discom: Third power distribution company for 7.12 lakh farmers (Start of March) ▼

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the creation of 'Haryana Agri Discom', the state’s third power distribution company dedicated to agriculture.
Haryana Agri Discom will supply electricity to all 5,084 agricultural feeders and 7.12 lakh agriculture consumers in Haryana.
The 2026-27 Haryana budget allocates Rs 28,205 crore as capital expenditure, 12.6% of the total Rs 2.23 lakh crore outlay.
World Bank approved Rs 2,716 crore for the 'Haryana Clean Air Project' to improve air quality in the state.
A Rs 100 crore 'Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund' is proposed to promote zero-emission vehicles, renewable energy, water conservation, urban greening, climate-resilient agriculture and nature-based solutions.

Musi River Rejuvenation Project faces BJP and expert criticism over cost and approach

Key Updates:

The Telangana government’s Musi River Rejuvenation Project is estimated to cost Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
BJP state president N. Ramchander-Rao questioned the funding feasibility given the state’s unpaid pension dues.
The Gandhi Sarovar Project, a part of the Musi initiative, saw its cost rise from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 7,000 crore within days.
Rao emphasised the project’s impact across South Telangana and called for a holistic approach from catchment to Krishna River confluence.
Vedire Sriram, water adviser to the Maharashtra government, described the works as superficial beautification rather than true revival and noted rejuvenation takes at least 20 years.
Sriram stated the Central Water Commission (CWC) has not been consulted, which jeopardises prospects of international funding.
He offered a revised DPR free of cost, claiming the Rs 160-crore DPR is riddled with loopholes and suggests sourcing water from Singur and Manjeera for Rs 100 crore instead of Rs 1,000 crore from Mallanna Sagar.
Sriram underlined the need for stakeholder participation, catchment-area percolation structures, massive afforestation and sewage treatment to reduce water pollution to below 3 PPM.

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Senapati Forest Division launches PRA exercise to rejuvenate Barak River watershed (Start of January) ▼

The Senapati Forest Division launched a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise at Saranamai village under the Barak catchment area.
The PRA exercise involved mapping of local resources, land-use patterns, wealth ranking, matrix ranking, timeline and SWOT analysis of the village.
The baseline data generated will help formulate a detailed action plan under the new CAMPA scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Barak River originates at Liyai Khullen village of Senapati District and drains into the Bay of Bengal as river Meghna in Bangladesh.
The Barak basin is the second largest basin in North-East India and is fed by tributaries including the Makru, Irang, Tuivai.
Threats to the Barak basin include forest fires, floods, bank erosion, deforestation, shifting cultivation, soil erosion, landslides, and lack of awareness.

West Bengal signs MoU with GIZ for basin-based masterplans of Ichhamati and Jalangi rivers (Start of March) ▼

The Government of West Bengal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with German federal enterprise GIZ and the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG) on 23 February to develop basin-based masterplans for Ichhamati and Jalangi rivers.
The project is the first under the state’s 2025-26 budget scheme ‘nodi bandhan’ with a budgetary provision of ₹200 crore.
Ichhamati and Jalangi are the first two of West Bengal’s 39 river sub-basins selected for such masterplan development.
The masterplan scope includes dredging for increased water flow, pollution control, erosion minimisation, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation and enhanced irrigation supply.
Implementation is expected to start after plan approval and finish within one year.

Musi River Rejuvenation Plan: 55-km corridor restoration and heritage tourism integration. (Mid of March) ▼

The Musi rejuvenation plan targets restoration and development of around 55 km of the river corridor.
The plan focuses on river cleaning, ecological restoration, riverfront development and public access.
Key historic structures mapped include Golconda fort, Qutb Shahi tombs, Taramati Baradari, Shri Veerabhadra Swami Devalayam, Purana Pul, Government City College, Macca Masjid, Charminar, the Telangana High Court building, Osmania General Hospital and the British Residency at Koti.
E.V. Narasimha Reddy, MD of the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDCL), unveiled the heritage concept map.
Authorities aim to integrate these historic structures into a heritage tourism network while preserving Hyderabad’s historic character.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) extends Demwe Lower hydel project clearance till 2037 (Mid of February) ▼

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has extended the environmental clearance (EC) for the 1,750 MW Demwe Lower Project in Arunachal Pradesh until 2037.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on river valley and hydroelectric projects granted the 11-year extension by treating time lost to litigation as a zero period.
The project is located on the Lohit River across the Anjaw and Lohit districts and involves the construction of a 162.12-metre-tall concrete gravity dam.
Greenko Demwe Power Limited (GDPL), part of the Greenko Group, is the current developer after the original developer, Athena Demwe Power Ltd, entered insolvency proceedings.
The project requires the diversion of 1,416 hectares of forest land and will result in the submergence of 1,589.97 hectares.
The Lohit basin and Kamlang Tiger Reserve, situated upstream of the project, are identified as crucial habitats for the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously ordered the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to reconsider the project due to its potential impact on the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam.
The project is situated upstream of Parshuram Kund, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site located within the Lohit riverine ecosystem.

Sugam Digital Gujarat initiative digitises 20 high-demand citizen services

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

Gujigarh Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched Sugam Digital Gujarat initiative on 24 March 2026 at Mahatma Mandir.
The initiative digitises 20 high-transaction services across five major departments based on the fifth report of Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC).
Services including income and caste certificates, ration cards, and affidavits become faceless, cashless, and paperless.
Citizens can access these services from home and need not submit the same documents for different services due to digital data systems.
A digital locker system is being introduced to support the digital transformation.

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Samriddhi Kendra inaugurated under Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Initiative to deliver integrated citizen services in rural Madhya Pradesh. (Mid of March) ▼

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the Samriddhi Kendra at Umri village in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The Samriddhi Kendra is an Integrated Phygital (Physical + Digital) Service Centre under the Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The initiative leverages BharatNet high-speed broadband infrastructure to transform digital connectivity into an integrated platform for delivery of citizen-centric services in rural areas.
The centre provides telemedicine consultations, a Health ATM for basic diagnostics, and access to affordable medicines through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
Education and skilling facilities include smart classroom infrastructure, digital learning access, digital training programmes supported by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), and skill development programmes for rural youth.
Agriculture services include soil testing support, agricultural advisory services, access to modern farming technologies, and drone-based agriculture services.
The centre facilitates assisted access to e-governance services, including information on government schemes, issuance of certificates, digital documentation, and support for online citizen services.
Financial and digital services include banking and digital payment services, financial literacy support, and assisted access to e-commerce platforms.
Connectivity services are provided through BharatNet-enabled high-speed FTTH broadband and public Wi-Fi access under the PM-WANI framework.
The centre operates on a community-driven model involving trained local youth serving as Village Level Entrepreneurs.
The initiative is implemented by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in partnership with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF).

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches pilot ‘Awareness Program on Digital Payments’ for 10 lakh participants in Maharashtra. (Mid of March) ▼

The sixth edition of Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) is being observed during March 9-13, 2026.
RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra launched the pilot program titled 'Awareness Program on Digital Payments'.
The pilot will be conducted in Maharashtra in partnership with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited.
The pilot will include in-person awareness programs for 10 lakh participants in rural and semi-urban areas through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
RBI also launched a multi-media awareness campaign 'Thoda Dhyan Se' to encourage users to be careful while making payments and transacting online.
Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra interacted with Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of select Payment Systems Operators (PSOs) after the launch.
Deputy Governors Shri T Rabi Sankar, Dr Poonam Gupta, and Shri S C Murmu attended the launch event.

Special Campaign 5.0 Assessment Report & CPGRAMS Annual Report Released (End of December) ▼

The Assessment Report of Special Campaign 5.0 and the Annual Report of CPGRAMS were released by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Special Campaign 5.0 institutionalised Swachhata and reduced pendency across government offices, generating over Rs 4100 crores through systematic disposal of scrap and e-waste.
CPGRAMS report highlights the Government’s focus on responsive, technology-enabled and time-bound grievance redressal.

Amit Shah launches CBDC-enabled PDS in Gujarat to digitise ration distribution. (Mid of February) ▼

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-enabled Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Shah stated that India now accounts for half of the world’s digital transactions.
The new system aims to make ration distribution more transparent and efficient.

Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 to retain IPS dominance in CAPF leadership

Key Updates:

The Union Cabinet cleared the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 on 11 March 2026 to retain IPS officers on deputation in five CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
The Bill mandates 50% of Inspector General posts to be filled by IPS deputation, minimum 67% of Additional Director General posts by IPS deputation, and Special DG and DG posts exclusively by IPS deputation.
It empowers the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to override any court judgment and frame recruitment, promotion and deputation rules for CAPF Group A officers.
The Supreme Court on 23 May 2025 had ordered progressive reduction of IPS deputations in DIG and IG ranks within two years, citing stagnation and morale loss among CAPF officers.
Retired CAPF officers oppose the Bill, alleging career stagnation, non-implementation of non-functional upgradation since 2006, and exclusion of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) oversight.

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Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm database launched to strengthen anti-terror crime effort (End of December) ▼

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the 'Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm' database prepared by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The database will centrally record government-owned weapons that are looted, stolen, lost, or recovered from state police forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
It will be accessible to all state police forces, paramilitary units, and law enforcement agencies for tracing weapon origin, movement, and recovery patterns.

Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 mandates IPS dominance in senior CAPF leadership (End of March) ▼

The Centre will introduce the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026.
The Bill replaces fragmented rules of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB with a single unified administrative framework.
At least 50 per cent of Inspector General posts will be reserved for IPS officers on deputation.
A minimum 67 per cent of Additional Director General posts will be reserved for IPS officers on deputation.
The posts of Special Director General and Director General will be filled exclusively by IPS deputationists.
All current recruitment rules in the Second Schedule stay valid until amended, preventing administrative vacuum.
The Bill explicitly states it involves no expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.

RRU and SSB Academy sign MoU to enhance national security training (End of March) ▼

Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Academy signed an MoU in New Delhi to enhance National Security Training and Accreditation.
RRU, an Institution of National Importance, will provide academic accreditation for training programmes conducted at the SSB Academy.
Both institutions will exchange faculty expertise, pedagogical tools, and specialised training facilities.
RRU will offer SSB personnel hands-on training through its laboratories and field-based workshops.
The collaboration aims to modernise SSB’s training curriculum with technology-driven solutions for border surveillance and internal security.

India Unveils Defence Forces Vision 2047 Roadmap for Future-Ready Military (Mid of March) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the document titled Defence Forces Vision 2047: A Roadmap for a Future-Ready Indian Military in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The roadmap envisages the transformation of the military into an integrated, multi-domain, and agile force capable of deterring adversaries and responding to conflicts.
The vision document was released eight months after a military conflict between India and Pakistan that occurred from May 7 to 10.
A central pillar of the vision is the emphasis on jointness and synergy among the services to promote coordination in planning, operations, and capability development.
The plan prioritises Aatmanirbharta in defence by promoting the development of indigenous technologies and strengthening domestic defence manufacturing.
The roadmap outlines prioritised capability goals across short-, medium-, and long-term timelines to build a world-class defence force by India’s independence centenary.
The document advocates for a whole-of-nation approach that integrates military strength with diplomatic, technological, and economic power to safeguard national interests.
The vision aims to contribute to the goal of a strong and resilient Viksit Bharat by establishing a technologically advanced and combat-ready military.

MoRD Launches Real-Time Internal Audit Portal to Boost Transparency and Accountability in Rural Governance

[Ministry of Rural Development]

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) operationalised an Internal Audit Portal developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The portal (ruralaudit.dord.gov.in) enables Secretary-level access for direct real-time monitoring of audit performance across departments.
It provides a real-time dashboard to monitor audit status, Action Taken Reports (ATRs), and pending cases from field units to headquarters.
An automated escalation mechanism generates system alerts for delays in compliance, ensuring accountability across administrative levels.
Role-based secure access safeguards data integrity while enabling coordination among officials.
The platform centralises audit tracking by allowing seamless flow of audit observations from field offices to central authorities.
The Ministry expects the portal to reduce the compliance gap and accelerate closure of audit observations through continuous 365-day monitoring.
The initiative aligns with the Digital India mission to strengthen governance, transparency, and fiscal discipline in rural development expenditure.

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Controller General of Accounts (CGA) launches Government Bank Dashboard and Government Bank Manual to strengthen compliance and accountability. (Start of March) ▼

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) launched the Government Bank Dashboard and the Government Bank Manual on 27 February 2026.
The Dashboard and Manual aim to strengthen compliance, reduce risk and enhance accountability in banks handling government business.
Real-time digital monitoring under the initiative will enable proactive oversight and performance management of government banking transactions.

IICA Forms Advisory Group on Ease of Doing Business to Modernise Corporate Regulations (End of February) ▼

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), has constituted a high-level Advisory Group on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
The panel is chaired by Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IICA.
The group was established following an MCA order dated 31 December 2025 and is aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The primary objective of the initiative is to modernise India’s corporate regulatory framework and simplify compliance procedures under the Companies Act, 2013.
The Advisory Group will focus on rationalising e-forms, reducing procedural duplication, and exploring event-based compliance systems.
The panel includes representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), and Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).
Industry bodies represented in the group include the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
The School of Business Environment at the IICA will serve as the Secretariat for the Advisory Group.
The IICA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MCA for a research study titled Re-envisioning Ease of Doing Business for Viksit Bharat 2047.

e-Swasthya Samvad: Strengthening Governance in Medical Education (End of December) ▼

The Rajasthan government has launched a new digital communication platform, 'e-Swasthya Samvad (ESS)', to improve governance, transparency and coordination in the Medical Education Department (MED).
The initiative has been introduced under the direction of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Medical Education Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar as part of efforts to strengthen health services through technology-driven reforms.
The platform would function as a dedicated digital interface connecting all stakeholders associated with medical education and health services, enabling faster decision-making and effective implementation of health programmes.
The interaction will be held in two phases, including an open interaction with faculty members, doctors, nursing staff, students and the public from 6 pm.
Medical Education Commissioner Naresh Goyal said 'e-Swasthya Samvad' will be conducted twice a week -- every Tuesday and Thursday -- through video conferencing.
Decisions taken during meetings will be recorded instantly, and concerned officials will be required to submit action taken reports within 72 hours.
The platform was launched on Dec 29, 2025, to facilitate discussions on budget announcements, implementation of health schemes, and infrastructure projects.

Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) System: Strengthening Consumer Trust and India's Quality Ecosystem (Start of January) ▼

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has expanded Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID)-based gold and silver hallmarking, with more than 20 lakh silver articles already hallmarked.
India's standards regime has achieved significant global alignment, with about 94% of Indian Standards harmonised with ISO and IEC to help products gain wider acceptance in international markets.
BIS standards now cover renewable energy, electric mobility, energy storage and electric agricultural tractors, reflecting India's transition towards clean energy and sustainable growth.
The MoCA is focusing on modernising laboratories, expanding digital platforms, and empowering women through initiatives such as Manak Mitra.
The implementation of hallmarking has brought a significant change in the bullion market, protecting consumers in rural areas from the sale of substandard gold.

NITI Aayog sanctions Rs 1.55 crore for RISE centre in NTR district

[NITI Aayog]

Key Updates:

NITI Aayog has sanctioned Rs 1.55 crore for the Rural Innovations Incubation, Skelling and Entrepreneurship (RISE) centre at Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district.
The RISE centre is located at Guntupalli in Ibrahimpatnam mandal, one of the two aspirational blocks in NTR district.
The centre aims to empower women and transform rural women into entrepreneurs in line with the Swarnandhra Vision @2047 and One Family - One Entrepreneur initiative.
Funds will be utilised for AI-based skill surveys, skill development, training programmes, and infrastructure creation in Ibrahimpam block.
A detailed report on the RISE centre plan was sent to NITI Aayog and approved by a special committee.

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Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) outlay raised to ₹40,000 crore (Start of March) ▼

Union Budget 2026-27 increased the outlay for the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) to ₹40,000 crore to deepen domestic electronics manufacturing capacity.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery met Tata Electronics MD & CEO Randhir Thakur to discuss scaling electronics production, strengthening resilient supply chains and enhancing India’s participation in global value chains.
The policy push aligns with the government’s atmanirbhar Bharat drive in the semiconductor and electronics space.
India’s electronics production has risen nearly six-fold in the past eleven years, creating 25 lakh jobs and establishing the country as a major electronics-manufacturing hub.

Nidhi Chhibber takes additional charge as NITI Aayog CEO as BVR Subrahmanyam tenure ends (End of February) ▼

Nidhi Chhibber, Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), has been given additional charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog.
She is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and previously served as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
At NITI Aayog’s DMEO, she has been responsible for monitoring and evaluating flagship government schemes.
Chhibber holds a Master’s degree in History and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), and is proficient in both English and Hindi.
BVR Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, completed his three-year term as CEO of NITI Aayog.
Subrahmanyam has served as Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Principal Secretary in the Chhattisgarh government, and has also worked in the Prime Minister’s Office.

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign SOI to improve maternal and child nutrition in aspirational districts and blocks (Start of March) ▼

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to support strategic interventions in aspirational districts and aspirational blocks.
The SOI was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India.
UNICEF India will provide technical expertise and channel CSR funds into nutrition-focused initiatives through its platform IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N).
The partnership will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building capacity of frontline workers.
The agreement aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement and strengthen implementation systems for nutrition and health interventions at the block level.

NITI Aayog–NIIT Foundation MoU for 100% Aspirational Blocks coverage (End of January) ▼

NITI Aayog has partnered with NIIT Foundation to achieve 100% coverage in digital literacy, financial inclusion and employability across select Aspirational Blocks.
The collaboration targets approximately 1.2 lakh beneficiaries with at least 40% women participation.
NIIT Foundation will lead on-ground implementation through trained mobilisers, trainers, and by building capacity of community facilitators, self-help group leaders and peer educators.

United Nations Observes International Day for the Right to the Truth on 24 March 2026

Key Updates:

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on 21 December 2010.
The observance commemorates Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, a human rights defender in El Salvador who was murdered on 24 March 1980.
The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état in Argentina, which initiated a military junta dictatorship lasting from 1976 to 1983.
The Joinet/Orentlicher Principles, formally known as the Updated Set of Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights through Action to Combat Impunity, define the right to truth as an inalienable right.
Historical truth-seeking bodies include the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP) established in Argentina in 1984 and the Commission for the Clarification of Truth in Colombia in 2017.
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence is Bernard Duhaime.
The UN Special Rapporteur is preparing a report on negationism, revisionism, and politicization for the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
A report regarding emerging technologies in the context of transitional justice will be submitted for the 81st session of the UNGA.

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres marks International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March (Mid of March) ▼

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed on 15 March.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world’s 2 billion Muslims reflect vast global diversity.
Guterres highlighted institutional discrimination, socioeconomic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance against Muslims.
He warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.
Governments were urged to take concrete steps to address hate speech, protect religious freedom, and ensure compliance with international human rights law.
Online platforms were asked to eliminate hate speech and harassment based on religion or belief.
In May 2025, the UN Secretary-General appointed the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed on 27 January (End of January) ▼

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 60/7 designated 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in 2005.
The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp on 27 January 1945.
The Holocaust led to the adoption of foundational documents by the United Nations (UN) in 1948, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The UNGA established the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme in 2005 to mobilize outreach for combatting antisemitism and defending human rights.
Key UNGA resolutions related to this observance and the prevention of Holocaust denial include A/RES/60/7, A/RES/61/255, and A/RES/76/250.
The annual observance is held at the UN Headquarters in New York and through the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs).

International Day of Human Fraternity observed on 4 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4 February 2026.
The 2026 message was delivered by the UN Secretary-General.
The day celebrates equality, dignity and mutual understanding.
The Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together declaration was co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism observed on 12 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism is observed on 12 February 2026.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres released a message for the day.
United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy marks its twentieth anniversary in 2026.
United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremement marks its tenth anniversary in 2026.

India Prime Minister addresses Lok Sabha on West Asia crisis and national security

[Middle East]

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha (LS) regarding the West Asia conflict, highlighting its impact on India’s energy security and the safety of nearly 1 crore Indian citizens in the region.
The Government of India has facilitated the return of approximately 1,000 Indians from Iran and established 24/7 helplines through Indian missions for on-ground support.
India has diversified its energy imports from 27 to 41 countries over the last 11 years and currently imports Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from 41 nations.
The country maintains Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) of 5.3 million metric tonnes (MMT), with plans to add an additional 6.5 MMT to strengthen fuel security.
Ethanol blending initiatives have resulted in a reduction of 4.5 crore barrels of oil imports annually.
India’s renewable energy capacity has reached approximately 250 GW, including 140 GW of solar power and 40 lakh rooftop solar installations.
Domestic coal production has exceeded 100 crore tonnes, while the agriculture sector has been supported by the deployment of over 22 lakh solar pumps.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled examinations in the Middle East due to the ongoing crisis.

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India and Israel elevate ties to special strategic partnership and advance mutually beneficial FTA (Start of March) ▼

India and Israel elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel.
Both sides agreed to soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
India and Israel signed multiple agreements to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extremely fruitful and wide-ranging talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity.
Modi and Herzog planted an oak tree at the President’s residence as a symbol of friendship and shared future.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the Knesset, becoming the first Indian to speak in Israel’s Parliament.
Modi voiced strong support for the Gaza peace initiative and stated that terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere.
The Speaker of the Knesset conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on Prime Minister Modi for his exceptional contribution to strengthening India-Israel strategic relations.

Narendra Modi Conferred With Speaker of the Knesset Medal by Israel (End of February) ▼

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, which is the highest honour awarded by the Israeli parliament.
PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this distinction, which was presented during his address to the Knesset.
The medal was awarded in recognition of his leadership in strengthening strategic and bilateral relations between India and Israel.
During the two-day visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the building of an iron alliance between the two nations to counter extremist Islam.
PM Modi is among the few world leaders to hold top honours from both Israel and Palestine, having received the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine in 2018.
The Prime Minister also held meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss deepening cooperation in key strategic areas.

India and Israel Upgrade Bilateral Ties to Special Strategic Partnership During Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's Visit (End of February) ▼

PM Narendra Modi concluded a historic two-day visit to Israel, marking the first visit by an Indian leader in nine years.
India and Israel agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership.
A total of 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two nations, spanning sectors such as innovation, cultural exchange, manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The two countries announced the establishment of a Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership to deepen cooperation in the technology and innovation sectors.
PM Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu committed to finalising a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and holding a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 group.
PM Modi called on President Isaac Herzog and planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
The PM visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, to pay homage to victims and visited the Book of Names Hall.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the leaders explored enhanced cooperation in education, start-ups, quantum computing, and security.

India and Israel: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Israel and address Knesset in February 2025 (End of February) ▼

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Israel on 25 February 2025 for a two-day official visit.
PM Modi is expected to address the Knesset (Israeli parliament) and hold meetings with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announced that former lawmakers will occupy opposition benches if current members boycott the address.
The Leader of Opposition (LOP) Yair Lapid has demanded that Supreme Court (SC) President Yitzhak Amit be invited to the session as per protocol.
The political dispute is linked to Israel's judicial overhaul controversy and Justice Minister Yariv Levin's refusal to recognise the authority of SC President Amit.

Iran marks Nowruz under US-Israeli strikes amid internet blackout

Key Updates:

Iran celebrated Nowruz on 20 March 2026 as US and Israeli warplanes conducted overnight and periodic bombardment.
Spring equinox in Iran occurred at 18:15:59 local time (14:45:59 GMT) on 20 March 2026.
Tehran’s air-defence batteries fired intermittently after the new-year moment in an apparent celebratory move.
Iranian government allows citizens 30 litres of petrol daily via personal fuel cards and claims no fuel shortage despite depot bombings.
State maintains near-total internet shutdown for 21st consecutive day, reducing connectivity to under 1 percent of previous levels.
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documented over 7,000 deaths during January protests; UN special rapporteur Mai Sato estimates more than 20,000 civilian deaths.
Iranian authorities executed three men, including 19-year-old national wrestling team member, and a Swedish dual national for alleged protest-related crimes and spying for Israel.

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Nowruz 2026 observed in Iran amid fourth week of Iran-Israel-US war (End of March) ▼

Nowruz, the Persian New Year rooted in Zoroastrianism, marks the spring equinox and was celebrated on 21 March 2026.
United Nations (UN) recognises 21 March as International Nowruz Day and UNESCO lists Nowruz as intangible cultural heritage.
The Haft-Seen table displays seven items beginning with Persian letter 'S': sabzeh, seeb, serkeh, samanu, senjed, sekkeh, seer.
Chaharshanbe Suri, a fire-jumping purification rite, is observed on the eve of Nowruz.
In 2026 the Iran-Israel-US war entered its fourth week, killing thousands including civilians and wrecking infrastructure.
Nowruz 2026 coincided with the closing days of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, adding complexity to state and private observances.

UNESCO establishes World Poetry Day on 21 March. (End of March) ▼

UNESCO officially established World Poetry Day in 1999 during its 30th General Conference in Paris.
World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21 March.
The day aims to promote poetry as a meaningful cultural practice and to support linguistic diversity worldwide.
Some countries previously celebrated poetry on 15 October, the birthday of Roman poet Virgil.

World Kidney Day 2026 observed on March 12 with theme 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet' (Mid of March) ▼

World Kidney Day 2026 is observed globally on March 12.
The 2026 theme is 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet'.
World Kidney Day is organised annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Society of Nephrology.

National Tourism Day 2026 observed on January 25 (End of January) ▼

National Tourism Day 2026 is observed on January 25.
The day was established on January 25, 1982, by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
National Tourism Day recognises tourism as a driver of economic development, employment generation, cultural preservation, and people-to-people connection.

World Day for Glaciers marked at Zangser Kangri Glacier on 21 March 2026

Key Updates:

March 21 is designated as the World Day for Glaciers.
The Zangser Kangri Glacier is located within the Changtang National Nature Reserve in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China.
The Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China serves as a habitat for herds of wild yaks.
Wild yaks were observed and photographed near the Zangser Kangri Glacier in March 2026.

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World Down Syndrome Day 2026 observed on March 21 with theme "Together Against Loneliness" (End of March) ▼

World Down Syndrome Day 2026 will be observed on March 21.
The global theme for 2026 is "Together Against Loneliness".
The Down Syndrome Resource Foundation (DSRF) is based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

World Day for Glaciers 2026: Leaders push for urgent action as global ice loss accelerates (End of March) ▼

21 March 2026 is observed as the World Day for Glaciers, concluding a 12-month international campaign to strengthen glacier protection policies.
Glaciers store 70% of the planet’s freshwater and supply seasonal meltwater to billions of people.
Germany’s last four glaciers lost over 25% of their area between 2024 and 2026, according to geographer Wilfried Hagg and glaciologist Christoph Mayer.
Scientists stress that stabilising global temperatures below 1.5°C is crucial to slow ice loss.
Himalayan nations and Arctic communities are advocating for climate financing to mitigate flooding risks and preserve freshwater systems.

International Polar Bear Day observed on 27 February (End of February) ▼

International Polar Bear Day is observed every year on 27 February.
The day was launched by Polar Bears International (PBI) and is now in its 21st year.
The overall objective is to bring attention to polar bears and the importance of conserving their Arctic sea ice home.
The public can join a live scientist chat on PBI’s Facebook page at 12 p.m. ET on the day.
The Polar Bear Tracker allows users to follow specific bears moving along Hudson Bay, including female X33991 who adopted a cub this winter.
PBI’s Northern Lights Cam, in collaboration with explore.org and the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Churchill, Canada, streams year-round and offers optimal aurora viewing in February and March.

UNESCO establishes World Poetry Day on 21 March. (End of March) ▼

UNESCO officially established World Poetry Day in 1999 during its 30th General Conference in Paris.
World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21 March.
The day aims to promote poetry as a meaningful cultural practice and to support linguistic diversity worldwide.
Some countries previously celebrated poetry on 15 October, the birthday of Roman poet Virgil.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports 65-year peak in Earth energy imbalance

[World Meteorological Organization]

Key Updates:

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of the Climate 2025 report, revealing that Earth’s energy imbalance has reached its highest level in at least 65 years.
Approximately 91 per cent of excess energy is absorbed by the oceans, while 5 per cent warms the land, 3 per cent melts ice, and 1 per cent heats the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide levels in 2024 reached a 2-million-year high, while methane and nitrous oxide concentrations are at their highest in 800,000 years.
Global sea levels by the end of 2025 were 11 centimetres higher than in 1993, with the rate of rise increasing from 2.65 mm per year (1993-2011) to 4.75 mm per year (2012-2025).
The global mean temperature in 2025 was approximately 1.43°C above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1900, while 2024 remains the warmest on record at 1.55°C above the baseline.
Ocean surface pH levels have declined to their lowest in at least 26,000 years, with significant acidification observed in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Around 1.2 billion people, representing more than one-third of the global workforce, are exposed to extreme heat annually, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors.
The report indicates that rising emissions threaten United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 14, and SDG 15.

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World Meteorological Day 2026 observed with theme Observing today, protecting tomorrow (End of March) ▼

World Meteorological Day is observed annually on March 23 to commemorate the formal establishment of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2026 is Observing today, protecting tomorrow.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates global weather and climate activities.
The first-ever World Meteorological Day was celebrated in 1961, eleven years after the establishment of the WMO in 1950.
The WMO facilitates international collaboration for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and the sharing of crucial weather data between countries.
The organisation supports research on climate change, water resources, and environmental monitoring while promoting technological innovations like satellite technology and supercomputers.
The WMO provides data that assists governments in disaster preparedness, helps farmers with crop strategies, and enables safer operations for airlines and fishermen.

World Economic Forum releases 2026 Global Risks Report highlighting geoeconomic confrontation as top business worry (Mid of January) ▼

Geoeconomic confrontation leaps to the top spot on the list of business worries over the next two years.
The potential for adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence moved from 30th place among short-term risks as of last year to fifth place among long-term risks.
Global power rivalries and strategic standoffs top the list of most severe near-term risks heading into 2026.
Misinformation and disinformation rank second on the WEF's list of short-term risks, followed by societal polarization.
Extreme weather remains the top concern among surveyed leaders for the next decade.

World TB Day 2026 spotlights science-driven push to eliminate tuberculosis

Key Updates:

World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimated 10.6 million people developed TB in 2022, including 1.3 million children.
WHO recorded 1.3 million TB deaths among HIV-negative individuals and an additional 300,000 deaths among people living with HIV in 2022.
Approximately 410,000 people developed multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) in 2022.
Sustainable Development Goal 3 calls for ending the TB epidemic by 2030.
WHO’s End TB Strategy targets a 90% reduction in TB deaths and an 80% reduction in TB incidence by 2030 compared with 2015 levels.

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World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day observed on 30 January (End of January) ▼

World Health Organisation (WHO) designated 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day at the 74th World Health Assembly on 31 May 2021.
The date commemorates the adoption of the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012.
WHO’s 2030 targets include 90% reduction in people needing treatment for NTDs and 75% reduction in years of life lost due to NTDs.
By 1 January 2026, 58 countries had eradicated at least one NTD.
Global financial aid for NTDs fell by 41% between 2018 and 2023.
USAID’s dismantling and the United States withdrawal from WHO have suspended 47 treatment campaigns affecting 143 million people worldwide.
ANRS MIE, responsible for monitoring emerging infectious diseases, prioritises dengue and chikungunya under its Emergence epidemic response system.
ANRS MIE funds projects including LSDengue, ARBOGEN, DENGAGE, DENGAFRICA, and LEISHNEW targeting dengue, chikungunya, and leishmaniasis.
ANRS MIE co-directs Global Health EDCTP3 and serves as one of nine international coordination centres for the STRIVE network linking over 300 clinical trials in 40 countries.

World Cancer Day 2026 observed on February 4 with theme 'United by Unique' (Start of February) ▼

World Cancer Day is observed on February 4 every year.
The theme for World Cancer Day 2026 is 'United by Unique'.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths globally in 2022.
India reported over 15 lakh cancer cases in 2024, up from 13.5 lakh in 2019.
Cancer cases in India rose from 13.9 lakh in 2020 to 14.2 lakh in 2021, 14.6 lakh in 2022, and 14.9 lakh in 2023.

Ashwini Vaishnaw launches National AI Skilling, MyWAV & DD Free Dish EPG initiatives

Key Updates:

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ashwwa Vaishnaw unveiled three inter-linked measures to boost India’s media and creative economy.
National AI Skilling initiative, implemented by Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) with Google and YouTube, will train 15,000 youths at zero fee.
Phase-I of the AI programme runs 23 March-30 June 2026, covering Google Career Certificates and Cloud Generative AI paths; completion is mandatory for Phase-II.
Phase-II (July-December 2026) offers advanced, project-based specialisation for the creative industry using Gemini 3, Nano Banana, Veo and Vertex AI tools.
MyWAVES, a citizen-creator platform on WAVES OTT, enables users to create, upload and share content and is positioned to strengthen the digital ecosystem.
Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in TV sets expand DD Free Dish access without set-top boxes, improving reach in remote areas.
All three initiatives aim to build capabilities, widen opportunities and ensure access to content, supporting the ‘Orange Economy’ as highlighted in the Union Budget.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director, YouTube India, stated the partnership seeks to make India a global hub for digital content and innovation.

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BEL AI Policy and CoE-AI launched to boost indigenous defence innovation (Mid of February) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and formally launched BEL’s AI Policy.
BEL was commended for progress in electronic warfare systems, avionics, naval platforms, electro-optics, and tank electronics.
Indigenous air defence and anti-drone systems developed by BEL were utilised during Operation Sindoor.
The minister urged BEL, other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry partners to advance AI and quantum computing for real-time decision-making, autonomous systems, cyber defence, and precision operations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru (Mid of February) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and launched BEL's AI Policy.
He was briefed on indigenous defence technologies including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups.
BEL showcased ongoing R&D aligned with programmes such as Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA Mk II), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), Counter Drone Systems, and Naval Weapon Control Systems.
Indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively utilised during Operation Sindoor.

Adani Group partners Vidya Pratishthan to launch Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati (End of December) ▼

The Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, Baramati, Maharashtra with funding from Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani.
An MoU has been formally signed between Adani Group and Vidya Pratishthan to enhance AI collaboration.
This partnership is a commitment to build applied technological capability, where AI research, engineering, and execution move together in an integrated fashion.

IndiaAI Mission and UPDESCO ink MoU to build Uttar Pradesh AI ecosystem (Mid of January) ▼

The MoU was exchanged during the Uttar Pradesh AI and Health Innovation Conference between Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, IT and Electronics Department, Uttar Pradesh, and Abhishek Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the IndiaAI Mission.
UPDESCO will act as the state nodal agency for implementation.
A total of 65 Data and AI Labs are proposed to be set up across the state under the IndiaAI Mission.
At present, two such labs are operational at National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) centres in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, while another has been established in Pilibhit with industry support.
The state government has already approved the establishment of 49 additional Data and AI Labs, with implementation currently underway.
The labs will be equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced technical resources to support hands-on AI training.

Razorpay and Sarvam AI partner to launch voice-led conversational commerce in India

[Razorpay, Sarvam AI]

Key Updates:

Razorpay has partnered with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup Sarvam AI to introduce voice-led conversational commerce for India's multilingual population.
The technology allows users to search for products, place orders, and complete transactions using natural language and Indian languages.
The initiative will first go live on the food delivery platform Swiggy via the Indus App.
The partnership integrates Sarvam AI's models and agentic stack with Razorpay's agentic payments infrastructure.
Razorpay is also developing AI-powered agents for payments using Anthropic's Claude chatbot to manage tasks like recovering abandoned purchases and resolving disputes.
Sarvam AI has partnered with EkStep Foundation and AI4Bharat to roll out multilingual voice AI agents under the Listen at Scale initiative.
A pilot of the voice assistant has been introduced on The Derma Co's website, allowing users to buy products using voice commands.

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Razorpay launches AI-powered Agent Studio for payment automation (Mid of March) ▼

Razorpay has launched Agent Studio, described as the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) platform for payments built on Anthropic’s Claude Agent Software Development Kit (SDK).
The platform was unveiled at the FTX 2026 event to automate business tasks including dispute resolution, cart recovery, and cash-flow forecasting.
Razorpay introduced an Agentic Experience Platform that enables businesses to manage payment operations through natural-language commands instead of traditional dashboards.
The AI agents can automatically intervene during abandoned purchases and integrate with third-party platforms such as Shopify, Shiprocket, and WhatsApp.
The company is integrating these capabilities into in-app commerce with partners including Zomato, Swiggy, and PVR Inox.
The initiative builds on previous developments with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and technology firms Anthropic and OpenAI.
The platform allows businesses to complete onboarding by submitting basic details such as Permanent Account Number (PAN) and website information.

Gnani.ai and Razorpay launch agentic AI platform for in-call UPI payments (Start of March) ▼

Gnani.ai and Razorpay have partnered to launch an agentic AI collections platform that can complete Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions during live customer calls.
The platform utilizes Razorpay’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to connect AI agents directly to payment infrastructure for real-time transaction initiation and tracking.
The system currently supports two payment flows: one-time UPI payments and mandate-based UPI SBMD, also known as Reserve Pay, for recurring obligations.
Gnani.ai’s voice AI systems support conversations in more than 38 languages and currently handle over 10 million calls per day.
The partnership builds on previous work by Razorpay with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and OpenAI to integrate UPI payments within chat interfaces like ChatGPT.
Security protocols ensure that customer payment details do not pass through the voice AI system and are processed exclusively through Razorpay’s infrastructure.
The platform allows AI agents to assess customer intent, generate transaction-specific payment links, and confirm receipt during the same interaction.

Sarvam partners with SBI Life Insurance to deploy Artificial Intelligence tools (Start of March) ▼

Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup Sarvam partnered with SBI Life Insurance (SBI Life) to build applications for customer engagement and sales.
The AI deployment is expected to reach more than 8 crore customers and support over 3,50,000 distributors nationwide.
The system is built on Sarvam’s conversational AI platform Samvaad and its multi-agent orchestration platform Arya.
Sarvam launched two flagship language models, Sarvam-30B and Sarvam-105B, during the India AI Impact Summit.
AI startup Gnani.ai partnered with Razorpay to launch an agentic AI platform for payment collections during live customer calls.
Gnani.ai introduced a voice model that supports 12 Indian languages and is designed to operate under low-bandwidth conditions.

Sarvam AI launches Sarvam Startup Program to support AI builders in India (Start of March) ▼

Sarvam AI announced the Sarvam Startup Program on 5 March 2026 to help early-stage companies build AI-powered products using its models and infrastructure.
Selected startups receive six to twelve months of API credits scaled to their usage requirements.
Participants gain access to Sarvam’s Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Translation, Chat Completion, and Document Intelligence APIs.
The platform supports more than 22 Indian languages alongside English.
Startups receive direct engineering support, co-branded case study opportunities, and launch amplification.
Applications are open through Sarvam’s website.
Sarvam AI was founded by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar.