Daily Current Affairs: 28 March 2026

Balendra Shah sworn in as Prime Minister of Nepal.

[Nepal]

Key Updates:

• Balendra Shah took oath as Prime Minister of Nepal on 27 March 2026.
• He leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) which won 182 of the 275 parliamentary seats in the 5 March 2026 election.
• At 35, Shah becomes Nepal’s youngest Prime Minister and its first Madhesi premier.
• President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office at the President House in Kathmandu.
• Shah had earlier served as mayor of Kathmandu.
• The election followed Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests in September that forced KP Sharma Oli to resign.

Biruté Marija Filomena Galdikas Passes Away at 79

Key Updates:

• Biruté Marija Filomena Galdikas, a pioneering Lithuanian-Canadian primatologist and conservationist, passed away on 24 March 2026 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 79.
• She was a leading authority on orangutans and established Camp Leakey in the Tanjung Puting Reserve, Indonesian Borneo, in 1971.
• Dr. Galdikas earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
• She was mentored by the paleoanthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey, who also mentored Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey.
• In 1986, she co-founded the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), an organisation dedicated to protecting wild orangutans and their habitat.
• She was the first person of non-Indonesian birth to receive the Kalpataru award, Indonesia's highest honour for environmental leadership, in June 1997.
• Her autobiography, titled Reflections of Eden: My Years with the Orangutans of Borneo, was published in 1995.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases Payments Vision 2028 themed 'Shaping India’s Payment Frontier'.

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Payments Vision 2028 on 27 March 2026.
• Vision 2028 targets full interoperability across Trade Receivables Discounting Systems (TReDS) and expands receivables financing to export MSMEs.
• Payments Switching Service (PaSS) is proposed to let customers migrate payment instructions when switching bank accounts.
• RBI plans an enable/disable facility for all digital payment modes and a shared liability framework covering issuer and beneficiary banks for unauthorised transactions.
• Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework will be introduced for non-bank Payment System Operators.
• Cheque design and security standards will be reviewed and electronic cheques will be explored.
• Single-window authorisation under Payment and Settlement Systems Act and FEMA is being examined for cross-border payments.
• Small Payment System Providers (SPSPs) will be recognised under a perpetual regulatory sandbox.

Study documents 39 medicinal plants used by Sonowal Kachari tribe in Assam.

Key Updates:

• Researchers from Nagaland University and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dibrugarh, identified 39 plants used by the Sonowal Kachari community in Lakhimpur district, Assam, for treating ailments like fever, dysentery, cough, skin diseases, stomach disorders and arthritis.
• The study was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 180 tribal elders aged 50 years and above between April 2022 and November 2023.
• Commonly used plants include Acorus calamus for cough and fever, Aegle marmelos (bael) for dysentery, Aloe vera for burns and skin diseases, Azadirachta indica (neem) for infections, and Bryophyllum pinnatum for kidney stones.
• Leaves were the most frequently used plant part, followed by roots, fruits and flowers; most plants were herbs, with others being trees, climbers and shrubs.
• The findings were published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.

Delhi High Court dismisses second wife’s claim to family pension under Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961.

[Delhi High Court]

Key Updates:

• Delhi High Court Division Bench of Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora ruled that a void second marriage does not become valid after the first wife’s death.
• The Court held that family pension under Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961 is payable only to the legally wedded widow.
• The petitioner had married Late Sepoy Udey Singh between 1970 and 1980 while his first wife Smt. Satwati Devi was alive, rendering the marriage void under Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
• The first wife Smt. Satwati Devi died on 13.05.2012, but the Court held that her death does not validate the petitioner’s void marriage.
• The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Principal Bench had earlier rejected the petitioner’s family pension claim through order dated 27.11.2025.
• The Court distinguished the Supreme Court’s Shriramabai judgment, noting that in the present case the first marriage was never dissolved by divorce.
• The Court confirmed that children from the void marriage were once eligible for family pension but are no longer eligible as they are now adults and married.
• The writ petition W.P.(C) 2333/2026 was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on 18.02.2026.

Sushila Karki Retired as Nepal's First Woman Prime Minister.

[Nepal]

Key Updates:

• Sushila Karki served as Nepal's interim Prime Minister after the 2025 anti-corruption protests that toppled the government.
• She assumed office at the request of the Gen Z protest movement and left after guiding the nation to elections.
• During her tenure, a commission she established recommended prosecuting her predecessor KP Sharma Oli for the protest violence.
• Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper, succeeded her as Prime Minister following the March 5 vote.
• Karki had earlier served as Chief Justice of Nepal from 2016 to 2017 and was the country's first female chief justice.
• In 2012, she was part of the Supreme Court bench that jailed a serving government minister for corruption, a first in Nepal.

S&P Global Ratings (S&P) raises India GDP growth forecast to 7.1% for FY27

[Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India]

Key Updates:

• S&P Global Ratings (S&P) revised India’s GDP growth forecast upward by 40 basis points to 7.1% for FY27.
• India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the October–December quarter.
• S&P’s FY26 projection for India stands at 7.6%.
• S&P assumes Brent crude at $80 per barrel in 2026, up from about $65 per barrel at end-2025.
• In a downside scenario, S&P warns crude could spike to $200 per barrel if Middle East conflict escalates.
• A moderate stress scenario of $130 per barrel could shave 50–70 basis points off Asia-Pacific growth.
• S&P cites India’s technology services, data centre infrastructure, and AI-linked investments as key growth drivers.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Projects India GDP Growth at 7.6% for FY26

[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]

Key Updates:

• The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projected India’s economy to expand by 7.6% in the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26.
• The OECD expects India's growth to moderate to 6.1% in FY 2026-27 and reach 6.4% in FY 2027-28.
• Inflation in India is projected to rise from 2% in FY 2025-26 to 5.1% in FY 2026-27, then ease to 4.1% in FY 2027-28.
• The OECD indicated that India might need to raise policy rates temporarily in the second quarter of 2026 to manage inflationary pressures.
• Global economic growth is forecast to soften to 2.9% in 2026 and improve slightly to 3% in 2027.
• The report highlighted that United States (US) bilateral tariff rates for several emerging economies, including India, have declined following a US Supreme Court ruling against levies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
• The OECD warned that disruption of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and damage to energy infrastructure have triggered a surge in energy prices and affected the global supply of commodities.
• Gas rationing and the fading of fiscal support were identified as factors that could contribute to the easing of India's growth from the 7.6% projected for FY 2025-26.

Central Government reduces excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre each and imposes export duties on diesel and ATF.

Key Updates:

• Central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption reduced by ₹10 per litre each on 26 March 2026.
• Export duty on diesel set at ₹21.5 per litre and on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) at ₹29.5 per litre.
• International crude price rose from around $70 per barrel to about $122 per barrel in the past month.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated the changes were notified to Parliament.
• Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri noted global fuel price increases of 20-50 per cent across regions.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India is engaging global partners to ensure stable energy supplies amid the West Asia crisis.
• Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal stated the measures prioritise domestic supply and stabilise the economy.
• Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicated the government absorbed fiscal pressure to shield poor and middle-income families.
• Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah described the duty reduction as consumer-focused relief during global fuel shortages.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowers India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.1%

[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]

Key Updates:

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reduced India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.1% from 6.2%.
• India’s FY28 growth projection remains unchanged at 6.4%.
• India’s GDP is officially estimated to grow 7.6% in FY26.
• India will remain the fastest-growing economy ahead of China (4.4%), United States (2%), Japan (0.9%), and United Kingdom (0.7%).
• Global growth outlook for 2026 stays at 2.9%; 2027 revised down to 3% from 3.1%.
• OECD expects India’s inflation to rise sharply to 5.1% in FY27 from 2% in FY26.
• Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
• OECD projects India to temporarily raise policy rates in Q2 2026.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate steady at 5.25% in February.

Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill 2026 with 32 government amendments

[Lok Sabha]

Key Updates:

• Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2026 along with 32 government amendments.
• The Union Budget 2026-27 projects total expenditure at ₹53.47 lakh crore, 7.7 per cent higher than the current fiscal.
• Capital expenditure for 2026-27 is set at ₹12.2 lakh crore.
• Gross tax revenue target is ₹44.04 lakh crore and gross borrowing is ₹17.2 lakh crore.
• Fiscal deficit for FY27 is projected at 4.3 per cent of GDP, down from 4.4 per cent in FY26.
• The Bill now moves to the Rajya Sabha for approval to complete the Budget process.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signs MoU with Blue Star Limited to boost manufacturing and startup innovation.

[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Blue Star]

Key Updates:

• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Blue Star Limited on 24 March 2026.
• The partnership targets startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
• Startups will gain access to industry mentorship, R&D facilities, testing infrastructure, and pilot opportunities.
• The initiative supports proof-of-concept development and integration into existing industry value chains.
• DPIIT and Blue Star will organise innovation challenges and hackathons under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge focused on manufacturing, HVAC, and digital technologies.
• The MoU was signed by T. L. K. Singh, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, and B Thiagarajan, Managing Director, Blue Star Limited.

HDFC securities launches NxtOption platform to simplify advanced options trading for retail investors.

[HDFC Securities]

Key Updates:

• HDFC securities launched NxtOption, an integrated platform combining strategy building, real-time analytics and execution to simplify F&O trading for India’s growing retail investor base.
• NxtOption allows users to build multi-leg strategies such as Straddles, Strangles, Iron Condors and Butterflies, and view payoff charts, break-even points, profit and loss scenarios, combined Greeks and margin requirements.
• Strategy Watch feature enables real-time tracking of complete strategies instead of individual legs.
• Easy Options feature converts a user’s market view (bullish, bearish, neutral) into relevant strategy ideas along with risk-reward profiles.
• Advanced Derivatives Analytics provides real-time insights into Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega, Implied Volatility (IV), Open Interest (OI) trends, time value, intrinsic value, market movers, rollover insights and F&O ban list tracking.
• NxtOption is available on HDFC securities mobile app InvestRight, HDFC securities web platform and HDFC SKY web platform.
• HDFC securities is a subsidiary of HDFC Bank, serves around 6 million customers in over 100 cities and operates more than 120 branches.

S&P Global Ratings raises India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1%

[S&P Global]

Key Updates:

• S&P Global Ratings revised India’s FY27 growth forecast upward to 7.1%.
• The agency lifted its FY28 forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 7.2%.
• India’s GDP is officially estimated to expand 7.6% in FY26.
• S&P projects inflation to rise to 4.3% in FY27 and expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to keep rates unchanged with a neutral stance.
• The RBI monetary policy committee held the repo rate at 6.50% in February and is scheduled to meet early next week.
• S&P assumes Brent crude to average $92 per barrel in the June quarter and around $80 per barrel in 2026.
• In a severe disruption scenario, Brent could average $185 per barrel in the June quarter and nearly $130 per barrel in 2026.
• S&P expects one 25 bps rate hike by India’s central bank in the second half if energy-driven inflation persists.

Noida International Airport Phase I inaugurated to boost NCR aviation capacity

[Noida International Airport]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh on 28 March 2026.
• The airport is located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district along the Yamuna Expressway and serves as the second international gateway for Delhi-NCR after Indira Gandhi International Airport.
• Phase I has been built at an investment of around ₹11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model.
• It is designed to handle 12 million passengers per annum initially, with provision to scale up to 70 million passengers annually in subsequent phases.
• The airport has a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft and is equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) and airfield lighting for all-weather, round-the-clock operations.
• It includes an integrated cargo terminal designed to handle over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of cargo annually in the first phase, expandable to around 18 lakh metric tonnes.
• A 40-acre maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility is part of the project.

Gruh Sugam Portal streamlines home loans for Defence and Government personnel

[National Housing Bank]

Key Updates:

• The National Housing Bank (NHB) launched the Gruh Sugam Portal to simplify home-loan access for Defence, Paramilitary and Government employees.
• The portal, announced by the Ministry of Finance, enables personnel to apply for home loans digitally from any station without visiting banks physically.
• It functions as a Unified Digital Marketplace that integrates NHB and lending institutions for quick offer comparison, grievance redressal and consumer protection with an online chat facility.

Noida International Airport Phase I inaugurated by PM Modi

[Noida International Airport]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh on 28 March 2026.
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted the Aerodrome License to Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) under the Public Use category for all-weather operations.
• Phase 1 developed at an investment of around ₹11,200 crore by YIAPL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India.
• Concession period commenced on 1 October 2021 for 40 years.
• Airport designed for initial passenger handling capacity of 12 million passengers per annum, scalable up to 70 million passengers per annum.
• Airport features a 3,900-metre runway, Instrument Landing System (ILS), and advanced airfield lighting for all-weather, round-the-clock operations.
• Airport aims to operate as a net-zero emissions facility with energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible practices.

National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0: ₹1.51 Lakh Crore Outlay for 100% Rural Tap Water Coverage

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) signed a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Meghalaya government under the National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0.
• Meghalaya is the 12th state in India to sign the agreement under JJM 2.0, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
• The Union Cabinet approved an additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Mission, with approximately ₹67,300 crore allocated in the Union Budget for 2025-26.
• The national deadline for providing 100 per cent tap water coverage and sanitation has been extended from May 2024 to December 2028.
• Meghalaya has achieved 83.59 per cent rural tap water coverage and aims to reach 100 per cent coverage by December 2028.
• The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) stated that Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will be empowered to manage in-village water supply systems.
• The MoU was signed by Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary of the DDWS, and Praveen Bakshi, Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.
• Meghalaya adopted a comprehensive Water Policy in 2019 and has constituted a climate council involving multiple departments to address water-related issues.

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha to decriminalise minor offences

Key Updates:

• Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 introduced by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha after incorporating select committee recommendations.
• Bill proposes to amend 79 central acts administered by 23 ministries, affecting 784 provisions, of which 717 provisions are being decriminalised for ease of doing business and 67 for ease of living.
• Earlier version Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was introduced by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on 18 March 2024 and referred to a select committee.
• Bill withdrawn on 17 March 2026 and re-introduced after select committee recommendations.
• Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, notified on 11 August 2023, decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts administered by 19 ministries/departments.

TV Rating Policy 2026 slashes entry barriers and de-recognises landing page viewership.

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) notified the TV Rating Policy 2026, replacing the 2014 guidelines.
• Landing page viewership is excluded from official measurement and relegated strictly to a marketing tool.
• The net worth requirement for new rating agencies is reduced from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore.
• At least 50 per cent of the rating agency board must consist of independent directors with no ties to broadcasters, advertisers or agencies.
• Existing agencies must expand their metered sample to 80,000 homes within six months, with an eventual target of 120,000 homes.
• New entrants have 18 months to reach 80,000 metered homes.
• Measurement must be technology-neutral across cable, DTH, OTT and connected TVs.
• A dual-audit system of quarterly internal reviews and annual independent external audits is mandated.
• Audience measurement must strictly align with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
• A graded penalty system ranges from temporary suspension of ratings to cancellation of registration for repeat offenders.

Reform Express initiative introduces five new reforms to boost cargo and passenger services

Key Updates:

• Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced five new reforms under the Reform Express initiative, raising the 2026 total to nine.
• Indian Railways launched stainless steel containers with top-loading and hydraulic side-discharge systems for salt transport to cut corrosion and handling damage.
• Flexible wagon designs tailored to route-specific tunnels and bridges will be introduced to raise the current 24% share of passenger vehicle movement by rail.
• Stricter contractor eligibility, fixed 2% bid security, mandatory bid-capacity evaluation, tighter subcontracting rules, and extra performance guarantees for under-priced bids will improve infrastructure project quality.
• Aadhaar-based OTP verification and deletion of nearly three crore fake IRCTC accounts have been implemented to curb ticketing misuse.
• Passengers may now cancel tickets 72, 24, or 8 hours before departure aligned with revised chart timings, cancel counter tickets at any station, receive automatic e-ticket refunds, upgrade class up to 30 minutes before departure, and change boarding stations digitally within the same timeframe.

Indian Railways approves ₹647.58 crore connectivity projects in Gujarat and Bihar

[Ministry of Railways, Gujarat, Bihar]

Key Updates:

• Indian Railways sanctioned two projects worth ₹647.58 crore on 24 March 2026 to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
• The rail-over-rail flyover at Kosamba, Gujarat, spans 9.20 km and costs ₹344.38 crore to connect the Kosamba–Umrapada gauge conversion section with the Mumbai–Vadodara main line.
• The 13.38 km bypass line at Bhagalpur, Bihar, costs ₹303.20 crore and will link Gonudham Halt on the Barahat–Bhagalpur section with Sabour on the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj section.
• The Barahat–Bhagalpur section currently operates at over 125 per cent capacity utilisation, causing congestion and requiring engine reversal at Bhagalpur junction.

Uttar Pradesh launches Nivesh Mitra 3.0 to streamline investor approvals

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Nivesh Mitra 3.0, an upgraded single-window investment portal, in Lucknow.
• The portal consolidates over 530 services from 43 departments into fewer than 200 simplified services.
• Key features include PAN-based single login, dynamic common application form, AI-powered chatbot, real-time application tracking, automated alerts, and integration with NSWS, IGRS, and GIS-based land bank systems.
• The state government disbursed ₹2,781.12 crore in incentives to 85 industrial projects across manufacturing, automobiles, electronics, cement, and food processing sectors.
• ₹73 crore was allocated to IT and electronics projects and ₹20 crore to food processing units.
• 45 companies received incentives and 62 companies were issued Letters of Comfort (LoCs), together representing nearly ₹50,000 crore in investment potential and an estimated 50,000 job opportunities.
• The earlier complex land-use approval process under Section 80 has been removed; approval under the master plan now grants automatic land-use clearance.
• Between 2012 and 2017, only 16 Letters of Comfort were issued, rising to 3,367 in the last nine years, reflecting growing investor confidence.

World Trade Organization (WTO) to hold 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon from March 26 to 29, 2026

[World Trade Organization]

Key Updates:

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) will convene its 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
• The Ministerial Conference (MC) is the highest decision-making body of the WTO and generally meets once every two years to decide on WTO law.
• A total of 166 WTO member countries are expected to participate in the conference to deliberate on global trade rules.
• Key agenda items include the potential incorporation of plurilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development and the Agreement on Electronic Commerce, into the WTO rulebook.
• The conference will address the e-commerce moratorium, an agreement not to impose tariffs on electronic transmissions, which is scheduled to expire on March 31.
• Members will discuss Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to provide special rights based on economic standing.
• The United States (U.S.) has proposed prohibiting larger economies, including India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia, from accessing SDT special rights.
• The conference aims to address the paralysis of the WTO dispute settlement system caused by the lack of appointments to the Appellate Body.
• Since its establishment in 1995, the WTO has successfully created only two new major agreements: the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

Russia to ban gasoline exports from 1 April 2026

[Russia]

Key Updates:

• Russia plans to ban gasoline exports for the nation’s producers from 1 April 2026.
• Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak ordered the Energy Ministry to prepare draft legislation barring gasoline exports starting next month.
• The export ban aims to meet domestic demand as global fuel prices surge amid the war in Iran.

India Ministry of Defence signs Rs 858 crore contracts for Tunguska missile system and P8I aircraft maintenance

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth a total of Rs 858 crore to enhance the air and maritime defence capabilities of India.
• A contract valued at Rs 445 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russia, for the Tunguska Air Defence Missile System.
• The Tunguska system is intended to strengthen multi-layered air defence against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
• A maintenance contract worth Rs 413 crore was executed with Boeing India Defense Pvt Ltd for the P8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft.
• The P8I aircraft contract involves 100% indigenous content for depot-level maintenance to ensure in-country upkeep for the Indian Navy.
• The agreements were signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• The P8I maintenance initiative aligns with the Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat programmes of the government.

China stations over 200 converted J-6 fighter drones near Taiwan Strait

[China, Taiwan]

Key Updates:

• Satellite imagery reviewed by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies shows rows of ageing J-6 aircraft positioned across at least six bases in Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
• Senior fellow J Michael Dahm said the People’s Liberation Army has deployed an estimated 200 or more such platforms near the strait.
• The J-6 fighter, derived from the Soviet-era MiG-19, has been converted into drones designated J-6W.
• Dahm estimates that more than 500 such aircraft may have been converted, with a significant portion now positioned near Taiwan.
• Kuwait Petroleum CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah said, "There is no substitute for the Strait of Hormuz," underlining the global stakes after Iran restricted access through the strait.

India supports Bangladesh’s call for justice over 1971 genocide by Pakistan

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

• India on Friday backed Bangladesh’s ‘desire for justice’ for the genocide committed by Pakistan during Operation Searchlight in 1971.
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the atrocities involved the systematic murder of millions of Bangladeshi people and mass sexual crimes against women.
• Jaiswal noted the atrocities forced millions to flee to India as refugees and shook the conscience of the world.
• Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wrote on 25 March 2026 calling the Pakistani action a pre-planned massacre and one of the most heinous genocides in history.
• Pakistan maintains that all 1971 issues were settled through the 1974 tripartite agreement signed between New Delhi, Dhaka and Islamabad.
• Dhaka has consistently demanded a formal apology from Islamabad for the 1971 acts committed by its military.

Indian Army tests new Shaurya drone squadrons for armoured regiments at Babina

Key Updates:

• The Indian Army (IA) is equipping its armoured regiments with dedicated drone units known as Shaurya Squadrons to support surveillance, precision strikes, electronic warfare, and logistics.
• A 13-day drill was conducted at the Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi to demonstrate the integration of drone assets with mechanised forces and attack helicopters.
• The exercise was led by the White Tiger Division under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and witnessed by the Southern Army Commander, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth.
• The Shaurya Squadrons aim to compress the sensor-to-shooter cycle and enhance battlefield awareness by providing real-time surveillance for tank formations.
• Approximately five to six Shaurya Squadrons have been activated so far, though formal raising will occur after official approval is received.
• The IA operates 63 armoured regiments with a total fleet of roughly 4,500 tanks, including T-90S Bhishma, upgraded T-72 M1 Ajeya, and Arjun MK1/MK1A variants.
• The initiative draws lessons from Operation Sindoor and drone-centric global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war to institutionalise Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capabilities.
• The IA has previously raised Ashni platoons in the infantry for tactical intelligence and Divyastra batteries in the artillery to integrate UAV-based targeting with conventional guns.

Iran Claims Deployment of Qader Cruise Missile Against United States Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

Key Updates:

• The Qader cruise missile is a shore-based anti-ship weapon developed by Iran to target naval vessels such as warships and tankers.
• It is an upgraded version of the Noor missile, which is based on a Chinese missile design.
• The missile has a reported operational range of between 120 and 300 kilometres.
• It carries a warhead containing approximately 200 kilograms of high explosives.
• The system utilizes a turbojet engine and employs a sea-skimming flight path at low altitudes to avoid radar detection.
• In its final phase, the missile uses active radar guidance to lock onto and strike moving targets.
• The United States (US) Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is protected by the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), Sea Sparrow missiles, and Aegis defence systems.
• Iran previously claimed that the carrier was targeted on 1 March 2026 using four ballistic missiles launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

India participates as partner country in G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in France

[France]

Key Updates:

• External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar represented India at the Group of 7 (G7) foreign ministers' meeting held at Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay, France.
• France, the current chair of the G7, invited India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Brazil to attend the meeting as partner countries.
• The EAM addressed the concerns of the Global South regarding energy challenges, fertiliser supplies, food security, and the cascading fallout of the West Asian conflict.
• India highlighted the urgent need for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains.
• The EAM emphasised the importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the utility of India's free trade agreements with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU).
• India and France agreed to continue close coordination to jointly work towards ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his participation in the annual G7 summit scheduled to take place in Evian, France, from 15 June to 17 June.
• The EAM held bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
• Additional meetings were held with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
• The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the United States (US), and the EU.
• The meeting acknowledged India's current role as the holder of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) presidency.

United States to print banknotes bearing sitting President Donald Trump’s signature for 250th anniversary

[United States]

Key Updates:

• President Donald Trump will become the first sitting US president to have his signature appear on US banknotes.
• Trump’s signature will be printed alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s signature.
• The first $100 bills with the new signatures will be issued in June 2026.
• The move marks America’s 250th anniversary and ends the 1861 tradition of featuring only the US treasurer’s signature.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signs ₹16,420 crore loan deals for four projects in India

[Japan International Cooperation Agency]

Key Updates:

• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed four Official Development Assistance loan agreements with the Government of India totalling ₹16,420 crore.
• The agreements cover Maharashtra tertiary healthcare and medical education, Punjab sustainable horticulture, Bengaluru Metro Phase 3, and Mumbai Metro Line 11.
• Maharashtra project loan is 62,294 million Japanese Yen, Punjab horticulture project is 18,684 million Japanese Yen, Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 is 102,480 million Japanese Yen, and Mumbai Metro Line 11 is 92,400 million Japanese Yen.
• Alok Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative of JICA India Office, signed the loan agreement in New Delhi.

Bengaluru UV index hits 13, causing surge in skin and eye disorders

Key Updates:

• Bengaluru’s ultraviolet (UV) index reached 13 this year, exceeding the usual summer peak of 12.
• UV levels above 8 are classified as harmful and can cause significant skin and eye damage.
• Gleneagles BGS Hospital (Kengeri) reports that prolonged exposure at this level risks eyesight loss, metabolic issues and heat syncope.
• Apollo Medical Centre dermatologists recorded patient visits for UV-induced sunburn, itching, redness, oozing lesions and allergic reactions starting in the second half of February.
• Long-term UV exposure accelerates skin ageing, worsens melasma and freckles, and carries a potential skin cancer risk.
• Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital (Yelahanka) states short-term UV exposure can trigger photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis, causing redness, light sensitivity and grittiness.
• Chronic UV exposure can lead to pterygium, pinguecula, corneal degeneration, cataract formation, retinal damage, age-related macular degeneration and eyelid cancers such as basal or squamous cell carcinoma.

Nokia elevates Samar Mittal as India country business leader and appoints Vibha Mehra as country manager

[Nokia India]

Key Updates:

• Nokia has elevated Samar Mittal as country business leader for India and appointed Vibha Mehra as country manager for India effective from April 1, 2026.
• Mittal will execute Nokia’s go-to-market strategy in India and shape its strategic direction with telecom operators, AI and cloud providers, and mission-critical enterprises.
• Mehra will drive Nokia’s communications strategy, spearhead government relations, shape the India site strategy, advance the people agenda, and steer CSR priorities.
• Before this role Mittal was vice president at Nokia and recently led the cloud and network services business across the Middle East and Africa region.
• Before this role Mehra was vice president for government relations at Nokia and led the company’s geopolitics and government relations function across the Asia Pacific region.

Delhi team uses deep transfer learning to confirm painted stork nest site fidelity

Key Updates:

• Researchers tracked a male painted stork named Ringo with a neck scar inside Delhi’s National Zoological Park for four breeding seasons (2022-2025).
• A total of 2,349 high-resolution images of Ringo and 1,755 images of other storks were collected to build a deep transfer learning (DTL) model.
• Scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) identified Ringo’s scar and feather pattern, achieving 98% individual identification accuracy.
• Repeated sightings of Ringo at the same nest site across four years confirmed strong nest site fidelity in the species.
• The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, was led by University of Delhi, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Japan debuts world’s first freight-only Shinkansen, repurposed E3 series bullet train running at 275 kmph.

[Japan]

Key Updates:

• East Japan Railway Company launched the world’s first dedicated freight-only Shinkansen, repurposed from the E3 series passenger bullet train.
• The train operates between Morioka and Tokyo along the Tohoku Shinkansen line, covering the distance in just over three hours.
• It carries up to 1,000 boxes or roughly 17.4 tonnes of goods per trip, with reinforced flooring and securing systems for high-speed stability.
• Cargo includes fresh scallops from Iwate Prefecture, precision equipment, fresh seafood, premium agricultural produce, dairy, ready-to-eat food, semiconductors, electronic components, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, laboratory samples, optical instruments, and specialised industrial machinery.
• The concept evolved from COVID-19 pandemic trials when goods were transported inside passenger compartments due to reduced passenger numbers.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiates $30 million plan to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]

Key Updates:

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has signed a $30 million (₹283.8 crore) agreement with Katalyst Space Technologies to prevent the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth.
• The observatory was launched into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2004 using a Delta 7320 rocket as part of the Medium Explorer (MIDEX) programme.
• Increased solar activity has heated the upper atmosphere, causing the observatory to lose altitude and fall below its operational orbit of 400 kilometres.
• Katalyst Space Technologies is developing a three-armed robotic spacecraft to dock with the observatory and push it to a higher altitude of 550 kilometres.
• The rescue craft will be launched using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket, which is deployed from a modified jet aircraft.
• The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is equipped with a Burst Alert Telescope to detect gamma-ray bursts, which are the most powerful explosions in the universe.
• The successful completion of the reboost mission is expected to extend the operational lifespan of the observatory by approximately one decade.

Pfizer and Valneva Phase 3 Lyme Disease Vaccine Trial Shows Over 70 Per Cent Efficacy

Key Updates:

• Pfizer and the French pharmaceutical company Valneva reported an efficacy of at least 73 per cent in Phase 3 of a randomised clinical vaccine trial for Lyme disease.
• The clinical trial involved 9,400 participants aged 5 and older to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
• Medical experts from Stony Brook University Hospital and NYU Langone Long Island noted the vaccine could prevent severe complications such as Lyme meningitis and Lyme arthritis.
• According to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Suffolk County recorded over 3,000 cases of Lyme disease in 2024, the highest in the state, while Nassau County recorded 521 cases.
• The pharmaceutical companies intend to seek federal approval for the vaccine as there is currently no Lyme vaccine available for humans.

Honshu Island, Japan’s largest island, hit by magnitude 6.2 earthquake off its east coast.

[Japan]

Key Updates:

• Honshu is Japan’s largest island with an area of 227,898 sq km and ranks as the world’s seventh-largest island.
• The island lies between the Pacific Ocean (east) and the Sea of Japan (west).
• Honshu hosts over 104 million people, more than 80% of Japan’s total population, making it the second-most populous island globally after Java.
• Major Japanese cities on Honshu include Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Yokohama.
• Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain and an active stratovolcano, and Lake Biwa, its largest lake, are located on Honshu.
• The Central Trough, a central mountainous spine, dominates the island and contains most of Japan’s highest peaks.

NIMHANS launches CALM-Brain, India's first psychiatric disorder data repository

Key Updates:

• The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) launched CALM-Brain, India's first digital repository of data on brain structure and function for major psychiatric disorders.
• The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM), which is a partnership between NIMHANS and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) - TIFR.
• CALM-Brain serves as a repository for clinical, neuro-imaging, behavioural, and genetic datasets focusing on five disorders: addiction, bipolar disorder, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia.
• The repository is linked to a biorepository of stem cells to facilitate biological research into the origins of severe mental illnesses.
• The project currently contains data from over 2,000 participants across 900 families, with phase-wise data gathering having started in 2016.
• The initiative was funded through the Accelerator programme for discovery in brain disorders using stem cells, jointly supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Pratiksha Trust.
• According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, India faces an economic loss of USD 1.03 trillion due to mental health conditions.
• The NIMHANS-led National Mental Health survey of 2015-2016 reported that 10.6 per cent of Indian adults suffered from mental illness.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers new cockroach species Neoloboptera peninsularis in Deccan plateau

Key Updates:

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Pune identified the new cockroach species Neoloboptera peninsularis from agricultural landscapes in Nathachi Wadi, Daund near Pune.
• The species exhibits a yellowish-brown glossy body, fully developed wings, asymmetrical cerci and a whip-like male genital component.
• Prior to this finding only two species within the genus Neoloboptera had been documented in India, the latest described in 1995.
• The study employed an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological analysis with DNA sequencing and provided the first DNA barcode for the genus.
• Distinct genetic lineages from Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka indicate potential for further undescribed species in India.

Hidden ocean found 700 km inside Earth’s mantle

Key Updates:

• A water-saturated reservoir located roughly 700 km beneath Earth’s surface has been detected in the mantle transition zone (410–660 km deep).
• The water is chemically bound within ringwoodite, a high-pressure mineral that can store hydrogen and water in its crystal structure.
• The trapped water volume is estimated to equal or exceed the combined volume of all surface oceans.
• Ringwoodite samples recovered in volcanic diamonds and xenoliths confirm the mineral’s water-bearing capacity under mantle conditions.

Agnikul Cosmos Tests World’s Largest Single-Piece 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Agnite

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-fired Agnite, which is the world’s largest single-piece 3D-printed booster engine.
• The Agnite engine is approximately one metre in length and is manufactured using Inconel, a high-performance alloy designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
• The 3D-printing process allows the entire engine to be produced in seven days, representing a 90–97% reduction in traditional manufacturing time.
• The engine utilizes electric motor-driven pumps instead of conventional gas-generator systems to simplify design and reduce mechanical complexity.
• The propulsion test was conducted at the startup’s in-house facility located in Chennai.
• Agnikul Cosmos is incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and is developing the Agnibaan launch vehicle.
• The startup recently achieved the synchronised firing of three semi-cryogenic engines, marking a first for the private space sector in India.
• The company is valued at over $500 million and aims to provide faster access to space for small satellite launches.

IOC bans transgender women from Olympic women’s events starting 2028 Los Angeles Games

[International Olympic Committee]

Key Updates:

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the ban on 27 March 2026.
• Eligibility for women’s category will be decided by SRY gene screening; athletes testing negative for the SRY gene can compete.
• Exceptions may apply for athletes with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or certain DSD conditions.
• Policy replaces all previous IOC frameworks and applies only to Olympic-level competitions, not grassroots sport.

IIM Ahmedabad launches Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on 27 March 2026

[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]

Key Updates:

• Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) inaugurated the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on 27 March 2026.
• The school was established through a Rs 100 crore endowment pledged by Grammy winner and IIM-A alumna Chandrika Tandon (PGP 1975).
• The endowment will fund three strategic pillars: translational research, curriculum innovation, and industry engagement.
• New programmes include a two-year MBA specialization in AI-enabled Management and executive-education short courses integrating ethics and governance.
• The school released its inaugural research report 'Navigating the Future Trap with AI Value Compass' in collaboration with Persistent Systems.
• The AI Value Compass framework addresses six dimensions: risk assessment, governance, data readiness, operating model redesign, workforce preparedness, and value measurement.
• Key initiatives include an AI Ethics Lab, a Policy-Engagement Forum, and annual Responsible AI Challenge competitions.

World Theatre Day observed on March 27

Key Updates:

• World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27 to honour the art of theatre and its impact on society.
• The International Theatre Institute (ITI) established World Theatre Day in 1961.
• The first celebration of World Theatre Day took place in 1962.
• A key tradition of the day is the World Theatre Day Message, delivered by a renowned theatre personality to reflect on the role of theatre in society.
• The day aims to promote cultural exchange, diversity, and creative expression while raising awareness about performing arts in education.

World Puppetry Day observed on March 21

Key Updates:

• World Puppetry Day is celebrated annually on March 21.
• Cirque Du Soleil marked the occasion at the Disney Springs venue by showcasing intricate puppets from the production Drawn to Life.
• Drawn to Life is a collaborative show between Cirque Du Soleil and Disney that originally opened in 2021.
• The production features specialised puppetry including a moving pillow, moving trash cans, a living desk, and a giant hand.