Daily Current Affairs: 30 March 2026

Ravichandran Purushothaman elected Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region Chairman for 2026-27

Key Updates:

• Ravichandran Purushothaman has been elected as the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region for the term 2026-27.
• His election was announced in the article without specifying the exact date of election or assumption of office.
• The article does not mention his predecessor or any specific agenda for his tenure.
• No additional details about his previous roles or organisational affiliations are provided in the article.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approves Wealth First Portfolio Managers to launch mutual fund business.

[Securities and Exchange Board of India]

Key Updates:

• Wealth First Portfolio Managers received Sebi approval to start mutual fund operations.
• Lakshya Asset Management Company, sponsored by Wealth First Portfolio Managers, will be India’s first AMC headquartered in Ahmedabad.
• Lakshya AMC has onboarded Sanjiv Shah, Rajan Mehta, and Sanjay Gaitonde, former key members of Benchmark Asset Management Company.
• Benchmark AMC launched India’s first ETF Nifty BeES, India’s first gold ETF Gold BeES, and the world’s first money market ETF Liquid BeES.
• India’s mutual fund industry AUM grew from about ₹1 lakh crore in 2001 to over ₹82 lakh crore in early 2026.
• Passive investing represents 19–20% of total mutual fund AUM in India compared with over 50% in the United States.

Vishwas Bill 2.0 to Decriminalise 100+ Provisions and ₹15.48 Lakh Crore Capex Proposed for 2025-26

Key Updates:

• The Government of India will introduce the Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalise more than 100 provisions across various laws to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EODB).
• Since 2014, the government has removed over 42,000 compliance requirements and decriminalised more than 3,700 legal provisions, including 180 under the Jan Vishwas Act 2023.
• The total effective Capital Expenditure (Capex) for the 2025-26 fiscal year is proposed at ₹15.48 lakh crore, which constitutes 4.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• The Central Government has allocated ₹11.21 lakh crore as core capital expenditure for 2025-26, amounting to 3.1 per cent of the GDP.
• The Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) loan limit has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, with 11 public sector banks extending this to existing customers and seven to new customers.
• A total of ₹33 lakh crore has been sanctioned under the MUDRA scheme, while the PM SVANidhi scheme has sanctioned ₹14,000 crore across 99 lakh accounts.
• The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has established 21 new branches in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clusters during the 2024-25 period.
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has launched a pilot for the PM Internship Scheme to provide 1.25 lakh opportunities in top companies, attracting over 6 lakh registered applicants.
• Under the Stand-Up India initiative, a total of ₹59,000 crore has been disbursed to 2.62 lakh accounts to support entrepreneurship.

Mission Shakti Scheme strengthens women safety via One Stop Centres, Women Help Desks, Helpline-181

Key Updates:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) runs Mission Shakti Scheme adopting holistic and victim-centric approach for safety, security and empowerment of women.
• One Stop Centre Scheme operational since 2015 provides integrated services like medical aid, legal assistance, temporary shelter, police facilitation and psycho-social counselling.
• 926 One Stop Centres are operational across the country and have assisted over 13.37 lakh women up to 31 December 2025.
• 15,049 Women Help Desks set up in police stations of which 14,363 are headed by women police officers.
• Women Helpline-181 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)-112 provide emergency and support services; Women Helpline handled over 2.88 crore calls and assisted over 99.09 lakh women.
• Mission Shakti Portal launched on 22 January 2025 enhances accessibility of government services for women and builds capacity of functionaries under schemes and legislations.
• SHe-Box Portal offers centralised platform to file and track complaints related to workplace sexual harassment under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

Namami Gange Programme (NGP): 307 projects completed, Rs 40,000 crore invested

Key Updates:

• The Namami Gange Programme (NGP) was launched in June 2014 by the Government of India to conserve and rejuvenate the Ganga River.
• The initial allocation was Rs 20,000 crore and later extended to Rs 22,500 crore until March 2026.
• As of January 2025, 492 projects have been initiated valued at Rs 40,121.48 crore, of which 307 projects have been completed and made operational.
• Out of 206 sewage infrastructure projects, 127 have been completed with a sanctioned cost of Rs 33,003.63 crore.
• 56 biodiversity and afforestation projects have been launched, with 39 completed at a sanctioned cost of Rs 905.62 crore.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved the Varanasi Sewerage Project costing Rs 274.31 crore, including a 60 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) and a 75 MLD pumping station.
• A Rs 127.26 crore project in Bhadohi will establish three STPs (17 MLD, 5 MLD, and 3 MLD) and a sewer network to prevent untreated sewage entering the Varuna River.
• NMCG has developed a National Framework for Safe Reuse of Treated Water to guide states in adopting reuse policies for treated wastewater.
• NMCG sanctioned seven biodiversity parks in various districts of Uttar Pradesh and afforested approximately 33,024 hectares along the main stem of the Ganga with an expenditure of Rs 398 crore.
• Since 2017, 143.8 lakh Indian Major Carp (IMC) fingerlings have been released into the Ganga to conserve fish biodiversity and support local fishers.
• 203 sewage infrastructure projects costing Rs 32,613 crore have been launched to treat 6,255 MLD of wastewater, of which 127 STP projects with 3,446 MLD capacity have been completed.
• Three Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) have been sanctioned: Jajmau CETP (20 MLD), Banther CETP (4.5 MLD), and Mathura CETP (6.25 MLD); Mathura and Jajmau CETPs have been completed.

Kerala Assembly launches MLATrack.com portal to track MLA interventions

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• Kerala Legislative Assembly launched MLATrack.com, India’s first database to track interventions made by MLAs.
• The portal covers interventions from 2021 to 2026 and hosts profiles, biodata, attendance, questions, and visual analytics for all 140 MLAs.
• Atyeti Research developed the site in collaboration with Sahya Digital Conservation Foundation using publicly available Assembly and LAC ADS Portal documents.
• More than 68,000 starred and unstarred questions were raised in 16 sessions; 45 MLAs logged over 95% attendance.
• The website does not rank, rate, or evaluate MLAs and provides hyperlinks to date-wise questions and answers.

Ministry of Culture–YouTube MoU to digitally upskill Indian folk artists

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Culture (MoC) and YouTube signed an MoU on 25 March 2026 to train folk, tribal and traditional artists in digital content creation, intellectual property rights, monetisation and audience engagement.
• YouTube will act as knowledge partner and host specialised training sessions with IGNCA, Sangeet Natak Akademi, National School of Drama (NSD), zonal cultural centres and Kalakshetra Foundation.
• The initiative will provide recording equipment where feasible, co-develop localised educational material and identify mentors through MoC’s autonomous institutions.
• A joint task force under the MoC will guide execution and impact assessment of the programme focused on the folk music creative economy.
• Last year 15 per cent of content created on YouTube in India was watched by global audiences.

Department of Posts–TRIFED MoU to Establish Nationwide Logistics Backbone for Tribal E-Commerce

Key Updates:

• The Department of Posts (DoP) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) to create a nationwide logistics backbone for tribal e-commerce.
• The partnership leverages the DoP network of over 1.5 lakh post offices, with more than 90% located in rural areas, to deliver goods sold via the Tribes India e-marketplace.
• The DoP will provide end-to-end logistics solutions including order pickup from TRIFED regional hubs, nationwide transmission, and final delivery to urban, rural, and remote areas.
• Technological features of the collaboration include real-time shipment tracking, API-based integration for automated order processing, and Management Information System (MIS) reporting.
• A Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) account will be established for TRIFED under the National Account Facility of the DoP to enable deferred payments for bulk shipments and simplified accounting.
• The initiative aims to benefit over 10 lakh tribal artisans and forest produce gatherers by expanding market access for indigenous handicrafts, handlooms, and natural products.
• The MoU is initially valid for a period of two years and includes provisions for review and potential expansion to other rural and artisan-based sectors.
• The collaboration aligns with national visions including Digital India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the Vocal for Local initiative.

India hosts Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) maritime exercise IMEX TTX 26 in Kochi

[Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)]

Key Updates:

• Indian Navy hosted the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) maritime exercise at Maritime Warfare Centre of Southern Naval Command in Kochi last Friday.
• The exercise brought together delegates from IONS member navies to deliberate on evolving non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Participating countries included Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Timor-Leste.
• India assumed the IONS chairmanship for the 2026–2028 cycle after a gap of 16 years.
• IMEX TTX 2026 marks a key milestone in strengthening regional maritime leadership.

India and Malta discuss expanding scope of bilateral relations

[Malta]

Key Updates:

• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (West) Sibi George met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta Ian Borg in Valletta on Saturday.
• They discussed ways to strengthen ongoing cooperation and broaden the scope of India-Malta bilateral engagement.
• George also met Brigadier Clinton J. O'Neill, Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, to explore increased defence and security cooperation.
• India recognised Malta's independence in 1964 and established diplomatic relations in 1965.
• India reopened its High Commission in Malta in January 2017; Malta opened its High Commission in New Delhi in 2007 and maintains Honorary Consuls in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai.
• High-level visits include President R Venkataraman (1990), External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (2015), and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu (2018).
• During Naidu's 2018 visit, three MoUs were signed on maritime cooperation, tourism cooperation, and cooperation between India's Foreign Service Institute and Malta's Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies.

Indonesia bans children under 16 from YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

• Indonesia on Saturday began implementing a government regulation that bans children younger than 16 from access to digital platforms that could expose them to pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and addiction.
• Indonesia became the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children from having accounts on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.
• Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said the government has instructed all digital platforms operating in Indonesia to immediately bring their products, features and services into compliance with applicable regulations.
• The regulation will apply to around 70 million children in Indonesia — a country with a population of about 280 million.
• Elon Musk’s X on its Indonesia Online Safety Information page gives 16 as the minimum age required for users in the country.
• Google-owned YouTube said it supports the Indonesian government’s effort to create an effective, risk-based framework that addresses online harms while preserving access to information and digital opportunity.
• TikTok said that it will take the necessary steps in line with regulatory expectations and continue to strengthen the safeguards, as well as keep Indonesian community in the platform informed as further guidance becomes available.
• Restrictions on social media access for children under 16 first began in December in Australia, where social media companies revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children.

Ukraine signs 10-year defence partnership with Qatar and expands drone warfare cooperation with Saudi Arabia and UAE

[Ukraine, Qatar]

Key Updates:

• Ukraine and Qatar signed a 10-year mutually beneficial partnership agreement in the defence sector during a meeting in Doha.
• The agreement between Ukraine and Qatar includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint projects, defence investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• The pact provides for joint defence industry projects, the establishment of co-production facilities, and technological partnerships between companies.
• Ukraine signed an air defence agreement with Saudi Arabia to support the kingdom in countering drone-related threats.
• Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defence, specifically regarding drone responses.
• Ukraine has deployed anti-drone specialists to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to leverage its experience in countering aerial threats.
• Ukraine proposed swapping its drone interceptors for air-defence missiles used by Gulf nations to counter missile strikes.

Maldives formally rejects UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands transfer deal

[Maldives, United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

• Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu conveyed non-recognition of the UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands deal through two written objections (November 2024 and January 2026) and a phone call with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
• The President's Office termed the UK proceeding "in sole consultation with Mauritius" as "deeply concerning" and asserted Maldives' historical claim to the archipelago.
• The UK pays an average £101 million per year to lease the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest Chagos island.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) 2019 advisory opinion and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) 2023 ruling endorsed Mauritius' claim, calling the 1965 separation unlawful.
• US President Donald Trump urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to cede the territory, placing the UK-Mauritius deal on indefinite hold.
• Maldives government is evaluating legal options, including a formal submission to ICJ, to assert sovereign rights over the Chagos Archipelago.

Research Advisory Board (RAB) of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) holds first meeting

[Biotech Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Regulatory Authority for Biotechnology (RAB)]

Key Updates:

• The first meeting of the Research Advisory Board (RAB) of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) took place to deliberate on national initiatives and governance reforms.
• The reforms are designed to guide the transformation of BRIC into a cohesive, decentralised national biotechnology laboratory.
• The RAB is responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring the research activities conducted by BRIC Institutes (iBRIC) and fostering deliberations for developing new missions.
• Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), stated that the RAB should focus on designing mission-focused objectives tailored for a growing bioeconomy.
• Experts underscored the need to leverage the country’s demographic advantages, biodiversity, and extensive data resources to support the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Kali Night Frog, 35th Western Ghats endemic night frog, discovered in Karnataka

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Nyctibatrachus kali (Kali Night Frog) was discovered in the Castlerock region of the Western Ghats by researchers and forest department frontline staff.
• The species is named after the river Kali and the Kali Tiger Reserve.
• DNA and call analysis confirmed it as a cryptic species distinct from the Kumbara Night Frog, despite morphological similarity.
• The discovery was published in PeerJ, an international journal.
• India hosts 474 of the 9,027 known amphibian species worldwide.
• Nearly two out of every five amphibian species face extinction threats globally and in India, with habitat loss, climate change, and disease as major drivers.

Kerala records 29 shigellosis cases in 2026; health experts urge strict hygiene

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• Kerala has reported 29 confirmed shigellosis cases and one death caused by Shigella bacteria in 2026, with 15 cases recorded in March alone.
• The recent death of a child in Kozhikode prompted health authorities to emphasise preventive measures.
• District Medical Officer R. Shahirsha advised drinking only boiled water and consuming fresh, hot food to curb water-borne transmission during summer.
• Dr. Minu Mohan, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kalamassery, stated that shigellosis spreads via the faecal-oral route through contaminated water or food.
• Dr. G. Sathyajith Nair, secretary, Indian Academy of Paediatrics (Kochi branch), warned that vacation-season consumption of outside food and water increases infection risk.
• Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor, Indian Medical Association’s research cell, highlighted that children below five face higher risks of complications such as kidney failure, seizures, or anaemia.

Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle reintroduced to Ganga after 30 years under Namami Gange Mission

[Ganga]

Key Updates:

• The endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) was released into the Ganga on 26 April after a 30-year absence.
• Twenty captive-bred turtles were freed in the Haiderpur Wetland Complex, Uttar Pradesh, by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and the Namami Gange Mission.
• The turtles were reared at the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre under the National Chambal Sanctuary.
• Sonic tags fitted on each turtle will monitor their movements for two years to assess survival and dispersal.
• One group was released above the barrage and another downstream in the main river channel to compare soft versus hard release techniques.
• Haiderpur Wetland connects fully with the Ganga during monsoon, aiding natural dispersal of the species.
• The goal is to establish a self-sustaining population of Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles in the Ganga.

Indian Air Force (IAF) to Equip MiG-29 Jets with ASRAAM Missiles

[ASRAAM]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has invited bids to arm the Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter aircraft with European Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM).
• The ASRAAM is a next-generation close combat missile with a range of 25 km.
• The integration of ASRAAM will replace the legacy Russian R-73 missiles, which are 1980s-era infrared-guided weapons with a range of 10 to 15 km.
• The IAF currently operates more than 50 MiG-29 combat jets, including eight two-seater trainers.
• Missile manufacturer MBDA has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to establish an assembly and test facility in Hyderabad to service the IAF jets.

Wildlife Management Authority conserves 19,858 Olive Ridley turtle eggs on Hope Island, Kakinada Bay

[Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary]

Key Updates:

• Wildlife Management Authority and Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary officials collected 19,858 Olive Ridley turtle eggs from 174 nests on Hope Island in the Kakinada Bay.
• The eggs are being conserved under the in-situ conservation method on the island.
• Kakinada District Forest Officer N. Rama Chandra Rao stated that the hatchlings are being released into the sea.
• On 26 March 2026, Joint Collector Apoorva Bharat and Kakinada Assistant Collector Ms. Manisha released 585 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea on the island.
• Hope Island is identified as one of the safe nesting grounds of Olive Ridley Turtles in Andhra Pradesh.

Wildlife Institute of India records two rare keelback snake species in Northeast India

[Northeast India]

Key Updates:

• Wildlife Institute of India researchers documented Hebius gilhodesi and Herpetoreas davidi in India for the first time.
• Herpetoreas davidi was recorded in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram.
• Hebius gilhodesi was found in Namdapha National Park and Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The study extended the known range of H. gilhodesi by ~107 km and H. davidi by ~577 km.
• Findings were published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa based on mitochondrial DNA analysis and morphological examination.

Endangered Steppe Eagles extend Rajasthan stay as Middle-East conflict disrupts traditional flyway

[Rajasthan]

Key Updates:

• The steppe eagle is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, power-line collisions, human persecution and illegal trafficking.
• Over 2,000 steppe eagles have been recorded in recent surveys at Jorbeer Conservation Reserve near Bikaner and Desert National Park near Jaisalmer.
• Jorbeer Conservation Reserve and Desert National Park are included in the Global Action Plan for Conservation of the Steppe Eagle 2026–2035 approved under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species.
• Ongoing conflict and increased aerial activity in Iran and Iraq are pushing the eagles away from traditional wintering zones toward the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unveils Detailed Ocean Floor Map Using SWOT Satellite

[Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite]

Key Updates:

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) have developed a new map of the ocean floor using data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite.
• Launched in December 2022, the SWOT satellite scans approximately 90 per cent of the planet every 21 days to monitor oceans, lakes, and rivers.
• The satellite employs gravity mapping to measure subtle bulges in water height caused by the gravitational pull of large underwater features like mountains and hills.
• The SWOT satellite can identify seafloor features less than half a kilometre in size, a significant improvement over previous satellites that could only detect features taller than one kilometre.
• Researchers anticipate that the mission will increase the number of known seamounts from approximately 44,000 to as many as 100,000.
• The project contributes to a broader international effort to achieve a complete map of the global seafloor by the year 2030.
• Detailed seafloor mapping is essential for improving maritime navigation, laying underwater communication cables, and studying plate tectonics and ocean ecosystems.

New Butterfly Species Basar Duke Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

[Arunachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• A rare butterfly species, scientifically named Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi, has been discovered in the Basar region of the Lepa Rada district in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The species has been given the common name Basar Duke and is named after the Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
• The discovery was made by Roshan Upadhaya, a PhD scholar and member of the Arunachal Pradesh Police (APP), and Kalesh Sadasivan.
• The butterfly is distinguished by its olive-brown wings with white markings and a turquoise-green underside.
• The species inhabits shaded understories of semi-evergreen forests at altitudes between 600 and 700 metres above sea level.
• The find is considered exceptionally rare and highly localised, with only two male specimens recorded despite repeated surveys.

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) partner to convert waste foundry sand into road-building material.

Key Updates:

• CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) have announced a collaborative effort to turn waste foundry sand into a beneficial material for road construction.
• The initiative aims to mitigate environmental issues posed by large quantities of waste foundry sand generated by the metal casting industry.
• Dr. N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, stated that the initiative aligns with sustainable development and the circular economy.
• Sushil Sharma, President of IIF, highlighted that the Coimbatore foundry cluster, India’s largest, produces vast amounts of foundry sand waste which will be scientifically repurposed into infrastructure resources.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) solves 2,000-year-old mystery of RCW 86 supernova

[United States]

Key Updates:

• Ancient Chinese astronomers recorded a bright guest star in 185 AD, which is now recognised as the first recorded supernova in human history.
• The supernova remnant, known as RCW 86, spans approximately 85 light-years across, a size that previously suggested it was 10,000 years old rather than 2,000.
• Research using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency (ESA) XMM-Newton revealed the star exploded inside a low-density cavity.
• The cavity or hidden bubble was created by the star's own stellar wind before it died, allowing debris to expand rapidly without resistance from surrounding material.
• A reverse shock or bounce back effect occurred when debris hit denser gas at the cavity's edge, reheating gas to millions of degrees and emitting X-rays detected by NASA.
• The 185 AD event is classified as a Type Ia supernova, a category of stellar explosions used as standard candles to measure distances across the universe.
• The study also utilised data from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRab).
• Understanding these explosions helps scientists refine measurements regarding the expansion of the universe and the nature of dark energy.

Indian Air Force (IAF) initiates Vayu Baan indigenous air-launched drone project

Key Updates:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has started work on Vayu Baan, the first indigenous air-launched effects (ALE) programme in India.
• The project is being led by the Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD), Gandhinagar, which has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to domestic vendors for design and development.
• Vayu Baan is a small, autonomous drone designed to be dropped from a moving helicopter mid-flight to operate as a surveillance asset or a precision-guided munition.
• The drone is expected to have an operational range of over 50 km and an endurance of approximately 30 minutes.
• The system will feature electro-optical and infrared sensors for target identification and the capability to operate in GPS-jammed environments.
• The IAF requires 10 drone units, two airborne control stations, and two ground control stations, with a target for delivery within one year.

Carolina Marin announces retirement from professional badminton

Key Updates:

• Carolina Marin, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist, has announced her retirement from professional badminton at the age of 32.
• She became the first Olympic badminton champion from Spain by defeating India's P.V. Sindhu in the Rio 2016 final.
• Marin's career achievements include winning three World Championship titles and multiple European crowns.
• Her final competitive appearance took place at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she was forced to retire mid-match due to a knee injury.
• The Spanish athlete confirmed she will skip the upcoming European Championships in her hometown of Huelva despite receiving a wild card entry.
• The decision to retire was primarily attributed to recurring injuries that made continued competition a physical risk.

IOC limits Olympic women's sport to biological females from 2028

[International Olympic Committee]

Key Updates:

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the women's category of Olympic sports will be limited to biological females from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Eligibility will be determined by a once-in-lifetime SRY gene test to detect the sex-determining region Y gene.
• Athletes who fail the test remain eligible for male categories, open categories, or mixed events that include a designated male slot.
• The policy will also apply to almost all athletes with a Difference of Sex Development (DSD) who have gone through male puberty.
• The only exemption is for athletes with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) who have not experienced male puberty.
• The IOC based its decision on an 18-month review of scientific evidence, an online athlete survey with over 1,100 responses, and interviews with impacted athletes.
• World Athletics, which already enforces similar rules, welcomed the IOC move as promoting a consistent approach across all sports.

Cyclone Narelle turns Australia’s skies red on March 28

[Australia]

Key Updates:

• Cyclone Narelle triggered a powerful dust storm that turned skies blood red over Shark Bay and Denham in Western Australia on March 28.
• The cyclone reached Category 4 intensity with wind gusts surpassing 200 km/h.
• Cyclone Narelle first made landfall on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula on March 20, tracked across the Northern Territory, then regained strength over the Indian Ocean before hitting Western Australia.
• By March 29, Cyclone Narelle weakened to Category 3 and transitioned into a subtropical low.

Zojila Pass Avalanche occurs on March 27, 2026

Key Updates:

• Zojila Pass is a critical high mountain pass that connects the Kashmir and Ladakh regions.
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a key agency involved in disaster relief and rescue operations at the pass.
• Zojila Pass is considered the lifeline of the Ladakh region.
• The deceased individuals were identified as Mohd Ali, Mohd Yousef, Toiba Banoo, Shahar Banoo, and Assadullah.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026 nominations open from 28 March to 11 May 2026

[Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar]

Key Updates:

• Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026 nominations opened on 28 March 2026 and will close on 11 May 2026.
• Nominations, including self-nominations, are submitted online through the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in).
• RVP is administered by the RVP Secretariat, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India (GOI).
• The awards cover 14 domains: Agricultural Science, Atomic Energy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Defence Technology, Earth Science, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, Medicine, Physics, Space Science and Technology, Technology & Innovation, and Others.
• Four award categories are Vigyan Ratna (VR) for lifetime achievements, Vigyan Shri (VS) for distinguished contributions, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) for scientists up to 45 years, and Vigyan Team (VT) for collaborative teams of three or more researchers.
• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, urged institutions and individuals to nominate deserving candidates.

Indian Army EME and IIT-Madras partner for Nodal Indigenisation Centre

Key Updates:

• The Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian Army has partnered with the IIT-Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to develop indigenous military technologies.
• A Nodal Indigenisation Centre has been established at Avadi to strengthen the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor.
• The partnership focuses on critical domains including sensing systems, cyber-physical systems, and autonomous technologies.
• Major General Lalit Kapoor serves as the Indian Army Commander-Base Workshop Group.
• M J Shankar Raman is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IIT-Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation.
• The Corps of EME is the technical backbone of the Indian Army responsible for the maintenance and sustenance of equipment.

World Theatre Day 2026 observed on March 27 with theme 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace'

Key Updates:

• World Theatre Day 2026 is observed on March 27.
• The theme for 2026 is 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace'.
• World Theatre Day was established in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI).
• Willem Dafoe delivers the international message for 2026.

Earth Hour 2026 observed on March 28

Key Updates:

• Earth Hour 2026 was observed on 28 March 2026 from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
• India marked 20 years of Earth Hour participation in 2026.
• Mysore Palace in Karnataka and Monsoon Palace in Rajasthan switched off their lights for the event.
• WWF-India stated that India witnessed one of its largest-ever participations with iconic monuments, heritage sites, and government buildings switching off lights.
• Participating Delhi landmarks included Akshardham, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Jantar Mantar, and Safdarjung Tomb.
• Mumbai landmarks included Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
• Shanti Stupa in Ladakh, Kerala Legislative Assembly and Kanakakunnu Palace in Kerala, and Dr B. R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, State Museum, Golconda Fort, Raj Bhavan, Charminar, and Buddha Statue on Tank Bund in Telangana also participated.
• Kolkata dimmed Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge), Vidyasagar Setu, Victoria Memorial, Tata Centre, Lok Bhawan, and Victoria House.
• Chennai's Ripon Building, Victoria Public Hall, and Napier Bridge joined the switch-off.