NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Gujarat Launches ‘Lake and Air Watch’ Initiative to
Monitor Urban Lakes and Air Quality in Real Time: Gujarat has launched
the ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative under the Gujarat Urban
Development Mission (GUDM) to monitor lake health and air quality in real
time across cities.The programme, introduced by the Urban Development and Urban
Housing Department, aims to tackle urban environmental challenges such as
polluted lakes, declining groundwater recharge and rising air pollution.The
initiative will use satellite technology to track indicators like lake area
changes, waste accumulation and algae growth, generating alerts to enable
timely conservation and restoration of urban water bodies.
2. Assam Disburses ₹3,600 Crore to 40 Lakh Women Under
Orunodoi 3.0 Through DBT: The government of Assam transferred ₹9,000 each to 40 lakh
women under Orunodoi 3.0, marking a major welfare initiative for women
beneficiaries.Around ₹3,600 crore was disbursed through Direct Bank Transfer
(DBT), making it one of the largest single-day welfare fund transfers in the
state.
3. Kerala Police Launches ‘Nirbhaya Nisha initiative’ to
Enhance Night Safety for Women in Kerala: Kerala Police has launched the Nirbhaya
Nisha initiative to enhance women’s safety during night travel across
Kerala.The initiative provides rapid police assistance between 9 PM and 5 AM to
ensure timely support for women travelling at night.Women can seek immediate
help through the 112 emergency helpline, enabling quick response from the
police.
4. Indian Orchid Festival 2026 Concludes in Pakyong
District, Sikkim: The Indian Orchid Festival 2026 concluded at Pakyong
District, Sikkim.The festival was organised by the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research – National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO).The
theme of the festival was “Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity.”
5. Parthanil Ghosh Appointed MD & CEO of HDFC ERGO
General Insurance, to Succeed Anuj Tyagi : HDFC ERGO General Insurance
Board has approved the appointment of Parthanil Ghosh as the new
Managing Director & CEO, effective 16 April, subject to regulatory
approvals.He will succeed Anuj Tyagi, who resigned on 16 January 2026 to pursue
entrepreneurial opportunities.Ghosh joined the company in 2016 after the merger
with L&T General Insurance and has been serving as Executive Director since
1 May 2025.
6. India Overtakes China as Top Cotton Product
Supplier to US: India has
emerged as the largest supplier of cotton products such as apparel and home
textiles to the United States in 2025, surpassing China for the first time in recent
years. The development reflects changing global trade patterns driven by
tariffs, supply chain diversification, and regulatory concerns affecting
Chinese exports. According to the latest global market analysis by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),
India’s cotton product exports to the US reached around 0.6 million tonnes in
2025. China’s cotton product
exports to the United States fell significantly in 2025. Imports from China
dropped to about 0.5 million tonnes, continuing a long-term decline that began
after peaking in 2010. The reduction has been influenced by several rounds of
US tariffs on Chinese goods, which ranged from 10 per cent to as high as 125
per cent.These tariffs, along with
regulatory measures and geopolitical tensions, have prompted American firms to
reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers. As a result, many retailers have
diversified their sourcing to other textile-producing countries.
7. Supreme Court Rules Income Alone Cannot
Define OBC Creamy Layer: The Supreme Court has ruled
that parental income alone cannot be used as the sole criterion to determine
whether a candidate belongs to the ‘creamy layer’ within the Other Backward
Classes (OBC) category. The judgment emphasised that the status and category of
the parents’ employment must also be considered while deciding eligibility for
reservation benefits. The ruling could significantly impact the evaluation of
creamy layer status, particularly for children of employees in public sector
undertakings (PSUs) and private organisations. A bench of Justices P. S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan stated that the
determination of creamy layer status should not rely only on income thresholds.
Instead, the nature and status of the parents’ employment must also be taken
into account.The court noted that the
policy framework for identifying the creamy layer recognises social advancement
through professional status. Therefore, both employment hierarchy and financial
indicators must be considered together to determine whether a candidate falls
within the creamy layer.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. ZSI Discovers Two New Lichen Moth Species
in Eastern Himalayas: Scientists
from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of
lichen moths in the eastern Himalayan region, highlighting the rich
biodiversity of the area. The newly identified species — “Caulocera hollowayi”
and “Asura buxa” — were formally described by Indian researchers and published
in the international taxonomic journal “Zootaxa” on March 2, 2026. The
discovery contributes to expanding scientific knowledge of India’s insect
diversity, particularly within the Lepidoptera group. The two newly documented species were identified from
specimens collected in different parts of the eastern Himalayas. “Caulocera
hollowayi” was discovered from samples collected near Golitar in Sikkim, while “Asura buxa”
was identified from specimens found in Panijhora in West Bengal.The
research was conducted by a team of Indian scientists including Navneet Singh
from ZSI Kolkata, Santosh Singh from the Central Zone Regional Centre of ZSI in
Jabalpur, and Srishti Bhattacharya, a senior research fellow at ZSI. The formal
naming of these species recognises them as previously unknown to science and
enables accurate global classification.
2. India Co-Sponsors UN Resolution Condemning
Iran Attacks: India has co-sponsored a resolution at
the United
Nations Security Council condemning
attacks carried out by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) countries and Jordan. The resolution called for the
immediate cessation of hostilities and warned against threats to close the
strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The development highlights India’s
diplomatic stance amid rising tensions in West Asia and reflects its strategic
interests in the Gulf region. The 15-member United Nations
Security Council adopted the resolution with 13 votes in
favour and none against. Two permanent members, China and Russia, abstained
from voting. At the time of the vote, the United States held the presidency of
the council.The resolution strongly condemned what it described as “egregious
attacks” by Iran on the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
the United Arab
Emirates, and Jordan. It stated that such
actions constitute a breach of international law and pose a serious threat to
international peace and security.
3. Assam’s GI-Tagged Joha Rice Exported to UK
and Italy: Assam has achieved a major milestone in
promoting its agricultural products globally with the export of its
Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Joha rice to the United Kingdom and Italy. A consignment of 25 metric tonnes of
the aromatic rice was dispatched from Guwahati, marking the first large-scale
export of the traditional variety to European markets. The initiative reflects
growing international demand for India’s indigenous and specialty agricultural
products. The export was facilitated by the
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Assam agriculture
department. The shipment aims to strengthen direct market linkages between
local producer groups and international buyers.Officials stated that the rice
will first be transported by road from Guwahati to Kolkata before being shipped
to European destinations. The export demonstrates Assam’s ability to meet
international quality standards while opening new markets for its traditional
crops.
4. Iran Heritage Sites Damaged Amid US–Israel
Bombing Strikes: Several historic monuments
and UNESCO-listed heritage sites in Iran have reportedly suffered damage
following recent US and Israeli military strikes. Although the missiles did not
directly hit the cultural landmarks, shockwaves from nearby explosions and
falling debris caused structural damage to delicate architectural features such
as glass panels, tiles, and stonework. UNESCO
confirmed that at least four culturally significant locations were affected by
the military operations. Among them is the Qajar-era Golestan Palace in Tehran,
a renowned architectural complex known for its ornate mirror halls, decorative
tiles, and historic gardens.The blast impact reportedly shattered windows,
damaged archways, and broke portions of the palace’s iconic mirrored ceilings.
Other affected monuments include the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan
and the Masjed-e Jame, one of Iran’s oldest Friday mosques and an important example of
Persian Islamic architecture.
5. New Flying Reptile Found in
100-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Vomit: Scientists have discovered a new species
of flying reptile after analysing a rare fossilised regurgitate, commonly
referred to as dinosaur vomit. The specimen, dated to about 100 million years
ago, was recovered from the Romualdo Formation in brazil/">Brazil’s Araripe Basin. Named “Bakiribu
waridza”, the species represents the first extinct animal to be scientifically
described entirely from fossilised regurgitated material. The discovery was
made in the Santana Group geological formation, a fossil-rich region in
northeastern Brazil known for preserving ancient organisms in exceptional
detail. Researchers found bones belonging to two individuals of the newly
identified pterosaur species along with four fossilised fish inside the
regurgitated material. The findings were documented in a study published in the
journal “Scientific Reports”, highlighting an unusual preservation process
rarely seen in palaeontology.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. United States and South Korea Launch ‘Freedom Shield’
Joint Military Exercise Amid Regional Tensions: The United States and
South Korea began a large joint military exercise called Freedom
Shield, involving thousands of troops.Around 18,000 South Korean troops are
participating in the exercise, which will continue until March 19, according to
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2. Indian Army and Ladakh Forest Department sign MoU to
protect wildlife: On World Wildlife Day, the Indian Army and the Forest, Ecology and
Environment Department of Ladakh signed an MoU to protect the fragile
ecosystem and wildlife of Ladakh.The agreement focuses on conserving species
such as the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Wolf, Bharal, Ibex, Marmot, and
Black-necked Crane under the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program.A
Joint Snow Leopard Conservation Cell will be established to monitor
conservation efforts and promote sustainable development and biodiversity
protection in Ladakh’s high-altitude ecosystems.
3. India Builds First Autonomous Maritime
Shipbuilding Centre in Andhra: India has taken a major step towards strengthening its
maritime and defence manufacturing capabilities with the foundation of the
world’s first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre in Andhra Pradesh. The facility is being developed by
Mumbai-based Sagar Defence Engineering at the Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in
Nellore district, marking a significant milestone in indigenous maritime
technology development. The Andhra Pradesh
government has allocated 29.58 acres of land at the Juvvaladinne fishing
harbour for the project. The location offers direct sea access, enabling the
construction, launch, testing, and deployment of maritime vessels from the same
site.The initiative aligns with
the state government’s broader vision to develop advanced manufacturing
infrastructure along the coastline and strengthen India’s marine technology
ecosystem. Officials expect the project to boost domestic defence production
and enhance maritime innovation.
SPORTS
1. Lakshya Sen Finishes Runner-Up at All England Open
Badminton Championships After Loss to Lin Chun-Yi: India’s Lakshya
Sen finished runner-up in the Men’s Singles at the All England Open
Badminton Championships after losing the final.He was defeated by Lin
Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei in straight games 15–21, 20–22.The final match was
played at Utilita Arena, where Sen fought back strongly in the second game but
narrowly lost 22–20.
2. Iran Withdraws from FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran announced
its withdrawal from the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the biggest
international football tournaments.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by
the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. C-DOT’s AI Fraud Detection Tool Recognised
at Mobile World Congress: India’s Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
received global recognition at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in
Barcelona, Spain, for its indigenous artificial
intelligence-based fraud detection
solution called “Fraud Pro”. The innovation was shortlisted as a top finalist
at the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO) in the category of Best Network Security
and Fraud Prevention. The recognition highlights India’s growing capabilities
in developing advanced telecom technologies and cybersecurity solutions. Fraud Pro is an AI-powered security solution developed
by C-DOT to detect and prevent fraud in telecom networks. The system uses
advanced analytics and artificial intelligence algorithms to identify suspicious patterns in
network activity.By analysing large volumes of telecom data in real time, the
solution can detect potential threats such as financial fraud, identity misuse,
and suspicious communication patterns. This enables telecom operators to
respond quickly and protect both networks and users from cyber threats.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 3.21% in February
2026: Consumer Price Index (CPI) Data: India’s retail inflation, based on the
Consumer Price Index (CPI), stood at 3.21% in February 2026, compared to
2.75% in January 2026, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation.The rural inflation rate was 3.37%, while urban inflation stood
at 3.02%, under the revised CPI series with 2024 as the base year.The Consumer
Food Price Index (CFPI) inflation was 3.47%, while housing inflation stood at
2.12% for February 2026.
2. RBI Launches Pilot ‘Awareness Program on Digital
Payments’ in Maharashtra During Digital Payments Awareness Week: Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) launched a pilot programme titled “Awareness Program on Digital
Payments” to promote safe and wider adoption of digital payments across
India.The pilot programme was conducted in Maharashtra in partnership with CSC
e-Governance Services India Ltd during the Digital Payments Awareness Week
(March 9–13, 2026).The initiative aims to reach 10 lakh participants in rural
and semi-urban areas through in-person awareness sessions conducted by Village
Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
3. Bank of Baroda Launches ‘bob Women Sapphire Savings
Account’ with ₹10 Lakh Cancer Care Coverage for Women: Bank of
Baroda launched a special savings account for
women named bob Women Sapphire Savings Account to promote
financial inclusion and empowerment.The account is designed to provide
exclusive banking benefits along with healthcare and lifestyle privileges for
women customers.It also offers ₹10 lakh cancer care coverage for women account
holders aged 18 to 60 years.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Veteran Actor-Filmmaker Amol Palekar to Receive 2026 META Lifetime Achievement Award: Veteran actor-filmmaker Amol Palekar will be honoured with the 2026 META Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long influence in Indian theatre and cinema.The 21st edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META), established by the Mahindra Group and produced by Teamwork Arts, will be held in New Delhi from March 19–25, 2026, showcasing prominent stage productions.
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