NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Government Expands ALMM Framework to Solar Ingots
& Wafers to Boost Domestic Manufacturing: The government has
expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework by
introducing ALMM List-III for solar ingots and wafers, effective from 1
June 2028.From this date, all solar projects (including net metering and open
access) must use ALMM-listed wafers, making compliance mandatory.The move aims
to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependence, strengthen supply
chains, and ensure high quality standards in the solar sector.The policy
includes mandatory use in new bids, requires minimum domestic capacity (15 GW)
with integrated production, and protects ongoing projects through
grandfathering provisions.
2. Odisha’s Kusunpur Becomes State’s First ‘Smart
Village’ Under CSIR Initiative: Kusunpur village in Odisha’s Kendrapada
district has been selected as the state’s first “Smart Village” under
the CSIR initiative.The project, launched on March 16, aims at
technology-driven rural transformation under the vision of “Viksit Bharat
@2047”.CSIR has identified six villages nationwide as “live laboratories” to
implement innovations through a “Lab to Land” approach in areas like
agriculture, infrastructure, and rural development.
3. Tata Steel Approves Merger with NINL and $2 Billion
Investment in Singapore Arm: Tata
Steel has approved the merger of Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd
(NINL), its wholly-owned subsidiary, with itself.Tata Steel had earlier
acquired NINL in July 2022 for around ₹12,100 crore.The company has also
approved an investment of up to $2 billion (₹18,488 crore) in its Singapore-based
arm T Steel Holdings Pte Ltd (TSHP).
4. Atanu Chakraborty Resigns; Keki Mistry Appointed
Interim Chairman of HDFC Bank: Atanu
Chakraborty has resigned as part-time chairman and independent
director of HDFC Bank with immediate effect.Keki Mistry has
been appointed as interim part-time chairman for 3 months from March
19, 2026, with approval from the Reserve Bank of India.
5. NMDC Limited Becomes First Indian Mining Company to
Produce 50 MT Iron Ore in a Year: National Mineral Development Corporation Limited
(NMDC), India’s largest iron ore producer, became the first mining
company in the country to produce 50 million tonnes (MT) of iron ore in a
single financial year (2025–26).Established in 1958, NMDC’s production has
grown from about 10 MT in 1978 to 50 MT, reflecting significant long-term
expansion.Since 2015, production has increased sharply from around 30 MT to 50
MT, highlighting NMDC’s key role in strengthening India’s iron ore supply
chain.
6. India
Notifies New Rules to Strengthen Toll Compliance: The Government of India has notified
amendments to the National Highways Fee Rules, 2026 to enhance toll compliance
and improve transparency in toll collection systems. The National Highways Fee
(Determination of Rates and Collection) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026
introduce a structured and technology-driven framework to address unpaid user
fees and streamline enforcement across National Highways. The amended rules
focus on strengthening digital enforcement of toll collection by introducing a
systematic recovery mechanism for unpaid toll charges. This step aims to reduce
revenue leakage and ensure efficient realisation of user fees, thereby
improving the financial sustainability of highway infrastructure projects.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 14 March – International Day of Mathematics: The International
Day of Mathematics is celebrated every year on March 14, also
known as Pi (π) Day.It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2019 to promote the
importance of mathematics in education and daily life. Theme 2026
– Mathematics and Hope The day highlights the role of mathematics in
science, technology, innovation, and sustainable development, encouraging
global participation through activities and awareness programs.
2. 20 March – International Day of Happiness: The International Day of
Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20 to promote
happiness and well-being as universal human goals.It was proclaimed by the
United Nations in 2012, recognizing the importance of happiness in public
policy and development.
3. 20 March – World Sparrow Day: World Sparrow Day is
celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness about the
conservation of sparrows.The day was initiated by the Nature Forever Society in
2010 to protect declining sparrow populations.It highlights the impact of
urbanization, pollution, and habitat loss on sparrows and promotes efforts for
their protection and conservation.
4. India
Launches RELIEF Scheme to Support Exporters: Amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and
disruptions in maritime logistics, the Government of India has approved a
targeted intervention named RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for
Export Facilitation) under the Export Promotion
Mission (EPM). The move aims
to support exporters affected by escalating freight costs, higher insurance
premiums and operational uncertainties linked to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region. Recent
security concerns in the Gulf have led to vessel diversions, longer shipping
routes, congestion at transshipment hubs and additional war-related surcharges.
These developments have significantly increased logistics costs and created
uncertainty for Indian export consignments moving to or through West Asia, a
key trade corridor.
5. India
Vietnam Boost Tribal Development Cooperation Ties: India and Vietnam have strengthened bilateral
cooperation in tribal and ethnic development following a high-level ministerial
meeting held in New Delhi on 20 March 2026. The meeting marked an important
step in elevating engagement between the two countries, building on earlier
official-level discussions and reinforcing their Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership. The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs
Jual Oram and Vietnam’s Minister of Ethnic and Religious
Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung. It followed earlier deliberations between senior
officials from both sides, where policy frameworks, development strategies, and
best practices concerning tribal and ethnic communities were discussed. The
ministerial dialogue aimed to institutionalise cooperation and expand
collaboration at the leadership level.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy Participates in U.S.-Led ‘Sea Dragon 2026’
ASW Exercise in Guam: India is participating in the U.-led
multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise ‘Sea Dragon 2026’, being held
near Guam in March 2026.The exercise involves countries like Australia, Japan,
and New Zealand, aiming to enhance coordination and combat readiness in
undersea warfare.The Indian Navy is participating alongside the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has deployed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and
around 50 personnel.
2. Sagar Defence Lays Foundation of World’s First
Autonomous Shipbuilding Centre in Nellore: Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt.
Ltd. has laid the foundation of the world’s first Autonomous Maritime
Shipbuilding and Systems Centre in the Nellore district of Andhra
Pradesh.The centre will operate as an advanced shipyard using Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and robotics for modern shipbuilding processes.It aims to enhance
efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in the maritime and defence
manufacturing sector.
3. Exercise
Amogh Jwala Showcases Indian Army Combat Readiness: The Indian Army’s
Southern Command recently conducted Exercise Amogh Jwala at the Babina Field
Firing Ranges, highlighting advanced mechanised warfare capabilities. The
high-intensity drill demonstrated India’s growing military preparedness through
integrated, multi-domain operations involving land, air and technological
assets. The exercise showcased coordinated operations using attack helicopters,
fighter aircraft, drones and counter-drone systems. It emphasised the concept
of multi-domain warfare, where forces operate simultaneously across land, air,
cyber and space domains. Such integration is increasingly vital in modern
conflict scenarios characterised by rapid technological advancements.
SPORTS
1. Chandrika Pujari Wins Gold as India Secures Five Medals
at World Boxing Futures Cup: India secured a total of five medals (1
gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) at the World Boxing Futures Cup.
Chandrika Pujari won the gold
medal in the women’s 51 kg category, defeating Uzbekistan’s Mardonova Nazokat
by a unanimous decision.Other medal winners included Gunjan (48 kg), Joyshree
Devi (54 kg), and L. Ambekar Meetei (50 kg) with silver medals, while Radhamani
Longjam (57 kg) secured a bronze medal.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Ladakh
Magmatic Arc Reveals Tectonic Evolution: Scientists have decoded the evolution of the Ladakh
Magmatic Arc (LMA) in the north-western Himalaya, uncovering a geological
record spanning nearly 130 million years. This arc provides crucial evidence of
the long-term interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates, including
subduction, magmatic development and eventual continental collision. The
findings shed light on processes that predate the rise of the Himalaya, when
the present-day Ladakh region lay above the ancient Neo-Tethys Ocean. Before
the Himalayan uplift, Ladakh existed above the Neo-Tethys Ocean, where oceanic
crust was being forced beneath the Eurasian margin in a process called
subduction. This led to the formation of the Ladakh Magmatic Arc, a belt of
igneous rocks developed between the Jurassic and Eocene periods, roughly 201 to
34 million years ago. The arc represents a classic subduction-related volcanic
system that recorded continuous tectonic activity beneath the ocean.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Banks Write Off ₹9.75 Lakh Crore Loans in 11 Years: Banks have
written off ₹75 lakh crore worth of loans over the last 11 financial
years, as stated by MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.Loan write-offs peaked at
₹1.59 lakh crore in FY20 and have gradually declined to ₹47,568 crore in
FY25.Write-offs showed a rising trend from ₹31,723 crore (FY15) to over ₹1 lakh
crore in FY19, indicating increasing NPAs during that period.Banks have written
off Rs 31,723 crore in FY15, Rs 40,416 crore in FY16, Rs 68,308 crore in FY 17,
and Rs 99,132 crore in FY18.
2. World Bank Approves $300 Million Loan for Clean Air
Programme in Uttar Pradesh: The
World Bank has approved a loan of about USD 300 million for Uttar
Pradesh to improve air quality through a clean air programme.The
Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program aims to reduce pollution across
sectors like transport, agriculture, and industry, while promoting
environmental sustainability and employment generation.The initiative focuses
on measures such as the adoption of electric vehicles, industrial emission
monitoring, and clean technologies to achieve sustainable growth and reduced
pollution.
3. DCM Shriram Secures $90 Million Investment from IFC for Sustainable Growth: DCM Shriram has secured $90 million funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) through sustainability-linked non-convertible debentures (NCDs).The funds will be used to expand its chemicals business and support agriculture-related capital expenditure, promoting sustainable growth.The investment reflects IFC’s focus on sustainable industrial development in India, linking financing to environmental and performance targets.
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