NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Tripura Launches State Innovation Mission Under Atal
Innovation Mission 2.0 to Boost Startups and Innovation : Tripura launched
the State Innovation Mission under Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 of
NITI Aayog to promote innovation, startups, and entrepreneurship as part of the
state’s long-term development strategy.The mission was launched at the Hapania
International Exhibition Centre in Agartala in the presence of Manik Saha,
Suman Bery, Jitendra Singh, and V. K. Saraswat.The initiative will be delivered
through the Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT) and will include the
launch of T-NEST, an incubation centre to support startups and promote the
“Make from Tripura” concept.
2. Government
Launches Campaign Against ‘Sarpanch Pati’ Practice : The Union government has launched a
nationwide social media campaign to address the practice of “Sarpanch Pati”,
where male relatives exercise authority in place of elected women leaders in
village governance. Announced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), the
campaign titled “Say No To Proxy Sarpanch” aims to empower women sarpanches and
strengthen democratic participation in grassroots governance. The initiative
coincides with International Women’s Day and will run until March 18. The
campaign seeks to highlight and discourage the widespread practice where
husbands or male relatives of elected women representatives take decisions and
perform official duties on their behalf. Such individuals are commonly referred
to as “Sarpanch Pati”, “Mukhiya Pati”, or “Pradhan Pati”. The ministry
emphasised that this practice undermines the democratic mandate given to women
elected through reservation in local self-government institutions.
3. Sambar
Deer Recorded at High Altitudes in Himachal Pradesh: The Wildlife Wing of the
Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has documented the presence of sambar deer
in high-altitude protected areas of Chamba district for the first time. The
discovery was made through camera trap monitoring and represents an important
ecological observation, as the species is generally associated with lower
Shivalik hills and moist deciduous forests. The findings have been published in
the February quarterly issue of the Records of the Zoological Survey of India,
highlighting the significance of the observation for wildlife research. Forest
officials recorded the presence of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in the
Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary and Gamgul Wildlife Sanctuary. Camera trap
images captured adult and sub-adult males visiting a waterhole, with most
activity recorded during evening and night hours. The observation indicates
that the species may be expanding its range into the higher Himalayan regions.
4. PM
Modi Inaugurates India’s First Ring Metro In Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi inaugurated two new corridors of the Delhi Metro, including India’s first
fully operational ‘Ring Metro’, marking a major milestone in the capital’s
urban transport network. The launch includes the Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur
corridor of the Pink Line and the Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park extension of the
Magenta Line. The expansion is expected to significantly improve connectivity
across north and northeast Delhi while strengthening the city’s metro
infrastructure. The newly inaugurated
Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur corridor spans about 12.3 kilometres and includes
several elevated stations. With the addition of this stretch, the Pink Line now
extends to approximately 71.56 kilometres. The line forms a loop across
multiple parts of the city, making it India’s first operational Ring Metro
system.The
corridor includes stations such as Majlis Park, Burari, Jharoda Majra, Jagatpur-Wazirabad,
Soorghat, Nanaksar-Sonia Vihar, Khajuri Khas, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and
Maujpur-Babarpur. A key engineering feature of this section is a bridge over
the Yamuna river and a double-decker viaduct carrying both a metro track and a
road flyover.
5. Assam
Woman Receives First Citizenship Certificate Under CAA : A 60-year-old woman from Assam’s Cachar district has become the first
person in the state to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship
Amendment Act (CAA). Dipali Das, a resident of Hawaithang in the Dholai block,
received her citizenship certificate on March 6, ending years of uncertainty
over her legal status in India. Her case highlights the practical
implementation of the CAA in Assam and the resolution of
long-standing citizenship disputes. Dipali
Das reportedly entered India along with her husband on February 7, 1988, after
leaving Bangladesh due to alleged persecution. The couple settled in
Cachar district and began building their lives in the region. However, the
absence of valid documents proving Indian citizenship later brought her under
scrutiny.In 2013, authorities initiated an investigation into her nationality.
A police chargesheet stated that she had entered India illegally after March
1971 and was therefore considered a suspected foreign national. This
development led to prolonged legal and administrative proceedings regarding her
citizenship.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 8 March – International Women’s Day : International
Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March to recognise the
social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide.Theme
2026 – Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and GirlsThe day also
highlights the importance of gender equality and women’s rights, encouraging
action to remove discrimination and empower women globally.United Nations
officially began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975, which was also
declared as the International Women’s Year.
2. Koala
Population Rebound Boosts Genetic Diversity in Australia: A rapid recovery of koala
populations in southeastern Australia has led to a surprising increase in their
genetic variation, offering new hope for species recovering from near
extinction. A recent study published in “Science” highlights how the rebound of
koalas in the Australian state of Victoria has reshuffled genetic combinations,
potentially improving their ability to adapt and survive in the long term. The
findings suggest that even species that pass through severe population declines
can gradually regain genetic resilience if their numbers recover quickly. By
the early 20th century, koala populations in Victoria had nearly vanished due
to extensive hunting for the fur trade. Their numbers dropped to as few as 500
individuals. To protect the remaining population, conservationists relocated
small groups of koalas to nearby islands where they could breed safely. Over
the decades, these island populations grew significantly, and many individuals
were later reintroduced to mainland habitats to rebuild the population.
3. Mumps
Cases Rise in the US Despite Vaccine Protection: Health officials in
the United
States have reported a recent
rise in mumps/">mumps cases, drawing attention to
another vaccine-preventable disease after measles. In Maryland, authorities
confirmed 26 cases of mumps so far in 2026, including 19
confirmed and seven probable infections. Nationally, the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 34 cases across 11 jurisdictions by late
February. Although vaccination has dramatically reduced mumps over the past
decades, occasional outbreaks continue to occur. Mumps is a contagious viral
disease caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to the paramyxovirus family.
It mainly affects the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands located
near the ears. The infection spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva
when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or shares utensils and drinks.
One of the major challenges in controlling mumps is that infected individuals
can spread the virus several days before symptoms appear and remain contagious
for about five days after gland swelling begins.
4. Corey
Parker Dies at 60 After Stage-4 Cancer Battle: American actor Corey
Parker, known for his memorable appearances on television and film, has passed
away at the age of 60 after battling stage-4 metastatic cancer. His death was
confirmed by family members, who revealed that he died on 5 March 2026 in
Memphis, Tennessee. Parker remained widely respected in the entertainment
industry not only for his performances but also for his dedication to mentoring
aspiring actors. His passing marks the end of a career that spanned decades
across television, cinema, and acting education. Corey Parker was born on 8
July 1965 in New York City into a family connected to the performing arts. His
mother, Rocky Parker, and sister, Noelle Parker, were both actresses, which
exposed him to the world of entertainment early in life. He trained at the High
School of Performing Arts in New York, where he developed strong foundations in
acting. Parker began his career appearing in commercials before gradually
securing roles in films and television productions.
5. Balen
Shah’s Rise Signals Political Shift in Nepal: Nepal’s political landscape appears poised
for a major transformation as Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen Shah, has
emerged as a strong contender for the country’s prime ministership following
the latest general election trends. The 35-year-old Kathmandu mayor and former
rapper represents a new generation of leadership challenging the dominance of
traditional political elites. His rise has energised young voters and
highlighted growing demand for political reform and transparent governance in
the Himalayan nation. Preliminary trends from Nepal’s recent general
elections indicate strong performance by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP),
which is reportedly leading in more than 100 of the 275 seats in the House of
Representatives. Shah himself is maintaining a significant lead in the Jhapa-5
constituency against veteran leader and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli of
the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).If the trend continues, Shah could become
one of the youngest prime ministers in Nepal’s history, marking a dramatic
shift from a political establishment largely dominated by leaders in their 60s
and 70s.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. 1965
War Hero and Vir Chakra Awardee KG George Dies at 95: Lance Havildar K. G.
George (retd), a decorated hero of the 1965 India-Pakistan War and recipient of
the Vir Chakra, passed away at the age of 95 in Kerala. He died at his residence in Kottayam
due to age-related health issues. George was widely respected for his courage
and dedication during wartime service in the Indian Army, particularly for his
role in maintaining vital communication lines during intense enemy attacks. K.
G. George was born in February 1931 in Kerala. He later joined the Indian Army and
served in the Corps of Signals, a specialised branch responsible for managing
battlefield communications. Established in 1911, the Corps of Signals plays a
crucial role in ensuring secure and uninterrupted communication between
different military units during operations. George’s service in this unit
placed him at the centre of critical communication tasks during wartime.
2. RM
Nachammai Becomes First Woman Chief Of Operational Nuclear Plant: RM Nachammai has created
history by becoming the first woman to head the operations of a functional
nuclear power plant in India under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India
Limited (NPCIL). She has been appointed Chief Superintendent of Kaiga
Generating Station Units 3 and 4 in Karnataka, with the role taking effect from 15
March 2026. Her appointment is being viewed as a significant milestone for
gender representation in India’s highly specialised nuclear energy sector. As Chief Superintendent,
Nachammai will oversee operations, maintenance and engineering support
divisions of the nuclear reactor complex at Kaiga. The position involves
continuous monitoring of reactor operations, safety systems and plant performance.
It is regarded as one of the most technically demanding leadership roles within
the nuclear power ecosystem.The appointment is particularly significant as
India seeks to strengthen its nuclear energy capacity as part of its clean
energy transition. The country aims to expand nuclear power generation to
around 100 gigawatts by 2047, making experienced leadership in plant operations
crucial for achieving this goal.
SPORTS
1. India
Wins Third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Title: India secured a historic triumph in the ICC Men’s T20
World Cup 2026 after defeating New Zealand by a massive 96-run margin at the
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The victory marked India’s third T20 World
Cup title and made it the first team to successfully defend the championship.
The dominant performance throughout the tournament highlighted India’s depth,
discipline and match-winning consistency in the shortest format of
international cricket. India delivered an emphatic performance in the final,
overpowering New Zealand with both bat and ball. Playing in front of a packed
home crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Indian side posted a strong total
and then dismantled the New Zealand batting line-up. The 96-run victory became
one of the most decisive wins in a T20 World Cup final, underlining India’s
superiority during the tournament.
2. Sabrina
Wittmann Becomes Germany’s First Female Men’s Team Coach: Sabrina Wittmann has made
history in German football as the first woman to manage a professional men’s
football team in the country. The 34-year-old coach recently extended her
contract with FC Ingolstadt 04, reinforcing the club’s trust in her leadership.
Her appointment, first made in 2024, marked a landmark moment for gender
representation in professional football and has since attracted global
attention. Wittmann’s rise to the role of
head coach at FC Ingolstadt placed her at the forefront of change within German
football. Initially appointed as an interim coach in 2024, she soon secured the
position permanently after demonstrating strong leadership and tactical
understanding. Her continued tenure at the club reflects confidence in her
ability to guide the team in Germany’s competitive professional football
structure.Despite
the historic nature of her appointment, Wittmann has repeatedly emphasised that
she prefers to be recognised primarily for her coaching ability rather than her
gender. Her focus remains on improving team performance and helping the club
rebuild after challenging seasons.
3. Lakshya
Sen Reaches Second All England Badminton Final : India’s Lakshya Sen delivered
a determined performance to enter the final of the All England Open Badminton
Championships, marking his second appearance in the prestigious tournament’s
title clash. The 24-year-old shuttler defeated Canada’s Victor Lai in a tough semifinal
encounter, reinforcing his status among the world’s leading badminton players.
Sen had earlier reached the final in 2022 and now becomes only the second
Indian to achieve this feat twice. The
semifinal match proved to be an intense battle lasting one hour and 37
minutes. Lakshya Sen secured the victory with a scoreline of
21-16, 18-21, 21-15. Both players produced long and exhausting rallies, several
extending beyond 50 shots, reflecting the high level of stamina and skill on
display.The opening game remained closely contested until the score reached
17-16 in Sen’s favour. The Indian then accelerated his pace, winning four
consecutive points to take the game. Despite the early advantage, the contest
remained unpredictable.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IIT
Guwahati Partners with Coventry University for AI Healthcare Research: The Indian Institute of
Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Coventry University Group (CUG), United Kingdom, to strengthen global research
collaboration in artificial
intelligence and healthcare. The
agreement aims to promote academic mobility, joint research initiatives and
collaborative degree programmes. The partnership marks an important step in
expanding Indo-UK cooperation in emerging technology sectors, particularly the
application of AI in modern healthcare systems. The MoU establishes a long-term
strategic partnership between the two institutions. It focuses on expanding
collaborative research and innovation while fostering stronger academic
engagement between India and the United Kingdom. Officials from Coventry University
Group, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research Prof. Richard Dashwood,
recently visited IIT Guwahati to formalise the agreement and explore areas of
joint academic development.
2. Scientists
Convert Plastic Waste Into Vinegar Using Sunlight: Researchers at the
University of Waterloo in Canada have developed an innovative
method to convert plastic waste into acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, using
only sunlight. The breakthrough offers a promising solution to tackle plastic
pollution while producing a valuable industrial chemical. The technique relies on
a light-driven chemical reaction that breaks down plastic materials into useful
compounds without requiring extreme heat or toxic chemicals. The research team, led by Professor Yimin Wu, designed a
system that uses photocatalysis to break plastic waste into smaller molecular
components. In this process, sunlight acts as the primary energy source to
trigger chemical reactions that transform plastic polymers into acetic acid.The
reaction takes place at room temperature, making it more energy-efficient than
traditional chemical recycling methods. This sunlight-driven approach also
avoids the release of additional carbon dioxide, offering a cleaner alternative
for managing plastic waste.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Motilal Oswal Home Finance Limited Secures $100
Million Funding from ADB to Boost Affordable Housing : Motilal
Oswal Home Finance Limited secured $100 million in debt
financing from the Asian Development Bank to expand lending in the
affordable housing segment.The funds, raised through rupee-equivalent
Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs), will mainly be used to provide affordable
home loans to women borrowers, promoting financial inclusion.Around 10% of the
funding will support green-certified residential projects, encouraging
environmentally sustainable housing construction in India.
2. Yes Bank Launches ‘YES Essence’ Women’s Salary Account
Ahead of International Women’s Day: Yes Bank launched the “YES Essence Women’s Salary
Account” ahead of International Women’s Day to support the financial and
lifestyle needs of working women.The account offers a bundle of benefits on a
single platform, including financial protection, preventive healthcare,
lifestyle privileges, and wealth-creation services.Key features include a free
locker facility for the first year, ₹5 lakh complimentary top-up health
insurance for one year, and an annual preventive health check-up.Account
holders will also receive a complimentary Elegance Debit Card with 5% cashback
(up to ₹6,000 per year) on selected spending categories.
3. Axis Bank Partners with Tesla to Offer Tailored EV
Financing Solutions in India : Axis
Bank has partnered with Tesla to become its preferred
financing partner, offering customised loan solutions and a better financing
experience for Tesla electric vehicle buyers in India.Under the partnership,
customers purchasing Tesla EVs can access vehicle loans with a tenure of up to
10 years, helping reduce monthly EMI and providing flexible schemes suited to
different financial profiles.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Rashmika
Mandanna Wins Best Actress For ‘The Girlfriend’: Actor Rashmika Mandanna
has received the Best Actress award for her performance in the romantic drama
“The Girlfriend” at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025. The recognition
highlights her growing prominence in Indian cinema and celebrates her impactful
portrayal in the film. The award ceremony honoured several artists from the
film industry for their achievements during the year. The Government of
Telangana announced the winners of the Gaddar Awards for 2025, with Rashmika
Mandanna being named Best Actress for “The Girlfriend”. The film received
positive responses from audiences and performed well commercially. Rashmika’s
performance was widely appreciated for its emotional depth and screen presence,
strengthening her reputation as one of the leading actresses in contemporary
Indian cinema.
2. Chiranjeevi Receives Prestigious NTR National Film Award : Veteran Telugu actor Chiranjeevi has
been honoured with the prestigious NTR National Film Award at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025. The award
recognises his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema over several decades.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, the megastar described receiving an award
associated with legendary actor and leader N. T. Rama Rao as a deeply emotional
and meaningful moment in his career. The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards celebrate
excellence in cinema and recognise notable contributions by artists and
technicians in the film industry. During the 2025 edition of the awards,
Chiranjeevi was presented with the NTR National Film Award in recognition of
his long-standing impact on Telugu cinema. The award ceremony also honoured
several other prominent actors and filmmakers for their achievements in the
industry.
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