18th March 2026

1. Asia-Africa Agri Alliance Launched to to Boost Trade Investment
2. Indian Navy Participates in USA-Led Multinational Exercise ‘Sea Dragon 2026’ in Guam
3. World Bank Approves USD 300 Million Loan to UP for Clean Air Transition
4. Shriram General Insurance Launches ‘Shri Health Suraksha 2.0’ with Enhanced Coverage Features
5. Reliance Signs USD 3 billion Green Ammonia Supply Deal with South Korea’s Samsung C&T
6. World Sleep Day 2026
7. Himachal Pradesh Signs 3 MoUs with NDDB to Strengthen Dairy Sector & Boost Milk Processing
8. Kusunpur to Become Odisha’s First Smart Village
9. Uniqlo Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador for India
10. Indian Animated Film CHYIMI Wins Best Director Award at NYSAF 2026
11. India Begins Trade Pact Talks with Philippines and Maldives: New FTAs and PTA in Focus
12. Gujarat Launches Major Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccination Drive to Protect Livestock
13. Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden Inaugurated By in Srinagar
14. Arun Mammen Re elected as the ATMA Chairman
15. Punjab Passes Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University Bill 2026
16. No Age Limit on Maternity Leave for Adoptive Mothers Anymore
17. Maharashtra Assembly Passed The Freedom of Religion Bill 2026
18. India Metro Network Becomes World’s 3rd Largest Metro Network
19. India Crosses 2.12 Lakh Recognized Startups Over 1 Lakh Led by Women Directors
20. India Became The Leader In Coconut Production with Over 30% Share
21. Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 To Be Begins in New Delhi
22. Gujarat Receives UCC Draft Report from Justice Ranjana Desai Committee
23. Ordnance Factory Day 2026: India’s Defense Manufacturing Legacy Explained

National News

Supreme Court expands adoption leave rights

• Supreme Court removed rule that gave maternity leave only for adopting babies under three months, allowed 12-week leave for all adoptive mothers, and asked government to create paternity leave for fathers.

India metro network is the world’s third-largest metro network

• What: India expanded metro network from 248 km in 2014 to 1,095 km in 2025 across 26 cities, improving urban transport and strengthening household financial stability as highlighted by Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
• Tell me more:
  • Union Budget 2024–25 allocated ₹11.21 lakh crore for capital expenditure, while PM GatiShakti National Master Plan integrated metro projects and National Infrastructure Pipeline prioritised metro corridors as key urban infrastructure assets.

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 inaugurated in Delhi

• What: Ministry of Tribal Affairs organised Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 in New Delhi to showcase tribal culture, crafts, and enterprises while strengthening market linkages and livelihood opportunities for tribal communities across India.
• Tell me more:
  • Festival is organised by Ministry of Tribal Affairs with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) at Sunder Nursery New Delhi.
  • Government launched RISA brand to promote tribal textiles and crafts by showcasing Eri Silk, Muga Silk, Kotpad Cotton, Changpa Pashmina, and Toda Embroidery in modern formats for wider market access.
  • Bharat Tribes Business Conclave is also organised as part of the Bharat Tribes Fest 2026.
  • CSR Summit will be organised as part of Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).

State News

World Bank funds clean air project in Uttar Pradesh

• What: World Bank signed an agreement to provide about USD 300 million loan to Uttar Pradesh for a clean air transition project, supporting improved air quality, job creation, and sustainable development across key sectors.
• Tell me more:
  • Program is part of World Bank’s Regional Air Quality Management Program in Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills.
  • Loan has maturity of 10 years with a two-year grace period.
  • Loan will support a clean air program in transport, farming, and industry, set up nearly 200 air check machines, and bring extra private money to improve air quality and systems.

Himachal Pradesh signs MoUs to boost dairy sector

• What: Himachal Pradesh government signed three agreements with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to improve dairy infrastructure, increase milk processing, and support farmers, strengthening the rural economy and dairy sector.
• Tell me more:
  • Government formed Kangra Milk Union and planned milk processing plants and chilling centres to improve milk collection, storage, and supply systems in the state.
  • Government will build two 20,000 litres plants at Nahan and Nalagarh, two chilling centres at Jalari and Jhalera, and a ₹250 crore Dhagwar plant starting operations by October.
  • Project will expand “Him” dairy brand reach across multiple districts, helping more areas access dairy products and improving distribution of milk and related products in the state.

Odisha to develop Kusunpur as first smart village

• What: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched a project to develop Kusunpur village in Odisha into a smart village, promoting technology-driven rural development and supporting sustainable and self-reliant communities in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Kusunpur village is located in Rajnagar block of Kendrapada district and project aligns with “Viksit Bharat@2047” vision.
  • CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) will improve infrastructure like schools, anganwadi buildings, and toilets, while Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC) will support cyclone shelter construction.
  • CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI) will promote renewable energy, clean cooking solutions, and safe drinking water systems in the village.
  • CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) will introduce solar agrivoltaics.
  • CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) will provide training in leather products and textiles.

Gujarat launches vaccination drive to control FMD

• What: Government of Gujarat launched a statewide vaccination campaign under National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) from March 1 to April 15 to control Foot and Mouth Disease and protect livestock and farmers.
• Tell me more:
  • Authorities upload animal data on Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH) portal to track vaccination and health, while government conducts vaccination drives twice yearly in March and September.
  • Foot and Mouth Disease affects cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats, causing fever, mouth sores, less milk, and leading to lower productivity and income for farmers.

Kashmir Tulip Garden opens for tourism season

• What: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opened Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, also known as Asia’s largest tulip garden, in Srinagar.
• Tell me more:
  • Garden is located at foothills of Zabarwan Mountains in Srinagar. It has around 18 lakh tulips across more than 70 varieties.
  • Garden started in 2007 and hosts annual Tulip Festival.

Punjab passes bill to establish Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur world class university

• What: Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World Class University Punjab Bill, 2026 to establish a world-class university at Sri Anandpur Sahib, strengthening advanced education in defence and technology sectors in North India.
• Tell me more:
  • The university will be established in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Guru.
  • The university will offer North India’s first specialised courses in defence, aerospace, cyber security, and quantum computing.

Maharashtra passes anti conversion law 2026

• Maharashtra passed Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 to stop forced or fraudulent religious conversions, with strict punishments including up to 10 years jail and heavy fines for violations and repeat offences.

Gujarat receives Uniform Civil Code report

• What: High-level committee submitted Uniform Civil Code report to Gujarat government, proposing common laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, which can standardise civil rights across communities while focusing on equality and women’s rights.
• Tell me more:
  • Committee was led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
  • Committee submitted report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar.

Banking and Economy

Asia-Africa Agri Alliance launched to boost agricultural cooperation

• What: Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) was launched by representatives from over ten nations to promote agricultural trade, investment, and cooperation, strengthening links between Asia and Africa in farming, technology, and policy.
• Tell me more:
  • Asia and Africa produce over 40% of global agriculture, trade above $90 billion yearly, while Africa holds 65% arable land, growing workforce, and aims for $1 trillion agriculture sector by 2030.
  • AAAA is formed as a not-for-profit Section 8 institution under Companies Act, 2013.

Shriram General Insurance launches Shri Health Suraksha 2.0

• Shriram General Insurance Company launched Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, a health insurance plan with flexible and all-inclusive coverage, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve financial protection for policyholders.

Reliance signs $3 billion green ammonia deal with Samsung C&T

• What: Reliance Industries Limited will supply green ammonia to Samsung C&T under a long-term deal, helping India grow clean energy and become stronger in the global market for eco-friendly fuels.
• Tell me more:
  • Agreement is a Supply and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for 15 years starting from second half of FY2029.
  • Deal value exceeds $3 billion and is among the largest green ammonia agreements globally.
  • Agreement supports clean energy value chain under National Green Hydrogen Mission, expands green hydrogen ecosystem, while RIL builds integrated platform with renewable power, storage, hydrogen production, green fuels, and manufacturing of solar, batteries, and electrolysers.

India begins trade pact negotiations with Philippines and Maldives

• What: India signed terms of reference with Philippines and Maldives to start trade agreement negotiations, aiming to expand trade, reduce import duties, and strengthen economic ties with these countries.
• Tell me more:
  • India will negotiate preferential trade agreement with Philippines. Preferential trade agreement reduces or removes duties on selected goods.
    • Philippines is part of ASEAN with which India has trade agreement signed in 2009.
  • India will negotiate free trade agreement with Maldives. Free trade agreement reduces or removes duties on most goods and promotes services and investments.
  • India and ASEAN are reviewing the agreement through AITIGA Joint Committee meetings.
  • India is negotiating trade agreements with multiple countries and regions including GCC, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, EAEU, and Israel.
  • India signed free trade agreements with UK and Oman last year.
  • India completed negotiations with European Union and New Zealand.

Ministry of Commerce & Industry data on Startup India

• What: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognised 2 lakh startups as on 31 January 2026.
  • Over 1 lakh recognised startups had at least one-woman director or partner.
• Tell me more:
  • Government initiatives for startups:

Defence News

Indian Navy joins US-led Sea Dragon 2026 exercise

• What: Indian Navy is participating in Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a United States-led anti-submarine warfare exercise at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
• Tell me more:
  • Exercise uses P-8A Poseidon and P-8I aircraft for anti-submarine training, where Indian Navy sent one Boeing P-8I aircraft, and countries like United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand participated.

Agriculture and Rural Development

India launches coconut promotion scheme 2026

• What: As per the information given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary in a written reply in Lok Sabha, India is the world’s largest producer of coconuts contributing to 30.37% of the Global coconut production.
• Tell me more:
  • India grows the most coconuts in the world (30.37%), so it is a global leader.
  • Out of total world coconut farms, India has a big share (2165.20 out of 12390 thousand hectares).
  • Because of this large area, India produces 21373.62 million coconuts every year.
  • Each hectare gives 9871 coconuts, showing good productivity.
  • Government of India announced Coconut Promotion Scheme in Union Budget 2026–27 to increase coconut production and productivity.

Awards

Indian film ‘CHYIMI’ wins Best Director at NYSAF 2026

• What: Animated film ‘CHYIMI’, directed by Partha Sarathi Mahanta, won Best Director Award at New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026, highlighting global recognition of Indian animation and storytelling.
• Tell me more:
  • Partha Sarathi Mahanta serves as IGP of Assam Police and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati.
  • The film is in Assamese language.

Important Days

World Sleep Day 2026 – March 13

Ordnance Factory Day – March 18

• What: British established Board of Ordnance in 1775, which started defence production in India.
• Tell me more:
  • India had 16 ordnance factories in 1947, government created Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in 1979 to manage them, and OFB later expanded to 41 factories.
  • Government reorganised OFB into seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in 2021 to improve efficiency.
  • These DPSUs now produce weapons, tanks, missiles, and defence equipment.
  • As of Feb 2026, Raksha Mantri had approved grant of Miniratna-I Status to four of the seven DPSUs – Munitions India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, Yantra India Limited, and India Optel Limited.

Appointments

Uniqlo appoints Jasprit Bumrah as brand ambassador in India

• Global apparel retailer Uniqlo appointed Jasprit Bumrah as brand endorser in India, launching a campaign to promote its LifeWear philosophy and strengthen brand presence in the Indian market.
• Uniqlo, a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., has its global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

ATMA announces new leadership appointments

• What: Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) re-elected Arun Mammen as Chairman and appointed Rajarshi Moitra as Vice Chairman.
• Tell me more:
  • Arun Mammen serves as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd.
  • Rajarshi Moitra serves as Managing Director of Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd.
  • Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), established in 1975, is India’s national tyre industry body, representing a USD 12 billion sector with members contributing over 80% of tyre production.

Start Quiz of 18th March 2026 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 18th March 2026 on Desktop