24th March 2026

1. GoI Establishes Rare Earth Magnet Pilot Plant at ARCI Hyderabad, Telangana
2. RRU, SSB Academy Sign MoU to Enhance National Security Training
3. Global Terrorism Index 2026: Pakistan Most Affected by Terrorism; India Ranked 13th
4. India and Bhutan Sign MoU to Strengthen Postal Cooperation
5. Indian Navy Participates in ‘Exercise KAKADU 2026’ in Australia
6. South Indian Bank Appoints Jose Joseph Kattoor as Part-Time Chairman
7. City Union Bank Appoints Ravindra Jadeja as Brand Ambassador
8. Kotak Mahindra Bank’s KMCC to Divest 30.99% Stake in Infina Finance for Rs 1,293.91 Crore
9. Veteran BJP Leader and former MP ‘Datta Meghe’ Passed Away
10. HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Presents Rs 54,928 Crore Budget for FY27
11. 15-Year-Old Becomes Youngest T20I Centurion
12. LeBron James Surpasses Robert Parish with Historic NBA Milestone
13. Sarhul Festival- Meaning, Rituals, and Traditions Explained
14. What Is the National DMF Summit 2026 and Why It Matters
15. China Overtakes Netherlands as India’s No. 3 Export Destination
16. Lipulekh Pass Trade Between India and China to Restart After 7 Years
17. INS Taragiri: Key Capabilities of India’s New Stealth Frigate
18. Coal Production in India Crosses 1 Billion Tonnes Again in 2026
19. Narendra Modi Became India’s Longest-Serving Elected Leader
20. World Meteorological Day 2026
21. International Day for the Right to Truth 2026
22. World Day for Glaciers 2026
23. International Nowruz Day 2026
24. World TB Day 2026
25. World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People 2026
26. World Down Syndrome Day 2026

National News

India Sets Up Rare Earth Magnet Pilot Plant at ARCI Hyderabad

• Department of Science and Technology (DST) set up a pilot plant for special magnets at International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, to reduce import dependence and support sectors like electric vehicles and clean energy.
• Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary – Prof. Abhay Karandikar
• ARCI Director – Dr. R. Vijay

National DMF Summit 2026 in New Delhi

• What: Government of India will hold National District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Summit 2026 at SCOPE Convention Centre in New Delhi to improve use of mineral funds in mining-affected areas, especially Aspirational District Programme and Aspirational Block Programme regions.
• Tell me more:
  • The summit is organized by the Ministry of Mines.

State News

Himachal Pradesh Presents ₹54,928 Crore Budget for 2026-27

• Himachal Pradesh government presented a ₹54,928 crore Budget for 2026-27 with focus on rural economy and welfare of poorest sections, while reporting revenue and fiscal deficits affecting state finances.

Sarhul Festival Celebrated with Nature Worship in Chhotanagpur

• Sarhul festival is celebrated during spring season with worship of village deity using Saal flowers, highlighting tribal traditions and community bonding in Chhotanagpur region, Jharkhand.
• It is also observed, on a smaller scale, in parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.

Banking and Economy

Kotak Mahindra Capital Divests Stake in Infina Finance

• Kotak Mahindra Capital Company (KMCC), a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank, agreed to sell 30.99% stake in Infina Finance, reducing its holding and changing Infina’s status.

India’s Exports Rise to $790.86 Billion in April–February FY26

• What: India recorded total exports of $790.86 billion during April–February 2025-26, showing 5.79% growth, highlighting strong performance of key sectors and increasing role of services in overall trade.
• Tell me more:
  • Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the export data.
  • Major export destinations included China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Togo, and Sri Lanka.
  • Major export growth markets included United States, United Arab Emirates, Spain, and Hong Kong.
  • Major import sources included China, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Peru.

India to Resume Border Trade with China via Lipulekh Pass

• What: India will restart border trade with China through Lipulekh Pass from June, reviving a key trade route closed since 2020, supporting local trade activity and cross-border connectivity.
• Tell me more:
  • Nepal claims Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura regions. Lipulekh Pass is located in Uttarakhand (Pithoragarh district).

India Crosses One Billion Tonne Coal Production Again

• What: India crossed one billion tonne coal production for the second consecutive year, ensuring sufficient fuel supply for power sector and supporting rising electricity demand in the country.
• Tell me more:
  • India recorded 1,048 million tonnes coal production in 2024-25.
  • Central Electricity Authority projected power demand at 265–270 GW.
  • Renewable energy share reached nearly 52% in total energy mix.
  • Coal-based thermal power capacity is about 250 GW.

Reports and Indices

Global Terror Index 2026 by Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)

• Pakistan ranked number one in the Global Terrorism Index 2026.
• Total countries – 163

Defence News

INS Nilgiri Participates in Exercise Kakadu; Taragiri Set for Commissioning

• What: Indian Navy deployed INS Nilgiri in Exercise Kakadu 2026 in Australia to improve naval cooperation in Indo-Pacific, while India prepares to commission stealth frigate Taragiri to strengthen self-reliant naval capabilities.
• Tell me more:
  • Exercise Kakadu is a multilateral maritime exercise hosted by Australia. Exercise includes navies from Indo-Pacific region.
  • INS Nilgiri is participating in Sea Phase I of the exercise. INS Nilgiri is deployed in the Western Pacific region.
  • Indian Navy will commission Taragiri (F41) on April 3. Taragiri is fourth ship under Project 17A.
  • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited built the ship in Mumbai.

Important Days

World Meteorological Day 2026 – March 23

• Every 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950.
• Theme – ‘Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow’

International Day for the Right to Truth 2026 – March 24

World Day for Glaciers 2026 – March 21

• 2025 was the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP 2025).
• 2025–2034 is the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.

International Nowruz Day 2026 – March 21

• Nowruz means the start of spring and is celebrated when day and night are equal in length (vernal equinox).

World TB Day 2026 – March 24

• Theme: ‘Yes! We can end TB!’

World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People 2026 – March 20

World Down Syndrome Day 2026 – March 21

• Theme – “Together Against Loneliness”
• In December 2011, the UN General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day. On 23 March 2026, the Down Syndrome International network will host the 15th World Down Syndrome Day Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
• Down syndrome is a condition where a person is born with an extra copy of a chromosome (chromosome 21), which affects their growth, learning, and physical development.

Sports

Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde Becomes Youngest T20I Centurion

• What: Rwanda cricketer Fanny Utagushimaninde became the youngest centurion in Women’s T20 International cricket.
• Tell me more:
  • Fanny Utagushimaninde scored 111 not out off 65 balls against Ghana. Match took place in Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament.
  • Fanny Utagushimaninde recorded highest score on Women’s T20I debut.
  • Centurion is a player who scores 100 or more runs in one innings in cricket.

LeBron James Sets Record for Most NBA Games Played

• Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James became the all-time leader in National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season games, surpassing Robert Parish. LeBron James has played more matches than any other player in NBA history.

Memorandum of Understanding

RRU and SSB Sign MoU for Security Training Accreditation

• What: Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to give official academic value to security training and improve India’s internal security system.
• Tell me more:
  • RRU will give certificates, diplomas, and degrees for SSB training courses. RRU and SSB will share teachers, tools, and training facilities.
  • Training will follow National Credit Framework (NCrF) for recognition.

India and Bhutan Sign MoU on Postal Cooperation

• What: India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on postal cooperation to strengthen collaboration in postal services, technology, and logistics, improving connectivity and knowledge sharing between India Post and Bhutan Post.
• Tell me more:
  • Ministry of Communications signed the agreement with Bhutan’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.

Appointments

South Indian Bank Appoints Jose Joseph Kattoor as Chairman

• South Indian Bank appointed Jose Joseph Kattoor as non-executive part-time chairman (independent director) for three years from March 23, 2026.

City Union Bank Appoints Ravindra Jadeja as Brand Ambassador

Miscellaneous

Veteran Leader Datta Meghe Passes Away at 89

• Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Datta Meghe passed away at 89. He served as Lok Sabha Member of Parliament four times.

PM Narendra Modi Becomes Longest-Serving Head of Elected Government

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the longest-serving head of an elected government in India, completing 8,931 days in office.
• Tell me more:
  • Narendra Modi surpassed Pawan Kumar Chamling record of 8,930 days, who held office as Chief Minister of Sikkim for 8,930 days.

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