26th March 2026

1. DPIIT Signs MoU with Blue Star to Support Product-Based Startups
2. MoR Approves Rail Infrastructure Development Projects in Gujarat and Bihar
3. JICA Signs Four ODA Loan Agreements Worth Rs 16,420 Crore for Key Projects in India
4. HDFC Securities Launches NxtOption to Simplify Advanced Options Trading for Traders
5. Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Test Fires World’s First Fully 3D-Printed Booster Engine ‘Agnite’ in Chennai, TN
6. UP CM Yogi Adityanath Launches ‘Nivesh Mitra 3.0’ for Enhanced Ease of Doing Business
7. Rajasthan Launches Industrial Park Policy 2026 to Attract Businesses and Investors
8. Sunil Mittal to Exit Airtel Africa Chair Role – New Leaders Named
9. Loni Overtakes Delhi as Worlds Most Polluted City India Faces Deepening Air Crisis
10. Abel Prize 2026
11. Meet the Young Voice Representing India at World Youth Parliament 2026
12. NASA’s Artemis 2 Set for April 2026 Launch: Humans Return to Deep Space
13. Best Airlines in the World 2026: Best Full-Service, Hybrid & Low-Cost Carriers
14. Where is the Strait of Hormuz Located?

National News

JICA Signs Loans for India Projects

• What: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreements with the Government of India worth ₹16,420 crore for four projects in healthcare, agriculture, and metro infrastructure, supporting sustainable and inclusive development.
• Tell me more:

State News

Ministry of Railways approves projects in Gujarat and Bihar to improve connectivity

• What: The Ministry of Railways approved two rail projects in Gujarat and Bihar, including a flyover and a bypass, to improve rail connectivity, reduce congestion, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ministry approved a Rail Over Rail flyover at Kosamba in Gujarat to connect the Kosamba–Umrapada Gauge Conversion section, eliminating crossings and ensuring safe, seamless train movement.
  • The Ministry approved a Bhagalpur bypass in Bihar connecting Gonudham Halt and Sabour to reduce congestion, avoid engine reversal, and improve train movement efficiency and punctuality.
  • Gujarat’s project is being undertaken by the Western Railways division, headquartered in Mumbai. Bihar’s project is undertaken by the Eastern Railways division, headquartered in Kolkata.

Uttar Pradesh Launches Nivesh Mitra 3.0 Portal

• What: Uttar Pradesh launched Nivesh Mitra 3.0 to simplify investment approvals through a single-window digital system and improve ease of doing business.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative streamlines services, removes land-use barriers, offers incentives, and supports policies to attract ₹50,000 crore investment and generate 50,000 jobs.
  • The portal integrates with National Single Window System (NSWS), Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS), and Geographic Information System (GIS) land bank.
  • The government approved Private Business Park Policy to allow private investors to build business parks on government-provided land, where ready infrastructure is available, and both sides share revenue based on agreed terms.

Rajasthan Approves Industrial Park Incentive Policy 2026

• What: Rajasthan approved the Industrial Park Incentive Policy 2026 to expand industrial infrastructure, promote private investment, and generate large-scale employment by integrating private developers into industrial park development.
• Tell me more:
  • The policy provides four development models where RIICO provides land, developers share land with Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), developers arrange full land, or projects follow the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
  • The policy requires a minimum of 50 acres of land and at least 10 industrial units to set up an industrial park.

International News

NASA Plans Artemis II Crewed Moon Mission

• What: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to launch Artemis II in April 2026 as the first crewed mission of the Artemis programme, aiming to enable future Moon presence and prepare for missions to Mars.
• Tell me more:
  • Artemis II will conduct a 10-day lunar flyby without landing and carry four astronauts, marking the first Moon trip for a woman, a person of colour, and a non-American astronaut.
  • The crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
  • The mission will use the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft to travel beyond Earth orbit.
  • China plans a Moon landing by 2030, indicating global competition in space exploration.

Location of the Strait of Hormuz

• The Strait of Hormuz is located between Iran (to the north) and Oman and the United Arab Emirates (to the south). It is a narrow water passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and then to the Arabian Sea.
• The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route through which about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG and one-third of fertiliser trade pass, making it critical for global trade.

Banking and Economy

HDFC Securities Launched NxtOption

• What: HDFC securities launched NxtOption, a platform to help retail investors analyse, build, and execute Futures & Options strategies in one place.
• Tell me more:
  • The platform aims to make investing simple and easy by giving tools, research, and services, helping investors choose better options, trade smoothly, and manage money according to their financial goals.

Reports and Indices

NCR Cities Dominate India Pollution Rankings 2025

• The ranking was released by the IQAir World Air Quality Report.

• Out of 259 Indian cities in this ranking, 115 exceed India’s air quality standards.
• The report shows many Indian cities have very high air pollution, especially in NCR, with small improvement overall, but pollution still exceeds safe limits and causes serious health problems.

Qatar Airways Tops Global Airline Rankings 2026

• What: AirlineRatings.com ranked Qatar Airways as the top full-service airline in 2026 based on onboard product and passenger experience, providing a global comparison of airline service standards across full-service, hybrid, and low-cost categories.
• Tell me more:
  • Cathay Pacific ranked second and Singapore Airlines ranked third.
  • Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, and British Airways ranked among leading hybrid airlines, while HK Express ranked first in the low-cost airline category.

Science and Technology

Agnikul Tests World’s Largest 3D Printed Engine in Chennai, TN

• What: Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-fired “Agnite,” the world’s largest single-piece 3D-printed booster engine, showing faster manufacturing and a major advancement in rocket engine production for small satellite launches.
• Tell me more:
  • This is a rocket engine made in one piece using 3D printing. It aims to build engines faster, reduce time and complexity, and enable quicker and more efficient satellite launches.
  • This 3D printing technology is used to build rocket engines quickly, reduce production time, enable faster launches, and support sectors like defence, disaster management, and commercial satellite operations.
  • About Agnikul:
    • Incubated at IIT Madras, it is part of India’s private space ecosystem, has launched the Agnibaan vehicle, and is targeting the small satellite launch market.

Awards

Gerd Faltings Wins Abel Prize 2026

• What: German mathematician Gerd Faltings received the Abel Prize for solving a long-standing number theory problem, and the award ceremony will take place in Oslo in May.
• Tell me more:
  • The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters awards the Abel Prize. The prize is considered equivalent to the Nobel Prize in mathematics. The Abel Prize carries an award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner.
  • Gerd Faltings solved the Mordell conjecture in 1983 and received the Fields Medal in 1986 for his contribution.
  • Gerd Faltings works at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn.
  • The first Abel Prize laureate was Jean-Pierre Serre (French mathematician) in 2003.

Stuti Pradhan Selected for World Youth Parliament

• What: Stuti Pradhan from Sikkim was selected to represent the state at the World Youth Parliament, providing a global platform to discuss international issues and present youth-led policy solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • The World Youth Parliament brings together young delegates from multiple countries.
  • Participating countries include South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Chad, Thailand, and Yemen.
  • Stuti Pradhan won at the state level in Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2025.

Memorandum of Understanding

DPIIT signs MoU with Blue Star to support manufacturing and HVAC startups

• What: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Star to support startups in manufacturing and HVAC sectors, aiming to develop scalable and commercially viable solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technologies regulate temperature, airflow, and air quality inside buildings. HVAC startups develop technology-based solutions to improve efficiency and performance.
  • DPIIT and Blue Star will organise innovation challenges and hackathons under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge for the HVAC startups. Selected startups may get a chance to test their products in real conditions and work further with industry partners.

Appointments

Airtel Africa Appoints New Chair

• Gopal Vittal will become the Non-Executive Chair of Airtel Africa Board from July 2026.

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