07th-09th March 2026

1. IBM Launches Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center in Bengaluru to Boost Enterprise AI Development
2. Overview of Mobile World Congress 2026 held in Barcelona, Spain
3. Hurun Global Rich List 2026: India ranks third with 308 billionaires; Ambani remains richest Asian
4. Chile Becomes First Country in the Americas to Eliminate Leprosy: WHO
5. SBI General Insurance Launches ‘Chuniye Bharosa, Apno Sa’ Campaign with Pankaj Tripathi as its Brand Ambassador
6. Yes Bank Launched Exclusive Salary Account for Women
7. BEL Signs MoU with Bellatrix Aerospace to Develop VLEO Satellite Systems
8. KV Subramanian becomes 1st Indian Economist to Win Chicago Alumni Award
9. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Unveils Logo of World’s First Franchise-Based Cycling League of India
10. Union MoS Jitendra Singh Reviews India’s First Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant in Lakshadweep
11. DRDO Sanctions Rs 99.15 lakh Research Project to Bharathiar University
12. SBI Launches USD 500 Million Social Loan to Boost Women’s Economic Empowerment
13. BEL and SASMOS Sign MoU to Boost Indigenous Defence Manufacturing and Exports
14. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth to Assume Charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff on 1st April 2026
15. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Presents Rs.4.48 lakh crore budget for FY27
16. Karnataka Proposed Ban On Social Media For Children In Budget of 2026-27
17. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Presents Rs.7.69 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27
18. L&T Finance Launches “Spoorthi” Programme for Women Entrepreneurs
19. Kerala Introduces MeHEALTH App for Easy Access to Healthcare Services
20. Kerala Launches Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 for Students
21. Adani Group Partners with UNESCO for World Engineering Day 2026
22. Andhra Pradesh Announces ₹25,000 Incentive for Second and Third Child
23. PM Modi Launches India’s First Ring Metro In Delhi
24. Lakshya Sen Falls Short in All England Open 2026 Final
25. RBI Approves Ketan Merchant as Interim CEO of Fino Payments Bank
26. FIFA World Cup 2026 Full Schedule
27. Punjab Budget 2026: ₹1,000 Monthly Aid for Women, Biggest Ever ₹2.6 Lakh Crore Budget Announced
28. Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh to Become Western Command GOC in C
29. Indonesia Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 Announced
30. Indian Government Suspends TRP Ratings for TV News Channels
31. Operation Sankalp Back in Focus as Indian Navy Stays Alert in West Asia
32. Balen Shah Set to Become Nepal’s Prime Minister After Election
33. Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 to Be Held in Chhattisgarh
34. Mattel Unveils Barbie Dream Team Featuring Serena Williams and Smriti Mandhana
35. T20 World Cup 2026 Final
36. Jasprit Bumrah Reaches 500 International Wickets & Joins Elite Club

National News

IBM Launches Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center in India

• What: International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) launched the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center at its India Systems Development Lab campus in Bengaluru to advance infrastructure engineering and artificial intelligence solutions for enterprises in India and global markets.
• Tell me more:
  • According to a recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, 58% of Indian organisations increased infrastructure investments, infrastructure budgets are projected to grow by 19% in 2025, and 43% of organisations are planning AI Centres of Excellence.

India Reviews Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Project in Lakshadweep

• What: Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science and Technology Jitendra Singh reviewed the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) desalination project in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
• Tell me more:
  • India is developing OTEC facilities similar to projects in Japan and the United States.
  • The OTEC desalination project will provide a continuous renewable energy source to convert seawater into drinking water, helping island regions like Lakshadweep reduce diesel use and ensure a stable water supply.

Government Directs BARC to Suspend TRP Publication for News Channels

• What: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend publication of Television Rating Points for TV news channels for four weeks to address sensational reporting of the West Asia conflict.
• Tell me more:
  • The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India measures how many people watch television programmes in India.
  • BARC collects viewing data and publishes Television Rating Points (TRPs) so broadcasters, advertisers and media agencies can understand which TV channels and shows people watch the most.

State News

Karnataka Presents ₹4.48 Trillion Budget for FY27

• What: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the ₹4.48 trillion Budget for financial year 2026–27, increasing spending by 13.3 % and introducing sector allocations, welfare schemes and a social media ban for children under 16.
• Tell me more:

• The Rohith Vemula Act refers to a proposed Karnataka state legislation named after Rohith Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad who died by suicide in 2016 due to the caste discrimination.

Maharashtra Budget 2026–27

Kerala Launches MeHEALTH App for Government Health Facility Information

• Kerala Health Department launched the MeHEALTH app to help citizens find nearby government health facilities and access information on medical services, improving access to healthcare services in the state.

Kerala Launches Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 for Schools

• What: Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), the technology wing of the General Education Department, published the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 to create a secure digital learning environment for students in Kerala’s public schools.
• Tell me more:
  • The protocol integrates provisions from the Information Technology Act 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
  • The protocol extends the Sarvam AI Mayam training programme provided to six lakh parents.

Andhra Pradesh proposes India’s first draft population policy

• What: Andhra Pradesh government proposed a population management policy to encourage higher birth rates through financial incentives and welfare measures, aiming to address declining fertility rates and future workforce shortages.
• Tell me more:
  • The government plans to finalise the policy by March end and implement it from April 1.
  • The policy proposes ₹25,000 financial assistance for couples giving birth to a third child, along with ₹1,000 monthly support and free education for the child until the age of 18 years.
  • The policy proposes special She Cabs for women’s travel safety. The government aims to increase women workforce participation from 31% to 59%.
  • Andhra Pradesh may record about 23% elderly population by 2047 if fertility continues to decline.

Prime Minister Inaugurates India’s First Ring Metro Network in Delhi

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two Delhi Metro corridors, completing the first fully operational ring metro network in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The inauguration includes the Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur corridor of the Pink Line and the Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park corridor of the Magenta Line, completing the country’s first fully operational ring metro network around Delhi.
  • A full ring metro means a metro line that forms a complete circle around a city. The Pink Line now forms a complete circular route around large parts of Delhi, so trains can run around the city like a ring.

Punjab Presents ₹2,60,437 Crore Budget for 2026–27

• What: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the ₹2,60,437 crore Budget for 2026–27, introducing Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana.
• Tell me more:
  • The Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana provides ₹1,000 per month to eligible women and ₹1,500 per month to Dalit women in Punjab to support women’s financial welfare.

International News

Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain

• What: The Mobile World Congress 2026 event is organised by Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) on the theme of “The IQ Era” in Barcelona, Spain.
• Tell me more:
  • The Bharat Pavilion was inaugurated, showcasing India’s telecom manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, with 40 Indian companies and innovators participating.
  • Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia announced to organise India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 from 7–10 October 2026 in New Delhi, and also launched the TJ1600-D3 Hyper-scalable Data Centre Interconnect platform at the booth of Tejas Networks company.
    • This platform uses a technology that uses light signals to move large amounts of internet data between data centres very fast, helping networks handle heavy digital traffic efficiently.
  • India’s participation is organised by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) with support from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
    • TEPC operates under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) to promote export of telecom equipment and services from India.

Chile Verified by WHO as Eliminating Leprosy

• What: The World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) verified that Chile has eliminated leprosy.
• Tell me more:
  • Chile is the first country in the Americas to eliminate leprosy.
  • Globally, only one country had achieved this earlier — Jordan.
  • Leprosy, also called Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.

Indonesia Bans Social Media Access for Children Under 16

• What: Indonesia announced a ban on social media accounts for children under 16 on high-risk platforms to protect young users from online abuse, harmful content and addiction.
• Tell me more:
  • Australia earlier introduced rules requiring social media companies to block accounts of users under 16.
  • Spain indicated plans to introduce similar restrictions.
  • The United Kingdom started a public consultation on a similar proposal for social media access restrictions.

Banking and Economy

Yes Bank Launches YES Essence Women’s Salary Account

• Yes Bank launched the YES Essence Women’s Salary Account to support the financial and lifestyle needs of working women, offering financial protection, healthcare benefits and lifestyle services on a single platform.

State Bank of India Launches $500 Million Social Loan for Women Empowerment

• What: State Bank of India (SBI) launched a $500 million syndicated social term loan with a greenshoe option to promote women empowerment and support gender equality under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.
• Tell me more:
  • The loan will provide funding for programmes that support women empowerment, help reduce the gender gap, and promote inclusive economic growth while supporting SDG 5.

L&T Finance Launches Spoorthi Programme for Women Entrepreneurs

• L&T Finance Limited (LTF), a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), launched the Spoorthi programme to support women entrepreneurs by providing home loans and Loan Against Property for business expansion and working capital.

Reports and Indices

Hurun Global Rich List 2026: India Ranks Third Globally

• What: The Hurun Global Rich List 2026 reported India’s billionaire count rising to 308, placing India third globally after the United States and China.
• Tell me more:
  • Global Ranking by Number of Billionaires

• Cities Ranked by Number of Billionaires

• Top Indian Billionaires by Rank (Hurun Global Rich List 2026)
  

• India added 57 new billionaires during the year, the highest number outside the United States and China. India’s billionaire count increased by 24, reaching 308 individuals.
• The average age of Indian billionaires was 67 years, compared with the global average of 65 years.
• Ritesh Agarwal, founder of Oyo, is India’s youngest billionaire at 32 years.

Defence News

Bharat Electronics and Bellatrix Aerospace Sign MoU for VLEO Satellite Systems

• What: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bellatrix Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design, develop and manufacture satellite systems for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), strengthening India’s capability in next-generation satellite platforms.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership will help India build new satellites that fly very close to Earth (Very Low Earth Orbit), which can take clearer pictures, send information faster, and help scientists study the atmosphere better.
  • BEL is a state-owned defence and electronics company of India.
  • Bellatrix Aerospace is a Bengaluru-based small satellite manufacturer founded in 2015, and the company specialises in satellite propulsion technologies and satellite subsystems.

Indian Navy Deploys Warships in Middle East Amid Regional Conflict

• What: Indian Navy deployed warships in the Middle East during the United States–Iran conflict to protect Indian merchant ships and remain ready to assist Indian nationals in the Gulf of Oman under Operation Sankalp.
• Tell me more:
  • The operation was launched in 2019.

Science and Technology

DRDO Sanctions Antidote Research Project to Bharathiar University

• What: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence sanctioned a ₹99.15 lakh research project to Bharathiar University to develop antidotes that can stop the harmful effects of very toxic chemicals called organophosphorous compounds.
• Tell me more:
  • Scientists can use these antidotes to treat people exposed to toxic chemicals and protect soldiers and civilians during chemical exposure or chemical attacks.
  • The project will operate under the DRDO Industry Academia – Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at Bharathiar University.
  • The project will run for 36 months, with Dr N Jayakumar serving as Principal Investigator and Dr S Suja serving as Co-Principal Investigator.

Awards

University of Chicago Honours Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian with Alumni Award

• What: The University of Chicago honoured economist Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian with the Alumni Award for Professional Achievement, making him the first Indian economist to receive the honour.
• Tell me more:
  • Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021 and authored three Economic Surveys during this tenure.
  • Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian later served as an Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and received distinguished alumnus awards from the IIT-Kanpur, IIM-Calcutta and University of Chicago.
  • Subramanian currently serves as Professor of Finance at the Indian School of Business.
  • Subramanian authored the book “India@100.”

Important Days

World Engineering Day 2026 – March 4

• What: Adani Group became an official partner for World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026, an international day recognised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• Tell me more:
  • World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) organizes the global programme for World Engineering Day 2026, which follows the theme “Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalization.”
  • The Khavda renewable energy project is the main project that shows the work of Adani Group under its partnership with UNESCO for World Engineering Day 2026.
  • The Khavda renewable energy project in Kutch, Gujarat, developed by Adani Green Energy Limited, operates over 7 GW capacity and targets 30 GW by 2029 to become the world’s largest power plant.

Sports

India Launches Cycling League of India, World’s First Franchise-Based Road Cycling League

• What: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the logo of the Cycling League of India, the world’s first franchise-based road cycling league, aiming to develop a professional cycling ecosystem and promote cycling in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The league will include eight city or region-based franchises, each with ten cyclists including two international and two junior riders.
  • The Pune Grand Tour became the world’s largest Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 stage race.
  • The Fit India Sundays on Cycle programme started in December 2024.

All England Open 2026 Badminton Tournament in Birmingham, UK

FIFA World Cup 2026

• The 23rd edition of FIFA world cup is set to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It will feature 48 teams, the highest in the history of the tournament.
• First match – Azteca Stadium in Mexico
• Final match – MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, US

Chhattisgarh to Host First Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

• What: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya announced the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh from March 25 to April 6 to promote sports participation and identify athletic talent from tribal communities.
• Tell me more:
  • The games will take place in Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja.
  • The event will include seven medal sports: athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling. The event will include two demonstration sports: mallakhamb and kabaddi.
  • The official mascot is named Morveer. The name Morveer combines “Mor” meaning mine or our own and “Veer” meaning courage.
  • The government declared the Khelo India Games an Event of National Importance in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act 2007.

Smriti Mandhana Receives First-Ever Barbie Doll Inspired by a Cricketer

• Toy manufacturer Mattel included Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana in the first-ever Barbie Dream Team and created a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll inspired by her journey to honour women breaking barriers across different fields globally.
• Smriti Mandhana captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second title in the Women’s Premier League earlier this year.
• Smriti Mandhana recently regained the number one position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) One Day International (ODI) batting rankings.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

• India defeated New Zealand. India’s score: 255 scores; New Zealand score: 159

Jasprit Bumrah Reaches 500 International Wickets for India

• What: Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah completed 500 wickets in international cricket during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, marking a major milestone for India’s fast bowling attack.
• Tell me more:
  • Jasprit Bumrah dismissed England captain Harry Brook for 7 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, completing 500 wickets in international cricket for India.
  • Jasprit Bumrah made his international debut against Australia in an ODI match at Sydney on January 23, 2016.
  • Jasprit Bumrah played 234 international matches for India and took 500 wickets across formats.
  • Jasprit Bumrah took 234 wickets in 52 Tests, 149 wickets in 89 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 117 wickets in 94 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
  • Jasprit Bumrah played seven matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and took 10 wickets for India.
  • Jasprit Bumrah became India’s highest wicket-taker in the Super 8 matches against South Africa and West Indies.

Memorandum of Understanding

BEL and SASMOS Sign MoU for Defence Electronics Manufacturing

• What: Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and SASMOS HET Technologies Ltd signed a MoU to collaborate on defence electronics and component manufacturing, aiming to strengthen domestic production, localisation of components and exports in India’s defence sector.
• Tell me more:
  • Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of BEL, and Chandrashekar H G, Chairman and Managing Director of SASMOS, exchanged the agreement.
  • The event took place at the SASMOS Aerospace Special Economic Zone facility in Bengaluru.

Appointments

SBI General Insurance Appoints Pankaj Tripathi as Brand Ambassador

• SBI General Insurance announced actor Pankaj Tripathi as Brand Ambassador and launched the campaign “Chuniye Bharosa, Apno Sa”, highlighting trust in health insurance and raising awareness about financial protection for families.

Indian Army Announces Senior Leadership Reshuffle from April 1

RBI Approves Ketan Merchant as Interim CEO of Fino Payments Bank

• What: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Ketan Merchant as interim Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank for three months, during the absence of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Rishi Gupta.
• Tell me more:
  • RBI gave in-principle approval in December 2025 for Fino Payments Bank to convert into a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
  • Fino Payments Bank became the first payments bank to apply for conversion into a Small Finance Bank. The bank has up to 18 months to complete the transition to a Small Finance Bank.
  • The bank stated that the transition process remains on track within the regulatory deadline.

Balen Shah Set to Become Nepal’s Prime Minister After Election

• Balendra Shah, known to most Nepalis simply as ‘Balen’ the rapper, has officially been elected to the country’s House of Representatives.
• Balen Shah will also be the first Madhesi to hold the post. Madhesi refers to the indigenous, mostly Hindu, people native to the Terai region (southern plains) of Nepal.

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