National Affairs

India’s Exports Rise 5.79% to USD 790.86 Billion During April–February FY26

The Department of Commerce, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, reported that India’s cumulative exports, including merchandise and services, reached USD 790.86 billion during April–February 2025–26, registering a growth of 5.79%.

Key Trade Data:

Import Growth:
India’s total imports during April–February FY26 registered a growth of 7.37%.

India Submits First National Report on Nagoya Protocol Implementation to CBD

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Authority, submitted India’s First National Report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 27 February 2026.

The report was prepared under Article 29 of the Nagoya Protocol on monitoring and reporting.

Coverage Period:
1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025

About Nagoya Protocol:
The Nagoya Protocol deals with Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.

Key Highlights:

Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance:
India published 3,556 IRCCs on the Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing-House.

Global Share:
These certificates represent over 60% of the global total, highlighting India’s leadership in transparency and compliance.

ABS Approvals:

Financial Support Generated:

MoHFW Approves Reforms to Boost Ease of Doing Business and Food Safety

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved major regulatory reforms to improve Ease of Doing Business while strengthening India’s food safety framework.

The reforms will be effective from 1 April 2026.

Key Regulatory Reforms:

Perpetual Validity:
Registrations and licences issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will now have perpetual validity, removing the need for periodic renewals.

Turnover Threshold Revised:

Street Vendors:
Street food vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 will be deemed registered under FSSAI.

Benefit:
The reform will benefit over 10 lakh street food vendors by removing dual registration requirements.

Asia-Africa Agri Alliance Launched to Boost Trade and Investment

The Asia Africa Agri Alliance was formally launched in New Delhi to strengthen trade, agricultural cooperation, investment, and technology exchange between Asia and Africa.

The launch was attended by senior ambassadors, diplomats, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders from over 10 countries.

About AAAA:
The alliance has been established as a Section 8 Not-for-Profit Organisation under the Companies Act, 2013.

Purpose:
The platform will create structured frameworks for:

• Trade partnerships
• Policy alignment
• Technology exchange
• Investment mobilisation
• Agri-food value chain cooperation

Key Pillars:

• Trade and Market Access
• Technology and Innovation Transfer
• Investment and Finance
• Policy, Standards and Agriculture Diplomacy
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange

India Post Launches ‘24 Speed Post’ with Next-Day Delivery in Six Cities

The Department of Posts, also known as India Post, launched the ‘24 Speed Post’ premium express service for next-day guaranteed delivery.

The service became effective from 17 March 2026.

Initial Coverage:
The service has been launched in six major cities:

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Chennai
• Kolkata
• Bengaluru
• Hyderabad

Services Offered:

Technology Support:

• Dedicated processing windows
• Priority air transmission
• Digital logistics systems

Key Features:

• OTP-based secure delivery
• End-to-end tracking
• SMS alerts
• Buy Now Pay Later facility
• API integration
• Free bulk pickup
• Money-back guarantee

GoI Approves ₹1,250 Crore SEZ IT Park in Puducherry

The Government of India approved the Puducherry Government’s proposal to set up a dedicated Special Economic Zone for the Information Technology sector.

The SEZ will be developed near Thattanchavady over 21.30 acres of government-owned land.

Project Cost:
₹1,250 crore

Infrastructure Plan:

Social Infrastructure Includes:

• Employee housing
• Shopping complex
• Medical centre
• Bank
• Fire station

Eco-Friendly Design:

• Green buildings
• Smart waste management
• Modern utility networks

Expected Outcomes:

• Jobs: 30,000
• Export potential: ₹10,000 crore over 10 years

International Affairs

Indian Navy Participates in USA-Led Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 in Guam

The Indian Navy participated in the two-week multinational Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a United States-led Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise held at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

About Sea Dragon:
Exercise Sea Dragon is an annual multinational maritime exercise hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet.

Participating Forces in 2026:

• Indian Navy
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Royal Australian Air Force
• Royal New Zealand Air Force
• United States Navy

Focus Area:
The exercise focuses on Anti-Submarine Warfare training and Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation.

Planning Phase:
The exercise begins with tabletop planning sessions to align strategies, integrate technologies, and coordinate mission tactics.

Banking & Finance

World Bank Approves USD 300 Million Loan to Uttar Pradesh for Clean Air Transition

The World Bank signed an agreement to provide a loan of approximately USD 300 million to Uttar Pradesh to support the state’s Clean Air Plan.

Signatories:

• Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs
• B. Chandrakala, CEO, Clean Air Management Authority and Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of UP
• Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, India, World Bank

Loan Tenure:
10 years

Grace Period:
2 years

Additional Support:
The project will receive support from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program.

Regional Context:
The programme is part of the World Bank’s Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills, a major global air pollution hotspot.

Shriram General Insurance Launches Shri Health Suraksha 2.0

Shriram General Insurance Company launched Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an upgraded health insurance plan designed to provide flexible and comprehensive medical coverage.

Key Coverage Benefits:

• Unlimited restoration of sum insured within a policy year
• Cumulative bonus up to 250% for claim-free years
• Coverage for ambulance and air ambulance expenses
• Coverage for medical consumables
• AYUSH treatment coverage

Zero Co-Payment:
The policy offers zero co-payment, meaning the insurer will cover the full admissible claim amount.

No Room Rent Capping:
Policyholders can choose hospital rooms, including ICU, without financial restrictions.

AYUSH Coverage Includes:

• Ayurveda
• Yoga
• Naturopathy
• Unani
• Siddha
• Homeopathy

Economy & Business

Reliance Signs USD 3 Billion Green Ammonia Supply Deal with Samsung C&T

Reliance Industries Limited signed a binding long-term Supply and Purchase Agreement with Samsung C&T Corporation, South Korea, for the supply of green ammonia.

Deal Value:
Over USD 3 billion

Duration:
15 years

Supply Start:
Second half of FY 2028–29

Supply Mechanism:
RIL will supply green ammonia produced through a fully integrated clean energy ecosystem in India.

Key Highlight:
The agreement is one of the world’s largest off-take agreements for green fuel.

Alignment:
The deal aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Reliance’s Target:
RIL aims to build a competitive clean-energy platform and achieve net-zero emissions by 2035.

Awards & Recognitions

BCCI Naman Awards 2026: Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj Win Lifetime Achievement Awards

The Board of Control for Cricket in India presented the Naman Awards 2026 in New Delhi, honouring outstanding performances and contributions in Indian cricket for the 2024–25 season.

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Major Award Winners:

Shubman Gill’s Performance:
He scored 983 runs in Tests and 490 runs in ODIs.

Smriti Mandhana’s Record:
She won the Best International Cricketer award for women for the fifth time.

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 Announced in 24 Indian Languages

The Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters under the Ministry of Culture, announced the winners of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025.

The awards recognise literary excellence in 24 Indian languages.

Award Composition 2025:

Prize Components:

• Engraved copper plaque
• Shawl
• Cash prize of ₹1 lakh

Major Winners:

Note:
The plaque was originally designed by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

Science & Technology

Gujarat Achieves Milestone with First Sounding Rocket Launch at Dholera

Gujarat achieved a major milestone in the space sector with the successful launch of its first sounding rocket at Bavaliyari village near Dholera.

Conducting Agency:
Ahmedabad-based startup Omspace Rocket and Exploration Private Limited

Launch Details:

• Rocket type: Single-stage sub-orbital rocket
• Launch site: Temporary facility near Dholera
• Altitude reached: Nearly 3 km

Payload:
The rocket carried a mini-satellite for weather data collection.

Material Used:
The rocket was built using:

• Carbon fibre
• Advanced composites

Policy Support:
The launch was carried out with approval from IN-SPACe and supported by the Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025–2030.

Significance:
The launch marks Gujarat’s entry into India’s growing private space technology ecosystem.

Environment

ZSI Discovers Two New Species of Lichen Moths in Eastern Himalayas

The Zoological Survey of India announced the discovery of two new species of lichen moths from the Eastern Himalayas.

The findings were published in Zootaxa, an international taxonomic journal.

New Species Discovered:

• Caulocerahollowayi S. Singh, N. Singh & Bhattacharya, 2026
• Asura buxa Bhattacharya, S. Singh & N. Singh, 2026

Discovery Locations:

Researchers Involved:

• Navneet Singh, ZSI Kolkata
• Santosh Singh, Central Zone Regional Centre, ZSI Jabalpur
• Srishti Bhattacharya, UGC Senior Research Fellow, ZSI

Scientific Characteristics:
The species were identified based on:

• Wing colouration
• Fascia patterns
• Genitalia structure
• Body scales
• Bristle patterns
• Specialised appendages

Pollution Indicator:
Lichen moths are important indicators of air pollution because their caterpillars feed on lichens, which are highly sensitive to atmospheric quality.

Sports

Kimi Antonelli Wins First F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026

Italy’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, won his first Chinese Grand Prix 2026 on 15 March 2026.

The race was held at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China.

Podium Finishers:

About Chinese GP 2026:

Other Key Results:

• Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished fourth
• Oliver Bearman of Haas finished fifth, his best result of the 2026 season

Important Days

World Sleep Day 2026 – March 13

World Sleep Day is an annual global campaign observed on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox to raise awareness about sleep health.

The 19th edition of World Sleep Day was observed on 13 March 2026.

Purpose:
The day highlights:

• Importance of sleep health
• Role of sleep in overall well-being
• Prevention of sleep disorders
• Treatment of sleep-related health issues

Background:

First Observance:
The first World Sleep Day was observed on 14 March 2008.

Organising Body:
The day is coordinated by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society.

About World Sleep Society:
The World Sleep Society was established in 2016 through the merger of the World Association of Sleep Medicine and the World Sleep Federation.

Upcoming Observance:
World Sleep Day 2027 will be observed on 12 March 2027.

Important Days at a Glance

State News

Himachal Pradesh Signs Three MoUs with NDDB to Strengthen Dairy Sector

The Government of Himachal Pradesh signed three MoUs with the National Dairy Development Board in Shimla to strengthen the state’s dairy sector.

The agreements aim to improve milk processing capacity, dairy infrastructure, and employment generation for farmers.

Key Components:

Dairy Infrastructure:
The agreements focus on forming the Kangra Milk Union and strengthening dairy infrastructure.

Processing Plants:
Two milk processing plants will be set up at:

• Nahan
• Nalagarh

Capacity:
Each plant will have a capacity of 20,000 litres per day.

Chilling Centres:
Two chilling centres will be set up at:

• Jalari
• Jhalera

Digital Management System:
Enterprise Resource Planning software will be implemented in the dairy federation to improve transparency and efficiency.

Dhagwar Automated Plant:
An automated dairy plant will be established at Dhagwar.

Project Cost:
₹250 crore

Processing Capacity:

• Initial capacity: 1.5 lakh litres per day
• Expandable capacity: 3 lakh litres per day

Significance:
The MoUs will enhance milk procurement, processing, storage, and farmer income in Himachal Pradesh.