National Affairs

India's First Hydrogen Train Completes Successful Oscillation Trials

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR), announced the successful completion of the oscillation trials for India's first hydrogen-powered trainset.

• Conducted by: Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) as part of the evaluation process.
• Route: India's first hydrogen-powered train will run between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana.
• Manufacturer: Developed by Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
• Key Accomplishments: During the oscillation trial, the hydrogen train covered a total distance of 20 kilometres with a maximum speed of 70 km per hour (kmph) on the railway track.

MoD Signs Contracts Worth Rs 858 Crore to Strengthen Defence Capabilities of IA and IN

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts worth Rs 858 crore with Russia and USA-based companies to procure advanced air defence systems for the Indian Army (IA) and maintain maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Indian Navy (IN).

• Defence Proposals: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Union Minister Rajnath Singh (MoD), granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various defence procurement proposals worth approximately Rs 2.38 lakh crore, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the IA, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

DPIIT Signs MoUs with KRAFTON & Repos Energy to Boost Startup Ecosystem in Digital Entertainment & Deep-Tech

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with KRAFTON India Private Limited and Repos Energy India Private Limited to support startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across India.

DPIIT–KRAFTON MoU:

• The partnership aims to foster innovation in emerging technology domains, particularly digital entertainment, online gaming, Esports (electronic sports), interactive media, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

DPIIT–Repos Energy MoU:

• The collaboration will provide structured support to startups in manufacturing and deep-tech sectors, including co-hosting innovation challenges and hackathons, organising investor connect programmes, skill development initiatives, and facilitating pilot opportunities and market access.

India, EU Sign Aviation Pact to Boost Manufacturing, Safety Standards

The Government of India (GoI) signed a working arrangement with the European Union (EU) in the field of industrial aviation production, aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation in the manufacturing sector, aligning with global safety standards.

The arrangement was signed ahead of a regional aviation workshop held in New Delhi under the EU-South Asia Aviation Partnership Project.

• Signatories: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
• Key Projects: The new working arrangement will facilitate projects like the assembly of Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350 helicopters in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Meghalaya Becomes 12th State to Sign MoU on Reforms Under JJM 2.0

Meghalaya became the 12th state in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on reforms initiated under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM 2.0), representing a major step towards sustainable and service-oriented rural water supply.

The MoU was formally signed by Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (Water), Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), and Praveen Bakshi, PHE, Government of Meghalaya.

• Focus Areas: Decentralization of water management; empowerment of Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs); development of District Water and Sanitation Missions (DWSMs); and community ownership and participation in water supply systems.
• Sustainability: The MoU emphasizes water conservation and source sustainability, and encourages states to utilize schemes like MGNREGA to bolster water resources.
• Key Progress: Meghalaya has achieved nearly 83% rural tap water coverage under JJM.
• About JJM: Launched by PM Narendra Modi on 15 August 2019 to provide tap water to all rural households. Deadline extended to December 2028 (from May 2024), with an additional outlay of Rs 1.51 lakh crore under JJM 2.0, including Rs 67,300 crore in Union Budget 2025–26 (FY26).

APSEZ Operationalises India's First Port of Refuge to Enhance Maritime Safety

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) officially operationalised India's first Port of Refuge (PoR) to provide structured support for vessels in distress and strengthen maritime emergency infrastructure along the country's 11,000 km coastline.

• Definition: A PoR is defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a designated location where ships seek shelter to stabilise conditions, protect life, and minimise environmental damage.
• Designated Ports:

• Services: Emergency Support Services (ESS) include Salvage and Wreck Removal (SWR), Firefighting Capabilities (FFC), Pollution Containment (PC), and Emergency Coordination Systems (ECS) using specialised teams and equipment.
• Support: Backed by a tripartite MoU with SMIT Salvage (Boskalis, Netherlands) under Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (RBW) and Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC), Gujarat, ensuring global expertise and coordinated emergency response capability.

NCB and UltraTech Cement Sign MoU for Skill Development in Construction Sector

The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UltraTech Cement Limited to strengthen skill development and capacity building in India's construction sector.

The agreement was formalised by Dr. L. P. Singh, Director General (DG), NCB, and Er. Rahul Goel (Head – Technical Services, UltraTech Cement) at the NCB campus in Ballabgarh, Haryana.

• Workforce Development: The initiative aims to develop a skilled workforce through structured training and certification programmes for civil engineers, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) professionals, contractors, construction workers, and masons, with a large number of participants to be trained over the next 3–5 years.
• Training: Covers material quality testing, concrete mix proportioning, durability, and sustainable construction practices through workshops, seminars, site demonstrations, and exposure visits.
• Alignment: Aligns with the Skill India Mission, a flagship initiative launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2015.

Delhi Govt Signs MoU with Prasar Bharati to Develop Capital as Media Hub

Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTC) of Delhi Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prasar Bharati, an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), to develop Delhi as a major hub for the media and entertainment industry.

The MoU was signed at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the sidelines of the International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD).

• Key Objective: To develop a state-of-the-art integrated film, television, and media hub, bringing together film production, Television (TV), and Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) on a unified platform.
• Key Features: Development of modern studios, post-production facilities, and AVGC hubs, with a main focus on skill development, training, and innovation.
• Committee: Includes setting up a joint coordination committee, comprising representatives from both entities, to oversee planning, financing, and implementation.

International Affairs

UN Launches Task Force to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Trade

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), announced the formation of a dedicated task force to address challenges arising from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia conflict.

The task force will be led by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director (ED) of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

• Composition: Apart from the Chairperson, the task force will comprise representatives from key international organisations, including the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
• Key Functions: Mandated to develop and propose technical mechanisms specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Political Management: UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Jean Arnault will lead the political management with relevant member states, backed by the task force.

Banking & Finance

RBI Imposes Over Rs 2 Crore Penalties on UBI, Central Bank, BoI, Pine Labs for Regulatory Violations

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties exceeding Rs 2 crore on Union Bank of India (UBI), Central Bank of India, Bank of India (BoI), and Pine Labs Limited for non-compliance with regulatory directions.

• Legal Provision: Penalties imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 51(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Economy & Business

Tech Mahindra and IIT Bombay Sign MoU to Develop 3D Digital Twin for Smart Campus

Tech Mahindra Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra), to develop a Three Dimensional (3D) Digital Twin of the Gymkhana Building, Mumbai. The project will act as a pilot for smart campus innovation.

• Technology: The collaboration will use 3D modelling, Digital Twin frameworks, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Spatial Data Integration, Cloud-Based Visualization, and Internet of Things (IoT) to create an immersive web interface of the Gymkhana building.
• Monitoring Capabilities: The solution will improve infrastructure visualisation and enable future real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, simulation, and smart campus initiatives.
• Innovation: Experiential learning and applied research in digital twin and spatial computing will support students and faculty while setting a benchmark for smart campuses and cities.

Awards & Recognitions

Hockey India Annual Awards 2025: Navneet Kaur & Hardik Singh Named Players of the Year; Zafar Iqbal Receives Lifetime Achievement

On 27 March 2026, Indian Men's Hockey Team midfielder and two-time Olympic medallist Hardik Singh, and Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Navneet Kaur, were honoured with the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2025 (Rs 20 lakh each) at the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards held in New Delhi, Delhi.

Zafar Iqbal, the legendary former captain, was conferred with the 'Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award' (Rs 25 lakh).

• Organiser: Hockey India (HI).
• Dignitaries: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (MYAS) and Union Minister of State (MoS) Raksha Khadse (MYAS).

Appointments & Resignations

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Assumes Charge as Chairperson of NCBC

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) announced that Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti assumed charge as Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), succeeding Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, whose term ended on 18 March 2026.

Additionally, Kiran Umesh Mahalle joined as Member of the NCBC, succeeding Bhuvan Bhushan Kamal, whose tenure ended on 9 March 2026.

About Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti:

• Roles: Served as Union Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) (2019–2021) and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD).
• Social Work: Actively associated with initiatives focused on the upliftment of weaker and marginalised sections.

About Kiran Umesh Mahalle:

• Experience: Former Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Amravati (Maharashtra).
• Contributions: Actively engaged in women empowerment, social welfare, grassroots governance, and cooperative institutions.

Sports

Indian Men's Hockey Olympic Medallist Gurjant Singh Retires from International Hockey

Indian men's hockey forward Gurjant Singh announced his retirement at the age of 31 from international hockey during the 8th Hockey India Annual Awards held in New Delhi, Delhi.

He stepped down due to a back injury sustained in 2025 and to make way for junior players, while continuing to play in domestic and international club leagues, including the Hockey India League (HIL).

• Profile: Born on 26 January 1995 in Khailara village, Amritsar, Punjab, renowned for his pace, agility, and reverse-stick scoring ability, earning him the nickname "Mr Backhand".
• Honours: Played a vital role in India's Olympic bronze medal wins at Tokyo 2020 (Japan) and Paris 2024 (France), while also securing the 2023 Asian Games gold, the 2017 Asia Cup, and multiple Asian Champions Trophy victories.
• Award: Conferred the Arjuna Award in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements.

Important Days at a Glance