National Affairs

Amit Shah Launches Digital Tools and Census-2027 Mascots ‘Pragati’ and ‘Vikas’

Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs, soft-launched four digital tools and unveiled the mascots “Pragati” and “Vikas” for Census-2027 in New Delhi.

The launch marks a major step towards India’s first fully digital census.

Mascots:

• Pragati – female mascot
• Vikas – male mascot

Significance:
The mascots represent the equal participation of women and men in India’s national mission of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Digital Tools Launched:

• Houselisting Block Creator Web Application
• House Listing Officer Mobile App
• Self-Enumeration Portal
• Census Management and Monitoring System Portal

Developed By:
The tools were developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Purpose:
The digital tools will help streamline and monitor enumeration operations across India.

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers Observes Janaushadhi Saptah 2026

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is observing Janaushadhi Saptah 2026 from 1 to 7 March 2026 to promote awareness about affordable and quality generic medicines under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.

The campaign will conclude with the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas on 7 March 2026.

Organiser:
The event is being organised by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Theme 2026:
“जन औषधि सस्ती भी, भरोसेमंद भी, सेहत की बात, बचत के साथ”

Meaning:
Jan Aushadhi is affordable and trustworthy, promoting good health with savings.

Major Activities:

• Health camps
• Awareness programmes
• Pamphlet distribution
• Outreach campaigns

PMBJP Network:
More than 18,000 PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras are operational across India.

Target:
The government aims to expand the network to 25,000 Kendras by 31 March 2027.

Indian Army and Ladakh Administration Sign MoU for Wildlife and Ecology Protection

The Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps and the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department of Ladakh signed an MoU in Leh, Ladakh, on 3 March 2026, on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

The agreement aims to protect Ladakh’s fragile high-altitude ecology and conserve iconic wildlife species under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection programme.

Key Species Covered:

• Snow Leopard
• Himalayan Wolf
• Bharal / Blue Sheep
• Ibex
• Himalayan Marmot
• Black-necked Crane

Snow Leopard Conservation Cell:
A joint Snow Leopard Conservation Cell will be established to monitor endangered species, coordinate conservation activities, and support research-based wildlife protection.

Role of Indian Army:
The Army will integrate eco-friendly practices while guarding high-altitude borders.

Focus Areas:

• Waste management
• Afforestation
• Water conservation
• Protection of flora and fauna
• Support for biodiversity conservation

About GSLEP:
The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection programme is an international partnership of 12 snow leopard range countries established to achieve the goals of the Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Conservation.

Pondicherry University Signs MoU with CCPD to Promote Disability Rights and Inclusion

Pondicherry University signed an MoU with the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The MoU aims to strengthen institutional cooperation in disability rights, accessibility, and inclusive education.

Objective:
The agreement will promote accessibility and inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in higher education.

Areas of Cooperation:

• Joint research
• Internships
• Academic exchanges
• Capacity building
• Conferences
• Disability rights policy engagement
• Inclusive education initiatives

Support by Pondicherry University:

• Free education and fee waivers for PwD students
• Higher Education for Persons with Special Needs unit
• Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Rehabilitation
• UPSC coaching support

Significance:
The MoU will promote equal opportunities and accessibility for persons with disabilities in Indian educational institutions.

International Affairs

UN Report: Women Hold Only 64% of Legal Rights Globally

The United Nations Secretary-General released a report titled “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls” in March 2026.

According to the report, women globally hold only 64% of the legal rights of men in nearly 70% of countries surveyed.

Key Findings:

Legal Equality:
No country in the world has yet achieved full legal equality between women and men.

Violence Against Women:
In 54% of countries, rape is not legally defined based on consent.

Digital Violence:
Digital violence against women and girls is increasing, with limited accountability for perpetrators.

Child Marriage:
National laws in nearly three out of four countries still allow girls to be forced into marriage.

Pay Equality:
In 44% of countries, laws do not mandate equal pay for work of equal value.

Impact:
The report highlights widespread discrimination, social exclusion, and legal gender inequality across the world.

Banking & Finance

SEBI Deploys AI System ‘Sudarshan’ to Monitor Misleading Finfluencer Content

The Securities and Exchange Board of India deployed an in-house Artificial Intelligence system named ‘Sudarshan’ to strengthen digital monitoring of financial content.

The AI-based system has helped remove more than 1.20 lakh misleading social media posts shared by unregistered financial influencers.

Key Features:

AI-Based Monitoring:
Sudarshan scans large volumes of:

• Audio content
• Video content
• Text content
• Social media posts
• Digital financial content

Detection of Violations:
The system helps identify:

• Unregistered advisory activity
• Misleading investment claims
• Potential breaches of securities norms
• Suspicious online financial patterns

Significance:
The tool strengthens investor protection and improves SEBI’s ability to monitor online financial misinformation.

MOHFL Signs USD 100 Million NCD Deal with ADB for Affordable Housing

Motilal Oswal Home Finance Limited signed a USD 100 million debt financing agreement with the Asian Development Bank through Non-Convertible Debentures.

The funding will expand affordable housing finance in India.

Purpose:
The funds will be raised as Indian Rupee-equivalent debt and mainly used to provide affordable housing loans to women borrowers.

Target Areas:

• Underserved Tier-2 cities
• Tier-3 cities
• Emerging towns
• Women home loan borrowers

Green Housing Allocation:
Around 10% of the proceeds will be used to finance green-certified residential housing units.

Significance:
The partnership will help MOHFL expand affordable housing finance and promote environmentally sustainable housing practices.

German DEG and Citi Provide USD 76 Million Funding to Shriram Finance

German development finance institution DEG and Citibank N.A. jointly provided a USD 76 million co-financing lending facility to Shriram Finance Limited.

The funding will support financial inclusion and sustainable mobility in India.

Key Highlight:
This is the second collaboration between DEG and Citi after their successful transaction supporting CreditAccess Grameen in 2024.

Funding Structure:

Instrument:
The funding has been arranged through External Commercial Borrowings.

Citi’s Role:
Citi acted as the Lead Arranger and Coordinator for the transaction.

Target Areas:

• MSME financing
• Women borrowers
• Electric Vehicles
• Customers in underserved areas
• Formal credit access through Shriram Finance network

Appointments & Resignations

ACC Reappoints Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as Drugs Controller General of India

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the reappointment of Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as Drugs Controller General of India at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

Extension Period:
The reappointment has been made on a contract basis for one year with effect from 1 March 2026.

Condition:
The tenure will continue for one year or until the appointment of a regular incumbent, or until further orders, whichever is earliest.

Previous Appointment:
Dr. Raghuvanshi was initially appointed as DCGI on 23 February 2023.

Key Highlight:
This is his second tenure extension, after his term was earlier extended until February 2026.

Acquisitions & Mergers

CCI Approves Central Bank of India’s Stake Hike in Generali Insurance Joint Ventures

The Competition Commission of India approved Central Bank of India to acquire additional equity in Generali Central Insurance Company Limited and Generali Central Life Insurance Company Limited.

The approval allows Central Bank of India to increase its shareholding to 26% in both joint ventures.

Stake Acquisition Details:

Impact:

• Enhances Central Bank of India’s voting power
• Strengthens governance role
• Supports bancassurance integration
• Enables insurance cross-selling through the bank network
• Diversifies revenue beyond traditional banking

Background:
The additional stakes were earlier held by Future Corporate Resources Private Limited, a Future Group entity undergoing insolvency proceedings.

Central Bank of India acquired the stake after emerging as the successful bidder following a decision by the Committee of Creditors.

Important Days

World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation 2026 – March 4

The World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation is observed globally every year on 4 March to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and support victims of sexual abuse.

Since 2009, March 4 has been observed as the World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation.

2026 Observance:
2026 marks the 18th observance of the day.

UN Definition:
The United Nations defines sexual exploitation as abuse of vulnerability, power imbalance, or trust for sexual purposes.

Forms of Sexual Exploitation:

• Sexual assault
• Child Sexual Exploitation
• Coercion into prostitution
• Coercion into pornography
• Forced sexual acts
• Inappropriate touching
• Demanding sex in exchange for assistance

National Safety Day 2026 – March 4

National Safety Day is observed annually across India on 4 March to promote safety awareness and prevent workplace accidents.

The day also marks the beginning of the National Safety Week Campaign, observed from 4 to 10 March every year.

Theme 2026:
“Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety”

Background:

Declaration:
In 1972, the National Safety Council designated 4 March as National Safety Day.

First Observance:
The first National Safety Day was observed on 4 March 1972.

Purpose:
The day promotes:

• Workplace safety
• Accident prevention
• Safety culture
• Compliance with safety guidelines
• Employee awareness

World Obesity Day 2026 – March 4

World Obesity Day is observed annually across the globe on 4 March to highlight the global obesity crisis and promote public health action.

2026 Observance:
March 4, 2026 marks the 12th observance of World Obesity Day.

Theme 2026:
“8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity”

Background:

Establishment:
World Obesity Day was established in 2015 by the World Obesity Federation.

First Observance:
The first World Obesity Day was observed on 11 October 2015.

Date Change:
Since 2020, World Obesity Day has been observed globally on 4 March.

2026 Report Highlight:
According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, about 41 million children in India are affected by overweight or obesity, with numbers projected to rise sharply by 2040.

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026 – March 4

UNESCO’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development is observed annually across the globe on 4 March.

The day highlights the role of engineering in modern life, climate action, sustainable development, and innovation.

2026 Observance:
4 March 2026 marks the 7th observance of World Engineering Day.

Theme 2026:
“Smart Engineering for Sustainable Future through Innovation and Digitalization”

Background:

Declaration:
In November 2019, UNESCO proclaimed 4 March as World Engineering Day during its 40th General Conference.

First Observance:
The first World Engineering Day was observed on 4 March 2020.

2026 Event:
The main international congress for WED 2026 was held from 3 to 5 March 2026 at the Balai Kartini Convention and Exhibition Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Official Partnership:
The Adani Group was appointed as an official partner for World Engineering Day 2026.

Key Highlight:
This is the first time an Indian organisation has been chosen by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations for this distinction.

Important Days at a Glance

State News

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Launches Project HANUMAN

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest & Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan launched Project HANUMAN in March 2026 to address the growing issue of human–wildlife conflict in the state.

The initiative was launched to mark World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2026.

HANUMAN Full Form:
Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife

Objective:
The project aims to strengthen wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation while reducing human–wildlife conflict.

Infrastructure Deployed:

• 100 GPS-enabled vehicles
• 93 Rapid Response and Rescue Vehicles
• 7 Wildlife Ambulances

Wildlife Rescue and Treatment Centres:
Four centres will be established at:

• Visakhapatnam
• Rajamahendravaram
• Tirupati
• Bairluty

Compensation Measures:

Significance:
Project HANUMAN will improve emergency wildlife response, protect vulnerable species, and provide stronger support to people affected by human–wildlife conflict.