National Affairs

GeM Celebrates 7 Years of SWAYATT Initiative to Promote Inclusive Public Procurement

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated the 7th anniversary of its SWAYATT initiative on 6 March 2026 at its office in New Delhi.

SWAYATT Full Form:
Startups, Women and Youth Advantage through e-Transactions

The initiative aims to promote social inclusion by integrating startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth into India’s public procurement ecosystem.

Launch:
SWAYATT was launched on 19 February 2019 under GeM.

Event Highlight:
Ajit B. Chavan, Additional Chief Executive Officer of GeM, presented the opening perspective on the progress and future roadmap of SWAYATT.

A short documentary highlighting the seven-year journey and impact of SWAYATT was also screened.

Women Entrepreneurs’ Participation:

Significance:
The initiative has strengthened inclusive public procurement and created wider market access for women-led businesses, startups, and youth entrepreneurs.

India Submits 7th Biodiversity Report to Convention on Biological Diversity

The Government of India submitted its 7th National Report (NR7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in March 2026.

The report presents India’s progress toward the 2030 global biodiversity goals by assessing performance across 23 national biodiversity targets aligned with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Key Highlight:
This is India’s first comprehensive progress assessment after the adoption of the KMGBF in 2022.

Prepared By:
The report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with inputs from 33 central ministries and departments.

KMGBF 2030 Global Goals Include:

• Protecting 30% of the world’s land and marine areas
• Restoring degraded ecosystems
• Halting species extinction
• Strengthening biodiversity conservation

Implementation Status:
The report notes that India has largely completed the planning and policy alignment phase.

Key Challenge:
Achieving the 2030 goals will depend on effective implementation of biodiversity actions during the remaining years of the decade.

Jitendra Singh Reviews India’s First Integrated OTEC Plant in Lakshadweep

Union Minister of State Independent Charge Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology, reviewed the progress of India’s first Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.

During the visit, he examined major physical and technical components of the plant.

Key Components Reviewed:

• Seawater intake system
• Deep-sea cold-water pipeline
• Turbine-generator unit
• Desalination modules

About OTEC Technology:
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion uses the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater to generate electricity.

Project Scope:
The plant is expected to provide:

• Clean power
• Desalinated drinking water
• Sustainable energy solutions
• Support for island communities

Implementing Agencies:

• Ministry of Earth Sciences
• National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai

Significance:
The project is important for island regions where conventional power supply is limited and sustainable water-energy solutions are needed.

GoI Notifies Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards under National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Government of India notified new standards for Green Ammonia and Green Methanol in March 2026 to accelerate the global trade of green hydrogen derivatives.

The standards were notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on 27 February 2026 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Objective:
The standards aim to strengthen India’s regulatory framework for low-carbon fuels and promote industrial decarbonisation.

Standards for Green Ammonia

Green Ammonia must have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions of not more than:

0.38 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of ammonia

Standards for Green Methanol

Green Methanol must have lifecycle emissions of not more than:

0.44 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of methanol

Lifecycle Emissions Include:

• Hydrogen production
• Methanol synthesis
• Purification
• On-site storage over a 12-month average period

CO₂ Sources Permitted for Methanol Synthesis:

• Biogenic sources
• Direct Air Capture
• Existing industrial sources

Future Provision:
The Government of India may revise the list of eligible carbon dioxide sources in the future.

DRDO Sanctions ₹99.15 Lakh Research Project to Bharathiar University

The Defence Research and Development Organisation, under the Ministry of Defence, sanctioned a research project worth ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Project Title:
“Development of Novel Antidote(s) for Highly Toxic Organophosphorous Compounds”

Project Duration:
36 months

Focus Area:
The project will conduct research to develop antidotes against highly toxic organophosphorus compounds.

Research Centre:
The work will be carried out by the DRDO Industry Academia-Centre of Excellence at Bharathiar University.

Project Team:

Significance:
The project will support defence-related toxicology research and strengthen India’s preparedness against highly toxic chemical threats.

MSDE and Bajaj Auto Sign Flexi-MoU to Enhance Youth Skilling in Automotive Manufacturing

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, through the Directorate General of Training, signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding with Bajaj Auto Limited in March 2026.

The agreement aims to enhance industry-integrated skill development in advanced automotive manufacturing.

Scheme:
The MoU was signed under the Flexi-MoU Scheme, revised in June 2024.

Purpose:
The partnership will provide youth with industry-integrated training at Bajaj Auto facilities in:

• Maharashtra
• Uttarakhand

Tenure:
The agreement is valid for 10 years, with extensions based on enrolment and placement performance.

Training Details:
Bajaj Auto will offer National Skills Qualification Framework-aligned training programmes.

First-Year Target:
Around 1,000 trainees will be enrolled.

Course Duration:
Up to 24 months

Training Areas:

• Mechatronics
• Robotics
• Quality control
• Advanced welding technologies

About Flexi-MoU Scheme:
The scheme allows industries to design customised training programmes aligned with emerging technologies while following the NSQF framework.

NABARD Launches National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors.

The initiative aims to build a National Climate Stack to provide decision-ready climate intelligence for agriculture, rural finance, and public planning.

Infrastructure Base:
The project is anchored in DiCRA, NABARD’s climate data platform.

Objective:
The challenge aims to transition DiCRA from a digital public good into a digital public infrastructure.

Target Participants:

• Tech startups
• Research institutions
• Universities
• Scientific innovators
• Climate technology ecosystem

Awards:

Post-Challenge Support:
Winners may be considered for pilot projects and adoption through NABARD’s partner network.

Timeline:

• Open call: 6 March 2026
• Screening and development sprint: April–May 2026
• Development sprint duration: 6–8 weeks

About NABARD:
NABARD was established on 12 July 1982 under the NABARD Act, 1981.

It is the apex regulatory body for regional rural banks and apex cooperative banks in India.

Banking & Finance

SBI Launches USD 500 Million Social Loan for Women’s Economic Empowerment

The State Bank of India, India’s largest public sector bank, launched a USD 500 million syndicated social term loan facility in March 2026.

The facility includes a greenshoe option and aims to boost women’s economic empowerment.

Focus Areas:

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
• Self-Help Groups
• Women-focused livelihood initiatives
• Women entrepreneurship
• Economic participation of women

Loan Coordinator:
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is acting as the:

• Mandated Lead Arranger
• Underwriter
• Bookrunner
• Sole loan coordinator

Key Highlight:
The syndicated loan is the world’s largest gender-themed loan facility launched by an Indian financial institution.

ESG Significance:
The facility marks a major milestone for SBI in Environmental, Social and Governance financing.

Alignment:
The funding aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

Economy & Business

BEL and SASMOS Sign MoU to Boost Indigenous Defence Manufacturing and Exports

Bharat Electronics Limited, a Navratna Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence, signed an MoU with SASMOS HET Technologies Limited in March 2026.

The MoU aims to enhance India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capability and increase the export potential of defence systems.

MoU Exchanged Between:

• Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, BEL
• H. G. Chandrashekar, Chairman and Managing Director, SASMOS HET Technologies Limited

Event Venue:
SASMOS Aerospace Special Economic Zone, Bengaluru, Karnataka

In Presence Of:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Demonstration:
An installation-ready subsystem for a naval radar communication network was showcased during the event.

Key Highlight:
The subsystem was designed, developed, and qualified by the SASMOS engineering team within six months.

Significance:
The partnership supports India’s goal of strengthening indigenous defence electronics, rapid product development, and defence exports.

Appointments & Resignations

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth to Assume Charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff

The Indian Army announced the appointment of Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff on 6 March 2026.

He will assume office with effect from 1 April 2026.

Succeeded By:
He will succeed Lt Gen P. P. Singh.

Current Position:
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth is currently serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command.

About Vice Chief of Army Staff:
The VCOAS is the second-highest position in the Indian Army after the Chief of Army Staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational readiness
• Modernisation
• Strategic planning
• Coordination among Army commands

About Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth:

Commission:
He was commissioned into the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps in December 1986.

Previous Command:
Before taking charge of Southern Command in July 2024, he commanded the XXI Strike Corps based in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

Contribution:
During his tenure at Southern Command, headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, he improved training standards, operational readiness, and strategic preparedness across peninsular India.

Important Days

Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2026 – March 7

Jan Aushadhi Diwas, also known as Generic Medicine Day, is observed every year across India on 7 March.

The day raises awareness about the affordability and effectiveness of generic medicines under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.

2026 Observance:
7 March 2026 marked the 8th Jan Aushadhi Diwas.

Purpose:
The day promotes access to quality medicines at affordable prices for all citizens.

Background:

Declaration:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 7 March as Jan Aushadhi Diwas on 7 March 2019.

First Observance:
The first Jan Aushadhi Diwas was observed on 7 March 2019.

Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week:
It is observed from 1 to 7 March every year, with the final day celebrated as Jan Aushadhi Diwas.

Organiser:
The event is organised by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Important Days at a Glance

State News

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Presents ₹4.48 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27

Karnataka Chief Minister and Finance Minister K. Siddaramaiah presented his 17th budget worth ₹4,48,004 crore for FY 2026–27 in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru.

The budget focuses on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.

Key Financial Indicators:

CapEx Growth:
Capital expenditure increased by 4.6% compared to the FY26 Budget Estimate of ₹71,336 crore.

Major Allocations:

Budget Focus Areas:

• Technology-led development
• Public welfare
• Energy infrastructure
• Agriculture support
• Women and child development
• Tourism development
• Environmental sustainability

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Presents ₹7.69 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the State Budget for FY 2026–27 with a total outlay of ₹7,69,467 crore in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Nagpur.

The budget outlines welfare schemes, infrastructure investments, and fiscal targets.

Budget Vision:
The budget aligns with the Viksit Bharat roadmap and sets a long-term vision to transform Maharashtra into:

• A USD 1 trillion economy in the coming years
• A USD 5 trillion economy by 2047

Four Pillars of Budget:

• Progressive development
• Sustainability
• Inclusiveness
• Good governance

Key Financial Indicators:

Revenue Deficit:
The revenue deficit has been kept below 1% of GSDP.

Flagship Welfare Programmes:
Around ₹60,000 crore has been allocated to three major welfare programmes.

Major Announcement:
The Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Farmers’ Loan Waiver Scheme was announced.

Loan Waiver Details:
Crop loans up to ₹2 lakh per farmer, outstanding as of 3 September 2025, will be waived.

Special Declaration:
The state government declared FY27 as the “Year of Social Equality and Harmony.”

Purpose:
The declaration commemorates anniversaries of social reformers:

• Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
• Sant Gadge Baba
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar