🇮🇳 National News
Germany announced a significant grant of up to EUR 20 million for India under the International Climate Initiative (IKI), aimed at strengthening ecosystem resilience across vulnerable regions.
The announcement was made at a high-level dialogue titled ‘From Risk to Resilience: Advancing Adaptation Policy Pathways’ held at the German Embassy, New Delhi. German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth of the Federal Ministry for Environment and Climate Action (BMKUN) made the announcement.
- Priority Regions – Himalayas, Western Ghats, island territories, North-East India, and the Lower Gangetic floodplains
- Key Interventions – Ecosystem-based approaches (EbA) including forest restoration, biodiversity corridor development, groundwater recharge, and flood control measures
- Policy Support – Strengthens India’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) through enhanced monitoring and evaluation frameworks
IKI = International Climate Initiative (Germany’s flagship climate finance programme). The grant targets 5 fragile ecosystems: Himalayas, Western Ghats, island territories, North-East India, Lower Gangetic floodplains. Key person: Jochen Flasbarth, German State Secretary, BMKUN.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways) inaugurated three major infrastructure projects on National Waterway-2 (NW-2) along the Brahmaputra River at Dibrugarh, Assam on February 26, 2026.
- Bogibeel Complex – A modern Customs and Immigration Complex (CIC) integrating cargo storage, IWAI administration, and tourism functions
- Dhubri Gateway – A strategic CIC positioned to facilitate cross-border trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan and strengthen Inland Water Transport (IWT)
- IWAI Heritage Building (Dibrugarh) – A renovated administrative hub blending architectural conservation with upgraded infrastructure to promote riverine tourism
NW-2 runs along the Brahmaputra River in Assam. The projects enhance logistics and trade for the North Eastern Region (NER). The Dhubri Gateway facilitates cross-border trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan. Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal.
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister R S Rajakannappan inaugurated the state’s first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district, promoting astro-tourism and astronomy education.
- Set up at a cost of Rs 1 crore with three advanced telescopes and solar-powered infrastructure
- Minimal light pollution within a 1.5 km radius, optimal for stargazing, Milky Way observation, and planetary study
- Operational from January 15 to June 15 annually; closed during monsoon season
Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh — designated in 2024 under the International Dark-Sky Places programme — was India’s first and Asia’s fifth recognized Dark Sky Park. Tamil Nadu’s Kolli Hills is the state’s first.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) launched the upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH (Version 2.0) web portal to streamline No Objection Certificate (NOC) applications for facilities along National Highways.
- Facilities covered – Fuel stations, wayside amenities, connecting roads, and utilities (water pipelines, gas pipelines, optical fibre cables, electrical lines)
- Aims to simplify and bring transparency to approvals, supporting the government’s Ease of Doing Business goals
- Applicants include citizens, businesses, and infrastructure companies requiring NH-related permissions
RAJMARG PRAVESH is an online NOC portal for National Highway facilities. Version 2.0 launched by Nitin Gadkari. Key objective: Ease of Doing Business along NH corridors.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Mission Basundhara 3.0, the third phase of the state’s flagship land revenue digitisation and citizen-centric land rights programme.
- Over one lakh indigenous landless families and public institutions received land pattas (ownership documents) under this phase
- Reinforces the government’s focus on land rights for tribal and indigenous communities
- Includes digitisation of land records across Assam
Mission Basundhara is Assam’s land digitisation & rights programme. Phase 3.0 benefited over 1 lakh landless indigenous families. CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Tripura’s inaugural incubation and startup hub, T-Nest (Tripura: Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups), was inaugurated at Hapania, Agartala, under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog.
- T-Nest marks the rollout of the first State Innovation Mission (SIM) in Tripura — a significant milestone in embedding entrepreneurship into the state’s development architecture
- Supports local innovators, student entrepreneurs, and emerging startups with mentorship, infrastructure, and funding linkages
T-Nest full form: Tripura: Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups. Located at Hapania, Agartala. Operates under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog. First State Innovation Mission (SIM) in Tripura.
Jammu and Kashmir scripted a historic chapter in Indian cricket by clinching the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 in their maiden final appearance, ending a 67-year wait for glory.
The victory is J&K cricket’s greatest achievement and a landmark moment for sports development in the union territory. The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class cricket tournament, governed by the BCCI.
Jammu & Kashmir — first-time Ranji Trophy winners in 2025-26. It was their maiden final appearance. The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class cricket tournament under the BCCI.
The Indian Army defended their team championship for the third successive year at the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026, topping the overall medal tally.
| Team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Army | 9 | 6 | 8 | 23 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 6 | 7 | 1 | 14 |
- Venues: Ice events in Leh, Ladakh; snow sports in Gulmarg, J&K
- Individual Standout: Veteran skier Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda (Karnataka) won gold in Nordic Women’s Sprint
Indian Army won KIWG 2026 for the 3rd consecutive time. Gold: 9, Silver: 6, Bronze: 8. Venues: Leh (ice) and Gulmarg (snow). Notable winner: Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda — Nordic Women’s Sprint.
💼 Business & Economy
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed all petrol retail outlets across the country to exclusively sell E20 petrol (20% ethanol blend) with a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95, effective April 1, 2026.
- Marks the culmination of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, which began in January 2003 with a modest 5% blending target
- Objectives: Cut crude oil imports, reduce carbon emissions, support the agricultural sector through higher ethanol demand, and improve vehicle engine performance
- Applies to all oil marketing companies (OMCs), private players, and PSU fuel retailers. Higher blends such as E85 and E100 remain unaffected
- Compliance monitoring by the Ministry of Petroleum and the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC)
E20 = 20% ethanol + 80% petrol blend. Minimum RON 95 required. Mandatory from April 1, 2026. EBP Programme started in January 2003. Monitoring: PPAC (Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell).
Sri Lanka’s first-ever Blue Bond — a Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) 3 billion issuance by DFCC Bank Plc — was dually listed on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Blue Bonds are debt instruments raised specifically to fund ocean-friendly projects such as sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and coastal infrastructure
- NSE IX is the international arm of the National Stock Exchange, operating from India’s only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City
- Deepens India-Sri Lanka financial ties and expands GIFT City’s international bond market reach
Blue Bond = debt instrument for ocean-friendly projects. Issuer: DFCC Bank Plc (Sri Lanka). Amount: LKR 3 billion. Listed on: NSE IX at GIFT City. GIFT City is India’s only IFSC.
🌐 International News
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, was killed in coordinated military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on February 28–March 1, 2026. Aged 86, Khamenei was the Islamic Republic’s second Supreme Leader, having succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The joint operation targeted IRGC command facilities, air defence systems, missile launch sites, and military airfields across Iran. Also killed were Iran’s Army Chief of Staff Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi, Defence Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani.
- Iran declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holidays
- A three-member transitional council was formed: President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and senior cleric Alireza Arafi
- Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel and targeting US military bases across 27 locations in the Middle East (Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman)
Russia condemned it as a “cynical murder”; China “strongly condemned” the strikes; the EU called for “maximum restraint”. The US Congress debated a war powers resolution against Trump’s unauthorised military action.
Khamenei was Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989 — the country’s second Supreme Leader after Khomeini. The body to select a new Supreme Leader is the Assembly of Experts — 88 senior clerics elected by the Iranian public.
👔 Appointments
The Government of India reconstituted the Hindi Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, naming Union Minister Jagat Prakash (JP) Nadda as its Chairman.
- Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel appointed as Vice-Chairman of the newly formed committee
- The committee reviews and recommends measures for the progressive use of Hindi in the official work of the Ministry and its subordinate offices
- The reconstituted committee comprises 15 nominated members
JP Nadda = Chairman, Hindi Advisory Committee (Chemicals & Fertilizers Ministry). Vice-Chairman: Anupriya Patel. Total members: 15 nominated members.
🔬 Science & Technology
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) announced a partnership with Google to display authorised Aadhaar service centres on Google Maps, improving accessibility and transparency for residents across India.
- Users can search for centres by specific services: adult enrolment, child enrolment, and address or mobile number updates
- Listings highlight Divyang-friendly infrastructure, parking availability, and operating hours for each centre
- Aimed at reducing confusion around unofficial centres and ensuring citizens reach only government-verified Aadhaar facilities
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) partnered with Google to list authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. Features include Divyang-friendly filters and service-specific search.
A Casebook on AI and Gender Empowerment was released at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, highlighting India’s commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive AI development.
- Developed jointly by IndiaAI Mission (MeitY), UN Women, and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD)
- Features 23 impactful AI solutions promoting gender equality drawn from over 50 countries
- Underscores the intersection of artificial intelligence with women’s rights, social equity, and the government’s broader Viksit Bharat vision
Casebook developed by 3 bodies: IndiaAI Mission (MeitY) + UN Women + MoWCD. Contains 23 AI solutions from 50+ countries. Released at India AI Impact Summit 2026.
📅 Important Days
World Wildlife Day is observed every year on March 3 — the date on which the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was signed in 1973. It is proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The theme for 2026 focuses on connecting people and planet through the conservation of wildlife. India, home to some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, hosts iconic species including Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, Indian one-horned rhinoceroses, and Gangetic river dolphins.
World Wildlife Day = March 3. Marks signing of CITES (1973). Proclaimed by UNGA. 2026 Theme: Connecting people and planet through wildlife conservation.
A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in parts of India on March 3, 2026. During a partial lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow partially covers the Moon’s surface.
- Observable across Asia, Australia, and the Pacific region, offering skywatchers a rare celestial spectacle
- A partial lunar eclipse differs from a total lunar eclipse in that only a portion of the Moon passes through Earth’s umbral shadow
In a partial lunar eclipse, only part of the Moon enters Earth’s umbral shadow. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon passes through. Visible regions on March 3, 2026: Asia, Australia, Pacific.
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