Education
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World Class University
Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously passed the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World Class University Punjab Bill, 2026, to be located at Sri Anandpur Sahib β birthplace of the Khalsa Panth. Proposed investment: Rs 300 crore over three years (initial allocation: Rs 20 crore). Courses including defence technology, AI, quantum computing, and aerospace begin by July 2026. Bill moved by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
Economy
WPI Inflation β February 2026
India’s WPI inflation rose to 2.13% in February 2026 (from 2.02% in January) β the fourth consecutive month of increase. Driven by higher prices of food articles (pulses, potatoes, eggs, meat, fish), non-food items, and manufactured products. Vegetable inflation eased to 4.73% from 6.78%. Released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Office of Economic Adviser). CPI inflation for the same period was 3.21%.
Business & Economy
India’s Trade Deficit β February 2026
India’s trade deficit widened to USD 27.1 billion in February 2026 β nearly double the ~USD 14 billion recorded in February 2025. Imports surged +24% YoY to USD 63.71 billion, primarily driven by gold and silver purchases. Exports fell marginally by 0.81% to USD 36.61 billion. Data released by the Department of Commerce under MoCI.
Tourism & Culture
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar
Asia’s largest tulip garden, spread over 74 acres at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, overlooking Dal Lake. Inaugurated on 16 March 2026 by J&K CM Omar Abdullah to mark the spring tourism season. Features over 1.8 million tulips across 70β75 varieties, including Dutch imports. A flagship tourism event for the Kashmir valley.
Science & Technology
CSIR Smart Village β Kusunpur, Odisha
Kusunpur village in Odisha is being developed as the state’s first Smart Village under CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). Focus areas: climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, clean cooking fuel, safe drinking water, and improved sanitation. Aims to be a replicable model for rural transformation across India. CSIR operates under the Department of Science and Technology.
Sports
IPL 2026 β Key Facts
TATA IPL 2026 (19th edition) runs from 28 March to 31 May 2026 with a record 84 matches (up from 74 in 2025). Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are defending champions (maiden title won in 2025 vs Punjab Kings). Opening match: RCB vs SRH at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi (16 December 2025); purse: Rs 125 crore/franchise. Most expensive overseas buy: Cameron Green (KKR) β Rs 25.20 crore.
Monetary Policy
Variable Rate Repo (VRR) β RBI Liquidity Tool
A Variable Rate Repo (VRR) is an auction mechanism where commercial banks bid for short-term funds from the RBI at market-determined rates (unlike fixed-rate repos set by the MPC). The RBI accepts bids up to a cut-off rate. Used for fine-tuning banking system liquidity. RBI injected Rs 48,014 crore via VRR ahead of financial year-end (31 March 2026), when cash outflows spike due to GST payments, advance tax, and year-end demand.
Industry
ATMA β Tyre Industry Leadership
Arun Mammen (Vice Chairman & MD, MRF Ltd) was re-elected Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), founded in 1975. New Vice Chairman: Rajarshi Moitra (MD, Bridgestone India). New Director General: Sanjay Chatterjee, succeeding Rajiv Budhraja (retiring 31 March 2026). ATMA is the apex body for India’s tyre manufacturing sector, focusing on raw material costs, technology, and global competitiveness.
Art & Culture
CHYIMI β Indian Animation at NYSAF 2026
The Indian animated film ‘CHYIMI’ won Best Director at the New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026. The director, Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, is a serving police officer β IGP in Assam and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. His recognition at NYSAF highlights India’s growing presence in global animation. NYSAF showcases innovative animated short films from around the world.
International
World Social Work Day 2026 β Harambee
World Social Work Day 2026 was observed on 17 March 2026 (third Tuesday of March every year), organised by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). Theme: ‘Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.’ ‘Harambee’ is a Kenyan concept meaning ‘pulling together’, emphasising collective responsibility and community unity. The day celebrates social workers’ role in promoting human rights, social justice, and equality.