🇮🇳 National News
On March 11, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala and Tamil Nadu to inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth approximately Rs 16,450 crore across petroleum & natural gas, highways, rural connectivity, and railways.
Foundation stone laid for a Polypropylene Unit at Kochi Refinery of BPCL (cost: Rs 5,500+ crore; capacity: 400 kilo tonnes per annum).
Key projects in Kerala:
- Highway — NH-66: Six-laning of Thalapady–Chengala section (Rs 2,650 crore), part of the Mumbai–Kanyakumari Economic Corridor.
- Highway — Kozhikode Bypass: Six-laning from Vengalam to Ramanattukara (Rs 2,140 crore).
- Railways: Three stations redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme — Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, Changanassery. Also dedicated the Shoranur–Nilambur Road Railway Line Electrification Project and flagged off Palakkad–Pollachi train service.
- Renewable Energy: Foundation stone for a 50-MW floating solar project at West Kallada, Kollam district.
Foundation stone for BPCL City Gas Distribution Network in Nilgiris & Erode districts (Rs 3,680 crore) — covering 8.8 lakh households and 201+ CNG stations. Dedicated IOCL Lube Blending Plant at Manali, Chennai (672 KMTPA capacity; Rs 1,490 crore). Inaugurated 89 rural roads (370 km) under PMGSY and flagged off Amrit Bharat Express trains.
The 11th Raisina Dialogue was held from 5–7 March 2026 in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, with Alexander Stubb (President of Finland) as Chief Guest delivering the keynote address. Organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Theme: “Saṁskāra — Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement”
Six Thematic Pillars:
- Contested Frontiers
- Repairing the Commons
- White Whale (Agenda 2030)
- The Eleventh Hour (Climate)
- Tomorrowland (Tech)
- Trade in the Time of Tariffs
Held on 5 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as part of the Dialogue — a first-of-its-kind science diplomacy platform.
On March 8, 2026, Union Minister C.R. Patil (Ministry of Jal Shakti) launched Jal Mahotsav 2026 from Rahej village, Gandevi Block, Navsari district, Gujarat. The launch coincided with International Women’s Day, observed as ‘Sujalam Shakti Diwas’, highlighting women’s role in rural water management.
- Duration: March 8 to March 22 (culminating on World Water Day).
- Tagline: “गाँव का उत्सव, देश का महोत्सव” (Village’s Festival, Nation’s Festival).
- Jal Arpan Diwas: Marks handover of rural drinking water assets to Gram Panchayats under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Objective: Strengthen Jan Bhagidari (community participation) and long-term sustainability of water infrastructure under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). World Water Day falls on March 22 every year.
In March 2026, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance medical research for human spaceflight and develop healthcare protocols for future Indian space missions.
- Signed by: M. Srinivas (Director, AIIMS New Delhi) and Dinesh Kumar Singh (Director, Human Space Flight Centre, ISRO).
- Focus Areas: Microgravity research, astronaut health monitoring, space radiation studies, psychological health assessments, and medical training for astronauts.
This MoU directly supports India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, preparing the medical ecosystem for India’s astronauts. Gaganyaan is India’s first crewed orbital spacecraft mission.
In March 2026, India and Uzbekistan jointly launched a structured pharmaceutical and nutraceutical trade corridor to expand market access across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and broader Eurasian region, estimated at USD 7–10 billion.
- Partners: Ministry of Health, Uzbekistan; Nutrify Today (Bengaluru); and Pharma Eurasia (Tashkent).
- Commercial Activation: At Pharma Eurasia 2026 exhibition, May 20–22, 2026, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- Purpose: Regulatory alignment, supply chain digitisation, joint R&D, investment facilitation, and trade matchmaking.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional intergovernmental organization of post-Soviet republics in Eurasia. India’s expanding trade corridors with CIS nations are a recurring topic in UPSC mains.
🌐 International News
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its report ‘Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025’ in March 2026. India ranked as the world’s second-largest arms importer for the period 2021–2025, accounting for 8.2% of global arms imports. Global arms transfers rose by nearly 10% due to heightened geopolitical tensions.
| Rank | Top Arms Importers | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | 9.7% |
| 2 | India | 8.2% |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 6.8% |
| Rank | Top Arms Exporters |
|---|---|
| 1 | USA |
| 2 | France |
| 3 | Russia |
India was the largest recipient of French arms (24% of France’s exports) and the top destination for Russian arms exports (48%). Europe emerged as the largest arms-importing region with 33% of global imports (up from 12% previously), driven by the Russia–Ukraine war.
In March 2026, Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader on March 8, 2026. He is the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on 28 February 2026 in joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
- Appointing body: Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts — the clerical body tasked with selecting the Supreme Leader.
- Profile: Mojtaba Khamenei, 56 years old; maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); considered more hardline than his father.
- Significance: He becomes the Islamic Republic’s third Supreme Leader since its founding in 1979 (after Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei).
The war began on 28 February 2026. Over 1,850 people had died by the time of his appointment. Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz were severely damaged in previous strikes.
In March 2026, the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) commenced the 11th edition of Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Victoria, Seychelles. The exercise runs from 9–20 March 2026 (12 days).
- Historic First: LAMITIYE-2026 marks the first-ever tri-service participation by the Indian Armed Forces in this exercise.
- Indian Army: Assam Regiment
- Indian Navy: INS Trikand (Talwar-class frigate)
- Indian Air Force: C-130 transport aircraft
- Focus: Sub-Conventional Operations (SCO) in Semi-Urban Environments (SUE) and enhanced bilateral interoperability.
LAMITIYE means “friendship” in Creole. It is a bilateral exercise between India and Seychelles. Seychelles is strategically located in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a key area of India’s maritime interest.
NATO commenced its large-scale biennial Arctic military exercise ‘Cold Response 2026’ on 9 March 2026, running until 19 March 2026.
- Participation: Approximately 25,000 troops from 14 countries.
- New Feature: Greater emphasis on civilian roles in supporting military logistics.
- Part of: Arctic Sentry — NATO’s broader mission to strengthen its Arctic presence.
Cold Response is a biennial (every two years) exercise. NATO’s Arctic strategy is significant given the strategic importance of Arctic routes and resources. The exercise focuses on operational readiness and multinational coordination in extreme conditions.
💼 Business & Economy
In March 2026, the Nashik Municipal Corporation became the first urban local body in Maharashtra to list its Green Municipal Bond public issue on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). This milestone advances sustainable urban infrastructure financing.
Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation: First municipal corporation in India to issue green municipal bonds (2021, Rs 150 crore) — funded a sewage treatment plant.
Indore Municipal Corporation: Issued green bonds in 2023 for a 60-MW solar plant.
Nashik Municipal Corporation: First in Maharashtra to list on NSE (2026).
Green Bonds are debt instruments used to finance environmentally sustainable projects. Urban local bodies issuing green bonds reflects India’s commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) financing and Smart Cities Mission objectives.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) celebrated its 57th Raising Day on March 10, 2026. The grand parade and ceremonial events were held at KRTC Mundali, Cuttack, Odisha, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah attending as Chief Guest.
- Formation: CISF was established in 1969 under the CISF Act, 1968.
- Mandate: Protecting critical infrastructure including airports, seaports, nuclear plants, metro railways, and major industrial undertakings.
- Status: One of India’s largest Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
CISF falls under Ministry of Home Affairs. It was established under the CISF Act, 1968 and operationalised in 1969. The force is responsible for security of over 300+ critical installations across India, including all major airports.
👔 Appointments
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the appointment of Gary Kirsten (former South African cricketer) as the new Head Coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national cricket team on 9 March 2026, effective from 15 April 2026. He signs a two-year contract.
- India (2008–2011): Guided India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title.
- South Africa (2011–2013): Took SA to No. 1 in all formats.
- Pakistan (2024): Served as white-ball coach.
- Most Recent: Consultant for Cricket Namibia during ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Scored 14,087 international runs; played 101 Tests and 185 ODIs; was the first South African to play 100 Tests.
- Predecessor: Replaces Sanath Jayasuriya, who resigned after Sri Lanka’s exit at the Super Eight stage of T20 WC 2026.
- Goal: Prepare Sri Lanka for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup (South Africa, Namibia & Zimbabwe).
📊 Index & Rankings
The SIPRI Arms Transfer Report 2025 (released March 2026) provides the most comprehensive global data on arms trade for the 2021–2025 period. Key rankings at a glance:
| Category | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Importers | Ukraine (9.7%) | India (8.2%) | Saudi Arabia (6.8%) |
| Exporters | USA | France | Russia |
| Importing Region | Europe (33%) | — | — |
India received 24% of France’s total arms exports and was the largest destination for Russian arms (48%). Global arms transfers rose nearly 10% compared to the previous five-year period.
📅 Important Days
Sheetala Ashtami is a Hindu festival observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Chaitra. In 2026, it falls on March 11.
Devotees worship Goddess Sheetala, the deity associated with smallpox, fevers, and skin diseases, seeking protection from illness and blessings for good health.
- Tradition: One of the few festivals where cold or day-old food (known as ‘Basoda’) prepared the previous day is offered to the deity and consumed by devotees — symbolising the importance of cool and clean food.
- Observance: Widely observed in northern Indian states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and parts of Gujarat.
Sheetala Ashtami is associated with the Chaitra month (Krishna Paksha, Ashtami tithi). The festival’s tradition of consuming Basoda (day-old food) is a distinctive cultural practice relevant to questions on Indian festivals and traditions.
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