🇮🇳 National News
On the second day (14 March 2026) of his two-day Assam visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhoomi Poojan of the Shillong-Silchar Corridor — the first access-controlled Greenfield four-lane High-Speed Corridor in North-East India — at Silchar, Assam. Projects worth approximately Rs 23,550 crore were launched at Silchar, as part of a total Rs 47,600 crore of projects across the 13–14 March Assam visit covering Kokrajhar, Guwahati, and Silchar.
- Shillong-Silchar Corridor: 166 km, four-lane Greenfield high-speed corridor on NH-06; investment Rs 22,860 crore; built under Hybrid Annuity Mode. Route: Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong, Meghalaya) to Panchgram (near Silchar, Assam) — 144.80 km in Meghalaya + 22 km in Assam. Implementing agency: NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd).
- Key Benefit: Reduces Guwahati–Silchar travel time from 8.5 hours to ~5 hours; connects Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur through Silchar (gateway to 3 states).
- NH-306 Elevated Corridor (Silchar Phase-I): Bhoomi Poojan performed to decongest Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point.
- College of Agriculture: Foundation stone laid at Patharkandi, Karimganj district.
- Railway Projects: Badarpur-Silchar & Badarpur-Churaibari rail line electrification (Rs 650 crore); Furkating-Tinsukia rail doubling (194 km, Rs 3,600 crore) foundation stone laid.
- Waterways: Foundation stones for cruise terminals at Bishwanath Ghat (Biswanath district) and Neamati (Jorhat district).
- Land Pattas: PM distributed land ownership documents to tea garden workers — providing homestead land rights.
NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd) is the key implementing agency for highway projects in North-East India. The Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) is a PPP model combining EPC and BOT-Toll models — frequently asked in UPSC Prelims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on 13 March 2026 from Guwahati, Assam. More than Rs 18,640 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of 9.32 crore farmer families across India through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Scheme: PM-KISAN provides Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each to eligible farmer families.
- Milestone: Total amount under PM-KISAN has crossed Rs 4.27 lakh crore since launch in 2019.
- Women Farmers: Over 2.15 crore women farmers benefited in this installment.
- AI Tool: ‘Kisan-eMitra’ — an AI-based voice chatbot — provides 24×7 PM-KISAN information in 11 regional languages.
- Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Agriculture Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
PM-KISAN: Rs 6,000/year | 3 instalments of Rs 2,000 | Launched: 2019 | Cumulative disbursement: Rs 4.27 lakh crore | 22nd instalment beneficiaries: 9.32 crore families.
Following his Silchar visit on 14 March 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kolkata, West Bengal, to launch infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 18,680 crore in Kolkata. This continued the two-day northeast/east India infrastructure push totalling Rs 47,600 crore across the full Assam visit and over Rs 66,000 crore including the West Bengal leg.
This visit is part of PM Modi’s sustained focus on infrastructure development in eastern and northeastern India. Both Assam and West Bengal are key states in India’s Act East Policy and connectivity vision for the region.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu) has launched a Digital Twin platform, making it the first port in India to adopt this advanced technology for smart port management. The initiative was inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways).
- Digital Twin Technology: Creates a real-time virtual replica of port infrastructure, vessel movement, cargo operations, and maritime assets. Integrates IoT sensors, LiDAR mapping, GPS tracking, drone imaging, and CCTV monitoring.
- Expected Benefit: Reduce vessel turnaround time by up to 25%; improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
- Port Fact: V.O. Chidambaranar Port (formerly Tuticorin Port) — India’s 3rd largest container port.
A Digital Twin is a real-time virtual replica of a physical system, facility, or asset. It uses live data from sensors and IoT devices to simulate, monitor, and optimise operations — enabling predictive maintenance, safety improvements, and operational efficiency without disrupting the physical environment.
India is planning to launch a Rs 1 trillion semiconductor fund under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and position India as a global semiconductor hub.
- Fund Scope: Supports chip design, semiconductor fabrication, equipment manufacturing, and supply chain development.
- Background: Expands India’s existing $10 billion semiconductor incentive programme launched in 2021. Key investors: Micron Technology, Tata Group, and Foxconn have already announced semiconductor projects in India.
- Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was launched under MeitY to make India a global semiconductor and display manufacturing hub. Key companies: Micron (Gujarat), Tata (Assam & Gujarat), CG Power (Gujarat). Semiconductors are critical for electronics, defence, automotive, and AI industries — reducing import dependency is a key national security goal.
India’s retail inflation (Consumer Price Index / CPI) rose to 3.21% in February 2026, up from 2.74% in January 2026. The increase was primarily driven by rising food prices and higher costs of consumer goods.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| CPI Inflation (Feb 2026) | 3.21% |
| CPI Inflation (Jan 2026) | 2.74% |
| Rural Inflation | 3.37% |
| Urban Inflation | 3.02% |
| RBI Medium-Term Target | 4% |
| RBI Tolerance Band | 2–6% |
- Released by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) — published on the 12th of the following month.
- Status: CPI at 3.21% remains below the RBI’s 4% medium-term target.
CPI measures retail price changes faced by end consumers. It is the primary inflation benchmark used by the RBI for monetary policy decisions under the Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework. CPI data is released by MoSPI, not RBI.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched ‘Araku Kouni’, the state’s first tribal millet-based food menu, during the Collectors’ Conference at the State Secretariat. The initiative aims to promote traditional tribal millet diets, support tribal farmers, and boost tribal food tourism in the Araku region.
- Featured Dishes: Korra Payasam, Ragi Chapati, Samala Pulihora, Kantla Ambali, Corn Vada, and Toor Dal Curry.
- Led by: Alluri Sitarama Raju district administration with support from Anganwadi workers, Indian Culinary Institute, and AP Tourism Department.
The Araku Valley (Visakhapatnam district) is a tribal-dominated region known for its coffee, millets, and tribal culture. India declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) — promoted by India’s proposal at the UN. This initiative aligns with the national push for Shree Anna (millets) promotion.
The National Lok Adalat 2026 was held on 14 March 2026 across India, organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Citizens could settle pre-litigation and pending court cases across categories including traffic challans, bank loan disputes, utility disputes, matrimonial cases, and labour disputes.
- Authority: NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- Delhi: Separate Delhi Lok Adalat session also scheduled for 22 March 2026.
- Legal Status: Awards passed in Lok Adalats are deemed decrees of civil courts — final, binding, and non-appealable.
Lok Adalats are alternative dispute resolution forums under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Key features: No court fees (refunded if settled), no appeal lies against awards, decisions are by mutual consent, and they function under Articles 39A (equal justice and free legal aid) of the Constitution.
The International Rail Coach Expo (IRCE) 2026, held at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, concluded on 14 March 2026. The three-day event (12–14 March) brought together railway manufacturers, technology firms, and global industry experts.
- Inaugurated by: ICF General Manager U. Subba Rao.
- Organised with: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
- Focus Areas: Sustainability, safety, indigenous railway manufacturing, and advanced coach technologies.
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF), established in 1955 in Chennai, is India’s premier rail coach manufacturing facility under the Ministry of Railways. It is known for manufacturing Vande Bharat Express trainsets and holds world records in coach production.
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is set to host its annual NAMAN Awards on 15 March 2026 at a five-star hotel near Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. The ceremony celebrates India’s unprecedented ‘Golden Year’ — five ICC trophies won across formats and age groups.
- ICC Trophies being honoured:
- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (beat New Zealand)
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
- ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup 2025
- ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
- Shubman Gill: Polly Umrigar Award (Best International Cricketer 2025) + Cricketer of the Year.
- Rahul Dravid: Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Ayush Mhatre: Lala Amarnath Award (Best Limited-Overs All-Rounder) — youngest to score centuries in all 3 pro formats in a season, breaking Rohit Sharma’s record.
- Cash Reward: Rs 131 crore for T20 WC 2026 squad + support staff — highest ever by BCCI.
- BCCI Secretary: Devajit Saikia.
Paralympic champion Sumit Antil won the gold medal in the Javelin Throw (Para) at the concluding day of the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 (11–13 March) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
- Category: F64 (Javelin Throw — Para Athletics).
- Achievement: India’s world record holder in F64 javelin throw; 2020 Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist.
Sumit Antil is one of India’s most celebrated para-athletes. He won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and broke his own world record multiple times. He also won gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, making him a two-time Paralympic champion in the F64 javelin throw category.
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team confirmed their berth in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 through the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The achievement marks a significant milestone for women’s hockey in India.
The FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup is the premier international tournament in women’s field hockey, governed by the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH). India’s women’s hockey team has been on a rising trajectory since their bronze medal finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
💼 Business & Economy
Canara Bank increased its MCLR (Marginal Cost of Funds-Based Lending Rate) by 10 basis points (bps) for two- and three-year tenures, effective 12 March 2026.
| Tenure | Old MCLR | Revised MCLR |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Year | 8.85% | 8.95% |
| 3-Year | 8.90% | 9.00% |
- Impact: Loans linked to MCLR (home, auto, personal) will see marginal rate revision.
MCLR (Marginal Cost of Funds-Based Lending Rate) is the minimum lending rate set by banks based on funding cost, tenor premium, and marginal cost of funds. Introduced by RBI in 2016, it replaced the older Base Rate system. MCLR ensures lending rates are closely linked to actual funding costs, making monetary policy transmission more effective.
South Indian Bank launched a new EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) payment service integrated with the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), accessible through its internet banking platform SIBerNet. This allows employers to make EPF contributions, pending payments, and remittance charges digitally, eliminating manual processes and paperwork.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It administers provident fund, pension, and insurance benefits for employees in the organised sector under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It is one of the world’s largest social security organisations.
Razorpay launched ‘Agent Studio’, an AI platform to automate payment operations for businesses, unveiled at the FTX 2026 event. Powered by Anthropic’s Claude AI, it deploys intelligent agents to handle payment disputes, failed subscriptions, and abandoned cart recovery.
- Integrations: Shopify, Shiprocket, and WhatsApp.
- Purpose: Automates routine payment operations, reducing manual intervention for merchants.
An AI Agent is an autonomous software entity that uses artificial intelligence to perceive its environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals — without constant human supervision. In fintech, AI agents can autonomously resolve payment failures, process refunds, and respond to customer queries.
👔 Appointments
Former IPS officer R.N. Ravi took oath as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal on 12 March 2026 in Kolkata. The oath was administered by Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Justice Sujoy Paul. Ravi succeeded C.V. Ananda Bose, who resigned citing health reasons on 5 March 2026.
- R.N. Ravi’s Past Roles: Governor of Nagaland (2021–2023) and Tamil Nadu (2021–2024); served as Interlocutor in Nagaland peace talks.
- Appointment Authority: President of India under Article 155 of the Constitution.
Key Articles — Art. 153: Governor for each state | Art. 155: Governor appointed by President | Art. 156: Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (5-year term) | Art. 161: Pardoning power of Governor. The Governor serves as the constitutional head of the state and the link between the Union and State governments.
🔬 Science & Technology
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) won the Governance Now 12th PSU National Award for its Dhwani Spandana accessibility initiative. The system uses audio-based guidance to help visually impaired passengers identify buses and travel independently.
- Implementation: Deployed in 200 Mysuru City Transport buses.
- Technical Support: GIZ Germany (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).
Dhwani Spandana (‘Sound Response’ in Kannada) represents an inclusive public transport innovation. It aligns with India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the global UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) mandate for accessible public transportation.
📅 Important Days
The International Day of Action for Rivers is observed every year on 14 March to celebrate, protect, and raise awareness about freshwater rivers and ecosystems globally. In 2026, this marks its 29th year of observance.
- Origin: Declared on 14 March 1997 at the First International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams, held in Curitiba, Brazil; declared by river specialists from 20 countries.
- Organised by: International Rivers (international NGO).
- India Connect: India is home to Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, and many major river systems. River conservation is critical given dam-related displacement and pollution challenges.
River-related topics frequently appear in UPSC — Namami Gange Programme, National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), National Waterways Act, and inter-state river water disputes (e.g., Cauvery, Krishna). The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the nodal body for Ganga rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Pi Day is observed on 14 March (written as 3/14 in US format — matching 3.14, the first three digits of π). UNESCO designated 14 March as the International Day of Mathematics in 2019.
- Pi (π): Approximately 3.14159… — the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter; an irrational and transcendental number.
- Albert Einstein: 14 March also marks the birth anniversary of Albert Einstein (born 1879).
UNESCO declared 14 March as the International Day of Mathematics in 2019, first celebrated in 2020. Pi (π) has been calculated to over 100 trillion digits. Albert Einstein was born on 14 March 1879 in Ulm, Germany — known for his Theory of Relativity (E=mc²).
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