Current Affairs One-liners — 16 March 2026

Mon, 16 Mar 2026

• India's total exports of goods and services during April–February 2025-26 are estimated at US$ 790.86 billion, 5.79% higher than a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on 16 March 2026.
• The Agriculture Ministry on 16 March 2026 released final estimates showing horticulture production of 3,707.38 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 and first advance estimates projecting 3,708.46 lakh tonnes for 2025-26.
• A fire in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack in the early hours of 16 March 2026 killed 12 patients by the next day; PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF for each deceased.
• Approval has been granted for quantum teaching laboratories in 23 academic institutions under the National Quantum Mission, with 100 more under consideration, the Science Ministry said on 16 March 2026.
• The Election Commission of India on 16 March 2026 appointed Manjeet Singh, a retired IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, as Special Observer for the Assam Assembly election, where polling is on 9 April and counting on 4 May 2026.
• The Centre on 16 March 2026 approved higher commission rates for Arthiyas and cooperative societies procuring wheat and paddy on its behalf from Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27, raising the Arthiya commission on wheat in Punjab and Haryana to ₹50.75 per quintal.
• The Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin released on 16 March 2026 shows urban unemployment for persons aged 15+ fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January, while overall LFPR stayed at 55.9%.
• The Embassy of India in Tehran on 16 March 2026 advised all Indian nationals in Iran not to approach or try to cross any land border of Iran without prior and explicit coordination with the Embassy.
• Annual inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index rose to 2.13% (provisional) in February 2026 from 1.81% in January, the Commerce Ministry said on 16 March 2026.
• NHAI said on 16 March 2026 that it has received nine bids for upgrading the around 90-km Jaipur–Kishangarh section of NH-48 in Rajasthan to six lanes on EPC mode, cutting travel time from two hours to one.
• The Competition Commission of India held the 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law in New Delhi on 16 March 2026, with NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba as keynote speaker.
• The Commission for Air Quality Management's GRAP sub-committee on 16 March 2026 revoked all Stage-I actions across the National Capital Region after Delhi's average AQI improved from 175 to 119.