Current Affairs — 20 March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026
Reform-linked JJM 2.0 MoUs signed with Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Goa
On 20 March 2026 the Centre signed reform-linked MoUs under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 with Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa, following Union Cabinet approval of JJM 2.0 on 10 March 2026.
Telangana presents ₹3.24 lakh crore budget for 2026-27; Indiramma Family Life Insurance from 2 June
On 20 March 2026 Telangana Deputy CM and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka presented a ₹3,24,234 crore budget for 2026-27 and announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme, offering ₹5 lakh cover to 1.15 crore families from 2 June.
Eight core industries grow 2.3% in February 2026
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose 2.3% (provisional) in February 2026 over February 2025, with cement, steel, fertilisers, coal and electricity growing, data released on 20 March 2026 showed.
India crosses 1 billion tonne coal production for the second year in a row
India achieved 1 billion tonnes of coal production in 2025-26 on 20 March 2026, the second consecutive year it has crossed the mark, the Ministry of Coal said.
Odisha sets Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Pakhala
On Pakhala Dibasa, 20 March 2026, Odisha Tourism set a Guinness World Record for the largest serving of fermented rice (Pakhala), with 1,174 kg prepared in a single vessel from 850 kg of rice at Panthanivas, Bhubaneswar.
INS Trikand ends Seychelles port call after maiden tri-services edition of Exercise Lamitiye 2026
Stealth frigate INS Trikand departed Port Victoria, Seychelles, on 20 March 2026 after taking part in the first tri-services edition of the India–Seychelles Exercise Lamitiye, marking the Indian Navy's maiden participation in the exercise.
Pilot plant for Nd-Fe-B rare earth permanent magnets set up at ARCI, Hyderabad
A pilot plant for manufacturing Nd-Fe-B (neodymium-iron-boron) rare earth permanent magnets, covering the full process from strip-cast alloy to sintered magnets, has been set up at ARCI, Hyderabad, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology.
PM Modi speaks with King of Bahrain; condemns attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure
On 20 March 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, conveyed Eid al-Fitr greetings and condemned attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure in West Asia for their impact on global food, fuel and fertiliser security.
Uttarakhand Cabinet expanded with five ministers, reaching full strength of 12
On 20 March 2026 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expanded his Cabinet by inducting five ministers, taking it to its full strength of 12 for the first time in five years.
Nitish Kumar's Samriddhi Yatra reaches Gaya and Aurangabad with a raft of projects
On 20 March 2026 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited Gaya and Aurangabad districts during his Samriddhi Yatra, inaugurating completed schemes and laying foundation stones for new projects, including 140 projects in Gaya.
No increase in urea price; smaller bags meant to promote balanced fertiliser use, says Government
The Government told the Lok Sabha on 20 March 2026 that there is no proposal to raise urea prices and that urea bags were cut from 50 kg to 45 kg (40 kg in some cases) to curb excessive use and improve soil health.