Current Affairs — March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026
₹200-crore Banana Cluster approved for Jalgaon, Maharashtra
On Gudi Padwa, 19 March 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the long-pending Banana Cluster project in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has been approved at a cost of ₹200 crore, with subsidies under MIDH and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
Rajasthan launches Mukhyamantri Viksit Gram-Ward Abhiyan on Rajasthan Diwas, 19 March 2026
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma launched the Mukhyamantri Viksit Gram-Ward Abhiyan on Rajasthan Diwas, observed on 19 March 2026 (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), to prepare development roadmaps for every Gram Panchayat and urban ward; the campaign runs till 15 May.
Telecom data for January 2026: 1,052.72 million broadband subscribers, overall tele-density 92.22%
Telecom subscription data released on 19 March 2026 show India had 1,314 million telephone subscribers and 1,052.72 million broadband subscribers on 31 January 2026, with overall tele-density (including M2M) of 92.22%.
Andhra Pradesh CM signs first file of Ugadi: ₹55.63 crore CMRF aid for 6,787 beneficiaries
On Ugadi, 19 March 2026, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu signed his first file of the Telugu New Year, approving ₹55.63 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for 6,787 beneficiaries.
Maharashtra signs reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
Maharashtra signed a reform-linked MoU with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 on 19 March 2026, formally entering the framework approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026
Cabinet approves ₹2,584.60-crore Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31
The Union Cabinet on 18 March 2026 approved the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore for about 1,500 MW of projects of 1–25 MW each.
Cabinet approves BHAVYA (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna) with ₹33,660 crore for 100 plug-and-play industrial parks
The Union Cabinet on 18 March 2026 approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) with an allocation of ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks of 100–1,000 acres across the country.
ECI deploys over 25 lakh officials for 2026 Assembly polls in five States/UTs – about one for every 70 electors
The Election Commission said on 18 March 2026 that over 25 lakh officials have been deployed for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which have over 17.4 crore electors – nearly one official for every 70 electors.
Bihar regulator keeps power tariff unchanged for 2026-27, rejects 35-paise hike and unifies domestic tariff
The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) on 18 March 2026 announced no electricity tariff hike for 2026-27, rejecting the DISCOMs' proposal of 35 paise per unit, and introduced a uniform tariff for urban and rural domestic consumers.
ALMM extended to solar ingots and wafers through List-III, effective 1 June 2028
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced on 18 March 2026 that the ALMM Order has been expanded with ALMM List-III for solar ingots and wafers, mandatory for all projects from 1 June 2028.
CCEA approves ₹1,718.56 crore MSP funding to Cotton Corporation of India for cotton season 2023-24
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 18 March 2026 approved MSP funding of ₹1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for the 2023-24 cotton season as direct price support to cotton farmers.
Andhra Pradesh launches Divyang Shakti: free APSRTC bus travel for persons with disabilities
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the Divyang Shakti scheme on 18 March 2026, giving persons with disabilities free travel in five categories of APSRTC buses; about 12.76 lakh people are expected to benefit at an annual cost of ₹207 crore.
Maharashtra notifies Renewable Energy & Energy Storage Policy 2025-26 to 2035-36, targeting 65% RE by FY 2035-36
Maharashtra notified its Renewable Energy & Energy Storage Policy 2025-26 to 2035-36 by a Government Resolution of 18 March 2026, aiming for renewables to meet 65% of electricity demand and storage of at least 10% of demand by FY 2035-36.
CCEA approves ₹6,969-crore 4-lane access-controlled NH-927 from Barabanki to Bahraich in UP
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 18 March 2026 approved a 101.515-km 4-lane access-controlled NH-927 from Barabanki to Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh on Hybrid Annuity Mode at a cost of ₹6,969.04 crore.
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti takes charge as Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes
Former Union Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti assumed charge as Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) on 18 March 2026; former Amravati Mayor Kiran Umesh Mahalle joined as Member on 20 March.
PM Modi speaks to Kuwait's Crown Prince; condemns attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty
On 18 March 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, condemned attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and said safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains the foremost priority.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs launches 'RISA: Timeless Tribal', a premium brand for tribal weaves and crafts
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram launched 'RISA: Timeless Tribal', a premium signature brand centred on tribal weaves, embroidery and crafts, on 18 March 2026 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh signs reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
Uttar Pradesh signed a reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 on 18 March 2026, in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil and CM Yogi Adityanath, formally entering the framework approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026
Election Commission deploys 1,111 Central Observers for Assembly elections in five States/UTs and bye-elections
The Election Commission of India said on 17 March 2026 that it has deployed 1,111 Central Observers — 557 general, 188 police and 366 expenditure — for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in six states.
PM Modi speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, stresses safe navigation through Strait of Hormuz
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 17 March 2026, conveyed advance Eid greetings and agreed on the importance of safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Government reaches milestone of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations registered under the central scheme
The Agriculture Ministry told the Lok Sabha on 17 March 2026 that all 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations targeted under the central scheme have been registered as on 1 March 2026, including 1,175 FPOs with only women members.
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh sign reform-linked MoUs with Centre under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on 17 March 2026 signed reform-linked MoUs with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, which the Union Cabinet had approved on 10 March 2026.
Odisha's SLSWCA approves 23 industrial projects worth ₹4,510.65 crore with 10,122 jobs
Odisha's State Level Single Window Clearance Authority on 17 March 2026 approved 23 industrial investment proposals worth ₹4,510.65 crore, expected to create 10,122 jobs across 11 districts.
Centre releases over ₹1,789 crore of XV Finance Commission grants to rural local bodies in five states
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced on 17 March 2026 that the Centre has released over ₹1,789 crore of Fifteenth Finance Commission untied grants to rural local bodies in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.
Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi reach Mundra and Kandla after crossing Strait of Hormuz
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 17 March 2026 thanked the crews of Indian-flagged LPG carriers MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz with about 92,712 tonnes of LPG and reached Mundra and Kandla on 16 and 17 March.
Maharashtra legislature passes Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 as Legislative Council clears it
The Maharashtra Legislative Council on 17 March 2026 passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, a day after the Assembly, sending the anti-conversion bill to the Governor for assent.
National Highways Fee (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 come into force with e-notices and double charge for unpaid toll
The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 came into effect on 17 March 2026, introducing e-notices for unpaid tolls, a charge of twice the toll if not paid within 72 hours, and VAHAN-linked restrictions after 15 days.
Keel laid for two Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels of the Indian Coast Guard at Ratnagiri
The keels of Yard 16402 and 16403, the second and third of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard, were laid at YMPL, Ratnagiri on 17 March 2026.
Over 1 lakh of 2.12 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry told Parliament on 17 March 2026 that 1,02,054 of the 2,12,283 startups recognised by DPIIT as on 31 January 2026 have at least one woman director or partner.
India Post launches 24 Speed Post, 48 Speed Post and 24 Speed Post Parcel for time-definite delivery between six metros
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on 17 March 2026 launched India Post's 24 Speed Post, 48 Speed Post and 24 Speed Post Parcel services, offering guaranteed next-day or two-day delivery between six metro cities.