Education, Health & Society Current Affairs — Last 12 months

📋 Central Schemes 📍 India Important

President Murmu leads national event of first Jal Mahotsav under Jal Jeevan Mission

On 11 March 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu graced the national event of Jal Mahotsav 2026, the first nationwide campaign of its kind under the Jal Jeevan Mission, running from 8 to 22 March.

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📋 Central Schemes 📍 India Must know

Cabinet extends Jal Jeevan Mission to December 2028 as JJM 2.0 with ₹8.69 lakh crore outlay

The Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026 extended the Jal Jeevan Mission up to December 2028, raising its total outlay to ₹8.69 lakh crore and shifting its focus from building infrastructure to delivering water services under JJM 2.0.

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🎓 Women & Child 📍 India Important

President Murmu addresses national International Women's Day event in New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the national International Women's Day event organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in New Delhi on 8 March 2026, saying India is moving rapidly towards women-led development.

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📋 Central Schemes 📍 India Important

PM Modi says target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis achieved, sets new goal of 3 crore more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Delhi on International Women's Day, 8 March 2026, that the national resolve to create 3 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' had been fulfilled and set a new goal of 3 crore more.

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📋 State Schemes 📍 Punjab Important

Punjab Budget 2026–27 announces ₹1,000 a month for women, ₹1,500 for SC women

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the state Budget 2026–27 in the Assembly in Chandigarh on 8 March 2026, International Women's Day, announcing the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana with ₹1,000 a month for women and ₹1,500 for Scheduled Caste women.

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📋 Central Schemes 📍 Gujarat Important

C.R. Paatil launches Jal Mahotsav 2026 from Navsari with Jal Arpan Diwas on Women's Day

Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil launched Jal Mahotsav 2026 from Rahej village in Navsari district, Gujarat, on 8 March 2026, observing Jal Arpan Diwas, as rural drinking water assets were handed over to gram panchayats under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

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📋 State Schemes 📍 Tripura

Vice-President Radhakrishnan meets women's SHGs in Tripura on Women's Day; state targets 1.35 lakh Lakhpati Didis

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan interacted with women's Self-Help Groups at the International Trade & Fair Centre, Hapania, Tripura, on 8 March 2026 and noted Tripura's target of 1.35 lakh Lakhpati Didis.

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🎓 Women & Child 📍 Delhi

'Shakti Walk #SheLeadsBharat' held on Kartavya Path for International Women's Day 2026

The Ministry of Women and Child Development held the 'Shakti Walk #SheLeadsBharat' on Kartavya Path, New Delhi, on 8 March 2026, with over 3,000 women from about 200 ministries and organisations walking from India Gate to Vijay Chowk.

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🎓 Education 📍 Punjab Important

Punjab Cabinet approves Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Anandpur Sahib and new industrial policy

The Punjab Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on 7 March 2026 approved a Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Sri Anandpur Sahib, the Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 and recruitment of 1,158 college teachers and librarians.

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👤 Appointments & Resignations 📍 India Must know

UPSC declares Civil Services Examination 2025 result; Anuj Agnihotri tops, 958 recommended

The Union Public Service Commission declared the final result of the Civil Services Examination 2025 in New Delhi on 6 March 2026; Anuj Agnihotri secured the first rank and 958 candidates were recommended.

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🎓 Education 📍 Nagaland

Vice-President Radhakrishnan addresses 8th Convocation of Nagaland University at Lumami

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan was chief guest at the 8th Convocation of Nagaland University at its Lumami campus on 6 March 2026, on his first visit to the North-East since taking office.

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🎓 Women & Child 📍 India

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign Statement of Intent on nutrition in Aspirational Districts and Blocks

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent on 5 March 2026 to improve maternal and child nutrition and health outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks.

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🎓 Education 📍 Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin opens Mudhalvar Padaippagam library-cum-creative centres in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a Mudhalvar Padaippagam (Chief Minister's Creative Centre) with a modern library at Ashok Nagar, Chennai, on 3 March 2026 and virtually opened nine more built by CMDA.

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💹 Banking & RBI 📍 India Must know

EPFO trustees recommend 8.25% interest on EPF for 2025-26

The Central Board of Trustees of the Employees' Provident Fund, chaired by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, recommended an 8.25% interest rate on EPF deposits for 2025-26 at its 239th meeting in New Delhi on 2 March 2026.

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🏅 Athletics 📍 India Important

Sports Ministry announces nationwide ASMITA athletics league at 250 locations for Women's Day

Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse announced in New Delhi on 2 March 2026 a nationwide ASMITA athletics league at 250 locations on International Women's Day, 8 March.

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🎓 Education 📍 India

DGT issues guidelines on mandatory 150 hours of on-the-job training for ITI trainees

The Directorate General of Training issued guidelines on 2 March 2026 for a mandatory 150 hours of on-the-job training or group project for ITI trainees under the Craftsmen Training Scheme.

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🎓 Education, Health & Society 📍 Maharashtra

Blast at SBL Energy explosives factory near Nagpur kills workers

An explosion at the SBL Energy Limited explosives factory in Raulgaon, Nagpur district, Maharashtra, on the morning of 1 March 2026 killed at least 18 workers that day, most of them women.

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🔬 Health & Medicine 📍 Rajasthan Must know

PM Modi launches nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, on 28 February 2026, along with projects worth about ₹17,000 crore.

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🎓 Education, Health & Society 📍 Andhra Pradesh

Blast at firecracker unit in Kakinada district kills 20 workers

An explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, on the afternoon of 28 February 2026 killed 20 workers on the spot.

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📋 Central Schemes 📍 India Must know

Centre temporarily discontinues rice fortification under PMGKAY and allied schemes

The Department of Food and Public Distribution announced on 27 February 2026 that rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and allied schemes will be temporarily discontinued until a more effective nutrient delivery mechanism is found.

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🛡️ Defence & Security 📍 India Important

Indian Railways and Army launch framework for post-service jobs for Agniveers and ex-servicemen

Indian Railways and the Indian Army introduced a 'Framework of Cooperation' on 26 February 2026 to expand post-retirement job opportunities in the Railways for Agniveers and Army personnel.

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🎓 Education, Health & Society 📍 India

ESIC begins 75th foundation year celebrations

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) began celebrations of its 75th year of service at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24 February 2026.

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👤 Appointments & Resignations 📍 India Important

Hardeep Singh Gill and Karm Singh Karma take charge as Members of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Hardeep Singh Gill and Karm Singh Karma assumed charge as Members of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) on the afternoon of 23 February 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said.

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🏛️ Governance & Administration 📍 India

CCPA imposes ₹15 lakh penalty on Vajirao & Reddy Institute for misleading UPSC result ads

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a penalty of ₹15 lakh on Vajirao & Reddy Institute for misleading advertisements about Civil Services Examination 2023 results, it announced on 23 February 2026.

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🏛️ Governance & Administration 📍 India Important

PM's 131st Mann Ki Baat: AI Impact Summit, organ donation by Kerala family, digital-arrest warning

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 131st episode of Mann Ki Baat on 22 February 2026 spoke about the India AI Impact Summit, paid homage to Alin Sherin Abraham from Kerala whose parents donated her organs, and urged vigilance against digital frauds and 'digital arrests'.

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🔬 Health & Medicine 📍 India Important

Organ transplants in India rise fourfold to nearly 20,000 in 2025, says Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry said on 22 February 2026 that organ transplants in India rose about fourfold, from under 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) leading the effort.

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🎓 Education 📍 India

Jayant Chaudhary launches 'Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai' campaign for Skill India Digital Hub

Skill Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary launched the nationwide campaign 'Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai' for the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), with actor Amitabh Bachchan on board, on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit, the Ministry said on 22 February 2026.

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🎓 Social Justice & Welfare 📍 Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Governor Gurmit Singh inaugurates 30th Divya Kala Mela in Dehradun

Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh inaugurated the 30th Divya Kala Mela, a fair of products by Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs, at Rangers Ground, Dehradun, on 22 February 2026.

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🔬 Health & Medicine 📍 Delhi

ICMR concludes first SANVAD conclave for doctoral scholars in New Delhi

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) concluded SANVAD 2026, its first Scholars' Assembly for Next-gen Ventures to Advance their Development, at ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, on 21 February 2026.

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🔬 Science & Technology 📍 Andhra Pradesh Important

NIELIT to set up India's first dedicated Quantum and AI university campus in Amaravati

The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government at the India AI Impact Summit on 20 February 2026 to set up India's first dedicated Quantum and AI university campus in Amaravati.

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