HPSC HCS Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sat, 21 Mar 2026
Government introduces CGSMFI-2.0 to revive bank lending to microfinance institutions
On 21 March 2026 the Government introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0, under which NCGTC will guarantee bank loans to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs, facilitating credit of up to ₹20,000 crore and benefiting about 36 lakh small borrowers.
Indian Carbon Market Portal launched at Prakriti 2026 conference on carbon markets
On 21 March 2026 Union Power Minister Manohar Lal launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal, the central platform for running the Indian Carbon Market, at Prakriti 2026, the international conference on carbon markets organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
National Biodiversity Authority sets up Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species
Acting on National Green Tribunal directions, the National Biodiversity Authority has constituted an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species, chaired by Dhananjai Mohan, to prepare a consolidated national list and recommend control strategies, PIB reported on 21 March 2026.
Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs modified: service sector added, special terms for exporters
On 21 March 2026 the Government modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs, adding service-sector MSMEs, making the 5% upfront contribution refundable and creating special provisions for exporters with 75% guarantee coverage.
PM Modi speaks with Iranian President Pezeshkian, stresses freedom of navigation
On 21 March 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings, condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region and stressed keeping shipping lanes open and secure.
First randomisation of EVM-VVPATs completed in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry
The Election Commission said on 21 March 2026 that the first randomisation of EVM-VVPATs has been completed for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry and for bye-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura, with lists shared with political parties.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026
National Dental Commission constituted with three boards; Dental Council of India dissolved
The Government constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC) and three autonomous boards by notifications of 19 March 2026, replacing the Dental Council of India; Dr Sanjay Tewari is the Chairperson and the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed.
Government approves RELIEF, a ₹497-crore export support under the Export Promotion Mission, with ECGC as nodal agency
On 19 March 2026 the Government approved RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) under the Export Promotion Mission to support exporters hit by West Asia shipping disruption, with an outlay of ₹497 crore and ECGC Ltd as the nodal agency.
NITI Aayog report: India's sports equipment exports could rise from $275 million to $8.1 billion by 2036
NITI Aayog's report 'Realising the Export Potential of India's Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector', released on 19 March 2026, notes India's share of global sports equipment exports is about 0.5% and projects exports of about $8.1 billion by 2036.
India auctions a record 200 mineral blocks in FY 2025-26; Gujarat leads with 32
The Ministry of Mines said on 19 March 2026 that 200 mineral blocks were auctioned in FY 2025-26, the highest ever in a single year, with Gujarat (32), Rajasthan (30) and Tamil Nadu (22) the top contributors.
ECI sets out postal ballot facility for 85+ voters, PwDs, essential services staff and service voters in 2026 Assembly polls
The Election Commission said on 19 March 2026 that electors above 85 and flagged Persons with Disabilities can vote by postal ballot in the Assembly elections of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal by submitting Form 12D within 5 days of notification.
PM Modi speaks to leaders of France, Malaysia, Oman, Jordan and Qatar on West Asia
On 19 March 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held phone conversations with France's President Macron, Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim, calling for de-escalation in West Asia.
India Bioeconomy Report 2026: bioeconomy at USD 195.3 billion, about 4.8% of GDP
The India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026, released on 19 March 2026 at BIRAC's 14th Foundation Day, puts India's bioeconomy at USD 195.3 billion in 2025, about 4.8% of GDP, with over 11,800 biotech startups.
NICDC to anchor BHAVYA scheme for 100 plug-and-play industrial parks
The Commerce Ministry said on 19 March 2026 that the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) will anchor the BHAVYA scheme to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
Extra gas lifts urea output by about 23%; fertiliser stocks higher ahead of Kharif 2026
The Department of Fertilizers said on 19 March 2026 that an extra 7.31 MMSCMD of spot gas secured through EPMC bidding raises gas supply to urea plants by 23% to 39.31 MMSCMD, lifting projected urea output from 54,500 to 67,000 tonnes a day.
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%.
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.
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.
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.