Asia Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026
UP Cabinet approves ₹2,916-crore Navayug Palika Yojana and a 5 MMT wheat procurement target
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet chaired by CM Yogi Adityanath on 23 March 2026 approved the fully state-funded ₹2,916-crore Navayug Palika Yojana for urban bodies in 58 district headquarters and set a wheat procurement target of 5 million tonnes from 30 March to 15 June.
Telangana Cabinet clears hate speech Bill, Parents Support Bill and gig workers Bill
On 23 March 2026 the Telangana Cabinet under CM A. Revanth Reddy approved the Hate Speech and Hate Crime Prevention Bill, a Parents Support Bill deducting up to 15% of salary (or ₹10,000) from employees who neglect parents, and a gig workers' welfare Bill.
Ministry of Mines launches seventh tranche of critical and strategic mineral auctions with 19 blocks
Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched the 7th tranche of e-auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks on 23 March 2026, offering 19 blocks in 10 States, with Bihar offering the most (4).
Shaheed Diwas: nation pays tribute to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev
On 23 March 2026, Shaheed Diwas, the PM and Rajya Sabha paid tribute to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, who were martyred on 23 March 1931; Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia's birth anniversary was also observed the same day.
ECI issues digital time vouchers for free party broadcasts on Doordarshan and AIR
On 23 March 2026 the Election Commission issued digital time vouchers to recognised National and State parties for free broadcast and telecast time on Doordarshan and All India Radio for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
MoSPI's MCP server links AI tools to official statistics; now covers 21 products
The Government told the Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026 that MoSPI's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, which lets AI tools access verified official data via the eSankhyiki portal, has been extended from 7 to 21 statistical products.
Four killed as cold storage building collapses after ammonia chamber blast in Prayagraj
On 23 March 2026 part of Adarsh Cold Storage in Phaphamau, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) collapsed after an explosion in its ammonia gas chamber, killing four workers; the PM announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia from PMNRF for each deceased's family.
GARBH-INi: India's largest pregnancy cohort of 12,000 women to build AI tools for preterm birth
On 23 March 2026 Dr. Jitendra Singh said the DBT's GARBH-INi programme has enrolled around 12,000 pregnant women – India's largest pregnancy cohort – to develop indigenous AI-driven tools for predicting preterm births.
Himachal Assembly passes 'orphan and widow' cess of up to ₹5 a litre on petrol and diesel
On 23 March 2026 the Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed the HP Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, enabling an 'orphan and widow cess' of up to ₹5 per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel to fund welfare of orphans and widows, amid a BJP walkout.
National DMF Summit 2026 focuses on using mineral funds in aspirational districts and blocks
Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the two-day National District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 23 March, themed on effective use of DMF funds in Aspirational District and Block Programme areas.
Sun, 22 Mar 2026
Narendra Modi becomes the longest-serving head of a government in India, passing Pawan Kumar Chamling
On 22 March 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi surpassed former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling's record of 8,930 days to become the longest-serving head of a government in India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.
PM chairs CCS meeting on West Asia conflict; group of Ministers and Secretaries to steer whole-of-government response
On 22 March 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to review the impact of the West Asia conflict and directed that a group of Ministers and Secretaries be created to work in a whole-of-government approach.
Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 operational guidelines released as Jal Mahotsav 2026 ends on World Water Day
On World Water Day, 22 March 2026, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation released the Operational Guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, which has been extended till December 2028, at the culmination of the 15-day Jal Mahotsav 2026.
Coal gasification key to energy security, says Kishan Reddy; mission targets 100 MT by 2030
Addressing the Bharat Electricity Summit on 22 March 2026, Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said coal gasification will cut import dependence, noting the National Coal Gasification Mission's target of 100 million tonnes by 2030 and a ₹8,500 crore incentive framework.
Odisha CM unveils 141 water projects worth ₹2,612 crore on World Water Day, launches 'Bindu' chatbot
On World Water Day, 22 March 2026, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled 141 water resources projects worth ₹2,612 crore in Bhubaneswar and launched the pilot of 'Bindu', an AI-powered citizen feedback chatbot.
Maiden Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 concludes with 35,000+ exhibition attendees
The first Bharat Electricity Summit concluded on 22 March 2026 with over 35,000 exhibition attendees, 28 States/UTs, 200+ exhibiting companies and 6,000+ delegates, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal giving the valedictory address.
Kavach commissioned on 190 route km of Prayagraj–Kanpur section of Delhi–Howrah corridor
On 22 March 2026 Indian Railways commissioned the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection system on the 190 route-km Prayagraj–Kanpur section in Uttar Pradesh, paving the way for 160 kmph operations on the Delhi–Howrah high-density corridor.
Telangana CM releases first tranche of Rythu Bharosa, opens oil palm factory at Narmetta
On 22 March 2026 Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy released the first tranche of Rythu Bharosa investment support at Narmetta in Siddipet district, promising ₹9,000 crore to about 70 lakh farmers within 45 days, and inaugurated an oil palm processing factory there.
ECI orders Assured Minimum Facilities at all 2,18,807 polling stations for 2026 polls
On 22 March 2026 the Election Commission directed Chief Electoral Officers to ensure Assured Minimum Facilities and voter assistance at each of the 2,18,807 polling stations for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and the bye-elections.
Bihar celebrates 114th foundation day with theme 'Unnat Bihar, Ujjwal Bihar'
Bihar marked its 114th foundation day on 22 March 2026, recalling its creation from the Bengal Presidency on 22 March 1912, with a three-day state celebration at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, on the theme 'Unnat Bihar, Ujjwal Bihar'.
Haryana CM hands over housing keys to 2,709 beneficiaries in Gurugram
On 22 March 2026 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini handed over housing allotment keys to 2,709 beneficiaries at the Viksit Badshahpur Maharally in Kakrola village, Gurugram, and announced infrastructure projects for Badshahpur.
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.
90th meeting of NBWL Standing Committee held in Dehradun; FSI and BISAG-N sign MoU
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in Dehradun on 21 March 2026, where the Forest Survey of India and BISAG-N signed an MoU on geospatial and AI tools for forest fire management and wildlife conservation.
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.
Andhra CM inaugurates ₹25 crore TTD food and water analysis laboratory at Tirumala
On 21 March 2026 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated a ₹25 crore Food and Water Analysis Laboratory set up by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams with FSSAI support, to test prasadam ingredients and water for pilgrims.
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.
Himachal presents reduced ₹54,928 crore budget for 2026-27; CM and ministers defer part of salaries
On 21 March 2026 Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented a ₹54,928 crore budget for 2026-27, smaller than 2025-26's ₹58,514 crore after the Revenue Deficit Grant was discontinued, and announced six-month deferment of part of the salaries of the CM, ministers and MLAs.
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.