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NBA Constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to Mitigate Ecological and Economic Threats in IndiaIn March 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), constituted a multi-disciplinary Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended in 2023), to address rising ecological and socio-economic threats to biodiversity and food security in India.The decision follows proceedings by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which highlighted the threats posed by invasive alien species to biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, food security, and health, and was supported by an advisory from MoEFCC.About the Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species:Leadership: Dhananjai Mohan, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Uttarakhand, will serve as Chair, and A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), will serve as Co-Chair.Tenure: The committee will function for a period of two years.Mandate: The committee will prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species (IAS) based on State Forest Departments (SFDs) inputs, prioritise high-risk species, and recommend science-based strategies for prevention, control, eradication, and ecological restoration.
NBA Constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to Mitigate Ecological and Economic Threats in IndiaIn March 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), constituted a multi-disciplinary Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended in 2023), to address rising ecological and socio-economic threats to biodiversity and food security in India.The decision follows proceedings by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which highlighted the threats posed by invasive alien species to biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, food security, and health, and was supported by an advisory from MoEFCC.About the Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species:Leadership: Dhananjai Mohan, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Uttarakhand, will serve as Chair, and A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), will serve as Co-Chair.Tenure: The committee will function for a period of two years.Mandate: The committee will prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species (IAS) based on State Forest Departments (SFDs) inputs, prioritise high-risk species, and recommend science-based strategies for prevention, control, eradication, and ecological restoration.
NBA Constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to Mitigate Ecological and Economic Threats in IndiaIn March 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Mo...
MoHFW Constitutes National Dental Commission, replaces Dental Council of IndiaIn March 2026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the Dental Council of India (DCI).This newly constituted body aimed to transform Dental Education aimed at improving the quality of dental education and aligning it with global standards.About National Dental Commission: Statutory Body: NDC has been established as a statutory body under National Dental Commission (NDC Act, 2023) which came into force on March 19, 2026, repealing the Dentist Act, 1948.Structure: Also, three autonomous bodies been constituted under NDC:The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board has been tasked to oversee dental education.Dental Assessment and Rating Board will regulate accreditation and institutional assessment.Ethics and Dental Registration Board will administer professional conduct and registration of dentistsComposition: Dr. Sanjay Tewari has been appointed as the Chairperson of newly formed NDC, with Dr. Mousumi Goswami as its part-time member.
MoHFW Constitutes National Dental Commission, replaces Dental Council of IndiaIn March 2026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the Dental Council of India (DCI).This newly constituted body aimed to transform Dental Education aimed at improving the quality of dental education and aligning it with global standards.About National Dental Commission: Statutory Body: NDC has been established as a statutory body under National Dental Commission (NDC Act, 2023) which came into force on March 19, 2026, repealing the Dentist Act, 1948.Structure: Also, three autonomous bodies been constituted under NDC:The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board has been tasked to oversee dental education.Dental Assessment and Rating Board will regulate accreditation and institutional assessment.Ethics and Dental Registration Board will administer professional conduct and registration of dentistsComposition: Dr. Sanjay Tewari has been appointed as the Chairperson of newly formed NDC, with Dr. Mousumi Goswami as its part-time member.
MoHFW Constitutes National Dental Commission, replaces Dental Council of IndiaIn March 2026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the Dental Council of India (DCI).This newly co...
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FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches ‘PRARAMBH 2026’ IT Awareness CampaignIn March 2026, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), launched PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat) in New Delhi (Delhi), a nationwide Income Tax Department awareness campaign for the implementation of the Income Tax (IT) Act, 2025, effective from April 1, 2026.Overview PRARAMBH 2026 Campaign:Objective: Aims to promote taxpayer awareness and ensure a citizen-centric tax administration under the IT Act, 2025 guided by “Nagrik Devo Bhava”.Campaign: PRARAMBH is a multi-channel initiative across print, television, radio, digital, social media, and outdoor platforms.Framework: Aligned with M.A.N.A.V. –Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Valid and Legitimate Systems.Digital: Launch of upgraded Income Tax Website 2.0 and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbot Kar Saathi for improved taxpayer services.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches ‘PRARAMBH 2026’ IT Awareness CampaignIn March 2026, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), launched PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat) in New Delhi (Delhi), a nationwide Income Tax Department awareness campaign for the implementation of the Income Tax (IT) Act, 2025, effective from April 1, 2026.Overview PRARAMBH 2026 Campaign:Objective: Aims to promote taxpayer awareness and ensure a citizen-centric tax administration under the IT Act, 2025 guided by “Nagrik Devo Bhava”.Campaign: PRARAMBH is a multi-channel initiative across print, television, radio, digital, social media, and outdoor platforms.Framework: Aligned with M.A.N.A.V. –Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Valid and Legitimate Systems.Digital: Launch of upgraded Income Tax Website 2.0 and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbot Kar Saathi for improved taxpayer services.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches ‘PRARAMBH 2026’ IT Awareness CampaignIn March 2026, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), launched PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for...
World Oral Health Day 2026 – March 20World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is observed annually on 20 March to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and reduce the burden of oral diseases on individuals, health systems, and economies.
World Oral Health Day 2026 – March 20World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is observed annually on 20 March to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and reduce the burden of oral diseases on individuals, health systems, and economies.
World Oral Health Day 2026 – March 20World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is observed annually on 20 March to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and reduce the burden of oral diseases on individuals, health systems, and economies....
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French Language Day 2026 – March 20The United Nations (UN’s) French Language Day is observed annually across the globe on 20 March to promote multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal recognition of the UN’s six official languages.Background:Origin : The date commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, ACCT) on 20 March 1970 in Niamey, Niger.The ACCT became the Intergovernmental Agency of La Francophonie in 1998 and was later renamed the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in 2005.UN Language Days: It is one of the UN Language Days, as the UN observes six language days annually, each dedicated to one of its six official languages: Arabic (8 December), Chinese (20 April), English (23 April), Russian (6 June), Spanish (23 April), and French (20 March).
French Language Day 2026 – March 20The United Nations (UN’s) French Language Day is observed annually across the globe on 20 March to promote multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal recognition of the UN’s six official languages.Background:Origin : The date commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, ACCT) on 20 March 1970 in Niamey, Niger.The ACCT became the Intergovernmental Agency of La Francophonie in 1998 and was later renamed the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in 2005.UN Language Days: It is one of the UN Language Days, as the UN observes six language days annually, each dedicated to one of its six official languages: Arabic (8 December), Chinese (20 April), English (23 April), Russian (6 June), Spanish (23 April), and French (20 March).
French Language Day 2026 – March 20The United Nations (UN’s) French Language Day is observed annually across the globe on 20 March to promote multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal recognition of the UN’s six official languages.Background...
International Day of Happiness 2026 – March 20The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Happiness is observed annually across the globe on 20 March to emphasize the importance of happiness and well-being as essential components of human life and public policy.2026 Theme: “Caring and Sharing”Background:UN Resolution: In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/66/281, officially declaring March 20 as the International Day of Happiness with support from all 193 member states.First Observance: The first International Day of Happiness was celebrated on 20 March 2013.2026 Report: The World Happiness Report (WHR) 2026 was released on 20 March 2026 by the Wellbeing Research Centre (WRC), University of Oxford (UK) in partnership with Gallup Inc (GI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).For the ninth year in a row Finland secured 1st place and India ranked 116th.
International Day of Happiness 2026 – March 20The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Happiness is observed annually across the globe on 20 March to emphasize the importance of happiness and well-being as essential components of human life and public policy.2026 Theme: “Caring and Sharing”Background:UN Resolution: In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/66/281, officially declaring March 20 as the International Day of Happiness with support from all 193 member states.First Observance: The first International Day of Happiness was celebrated on 20 March 2013.2026 Report: The World Happiness Report (WHR) 2026 was released on 20 March 2026 by the Wellbeing Research Centre (WRC), University of Oxford (UK) in partnership with Gallup Inc (GI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).For the ninth year in a row Finland secured 1st place and India ranked 116th.
International Day of Happiness 2026 – March 20The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Happiness is observed annually across the globe on 20 March to emphasize the importance of happiness and well-being as essential components of human life and...
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India to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028 in Bhubaneswar, OdishaIn March 2026, the World Athletics Council (WAC) awarded India the hosting rights for the 22nd edition of the World Indoor Athletics Championships (WIAC 2028), which will be held at Kalinga Indoor Athletics Stadium (KIAS), in Bhubaneswar(Odisha), during the meeting held in Toruń (Poland).About World Indoor Athletics Championships (WIAC) 2028:Overview: WIAC, organized by World Athletics (WA), is a biennial track and field event first held in 1985 in Paris, France, under international athletics governance.Significance: India will host the WIAC 2028 for the first time, becoming the fourth Asian nation after Japan, Qatar, and China.Next Events: 21st edition of WIAC is being held in Toruń, Poland from 20–22 March 2026, while the 23rd edition of WIAC 2030 has been awarded to Astana, Kazakhstan.Vision: It aligns with India’s ambitions to host the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2030 and Olympic Games (OG) 2036.
India to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028 in Bhubaneswar, OdishaIn March 2026, the World Athletics Council (WAC) awarded India the hosting rights for the 22nd edition of the World Indoor Athletics Championships (WIAC 2028), which will be held at Kalinga Indoor Athletics Stadium (KIAS), in Bhubaneswar(Odisha), during the meeting held in Toruń (Poland).About World Indoor Athletics Championships (WIAC) 2028:Overview: WIAC, organized by World Athletics (WA), is a biennial track and field event first held in 1985 in Paris, France, under international athletics governance.Significance: India will host the WIAC 2028 for the first time, becoming the fourth Asian nation after Japan, Qatar, and China.Next Events: 21st edition of WIAC is being held in Toruń, Poland from 20–22 March 2026, while the 23rd edition of WIAC 2030 has been awarded to Astana, Kazakhstan.Vision: It aligns with India’s ambitions to host the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2030 and Olympic Games (OG) 2036.
India to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028 in Bhubaneswar, OdishaIn March 2026, the World Athletics Council (WAC) awarded India the hosting rights for the 22nd edition of the World Indoor Athletics Championships (WIAC 2028), which will b...
Professor Kaveh Madani Named 2026 Stockholm Water Prize LaureateOn 18 March 2026, Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate at a ceremony held at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Headquarters in Paris, France during the 2026 World Water Day(March 22) event.At 44, Kaveh Madani became the youngest recipient in the prize’s 35-year history, and the first UN official as well as the first former politician to receive the award.About Kaveh Madani:Profile: An Iranian scientist, Kaveh Madani currently serves as Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).Recognition: He was honoured for his contributions to water governance and crisis management, which shifted the global focus from infrastructure-based solutions to governance-driven approaches and highlighted that weak governance is a key cause of water crises.Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran Conferred Honorary Knighthood by UK In March 2026, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, was conferred the Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the United Kingdom (UK) government for his contribution to strengthening India–UK business relations.The honour was presented by Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, at the British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi(Delhi), on behalf of King Charles III.About the KBE(Civil Division) Honour:Overview: The KBE (Civil Division) is an honorary knighthood awarded to foreign nationals for pre‑eminent service in business, public life, culture, and international relations.Title Rule: UK nationals awarded knighthood use the title ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’, while non-UK recipients add ‘KBE’ as a suffix to their name.Previous Indian Recipients of KBE: Jamshed Irani (1997), Ravi Shankar (2001), Ratan Tata (2009, later elevated to GBE in 2014), Lakshmi Niwas Mittal (2015), and Sunil Bharti Mittal (2025).
Professor Kaveh Madani Named 2026 Stockholm Water Prize LaureateOn 18 March 2026, Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate at a ceremony held at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Headquarters in Paris, France during the 2026 World Water Day(March 22) event.At 44, Kaveh Madani became the youngest recipient in the prize’s 35-year history, and the first UN official as well as the first former politician to receive the award.About Kaveh Madani:Profile: An Iranian scientist, Kaveh Madani currently serves as Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).Recognition: He was honoured for his contributions to water governance and crisis management, which shifted the global focus from infrastructure-based solutions to governance-driven approaches and highlighted that weak governance is a key cause of water crises.Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran Conferred Honorary Knighthood by UK In March 2026, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, was conferred the Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the United Kingdom (UK) government for his contribution to strengthening India–UK business relations.The honour was presented by Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, at the British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi(Delhi), on behalf of King Charles III.About the KBE(Civil Division) Honour:Overview: The KBE (Civil Division) is an honorary knighthood awarded to foreign nationals for pre‑eminent service in business, public life, culture, and international relations.Title Rule: UK nationals awarded knighthood use the title ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’, while non-UK recipients add ‘KBE’ as a suffix to their name.Previous Indian Recipients of KBE: Jamshed Irani (1997), Ravi Shankar (2001), Ratan Tata (2009, later elevated to GBE in 2014), Lakshmi Niwas Mittal (2015), and Sunil Bharti Mittal (2025).
Professor Kaveh Madani Named 2026 Stockholm Water Prize LaureateOn 18 March 2026, Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate at a ...
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AIC Launches ‘Krishi Sakhi’ to Empower Women FarmersIn March 2026, the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) which works under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), launched ‘Krishi Sakhi’, a year‑long programme aimed at empowering women farmers and enhancing their participation in agriculture and crop insuranceThis initiative is aligning with the United Nations(UN’s) designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).Key Details:Awareness Campaign: Under this new initiative, AIC will launch structured month-wise activities across its head office and regional offices.Key Objectives: Through these initiatives, AIC seeks to create sustained awareness, promote participation of women in agriculture and crop insurance and recognise their contribution towards strengthening the agricultural sector.Key Interventions: The initiative will also includes, the publication of articles and interviews, as well as awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene in rural communities, particularly targeting women farmers and households.
AIC Launches ‘Krishi Sakhi’ to Empower Women FarmersIn March 2026, the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) which works under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), launched ‘Krishi Sakhi’, a year‑long programme aimed at empowering women farmers and enhancing their participation in agriculture and crop insuranceThis initiative is aligning with the United Nations(UN’s) designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).Key Details:Awareness Campaign: Under this new initiative, AIC will launch structured month-wise activities across its head office and regional offices.Key Objectives: Through these initiatives, AIC seeks to create sustained awareness, promote participation of women in agriculture and crop insurance and recognise their contribution towards strengthening the agricultural sector.Key Interventions: The initiative will also includes, the publication of articles and interviews, as well as awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene in rural communities, particularly targeting women farmers and households.
AIC Launches ‘Krishi Sakhi’ to Empower Women FarmersIn March 2026, the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) which works under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), launched ‘Krishi Sakhi’, a year‑lo...
WTO Global Trade Outlook 2026: Merchandise Trade Growth to Slow to 1.9%In March 2026, the World Trade Organization (WTO) released its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics- March 2026 report, projecting global merchandise trade growth to slow sharply to 1.9% in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, normalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related demand, and the effects of earlier tariff-driven front-loading of shipments.Key Findings:2027: Global merchandise trade growth is projected to recover to 2.6% in 2027.Overall Trade Growth: Combined goods and services trade is projected to grow by 2.7% in 2026, compared to 4.7% in 2025.Services Trade Growth: Commercial services trade growth is expected to ease to 4.8% in 2026, down from 5.3% in 2025, before accelerating again to 5.1% in 2027.Global GDP: The Global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is forecast to moderate slightly from 2.9% in 2025 to 2.8% in both 2026 and 2027.
WTO Global Trade Outlook 2026: Merchandise Trade Growth to Slow to 1.9%In March 2026, the World Trade Organization (WTO) released its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics- March 2026 report, projecting global merchandise trade growth to slow sharply to 1.9% in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, normalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related demand, and the effects of earlier tariff-driven front-loading of shipments.Key Findings:2027: Global merchandise trade growth is projected to recover to 2.6% in 2027.Overall Trade Growth: Combined goods and services trade is projected to grow by 2.7% in 2026, compared to 4.7% in 2025.Services Trade Growth: Commercial services trade growth is expected to ease to 4.8% in 2026, down from 5.3% in 2025, before accelerating again to 5.1% in 2027.Global GDP: The Global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is forecast to moderate slightly from 2.9% in 2025 to 2.8% in both 2026 and 2027.
WTO Global Trade Outlook 2026: Merchandise Trade Growth to Slow to 1.9%In March 2026, the World Trade Organization (WTO) released its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics- March 2026 report, projecting global merchandise trade growth to slow sharply t...
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