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Former Indian Ambassador Jawed Ashraf Conferred France’s Legion d’honour Rank of ‘CommandeurOn March 18 2026, Jawed Ashraf, former Ambassador of India to France, was conferred France’s Legion of Honour (Commandeur rank) for his contribution to strengthening the India–France Strategic Partnership, becoming the first Indian Ambassador to receive this honour.About Legion of Honour (Légion d’honneur):Award Presentation: The award was presented in New Delhi, Delhi, by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou in the presence of National Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Doval.Indian Recipients Legion of Honour (Commandeur rank): The Commander rank has been conferred on a limited number of Indians, including: Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (JRD) Tata, Ratan Tata, Amartya Sen, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Satyajit Ray, Syed Haider (S.H.) Raza, Manna Dey.Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Cross (highest level) in July 2023.
Former Indian Ambassador Jawed Ashraf Conferred France’s Legion d’honour Rank of ‘CommandeurOn March 18 2026, Jawed Ashraf, former Ambassador of India to France, was conferred France’s Legion of Honour (Commandeur rank) for his contribution to strengthening the India–France Strategic Partnership, becoming the first Indian Ambassador to receive this honour.About Legion of Honour (Légion d’honneur):Award Presentation: The award was presented in New Delhi, Delhi, by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou in the presence of National Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Doval.Indian Recipients Legion of Honour (Commandeur rank): The Commander rank has been conferred on a limited number of Indians, including: Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (JRD) Tata, Ratan Tata, Amartya Sen, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Satyajit Ray, Syed Haider (S.H.) Raza, Manna Dey.Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Cross (highest level) in July 2023.
Former Indian Ambassador Jawed Ashraf Conferred France’s Legion d’honour Rank of ‘CommandeurOn March 18 2026, Jawed Ashraf, former Ambassador of India to France, was conferred France’s Legion of Honour (Commandeur rank) for his contribution to streng...
Shipping Corporation of India Signs Contract with Mazagon Dock for Green Methanol VesselIn March 2026, Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) signed a shipbuilding contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to build a green methanol dual-fuel vessel, marking a key step towards sustainable shipping.It is the first alternative-fuel vessel in SCI’s fleet and India’s first methanol dual-fuel Platform Supply Vessel (PSV).Key Details of Green Vessel Contract:Contract: The contract was signed for one vessel and disclosed under Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations(SEBI LODR), 2015.Vessel: The ship is a PSV with 3,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) used for offshore oil and gas operations.Technology: Equipped with methanol dual-fuel technology, enabling operation on conventional marine fuel and green methanol to reduce emissions.Alignment: The project aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) and supports Government of India (GoI) net-zero and green shipping goals.
Shipping Corporation of India Signs Contract with Mazagon Dock for Green Methanol VesselIn March 2026, Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) signed a shipbuilding contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to build a green methanol dual-fuel vessel, marking a key step towards sustainable shipping.It is the first alternative-fuel vessel in SCI’s fleet and India’s first methanol dual-fuel Platform Supply Vessel (PSV).Key Details of Green Vessel Contract:Contract: The contract was signed for one vessel and disclosed under Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations(SEBI LODR), 2015.Vessel: The ship is a PSV with 3,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) used for offshore oil and gas operations.Technology: Equipped with methanol dual-fuel technology, enabling operation on conventional marine fuel and green methanol to reduce emissions.Alignment: The project aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) and supports Government of India (GoI) net-zero and green shipping goals.
Shipping Corporation of India Signs Contract with Mazagon Dock for Green Methanol VesselIn March 2026, Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) signed a shipbuilding contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to build a green methanol d...
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Edelweiss AMC Launches India’s 1st Hybrid Passive Index FundIn March 2026, Edelweiss Asset Management Company(EAMC) launched India’s 1st hybrid passive index fund named ‘Edelweiss Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8-13 yr G-sec 70:30 Index Fund’, integrating equities and Government-Securities (G-Secs) within a unified index-based structure.The New Fund Offer (NFO) will be open for subscription from March 18 to April 01, 2026.About the Fund:Automatic Monthly Rebalancing: The New Fund Offer (NFO) uses a rule-based investment strategy, introducing automatic monthly rebalancing to maintain 70:30 equity debt allocation.The fund tracks the Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8–13 Year G-Sec 70:30 Index.Asset Allocation: The major portion of the fund (70%) will be invested in the securities which include the Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8-13 yr G-Sec 70:30 index, while the remaining 30% in G-Secs via Nifty 8-13 year G-Sec Index.Investment: The minimum fund subscription is available at Rs 100 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter, and there is exit load.Managed by: As per EAML, the equity part of the scheme will be managed by Bhavesh Jain and Bharat Lahoti, while Dhawal Dalal and Hetul Raval will administer the debt collection part.
Edelweiss AMC Launches India’s 1st Hybrid Passive Index FundIn March 2026, Edelweiss Asset Management Company(EAMC) launched India’s 1st hybrid passive index fund named ‘Edelweiss Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8-13 yr G-sec 70:30 Index Fund’, integrating equities and Government-Securities (G-Secs) within a unified index-based structure.The New Fund Offer (NFO) will be open for subscription from March 18 to April 01, 2026.About the Fund:Automatic Monthly Rebalancing: The New Fund Offer (NFO) uses a rule-based investment strategy, introducing automatic monthly rebalancing to maintain 70:30 equity debt allocation.The fund tracks the Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8–13 Year G-Sec 70:30 Index.Asset Allocation: The major portion of the fund (70%) will be invested in the securities which include the Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8-13 yr G-Sec 70:30 index, while the remaining 30% in G-Secs via Nifty 8-13 year G-Sec Index.Investment: The minimum fund subscription is available at Rs 100 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter, and there is exit load.Managed by: As per EAML, the equity part of the scheme will be managed by Bhavesh Jain and Bharat Lahoti, while Dhawal Dalal and Hetul Raval will administer the debt collection part.
Edelweiss AMC Launches India’s 1st Hybrid Passive Index FundIn March 2026, Edelweiss Asset Management Company(EAMC) launched India’s 1st hybrid passive index fund named ‘Edelweiss Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 8-13 yr G-sec 70:30 Index Fund’, integrating...
Argentina Formally Withdraws from WHO Effective from March 2026In March 2026, Argentina formally withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), completing the process one year after notifying the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, as confirmed by its Foreign Affairs Minister Pablo Quirno.The decision to withdraw was announced in February 2025 by Argentina President Javier Milei.About Argentina’s WHO Withdrawal:Legal Framework: The withdrawal was carried out under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), which permits exit after a one-year notice period.Global Trend: The move reflects a broader shift toward decentralised governance, following the United States of America (USA), which exited the WHO in January 2026.
Argentina Formally Withdraws from WHO Effective from March 2026In March 2026, Argentina formally withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), completing the process one year after notifying the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, as confirmed by its Foreign Affairs Minister Pablo Quirno.The decision to withdraw was announced in February 2025 by Argentina President Javier Milei.About Argentina’s WHO Withdrawal:Legal Framework: The withdrawal was carried out under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), which permits exit after a one-year notice period.Global Trend: The move reflects a broader shift toward decentralised governance, following the United States of America (USA), which exited the WHO in January 2026.
Argentina Formally Withdraws from WHO Effective from March 2026In March 2026, Argentina formally withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), completing the process one year after notifying the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Gute...
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MoCA Launches ‘Fare Se Fursat’ Scheme with Rewa–Raipur Inaugural FlightOn 18 March 2026, Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister(CM) of Madhya Pradesh (MP), jointly launched the ‘Fare Se Fursat – One Route One Fare’ Scheme with the inauguration of the first Rewa (Madhya Pradesh, MP) – Raipur (Chhattisgarh) flight to promote affordable and predictable air travel.About Fare Se Fursat Scheme:Overview: The scheme aims to provide fixed and affordable airfares on select regional routes, allowing passengers to book tickets at a uniform price irrespective of booking time.Agency: The scheme is implemented by Alliance Air, the government-owned regional carrier, on six selected routes.Routes: The scheme covers six routes: Delhi–Rewa (MP); Rewa–Raipur (Chhattisgarh); Delhi–Jaipur (Rajasthan); Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)–Guwahati (Assam); Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh, AP)–Rajahmundry (AP) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)–Hyderabad (Telangana).Pilot Phase: The scheme was initially launched as a pilot under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme from October to December 2025 to assess feasibility and passenger response before its expansion.
MoCA Launches ‘Fare Se Fursat’ Scheme with Rewa–Raipur Inaugural FlightOn 18 March 2026, Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister(CM) of Madhya Pradesh (MP), jointly launched the ‘Fare Se Fursat – One Route One Fare’ Scheme with the inauguration of the first Rewa (Madhya Pradesh, MP) – Raipur (Chhattisgarh) flight to promote affordable and predictable air travel.About Fare Se Fursat Scheme:Overview: The scheme aims to provide fixed and affordable airfares on select regional routes, allowing passengers to book tickets at a uniform price irrespective of booking time.Agency: The scheme is implemented by Alliance Air, the government-owned regional carrier, on six selected routes.Routes: The scheme covers six routes: Delhi–Rewa (MP); Rewa–Raipur (Chhattisgarh); Delhi–Jaipur (Rajasthan); Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)–Guwahati (Assam); Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh, AP)–Rajahmundry (AP) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)–Hyderabad (Telangana).Pilot Phase: The scheme was initially launched as a pilot under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme from October to December 2025 to assess feasibility and passenger response before its expansion.
MoCA Launches ‘Fare Se Fursat’ Scheme with Rewa–Raipur Inaugural FlightOn 18 March 2026, Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister(CM) of Madhya Pradesh (MP), jointly launched the ‘Fare...
Metropolis by Reliance MET City Becomes India’s First Project to Get LEED Platinum Pre-CertificationIn March 2026, Metropolis, the flagship commercial project of Reliance MET City in Jhajjar(Haryana), became the first project in India to receive, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Pre-Certification under the LEED for Cities: Plan and Design rating system, the highest rating, awarded by Green Business Certification Inc.(GBCI).About LEED Certification:Significance: The Platinum pre-certification places the project among globally recognized sustainable urban developments.Framework: The LEED certification, developed by the United States of America (U.S.A) Green Building Council (USGBC), evaluates sustainability across ecology, transport, energy, water, resources, and quality of life.Objective: LEED for Cities: Plan and Design (LEED-Cities P&D) integrates sustainability and climate resilience at the planning stage while providing a roadmap for resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Metropolis by Reliance MET City Becomes India’s First Project to Get LEED Platinum Pre-CertificationIn March 2026, Metropolis, the flagship commercial project of Reliance MET City in Jhajjar(Haryana), became the first project in India to receive, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Pre-Certification under the LEED for Cities: Plan and Design rating system, the highest rating, awarded by Green Business Certification Inc.(GBCI).About LEED Certification:Significance: The Platinum pre-certification places the project among globally recognized sustainable urban developments.Framework: The LEED certification, developed by the United States of America (U.S.A) Green Building Council (USGBC), evaluates sustainability across ecology, transport, energy, water, resources, and quality of life.Objective: LEED for Cities: Plan and Design (LEED-Cities P&D) integrates sustainability and climate resilience at the planning stage while providing a roadmap for resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Metropolis by Reliance MET City Becomes India’s First Project to Get LEED Platinum Pre-CertificationIn March 2026, Metropolis, the flagship commercial project of Reliance MET City in Jhajjar(Haryana), became the first project in India to receive, Lea...
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GSI Declares Kalinjar Fort Hill in UP as National Geo-Heritage SiteIn March 2026, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared the hill area surrounding Kalinjar Fort in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh(UP) as a National Geo-Heritage Site, recognising its unique geological and historical significance.About Kalinjar Fort Hill:Inauguration: The site was inaugurated by Rajinder Kumar, Additional Director General(DG) and Head of GSI’s Northern Region.Geological Significance: The site is home to a rare geological phenomenon known as the Eparchaean Unconformity. This formation represents a massive temporal gap of approximately 1.3 billion years in the Earth’s geological record.The hill exposes Bundelkhand granite, which is nearly 2.5 billion years old, directly overlain by Kaimur sandstone, aged approximately 1.2 billion years. This sequence offers critical insights into the crustal evolution of the Vindhya Mountain range.Kalinjar Fort is known for temples from the Gupta period, including the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
GSI Declares Kalinjar Fort Hill in UP as National Geo-Heritage SiteIn March 2026, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared the hill area surrounding Kalinjar Fort in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh(UP) as a National Geo-Heritage Site, recognising its unique geological and historical significance.About Kalinjar Fort Hill:Inauguration: The site was inaugurated by Rajinder Kumar, Additional Director General(DG) and Head of GSI’s Northern Region.Geological Significance: The site is home to a rare geological phenomenon known as the Eparchaean Unconformity. This formation represents a massive temporal gap of approximately 1.3 billion years in the Earth’s geological record.The hill exposes Bundelkhand granite, which is nearly 2.5 billion years old, directly overlain by Kaimur sandstone, aged approximately 1.2 billion years. This sequence offers critical insights into the crustal evolution of the Vindhya Mountain range.Kalinjar Fort is known for temples from the Gupta period, including the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
GSI Declares Kalinjar Fort Hill in UP as National Geo-Heritage SiteIn March 2026, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared the hill area surrounding Kalinjar Fort in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh(UP) as a National Geo-Heritage Site, recognising ...
CCEA Approves Rs 1,718 Crore MSP Support for Cotton & Rs 6,969 Crore NH-927 Project in UPIn March 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding of Rs 1,718.56 crore for cotton farmers and sanctioned a Rs. 6,969.04 crore National Highway (NH)-927 project in Uttar Pradesh (UP).About MSP Support for Cotton:Approval: CCEA approved funding of Rs 1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) for the 2023–24 cotton season.Objective: The funding provides price support to farmers when market prices fall below MSP, ensuring income security, preventing distress sales, and stabilising cotton prices.About NH-927 Project Approval:Project: CCEA approved a 4-lane access-controlled National Highway 927 (NH-927) from Barabanki to Bahraich (101.515 kilometer, km) in UP.Cost: Total project cost is Rs. 6,969.04 crore under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), including Rs. 3,485.49 crore civil cost and Rs. 1,574.85 crore land acquisition cost.
CCEA Approves Rs 1,718 Crore MSP Support for Cotton & Rs 6,969 Crore NH-927 Project in UPIn March 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding of Rs 1,718.56 crore for cotton farmers and sanctioned a Rs. 6,969.04 crore National Highway (NH)-927 project in Uttar Pradesh (UP).About MSP Support for Cotton:Approval: CCEA approved funding of Rs 1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) for the 2023–24 cotton season.Objective: The funding provides price support to farmers when market prices fall below MSP, ensuring income security, preventing distress sales, and stabilising cotton prices.About NH-927 Project Approval:Project: CCEA approved a 4-lane access-controlled National Highway 927 (NH-927) from Barabanki to Bahraich (101.515 kilometer, km) in UP.Cost: Total project cost is Rs. 6,969.04 crore under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), including Rs. 3,485.49 crore civil cost and Rs. 1,574.85 crore land acquisition cost.
CCEA Approves Rs 1,718 Crore MSP Support for Cotton & Rs 6,969 Crore NH-927 Project in UPIn March 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding of Rs 1,718....
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Cabinet Approves Rs.2584.60 crore ‘SHP Development Scheme’ To Boost Clean Energy InitiativesIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the ‘Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme’ for a period of 5 years (i.e. from Financial Year 2026-27(FY27) to FY31), with total outlay of Rs.2584.60 crore.This newly approved scheme is designed to install SHP projects of an approximate capacity of 1500 MegaWatt (MW) across the country.About Small Hydro Power Development Scheme:Implementing Agency: The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).Maximum Energy Capacity: The new scheme will support small hydro projects ranging from 1 to 25 MW capacity to come up in different states.Financial Support: Under SHP Development scheme, central financial assistance of Rs 3.6 crore per MW or 30% of the project cost, whichever is lower with an upper limit of Rs.30 crore per project will be provided to the NE states and in districts with international borders.For other states, the government will provide financial support of Rs.2.4 crore per MW or 20% of project cost (whichever is lower), capped at Rs.20 crore per project.
Cabinet Approves Rs.2584.60 crore ‘SHP Development Scheme’ To Boost Clean Energy InitiativesIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the ‘Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme’ for a period of 5 years (i.e. from Financial Year 2026-27(FY27) to FY31), with total outlay of Rs.2584.60 crore.This newly approved scheme is designed to install SHP projects of an approximate capacity of 1500 MegaWatt (MW) across the country.About Small Hydro Power Development Scheme:Implementing Agency: The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).Maximum Energy Capacity: The new scheme will support small hydro projects ranging from 1 to 25 MW capacity to come up in different states.Financial Support: Under SHP Development scheme, central financial assistance of Rs 3.6 crore per MW or 30% of the project cost, whichever is lower with an upper limit of Rs.30 crore per project will be provided to the NE states and in districts with international borders.For other states, the government will provide financial support of Rs.2.4 crore per MW or 20% of project cost (whichever is lower), capped at Rs.20 crore per project.
Cabinet Approves Rs.2584.60 crore ‘SHP Development Scheme’ To Boost Clean Energy InitiativesIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the ‘Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme’ for a period of 5...
Cabinet Approves Rs 33,660 crore ‘BHAVYA scheme’ to Develop 100 Plug-and-Play Industrial ParksOn March 18, 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved Rs 33,660 crore Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) scheme for developing 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across the country.This newly approved scheme aims to develop world-class industrial infrastructure, unlocking manufacturing potential and driving India’s growth story.About BHAVYA Scheme:Implementation: BHAVYA scheme, structured on the success of Industrial Smart Cities developed under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) framework, will be implemented in partnership with states and private sector players.Project Selection Process: Under the new scheme, projects will be selected through a challenge mode to ensure only high-quality, reform-oriented and investment-readiness proposals.Further, industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1000 acres will be undertaken for development.Financial Assistance: The Government of India (GoI) will provide up to Rs1 crore per acre for:Core infrastructure (internal roads, underground utilities, drainage, common treatment facilities, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and administrative systems)Value-added infrastructure (ready-built factory sheds, built-to-suit units, testing labs, warehousing)Social infrastructure (worker housing and support amenities)Allocation for External Infrastructure: The GoI has decided to allocate a maximum 25% of the project cost for external infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity and integration with existing networks.
Cabinet Approves Rs 33,660 crore ‘BHAVYA scheme’ to Develop 100 Plug-and-Play Industrial ParksOn March 18, 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved Rs 33,660 crore Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) scheme for developing 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across the country.This newly approved scheme aims to develop world-class industrial infrastructure, unlocking manufacturing potential and driving India’s growth story.About BHAVYA Scheme:Implementation: BHAVYA scheme, structured on the success of Industrial Smart Cities developed under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) framework, will be implemented in partnership with states and private sector players.Project Selection Process: Under the new scheme, projects will be selected through a challenge mode to ensure only high-quality, reform-oriented and investment-readiness proposals.Further, industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1000 acres will be undertaken for development.Financial Assistance: The Government of India (GoI) will provide up to Rs1 crore per acre for:Core infrastructure (internal roads, underground utilities, drainage, common treatment facilities, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and administrative systems)Value-added infrastructure (ready-built factory sheds, built-to-suit units, testing labs, warehousing)Social infrastructure (worker housing and support amenities)Allocation for External Infrastructure: The GoI has decided to allocate a maximum 25% of the project cost for external infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity and integration with existing networks.
Cabinet Approves Rs 33,660 crore ‘BHAVYA scheme’ to Develop 100 Plug-and-Play Industrial ParksOn March 18, 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved Rs 33,660 crore Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) scheme...
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