Daily Current Affairs & GK Updates

Cabinet Approves Amendments to FDI Rules for Investments from LBCsIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved amendments to India’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) framework governing investments from countries that share a Land Border Countries (LBCs).The rules apply to China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.Key Changes in FDI Rules:Aim: The decision aims to streamline the approval process while ensuring national security and economic safeguards.Beneficial Ownership(BO) Framework: Investments where the beneficial owner from LBCs holds a non-controlling stake of up to 10% will now be permitted through the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps and regulatory conditions.Expedited Approval Mechanism: The amended policy introduces a 60-day decision timeline for investment proposals from LBCs in specific sectors.

12 Mar, 2026

Cabinet Approves Amendments to FDI Rules for Investments from LBCsIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved amendments to India’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) framework governing investments from countries that share a Land Border Countries (LBCs).The rules apply to China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.Key Changes in FDI Rules:Aim: The decision aims to streamline the approval process while ensuring national security and economic safeguards.Beneficial Ownership(BO) Framework: Investments where the beneficial owner from LBCs holds a non-controlling stake of up to 10% will now be permitted through the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps and regulatory conditions.Expedited Approval Mechanism: The amended policy introduces a 60-day decision timeline for investment proposals from LBCs in specific sectors.

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Cabinet Approves Extension of Jal Jeevan Mission Till 2028 with Enhanced Outlay of Rs 8.69 Lakh CroreIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until 2028 with an enhanced total outlay of Rs 8.69 lakh crore.The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) will also restructure the JJM to shift its focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery and drinking water governance.Key Features of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 (JJM 2.0):Financial Outlay: The Cabinet enhanced the JJM outlay to Rs. 8.69 lakh crore, increasing central assistance to Rs. 3.59 lakh crore, including an additional allocation of Rs. 1.51 lakh crore over the Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019–20.

12 Mar, 2026

Cabinet Approves Extension of Jal Jeevan Mission Till 2028 with Enhanced Outlay of Rs 8.69 Lakh CroreIn March 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until 2028 with an enhanced total outlay of Rs 8.69 lakh crore.The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) will also restructure the JJM to shift its focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery and drinking water governance.Key Features of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 (JJM 2.0):Financial Outlay: The Cabinet enhanced the JJM outlay to Rs. 8.69 lakh crore, increasing central assistance to Rs. 3.59 lakh crore, including an additional allocation of Rs. 1.51 lakh crore over the Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019–20.

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International Day of Women Judges 2026 – March 10The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Women Judges (IDWJ) is observed annually across the globe on 10th March to promote the full and equal participation of women in judicial systems and recognise the contributions of women judges in strengthening justice, rule of law and gender equality.10 March 2026 marks the 5th observance of IDWJ.2026 Theme: “Women Judges on the Bench and Beyond: Protecting Access to Justice.”Background:Resolution: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/75/274 on 28 April 2021, introduced by Qatar, designating 10 March as the IDWJ.The resolution acknowledged the role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and its Global Judicial Integrity Network (GJIN) in promoting greater women’s representation in judicial systems.Observance: The first IDWJ was observed on 10 March 2022.

11 Mar, 2026

International Day of Women Judges 2026 – March 10The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Women Judges (IDWJ) is observed annually across the globe on 10th March to promote the full and equal participation of women in judicial systems and recognise the contributions of women judges in strengthening justice, rule of law and gender equality.10 March 2026 marks the 5th observance of IDWJ.2026 Theme: “Women Judges on the Bench and Beyond: Protecting Access to Justice.”Background:Resolution: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/75/274 on 28 April 2021, introduced by Qatar, designating 10 March as the IDWJ.The resolution acknowledged the role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and its Global Judicial Integrity Network (GJIN) in promoting greater women’s representation in judicial systems.Observance: The first IDWJ was observed on 10 March 2022.

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George Russell Won Australian Grand Prix 2026 for Mercedes in F1 2026 Season OpenerOn 8 March 2026, George Russell of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One (F1) Team won the 2026 Australian Grand Prix (GP), also known as F1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026) at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, marking the opening race of the F1 World Championship 2026 season and the beginning of F1’s new technical regulation era.George Russell secured victory from pole position to lead a 1–2 finish ahead of teammate (Mercedes) Kimi Antonelli on his full-season debut, while Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari finished third to complete the podium.The victory marked George Russell’s sixth F1 Grand Prix win and Mercedes’ 132nd Grand Prix victory with its 61st one-two finish.2026 Formula One (F1) Regulation Changes:Hybrid Power: The 2026 F1 regulations introduced major changes to the chassis and power unit, featuring a 50:50 power split between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Power Unit (EPU).

11 Mar, 2026

George Russell Won Australian Grand Prix 2026 for Mercedes in F1 2026 Season OpenerOn 8 March 2026, George Russell of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One (F1) Team won the 2026 Australian Grand Prix (GP), also known as F1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026) at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, marking the opening race of the F1 World Championship 2026 season and the beginning of F1’s new technical regulation era.George Russell secured victory from pole position to lead a 1–2 finish ahead of teammate (Mercedes) Kimi Antonelli on his full-season debut, while Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari finished third to complete the podium.The victory marked George Russell’s sixth F1 Grand Prix win and Mercedes’ 132nd Grand Prix victory with its 61st one-two finish.2026 Formula One (F1) Regulation Changes:Hybrid Power: The 2026 F1 regulations introduced major changes to the chassis and power unit, featuring a 50:50 power split between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Power Unit (EPU).

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AquaAirX Unveils India’s First Amphibious Surveillance Drone ‘AVATAAR’In March 2026, AquaAirX Autonomous Systems, a deep-tech startup, introduced ‘AVATAAR (Amphibious Vehicle for Autonomous Tactical Aerial & Aquatic Reconnaissance)’, India’s first amphibious drone capable of operating in both air and underwater to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in maritime and coastal environments.About AVATAAR Drone:Dual-Domain Operation: It is a next-generation amphibious surveillance drone designed to operate in both air and underwater, with the ability to transition between the two environments within seconds for real-time maritime monitoring.Key Features: The system is equipped with multiple sensors such as imaging sonar, Doppler Velocity Logger (DVL), acoustic communication modem, Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights and cameras, and Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) navigation system, enabling underwater navigation and real-time data collection even in low-visibility conditions.It also features Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted navigation and mission control software for automated surveillance and inspection missions.Readiness: The vehicle has achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), indicating that a functional prototype has been successfully tested in operational environments.

11 Mar, 2026

AquaAirX Unveils India’s First Amphibious Surveillance Drone ‘AVATAAR’In March 2026, AquaAirX Autonomous Systems, a deep-tech startup, introduced ‘AVATAAR (Amphibious Vehicle for Autonomous Tactical Aerial & Aquatic Reconnaissance)’, India’s first amphibious drone capable of operating in both air and underwater to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in maritime and coastal environments.About AVATAAR Drone:Dual-Domain Operation: It is a next-generation amphibious surveillance drone designed to operate in both air and underwater, with the ability to transition between the two environments within seconds for real-time maritime monitoring.Key Features: The system is equipped with multiple sensors such as imaging sonar, Doppler Velocity Logger (DVL), acoustic communication modem, Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights and cameras, and Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) navigation system, enabling underwater navigation and real-time data collection even in low-visibility conditions.It also features Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted navigation and mission control software for automated surveillance and inspection missions.Readiness: The vehicle has achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), indicating that a functional prototype has been successfully tested in operational environments.

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Bokaro Steel Plant Receives BIS Certification for Four New Steel GradesIn March 2026, the Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), received certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for four new steel grades – ISC 440 LA, ISC 470 LA, ISC 510 LA, and ISC 550 LA, enabling the plant to expand its range of high-quality steel products.The approval allows the plant to expand its production of High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) cold-rolled steel, enhancing its portfolio of high-value products.About Inclusion of New Steel Grades:Certification Expansion: Earlier, the BIS certification covered steel grades only up to ISC 410. With the latest approval, the new grades are included under IS 513 (Part 2), ensuring compliance with nationally recognised quality standards.Significance: It will improve product credibility and expand applications across sectors such as infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing.Special Electrical Steel: The plant also produced about 1,100 tonnes of 0.5 millimeter (mm) thick IS 18316 LS Grade Non-Grain Oriented (NGO) Electrical Steel for the first time, which is used in electric motors, generators, transformers, and hybrid or electric vehicle rotors to support energy-efficient technologies.

11 Mar, 2026

Bokaro Steel Plant Receives BIS Certification for Four New Steel GradesIn March 2026, the Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), received certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for four new steel grades – ISC 440 LA, ISC 470 LA, ISC 510 LA, and ISC 550 LA, enabling the plant to expand its range of high-quality steel products.The approval allows the plant to expand its production of High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) cold-rolled steel, enhancing its portfolio of high-value products.About Inclusion of New Steel Grades:Certification Expansion: Earlier, the BIS certification covered steel grades only up to ISC 410. With the latest approval, the new grades are included under IS 513 (Part 2), ensuring compliance with nationally recognised quality standards.Significance: It will improve product credibility and expand applications across sectors such as infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing.Special Electrical Steel: The plant also produced about 1,100 tonnes of 0.5 millimeter (mm) thick IS 18316 LS Grade Non-Grain Oriented (NGO) Electrical Steel for the first time, which is used in electric motors, generators, transformers, and hybrid or electric vehicle rotors to support energy-efficient technologies.

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Nashik Municipal Corporation Lists Maharashtra’s First ULB Green Municipal Bond on NSEOn March 9, 2026, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) marked a historic milestone by listing Maharashtra’s first-ever public issue of Urban Local Body (ULB) Green Municipal Bonds on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.The listing ceremony featured the traditional ringing of the bell by Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, alongside NSE Managing Director (MD) Ashishkumar Chauhan.Key Highlights:Fund Utilization: The capital raised through these bonds is used for sustainable urban infrastructure projects, including renewable energy, waste management, clean transportation, sustainable water management, and climate resilience initiatives for urban communities.Project Specifics: Unlike general-purpose municipal bonds, 100% of the funds raised through green municipal bonds must be allocated exclusively to environmentally sustainable or “green” projects.Mechanism: These bonds operate similar to conventional municipal bonds, where investors lend money to local governments, but the funds are strictly restricted for green initiatives.Commitment: The initiative by the Nashik Municipal Corporation supports India’s broader objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047.Note: Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (Uttar Pradesh) became India’s first municipal body to issue Green Municipal Bonds in 2021, raising Rs 150 crore to finance a tertiary sewage treatment plant. Later, the Indore Municipal Corporation (Madhya Pradesh) issued green bonds in early 2023 to support a 60-megawatt solar power project aimed at strengthening sustainable urban infrastructure.

11 Mar, 2026

Nashik Municipal Corporation Lists Maharashtra’s First ULB Green Municipal Bond on NSEOn March 9, 2026, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) marked a historic milestone by listing Maharashtra’s first-ever public issue of Urban Local Body (ULB) Green Municipal Bonds on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.The listing ceremony featured the traditional ringing of the bell by Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, alongside NSE Managing Director (MD) Ashishkumar Chauhan.Key Highlights:Fund Utilization: The capital raised through these bonds is used for sustainable urban infrastructure projects, including renewable energy, waste management, clean transportation, sustainable water management, and climate resilience initiatives for urban communities.Project Specifics: Unlike general-purpose municipal bonds, 100% of the funds raised through green municipal bonds must be allocated exclusively to environmentally sustainable or “green” projects.Mechanism: These bonds operate similar to conventional municipal bonds, where investors lend money to local governments, but the funds are strictly restricted for green initiatives.Commitment: The initiative by the Nashik Municipal Corporation supports India’s broader objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047.Note: Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (Uttar Pradesh) became India’s first municipal body to issue Green Municipal Bonds in 2021, raising Rs 150 crore to finance a tertiary sewage treatment plant. Later, the Indore Municipal Corporation (Madhya Pradesh) issued green bonds in early 2023 to support a 60-megawatt solar power project aimed at strengthening sustainable urban infrastructure.

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IRDAI Grants Final Approval to Allianz Jio Reinsurance and Kiwi General Insurance to Start OperationsIn March 2026, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) granted Certificates of Registration (CoR) to Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited (AJRL) and Kiwi General Insurance Limited, allowing both companies to commence insurance operations in India under the applicable regulatory framework.The approvals were issued during the 134th Board Meeting of IRDAI, held in Hyderabad, Telangana.Key Details:Allianz Jio Reinsurance: It is a 50:50 joint venture(JV) between Allianz Group (Munich, Germany) and Jio Financial Services Limited and will operate as a domestic reinsurer providing risk coverage to insurance companies in India.Apart from the state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), Valueattics Re is the only other domestic reinsurer in India.Kiwi General Insurance: It is backed by WestBridge Capital, an American private equity firm, and Neelesh Garg, former Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, and will provide general insurance services in IndiaWith this, the total number of general insurers in India has increased to 35, including seven Standalone Health Insurers (SAHIs).It also marks the first instance where a majority stakeholder in a health insurance company (WestBridge Capital) has been permitted to establish a general insurance company.

11 Mar, 2026

IRDAI Grants Final Approval to Allianz Jio Reinsurance and Kiwi General Insurance to Start OperationsIn March 2026, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) granted Certificates of Registration (CoR) to Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited (AJRL) and Kiwi General Insurance Limited, allowing both companies to commence insurance operations in India under the applicable regulatory framework.The approvals were issued during the 134th Board Meeting of IRDAI, held in Hyderabad, Telangana.Key Details:Allianz Jio Reinsurance: It is a 50:50 joint venture(JV) between Allianz Group (Munich, Germany) and Jio Financial Services Limited and will operate as a domestic reinsurer providing risk coverage to insurance companies in India.Apart from the state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), Valueattics Re is the only other domestic reinsurer in India.Kiwi General Insurance: It is backed by WestBridge Capital, an American private equity firm, and Neelesh Garg, former Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, and will provide general insurance services in IndiaWith this, the total number of general insurers in India has increased to 35, including seven Standalone Health Insurers (SAHIs).It also marks the first instance where a majority stakeholder in a health insurance company (WestBridge Capital) has been permitted to establish a general insurance company.

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PhonePe Launches ‘RuPay On-The-Go’ NCMC Card for Seamless Digital Transit PaymentsIn March 2026, PhonePe Limited launched the RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ Card, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) designed for contactless payments across public transport systems in India, supporting the Government of India(GoI)’s ‘One Nation One Card’ initiative for a single interoperable transit payment system.About RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ Card:Contactless Payments: The card enables tap-and-pay transactions at NCMC-enabled services such as metro, buses, trains, toll plazas and parking facilities, and supports offline payments without internet connectivity.Balance : The prepaid card stores value directly on its chip with a maximum balance of Rs 2,000 and supports offline transactions up to Rs 500, enabling quick and secure payments for commuters.Purchase & Recharge: The card can be issued instantly after One-Time Password (OTP) verification, and can be purchased or recharged using Unified Payments Interface (UPI), cash, or debit/credit cards.Launch & Expansion: The card was initially launched at Hyderabad Metro ticket counters in Hyderabad, Telangana, in partnership with L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL).It is fully interoperable and can also be used at NCMC-enabled transport systems in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), and Bengaluru (Karnataka).

11 Mar, 2026

PhonePe Launches ‘RuPay On-The-Go’ NCMC Card for Seamless Digital Transit PaymentsIn March 2026, PhonePe Limited launched the RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ Card, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) designed for contactless payments across public transport systems in India, supporting the Government of India(GoI)’s ‘One Nation One Card’ initiative for a single interoperable transit payment system.About RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ Card:Contactless Payments: The card enables tap-and-pay transactions at NCMC-enabled services such as metro, buses, trains, toll plazas and parking facilities, and supports offline payments without internet connectivity.Balance : The prepaid card stores value directly on its chip with a maximum balance of Rs 2,000 and supports offline transactions up to Rs 500, enabling quick and secure payments for commuters.Purchase & Recharge: The card can be issued instantly after One-Time Password (OTP) verification, and can be purchased or recharged using Unified Payments Interface (UPI), cash, or debit/credit cards.Launch & Expansion: The card was initially launched at Hyderabad Metro ticket counters in Hyderabad, Telangana, in partnership with L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL).It is fully interoperable and can also be used at NCMC-enabled transport systems in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), and Bengaluru (Karnataka).

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NATO Commences Biennial Arctic Military Exercise ‘Cold Response’ Across Finland and NorwayOn March 09 2026, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) commenced its biennial Arctic military exercise named ‘Cold Response 2026’ across Northern Norway and Finland.The military exercise will continue till March 19, 2026, focusing on the role of civilians in supporting military operations.Key Details of Cold Response:Objective: This military exercise has now officially become part of Arctic Sentry, The NATO aims to bolster its presence in the polar region.Key Participants: The exercise is expected to witness the participation of nearly 25,000 troops from 14 NATO countries including 4,000 from the United States of America (USA) and Denmark.Focus Areas: The Government of Norway has declared 2026 the year of ‘total defence, which focuses on strengthening the readiness of civilians, businesses, and public institutions to face war and other crises.

11 Mar, 2026

NATO Commences Biennial Arctic Military Exercise ‘Cold Response’ Across Finland and NorwayOn March 09 2026, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) commenced its biennial Arctic military exercise named ‘Cold Response 2026’ across Northern Norway and Finland.The military exercise will continue till March 19, 2026, focusing on the role of civilians in supporting military operations.Key Details of Cold Response:Objective: This military exercise has now officially become part of Arctic Sentry, The NATO aims to bolster its presence in the polar region.Key Participants: The exercise is expected to witness the participation of nearly 25,000 troops from 14 NATO countries including 4,000 from the United States of America (USA) and Denmark.Focus Areas: The Government of Norway has declared 2026 the year of ‘total defence, which focuses on strengthening the readiness of civilians, businesses, and public institutions to face war and other crises.

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