Current Affairs One - Liner : 13th March 2026

National:

• On 11 March 2026, the WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk announced a partnership in New Delhi to combat childhood obesity in India through scalable, school‑based health programs. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme and WHO’s Health Promoting Schools framework.

• On 11 March 2026, the Supreme Court of India approved passive euthanasia for the first time, allowing the withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana, a 32‑year‑old man who had been in a permanent vegetative state since 2013. This landmark ruling operationalizes the Court’s 2018 guidelines on the “right to die with dignity.”
• 13 March 2026 – PM Modi releases 22nd PM‑Kisan installment from Guwahati; ₹18,640 crore to 9.32 crore farmers, including 2.15 crore women; cumulative disbursement crosses ₹4.27 lakh crore.
• In March 2026, India facilitated the export of 25 metric tonnes of Joha Rice from Assam. Joha Rice is a GI‑tagged aromatic variety known for its fragrance and fine grain. The move promotes global branding of Assam’s rice and boosts farmers’ income. It strengthens India’s agri‑export diversification and regional identity.

Banking:

• In March 2026, the Reserve Bank of India cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 36 NBFCs, while 9 NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their licences. This action was taken due to non‑compliance with regulatory norms or voluntary exit from the financial business.
• On 10 March 2026, State Bank of India (SBI) and MUFG Bank, Japan’s largest lender, signed a strategic partnership. It aims to fuel cross‑border deals, boost capital flows, and support Japanese firms investing in India. The partnership builds on earlier collaborations, including a $500 million gender‑themed syndicated loan arranged by MUFG for SBI.
• On 10 March 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorisation to CRED (Dreamplug Paytech Solutions) to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA), enabling merchant onboarding and digital payment facilitation, thereby strengthening India’s regulated fintech ecosystem.
• RBI exempted the promoters of AU Small Finance Bank from holding their stake through a Non‑Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC), allowing them to directly hold shares, marking regulatory flexibility for governance and ownership structure.
• State Bank of India (SBI) launched a landmark $500 million syndicated social term loan on 7 March 2026 in New Delhi, dedicated exclusively to promoting women’s economic empowerment. This is the first such gender‑themed loan by SBI and is considered one of the largest globally in the ESG financing space.

Economy:

• CRISIL has projected India’s GDP growth at 7.1% for FY27, down slightly from 7.6% in FY26, citing resilient domestic demand and investment despite global uncertainties. Inflation is expected to rise to around 4.3%, driven by higher crude prices.
• Nomura has trimmed India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7% (from 7.1%) due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, citing risks of higher energy prices, inflationary pressures, and a wider current account deficit. Despite this, India’s economy is still expected to remain resilient, supported by domestic demand and investment.

MoUs:

• On 11 March 2026 in New Delhi, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Voltas Limited signed an MoU. The aim is to accelerate startup innovation in cooling and smart appliances. Through the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, startups gain access to Voltas’s Research & Development (R&D) labs, mentorship, and Proof‑of‑Concept trials.
• On 12 March 2026, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, signed an MoU in New Delhi with the “Coalition of the Willing” (civil society and tech leaders) to build India’s first Integrated Life‑Cycle Support Model for persons with hearing impairment.

Science & Technology:

• ISRO successfully tested CE20 cryogenic engine at Mahendragiri on 10 March 2026 for 165 seconds, achieving 22‑tonne thrust to enhance LVM3 payload capacity and support Gaganyaan mission.

Sports:

• India will host the Asia Cup Archery 2027 (Second Leg) in New Delhi, marking the event’s return after 22 years since 2005. Organised by the Archery Association of India (AAI), the tournament will boost India’s global sports profile and provide valuable exposure for Indian archers.

Summits & Conferences:

• 12th Asian & Pacific Regional Conference of IAP was held on 11–13 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, organised by All India Prosecutors Association, chaired by senior IAP officials, with theme “Transcending Borders, Securing Justice,” aiming at prosecutorial response to illegal immigration & cross‑border crime, highlighting judicial reforms, digital tools/biometrics, accountability, and regional cooperation.

Important Days:

• World Rotaract Day is observed on March 13, 2026, marking the 58th anniversary of Rotaract since its founding in 1968. This year, Rotary International has adopted the unified brand message “Unite for Good” instead of separate presidential themes.

Appointments:

• Phanindranath Kakarla took charge as CEO & MD of Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Limited (ARCIL) on 8 March 2026, succeeding Pallav Mohapatra, to lead India’s oldest asset reconstruction company (est. 2002) in resolving stressed assets and NPAs.
• HDFC ERGO General Insurance has appointed Parthanil Ghosh as its new Managing Director & CEO, effective April 16, 2026, subject to IRDAI and regulatory approvals. He will succeed Anuj Tyagi, marking a major leadership transition for one of India’s largest private-sector general insurers.

Questions:

Q.1 According to CRISIL, India’s GDP growth for FY27 is projected at:
a) 6.5%
b) 6.8%
c) 7.1%
d) 7.5%

Answer: c) CRISIL projected India’s GDP growth at 7.1% for FY27, slightly lower than FY26’s 7.6%, citing stable domestic demand and investment.

Q.2 India will host the Asia Cup Archery (Second Leg) in which year?
a) 2026
b) 2027
c) 2028
d) 2029

Answer: b) India will host the Asia Cup Archery 2027 (Second Leg) in New Delhi, organized by the Archery Association of India, marking the tournament’s return to India after 22 years.