Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th March 2026

National:

• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) has released the Final Estimates (FE) of horticulture area and production for 2024‑25 and the First Advance Estimates (FAE) for 2025‑26 on March 18, 2026. India’s horticulture output in 2024‑25 stood at around 369 million tonnes, showing steady growth.

• The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers, effective from June 1, 2028. This move extends mandatory sourcing requirements beyond modules and cells, aiming to strengthen India’s domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem and reduce import dependence.
• MoC launched Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey on 16 March 2026 in New Delhi. Three‑month nationwide exercise to identify, geotag, and digitize manuscripts across institutions and private collections. Survey data will feed into a central digital repository under the Gyan Bharatam Mission.
• Ugadi 2026 is celebrated on 19 March 2026 (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada). Marks the Hindu New Year – Vikram Samvat 2083 in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Celebrated with Ugadi Pachadi, puja, and Panchanga Shravanam (listening to the new almanac). Symbolizes new beginnings, prosperity, and spring harvest, also known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra.
• On March 17, 2026, the Supreme Court of India struck down the discriminatory provision that limited maternity leave for adoptive mothers to children below three months of age, declaring it unconstitutional. Adoptive mothers are now entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave regardless of the child’s age.
• The government has extended the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) framework. It will now cover solar ingots and wafers starting June 1, 2028. This move aims to boost domestic manufacturing in the solar sector. It strengthens India’s push for clean energy and self‑reliance.

Banking:

• On 13 March 2026, the Ministry of Finance amended Rule 19(2)(b) of the Securities Contracts Rules, introducing a graded minimum public shareholding framework—25% for companies up to ₹1,600 crore post‑issue capital, and lower percentages but higher absolute offer values for larger firms.
• On 12 March 2026, RBI launched a pilot “Awareness Program on Digital Payments” in Maharashtra during Digital Payments Awareness Week, targeting 10 lakh rural/semi‑urban participants to promote safe, fraud‑free digital transactions under the slogan “Thoda Dhyan Se!”.
• India’s service exports crossed US$ 348 billion during April–January of FY 2025–26, driven mainly by IT, BPO, finance, and consulting. This performance highlights the services sector as India’s largest foreign exchange earner and strengthens its role as a global hub for digital and knowledge-based services.
• On March 18, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹31.80 lakh on HSBC for non-compliance with deposit norms, specifically violations related to unclaimed deposits and inoperative accounts. The penalty was based on supervisory inspection findings for the bank’s financial position as of March 31, 2025.
• On 17 March 2026, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) expanded UPI merchant acceptance in Sri Lanka, enabling Indian tourists to make seamless digital payments using their UPI apps. This integration with LankaQR allows instant transactions at hotels, cafes, supermarkets, and retail outlets, boosting convenience and supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy.

Economy:

• Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy presented a ₹34,212 crore budget for FY 2026–27, reflecting a 5.52% increase over the previous year. The budget projects a fiscal deficit of ₹240 crore while maintaining a revenue surplus of ₹1,615 crore. Capital expenditure is set at ₹8,945 crore, with a strong focus on infrastructure and development.

MoUs:

• On 17 March 2026 in Mumbai, Tata Steel signed an MoU with the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) to develop low‑carbon steelmaking technologies. The collaboration focuses on scrap‑based steelmaking, waste valorisation, and carbon capture. Aim: To reduce emissions and promote sustainable steel production.

Science & Technology:

• A new species of earthworm, Drawida vazhania, was discovered in March 2026 in Kerala’s Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary near Vazhani Dam, Thrissur district. The species belongs to the genus Drawida (family Moniligastridae) and adds to the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Apps & Portals:

• On 17 March 2026, Scapia, a travel fintech platform, launched the Scapia Pay app — an in-app UPI payments service that lets users earn rewards on transactions made via Scapia co-branded RuPay credit cards. This move integrates payments, credit, and travel rewards into one seamless platform.

Govt.Schemes:

• On 19 March 2026, the Union Cabinet launched the ₹497 crore RELIEF Scheme (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) under the Export Promotion Mission to support Indian exporters hit by disruptions in West Asia. It provides insurance, logistics aid, and financial relief to ensure India’s trade resilience.
• On 18 March 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) with an allocation of ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 plug‑and‑play industrial parks across India. The scheme is designed to accelerate industrial growth, create jobs, and strengthen India’s manufacturing base.

Military Exercises:

• The United States and South Korea launched their annual joint military exercise Freedom Shield 26 on 9 March 2026, running until 19 March 2026. The drill involves about 18,000 South Korean troops and U.S. forces, supported by the United Nations Command (UNC) and multinational partners, focusing on defensive, all-domain operations and cognitive warfare.
• The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR Exercise 2026 was launched by the Indian Navy on 16 March 2026 in the Indian Ocean Region and continued for five days. It brought together naval personnel from 16 Indian Ocean littoral nations, marking India’s first major initiative after assuming the IONS chairmanship in February 2026.
• Exercise Cold Response 2026 (CORE26) was held from 9–19 March 2026 in Northern Norway and Finland. It involved 32,500 personnel from 14 NATO nations, making it one of the largest Arctic drills. The exercise tested NATO’s ability to defend its northern flank in harsh Arctic conditions. It reinforced collective defense readiness and showcased allied cooperation in the High North.

Important Days:

• Ordnance Factory Day 2026 was observed on 18 March, celebrating India’s defense manufacturing heritage and the “Fourth Arm of Defence.” For this year, the theme was “Operational Excellence for National Security,” focusing on efficiency, innovation, and readiness in defense production.

Appointments:

• On 18 March 2026, NBSL appointed M.S. Dhoni as brand ambassador for the BHIM payments app. BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) is India’s flagship UPI‑based digital payments platform. Dhoni’s mass appeal aims to boost trust, awareness, and adoption of secure UPI transactions.
• HDFC ERGO General Insurance announced the appointment of Parthanil Ghosh as MD & CEO on 18 March 2026. His role will be effective from 16 April 2026, subject to IRDAI approval. He succeeds Anuj Tyagi, who stepped down in January 2026.
  

Awards & Honours:

• William Dalrymple has won the prestigious 2026 Mark Lynton History Prize for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World. The award recognizes his work for reframing global history by highlighting India’s central role in ancient trade, culture, and knowledge systems.
• Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, received the honorary title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in March 2026 for his outstanding contribution to strengthening India–UK business relations, investments, and bilateral growth.
• On 18 March 2026, former Indian Ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, was conferred the rank of Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur (Commander of the Legion of Honour), France’s highest civilian distinction. The honour was presented at the Embassy of France in New Delhi by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou.

Questions:

Q.1 Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) appointed which personality as brand ambassador in March 2026?
a) Virat Kohli
b) Rohit Sharma
c) M.S. Dhoni
d) Sachin Tendulkar

Answer: c) M.S. Dhoni chose to promote UPI adoption.

Q.2 Who won the 2026 Mark Lynton History Prize?
a) Ramachandra Guha
b) William Dalrymple
c) Amish Tripathi
d) Shashi Tharoor

Answer: b) William Dalrymple has won the prestigious 2026 Mark Lynton History Prize for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.