- On 21 March 2026, the Government of India set up a Rare Earth Magnet Pilot Plant at ARCI, Hyderabad (Telangana). The facility will produce Nd-Fe-B (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) permanent magnets, essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical devices, and defense systems.
.png "Current Affairs One - Liner : 24th March 2026")
- On 24 March 2026, Kotak Mahindra Bank’s subsidiary Kotak Mahindra Capital Company (KMCC) completed the divestment of a 30.99% stake in Infina Finance Pvt. Ltd. The transaction was valued at ₹1,293.91 crore, reducing KMCC’s holding in Infina to about 19%. With this sale, Infina Finance ceases to be an associate company of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
- In February 2026, the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) registered a 2.3% year‑on‑year growth, reflecting moderate expansion in India’s key infrastructure sectors. The eight industries tracked are coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity.
- On 21 March 2026, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented the State Budget for FY27 with an outlay of ₹54,928 crore. This marks a rare contraction, as the budget is about ₹3,586 crore smaller than the previous year’s allocation.
- On 21 March 2026, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Academy signed an MoU at the SSB Headquarters in New Delhi to enhance national security training and accreditation. The partnership aims to integrate academic expertise with field experience, improving the quality and credibility of training for border security forces.
- On 20 March 2026, India and Bhutan signed an MoU in Thimphu to strengthen postal cooperation. The agreement focuses on integrating UPU’s PosTransfer platform with India’s UPI, enabling seamless digital remittances and modernizing logistics. It also aims to expand financial inclusion by offering affordable services to Bhutanese citizens and Indian workers in Bhutan.
- On 21 March 2026, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and BISAG-N signed an MoU in Dehradun during the 90th meeting of the SC-NBWL chaired by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. The agreement aims to strengthen the use of geospatial technology, remote sensing, and AI/ML tools for forest fire management, wildlife conservation, and policy decision support.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was sold on 24 March 2026 for a record-breaking USD 1.78 billion (₹16,600 crore) to a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone. This all-cash deal marks the highest valuation ever for an IPL franchise.
- On 22 March 2026, Rajasthan Royals became the second IPL franchise to cross the billion‑dollar mark, after RCB. The team was acquired for USD 1.63 billion (~₹15,200 crore) by Kal Somani, a UK‑based entrepreneur and investor.
- On 21 March 2026, the Union Government launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal in New Delhi during the International Conference on Carbon Markets – Prakriti 2026. The initiative positions carbon trading as a key tool for India’s climate action strategy.
- Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 was released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) on 19 March 2026. It ranks 163 countries on terrorism impact based on incidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage. Pakistan was ranked #1 most affected, while India stood at 13th place.
- The World’s Best Airlines Awards 2026 were released by AirlineRatings.com on 18 March 2026. The ranking evaluates airlines on safety, service quality, cabin product, and passenger experience. Qatar Airways topped the list, followed by Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.
- The Hurun Global Richest Self-Made Women 2026 list was released on 17 March 2026 by the Hurun Research Institute. It features 150 women billionaires worldwide, with combined wealth rising to $470 billion. Top Indian names include Radha Vembu (Zoho), Falguni Nayar (Nykaa), and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Biocon). Globally, Diane Hendricks (US) leads, while China dominates the list with the highest representation.
- World Down Syndrome Day 2026 was observed on 21 March, a date chosen to symbolize Trisomy 21, the genetic condition caused by an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. The theme for this year, “End the Stereotypes”, emphasized dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.
- World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People 2026 was observed on 20 March, led by ASSITEJ International. Unlike the mainstream World Theatre Day (27 March), this day focuses on the cultural rights of the next generation. The 2026 campaign theme was “Take a Child to the Theatre, Today”, stressing theatre as a fundamental human right for children.
- On 21 March 2026, the global community observed the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with the theme “Mobilizing Political Will.” This day traces back to the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, where police opened fire on a peaceful protest against apartheid pass laws, killing 69 people.
- World Meteorological Day 2026 was celebrated on 23 March, marking the 76th anniversary of WMO. The theme was “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.” It emphasized meteorological data as the central nervous system of the global economy. The day highlighted the role of weather and climate science in safety, trade, and sustainability.
- On 24 March 2026, the world marked the International Day for the Right to Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. The observance honors Archbishop Óscar Romero and asserts victims’ right to know the facts of abuses. The 2026 theme — “The truth is an empowering and healing force” — highlighted truth as a foundation for justice, reconciliation, and dignity.
- On 23 March 2026, South Indian Bank officially appointed Jose Joseph Kattoor, a veteran central banker, as its Non‑Executive Part‑Time Chairman. The appointment had earlier received RBI approval in February 2026. Kattoor brings decades of regulatory and banking experience to strengthen governance at the bank.
- Puneet Gupt, Chief Operating Officer of Times Internet, was appointed Chairperson of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) on 24 March 2026, succeeding Mariam Mammen Mathew. His vision centers on guiding India’s digital media industry through AI-driven disruption, strengthening policy frameworks, and ensuring sustainable growth for publishers.
- Jharkhand MLA Kalpana Soren was honoured with the Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award at the BRICS CCI WE Annual Women Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The recognition celebrates her leadership in promoting women-led development, grassroots empowerment, and inclusive growth.
- Veteran BJP leader and former MP Datta Meghe passed away on 22 March 2026 at the age of 89 in Nagpur, Maharashtra. His death is being described as a “great loss for Vidarbha” by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, given his decades‑long contributions to politics, education, and social welfare.
- Birutė Galdikas, the pioneering primatologist and conservationist known as the world’s leading authority on orangutans, passed away on 24 March 2026 in Los Angeles at the age of 79.
Questions:
Q.1 Which airline topped the World’s Best Airlines Awards 2026?a) Singapore Airlines
b) Cathay Pacific
c) Emirates
d) Qatar Airways
Answer: d) Qatar Airways ranked #1 based on safety and service.
Q.2 The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) growth in February 2026 stood at:
a) 1.5%
b) 2.3%
c) 3.8%
d) 4.2%
Answer: b) ICI tracks 8 infrastructure sectors and showed moderate expansion at 2.3% YoY.
