Current Affairs 14,15 & 16 March 2026

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs March 14, 15 & 16 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister C. R. Patil Inaugurates New NDSA Office in New Delhi; Launches Key Digital Initiatives for Dam Safety
In March 2026, Union Minister Chandrakant Raghunath (C. R.) Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), inaugurated the new office of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) at West Block II, R.K. Puram, New Delhi (Delhi).
About Digital Initiatives Launched for Dam Safety Governance:
Website: NDSA website, developed in line with the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) 3.0, was launched with a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based “Specified Dams” section providing a map-based interface with key information on dams across India.
NETRA:  NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using Artificial Intelligence (AI)(NETRA) was launched as an AI-enabled platform developed by NDSA in collaboration with the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE) of the Indian Navy (IN) to provide a conversational interface for accessing dam safety regulations, policies and documents.
Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan (RBSD): Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), RBSD was launched as a visualisation platform for Dam Break Analysis (DBA) to improve risk assessment, monitoring and planning related to dam safety.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy Dedicated Infrastructure Projects and Flagged off Defence Equipment at BHEL Haridwar, Uttarakhand
In March 2026, Union Minister Haradanahalli Devegowda (H. D.) Kumaraswamy, Ministry of Steel (MoS) and Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), visited the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) manufacturing facility in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, where he dedicated key infrastructure projects and flagged off advanced indigenous industrial, defence and power equipment.
Key Launches:
Solar Plant: Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, dedicated a 5 Megawatt (MW) Ground Mounted Solar Power Plant (GMSPP).
Furnace: A 30-ton Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) was inaugurated to strengthen domestic metallurgical manufacturing.
Defence: Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) flagged off for the Indian Navy (IN).
Turbo Generator(TG): The dispatch of a large TG manufactured at the BHEL Haridwar facility was also flagged off.

GoI Adds 7 Districts in 6th Phase of Mandatory Gold Hallmarking
In March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) implemented the sixth phase (Phase VI) of the mandatory hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2026, adding seven more districts under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmarking regime to ensure the purity of gold jewellery and strengthen consumer protection, effective from 2 March 2026.

• The seven districts are Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh, UP), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh, MP).

About Mandatory Gold Hallmarking:
Overview: Mandatory gold hallmarking is a quality certification system implemented by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure the purity and authenticity of gold jewellery and artefacts sold in India.
Implementation: Mandatory gold hallmarking has been implemented in a phased manner since June 2021.

• Phase I (23 June 2021) covering 256 districts, Phase II (4 April 2022) expanding to 288, Phase III (8 September 2023) to 343, Phase IV (5 November 2024) to 361, Phase V (31 July 2025) to 373, and Phase VI (2 March 2026) to 380 districts.

India Post Releases Special Cover to Commemorate Birth Centenary of Legendary Musician Annapurna Devi
In March 2026, India Post under the Ministry of Communication, in collaboration with the Annapurna Devi Foundation, released a special cover to mark the birth centenary of legendary Hindustani classical musician Annapurna Devi at the Kolkata General Post Office (GPO), Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
About Annapurna Devi:
Profile: She was renowned for her mastery in Hindustani classical music and was known for her reclusive nature, focusing on teaching rather than public performances.
Awards & Honours: Despite her reclusiveness, she received several prestigious awards:

• Padma Bhushan (India’s 3rd highest civilian honour, 1977) in the field of arts.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991).
• Desikottama, honorary doctorate by Visva-Bharati University (1999).
• Fellowship of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (2004).

MSDE Signs MoU with GATI Foundation to Strengthen Global Skill Mobility 
In March 2026, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Access to Talent from India (GATI) Foundation, a project under the SFI Impact Foundation, to strengthen mechanisms for overseas employment of skilled Indian workers.

• The agreement is valid for an initial period of three years on a non-financial, collaborative basis.

Key Details of MoU:
Objectives: The MoU creates a framework to position India as the global skills capital by 2047, enabling structured international job access through data-driven overseas skilling roadmaps.
Key Roles: MSDE will coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E), providing foreign language training, cultural orientation, and documentation support for international placements.

• The GATI Foundation will set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi(Delhi), to support research, monitoring, international partnerships, and build a mobility-ready workforce.

Skill India International Centres (SIICs): The collaboration will support SIIC development, strengthen partnerships with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics, and engage global employers to improve overseas placements.

DEPwD and Coalition of the Willing Partner for India’s First Integrated Life-Cycle Support Model for Hearing Impaired
In March 2026, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MSJE), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with “Coalition of the Willing” to launch India’s first integrated life-cycle support model for persons with hearing impairment.
Key Details of Partnership:
Coalition Partners: A consortium of organizations including Yunikee (Gopalakrishnan Foundation for the Deaf), Blee Tech Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired (TEACH), WinVinaya Foundation, Buddy4Study India Foundation, VCrop Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and  Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC).
Collaboration Model: The initiative is a public–private–civil society partnership, with each partner contributing expertise and resources to tackle inclusion challenges.
Key Focus Areas: The initiative will focus on awareness generation, assistive technologies, early identification, education, skill development, employment, scholarships, Indian Sign Language(ISL) learning, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Alignment: The project aligns with DEPwD’s vision of an inclusive India, ensuring accessibility, opportunity, and dignity for all Divyangjan.

OIL Signs MoU with NSTFDC to Upgrade Healthcare in Tribal Areas of MP
In March 2026, Oil India Limited (OIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA), at the OIL corporate office in Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

• The partnership focuses on improving healthcare infrastructure in tribal-dominated regions of Madhya Pradesh (MP).

About Healthcare Infrastructure Upgrade:
Financial Sanction: Under this collaboration, OIL sanctioned Rs 86.27 lakh to strengthen Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Rajgarh district, an Aspirational District of MP.
Medical Infrastructure Enhancement: The initiative will equip healthcare facilities with ambulances, life-care and diagnostic equipment, and advanced life-support machines including ventilators, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machines, and Ultrasonography (USG) machines.
Vision: It aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, ensuring tribal communities have equitable access to essential services and contributing to inclusive and sustainable development.

NE Indian Institutions and Japan Sign LoI to form Academic and Research Consortium at IIT-Guwahati
In March 2026, 22 institutions from NorthEast (NE) India led by Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-Guwahati), Assam along with Japan’s Gifu University, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI), to establish the ‘North East Region(NER)- Japan International Academic and Research Consortium’.

• The LoI was signed during the Japan-North East Academic Industry Cooperation Symposium (JNTCS 2026) held at IIT-Guwahati.

Key Details of LoI:
Aim: To bring together institutions and stakeholders across the NER to foster collaboration in research and innovation, while contributing to the region’s development.
Institutions : Out of 22 institutions from NER, 8 are National Institutes of Technology (NITs), two IITs, the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS-Guwahati), North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM), Tezpur University, Gauhati University, Cotton University and Assam Engineering College.
Key Areas of Cooperation: This new partnership will support cooperation in education, research, technology transfer, and social engagement.

• It is also expected to promote academic exchanges and research partnerships across disciplines, including science, technology and medicine.

Key Roles: As per the proposed framework, IIT-Guwahati will act as the nodal institution on the Indian side, while Gifu University will lead the initiative in Japan.

NCB, TraceXero Technologies Partner to Support Development of CCU Technologies for Cement Sector
In March 2026, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), and M/s TraceXero Technologies Private Limited, an Indian technology startup, collaborated to support the development of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies for the cement sector.

• The collaboration was formalized through an agreement signed by Dr. S.K. Chaturvedi, Joint Director and Secretary of NCB and Reetam Chaudhary, Co-founder of TraceXero Technologies Private Limited, at NCB Ballabgarh, Haryana.

Key Details:
Objective: The partnership focuses on promoting sustainable and low-carbon technologies in the cement industry by developing and deploying advanced CCU solutions.
Key Role: The NCB supports the cement and construction materials sector through research, technology development, laboratories, pilot facilities, and technical services, providing scientific assistance to industry, academia, and technology developers.

• TraceXero Technologies has developed a process that captures Carbon Dioxide (CO2) using a proprietary solvent and converts it into graphitic carbon and graphene, transforming emissions into a valuable material resource.

Key Reason: The cement industry, one of the key pillars of infrastructure development and economic growth, contributes nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI launches “Awareness Program on Digital Payments” in March 2026
In March 2026, Reserve Bank of India(RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched a pilot programme titled, “Awareness Program on Digital Payments” to promote the safe and widespread adoption of digital payments across the country.
Key Highlights
Title: The sixth edition of Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) is being observed during March 9–13, 2026, during which a pilot programme titled “Awareness Program on Digital Payments” has been launched as part of the initiative.
Campaign: The RBI also launched a multi-media awareness campaign “Thoda Dhyan Se” (be alert/ be careful), which encourages users to be careful while making payments and transacting online.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

T-Hub, Jetro Partner to Strengthen India-Japan Deep-Tech Startup Collaboration
In March 2026, Technology Hub (T-Hub), India’s largest startup incubator based in Hyderabad, Telangana, entered into a strategic partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to bolster collaboration between Indian and Japanese deep-tech startups.

• This newly announced collaboration aims to create high-impact innovation networks across deep-tech and manufacturing sectors.

Key Details:
Market Access: Through this partnership, Japanese startups, corporates, and investors will be able to access India’s innovation ecosystem, while offering Indian startups structured pathways to expand into Japan.
Focus Areas: The collaboration will primarily focus on sectors like: pharma and medical equipment, space and aerospace, defence, mobility, smart infrastructure, deeptech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technologies  and Industry 4.0, including Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.
Key Initiatives: Under this collaboration, key initiatives that will be undertaken include curated startup exchange programs, corporate open-innovation engagements, market access support, regulatory guidance, among others.
Significance: This strategic partnership aligns with the wider India-Japan bilateral agenda on technology cooperation, startup ecosystem integration and innovation-driven economic growth.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Jose Antonio Kast Sworn in as President of Chile
In March 2026, Jose Antonio Kast Rist, founder and leader of the Republican Party of Chile, was sworn in as the 38th President of Chile for a four-year term following his victory in the 2025 Chilean presidential election, during a formal ceremony at the National Congress in Valparaíso, Chile.
Inauguration of New President:
Symbolic Transfer: Jose Antonio Kast Rist formally assumed office in the Hall of Honor, receiving the Piocha de O’Higgins, a traditional symbol of the Chilean presidency, from outgoing President Gabriel Boric Font.
Indian Representation: Union Minister of State (MoS) Kirti Vardhan Singh, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented the Government of India at the inauguration ceremony.

ACC Approves Appointment of KV Ramana Murty as Whole-Time Member of SEBI 
In March 2026,  the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved the appointment of Kompella Venkata (K.V.) Ramana Murty as a Whole-Time Member(WTM) of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of three years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders.

• Following his appointment, the total number of WTMs on the SEBI board now reaches 4.

About KV Ramana Murty:
Service: He is a 1991-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer.
Previous Role: Prior to his appointment to SEBI, he served as Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

• He also served as a part-time member of SEBI board, as representative of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MoCA).

Composition of SEBI Board:
Total Members: The SEBI board comprises a chairman, 4 whole-time members and 4 part-time members, including representatives from MoCA, Ministry of Finance(MoF), and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Other WTM: Apart from Murty, other 3 WTM  include: Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, Sandip Pradhan and Amarjeet Singh.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Successfully Conducts Sea Level Hot Test of Cryogenic Engine CE20 at 22 Tonne Thrust in TN
In March 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a 165-second sea level hot test of the Cryogenic Engine (CE20) at 22 tonne thrust using a Nozzle Protection System (NPS) and multi-element igniter at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu (TN).

• The test supports the development of the uprated Cryogenic Stage (C32) for future missions of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and enhances the vehicle’s payload capability for upcoming space missions.

Highlights of CE20 Cryogenic Engine Sea-Level Test:
Upgrade: Operating the CE20 at 22-tonne thrust will enhance the payload capability of the LVM3, while earlier sea-level hot tests were conducted at 19-tonne thrust using the NPS.
Challenge: Sea-level testing is difficult due to the high area-ratio nozzle with an exit pressure of around 50 millibar (mbar), which can cause flow separation leading to vibrations, thermal stress, and possible mechanical damage.
Protection: The NPS was used to control flow separation effects and ensure safe sea-level testing of the high area-ratio nozzle.
Validation: The tested CE20 completed a record 20 hot tests, enabling qualification of multiple technologies using a single engine.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Rotaract Day 2026 – March 13
World Rotaract Day is observed annually on 13 March to recognise the contributions of Rotaractors and their role in community service and leadership development worldwide.

• 2026 marks the 58th anniversary of the establishment of the first Rotaract club in North Carolina,the United States of America (USA) in 1968.

World Rotaract Week:
Observance: World Rotaract Day is observed as part of World Rotaract Week, celebrated annually by members of Rotaract Clubs and Rotary Clubs.
2026 Observance: World Rotaract Week 2026 is being observed from 9–15 March 2026.

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