Current Affairs 18 March 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

India merchandise and services exports rise 5.79% to USD 790.86 billion in April–October: MoCI
In March 2026, the Department of Commerce (DoC) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) reported that India’s cumulative exports (merchandise and services combined) for April-February 2025-26 reached an estimated USD 790.86 Billion (Bn), registering a growth of 5.79%.
April-February 2025-26:
Exports: The merchandise exports during April-February 2025-26 were USD 402.93 Bn, compared to USD 395.66 Bn the previous year.

• The estimated value of service exports for the same period is USD 387.93 Bn as compared to USD 351.93 Bn a year ago.

Imports: India’s total imports for April-February 2025-26 are estimated at USD 900.51 Bn, registering a growth of 7.37%.

• The merchandise imports during April-February 2025-26 were USD 713.53 Bn, compared to USD 657.46 Bn the previous year.

India Submits First National Report on Nagoya Protocol Implementation to CBD
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in partnership with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), has submitted India’s First National Report (NR1) on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, which is officially known as “Nagoya Protocol, on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS)”  to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 27th February 2026.

•  The report was prepared in accordance with Article 29 of the Protocol on Monitoring and Reporting.

About NR1 on Implementation of Nagoya Protocol:
Coverage: The report covers the period from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025.
 Global Leadership: So far, India published 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) on the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Clearing-House which reflects high compliance with global reporting standards.

• These approvals were granted in accordance with Article 17 of the Nagoya Protocol, representing over 60% of the global total and demonstrating India’s leadership in transparency and compliance.

ABS Approvals: A total of 12,830 ABS approvals were issued,  of which 5,913 were granted by the NBA for entities under Section 3(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002  for research  work and intellectual property, and 6,917 by State Boards for commercial utilisation.
 Financial Support: Total funds released through NBA approvals reached Rs 216.31 crore, with an additional Rs 51.96 crore (USD 6.56 million)generated through State-level approvals.

MoHFW Approves Major Reforms to Boost Ease of Doing Business and Strengthen Food Safety Framework
In March 2026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) approved key regulatory reforms to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) while strengthening the food safety framework in India.

• These reforms, effective from 1st April 2026, balance administrative simplification with a robust food safety framework.

Key Regulatory Reforms:
Perpetual Validity: Registrations and licences issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will now have perpetual validity, eliminating the need for periodic renewals and reducing compliance burden for Food Business Operators (FBOs).
Turnover Threshold: The turnover limit for basic registration has been increased from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, while State licensing applies up to Rs 50 crore, beyond which Central licensing is required.
Street Vendors: Street food vendors registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be deemed registered under FSSAI, benefiting over 10 lakh vendors by removing dual registration requirements.

Asia-Africa Agri Alliance Launched to to Boost Trade Investment
In March 2026,  senior ambassadors, diplomats, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders from over ten nations formally launched the Asia Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA), a new institutional platform, in New Delhi(Delhi) to strengthen trade, agricultural cooperation, investment, and technology exchange between Asia and Africa.

• This initiative aims to create a structured framework for trade partnerships and policy alignment across the agri-food value chain.

About Asia Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA):
Establishment: The AAAA has been established as a Section 8 Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO) under the Companies Act, 2013.
Purpose: To create structured frameworks for trade partnerships, policy alignment, technology exchange, and investment mobilisation across the agri-food value chain.
Key Pillars: The alliance will facilitate cooperation in five major areas:
Trade and Market Access; Technology and Innovation Transfer; Investment and Finance; Policy, Standards and Agriculture Diplomacy and Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange.

India Post Launched ‘24 Speed Post’ with Next-Day Delivery from March 17, 2026 in Six Cities
The Department of Posts (DoP) also known as India Post, under the Ministry of Communications, launched the ‘24 Speed Post’ premium express service to provide next-day (D+1) guaranteed delivery for urgent and time-sensitive consignments across six major cities in its initial phase, with regulations effective from 17 March 2026.

• In the first phase, the service covers six metro cities—New Delhi (Delhi), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), Kolkata (West Bengal, WB), Bengaluru (Karnataka) and Hyderabad (Telangana).

About India Post ‘24 Speed Post’ Services:
Services: The services offered include ‘24 Speed Post’ (D+1) for next-day document delivery, ‘48 Speed Post’ (D+2) for two-day document delivery, and ‘24 Speed Post Parcel’ (D+1) for next-day parcel delivery up to 5 kilogram (kg).
Technology: The service uses dedicated processing windows and priority air transmission supported by digital logistics systems.
Features: Key features include One-Time Password (OTP)-based secure delivery, end-to-end tracking with Short Message Service (SMS) alerts, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Application Programming Interface (API) integration, free bulk pickup and money-back guarantee.

GoI Granted Approval to Set Up Rs 1,250 Crore SEZ IT park in Puducherry
 In March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) granted its approval to the Puducherry Government for setting up a dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the Information Technology (IT) sector, spanning 21.30 acres of government-owned land near Thattanchavady.

• The newly approved SEZ project to be developed at a cost of Rs 1,250 crore, aims to transform Union Territory (UT) into a top destination for IT companies and global investors.

About SEZ IT Park:
Infrastructure: Nearly 70% of the area will be dedicated to ‘Plug-and-Play’ offices where companies can move and start working immediately while, the remaining 30% of the land will be used for social infrastructure like: houses for employees, a shopping complex, a medical centre, a bank and even a fire station.
Eco-friendly Design: The SEZ will be designed eco-friendly, featuring green buildings, smart waste management system, and modern utility networks.
Potential Outcome: This newly approved SEZ is expected to generate 30,000 jobs and is also expected to export services worth Rs 10,000 crore over the next 10 years.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian Navy Participates in USA-Led Multinational Exercise ‘Sea Dragon 2026’ in Guam
In March 2026, the Indian Navy(IN) participated in the two-week multinational Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a United States of America(USA)-led multinational Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise being held at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the USA.
About Sea Dragon 2026:
Overview: Exercise Sea Dragon is an annual multinational maritime exercise hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet, focusing on ASW training.
Participation: The 2026 edition includes forces from the IN, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), and the United States Navy (USN), highlighting strong Indo-Pacific cooperation.
Planning Phase: The exercise begins with tabletop planning sessions, where participating forces align strategies, integrate technologies, and coordinate mission tactics.

BANKING & FINANCE

World Bank Approves USD 300 Million Loan to UP for Clean Air Transition
In March 2026, the World Bank(WB) signed an agreement to provide a loan of approximately USD 300 million to Uttar Pradesh (UP) to support the state’s Clean Air Plan and facilitate a clean air transition.
Key Details of Loan:
Signatories: The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), Ministry of Finance(MoF); B Chandrakala, Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Clean Air Management Authority and Secretary of Forest, Environment and Climate Change on behalf of the Government of UP; and Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, India on behalf of the WB.
Loan Tenure: The loan has a maturity of 10 years, including a grace period of 2 years, and will receive support from the multi-donor Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
Regional Context: The program is part of the WB’s Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF), a global air pollution hotspot.

Shriram General Insurance Launches ‘Shri Health Suraksha 2.0’ with Enhanced Coverage Features
In March 2026, Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) launched Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an upgraded health insurance plan designed to provide flexible and comprehensive medical coverage while reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
About Shri Health Suraksha 2.0:
Coverage Benefits: The new health insurance plan addresses gaps in traditional policies by removing restrictions and offering benefits such as unlimited restoration of the sum insured within a policy year and a cumulative bonus of up to 250% for claim-free years.
Zero Co-payment: The policy eliminates room rent capping, allowing policyholders to choose hospital rooms, including Intensive Care Unit (ICU), without financial restrictions, and offers zero co-payment, ensuring the insurer covers the full admissible claim amount.
Medical Coverage: It also provides coverage for ambulance and air ambulance expenses up to the sum insured, along with inclusion of medical consumables and AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) treatments.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Reliance Signs USD 3 billion Green Ammonia Supply Deal with South Korea’s Samsung C&T
In March 2026, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) signed a binding long-term Supply and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Samsung C&T Corporation, South Korea, for the supply of green ammonia over a 15-year period starting from the second half of Financial Year 2028-29(FY29).

• This deal, valued at over USD 3 billion, is one of the world’s largest off-take agreements for green fuel.

Key Details of Agreement:
Supply Mechanism: Under this SPA, RIL will supply green ammonia produced through a fully integrated clean energy ecosystem established in India.
Significance: This partnership marks the first in a series of global offtake agreements supporting RIL’s clean energy expansion.
Alignment: Aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) aims to build a competitive clean-energy platform and achieve net-zero emissions by 2035.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

BCCI Naman Awards 2026: Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj Win Lifetime Achievement Awards
In March 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) presented its annual Naman Awards 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi, honouring outstanding performances and contributions in Indian cricket for the 2024–25 season.

• Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid were conferred with the highest honour of BCCI, Colonel (Col.) C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, while Mithali Raj received the Lifetime Achievement Award (Women) for her contribution to women’s cricket.

Highlights of BCCI Awards and Honours 2026:
Polly Umrigar: Shubman Gill won the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) after scoring 983 runs in Tests and 490 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Women Award: Smriti Mandhana was named Best International Cricketer (IC) (Women) for the fifth time, scoring 434 runs in the Women’s ODI World Cup (WWC) and setting a record with five ODI centuries in 2025.
Domestic: Shafali Verma won the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy (JDT) for Best Woman Cricketer in Senior Domestic One Day (SDOD) cricket for 2024–25.
Debut: Harshit Rana (Men) and N Sree Charani (Women) received awards for Best International Debut.
Bowling: Deepti Sharma emerged as the highest wicket-taker in Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs).

2025 Sahitya Akademi Awards: Honouring Literary Excellence in 24 Indian Languages
In March 2026, the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters under the Ministry of Culture, announced the winners of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025, recognising literary excellence in 24 Indian languages.
About Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025:
Award Composition: The 2025 awardees include 8 books of Poetry, 6 Short Stories, 4 Novels, 2 Essays, 2 Memoirs, 1 Autobiography, and 1 Literary Criticism.
Prize: Each winner receives a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The plaque was originally designed by the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
2025 Winners: Several distinguished writers and former diplomats are among this year’s recipients:

• English: Navtej Sarna (Former Ambassador) for his novel “Crimson Spring”.
• Hindi: Mamta Kalia for her memoir “Jeete Jee Allahabad”.
• Tamil: Sa Tamilselvan for his work of literary criticism “Thamiz Sirukathaiyin Thadangal”.
• Bengali: Prasun Bandyopadhyay for the poetry collection “Shrestha Kabita”.
• Sanskrit: Sadhu Bhadreshdas (Mahamahopadhyay) for “Prasthanacatustaye Brahmaghosah”.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Gujarat Achieves Milestone with First Sounding Rocket Launch at Dholera
In March 2026, Gujarat achieved a major milestone in the space sector with the successful launch of its first sounding rocket at Bavaliyari village near Dholera, Gujarat, marking the state’s entry into India’s growing private space technology ecosystem.
Key Details of Launch:
Conducting Agency: The test was carried out by Ahmedabad-based startup Omspace Rocket and Exploration Private Limited (OSRE).
Launch & Performance: The single-stage sub-orbital rocket was launched from a temporary facility and successfully reached an altitude of nearly 3 kilometres(km).
Payload: The rocket carried a mini-satellite for weather data collection and was built using carbon fibre and advanced composites under the Make in India initiative.
Policy Support & Approval: The launch was carried out with approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and supported by the Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025–2030.

ENVIRONMENT

ZSI Discovers Two New Species of Lichen Moths in Eastern Himalayas
In March 2026, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) announced the discovery of two new species of lichen moths: ‘Caulocerahollowayi S. Singh, N. Singh & Bhattacharya, 2026’ and ‘Asura buxa Bhattacharya, S. Singh & N. Singh’, 2026 from the Eastern Himalayas, enhancing India’s biodiversity records.

• The findings were published in Zootaxa, an international taxonomic journal.

About New Species of Lichen Moths:
Discovery Locations: Caulocerahollowayi was identified from specimens collected near Golitar in Sikkim, while Asura buxa was discovered in Panijhora, West Bengal (WB).
Etymology: The species were named by the scientists Navneet Singh (ZSI, Kolkata, WB), Santosh Singh (Central Zone Regional Centre, ZSI, Jabalpur(Madhya Pradesh, MP)), and Srishti Bhattacharya (UGC Senior Research Fellow, ZSI), who formally described and identified them in the study.
Scientific Characteristics: The species were identified based on external morphology such as wing colouration, fascia patterns, and structural differences in genitalia. Unique features include distinct body scales, bristle patterns (chaetotaxy), and specialised appendages.
Pollution Indicator:  Lichen moths serve as vital indicators of air pollution. Their caterpillars feed primarily on lichens, which are highly sensitive to atmospheric quality.

SPORTS

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli Wins First F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026
On 15 March 2026, Italy’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, won his first-ever 2026 Chinese Grand Prix (GP) (also known as Formula 1 (F1) Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2026) held at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai (China)

• George Russell (United Kingdom, UK) of Mercedes finished second, while Lewis Hamilton (UK) of Ferrari secured third place.

Overview Chinese GP 2026:
Edition: The 2026 race marked the 19th running of the Chinese GP and the 19th time it was hosted at the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC).
Round: This was the second round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship (F1WC)
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished fourth contributing to the Constructors’ Championship.
Haas: Oliver Bearman of Haas secured fifth place, recording his best result of the 2026 season.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Sleep Day 2026 – March 13
World Sleep Day (WSD) is an annual global campaign observed on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox to raise awareness about sleep health, highlight its role in overall well-being, and promote the prevention and treatment of sleep disorders.

• The 19th edition of WSD 2026 was observed on 13 March 2026, while WSD 2025 was marked on 14 March 2025, and WSD 2027 will be observed on 12 March 2026.

Background:
Origin of WSD:  The World Sleep Society(WSS) was established in 2016 through the merger of the World Association of Sleep Medicine and the World Sleep Federation.

• WSD was initiated by a group of healthcare professionals and researchers specializing in sleep medicine.

First Observance: The first WSD was observed on 14 March 2008.
Organising Body: WSD is annually coordinated by the WSDCommittee of the World Sleep Society(WSS).

STATE NEWS

Himachal Pradesh Signs 3 MoUs with NDDB to Strengthen Dairy Sector & Boost Milk Processing
In March 2026, the Government of Himachal Pradesh(HP) signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Shimla(HP), to enhance the state’s dairy sector, improve milk processing capacity, and generate employment for farmers.
Key Components of Himachal–NDDB Agreements:
Dairy Infrastructure: The agreements focus on forming the Kangra Milk Union and strengthening dairy infrastructure through new processing and storage facilities.
Processing & Chilling Facilities: Two milk processing plants (20,000 litres per day(LPD) each) will be set up at Nahan and Nalagarh, along with two chilling centres at Jalari and Jhalera.
Digital Management System: Enterprise Resource Planning(ERP) software will be implemented in the dairy federation to improve transparency and efficiency.

• An automated plant at Dhagwar (Rs 250 crore) will process 1.5 lakh LPD, expandable to 3 lakh LPD.

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