1) 🇮🇳National

• Project GANGA Launched: Uttar Pradesh has launched 'Project GANGA' (Ganga Action Network for Green Advancement) to integrate digital monitoring with sustainable river rejuvenation.
• Digital Twin Port: V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu has become India’s first 'Digital Twin Port', utilizing real-time data for optimized maritime operations.
• Autonomous Shipbuilding: The world’s first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre is being established in Andhra Pradesh to boost indigenous high-tech vessel manufacturing.
• NCERT PARAKH Survey: A nationwide digital assessment by NCERT begins today for Class 3 students across 776 districts to evaluate foundational literacy and numeracy.
• Joha Rice Export: Assam’s aromatic, GI-tagged Joha Rice has been exported to the UK and Italy for the first time, expanding the global reach of Indian agricultural products.

2) 🌍International

• Strait of Hormuz Closure: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to intensifying regional conflict has pushed global crude oil prices to $100 per barrel.
• China's Border Villages: Reports confirm China has completed 628 'Xiaokang' (prosperous) border villages along the Indian border, significant for strategic and demographic monitoring.
• WTO Expansion: Comoros and Timor-Leste have officially been admitted as the newest members of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• US Missile Test: The US successfully test-fired the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to demonstrate its nuclear deterrence readiness.

3) 💰Economy

• 16th Finance Commission: The commission has retained the 41% vertical devolution of taxes to states while notably removing 'Tax Effort' from the criteria to simplify the fiscal formula.
• Fitch Growth Forecast: Fitch Ratings has raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.5%, citing resilient domestic demand despite global energy shocks.
• LPG Supply Strategy: India has successfully increased domestic LPG production by 25% to mitigate supply risks arising from the maritime crisis in West Asia.
• Sovereign AI Outlay: The 'IndiaAI Mission' has received a ₹10,372 crore outlay to establish a sovereign 10,000 GPU computing infrastructure.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• National Vaccination Day: Observed annually on 16 March to celebrate India's victory over Polio and highlight the role of vaccines in global health.
• Historical Launch (1926): On this day, Robert Goddard launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket, pioneering the modern space age.
• 100 Centuries (2012): Sachin Tendulkar became the first and only batter to score 100 international centuries on this day in Dhaka.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Priyanka Chopra Jonas: The Indian actress represented India as a presenter at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) held at the Dolby Theatre.
• James Madison: Born on this day in 1751, he is known as the "Father of the Constitution" and served as the 4th President of the USA.

6) 🏅Sports

• National Half-Marathon Record: Gulveer Singh set a new Indian national record at the NYC Half Marathon 2026, clocking 59:42 to finish third.
• T20 World Cup Bonus: The BCCI officially announced a ₹131 crore cash reward for Team India following their historic T20 World Cup title win.
• BCCI Naman Awards: Shubman Gill is set to be honored as the Men’s Cricketer of the Year (Polly Umrigar Award) at the ceremony today.

7) 🏆Awards

• 98th Academy Awards (Oscars): The film Sinners led with a record 16 nominations. A new category for 'Best Casting' was introduced this year.
• Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement: Awarded to Rahul Dravid for his immense contribution to Indian cricket as a player and World Cup-winning coach.
• NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award: Posthumously awarded to NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo for his extensive humanitarian work in Africa.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• Passive Euthanasia Ruling: The Supreme Court permitted passive euthanasia for a patient in a vegetative state for 13 years, reinforcing the 'Right to Die with Dignity' under Article 21.
• Anti-Conversion Law: The Maharashtra government has tabled a bill mandating a 60-day notice for religious conversions to prevent inducements and forced changes.

📚Word of the day

• INEVITABLE (Adjective)
• Meaning: Certain to happen; unavoidable.
• Usage: "Given the current economic indicators, a shift towards green energy seems inevitable for long-term sustainability."