TODAYS TOP NEWS
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1. The Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for the period of 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of more than 2,584 crore for the installation of Small Hydro Power (SHP) Projects of an approximate capacity of 1500 MW.
2. Union Cabinet has approved a bill to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, aiming to strengthen oversight of foreign funds and ensure better management of assets held by organisations that lose their licences.
3. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released two thematic SDG Bulletins: (i) Planet in Focus: Advancing Environmental Sustainability under the SDGs and (ii) Delivering Prosperity at Scale: India’s Economic Transformation through the SDGs during Capacity Building Workshop on Monitoring Frameworks of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Compilation of Environment Accounts, and Gender Statistics, on 18th March, 2026 in Patna, Bihar.
4. A Reform‑Linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 was signed today with the State of Uttar Pradesh, marking the State’s formal entry into the reform‑linked implementation framework of the Mission. Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
5. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that health insurance is the priority of the government and it is working towards providing insurance coverage for all by 2033.
6. The Government has notified the amendment of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2026, to strengthen toll compliance on National Highways. These rules will further enhance transparency in toll operations, boost investor confidence, and provide legal and financial safeguards.
7. The hill region surrounding Kalinjar Fort in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, has been officially designated as a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on 16 March 2026. This recognition highlights the area’s exceptional geological significance along with its rich historical and cultural legacy.
8. Telangana government has proposed setting up 37 Automated Testing Stations (ATS) in district headquarters in a bid to modernise vehicle testing and enhance transparency. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar informed the Legislative Council.
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LEGAL REPORT
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1. Former Supreme Court Judge Deepak Verma gave evidence in favour of fugitive Nirav Modi in the United Kingdom Supreme Court supporting his appeal against extradition to India.
2. Congress opposes VBSA Bill to replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE : Bill represents constitutional overreach, encroaches on State powers, bureaucratises higher education, hands over grant-giving powers to politicised Education Ministry.
3. Indian men’s national cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality and and publicity rights.
He has sought damages of ₹2.5 crore against entities misusing his name and images to market and sell merchandise and also employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) videos and deepfakes to spread misinformation.
4. The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the criminal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in a case alleging use of snake venom in video shoots and involvement in rave parties where drugs were consumed, holding that the FIR could not be sustained in law on the limited legal issues examined.
5. The government has busted an organisation operating under the name Youth Khelo India Federation and is claiming affiliation with the government and the Indian Olympic Association. The organisation is requesting an entry fee of 825 US dollars from each athlete for participating in the International Games 2026 Thailand. In a social media post, the Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau said that the organisation is neither recognised nor affiliated with the with government or its associated bodies.
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DEFENCE News
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1. The National Defence Academy (NDA) is in the process to induct female trainers to align physical training with the specific physiological requirements of women cadets, who continue to match their male counterparts in performance and endurance, said Commandant Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi.
2. Virupaksha Radar Prototype: Hardware development for India’s ‘Virupaksha’ AESA radar (for the Super Sukhoi program) is underway with prototype fabrication. The radar is being produced in collaboration with Astra Microwave, L&T, and HAL, and is expected to significantly boost the Su-30MKI’s detection range and EW resistance.
3. Pinaka Pitched to Europe: India is actively offering its 120 km range Guided Pinaka rocket system to European nations looking to replenish artillery stockpiles depleted by the Ukraine war. Following France’s evaluation and export success with Armenia, the DRDO is working to integrate Pinaka with European command networks.
4. National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Solar Defence & Aerospace are jointly developing a 150 kg class long-range loitering munition for deep strike missions. Testing is planned for 2028, with the drone expected to feature a 900 km range, 9-hour endurance, and a 15 kg warhead targeting high-value assets.
5. Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines secured a ₹9.5 crore contract from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) for the supply of the indigenous ASMI submachine guns.
FINANCE
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INDIAN RUPEE VALUE
💷 GBP ₹123(Approx)
€ Euro : ₹107(Approx)
USD ₹ 92(Approx)
🇨🇦 Canada :CAD ₹67
🇦🇺 Australia : ₹ 65
🇦🇪 UAE Dirham : ₹ 25
🇨🇳 China Yuan ¥ : ₹ 13
🇲🇻 Maldives Rufiya : ₹ 6.00
🇧🇹 Bhutan ngultrum : ₹ 1.00
🇳🇵 Nepal Rupee : ₹ 0.63
🇧🇩 B’desh Taka* : ₹ 0.70
🇵🇰 Pak Rupee : ₹ 0.32
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Rupee : ₹ 0.29
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BSE SENSEX
74,207.24 −2,496.89 (3.26%)🔻
NIFTY
23,002.15 −775.65 (3.26%)🔻
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Rates in Financial Capital Mumbai
GOLD : ₹ 15,800/ 01gm (24 krt)
SILVER : ₹ 280,000/KG
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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Dhurandhar: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh, has achieved a historic opening in 2026, with worldwide advance bookings crossing over Rs. 260 crore, making it one of the biggest Indian film openers. It has reportedly raked in over Rs. 100 crore in India on Day 1, surpassing records set by movies like Jawan and Stree.
20 Mar(Friday)
Vedic Ritu/ Vasant
Drik Ritu : Vasant (Spring)
पक्ष :: Shuklapaksh
(In Purnimanta calendar)
Vikram Samvat – 2083
Month : Chitra 17,
(In Amanta calendar)
Shaka Samvat – 1947
Month : Chitra 17
Tithi : Dwitiya/
Tritiya
Nakshatra:Revati
Ashwini
Rahu : 11:04 AM – 12:34 PM
Yamaganda : 03:34 PM – 05:04 PM
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Ms. Pooja, |
