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World Tuberculosis Day 2026 – March 24World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) is observed annually across the globe on 24 March every year to raise awareness about Tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and curable infectious disease, and to accelerate efforts toward its elimination.2026 Theme: “Yes! We Can End TB! Led by Countries, Powered by People”Background: Proposal: In 1982, on the centenary of Koch’s discovery, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed designating 24 March as World TB Day under the campaign “Defeat TB: Now and Forever.”Observance: The first official World TB Day was observed on 24 March 1983.2026 Events in India:Event: A national-level WTD 2026 event was presided over by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP). During the event, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – 100 Days Campaign,’ the TB Mukt Bharat Application(app), and the TB Mukt Urban Ward Initiative to accelerate case detection, improve treatment adherence, and strengthen TB services in high-burden areas.
World Tuberculosis Day 2026 – March 24World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) is observed annually across the globe on 24 March every year to raise awareness about Tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and curable infectious disease, and to accelerate efforts toward its elimination.2026 Theme: “Yes! We Can End TB! Led by Countries, Powered by People”Background: Proposal: In 1982, on the centenary of Koch’s discovery, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed designating 24 March as World TB Day under the campaign “Defeat TB: Now and Forever.”Observance: The first official World TB Day was observed on 24 March 1983.2026 Events in India:Event: A national-level WTD 2026 event was presided over by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP). During the event, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – 100 Days Campaign,’ the TB Mukt Bharat Application(app), and the TB Mukt Urban Ward Initiative to accelerate case detection, improve treatment adherence, and strengthen TB services in high-burden areas.
World Tuberculosis Day 2026 – March 24World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) is observed annually across the globe on 24 March every year to raise awareness about Tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and curable infectious disease, and to accelerate efforts toward...
CCI Approves Japan’s MUFG Bank Proposal to Acquire 20% Stake in SFL for Rs 39,618 crore In March 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposal of Japan’s MUFG Bank Limited, wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, to acquire a 20% stake in Shriram Finance Limited (SFL), a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India, for Rs.39,618 crore (approximately USD 4.4 billion).This marks the largest cross-border investment in the financial sector of India to date.About Acquirer & Target:Acquirer: MUFG Bank Ltd. is a banking institution in Japan, provides financial services. In India, it offers various financial products like: corporate banking loans, deposit accounts, remittances, trade finance, among others.Target: SFL is a public listed NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is classified as an Investment and Credit Company (ICC) and categorized under the NBFC-Upper Layer.SFL is mainly engaged in the business of financing commercial goods and passenger vehicles, construction equipment, among others.
CCI Approves Japan’s MUFG Bank Proposal to Acquire 20% Stake in SFL for Rs 39,618 crore In March 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposal of Japan’s MUFG Bank Limited, wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, to acquire a 20% stake in Shriram Finance Limited (SFL), a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India, for Rs.39,618 crore (approximately USD 4.4 billion).This marks the largest cross-border investment in the financial sector of India to date.About Acquirer & Target:Acquirer: MUFG Bank Ltd. is a banking institution in Japan, provides financial services. In India, it offers various financial products like: corporate banking loans, deposit accounts, remittances, trade finance, among others.Target: SFL is a public listed NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is classified as an Investment and Credit Company (ICC) and categorized under the NBFC-Upper Layer.SFL is mainly engaged in the business of financing commercial goods and passenger vehicles, construction equipment, among others.
CCI Approves Japan’s MUFG Bank Proposal to Acquire 20% Stake in SFL for Rs 39,618 crore In March 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposal of Japan’s MUFG Bank Limited, wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial ...
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Bengali Writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay Selected for Saraswati Samman 2025In March 2026, eminent Bengali writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay was selected for the 35th Saraswati Samman (2025) for his novel ‘Hara Parbati Katha(2020)’, marking a significant recognition for Bengali literature.About Saraswati Samman:Establishment: The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation. The award is named after Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and learning.Nature of Award: It is one of India’s highest literary honours, awarded for an outstanding work published in the last 10 years in any of the 22 languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.Award Components: The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque.
Bengali Writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay Selected for Saraswati Samman 2025In March 2026, eminent Bengali writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay was selected for the 35th Saraswati Samman (2025) for his novel ‘Hara Parbati Katha(2020)’, marking a significant recognition for Bengali literature.About Saraswati Samman:Establishment: The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation. The award is named after Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and learning.Nature of Award: It is one of India’s highest literary honours, awarded for an outstanding work published in the last 10 years in any of the 22 languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.Award Components: The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque.
Bengali Writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay Selected for Saraswati Samman 2025In March 2026, eminent Bengali writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay was selected for the 35th Saraswati Samman (2025) for his novel ‘Hara Parbati Katha(2020)’, marking a significant recog...
Cochin Chamber signs MoU with Latvian Chamber to strengthen bilateral tradeIn March 2026, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Latvia, to bolster bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Latvia and India.Following this MoU, the CCI became the second Chamber of Commerce(CC) in India and the first in South India to enter into an agreement with the LCCI.Key Details of MoU:Expansion: This strategic partnership is expected to open up significant business opportunities to expand and explore into new markets across Europe.Key Sectors: The MoU will generate new opportunities for Indian business across key sectors like: pharmaceuticals, education, and the wood industry in Latvia.About CCCI: Established in 1857, the CCCI is the oldest Chamber of Commerce in Kerala and one of the oldest in India. It is one of the 5 promoter chambers of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Cochin Chamber signs MoU with Latvian Chamber to strengthen bilateral tradeIn March 2026, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Latvia, to bolster bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Latvia and India.Following this MoU, the CCI became the second Chamber of Commerce(CC) in India and the first in South India to enter into an agreement with the LCCI.Key Details of MoU:Expansion: This strategic partnership is expected to open up significant business opportunities to expand and explore into new markets across Europe.Key Sectors: The MoU will generate new opportunities for Indian business across key sectors like: pharmaceuticals, education, and the wood industry in Latvia.About CCCI: Established in 1857, the CCCI is the oldest Chamber of Commerce in Kerala and one of the oldest in India. It is one of the 5 promoter chambers of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Cochin Chamber signs MoU with Latvian Chamber to strengthen bilateral tradeIn March 2026, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Latvia, ...
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SEBI Launches ‘Verified App Label’ Initiative To Strengthen Investor Protection In March 2026, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched the ‘Verified Application(app) Label’ Initiative to protect investors against fraudulent mobile applications and ensure safe digital investing in India.About ‘Verified App Label’ Initiative: Approach: Over 1.3 lakh fraudulent investment apps, including 66 fake trading apps, have been reported and removed, prompting SEBI to build preventive safeguards under the principle: “First verify. Then invest.”Mechanism: Apps of SEBI-registered intermediaries will display a verified badge on the Google Play Store to help investors easily identify genuine apps and reduce impersonation risks.Partner with Google: The SEBI partnered with Google to monitor financial influencers (Finfluencers) who violate market regulations, aiming to strengthen the digital investment ecosystem and protect investors.
SEBI Launches ‘Verified App Label’ Initiative To Strengthen Investor Protection In March 2026, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched the ‘Verified Application(app) Label’ Initiative to protect investors against fraudulent mobile applications and ensure safe digital investing in India.About ‘Verified App Label’ Initiative: Approach: Over 1.3 lakh fraudulent investment apps, including 66 fake trading apps, have been reported and removed, prompting SEBI to build preventive safeguards under the principle: “First verify. Then invest.”Mechanism: Apps of SEBI-registered intermediaries will display a verified badge on the Google Play Store to help investors easily identify genuine apps and reduce impersonation risks.Partner with Google: The SEBI partnered with Google to monitor financial influencers (Finfluencers) who violate market regulations, aiming to strengthen the digital investment ecosystem and protect investors.
SEBI Launches ‘Verified App Label’ Initiative To Strengthen Investor Protection In March 2026, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched the ‘Verified Application(app) Label’ Initiative to protect ...
QS World University Rankings 2026: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIM Ahmedabad Toped Among Indian InstitutesIn March 2026, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the 16th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, in which Indian Institutes of Technology Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM) Dhanbad, Jharkhand ranked 21st globally in Engineering – Mineral and Mining and IIM Ahmedabad, Gujarat, secured the same position in both Business and Management Studies and Marketing, marking India’s debut in the Marketing subject ranking.The United States of America (USA) continues to lead globally with first place in 37 subjects (up from 32 in 2025), while the United Kingdom (UK) ranks second with the top position in 15 subjects, declining from 18 in 2025.QS Rankings 2026:Institutional Presence: The USA leads with 228 institutions, followed by China with 158 and the UK with 114, while India has 99 institutions, up from 79 in 2025.New Entries: India becomes the fourth-largest higher education system by entries, with 120 new Indian entries, after the USA(287), China(181) and UK(159).IIT Strength: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay (Maharashtra), and IIT Kharagpur (West Bengal) dominate engineering and technology rankings with multiple top-50 positions.CS Breakthrough: IIT Bombay (Maharashtra) and IIT Delhi enter the global top 50 in Computer Science for the first time.
QS World University Rankings 2026: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIM Ahmedabad Toped Among Indian InstitutesIn March 2026, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the 16th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, in which Indian Institutes of Technology Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM) Dhanbad, Jharkhand ranked 21st globally in Engineering – Mineral and Mining and IIM Ahmedabad, Gujarat, secured the same position in both Business and Management Studies and Marketing, marking India’s debut in the Marketing subject ranking.The United States of America (USA) continues to lead globally with first place in 37 subjects (up from 32 in 2025), while the United Kingdom (UK) ranks second with the top position in 15 subjects, declining from 18 in 2025.QS Rankings 2026:Institutional Presence: The USA leads with 228 institutions, followed by China with 158 and the UK with 114, while India has 99 institutions, up from 79 in 2025.New Entries: India becomes the fourth-largest higher education system by entries, with 120 new Indian entries, after the USA(287), China(181) and UK(159).IIT Strength: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay (Maharashtra), and IIT Kharagpur (West Bengal) dominate engineering and technology rankings with multiple top-50 positions.CS Breakthrough: IIT Bombay (Maharashtra) and IIT Delhi enter the global top 50 in Computer Science for the first time.
QS World University Rankings 2026: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIM Ahmedabad Toped Among Indian InstitutesIn March 2026, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the 16th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, in which Indian Institutes of ...
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DPIIT Signs MoUs with Razorpay to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem; Launches ‘Startup Sahayak’ PlatformOn 25 March 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Razorpay to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem and promote innovation-led growth.The agreement was signed by T. L. K. Singh, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT; Arif Khan, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Razorpay.About DPIIT-Razorpay Startup Partnership:Objective: The collaboration aims to empower startups, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, by providing financial tools, technical and advisory support, founder enablement programs, and digital payment solutions to accelerate growth.Startup Sahayak: A dedicated platform, ‘Startup Sahayak’, has been launched to provide end-to-end assistance, including company incorporation, access to central and state government schemes, and guidance on funding opportunities.Capacity Building: The partnership will organize sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), marketing, product development, and financial management via the Startup India Hub (SIH) and address fintech-focused challenges under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge (BSGC) to promote digital innovation.Community: Selected startups will receive mentorship, pitch deck reviews, application guidance, and access to curated founder communities for peer learning, networking, and domain-specific support in engineering, hiring, and marketing.
DPIIT Signs MoUs with Razorpay to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem; Launches ‘Startup Sahayak’ PlatformOn 25 March 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Razorpay to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem and promote innovation-led growth.The agreement was signed by T. L. K. Singh, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT; Arif Khan, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Razorpay.About DPIIT-Razorpay Startup Partnership:Objective: The collaboration aims to empower startups, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, by providing financial tools, technical and advisory support, founder enablement programs, and digital payment solutions to accelerate growth.Startup Sahayak: A dedicated platform, ‘Startup Sahayak’, has been launched to provide end-to-end assistance, including company incorporation, access to central and state government schemes, and guidance on funding opportunities.Capacity Building: The partnership will organize sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), marketing, product development, and financial management via the Startup India Hub (SIH) and address fintech-focused challenges under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge (BSGC) to promote digital innovation.Community: Selected startups will receive mentorship, pitch deck reviews, application guidance, and access to curated founder communities for peer learning, networking, and domain-specific support in engineering, hiring, and marketing.
DPIIT Signs MoUs with Razorpay to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem; Launches ‘Startup Sahayak’ PlatformOn 25 March 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), signed strate...
MoE Issues 3-Year Action Plan for Nationwide Implementation of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’In March 2026, a joint advisory from the Secretary of Department of School Education & Literacy(DoSL), Ministry of Education (MoE) and Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been issued to the Chief Secretaries(CS) of all States and Union Territories (UTs) for mission-mode implementation of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) Action Plan’ in schools.About Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA):Aim: A national initiative aimed at creating a drug-free India, focusing on preventing substance abuse among students and raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs in schools.Key Provisions: It mandates declaring a 500-metre(m) radius around schools as drug-free zones and requires school heads or nodal teachers to report any violations to local authorities, including the police.Holistic Approach: The Action Plan adopts a holistic approach, including awareness programs, preventive education in schools, teacher and head capacity building, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) interventions such as posters, signage boards, and creative campaigns to promote drug-free environments.
MoE Issues 3-Year Action Plan for Nationwide Implementation of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’In March 2026, a joint advisory from the Secretary of Department of School Education & Literacy(DoSL), Ministry of Education (MoE) and Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been issued to the Chief Secretaries(CS) of all States and Union Territories (UTs) for mission-mode implementation of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) Action Plan’ in schools.About Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA):Aim: A national initiative aimed at creating a drug-free India, focusing on preventing substance abuse among students and raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs in schools.Key Provisions: It mandates declaring a 500-metre(m) radius around schools as drug-free zones and requires school heads or nodal teachers to report any violations to local authorities, including the police.Holistic Approach: The Action Plan adopts a holistic approach, including awareness programs, preventive education in schools, teacher and head capacity building, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) interventions such as posters, signage boards, and creative campaigns to promote drug-free environments.
MoE Issues 3-Year Action Plan for Nationwide Implementation of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’In March 2026, a joint advisory from the Secretary of Department of School Education & Literacy(DoSL), Ministry of Education (MoE) and Home Secretary, Ministry...
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BHASHINI–PFRDA Sign MoU to Enable Multilingual Pension ServicesOn 25 March 2026, the Digital India BHASHa Interface for India (BHASHINI) Division (DIBD) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under Ministry of Finance (MoF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the initiative ‘BHASHINI for Seva–Sanchalan’ to enhance multilingual accessibility of pension services across India.About Multilingual Pension Integration via BHASHINI:Inclusion: The initiative enables multilingual access across PFRDA platforms in all 22 Eighth Schedule languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, and Sanskrit, enhancing outreach and expanding pension access to rural, informal sector, and first-time savers.Digital Infrastructure: The initiative leverages BHASHINI as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models for real-time translation and contextual processing.Technology Integration: It provides voice-enabled user interfaces with speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies and integrates BHASHINI tools into PFRDA systems under the BHASHINI Sahayogi Programme for effective implementation.About BHASHINI: It is India’s AI-driven language technology initiative launched under the National Language Translation Mission by MeitY, supports 36 Indian languages, 23 voices, and 35 international languages.
BHASHINI–PFRDA Sign MoU to Enable Multilingual Pension ServicesOn 25 March 2026, the Digital India BHASHa Interface for India (BHASHINI) Division (DIBD) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under Ministry of Finance (MoF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the initiative ‘BHASHINI for Seva–Sanchalan’ to enhance multilingual accessibility of pension services across India.About Multilingual Pension Integration via BHASHINI:Inclusion: The initiative enables multilingual access across PFRDA platforms in all 22 Eighth Schedule languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, and Sanskrit, enhancing outreach and expanding pension access to rural, informal sector, and first-time savers.Digital Infrastructure: The initiative leverages BHASHINI as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models for real-time translation and contextual processing.Technology Integration: It provides voice-enabled user interfaces with speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies and integrates BHASHINI tools into PFRDA systems under the BHASHINI Sahayogi Programme for effective implementation.About BHASHINI: It is India’s AI-driven language technology initiative launched under the National Language Translation Mission by MeitY, supports 36 Indian languages, 23 voices, and 35 international languages.
BHASHINI–PFRDA Sign MoU to Enable Multilingual Pension ServicesOn 25 March 2026, the Digital India BHASHa Interface for India (BHASHINI) Division (DIBD) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Pension Fund Regulatory ...
NCW and Truecaller Partner to Strengthen Women’s Digital SafetyIn March 2026, the National Commission for Women (NCW) collaborated with Truecaller, a leading global communications platform, to launch a women’s digital safety awareness initiative across India.Key Details of Collaboration:Objective: The partnership creates a framework to raise awareness of women’s digital risks and strengthen access to institutional redressal, including the NCW 24×7 helpline.Initiative: Under the collaboration, NCW and Truecaller launched ‘TrueCyberSakhi: A Digital Safety Toolkit, Created for Her’, a comprehensive resource using quizzes and self-assessment tools to raise women’s awareness of digital risks such as spam, phishing, and financial fraud.Digital Campaign: The initiative is further supported by a coordinated digital awareness campaign to promote women’s online safety, responsible digital participation, and access to redressal mechanisms.NCW: It is an autonomous statutory body established under the National Commission for Women (NCW Act, 1990) in 1992, with a mandate to protect and promote women’s rights.
NCW and Truecaller Partner to Strengthen Women’s Digital SafetyIn March 2026, the National Commission for Women (NCW) collaborated with Truecaller, a leading global communications platform, to launch a women’s digital safety awareness initiative across India.Key Details of Collaboration:Objective: The partnership creates a framework to raise awareness of women’s digital risks and strengthen access to institutional redressal, including the NCW 24×7 helpline.Initiative: Under the collaboration, NCW and Truecaller launched ‘TrueCyberSakhi: A Digital Safety Toolkit, Created for Her’, a comprehensive resource using quizzes and self-assessment tools to raise women’s awareness of digital risks such as spam, phishing, and financial fraud.Digital Campaign: The initiative is further supported by a coordinated digital awareness campaign to promote women’s online safety, responsible digital participation, and access to redressal mechanisms.NCW: It is an autonomous statutory body established under the National Commission for Women (NCW Act, 1990) in 1992, with a mandate to protect and promote women’s rights.
NCW and Truecaller Partner to Strengthen Women’s Digital SafetyIn March 2026, the National Commission for Women (NCW) collaborated with Truecaller, a leading global communications platform, to launch a women’s digital safety awareness initiative acro...
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