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Scapia Launches ‘Scapia Pay’ App to Earn Rewards Via RuPay Credit CardsIn March 2026, Scapia, a travel fintech platform in India, launched ‘Scapia Pay’, an in-application(app) Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment service that enables users to earn rewards on transactions made using RuPay credit cards.Key Details:Aim: This newly launched initiative aims to integrate daily payments, credit, and travel rewards within a unified platform.Process to Earn Benefits: Through this new payment service, users will be able to link their Scapia Federal RuPay and Scapia BOBCARD RuPay credit cards to the app for quick UPI payments and earn benefits on qualifying transactions.Key Features: Offers a seamless interface, real-time payments, and features like custom UPI Identification(ID) for privacy, first-time payment notifications, high-value transaction alerts, and consolidated spend tracking.Services Expansion: It has expanded its services ecosystem from travel-first credit offerings to a multi-category platform including flights, buses, visas and financial services.
Scapia Launches ‘Scapia Pay’ App to Earn Rewards Via RuPay Credit CardsIn March 2026, Scapia, a travel fintech platform in India, launched ‘Scapia Pay’, an in-application(app) Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment service that enables users to earn rewards on transactions made using RuPay credit cards.Key Details:Aim: This newly launched initiative aims to integrate daily payments, credit, and travel rewards within a unified platform.Process to Earn Benefits: Through this new payment service, users will be able to link their Scapia Federal RuPay and Scapia BOBCARD RuPay credit cards to the app for quick UPI payments and earn benefits on qualifying transactions.Key Features: Offers a seamless interface, real-time payments, and features like custom UPI Identification(ID) for privacy, first-time payment notifications, high-value transaction alerts, and consolidated spend tracking.Services Expansion: It has expanded its services ecosystem from travel-first credit offerings to a multi-category platform including flights, buses, visas and financial services.
Scapia Launches ‘Scapia Pay’ App to Earn Rewards Via RuPay Credit CardsIn March 2026, Scapia, a travel fintech platform in India, launched ‘Scapia Pay’, an in-application(app) Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment service that enables users to ear...
NIPL Expands UPI Merchant Acceptance in Sri LankaIn March 2026, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), expanded the acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across merchant establishments in Sri Lanka.Key Details of Expansion:Objective: The initiative aims to improve cross-border payment experiences for Indian tourists and further strengthen the longstanding economic and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.UPI Payments: This new initiative will enable Indian tourists to make real-time account-to-account payments by scanning Lanka Quick Response (QR) codes through their preferred UPI-enabled mobile applications (apps).Merchant-specific Benefits: This initiative will help the merchants to expand its reach to a large, digitally savvy customer; enhances cash management, reduces reliance on physical cash and improves operational efficiency.UPI Dominance: UPI processes more than 20 billion monthly financial transactions and has over 700 million UPI QR touch points across India.Global Reach of UPI: It is now operational in more than eight countries, including the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.
NIPL Expands UPI Merchant Acceptance in Sri LankaIn March 2026, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), expanded the acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across merchant establishments in Sri Lanka.Key Details of Expansion:Objective: The initiative aims to improve cross-border payment experiences for Indian tourists and further strengthen the longstanding economic and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.UPI Payments: This new initiative will enable Indian tourists to make real-time account-to-account payments by scanning Lanka Quick Response (QR) codes through their preferred UPI-enabled mobile applications (apps).Merchant-specific Benefits: This initiative will help the merchants to expand its reach to a large, digitally savvy customer; enhances cash management, reduces reliance on physical cash and improves operational efficiency.UPI Dominance: UPI processes more than 20 billion monthly financial transactions and has over 700 million UPI QR touch points across India.Global Reach of UPI: It is now operational in more than eight countries, including the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.
NIPL Expands UPI Merchant Acceptance in Sri LankaIn March 2026, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), expanded the acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acros...
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British Council Signs MoU to Support SPARK 100K Collective for Women’s Entrepreneurship and Skills in IndiaIn March 2026, the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Women’s Collective Forum and the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality in New Delhi(Delhi) to support ‘SPARK – The 100K Collective’, an initiative focused on enhancing skills, expanding networks, and creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs across India.Key Details of MoU:Objective: Strengthen skills, leadership, and networks for women entrepreneurs and enhance their participation in economic growth.Coverage: Targets 1 lakh women entrepreneurs across around 300 locations in India.Training: British Council provides English language and digital communication training to improve business skills, confidence, and market access.Key components: SPARK Kaushal delivers digital and vocational skills training; SPARK MBA acts as a business accelerator aligned with government skilling initiatives; SPARK X develops leadership capabilities; SPARK Mitra offers mentorship; SPARK Nidhi provides micro-credit and growth capital; and SPARK Bazaar connects entrepreneurs to domestic and global markets.
British Council Signs MoU to Support SPARK 100K Collective for Women’s Entrepreneurship and Skills in IndiaIn March 2026, the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Women’s Collective Forum and the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality in New Delhi(Delhi) to support ‘SPARK – The 100K Collective’, an initiative focused on enhancing skills, expanding networks, and creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs across India.Key Details of MoU:Objective: Strengthen skills, leadership, and networks for women entrepreneurs and enhance their participation in economic growth.Coverage: Targets 1 lakh women entrepreneurs across around 300 locations in India.Training: British Council provides English language and digital communication training to improve business skills, confidence, and market access.Key components: SPARK Kaushal delivers digital and vocational skills training; SPARK MBA acts as a business accelerator aligned with government skilling initiatives; SPARK X develops leadership capabilities; SPARK Mitra offers mentorship; SPARK Nidhi provides micro-credit and growth capital; and SPARK Bazaar connects entrepreneurs to domestic and global markets.
British Council Signs MoU to Support SPARK 100K Collective for Women’s Entrepreneurship and Skills in IndiaIn March 2026, the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Women’s Collective Forum and the Alliance for Global Goo...
Ministry of Culture Launches Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey to Map India’s Manuscript HeritageOn March 16 2026, the Ministry of Culture launched the ‘Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey (GBNMS)’, a first-of-its-kind three-month-long nationwide exercise under the Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM), to map India’s manuscript heritage across the country.About Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey (GBNMS):Process: The survey is voluntary and non-intrusive, ensuring ownership remains unchanged.The survey will be carried out by state-level committees led by the Chief Secretary(CS) and district-level committees headed by the District Magistrate.Framework: The survey follows a voluntary, non-intrusive four-stage framework:identification, physical verification, cataloguing with metadata, and conservation with digitisation.Technological Integration: To facilitate data collection, the Ministry of Culture introduced the Gyan Bharatam Applications(app), allowing citizens and institutions to upload basic details such as ownership type and location.This technology leverages the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) to ensure standardised digital access for global scholars.
Ministry of Culture Launches Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey to Map India’s Manuscript HeritageOn March 16 2026, the Ministry of Culture launched the ‘Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey (GBNMS)’, a first-of-its-kind three-month-long nationwide exercise under the Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM), to map India’s manuscript heritage across the country.About Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey (GBNMS):Process: The survey is voluntary and non-intrusive, ensuring ownership remains unchanged.The survey will be carried out by state-level committees led by the Chief Secretary(CS) and district-level committees headed by the District Magistrate.Framework: The survey follows a voluntary, non-intrusive four-stage framework:identification, physical verification, cataloguing with metadata, and conservation with digitisation.Technological Integration: To facilitate data collection, the Ministry of Culture introduced the Gyan Bharatam Applications(app), allowing citizens and institutions to upload basic details such as ownership type and location.This technology leverages the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) to ensure standardised digital access for global scholars.
Ministry of Culture Launches Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey to Map India’s Manuscript HeritageOn March 16 2026, the Ministry of Culture launched the ‘Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey (GBNMS)’, a first-of-its-kind three-month-long na...
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MNRE Expands ALMM Framework to Include Solar Ingots and Wafers Effective from June 2028In March 2026, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework by introducing ALMM List-III for solar ingots and wafers, effective from 1 June 2028, to strengthen India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem and reduce import dependence.Key Provisions: Eligibility: The Commercial Operation Date (COD) provision requires that bids submitted more than 7 days after notification under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (EA 2003) must use ALMM List-III wafers, and mandates Upstream Manufacturing Integration (UMI) through equivalent ingot capacity for enlistment.Capacity: The Gigawatt (GW) condition requires ALMM List-III issuance only upon availability of at least three independent manufacturers with a combined capacity of 15 GW.
MNRE Expands ALMM Framework to Include Solar Ingots and Wafers Effective from June 2028In March 2026, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework by introducing ALMM List-III for solar ingots and wafers, effective from 1 June 2028, to strengthen India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem and reduce import dependence.Key Provisions: Eligibility: The Commercial Operation Date (COD) provision requires that bids submitted more than 7 days after notification under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (EA 2003) must use ALMM List-III wafers, and mandates Upstream Manufacturing Integration (UMI) through equivalent ingot capacity for enlistment.Capacity: The Gigawatt (GW) condition requires ALMM List-III issuance only upon availability of at least three independent manufacturers with a combined capacity of 15 GW.
MNRE Expands ALMM Framework to Include Solar Ingots and Wafers Effective from June 2028In March 2026, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework by introducing ALMM List-III...
MoA&FW releases FE of 2024-25 and FAE of 2025-26 of horticulture area and productionIn March 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the Final Estimates (FE) of 2024-25 and First Advance Estimate (FAE) of 2025-26 of area and production of horticulture crops, i.e. fruits and vegetables.As per the FE of 2024-25, the total horticulture production increased from 3547.44 lakh tonnes (LT) to 3707.38 LT, reporting a 4.51% growth.Key HighlightsArea covered: The total horticulture crop area grew from 290.86 lakh hectares (ha) in 2023-24 FE to 301.36 lakh ha in 2024-25 FE, a 10.50 lakh ha (3.61%) increase. As per the FAE of 2025-26, the total area under the horticulture production is estimated to be 301.31 lakh ha.Horticulture Production: The FAE for 2025-26 project 3708.46 LT production, exceeding 2024-25 by 1.09 LT.Fruit Production: The fruit production rose from 1129.78 LT in 2023-24 to 1176.49 LT in 2024-25, registering a 4.13% growth.
MoA&FW releases FE of 2024-25 and FAE of 2025-26 of horticulture area and productionIn March 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the Final Estimates (FE) of 2024-25 and First Advance Estimate (FAE) of 2025-26 of area and production of horticulture crops, i.e. fruits and vegetables.As per the FE of 2024-25, the total horticulture production increased from 3547.44 lakh tonnes (LT) to 3707.38 LT, reporting a 4.51% growth.Key HighlightsArea covered: The total horticulture crop area grew from 290.86 lakh hectares (ha) in 2023-24 FE to 301.36 lakh ha in 2024-25 FE, a 10.50 lakh ha (3.61%) increase. As per the FAE of 2025-26, the total area under the horticulture production is estimated to be 301.31 lakh ha.Horticulture Production: The FAE for 2025-26 project 3708.46 LT production, exceeding 2024-25 by 1.09 LT.Fruit Production: The fruit production rose from 1129.78 LT in 2023-24 to 1176.49 LT in 2024-25, registering a 4.13% growth.
MoA&FW releases FE of 2024-25 and FAE of 2025-26 of horticulture area and productionIn March 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the Final Estimates (FE) of 2024-25 and First A...
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GoI Approves 23 Institutions to Establish ‘Quantum Labs’ under National Quantum MissionOn 16 March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) approved the establishment of quantum teaching laboratories in 23 institutions under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to strengthen education, research, and workforce development in emerging quantum technologies.The decision was reviewed during a high-level coordination meeting chaired by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T).Other Highlights of Meeting:IISF 2026: India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026 will be held in Pune (Maharashtra) with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoS&T, managing logistics and theme planning.NTD 2026: National Technology Day (NTD) (11 May 2026) will feature 500+ innovations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi)with participation from 3,000 stakeholders.
GoI Approves 23 Institutions to Establish ‘Quantum Labs’ under National Quantum MissionOn 16 March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) approved the establishment of quantum teaching laboratories in 23 institutions under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to strengthen education, research, and workforce development in emerging quantum technologies.The decision was reviewed during a high-level coordination meeting chaired by Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T).Other Highlights of Meeting:IISF 2026: India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026 will be held in Pune (Maharashtra) with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoS&T, managing logistics and theme planning.NTD 2026: National Technology Day (NTD) (11 May 2026) will feature 500+ innovations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi)with participation from 3,000 stakeholders.
GoI Approves 23 Institutions to Establish ‘Quantum Labs’ under National Quantum MissionOn 16 March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) approved the establishment of quantum teaching laboratories in 23 institutions under the National Quantum Mission (...
NSO’s Periodic Labour Force Survey: India’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.9% in February 2026In March 2026, the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for February 2026. The data shows that India’s overall Unemployment Rate(UR) slightly dropped to 4.9% in February 2026 from 5% in January 2026.The February 2026 Monthly Bulletin is the eleventh in the series, with estimates based on 3,74,879 individuals, including 2,13,679 from rural areas and 1,61,200 from urban areas.Key Findings of PLFS – February 2026:UR: The report highlights a significant decline in the urban UR for individuals aged 15 years and above, dropping to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January 2026. While Rural unemployment remained stable at 4.2% in February 2026.Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Overall LFPR stayed at 55.9%, with rural LFPR at 58.7% and urban LFPR rising marginally to 50.4%.Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Overall WPR remained broadly stable at 53.2%, rural WPR at 56.3%, and urban WPR at 47%.
NSO’s Periodic Labour Force Survey: India’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.9% in February 2026In March 2026, the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for February 2026. The data shows that India’s overall Unemployment Rate(UR) slightly dropped to 4.9% in February 2026 from 5% in January 2026.The February 2026 Monthly Bulletin is the eleventh in the series, with estimates based on 3,74,879 individuals, including 2,13,679 from rural areas and 1,61,200 from urban areas.Key Findings of PLFS – February 2026:UR: The report highlights a significant decline in the urban UR for individuals aged 15 years and above, dropping to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January 2026. While Rural unemployment remained stable at 4.2% in February 2026.Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Overall LFPR stayed at 55.9%, with rural LFPR at 58.7% and urban LFPR rising marginally to 50.4%.Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Overall WPR remained broadly stable at 53.2%, rural WPR at 56.3%, and urban WPR at 47%.
NSO’s Periodic Labour Force Survey: India’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.9% in February 2026In March 2026, the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Monthly Bulletin of...
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World Sleep Day 2026 – March 13World 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.
World Sleep Day 2026 – March 13World 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.
World Sleep Day 2026 – March 13World 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 ...
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli Wins First F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026On 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.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli Wins First F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026On 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.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli Wins First F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026On 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 Pri...
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