Current Affairs · 16–22 March 2026
TNPSC current affairs for the week of 16–22 March 2026, grouped by day.
22 March 2026
1 stories21 March 2026
10 storiesInternational Day of Forests Observed (21 March)
The International Day of Forests was observed on 21 March to raise awareness about the importance of forests and trees.
India launches Gyan Bharatam manuscript survey at AI Impact Summit 2026
The Ministry of Culture launched the Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.
India and Sri Lanka deepen UPI merchant acceptance through NPCI International expansion
NPCI International said it will expand UPI merchant acceptance in Sri Lanka to support cross-border digital payments.
MS Dhoni named brand ambassador for BHIM Payments App by NPCI BHIM Services
NPCI BHIM Services Limited appointed Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the brand ambassador for the BHIM App.
Meghalaya extends Garo Hills Autonomous District Council by 6 months till 18 October 2026
The Meghalaya Cabinet extended the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council term by six months from 18 April 2026 to 18 October 2026.
Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey launched to map India’s manuscript heritage
The Ministry of Culture launched the Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey to create a geo-tagged inventory and manuscript presence map.
National Highways Fee Rules 2026 notified to tighten toll compliance and e-notice recovery
The government notified amended National Highways Fee Rules 2026 effective 17 March 2026 to enforce unpaid toll recovery through digital notices.
Tamil Nadu becomes India’s top textile exporter in FY 2024-25, overtaking Gujarat and Maharashtra
Tamil Nadu topped India’s textile exports in FY 2024-25 with 21.84% share and $7,997.17 million exports.
India gets 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships; Bhubaneswar to host first-ever edition
Bhubaneswar was selected to host the World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028 after approval by the World Athletics Council in Toruń, Poland.
Stockholm Water Prize 2026: Kaveh Madani, UNU-INWEH chief, wins for water governance research
Professor Kaveh Madani was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize laureate for research on water governance and transboundary water management.
20 March 2026
16 storiesIndian Navy launches second IOS SAGAR edition in March 2026 with 16 IONS member nations
The Indian Navy began the second edition of IOS SAGAR on March 16, 2026 to deepen maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
Online Gaming Act 2025 bans money games and creates Online Gaming Authority of India
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 prohibits online money games and sets penalties up to 3 years and ₹1 crore.
RBI wins Central Banking Initiative of the Year award for .bank.in domain rollout
The Reserve Bank of India won the Initiative of the Year award for launching the .bank.in domain to curb cyber fraud.
Government approves RELIEF intervention with ₹497 crore to support exporters hit by West Asia logistics disruptions
The Centre approved RELIEF under the Export Promotion Mission to cushion exporters facing freight and insurance shocks.
Small Hydro Power Development Scheme approved for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with ₹2,584.60 crore outlay
The Cabinet approved a Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 with support for 1 MW to 25 MW projects.
Cabinet clears Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna for 100 industrial parks and ₹33,660 crore support
The Union Cabinet approved Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna to build 100 industrial parks with ₹33,660 crore support.
Ministry of Ayush launches Yoga 365 campaign at Yoga Mahotsav 2026 in New Delhi
The Ministry of Ayush launched Yoga 365 during Yoga Mahotsav 2026 to promote daily yoga practice.
Indian Navy launches second IOS SAGAR edition in March 2026 for maritime cooperation
The Indian Navy began the second edition of IOS SAGAR on 16 March 2026 with participation from 16 IONS member nations.
India enacts Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 to ban money games
India enacted a law banning online money games and creating the Online Gaming Authority of India.
RBI wins Central Banking’s Initiative of the Year award for .bank.in domain rollout
The Reserve Bank of India received Central Banking’s Initiative of the Year award for launching the .bank.in domain.
Government approves RELIEF intervention for exporters hit by West Asia logistics disruptions
The government approved RELIEF under the Export Promotion Mission to support exporters facing freight and insurance shocks.
Cabinet clears Small Hydro Power Development Scheme 2026-31 with ₹2,584.60 crore outlay
The Union Cabinet approved a Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
Indian Coast Guard gets six next-generation offshore patrol vessels; keel laid for Yard 16402 and 16403
The keel laying for Yard 16402 and Yard 16403 marked the second and third ships of six next-generation offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.
Government approves RELIEF scheme with ₹497 crore to support exporters hit by West Asia logistics disruptions
The government approved RELIEF under the Export Promotion Mission to help exporters facing freight, insurance and route disruptions in West Asia.
Cabinet approves Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna to build 100 industrial parks with ₹33,660 crore outlay
The Union Cabinet approved Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna with ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 industrial parks across India.
Ayush Ministry launches Yoga 365 campaign at Yoga Mahotsav 2026 in New Delhi
The Ministry of Ayush launched Yoga 365 to make yoga a daily practice during the 100-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026.
19 March 2026
4 storiesIndia ranks top among founders of US unicorn startups: key startup ecosystem fact for TNPSC
India topped the list of founders of US unicorn startups, a useful fact for economy and startup ecosystem questions.
NASA ends MAVEN mission in 2026; key Mars orbiter fact for science and space current affairs
NASA has declared the MAVEN mission ended in 2026, making it a useful space-science current-affairs fact.
PM Modi to launch ₹12,421 crore national highway projects in Surat, Gujarat on 19 March 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate national highway projects worth ₹12,421 crore in Surat, Gujarat on 19 March 2026.
BHEL wins major international refinery contract for Nigeria project; key PSU export fact for TNPSC
BHEL secured a major international contract linked to Nigeria’s refinery project, making it a relevant PSU and industrial export current-affairs item.
18 March 2026
11 storiesSarfaraz Ahmed retires after 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is for Pakistan
Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed announced retirement after a career spanning nearly two decades.
Mayank Chakraborty becomes India’s 94th Grandmaster and first from the North East
Sixteen-year-old Mayank Chakraborty secured his final GM norm in Sweden and became India’s 94th Grandmaster.
Chhattisgarh launches Gaudham Yojana with 29 gaudhams in 11 districts
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched Gaudham Yojana in Bilaspur district with a target of 1,460 gaudhams.
Fitch raises India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7.5% in March 2026 outlook
Fitch Ratings raised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7.5% and FY27 to 6.7%.
PM Modi inaugurates projects worth about ₹19,480 crore in Guwahati, Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth around ₹19,480 crore in Guwahati.
NYPS 2.0 expands National Youth Parliament Scheme access to all institutions and citizens
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs launched NYPS 2.0 on 11 September 2024 with wider participation categories.
World Bank backs Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program with $299.66 million loan
World Bank, India and Uttar Pradesh signed a $299.66 million agreement for a 10-year clean air program.
ITDC and Ministry of Tribal Affairs launch capacity building for tribal homestay owners
ITDC and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched a capacity building programme for tribal homestay owners at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi.
World Bank signs $299.66 million loan for Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program
The World Bank, Government of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh signed a $299.66 million agreement for the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program.
Indian animated short CHYIMI wins Best Director at NYSAF 2026
The animated short film CHYIMI won the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival 2026.
Jasprit Bumrah named UNIQLO India brand ambassador
UNIQLO appointed Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador in March 2026.
17 March 2026
10 storiesSahitya Akademi announces 2025 awards for 24 Indian languages
Sahitya Akademi announced its annual awards for 2025 across 24 Indian languages, with presentation scheduled for 31 March 2026 in New Delhi.
Forbes 2026 list names 35 billionaires under 30, led by AI founders
The Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2026 includes 35 people under 30, with 12 self-made billionaires and 11 from AI ventures.
Exicom opens Hyderabad manufacturing facility for EV charging and power solutions
Exicom Tele-Systems inaugurated an integrated manufacturing facility in Hyderabad with an investment of ₹216 crore.
BCCI Naman Awards 2026 honours five Indian World Cup-winning teams in New Delhi
BCCI honoured five Indian teams that won World Cup and Champions Trophy titles between 2025 and 2026 in New Delhi.
Indian boxers win five medals at World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok
India finished with five medals, including one gold, at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok.
Gujarat’s first sounding rocket launch marks private space entry at Dholera
On 14 March 2026, Gujarat saw its first sounding rocket launch from Bavaliyari near Dholera by OSRE.
CARA issues directions on adoption records, surrender period and child privacy
CARA issued three office memorandums in March 2026 to strengthen adoption procedures under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
SEBI gets new Whole-Time Member K. V. Ramana Murty in March 2026
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved K. V. Ramana Murty as a SEBI Whole-Time Member for three years in March 2026.
Oscars 2026: Sinners sets 16-nomination record; first Best Casting award introduced
At the 98th Academy Awards on 15 March 2026 in Los Angeles, Sinners got 16 nominations and the Academy introduced the first Best Achievement in Casting award.
Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025: 24-language literary honours, ₹1 lakh prize, presentation on 31 March 2026
Sahitya Akademi announced its 2025 annual awards for 24 Indian languages, with each winner to receive ₹1,00,000 and the ceremony set for 31 March 2026 in New Delhi.
16 March 2026
10 storiesElectricity (Amendment) Rules 2026 set 1 April 2026 nodal agencies and 26% ownership threshold for captive users
The rules introduce nodal agencies, grievance redressal and surcharge relief for captive generating plants from 1 April 2026.
World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026: India topped New Delhi meet with 208 medals, including 75 gold
India led the medal tally at the New Delhi leg of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 with 208 medals.
INS Sudarshini reached Malta on 12 March 2026 during 22,000-nautical-mile Lokayan-26 expedition
The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini visited Valletta, Malta, as part of its Lokayan-26 transoceanic voyage.
Electricity (Amendment) Rules 2026 notified to simplify captive power generation and verification
The 2026 Electricity (Amendment) Rules revise captive generating plant provisions, ownership definitions and verification timelines.
Jnanpith Award 2025 conferred on Tamil writer R. Vairamuthu; 3rd Tamil laureate after Akilan and Jayakanthan
R. Vairamuthu received the 2025 Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour, with key facts on its history, prize and Tamil laureates.
Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign: child-marriage-free India drive, portal, helplines and outreach facts
The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign, launched on 27 November 2024, aims to make India child-marriage-free through awareness, reporting and institutional support.
R Vairamuthu gets 2025 Jnanpith Award; key facts on India’s highest literary honour
R Vairamuthu was conferred the 2025 Jnanpith Award, India’s oldest and highest literary honour instituted in 1961 by Bharatiya Jnanpith.
PM Modi inaugurated ₹18,700 crore projects in Kolkata, including Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway and six Amrit Bharat stations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for ₹18,700 crore projects in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Western Coalfields Limited projects: 25 EVs flagged off and new sports, eco and mine-connectivity works announced on 14 March 2026
On 14 March 2026, the Coal Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for modernization and green projects at Western Coalfields Limited.
PM Modi’s Kolkata projects worth ₹18,700 crore: exam facts on infrastructure and connectivity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development works worth ₹18,700 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal.