Current Affairs 19 March 2026

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs March 19 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs March 2026 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2026 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Dear Aspirants,
With effect from 26 January 2026, the Exam Hint and In-Depth Content of articles (news) will be available exclusively in our Daily PDF (DailyScoop PDF).
To access the DailyScoop PDF, please subscribe to the Crack Current Course on the CareersCloud app or website.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course –Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert – English | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs March 18 2026

Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

NSO’s Periodic Labour Force Survey: India’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.9% in February 2026
In 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%.

GoI Approves 23 Institutions to Establish ‘Quantum Labs’ under National Quantum Mission
On 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.

MoA&FW releases FE of 2024-25 and FAE of 2025-26 of horticulture area and production
In 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 Highlights
Area 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.

MNRE Expands ALMM Framework to Include Solar Ingots and Wafers Effective from June 2028
In 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.

Ministry of Culture Launches Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey to Map India’s Manuscript Heritage
On 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.

British Council Signs MoU to Support SPARK 100K Collective for Women’s Entrepreneurship and Skills in India
In 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.

BANKING & FINANCE

NIPL Expands UPI Merchant Acceptance in Sri Lanka
In 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.

Scapia Launches ‘Scapia Pay’ App to Earn Rewards Via RuPay Credit Cards
In 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.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Tata Steel Signs MoU with USTB to Develop Low-Carbon Steelmaking Technologies
In March 2026, Tata Steel Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing, China to develop low-carbon steelmaking technologies and promote sustainable steel production.
USTB-Tata Steel Research Collaboration:
Key Areas of Collaboration: As part of the MoU, Tata Steel’s research arm, Tata Steel Research and Innovation Limited, and USTB will jointly undertake work across four major themes of low-carbon steelmaking: scrap-based steelmaking, steel waste valorisation, end-product performance, and Carbon Capture and Utilisation(CCU) technologies.
Development & Scaling: The collaboration will leverage USTB’s academic expertise along with its experimental and pilot-scale facilities to test, validate, and scale promising technologies for potential industrial application.
Sustainability: Promotes environmentally responsible steel production, strengthens research-driven innovation, and addresses the steel industry’s role in achieving carbon neutrality.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

RBI Wins ‘Initiative of the Year’ Award for ‘.bank.in’ Domain Rollout
In March 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) won the ‘Initiative of the Year’ award by the London(the United Kingdom, UK)-based Central Banking at the 13th annual Central Banking Awards for its innovative ‘.bank.in’ domain rollout initiative designed to combat rising cyber frauds in the digital financial ecosystem.

• The Central Bank of Colombia was recognised for Bre-B, its federated retail payments system, while the National Bank of Ethiopia won for wholesale payment services development and the Bank of Namibia for its artificial intelligence initiative.

About ‘.bank.in’ Domain:
Domain Framework: The domain, launched in February 2025, is designed around exclusivity and stringent control, with only RBI-licensed banks allowed to use it.
Significance: With the launch of this domain, India becomes the world’s 1st country to mandate a secure and exclusive internet domain for the banking system.
Sole Registrar: RBI had appointed the Institute for Development and Research on Banking Technology (IDRBT) as the sole registrar for the rollout of the domain.
Phase-wise Rollout: Banks were  mandated to transition  their net banking websites to the domain by October 31, 2025.
Other Award Winners:

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

NBSL Appoints Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Brand Ambassador for BHIM Payments App
In March 2026, NPCI BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) Services Limited (NBSL), a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), appointed Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh (M.S.) Dhoni as the brand ambassador for the BHIM Payments Application (App).
About Digital Payments Partnership:
Objective: The partnership aims to enhance trust, inclusion, and scale in India’s digital payments ecosystem, supporting BHIM app’s next growth phase by building user preference and confidence.
Key Role: As the face of the campaign, MS Dhoni will feature in multi-channel promotional initiatives, highlighting BHIM’s ease of use, security features, and accessibility.
Platform: Launched in 2016 on NPCI’s UPI platform, the BHIM app is positioned as “Bharat Ka Apna Payments App,” with wide reach across Tier 1–3 cities, support for 15+ regional languages, optimisation for low-connectivity areas, and engagement driven through rewards and merchant partnerships.

ENVIRONMENT

New Earthworm Species ‘Drawida vazhania’ Discovered in Kerala
In March 2026, researchers from Christ College(Kerala) and Mahatma Gandhi University(Kerala) discovered a new earthworm species named ‘Drawida vazhania’ in the Vazhani Dam area of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrissur district, Kerala.

• With this discovery, the total number of Drawida species in India has increased to 83, including 55 species in the Western Ghats. Kerala leads with 31 species, of which 16 are endemic.

About Drawida vazhania:
Publication: The discovery was published in the international journal Zootaxa, adding to the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, a global hotspot.
Taxonomic Classification: The species belongs to the genus Drawida under the family Moniligastridae and is part of the Barwelli group.

• The genus is widely distributed across South, Southeast, and East Asia in tropical regions.

Biological Features: The species is identified by unique anatomical traits such as a grooved male genital field, bean-shaped prostate gland, and specialised reproductive structures.
Significance: India is one of the most diverse countries for earthworms, with about 71% of genera and 89% of species endemic. The Western Ghats and west coast plains together account for nearly 58.4% of India’s earthworm diversity.

OBITUARY

Former AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das Passed Away
In March 2026, Kushal Das, former General Secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), passed away in New Delhi, Delhi, at the age of 66. He was born in 1959.
About Kushal Das:
Profile: A Chartered Accountant(CA) by profession, Kushal Das brought extensive experience in sports management and administration to Indian football.
Career: He began his career as a CA and worked with global firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Shell.

• In 1996, he joined International Management Group (IMG) as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and later served as CFO of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Leadership at AIFF: He served as AIFF General Secretary from 2010 to 2022, making him one of the longest-serving officials.

• During his tenure, he played a key role in hosting the 2017 International Federation of Association Football(FIFA) U-17 World Cup, India’s first FIFA tournament, which recorded the highest attendance in youth World Cup history.

Key Contributions: He also contributed to the launch of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) in 2017 and facilitated the development of the Indian Super League (ISL) through partnership with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Consumer Rights Day 2026 – March 15
World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is observed annually across the world on 15 March to promote awareness of consumer rights, protection, and empowerment, ensuring ethical practices and informed choices.

• 2026 Theme: “Safe products, confident consumers”

Background:
Origin: WCRD was inspired by a message from John F. Kennedy, former President of the United States of America(USA), to the US Congress on 15 March 1962.
First Observance: The first WCRD was observed on 15 March 1983.
Global Recognition: WCRD is globally recognized and supported by organizations like the United Nations(UN) and other international bodies, promoting consumer rights worldwide.

International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2026 – March 15 
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed annually across the globe on March 15 to fight anti-Muslim hate worldwide and promote human rights, religious tolerance, and social harmony.

• Theme 2026: “Respect Every Person’s Dignity”.

Background:
Proposal: In 2020, during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Imran Khan, former Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, proposed an International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Adoption: On March 15, 2022, UNGA adopted Resolution 76/254, introduced by Pakistan’s envoy Munir Akram on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), proclaiming March 15 as the day.
Observance: The first observance of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia was held on March 15, 2023.
Significance: The date commemorates the Christchurch mosque attacks (2019) in New Zealand, where 51 people were killed and 40 injured at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre (Linwood Masjid).

National Vaccination Day 2026 – March 16
National Vaccination Day, also known as National Immunisation Day (NID), is observed annually across India on 16 March to commemorate the first dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) administered in 1995 and to raise awareness about the importance of timely vaccinations.
Background:
Global Initiative: In 1988, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a resolution to eradicate polio (poliomyelitis) globally, leading to the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) led by national governments and the World Health Organization (WHO).
India’s First OPV Dose : On 16 March 1995, India administered the first dose of the OPV under the Pulse Polio Programme, marking the beginning of National Vaccination Day celebrations in India.
India’s Immunisation Achievements:
Polio-Free Certification: India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 27 March 2014.
Immunisation Coverage: Full immunisation coverage increased significantly from 62% in 2015 to 98.4% in January 2026.
Zero-Dose Children: The proportion of zero-dose children declined from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024.

STATE NEWS

Tripura FM Pranajit Singha Roy Presents Rs 34,212 crore Budget for FY27
In March 2026, Pranajit Singha Roy, Finance Minister (FM) of Tripura presented the state Budget worth Rs 34,212.31 crore for the Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) in the Tripura Legislative Assembly in Agartala, Tripura, marking a 5.52% increase over the previous fiscal year with a focus on infrastructure, digital services, rural employment, and connectivity.
Highlights of the Budget:
Financial Indicators: The budget has estimated the fiscal deficit of the state at Rs 240.72 crore.The budget has estimated the state’s Capital Expenditure (CapEx) at Rs 8945.92 crore, marking an increase of 13.19 % compared to last year’s outlay.

• The budget pegged a capital deficit at  Rs 1,856.32 crore for FY27.

Key Allocations: Allocations among major sectors include: health sector (Rs 2,441.50 crore, +25.29%); agriculture sector (Rs 1,985.61 crore, +5.31%); education (Rs 6,439.56 crore, +4.43%); among others.
 Key Announcements: Some of the major announcements which include: a 5% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR); establishment of Tripura Government Technical University, Tripura Government Women’s University and Tripura University of Health Sciences; ​launch of NAVCHETNA Initiative; establishment of a Drone School in the state, among others.

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)