🔷 National Current Affairs

1. RBI Monetary Policy Update

• The Reserve Bank of India maintained the repo rate at 6.50% in its latest review.

• Inflation projection for FY 2026 revised to 5.1%, slightly above the medium-term target.

• GDP growth forecast retained at 6.8% for FY 2025–26.

• Focus areas:

  • Liquidity management

  • Digital payments expansion

  • Strengthening NBFC regulations

2. Government Launches New Digital Governance Initiative

• Ministry of Electronics & IT launched “Digital Bharat 2.0” initiative.

• Objective:

  • Improve rural digital infrastructure

  • Provide AI-based governance services

• Budget allocation: ₹12,000 crore

• Expected coverage: 6 lakh villages

3. National Infrastructure Development

• Government approved ₹75,000 crore highway expansion project under Bharatmala Phase-II.

• Target:

  • Construction of 10,000 km highways

  • Completion timeline: 2028

• Focus states: Uttar Pradesh, महाराष्ट्र, Tamil Nadu

4. Banking Sector Update

• Public Sector Banks reported record profit of ₹1.45 lakh crore in FY 2025

• Key drivers:

  • Lower NPAs (reduced to 3.2%)

  • Increased credit growth at 14% YoY

• डिजिटल lending share increased to 62% of total retail loans

🌍 International Current Affairs

5. Global Climate Summit Developments

• At the UN Climate Meet 2026:

  • India pledged net-zero target reaffirmation by 2070

  • Developed nations committed $120 billion climate finance annually

• Focus:

  • Renewable energy transition

  • Carbon trading mechanisms

6. US Federal Reserve Policy

• Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 5.25%–5.50%

• Inflation rate in US stands at 3.2% (Feb 2026)

• Signals:

  • Possible rate cuts in second half of 2026

7. China Economic Update

• China reported GDP growth of 4.8% in Q1 2026

• Industrial output increased by 5.6% YoY

• Government announced stimulus package worth $200 billion

8. Russia–Ukraine Conflict

• Continued tensions with no ceasefire agreement

• NATO reaffirmed support to Ukraine

• Global oil prices impacted:

  • Brent crude at $84/barrel

🏆 Sports Current Affairs

9. IPL 2026 Updates

• Opening match played on 18 March 2026

• Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets

• Top performer:

  • Suryakumar Yadav scored 78 runs off 42 balls

10. ICC Player Rankings

• Babar Azam remains No.1 ODI batsman

• Jasprit Bumrah ranked No.1 Test bowler

11. Badminton Tournament

• PV Sindhu reached finals of All England Open 2026

• Match scheduled on 20 March 2026

🏅 Awards & Honors

12. Padma Awards 2026

• President of India conferred awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• Notable awardees:

  • Padma Vibhushan: Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar (Science & Engineering)

  • Padma Shri: Multiple grassroots innovators honored

📊 Economy & Business

13. Stock Market Update

• BSE Sensex closed at 74,820 points

• Nifty 50 closed at 22,650 points

14. UPI Transactions Record

• UPI transactions crossed ₹20 lakh crore in Feb 2026

• Volume: 13.5 billion transactions

• Growth: 32% YoY

15. Startup Funding

• Indian startups raised $3.5 billion in March 2026

• Top sectors:

  • Fintech

  • AI-based platforms

  • EdTech

🧾 Important Appointments

16. Key Appointment

• Government appointed Anurag Jain as new Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

• Tenure begins: March 2026

📌 Important Days

17. International Day

• 19 March 2026 observed as World Sleep Day

• Theme: “Sleep is Essential for Health”