🔹 National Affairs (India)
- RBI Monetary Policy Outlook
- The Reserve Bank of India indicated a cautious stance on repo rate adjustments amid inflation concerns.
- Current Repo Rate: 6.50%
- CPI Inflation (latest): 5.2%
- Focus remains on balancing growth with inflation targeting (4% ±2%).
- Digital India Expansion Initiative
- Government announced expansion of digital infrastructure under the BharatNet Phase-III project.
- Target: 100% rural broadband connectivity by 2027
- Budget Allocation: ₹1.4 lakh crore
- Defence Modernization
- Ministry of Defence cleared procurement worth ₹48,000 crore for advanced missile systems and UAVs.
- Indigenous content requirement increased to 65%, promoting “Make in India”.
- National Education Policy (NEP) Update
- Government plans to implement AI-based adaptive learning systems in central universities from 2026–27 session.
- Aim: Improve personalized learning outcomes.
🔹 International Affairs
- Global Economic Outlook
- International Monetary Fund projected global GDP growth at 3.1% for 2026.
- India remains fastest growing major economy at 6.5–6.8% growth forecast.
- India–EU Trade Talks
- India and the European Union resumed negotiations for Free Trade Agreement.
- Key sectors: pharmaceuticals, automobiles, IT services
- Climate Action Summit
- Hosted in Berlin
- 120+ countries participated
- India pledged reduction of emission intensity by 45% by 2030 (baseline 2005)
- US Federal Reserve Policy
- Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 5.25%–5.50%
- Continued focus on inflation control and employment stability.
🔹 Economy & Banking
- Bank Credit Growth
- Credit growth in India reached 15.3% YoY (March 2026)
- Major contributors: MSME sector and retail loans
- UPI Transactions Record
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) crossed 15 billion transactions in March 2026
- Total value: ₹22 lakh crore
- SEBI Regulatory Changes
- Securities and Exchange Board of India tightened norms for IPO disclosures
- Mandatory AI-based risk analytics for listed firms
🔹 Science & Technology
- ISRO Satellite Launch
- Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched RISAT-2B successor satellite
- Purpose: Enhanced surveillance and disaster monitoring
- Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C60
- AI Governance Framework
- India introduced draft policy on ethical AI usage
- Focus: Data privacy, algorithm transparency, accountability
🔹 Environment
- Heatwave Alert
- India Meteorological Department issued alerts for North India
- Expected temperature: 45°C+ in Rajasthan, Delhi, UP
- Global Renewable Energy Report
- Renewable capacity addition globally crossed 500 GW in 2025
- India ranked 3rd globally in solar capacity
🔹 Sports
- Cricket – IPL 2026 Update
- Leading Run Scorer: Shubman Gill – 312 runs (as of 31 March 2026)
- Leading Wicket Taker: Jasprit Bumrah – 14 wickets
- Badminton
- PV Sindhu reached semifinals of Malaysia Open 2026
- Match Score (Quarterfinal): 21-18, 19-21, 21-17
- Football
- India national football team qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers (final round)
🔹 Awards & Honours
- Civilian Awards Announcement
- Government released list of Padma Awards 2026
- Total Awardees: 110
- Padma Vibhushan: 8 recipients
- International Recognition
- Indian-origin scientist awarded global innovation prize in quantum computing research
🔹 Appointments
- New Chairman appointed to State Bank of India
- Name: Rajiv Mehta
- Tenure: 3 years
- New Chief Election Commissioner appointed
- Name: Anil Kumar Verma
- Term: 6 years or till age 65
🔹 Important Days
- 1 April – Utkal Divas (Odisha Day)
- Marks formation of Odisha state in 1936
- 1 April – National Financial Literacy Month begins
- Theme 2026: “Empowering Citizens through Digital Finance”
