National Current Affairs

The Government of India reaffirmed that the fiscal deficit target will remain at 4.4% of GDP for FY 2025–26.
The Lok Sabha approved supplementary demands for grants worth ₹2.01 lakh crore.
Out of this amount, the net additional cash outgo is approximately ₹1.48 lakh crore.
The additional expenditure aims to support infrastructure, welfare schemes, and defence spending.
Maintaining fiscal discipline is important for macroeconomic stability and sovereign credit rating.

India announced plans to host an international conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems in 2026.
The conference will focus on:
- Increasing women’s participation in agriculture and food value chains.
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship.
India currently has over 30% female participation in the agricultural workforce, making gender empowerment in agriculture a priority policy area.

A bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha to legally define the term “transgender.”
The legislation aims to:
- Standardize legal definitions for welfare schemes.
- Improve access to education, employment, and healthcare benefits for transgender citizens.
The initiative supports the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act framework.

Economy and Banking Current Affairs

Escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States have raised concerns for India’s economy.
Key economic risks include:
- Disruption in energy supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Rising global crude oil prices affecting inflation in India.
Important facts:
- Around 10 million Indians live and work in Gulf countries.
- These workers send over $51 billion in remittances annually to India.
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is one of India’s largest trading partners.
The Reserve Bank of India reportedly intervened in currency markets to stabilize the rupee, using significant foreign exchange reserves.

The Middle East witnessed significant escalation in conflict involving Iran, Israel, and allied forces.
Key developments include:
- Missile attacks and military exchanges in the region.
- Threats to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route.
Humanitarian impact:
- More than 850,000 people displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict.
Global response:
- Several countries called for de-escalation and ceasefire negotiations.
- The International Energy Agency announced a historic release of 412 million barrels of oil reserves to stabilize energy markets.

The Finalissima football match between Spain and Argentina scheduled for 27 March 2026 in Doha, Qatarwas cancelled.
The cancellation occurred due to security concerns linked to the Middle East conflict.
The match was intended to feature:
- Argentina (Copa America champions)
- Spain (UEFA European champions).
The event was expected to be played at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Important honours announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI):

Shubman Gill
- Received the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men).
- This was his second time winning the award, after previously receiving it in 2023.
Smriti Mandhana
- Won the Best International Cricketer (Women) award.
- She achieved a record fifth BCCI top honour, the highest by any Indian woman cricketer.

The 8th edition of the Times of India Sports Awards will be held on 21 March 2026 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The awards recognize outstanding performances by Indian athletes during the calendar year 2025.
Over 45 categories of sports awards will be presented.

India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs.
The final was played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (Gujarat).
Major highlights:
- Sanju Samson – Player of the Tournament.
- Jasprit Bumrah – Player of the Match in the final with 4 wickets for 15 runs.
- Suryakumar Yadav – Captain of the Indian team.
Achievements:
- India won its third T20 World Cup title.
- It also became the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026).