NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
MoU to Build India’s first Integrated Life-Cycle Support Model for Persons with Hearing Impairment
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Coalition of the Willing to develop India’s first integrated life-cycle support model for persons with hearing impairment.
- Aim: This initiative aims to provide holistic support from early diagnosis and education to skilling, employment, and social inclusion.
- Coalition of the Willing: It is a consortium of organisations working in technology, education, accessibility, and social empowerment, will collaborate to create a comprehensive and inclusive ecosystem.
- The partnership is expected to significantly enhance accessibility, empowerment, and opportunities for persons with hearing disabilities across India.
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MSDE Signs MoU with GATI Foundation to deepen Global Skill Mobility
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the GATI Foundation to strengthen global skill mobility and overseas employment opportunities for Indian workers.
- Aim: The partnership aims to build a coordinated ecosystem for international workforce mobility, enhancing collaboration between Union and State governments.
- It focuses on creating structured pathways for overseas employment, improving skill alignment with global demand, and preparing Indian talent for international markets.
This is the first Central government partnership for the GATI Foundation, marking a major step toward positioning India as a global talent hub and expanding opportunities for skilled Indian workers abroad.
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T-Hub, JETRO to build India–Japan Startup Innovation Corridor
Hyderabad-based startup ecosystem T-Hub has partnered with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to establish an India–Japan Startup Innovation Corridor focused on deep-technology sectors.
- Aim: This collaboration aims to create structured pathways for startups, investors, and corporates from Japan to enter and expand in India, while enabling Indian startups to access opportunities in the Japanese market.
- It will promote cross-border innovation, investment, and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
JETRO, a key institution in Japan’s economic diplomacy since 1958, and T-Hub, India’s leading innovation hub established in 2015, together aim to strengthen bilateral startup ecosystems and global entrepreneurship networks.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Economic Stabilisation Fund
The Union Government has proposed the Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF) with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore to strengthen India’s resilience against global economic uncertainties. The announcement was made by Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session 2026–27.
What is the Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF)?
- The ESF will act as a fiscal buffer, helping the government manage external shocks such as rising crude oil prices, energy shortages, and global supply chain disruptions.
- Aim: Its key objective is to provide “fiscal headroom”, enabling the government to respond to crises without deviating from the 4.4% fiscal deficit target for FY26.
- The fund is particularly significant in the context of increasing geopolitical uncertainties and global economic volatility.
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Public Provident Fund (PPF)
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term, government-backed savings and tax-saving scheme in India, designed to provide secure and stable returns with a sovereign guarantee. It is one of the most preferred investment options for risk-averse individuals, especially for retirement planning. For FY 2025–26, the PPF offers an interest rate of 7.1% per annum, compounded annually, with rates reviewed quarterly by the Ministry of Finance.
Public Provident Fund (PPF) falls under EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax regime, meaning:
- Investment is tax-deductible
- Interest earned is tax-free
- Maturity amount is also tax-free
PPF has a long lock-in period of 15 years, making it suitable for long-term savings and retirement planning, especially for individuals seeking low-risk investment options. With high safety, assured returns, and tax benefits, PPF remains a cornerstone of India’s small savings ecosystem.
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South Indian Bank Authorized for EPFO Collections
South Indian Bank has become an authorized partner for EPFO collections, enabling seamless payment of provident fund contributions through its internet banking platform SIBerNet. This integration with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) allows employers and establishments to directly remit EPF contributions online, improving efficiency and compliance.
- Aim: The initiative aims to simplify statutory payments, reduce manual processes, and enhance user convenience through secure digital banking solutions.
- It also strengthens the bank’s digital ecosystem, supporting businesses in meeting regulatory requirements smoothly.
- This move aligns with India’s broader push towards digital governance and ease of doing business.
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Initiative
The Ministry of Communications has launched the Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Initiative as a pilot project in Umri to transform rural service delivery through a “phygital” (physical + digital) model. The pilot will also be extended to Narakoduru (Andhra Pradesh) and Chaurawala (Uttar Pradesh).
The initiative integrates Samriddhi Kendra hubs with BharatNet digital infrastructure to provide essential services such as healthcare, education, agriculture support, and e-governance at the village level.
- Implemented by: Department of Telecommunications with support from the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF).
- Objective: The initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion, rural entrepreneurship, and quality of life through a scalable rural development model.
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Sujal Gaon ID launched
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the Sujal Gaon ID, a unique digital identity for rural piped drinking water supply schemes across India. Introduced under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, the initiative aims to strengthen water governance and move towards a “Sujalam Bharat”.
What is Sujal Gaon ID?
- Sujal Gaon ID assigns a unique code to each village water system, enabling digital mapping of infrastructure, water sources, and service areas.
- It is integrated with the Sujalam Bharat ID, creating a comprehensive digital record of rural water service delivery.
- This system enhances transparency, monitoring, and efficient management of rural water supply networks across the country.
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OIL & NSTFDC Collaborate to Upgrade Tribal Healthcare in Madhya Pradesh
Oil India Limited (OIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to upgrade healthcare infrastructure in tribal areas of Rajgarh.
- Funding: With a funding support of ₹86.27 lakh, the initiative focuses on improving facilities at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in this Aspirational District.
- Key Interventions: include ambulances, diagnostic equipment, ventilators, CPAP/BiPAP machines, and USG machines.
The project aims to enhance healthcare access, emergency response, and treatment quality for tribal and underserved populations, strengthening inclusive healthcare delivery in remote regions.
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
TASL–Ramco Partnership for IAF C-130J MRO Facility
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has selected Ramco Systems to implement an advanced aviation software platform for its MRO facility dedicated to the Indian Air Force fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
- The software will manage end-to-end MRO operations including maintenance scheduling, hangar operations, supply chain, engineering processes, and billing systems. It also provides real-time data access and digital tools to improve efficiency.
- This initiative is a major step in building indigenous aerospace maintenance infrastructure, reducing dependency on foreign MRO services and enhancing operational readiness of the Indian Air Force.
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ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
NCB–TraceXero Collaboration for Carbon Capture in Cement Industry
The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM) has partnered with TraceXero Technologies Private Limited to develop advanced Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies for the cement industry. This sector is among the most carbon-intensive globally, making emission reduction critical.
- The collaboration will focus on technology development, validation, and potential commercialisation of CCU solutions.
- These technologies capture CO₂ emissions from industrial sources and convert them into useful products such as fuels, chemicals, and construction materials.
- The initiative supports India’s transition towards a circular economy and contributes to its net-zero emissions target by 2070.
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Nagauri Pan Methi Gets PPVFRA Protection for Farmers
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) has granted a patent (registration) to ‘Nagauri Pan Methi’ (Nagori fenugreek) under the ‘community farmers’ variety’ category. The move strengthens farmers’ rights, biodiversity conservation, and traditional knowledge systems, while ensuring economic and legal benefits for the community through protection against unauthorized use.
- This recognition provides legal ownership and protection to the farming community of Nagaur under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
- Published in the Plant Variety Journal (February 2026), the registration formally acknowledges farmers as custodians and rights holders of this traditional crop.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
FraudPro: India’s AI-Driven Telecom Security Platform
India’s indigenous AI-based telecom security solution FraudPro has been recognised globally as a top finalist in the Best Network Security and Fraud Prevention category at the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards) during the Mobile World Congress 2026 held in Barcelona. The recognition highlights India’s growing capabilities in AI-based cybersecurity and telecom innovation.
What is FraudPro?
- It is an AI-driven fraud detection platform designed to secure telecom networks by identifying and preventing identity-based frauds.
- Developed by: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).
- It is actively deployed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Digital Intelligence Platform and supports the Sanchar Saathi Portal.
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PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
India Post Releases Special Cover for Annapurna Devi
India Post released a special cover to commemorate the birth centenary of Annapurna Devi, one of the most revered yet reclusive figures in Hindustani classical music. The event was held at the Kolkata GPO. Annapurna Devi was an iconic surbahar (bass sitar) player and the daughter of Ustad Allauddin Khan, founder of the Maihar gharana. She was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
Hindustani classical music, which originated in North India during the 13th–14th centuries, evolved through influences of ancient Indian traditions, Vedic philosophy, and Persian elements, distinguishing it from Carnatic music.
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Amol Palekar Receives META Lifetime Achievement Award 2026
Veteran actor, director, and theatre practitioner Amol Palekar will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) 2026, scheduled from March 19–25 in New Delhi.
- The award recognises his decades-long contribution to Indian theatre and Hindi cinema, where he is known for his distinctive storytelling and artistic vision.
- META, instituted by the Mahindra Group and produced by Teamwork Arts, has emerged as one of India’s most prestigious theatre platforms since 2006. It promotes innovation and inclusivity, bringing regional theatre voices into the national spotlight.
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