Current Affairs - March 6, 2026 Current Affairs

UNICEF partnered with NITI Aayog to improve nutrition and health outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks across India. The collaboration focuses on strengthening maternal and child nutrition, improving Anganwadi services, and enhancing health systems in underserved regions. The partnership also aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement involving government agencies, private sector organisations, and local communities. Through this initiative, UNICEF will leverage its IMPAct4Nutrition platform to mobilise businesses and channel Corporate Social Responsibility funds toward nutrition programmes. The initiative supports the broader goals of the Aspirational Districts Programme, which seeks to improve socio-economic indicators in India’s most underdeveloped districts through better governance, monitoring, and service delivery.

Kerala launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to improve public access to healthcare information and services. The app was introduced by the state Health Department to help citizens easily locate nearby hospitals, speciality departments, laboratories, blood banks, and pharmacies. It also provides features such as online doctor appointment booking and OP ticket generation, reducing waiting time at hospitals. Users can log in with their mobile number and generate a unique health ID using Aadhaar details. The app also integrates navigation features to guide users to healthcare institutions. This initiative strengthens digital healthcare access and enhances the efficiency of public health services across the state.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah visited Paradip and Bhubaneswar on 6 March 2026 to dedicate the IFFCO Sulphuric Acid Plant (SAP-III) and launch several major cooperative sector initiatives. The programmes were organised in the state of Odisha and focused on strengthening cooperative institutions, promoting rural development, and boosting the agricultural and dairy sectors. The visit included the release of the State Cooperative Policy, launch of digital platforms, inauguration of Common Service Centres operated by PACS and LAMPS, and foundation stones for projects worth more than ₹3,275 crore. These initiatives aim to enhance rural prosperity, improve governance in cooperatives, and support farmers and producers through modern infrastructure and digital services.

Chile achieved a major public health milestone by becoming the first country in the Americas and the fourth globally to receive official verification from the World Health Organisation for eliminating leprosy as a public health problem. This recognition was granted after the country maintained a prevalence rate of less than one case per 10,000 people at the national level for several consecutive years. The achievement reflects decades of consistent government commitment, strong integration of leprosy services into the public health system, and effective strategies such as early detection, multidrug therapy treatment coverage, surveillance, and contact tracing. High treatment completion rates and a very low proportion of cases among children further demonstrated successful control of disease transmission.

A report warns that India may face a significant rise in obesity-related health problems among children and adolescents by the year 2030. The projections indicate a sharp increase in metabolic and cardiovascular conditions such as MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease), high triglycerides, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. These conditions are linked to lifestyle changes, including increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, reduced physical activity, and rising sedentary habits due to screen time and urban lifestyles. India is experiencing a rapid nutrition transition along with a “double burden” where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist. If preventive measures are not strengthened, these early health risks could lead to a substantial increase in heart disease, diabetes, and liver disorders in adulthood.

The Brahmaputra River is the river where India will establish its first riverine lighthouses as part of the National Waterway-2 project. The initiative includes the construction of four solar-powered lighthouses at Pandu, Bogibeel, Silghat, and Biswanath Ghat with an investment of ₹84 crore. Each lighthouse will be approximately 20 metres tall and will help guide vessels during nighttime and challenging weather conditions. The project is implemented by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships in partnership with the Inland Waterways Authority of India. It aims to improve navigation safety, boost cargo movement, such as tea and fertiliser, and promote tourism along the Brahmaputra river corridor in Northeast India.

Andhra Pradesh introduced a policy providing a ₹25,000 financial incentive for couples who have a second or third child. The initiative was announced by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to address the state’s declining Total Fertility Rate (TFR), which is currently around 1.5, below the replacement level of 2.1 required for stable population growth. The policy aims to encourage families to have more children and maintain demographic balance while addressing concerns about an ageing population and future workforce shortages. It also reflects a shift from earlier family planning policies toward population growth management, ensuring long-term socio-economic stability in the state.

Adani Group was selected as the official partner for UNESCO’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) 2026. This recognition marks the first time an Indian organization has been chosen for this global partnership coordinated by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations under UNESCO. The selection highlights the company’s contributions to renewable energy and sustainable engineering solutions. A major factor behind this recognition is the massive Khavda Renewable Energy Project in Gujarat, being developed by Adani Green Energy Limited. The project aims to reach a capacity of 30 GW by 2029, making it one of the largest renewable energy projects in the world and supporting India’s clean energy goals.

Dr. Rajeev Raghuvanshi received approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for reappointment as the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for an additional one-year term in March 2026. He was initially appointed in November 2023 on a contractual basis for two years with the possibility of extension. The extension ensures continuity in leadership at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India’s apex drug regulatory authority. With prior experience as Joint Drugs Controller (India) and other senior roles within CDSCO, Dr. Raghuvanshi brings significant expertise in regulatory science, pharmacovigilance, and biologics regulation, supporting ongoing reforms and global harmonisation efforts in India’s pharmaceutical regulatory system.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, unveiled the official logo of the Cycling League of India (CLI) on March 5, 2026, in New Delhi. The league is recognised as the world’s first franchise-based professional cycling league and aims to promote cycling as a major competitive sport in India. Inspired by franchise models similar to those used in popular cricket leagues, the initiative is designed to encourage grassroots talent, improve professional opportunities for cyclists, and strengthen India’s presence in global cycling competitions. The league will feature city-based teams, professional riders, youth talents, women’s categories, and multiple race formats, including road races, criteriums, and time trials.

Gujarat is the state where the 5th cohort of the HerSTART initiative was launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to strengthen women entrepreneurship and innovation-driven growth. The programme supports women-led startups by providing mentoring, funding opportunities, and connections to investor networks. Selected entrepreneurs also receive assistance such as co-working spaces, legal and intellectual property advisory, branding support, and market linkages. Along with the launch of the cohort, a modern Research Park was inaugurated to promote collaboration between academia and industry. The initiative focuses on sectors including technology, health-tech, agri-tech, sustainability, and social enterprises to accelerate the growth of scalable women-led ventures.