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The Government of India appointed Praveen M. Khanooja to hold additional charge as Chairman & Managing Director of Engineers India Limited (EIL) beginning March 1, 2026. The appointment, approved by the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, is for three months or until a regular CMD assumes office. A 1994-batch officer of the Indian Audit & Accounts Service, he continues serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas while handling CMD responsibilities. His extensive experience spans defence audit, railways audit, central government finance, and leadership roles in key petroleum and economic intelligence institutions.

Bank of Baroda successfully raised ₹10,000 crore through its first-ever green infrastructure bonds issuance, marking one of the largest such issuances by an Indian public sector bank. The bonds were issued on March 6, 2026, in two tranches of ₹5,000 crore each with maturities of seven years and ten years, carrying coupon rates of 7.74% and 7.85% respectively. The bonds were listed on the BSE and NSE and received AAA (stable) ratings from CRISIL, ICRA, and India Ratings, indicating strong creditworthiness. The funds raised will be used exclusively for green and sustainable infrastructure projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, green buildings, pollution control, and climate change adaptation initiatives.

SBI General Insurance launched the campaign titled “Chuniye Bharosa, Apno Sa” and appointed well-known actor Pankaj Tripathi as its brand ambassador. The campaign highlights the company’s focus on building trust, reliability, and emotional connection with customers. Through this initiative, the insurer aims to position itself as a dependable partner that provides family-like protection and reassurance to policyholders. The messaging focuses on the importance of choosing an insurance provider that people can trust in times of need. By associating with Pankaj Tripathi, known for his authenticity and relatability, the company seeks to strengthen its brand image and connect more deeply with Indian consumers across diverse segments.

INS Anjadip was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 27 February 2026 at Chennai Port as the fourth ship under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project. The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the Naval Staff, marking a major boost to India’s littoral and coastal defence capabilities. The 77-meter vessel, with a displacement of 1,400 tons, is specially designed for shallow-water anti-submarine operations. With over 80% indigenous content, including defence electronics and weapon systems, it highlights India’s strong commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing and maritime security preparedness.

Pokhran was the location where the Indian Army’s Konark Corps carried out the successful test firing of the Strela-10 Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). The exercise took place at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan’s desert sector. The missile system, launched from a BMP-based mobile platform, achieved direct hits on simulated low-altitude aerial targets such as aircraft, helicopters, and drones. The drill demonstrated operational readiness, effective surveillance integration, strong crew coordination, and accurate engagement under challenging desert conditions, reinforcing India’s air defence preparedness in strategically sensitive regions.

The Reserve Bank of India has mandated that a Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) must be used for all over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives transactions beginning January 1, 2027. This requirement applies to rupee interest rate derivatives, foreign currency derivatives, credit derivatives, and certain government securities contracts. The UTI, a globally recognised tracking code, will uniquely identify each transaction, reduce duplication in reporting, and improve transparency. By introducing this mandate, the RBI aims to strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance systemic risk monitoring, improve data accuracy, and align India’s OTC derivatives reporting framework with global financial market standards.

India’s total forex reserves reached a historic high of $725.727 Billion for the week ended February 13. This significant milestone reflects strong macroeconomic stability and effective currency management by the Reserve Bank of India. The surge was primarily driven by an increase in Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), which stood at $573.603 billion, and a substantial rise in gold reserves, which reached $128.466 billion. Additionally, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) contributed to the overall reserves. The record level enhances India’s external sector strength, supports currency stability, and provides a strong buffer against global economic volatility and financial uncertainties.

L&T Finance introduced the ‘Spoorthi’ programme to support and empower women entrepreneurs by offering specialised financial products such as home loans and loans against property (LAP). The initiative aims to encourage women-led businesses and improve access to credit for women who are running or co-running enterprises or professional ventures. Under the programme, eligible applicants can benefit from extended loan tenures of up to 25 years for home loans and LAP, along with flexible eligibility norms such as higher debt-to-income ratios. These features are designed to provide greater financial flexibility, enabling women entrepreneurs to invest in property ownership, expand businesses, and strengthen their economic participation.

Saudi Arabia imposed a temporary ban on the import of poultry meat and table eggs from 40 countries, including India, as a preventive measure to safeguard public health. The decision was announced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) following global risk assessments and reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease. The restriction excludes heat-treated or fully processed poultry products that meet SFDA certification standards. Additionally, partial restrictions were placed on specific regions in 16 other countries, with authorities committing to periodic reviews and updates based on evolving disease situations worldwide.

Kempegowda International Airport entered into a strategic cargo partnership with Frankfurt Airport to strengthen air cargo connectivity between Europe and India. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 25 February 2026 on the sidelines of Air Cargo India 2026 in Mumbai. The collaboration focuses on digitalisation, regulatory optimisation, pharma cargo integrity standards, joint trade lane analytics, and knowledge exchange. This partnership aims to create a more integrated and efficient cargo corridor, reduce dwell times, enhance predictability for airlines and freight forwarders, and support the growing trade volumes between the two regions.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the declaration of Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an International Airport. Madurai Airport is among the oldest airports in the state and serves as an important gateway to Southern Tamil Nadu. Granting international status is expected to improve regional and global connectivity, facilitating greater trade and economic activity. The decision will also boost tourism and pilgrimage since Madurai is widely known as the “Temple City” and is home to several historically and culturally significant sites. Increased international flights are likely to attract more visitors, businesses, and investors, contributing to the overall economic and infrastructure development of the region.

New Delhi is the city where the ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme will be implemented to encourage citizens to assist seriously injured road accident victims. Under this initiative, individuals who ensure victims receive medical care within the crucial golden hour will be awarded ₹25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. The scheme also provides legal protection under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, addressing fears of police questioning or legal hassles. By combining financial incentives and legal safeguards, the government aims to promote timely intervention, compassion, and reduce fatalities caused by road accidents.

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.

The 23rd BioAsia 2026 Summit was inaugurated in Hyderabad by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The summit, themed ‘TechBio Unleashed – AI, Automation, and Revolutionary Changes in Life Sciences,’ brought together global experts and industry leaders. Over two days, participants discussed AI-driven research and development, next-generation biologics, digital transformation, and the evolving future of life sciences. The event also highlighted Telangana’s strategic vision to position itself as a world-class biopharma hub by 2047, reinforcing its growing prominence in biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation.

The MSME Symposium 2026, organised by the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM), is scheduled to take place on March 20, 2026, at Anna University in Chennai. The event is focused on strengthening India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enhancing their global competitiveness. With the theme “India Needs a Resurgent MSME Sector,” the symposium aims to encourage the integration of Indian MSMEs into Global Value Chains (GVCs) as high-tech manufacturing partners. The program will feature discussions by prominent industry leaders such as Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motor Company and Arvind Balaji of Lucas TVS, highlighting innovation, quality, and sustainable growth in the MSME sector.

Smriti Mandhana was honoured with the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 award in recognition of her exceptional performance during India’s Women’s World Cup triumph. At 29, she delivered a historic season, setting remarkable records including the fastest 50-over international century by an Indian and ranking among the top run-scorers in women’s cricket. The award ceremony took place in New Delhi, celebrating excellence across various sports disciplines. Her achievement highlights the rapid growth of women’s cricket in India and underscores her role as an inspiration for aspiring young athletes across the country.

Shailesh Kumar, an Indian para athlete and reigning world champion, won the gold medal in the men’s high jump T63 category at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi. He secured the top position with a jump of 1.84 metres, marking a strong start to his competitive season despite recovering from a left knee injury. Although the height was lower than his personal best of 1.91 metres, the performance demonstrated a steady return to competition. His training plan currently focuses on refining his take-off technique and preparing for the Asian Para Games, which is considered one of the major upcoming competitions for para athletes in the region.

Smriti Mandhana was honoured as the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 in recognition of her exceptional leadership and performance. She guided India to a historic Women’s World Cup triumph, marking a significant milestone in Indian women’s cricket. Other notable contenders included Divya Deshmukh, a Chess World Cup winner, and Preethi Pal, a Paralympic medalist. Veteran shooter Anjali Bhagwat received the Lifetime Achievement Award, highlighting her long-standing contribution to Indian shooting sports.

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.

Gujarat launched the ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative through the Gujarat Urban Development Mission to monitor environmental conditions in urban areas. The program uses satellite technology and advanced sensors to track air quality and the condition of city lakes, including pollution levels, siltation, and algae growth. Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data will be gathered from monitoring stations across 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipalities. A centralized digital dashboard will continuously update environmental data and generate alerts if pollution levels or lake conditions change significantly, helping authorities respond quickly and improving environmental transparency for citizens.