NATIONAL NEWS

Maharashtra Launches Saksham Skill Census

Ashish Shelar, Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, launched the Saksham Skill Census at R. D. National College, Bandra West, Mumbai.

The Saksham Skill Census is described as India’s first Artificial Intelligence-powered skill census, aimed at assessing the employability of youth aged 18 to 40 years.

The survey will be conducted by Sapio Analytics over the next few months.

It is expected to cover 55,000 households in the H-West ward of Mumbai.

The initiative uses Artificial Intelligence and Geographic Information System mapping to create hyperlocal skill mapping by dividing areas into smaller regions.

Enumerators will carry out Artificial Intelligence-based door-to-door surveys to assess educational qualifications, skill interests and training requirements of candidates.

The state government has set a target to train 15,000 candidates by 2027, with 5,000 beneficiaries expected to become self-reliant through employment or entrepreneurship.

The initiative is significant for data-driven skill development planning, targeted training interventions and improving youth employability in Maharashtra.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NITI Aayog and Japan International Cooperation Agency Sign Record of Discussions

The NITI Aayog and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a Record of Discussions for Phase Two of the Japan–India Cooperative Actions towards Sustainable Development Goals.

The agreement aims to strengthen development interventions in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks across India.

The Record of Discussions was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency India.

The objective of Phase Two is to enhance India–Japan collaboration for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by improving institutional capacity and governance systems at district and block levels.

The initiative will be implemented under the Aspirational Districts Programme and the Aspirational Blocks Programme, focusing on evidence-based planning, strengthened monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and improved service delivery outcomes.

The partnership is significant for accelerating grassroots development, data-driven governance and Sustainable Development Goals implementation, which is important from examination perspective.

Scotland Becomes First United Kingdom Nation to Legalise Water Cremation

Scotland has become the first nation in the United Kingdom to legalise water cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis), marking the biggest funeral law reform since 1902 when traditional cremation was introduced.

The reform was approved by the Scottish Parliament due to growing demand for environmentally sustainable funeral practices and green end-of-life options.

Water cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis) is considered a green alternative to flame cremation and burial, as it reduces carbon emissions and environmental pollution.

In the process, the body is placed in a sealed chamber containing water + potassium hydroxide (alkaline solution) and heated to about 150°C for approximately 90 minutes.

The combination of heat, water, and chemicals accelerates natural decomposition, leaving only bones after soft tissues dissolve.

The remaining bones are rinsed at high temperature (~120°C), dried, and processed in a cremulator machine to produce ashes similar to traditional cremation.

The remaining liquid by-product is safely treated before disposal following environmental regulations.

Environmental benefits include lower energy consumption, reduced carbon footprint, and no release of harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide and mercury from dental fillings.

 

BANKING

ADB To Provide $1.2 Billion Loan to India for Climate and Infrastructure Projects

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to provide $1.2 billion in loans to India in 2026, maintaining last year’s funding level to support climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.

The funding will support clean energy transition projects, including renewable power generation, transport electrification, green hydrogen production, and power distribution system modernization.

ADB financing will also provide technical assistance to strengthen policy frameworks, institutional capacity building, and energy sector governance reforms in India.

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the flagship rooftop solar energy programme promoting residential solar power adoption.

The scheme has achieved more than 2 million rooftop solar installations since its launch in February 2024, benefiting more than 2.6 million households by December 2025, supporting distributed renewable energy generation.

ADB is supporting solar energy development in agriculture sectors, particularly in Maharashtra, by funding private solar power generation and improving state electricity distribution systems.

The bank is also promoting decentralized renewable energy systems using battery storage technologies, which help improve electric grid stability and reliability.

ADB is supporting the Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in developing solar panel recycling policies and circular economy waste management frameworks.

A Green Skilling Programme has been launched to develop technical green energy skills among underprivileged communities, with a special focus on women empowerment and employment generation.

Overall, ADB funding strengthens India’s renewable energy targets, climate finance ecosystem, and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

The initiative supports India’s transition towards low-carbon economic growth and energy security enhancement.

EPFO To Invest in NHAI’s Infrastructure Investment Trust

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will become a strategic investor in the Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

EPFO will invest in 16.6% of total units in the maiden public issue of the Rajmarg Infrastructure Trust (InvIT).

The InvIT aims to raise approximately ₹10,000 crore, out of which ₹6,000 crore will be raised through the public issue route, supporting infrastructure financing.

The funds will be utilised by NHAI to acquire and develop highway stretches of about 260 km using the InvIT investment model, promoting asset monetisation.

The InvIT already holds assets worth approximately ₹43,638 crore, including multiple operational highway projects across India.

The investment reflects EPFO’s strategy to invest in long-term infrastructure assets to generate stable returns for pension and provident fund subscribers.

The initiative supports India’s infrastructure development, highway expansion projects, and public–private investment models.

Axis Bank Becomes Preferred Electric Vehicle Financing Partner For Tesla

Axis Bank has been named a preferred financing partner for Tesla Inc. in India, strengthening financing support for the premium electric vehicle (EV)

This partnership makes Axis Bank the first lender in India to offer vehicle loan tenures of up to 10 years for premium electric vehicles, improving EV affordability.

The collaboration was announced in Mumbai on 4 March 2026 and will be expanded across major metropolitan cities and emerging EV markets in India.

Axis Bank will provide fully digital loan processing, enabling customers to complete financing from vehicle booking to delivery without physical paperwork, promoting paperless digital banking services.

The financing model introduces long-term repayment options (10-year tenure) to reduce monthly instalments and lower the upfront cost burden for premium EV buyers.

The bank will also offer cash-flow based repayment schemes, customised according to individual customer financial profiles, instead of traditional fixed EMI-based repayment models.

The partnership aims to reduce barriers to electric vehicle adoption while improving customer convenience and supporting sustainable mobility transition in India.

The initiative strengthens India’s EV ecosystem, digital lending infrastructure, and green transportation financing models.

 

BUSINESS

CGA Unveils Government Bank Dashboard and Manual for Better Transaction Monitoring

T. C.A. Kalyani, Controller General of Accounts, launched two major initiatives — the Government Bank Dashboard and the Government Bank Manual — in New Delhi, India, to improve government banking governance and efficiency.

The initiatives aim to strengthen transparency, standardisation of banking procedures, and monitoring efficiency in government financial transactions across India.

The Government Bank Dashboard is a real-time monitoring system designed to shift from reactive corrections to proactive financial oversight of government banking operations.

The dashboard tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) such as transaction success rates, scroll compliance, and remittance processing timelines.

The Government Bank Manual provides a standardised operational framework for all banks handling government business transactions.

The manual establishes uniform procedures for financial reporting, reconciliation timelines, and government account settlement processes.

The initiative aims to improve risk management, reduce operational ambiguities, and enhance financial discipline in government banking operations.

Overall, the reforms support digital governance, public financial management efficiency, and secure government fund handling systems.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award

The India women's national cricket team has been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award 2026 following their historic victory at the ICC Women's World Cup held in India.

This nomination marks a landmark moment for Indian sport, as it is the first time a women’s cricket team has been nominated in this category.

The team secured their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title in 2025.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

One of the biggest highlights was achieving the highest successful run chase in women’s One Day International (ODI) history.

They defeated Australia in a thrilling semi-final, with the record ODI chase becoming one of the most talked-about moments in women’s cricket.

The nomination was confirmed by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which organises the globally recognised Laureus World Sports Awards.

The Laureus World Team of the Year Award is among the most prestigious honours in international sport and recognises teams that have delivered exceptional achievements and inspired millions worldwide.

The nomination signifies global recognition for women’s cricket, growing prominence of Indian women athletes, and a milestone in the evolution of women’s team sports.

Other Indian sportspersons nominated in major Laureus categories include Vinesh Phogat, Neeraj Chopra, and Rishabh Pant, reflecting India’s rising influence in global sports.

TIME Women of the Year 2026

Safeena Husain, Founder of the Non-Profit Organisation Educate Girls, was featured in the TIME Women of the Year list for her contribution to girls’ education and social equity.

She was recognised alongside Indian-origin leaders Reshma Kewalramani and Reshma Saujani for their impact in biotechnology and social advocacy.

Other honourees include Teyana Taylor, Lucy Liu, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chloé Zhao, and Olympic gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

TIME will honour the awardees at the Women of the Year Leadership Forum and Gala on 10 March 2026 in Los Angeles, United States of America.

Safeena Husain founded Educate Girls in 2007 to address the issue of out-of-school girls in rural, remote and tribal communities affected by poverty and gender bias.

The organisation expanded from a few villages in Rajasthan to over 30,000 villages across 12 states, becoming one of India’s largest community-driven programmes for girls’ education.

 

MoUS & AGREEMENT

Survey of India Signs Five-Year Memorandum of Understanding with Kerala Digital University

The Survey of India, under the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Kerala Digital University, Kerala.

The objective of the partnership is to advance excellence in geospatial data collection, processing and analysis using technologies such as Geoinformatics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on Research and Development in mapping and spatial data sciences.

The Memorandum of Understanding also includes training programmes and workshops for students and professionals, along with internships and knowledge exchange initiatives.

Joint projects will be undertaken in alignment with national geospatial priorities and digital innovation goals.

The collaboration is significant for strengthening academia–industry linkage, enhancing geospatial capabilities, promoting innovation in spatial technologies and supporting evidence-based planning and development.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Vice President Releases 16 Books Published by Publications Division

C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India, released 16 books published by the Publications Division under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at Uparashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Out of the total publications, 14 books are in Tamil, while the remaining 2 books are in Hindi (1) and English (1).

The Tamil titles cover a wide range of themes including: Rameswaram (a spiritual link between North and South India); Ramanujar (life and philosophy of Ramanuja); the historic Nadukal tradition; the ancient port town Arikaimedu; Bakthi Ilakkiyam; Iyarkai Velanmai; Pazhanthamizhan Isai Karuvigal; Tamizhaga Naattar Deivangal; Pudhiya Ariviyal Thozhilnutpangal; Bankim Chandra Chatterjee; Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple; Thanjavur Peruvudayar Koil; Manimegalai; and Mahavidwan Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai.

The Tamil book on Rameswaram explains the temple’s sacred sites, architecture, sculptures and deities, with references from the Puranas and literary sources.

The Vice President also released a book on Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, written by S. K. Bose, in English, Hindi and Tamil.

The book highlights the life, times and exemplary contribution of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee to the Indian literary movement.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Releases Book “Mahatma: A Great Communicator” in New Delhi

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), released the book titled “Mahatma: A Great Communicator” at a function held at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, New Delhi.

The book has been authored by Dhiraj Kakadia, who serves as the Additional Director General of Akashvani.

The theme of the book revolves around the life of Mahatma Gandhi, with special emphasis on the impact of his exceptional communication skills during India’s freedom struggle.

The objective of the book is to create public awareness and encourage individuals to learn from Mahatma Gandhi’s life and incorporate his ideals into their daily lives.

The book has been published by Navajivan Trust and is available in three languages — Hindi, English and Gujarati.