In a significant push to strengthen India's manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading air conditioning company, aimed at supporting startups and entrepreneurs across the country.

According to a government release, the collaboration is designed to accelerate the growth of product-based startups, particularly in areas such as HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain innovation. The initiative seeks to create a robust framework for industry-driven innovation by enabling startups to develop scalable and market-relevant solutions through structured engagement with industry stakeholders.

Continuing the nationwide rollout of reform linked implementation under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0; the States of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha today signed MoUs with the Union Government, committing to a structured reform framework for sustainable, transparent and community-led rural drinking water service delivery.

In the presence of the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, who attended the meetings physically at DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with other senior officials.

The MoU with Andhra Pradesh was signed in the presence in of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, and Shri. K. Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Minister for Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Environment, Forest, and Science & Technology joined the event virtually along with senior officials from the state.

Iran has named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new head of its top security body. He replaces Ali Larijani, who was killed in an attack last week. The decision was announced by the government and reported by state media. Zolghadr will now lead the country’s Supreme National Security Council.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr is a senior figure in Iran’s security system with a long career in both military and government roles. He earlier served in the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), where he rose to the rank of brigadier general. Over the years, Zolghadr has handled several important responsibilities linked to national security. He worked as a deputy interior minister focusing on security matters, a role that involved dealing with internal stability and law enforcement.

The air we breathe just got deadlier and India is at the very centre of the crisis.

The 2025 World Air Quality Report, released Tuesday by Swiss firm IQAir, delivered a gut punch, ranking India sixth amongst the world's most polluted countries, with a national average PM2.5 concentration of 48.9 g/m. That is nearly ten times the WHO's safe limit of 5 g/m.

PM2.5 refers to microscopic particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometres and often come from vehicles, factories, crop burning, and construction, and are invisible to the naked eye but devastating to human health. They penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, contributing to cardiac and respiratory diseases and premature deaths.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) declared a state of ‌national energy emergency in response to the West Asia conflict and what ⁠he called an “imminent danger” posed to the country’s energy supply.

Mr. Marcos said a Committee has been formed ‌to ensure the orderly movement, supply, distribution and availability of fuel, food, ‌medicines, agricultural products and other essential goods.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill aims to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Under the Act, a transgender person may apply to the District Magistrate for issuing a certificate of identity as a transgender person. The Bill adds that the District Magistrate will issue the certificate after examining the recommendation of a designated medical board. The board will be headed by a Chief Medical Officer or a Deputy Chief Medical Officer. The District Magistrate may take the assistance of other medical experts. The Bill also provides that transgender persons will be entitled to change the first name in the birth certificate and other official documents based on the certificate of identity.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said, ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas, and the NDA government has worked for the welfare of all.’ He said the Government’s goal is to build a strong, prosperous and developed India, a modern, compassionate, and inclusive society in which everyone can live with respect and dignity.

The Government of India has approved the appointment of Shri T. N. Natarajan as the next Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), one of India’s largest public sector steel producers. The approval comes through the Ministry of Steel with the consent of the President of India.

Currently serving as Chief General Manager (Sales) and Regional Manager, Western Region, SAIL, Shri Natarajan will assume the role of Director (Commercial) once he takes charge. His tenure is expected to be five years, subject to superannuation or further government directions.

In a landmark initiative spearheaded by Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, a new chapter has begun for the weavers of Chanderi. A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Handloom Park between the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and the District Archaeology, Tourism and Culture Council (DATCC), Ashoknagar, to launch "Project Padma Doree".

The agreement was executed by Shri Mara Kocho, Managing Director of NEHHDC, and Shri Saket Malviya, District Collector and Chairman of DATCC.

A Fusion of Heritage and Innovation

"Project Padma Doree" is set to introduce a premium line of textiles that blends the rustic, "Ahimsa" (non-violent) Eri Silk of the North East with the world-renowned Chanderi Weaving technique.

Andhra Pradesh will mark a major step in its industrial development with the foundation laying of a large integrated steel plant in the Anakapalli district today.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will lay the foundation stone along with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy and other Union Ministers from the state.

They are scheduled to visit the project site in the afternoon, review the plant model, and later address a public gathering.

The project is being set up by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India with an investment of 1.36 lakh crore rupees, the largest in the state’s steel sector to date.

Secretary (West), Ambassador Sibi George, on Sunday called on Iceland Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and multilateral interest and the implementation of India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Secretary (West) @AmbSibiGeorge called on Foreign Minister of Iceland, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. They discussed issues of bilateral, regional and multilateral interest, also the positive progress made in bilateral engagement in recent years, especially in sectors such as geothermal, fisheries and clean energy. The implementation of India-EFTA TEPA was also discussed."