The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) took a decisive step toward bolstering maritime security with the keel laying ceremony for Yard 16402 and 16403, the second and third ships of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), held at YMPL, Ratnagiri on March 17, 2026.

These advanced vessels boast a range of 5,000 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 23 knots. Measuring 117 meters in length with a crew strength of 11 officers and 110 men, they incorporate state-of-the-art machinery and cutting-edge systems, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

The central government, on March 19, announced the launch of a new initiative, Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) with an outlay of Rs 497 crore to cushion exporters from rising freight and insurance costs amid the crisis in West Asia.

The relief package will fall under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) and will be implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India.

The expenditure for the new scheme will be met from the existing allocation under the Export Promotion Mission.

Pondicherry University has launched a mobile application titled ‘Blue Voice’ aimed at enhancing safety and disaster preparedness among coastal fishing communities.

The app provides real-time, location-specific weather updates in a user-friendly format. It will address challenges such as language barriers and complex interfaces faced by fishers while using conventional weather platforms. The application also enables fishers to share their experiential knowledge alongside modern weather alerts, creating a participatory digital space for improved decision-making at sea.

The Ministry of Ayush has introduced a specially designed five-minute in-flight yoga routine aimed at helping air travellers stay fit, relaxed and energised during flights. The initiative, launched during Yoga Mahotsav 2026, seeks to address common health issues associated with long-duration air travel.

Unveiling the protocol, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav said yoga is a powerful tool for preventive healthcare and overall well-being. He noted that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to making yoga accessible in all settings, including during air travel.

Developed by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), the routine is tailored for passengers and can be performed easily while seated, without any special equipment.

The Reserve Bank of India has been selected for the 'Initiative of the Year Award' by Central Banking, London, UK.

The recognition is for launching the '.bank.in' domain, making India the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for the banking system.

The transition enhances consumer confidence, helps reduce digital payment frauds and strengthens financial stability. This has been implemented through the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including the Government of India, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh on Thursday laid the foundation stone of India's first dedicated BioFoundry Centre under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) at the National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (NABI), Mohali.

The facility, to be built at a cost of approximately Rs 42 crore over the next two years, will serve as a national platform for developing and scaling advanced biomanufacturing processes — with a focus on smart proteins, bio-inputs, and bio-based products in agri-food biotechnology.

Addressing a gathering of scientists, researchers, industry representatives and innovators at BRIC-NABI, the Minister said the centre would help bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale applications, and strengthen India's fast-growing bioeconomy.

FIFA has announced a new partnership with streaming platform YouTube that will introduce a different digital viewing format during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing official broadcasters to use the platform to show selected live match content and archive footage during the tournament.

Under the arrangement, rights-holding broadcasters will be able to stream the opening portion of matches on YouTube before directing viewers to television or official streaming platforms for the full broadcast. FIFA said the model is aimed at widening digital reach and attracting younger audiences who increasingly follow sport through online platforms rather than conventional television.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the small hydro power (SHP) development scheme for the period FY27 to FY31, with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore for the installation of SHP projects of an approximate capacity of 1,500 megawatt (MW).

The scheme will support small hydro projects (between 1 and 25 MW capacity) in different States and will especially benefit hilly and north-eastern States with high potential for such projects, said the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).

In north-eastern States and in districts with international borders, Central financial assistance to the tune of ₹3.6 crore per MW, or 30 per cent of the project cost, whichever is lower, with an upper limit of ₹30 crore per project, will be available.

India is formally considering joining one of Europe's ambitious 'sixth-generation' fighter jet programs, marking the first official indication that the Indian Air Force (IAF) could partner in the development of a next-generation combat aircraft beyond the homegrown 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence that the IAF is exploring collaboration with one of two European consortia currently working on sixth-generation fighters: either the UK-Italy-Japan partnership developing the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), previously known as Tempest, or the France-Germany-Spain Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The committee was told that the IAF intends to evaluate joining forces with one of these projects to ensure India does not lag behind in the development of advanced combat aircraft technologies.

The hill area around the historic Kalinjar Fort in Banda district has been declared a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The recognition highlights the region’s rare geological formation known as the Eparchaean Unconformity, which records a long gap in Earth’s geological history.

The site was inaugurated by Rajinder Kumar, additional director general and head of GSI’s Northern Region, who said the rocks found in the Kalinjar area represent geological events that occurred billions of years apart.

According to the press release, the hill exposes nearly 2.5 billion year old Bundelkhand granite overlain by 1.2 billion year old Kaimur sandstone, making it an important record of Earth’s evolution. Experts said the natural rock formations also played a role in providing strategic defence to ancient rulers who built the fort.