March 20, 2026
105 articles published on this date
Express Exclusive: Govt asks WhatsApp to block device IDs used in digital arrest scams
The Ministry of Home Affairs' high-level inter-departmental committee directed WhatsApp to block all device IDs (hardware identifiers) associated with accoun...
Animals that show intentional communication is not just human
A new body of research confirms that elephants engage in goal-directed, intentional gestural communication — a trait once considered uniquely human or limite...
CJI recuses self from hearing PILs on panel to select CEC & ECs
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recused himself from hearing PILs challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment...
NTPC looking at imported PWR tech for its nuclear fleet, in talks with players in France, Russia & US
NTPC Ltd is in active discussions with nuclear technology providers from France (EDF), Russia (Rosatom), and the United States (Holtec International) to impo...
‘Undemocratic’ politics in Great Nicobar over land
Inequities have emerged between ex-servicemen settler families and the original indigenous islanders (Nicobarese and Shompen) over land compensation for the ...
ICAR–IVRI achieves breakthrough in Sahiwal breeding using advanced reproductive technologies
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI) has achieved a breakthrough in Sahiwal cattle breeding using a...
CAPF Bill says IPS officers’ deputation necessary for Union-State coordination, reserves 50% I-G rank posts for IPS
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 directly responds to a May 23, 2025 Supreme Court judgment that directed the Home Ministr...
India-China border trade via Lipulekh Pass to resume after six years
Border trade between India and China via Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, is set to resume in 2026 after a six-year suspension. Trade was ...
Amit Shah to present bill on CAPFs in Rajya Sabha on Monday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on March 24, 2026. The Bill s...
India sends medical supplies to Afghanistan
India delivered a 2.5-ton consignment of emergency medicines, medical disposables, kits, and equipment to Afghanistan on March 20, 2026. The aid responds to ...
New I-T Act framework notified; taxpayer relief with stricter compliance from April 1
The Income Tax Rules 2026 notified several taxpayer relief provisions that take effect from April 1, 2026, under the new Income-tax Act 2025. The 50% House R...
West Asia War Fallout: Premium petrol price raised Rs 2 a litre, bulk diesel up Rs 22
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) raised the price of premium petrol by approximately ₹2 per litre effective March 20, 2026, citing surging global crude oil pri...
Iran’s strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan could impact some of QatarEnergy’s LNG supplies to India
Iranian missile strikes caused extensive damage to Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar — the world's largest LNG export hub — cutting Qatar's LNG output capa...
Explained: US approves sanctions relief for Iranian oil amidst its war with Tehran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the administration may unsanction Iranian oil already at sea — approximately 140 million barrels (equivale...
Explained: Ambedkar’s Mahad Satyagraha, how it became a ‘watershed moment of Dalit assertion’
The Mahad Satyagraha, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on March 20, 1927, marks its 99th anniversary — a landmark event now widely recognised as the foundational act...
Why US is weighing Kharg Island takeover — and why it is a major risk
The United States is weighing a ground invasion and occupation of Kharg Island — Iran's primary oil export terminal, which handles approximately 90% of Iran'...
Russia, China and the US – the global winners and losers of the Iran war
The Iran conflict that began February 28, 2026, has triggered a major realignment of global energy flows, with Russia emerging as the primary economic benefi...
Telangana’s share in Central devolution rises to 2.17%
Telangana's share in Central tax devolution has been fixed at 2.174% under the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations for 2026–31, up from 2.102% under th...
New Income Tax Act to be rooted in ethics: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Income Tax Department on the occasion of officially notifying the Income Tax Rules 2026, articulating the p...
As Iran war prolongs, Indian PMO asks Agriculture Ministry for measures to combat fertilizer, chemicals shortage
India's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to draw up contingency measures to address a potential fertilizer and agricultura...
Govt weighs expanding social security with insurance cover for 32 cr unorganised, gig and platform workers
The government is examining domestic and international models to design a social security scheme — including insurance cover — for an estimated 32 crore unor...
Trump calls NATO ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war
US President Donald Trump publicly denounced NATO as "COWARDS" and "A PAPER TIGER" without the US military, after NATO member states refused to heed his call...
Pilot manufacturing plant of rare earth permanent magnets set up at ARCI, Hyderabad
A pilot manufacturing plant for Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd-Fe-B) rare earth permanent magnets has been inaugurated at the International Advanced Research Centr...
Govt notifies income tax rules 2026; new compliance regime from April 1
The Central government notified the Income Tax Rules, 2026, implementing the Income-tax Act, 2025; the new compliance regime comes into force from April 1, 2...
Non-fossil-fuel-based power generation capacity to hit 786 GW or 70% mark by FY'36: Government report
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released the 20th Electric Power Survey Midterm Review projecting that India's total installed power capacity wil...
RBI’s Central Board assesses emerging global and domestic economic scenario
The Reserve Bank of India's Central Board of Directors held its 622nd meeting on March 20, 2026, in Patna, under Governor Sanjay Malhotra's chairmanship. The...
Index of eight core industries rises 2.3% in February 2026
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rose by 2.3% in February 2026 compared to February 2025, with steel and cement leading growth while energy sectors c...
Chavdar Tale centenary year: Thousands throng Mahad, pay respects to Ambedkar
On March 20, 2026, thousands of people gathered at the Chavdar Tale tank in Mahad (Raigad district, Maharashtra) to mark the 99th anniversary of the historic...
WTO market access panel adopts outcome-tracking mechanism for trade concerns
The WTO's Committee on Market Access (CMA) adopted a new outcome-tracking mechanism on March 16–17, 2026, to record the resolution of specific trade concerns...
Sri Lanka president confirms IRIS Dena was denied permission to dock, US bid to land warplanes refused
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake confirmed that his government denied docking permission to the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena and simultaneously re...
Growth of eight core sectors halved to 2.3% in February, before West Asia crisis began
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew by 2.3% in February 2026 compared to February 2025 — down sharply from 4.7% growth recorded in January 2026. Th...
Sri Lanka refused U.S. request to land warplanes: Dissanayake
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake publicly confirmed that Colombo refused a US request to land two armed warplanes at Mattala Rajapaksa Internat...
Government Highlights Significant Progress in Nano-Fertilizer Adoption and Drone-Led Agricultural Transformation
The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has reported that cumulative sales of nano-fertilizers have reached 1,593.37 lakh bottles of 500 ml each sinc...
Iran warns world tourism sites ‘not safe’ for Israeli, U.S. officials; says it is still building missiles nearly three weeks into war
Nearly three weeks into the Iran conflict (which began February 28, 2026), Iran's military issued threats against "parks, recreational areas and tourist dest...
‘Lethargic’ officials who left Chambal sanctuary to the mercy of sand miners will be held liable: SC
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, taking suo motu cognisance of illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, held th...
Why has Madras High Court ordered eradication of seemai karuvelam? | Explained
The Madras High Court has issued fresh, comprehensive directions for the eradication of *Prosopis juliflora* (locally called seemai karuvelam) from Tamil Nad...
Political Parties to get advertisements pre-certified by MCMC
The Election Commission of India announced the election schedule for General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu...
DBT in Fertilizers Ensures Timely Subsidy Disbursal and Availability to Farmers
The Government of India has highlighted the successful implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Fertilizers system, which has transformed ferti...
Production Linked Incentive Scheme
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Pharmaceuticals, approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2021, has attracted actual investment of Rs 27,45...
Power Minister stresses energy security amid global tensions
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, speaking at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, emphasised that ongoing global conflicts — particularly the West Asia war — are...
MNRE seeks sweeping powers under Electricity Act to govern India’s renewable energy sector
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sought a significant redrawing of institutional boundaries, asking for primary authority over the provisi...
New Income Tax Act 2025 to prioritize simplicity and stakeholder engagement, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Income Tax Act 2025, which replaces the Income Tax Act 1961, will come into effect on April 1, 2026. T...
ECI mandates pre-certification of political ads on social, electronic media ahead of elections
The Election Commission of India issued a directive making it mandatory for political parties and candidates to obtain prior certification from the Media Cer...
Core sectors growth slows down to 3-month low of 2.3 pc in Feb
Production growth in India's eight core infrastructure sectors slowed to 2.3% in February 2026, down from 3.4% in January 2026 — a visible month-on-month dec...
India minces no words in criticising Iran, says attacks on shipping, Hormuz disruption ‘unacceptable’
India issued its strongest diplomatic statement against Iran at the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 36th extraordinary session, calling attacks o...
CJI Surya Kant recuses from hearing pleas against 2023 EC appointments law; cites conflict of interest
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recused himself from hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Chief Election Commissione...
India to revive key China trade route at Lipulekh in June after six-year break
India is set to reopen the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand for border trade with China in June 2026, ending a six-year suspension that began in 2020 due to the ...
Government unveils Rs 20000 crore credit guarantee plan for MFIs
The government has approved a Rs 20,000 crore (₹200 billion) credit guarantee scheme for microfinance institutions (MFIs), aimed at addressing acute liquidit...
PM Modi speaks with Bahrain King, condemns attacks on infrastructure, stresses secure shipping routes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to discuss the ongoing conflict in West Asia and con...
IEA advocates work from home, reduced air travel to tackle oil shock
The International Energy Agency (IEA) published a set of immediate demand-side oil conservation recommendations to cushion the impact of a historic global oi...
Amid Middle East war-related supply disruptions, govt emphasis on improving logistics ecosystem
The government has intensified its focus on improving India's logistics ecosystem in response to global supply chain disruptions linked to escalating Middle ...
Expansion of PMBJKs to Reduce Healthcare Costs
The government has highlighted the rapid expansion of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which now operates nearly 18,000 Jan Aushadhi K...
Core sector output eased to a three-month low of 2.3% in February
India's Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) slowed to 2.3% in February 2026 — a three-month low — down from 3.4% in January 2026, driven by simultaneous con...
CBDT notifies rules for simplified income tax law, to be effective from April 1
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) formally notified the Income-tax Rules, 2026 on March 20, 2026, to operationalise the Income Tax Act 2025 with effec...
'Stand in solidarity with Afghanistan': India sends 2.5-ton medical aid to Kabul after Pakistani strikes on rehab centre
India dispatched a 2.5-tonne consignment of emergency medicines, medical disposables, kits, and equipment to Kabul on March 20, 2026. The aid followed the Ma...
Centre classifies key energy data as national security; mandates real-time reporting from oil and gas firms
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued the Petroleum and Natural Gas (Furnishing of Information) Order, 2026, through a gazette notification on Mar...
NITI Aayog proposes National Job Skilling Policy to strengthen India’s skilling ecosystem
NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani has authored a working paper titled "Education and Skilling for Employment: From Credentials to Learning Outcomes," proposin...
Implementation of Biopharma SHAKTI
The government has announced implementation details for the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme, first proposed in Union Budget 2026–27, with a total outlay of ₹10,000 c...
Amidst latest flare-up, Modi says attacks on energy sites condemnable
Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly condemned attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia as "condemnable" and warned they "can lead to avoidable escalat...
Life term for ‘mass’ conversion, displaying details of those who want to convert: What’s in Chhattisgarh’s new Bill?
The Chhattisgarh Assembly passed the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak (Freedom of Religion Bill), 2026, introducing significantly stricter penalties f...
Attacks on energy infrastructure bring the war in West Asia closer home
Israeli strikes on Iran's South Pars gas fields triggered intense Iranian retaliation against energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including Qatar's Ras La...
Af-Pak ‘open war’ risks becoming an intractable conflict
Commentary and strategic analysis emerging in late March 2026 warns that the Afghanistan-Pakistan military conflict — which erupted following Pakistani airst...
Experts Explain | Afghanistan-Pakistan War: How Pakistan’s strategic assets became its greatest threat
Following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory beginning February 21-22, 2026 — targeting camps linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Kh...
As semaglutide drug patent expires today, what to know about weight loss drug availability
March 20, 2026 marks the nominal expiry date of the main compound patent for semaglutide — the active molecule in blockbuster drugs Ozempic (diabetes) and We...
Prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt global supply chains: Study
Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since late February 2026 has triggered what analysts are calling the largest disruption to the global energy...
Gas shortage caused by Iran war may push India back to dirtier fuels
The ongoing West Asia conflict — which has effectively disrupted Strait of Hormuz transit — has created an acute LPG shortage in India, raising fears that mi...
European nations, Japan, Canada say will join safety efforts in Strait of Hormuz
The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada issued a joint statement on March 19, 2026, declaring readiness to contribute to "appropri...
Work from home, avoid air travel to deal with higher energy prices: International Energy Agency
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report recommending a set of demand-side measures to ease oil price pressures on consumers as the Middle Eas...
Joint statement on Strait of Hormuz by European nations, Japan, Canada
On March 19, 2026, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada issued a joint statement on the Strait of Ho...
Nearly 100 ships pass the Hormuz Strait - who is getting through?
Since Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began on February 28, 2026, fewer than 100 commercial ships have crossed the strait in the entire thr...
U.S. issues new 30-day waiver for sale of Russian oil, adding Cuba, North Korea exceptions
The US Treasury Department issued a new 30-day general license permitting the sale of Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products, replacing an earlier l...
ISRO’s PSLV debris found near Tamil Nadu. Scientists unclear on which mission it belonged to
Debris from an ISRO Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was discovered near the Tamil Nadu coastline. A three-member team from ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space...
US hints at easing Iran oil curbs - what it means for India
The US Treasury indicated it may lift sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian crude oil currently stranded in tankers, a move prompted by s...
Iranian attack hits Israeli oil refinery in Haifa, some damage reported
On March 19, 2026, Iranian missiles struck the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa, northern Israel, causing limited but confirmed damage — debris falls started fire...
11 Maoists surrender ahead of March-end deadline, outfit restricted from 10 to 1 Gadchiroli subdivision
Eleven Maoist cadres surrendered before Gadchiroli police and CRPF ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the complete...
U.S. may remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded in tankers, Bessent says
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the United States may remove sanctions on Iranian crude oil currently loaded and stranded aboard tankers at s...
Government proposal to preload Aadhaar app on phones faced pushback
The government's Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) privately proposed in January 2026 that companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google consider ...
China poses pressing threat, deterrence needed to avert invasion, Taiwan says
Taiwan's government issued a formal assessment declaring that China poses a "pressing threat" and that stronger deterrence is essential to prevent a forced t...
Auto PLI disbursements under 10% as 2028 deadline approaches
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Automobiles and Auto Components has disbursed less than 10% of its total ₹25,938 crore budgetary outlay as t...
Israel hits Tehran with airstrikes on Persian New Year as war jolts energy markets
Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran on March 20, 2026 — the morning of Nowruz (Persian New Year), as millions of Iranians observed the spring equinox holida...
Three men charged with conspiring to smuggle U.S. artificial intelligence to China
US federal prosecutors charged three men — including a senior vice president of Super Micro Computer Inc. (Supermicro) — with conspiring to smuggle $2.5 bill...
With cost of inputs rising and exports disrupted, textile units in Perambalur take a hit
Textile manufacturing units in Perambalur district (Tamil Nadu) are reporting mounting financial stress as the West Asia conflict drives up raw material cost...
Oil down 2% as US considers lifting sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on vessels
Global crude oil prices fell 2–3% after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signalled that Washington may soon lift sanctions on Iranian crude oil currently ...
EU asks for reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and no more strikes on energy, water sites
All 27 EU heads of state, convening as the European Council in Brussels, issued a joint statement calling for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a mor...
Women and TB in India: a story of deprivation, discrimination and debt
A detailed investigation into tuberculosis (TB) among women in India reveals a pattern of triple disadvantage: women with TB face deprivation (lack of nutrit...
Fire at Kuwait refinery as Gulf states come under drone, missile attacks
Iran launched coordinated drone and missile attacks on energy infrastructure across multiple Gulf states, with Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery struck twice ...
Andaman's tribal delegation meets Rahul Gandhi, raises concern over Great Nicobar project
A delegation from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, comprising members of the Tribal Council from Nicobar District and leaders of the All India Adivasi Congre...
Why Iran is attacking Gulf energy infrastructure
On March 18, 2026, Iran launched a major wave of missile and drone strikes against Gulf energy infrastructure in retaliation for an Israeli strike that targe...
India’s auto boom at risk as Iran-Israel war chokes gas supplies, straining supply chains
India's booming automotive sector — the world's third-largest car market — is facing production disruptions as the Iran-Israel war chokes natural gas supplie...
Climate change could pose a major risk to cassava in Africa: study sets out what can be done now
A new peer-reviewed study mapping cassava suitability and disease risk across Africa through 2080 found that while rising temperatures may expand areas suita...
Six allies ready to help ‘efforts to ensure safe passage’ through Hormuz Strait
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan issued a joint statement declaring readiness "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe...
Before salt, there was water: why Mahad Satyagraha deserves its centenary
March 20, 2026 marks the centenary of the Mahad Satyagraha — the landmark civil rights protest led by B.R. Ambedkar on March 20, 1927, in Mahad, Maharashtra....
Japan's Takaichi tries to reaffirm alliance with Trump as he seeks help securing Strait of Hormuz
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on March 19, 2026, seeking to reaffirm the US-Japan alliance whi...
India maps supply chain gaps in pharma, textiles, fertilizers amid West Asia war
India has begun systematically mapping supply chain gaps in critical sectors — pharmaceuticals, textiles, and fertilizers — triggered by the West Asia confli...
India notifies Income Tax Rules, 2026: What's in it
The government has officially notified the Income Tax Rules, 2026, which will govern the implementation of the Income-Tax Act, 2025 — the legislation that re...
'Trade flows are returning to India, but markets remain unintegrated': Glazyev calls for Russia-India financial integration
Sergey Glazyev, State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, addressed the Russian-Indian Forum "From the Volga to the Ganges" in Mumbai on Marc...
Masi Magam: an auspicious day for Irular community to reconnect with their roots on Mamallapuram seashores
Thousands of Irular tribal community members gathered on the seashores of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu to celebrate Masi Magam — their most imp...
Rupee in free fall, down 60 paise to new all-time low of 93.49 against US dollar
The Indian rupee fell to an all-time low of 93.49 against the US dollar on March 20, 2026 — down 60 paise in intraday trading — breaching the psychologically...
Drugs worth over Rs 23 crore seized in Mizoram’s Champhai
Security forces seized drugs worth over ₹23 crore in Mizoram's Champhai district, a recurring hotspot for narcotics trafficking from Myanmar. Assam Rifles — ...
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait & more: DGCA asks airlines to avoid 9 airspaces amid escalating Middle East tensions
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a safety advisory directing all Indian airlines to avoid the airspaces of nine countries: Bahrain...
LPG crisis: In Kerala, war reaches the doorsteps
The West Asia war's disruption of LPG supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz has translated into an acute cooking gas shortage in Kerala, with households...
Delhi HC to hear on March 23 Gautam Gambhir’s lawsuit to protect personality rights
Cricket coach and public figure Gautam Gambhir has filed a civil suit before the Delhi High Court seeking comprehensive protection of his personality and pub...
TMC MP moves Cal HC over transfer of IAS, IPS officers by Election Commission
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament has moved the Calcutta High Court challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) mass transfer of IAS a...
Fighting a looming threat of erasure: The outrage over amendments to trans rights law
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha, triggering widespread protests from transgender and queer...
Cooking gas crisis on the boil across Telangana
A severe LPG (cooking gas) shortage has taken hold across Telangana, with households, restaurants, and small businesses struggling to secure cylinders as the...