March 21, 2026
86 articles published on this date
Government modifies Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to support MSME manufacturers, exporters
The Central Government modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME), originally launched in January 2025, to expand coverage and improve...
Government complains about backlog, but feeds it too as the biggest litigant, says Supreme Court judge Nagarathna
Justice B.V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India, speaking at the Supreme Court Bar Association's first National Conference 2026, flagged the paradox of...
South Pars | Same field, two fates
Israel struck Iranian facilities linked to the South Pars gas field — the first time Israel has targeted Iranian natural gas infrastructure — in a strike coo...
U.S. says 'took out' Iran base threatening blocked Strait of Hormuz oil route
The US military declared it had "taken out" an Iranian bunker on Iran's coast that stored anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile launchers, and related equipment ...
PM Modi speaks to Iran President; calls for ‘freedom of navigation’ in the Gulf
PM Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 21, 2026, their second call since the conflict erupted on February 28, 2026 Modi extended Eid...
State cannot put ‘arbitrary ceiling’ on disability limits when RPwD Act does not prescribe any: SC
In *Prabhu Kumar v. State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors.* (2026 INSC 253), the Supreme Court held that a state cannot prescribe an upper ceiling on the disabilit...
Feminists, lawyers urge MPs to reject ‘unconstitutional’ amendments to transgender Act
Feminist organisations, lawyers, and rights advocates sent a letter to Members of Parliament urging them to reject the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rig...
Why is Israel attacking Lebanon? | Explained
Israel launched ground operations in southern Lebanon on March 16, 2026, targeting Hezbollah positions — potentially the largest ground invasion since the 20...
What did the Supreme Court say about paid maternity leave?
The Supreme Court, in *Hamsaanandini Nanduri v. Union of India* (2026 INSC 246), struck down Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020 on March 17, ...
Supreme Court concerned over cops uploading videos online, says poses threat to fair trial
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi took up a PIL filed by petitioner Hemendra Patel, flagging th...
Transgender, queer groups oppose Amendment Bill, demand withdrawal
Transgender and queer collectives, legal advocates, and civil society groups have demanded immediate withdrawal of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rig...
House panel expresses concern over the rising level of groundwater contamination, asks govt to use AI, latest tech to combat it
A Parliamentary Standing Committee expressed serious concern over the rising level of groundwater contamination across India and directed the government to d...
US eases Iran oil sale sanctions, Brent holds steady at $112; Check petrol, diesel prices in India today
The US Treasury issued a 30-day sanctions waiver beginning March 21, 2026, allowing the sale of Iranian oil currently aboard tankers at sea US Treasury Secre...
Extends Eid, Nowruz greetings: PM speaks with Iran President, flags attacks on energy infra, shipping lanes
On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz (the Persian New Year, which fell on March 20, 2026), Prime Minister Modi called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkia...
Tehran’s longest-range missile attack yet: Why Diego Garcia matters — explained
Iran fired two ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, marking the longest-range offensive strike ever attempted...
Expert Explains | Iran war: Why the energy crisis calls for an early ceasefire
Three weeks into the West Asia war (US-Israel strikes on Iran, beginning February 28, 2026), energy analysts and policymakers are arguing that the mounting e...
Wastewater study exposes scale of Antimicrobial Resistance in major Indian cities
A two-year metagenomic study of urban wastewater published in Nature Communications mapped antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes across 19 sites in Delhi, Mum...
Finmin makes changes to Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to support MSMEs
The Finance Ministry announced changes to the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME), making the existing 5% upfront contribution refundable, t...
‘Disappointed’, says Debi Goenka, as apex court gives go-ahead to cut mangroves for key road project in north Mumbai
The Supreme Court of India, in a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, dismissed an appeal by environmental NGO Vanashakti against the Bombay High Court's D...
India achieves one billion tonne coal production for 2nd consecutive year
India achieved the milestone of one billion tonnes (BT) of coal production on March 20, 2026 — the second consecutive year it has hit this landmark, reinforc...
India to confront `deep divisions’ on key issues at WTO meet in Cameroon
India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to attend the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March 26–29, 2026. A GTRI (Gl...
West Asia conflict may trigger global inflation shock if disruptions spread; India relatively insulated: SBI Research
SBI Research cautioned that escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia could create ripple effects across global energy markets, trade flows, and financia...
Don’t remove any genuine voter from electoral rolls, parliamentary committee tells EC
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice told the Election Commission of India (ECI) that no genuine voter shoul...
West Asia war exposes fragility in India’s neighbourhood, potentially forcing New Delhi’s hand
Three weeks into the West Asia war (US-Israel strikes on Iran, beginning February 28, 2026), all of India's immediate neighbours — Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal...
US eases sanctions on sale of Iranian oil in transit, as Iran conflict upends global energy markets
The US Treasury Department on March 20, 2026 issued a 30-day sanctions waiver permitting the sale of approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian crude oil a...
India to begin carbon market trading in the country within four months, says Union Power Minister
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in New Delhi that India will begin formal trading in its domestic ca...
War in West Asia sparks a battle in Surat—of survival, staying afloat & averting another crisis
Escalating conflict in West Asia has triggered cascading disruptions for Surat's twin industrial pillars — the diamond cutting and polishing sector and the m...
U.S., Israel attack Iran's Natanz nuclear facility: Iran atomic energy organisation
The United States and Israel struck Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment complex on March 21, 2026 — the third week of the West Asia war. Iran's Atomic Energy Or...
International Day of Forests 2026 | Theme, significance and economic importance of forest ecosystems
The United Nations designated March 21 as International Day of Forests, with the 2026 theme selected as "Forests and Economies" by the UN Forum on Forests (U...
Govt hikes commercial LPG allocation to 50 pc as domestic output improves
The Government of India approved an additional 20% allocation of commercial LPG to states and Union Territories, taking total allocation to 50% — signalling ...
Iran launches missile at US and UK’s Diego Garcia base, reveals new striking capability
Iran launched two ballistic missiles targeting Diego Garcia, the joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, approximately 4,000 km from Iranian territory...
'Condemn attack on critical infrastructure': PM Modi speaks to Iran president, says 'shipping lanes must stay open'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his second telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran (w...
'Did not initiate war': In call with PM Modi, Iran President Pezeshkian calls on India-chaired Brics to play role in halting aggressions
In a call with PM Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran "did not initiate the war" and called on India-chaired BRICS to play an independent rol...
Middle East war likely to trigger global inflation shock; India relatively insulated: SBI Research
SBI Research released a report warning that the ongoing Middle East conflict could trigger a fresh wave of global inflation if disruptions to supply chains a...
First randomisation of EVM-VVPATs completed in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry
The Election Commission of India (ECI) completed the first randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs...
A Rajya Sabha rummy: How BJP manages ‘floating majority’ with bellwether backings
Despite sweeping the 2014, 2019, and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has never held a standalone majority in the Rajya Sabha, owing to the upper house's st...
India: Targeting commercial ships unacceptable
India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed an emergency session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London...
India's air corridor shrinks as conflict in W Asia expands
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory urging Indian airlines to avoid 11 airspaces in West Asia amid escalating conflict involv...
No one should indulge in hate speech, says SC
The Supreme Court declared that no individual or group should indulge in hate speech, reiterating that existing penal provisions must be applied uniformly an...
SC: Officials of 3 states liable for Chambal mining
The Supreme Court of India (bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta), in a suo motu case, warned that officials of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Utt...
New regulator replaces Dental Council of India
The National Dental Commission (NDC) became operational on March 19, 2026, replacing the Dental Council of India (DCI) which had regulated dental education a...
Hands-on training must for foreign medical grads: NMC
The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a notice mandating that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who completed part of their MBBS programme in online or...
FPI outflow nears record at '93.7k cr
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have pulled out close to ₹93,700 crore (~$10.8 billion) from Indian markets in the financial year 2025-26, nearing a recor...
What makes GLP-1 drugs transformative also make them susceptible to misuse
Semaglutide's patent expired in India in March 2026, opening the market to generic competition. As many as 50 domestic brands are expected to enter at a thir...
US has allowed 30-day sale of Iran oil at sea to curb prices. Can India benefit?
The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a 30-day General License (GL) authorizing transactions necessary for the sale, de...
Heatwaves to hailstorms: Why is March seeing such erratic weather this year?
March 2026 opened with anomalous heatwave conditions across North India, with Delhi recording temperatures near 37°C, then saw a dramatic reversal as an inte...
Desperate measures: Why Trump suspended sanctions on Iranian oil at sea
The Trump administration issued a 30-day general licence waiving sanctions on Iranian crude oil already in transit at sea — approximately 140 million barrels...
CJI bench: Criticism of apex court judgments no affront to judiciary
A bench led by the Chief Justice of India ruled that criticism of Supreme Court judgments does not amount to contempt of court or an affront to the judiciary...
Can cut 46k mangroves for Mumbai project: SC
The Supreme Court of India (bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi) refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court's D...
World Water Day 2026: Ice-loss rate in the Hindukush Himalaya doubled since 2000, says ICIMOD
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) released two landmark reports on World Water Day (March 21, 2026): "Changing Dynamics o...
Israel attacks Tehran, Beirut as U.S. sends Marines to West Asia
Israel carried out fresh airstrikes on Tehran and Beirut on March 21, 2026, marking the 21st consecutive day of the US-Israel military campaign against Iran ...
Arms, ammunition, 50 IEDs seized in Manipur
Security forces conducting search operations across multiple districts of Manipur seized a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and 50 Improvised Explosive...
World Bank report suggests “New Water-Food Nexus Framework” for smarter hydrological use to feed 10 billion people
A new World Bank report released in March 2026 proposes a "New Water-Food Nexus Framework" to avert a global food-water crisis as the world population approa...
Ukraine launches more than 280 drones at Russia: Moscow
Ukraine launched over 280 drones at Russian territory overnight, one of the largest single drone barrages since the war began in February 2022. Russia's Defe...
Beyond imports and subsidies: Reckoning with fertilisers, driven by domestic innovation
A policy analysis argues that India's fertiliser strategy — currently dominated by heavy imports and large subsidies — needs a structural shift toward domest...
Exploring oil palm’s untapped carbon sequestration potential
A growing body of research and policy discussion is examining oil palm's potential as a carbon-sequestering crop, challenging the conventional narrative that...
Pentagon to adopt Palantir AI as core U.S. military system, memo says
A March 9, 2026 memorandum from US Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg formally designated Palantir Technologies' Maven Smart System (MSS) as an official...
Iran ready to let Japanese vessels transit Strait of Hormuz, say reports
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran is prepared to allow Japan-related vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with bilateral disc...
Iran-Israel war LIVE: Refiners in India, elsewhere in Asia, look to buy Iranian oil after U.S. waives sanctions
Indian refiners — including state-owned IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL — are actively seeking non-Middle East crude supply as the Iran-Israel-US war enters its third w...
If you still need to fly amid global travel chaos, here’s what to know
Ongoing missile and drone strikes across West Asia have led to the closure of major regional airspace, severely disrupting global aviation routes in early 20...
Himachal CM Sukhu presents ₹54,928-crore budget for 2026-27
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented the state budget for 2026-27 with a total outlay of ₹54,928 crore, marking a significant inc...
Maharashtra will be at the forefront of India’s orange economy: CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated "Gen O – Pixels & Play," a four-day gaming and digital content festival at MMRDA Grounds, BKC, Mumba...
Kerala CM blames successive Congress, BJP governments at Centre for India’s cooking gas crisis
Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan publicly blamed consecutive Congress and BJP-led central governments for India's ongoing cooking gas (LPG) crisis, t...
CM Revanth to release first instalment of Rythu Bharosa on March 22, inaugurate oil palm factory in Siddipet
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced the release of the first instalment of Rythu Bharosa farm income support on March 22, amounting to ₹3,590 cr...
Modi-Netanyahu rapport, Hindu-Jew ties, food & culture—former BJP MP brings back ‘Namaste Shalom’
A magazine focused on India-Israel relations titled "Namaste Shalom" has been relaunched by former BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay, originally a 2018 publicat...
Refiners in India, elsewhere in Asia look to buy Iranian oil after U.S. waives sanctions
Indian refining companies confirmed they will purchase Iranian crude oil following the US Treasury's 30-day sanctions waiver, with three major Indian refinin...
Tripura Government accommodating fake private universities, Opposition alleges
The Tripura Legislative Assembly passed three bills to establish new private universities on March 20, 2026, amid a walkout by opposition CPI(M) and Congress...
Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet oppose government’s 60% free seat selection decision
The Ministry of Civil Aviation directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to instruct all airlines to designate a minimum of 60% of seats on e...
Telangana Budget FY2026-27: Government announces Indiramma Family Life Insurance scheme, ₹5 lakh each to 1.15 crore families
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka presented the state's ₹3,24,234 crore budget for 2026-27, announcing the Indiram...
South Korea coordinates with Iran to normalise shipping route through Strait of Hormuz
South Korea entered active diplomatic consultations with Iran and other relevant nations to secure normalisation of shipping lanes through the Strait of Horm...
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli 'aggression' against Syria
Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian army camps in the southern Sweida province on March 20, 2026, targeting military infrastructure including headquarters a...
Beyond the Biennale: How murals are rewriting Kochi’s streets
As the 2024–25 edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) unfolds, its Island Mural Project has transformed the walls of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry into a ...
45,000 mangroves at stake: Actors, activists rally as courts clear decks for Mumbai coastal road project
Plans to clear approximately 45,000 mangroves along Mumbai's western coast for the proposed Versova–Bhayandar Coastal Road have triggered sustained oppositio...
US eases sanctions on sale of Iranian oil in transit, as Iran conflict upends global energy markets
The US Treasury, led by Secretary Scott Bessent, issued a 30-day sanctions waiver on March 20, 2026, authorising the purchase of Iranian crude oil currently ...
Trump says US considering ‘winding down’ Iran ops, as US moves to ease global energy disruptions
US President Donald Trump stated on March 20, 2026 — Day 21 of the Iran war — that he was considering "winding down" military operations, citing proximity to...
The week in charts: Iran war impact, US Fed decision, HDFC Bank crisis
The US Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 11-1 on March 18, 2026, to hold the benchmark federal funds rate steady at 3.5%–3.75%, ma...
Iran fired missiles at joint U.S.-U.K. base in Indian Ocean: report
Iran fired two ballistic missiles at the joint US-UK Naval Support Facility at Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), marking the first k...
Govt moves to formalise IPS dominance in top CAPF positions with new bill
The Union Cabinet approved the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, to be introduced in Parliament by the Home Minister The Bill ...
How Trump's stated reasons, goals and timeline for Iran war have shifted
Throughout the 21 days of the US-Israel war on Iran (beginning February 28, 2026), the Trump administration's stated objectives, justifications, and expected...
Buying property in South Mumbai? Middle East conflict could make it costlier — here's how
The ongoing conflict involving US-Israel-Iran has triggered a cascade of cost increases in India's real estate sector, driven primarily by spiking oil prices...
This World Forest Day, India must rethink how it governs its resources
On World Forest Day (March 21), researchers at the UN University Institute on Resource Nexus published an analysis arguing that India's forest governance is ...
Cost concerns delay safer building codes despite Himalayan threats
India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released a major revision to IS 1893 (Part 1) — the national earthquake design code — in November 2025, creating a n...
India’s cotton acreage loses ground to rice, maize amid low productivity
India's cotton acreage has fallen sharply to 11.2 million hectares in 2025-26, down from 13.4 million hectares in 2019-20 — a decline of nearly one-fifth ove...
Tripura: BJP intensifies preparations for TTAADC polls, candidate list likely soon
Elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) are scheduled for April 12, 2026, with counting on April 17, 2026 The date was adv...
The rising tide of eco‑anxiety among India’s youth: a call for climate resilience
A documented rise in eco-anxiety among Indian youth is attracting attention from health researchers and environmental advocates, with the phenomenon now reco...
Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum transforming seat of power to symbol of civilisational continuity: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum project as transforming the former seat of British colonial power — North and South Bloc...