March 2026 Week 2 Current Affairs
Covering March 8–15, 2026 — FSSAI perpetual licence reform, Sonam Wangchuk released, Gold Hallmarking Phase VI, Yoga Mahotsav 2026, AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav, Fitch India GDP revision and more. Essential for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway aspirants.
FSSAI Licences Now Have Perpetual Validity — Major Ease of Doing Business Reform
In a landmark regulatory reform, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved perpetual validity for all registrations and licences issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), effective from the second week of March 2026. This means once a food business operator (FBO) obtains an FSSAI licence, it remains valid indefinitely — unless cancelled or suspended for violations. Previously, FBOs had to renew licences periodically, involving repetitive paperwork, fees, and regulatory interaction. The reform was developed based on recommendations of NITI Aayog to simplify compliance and reduce administrative burden.
- FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — the national food regulator under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Revised turnover thresholds (effective April 1, 2026): Basic Registration: up to ₹1.5 crore (raised from ₹12 lakh) | State Licence: up to ₹50 crore | Central Licence: above ₹50 crore
- Street vendor benefit: Vendors already registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 with Municipal Corporations are now deemed automatically registered under FSSAI
- Risk-based inspection: Future inspections will be driven by compliance history, food category handled, and audit results — not routine visits
- Impact: Significantly reduces compliance burden for India's ~10 lakh registered food businesses
- FSSAI Headquarters: New Delhi | Chairperson appointed by Central Government
Gold Hallmarking Phase VI — 7 New Districts Added (Effective March 2, 2026)
The Government of India (GoI) implemented the sixth phase (Phase VI) of mandatory hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2026, effective from March 2, 2026. Seven new districts were brought under the mandatory gold hallmarking regime administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The seven districts are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh).
- Mandatory Gold Hallmarking: A quality certification system ensuring purity and authenticity of gold jewellery; implemented in phases since June 2021
- Phase I (June 23, 2021): Covered 256 districts; only 14, 18 and 22 carat gold permitted
- BIS Hallmark components: BIS logo | Carat and Fineness mark | HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification number) — a 6-digit alphanumeric code
- HUID significance: Enables traceability of each piece from jeweller to consumer; reduces gold adulteration and fraud
- Permitted carats: 14K (585), 18K (750), 20K (833), 22K (916), 23K (958), and 24K (999)
- BIS headquarters: New Delhi | Governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
Yoga Mahotsav 2026 — 100-Day Countdown to 12th International Day of Yoga
The Ministry of Ayush launched Yoga Mahotsav 2026 in New Delhi, marking the beginning of the 100-day countdown to the 12th International Day of Yoga to be celebrated on June 21, 2026. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav. The event introduced 10 Yoga Protocols for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) — specially designed programmes targeting conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The Yoga 365 campaign was also launched to promote yoga as a year-round daily wellness practice through digital and community platforms.
- International Day of Yoga: Celebrated annually on June 21 since 2015; proposed by PM Modi at the 69th UNGA session in September 2014
- 12th IDY 2026: Will mark 11 years of the global yoga movement
- Yoga for Air Travel: A new protocol introduced during Yoga Mahotsav 2026 for travellers on long-distance flights
- Ministry of Ayush: Formed in 2014; oversees Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy
- Host city of 12th IDY 2026: To be announced; past hosts include New York (2015), Chandigarh (2018), Mysore (2022)
AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 — Women SHGs in Urban Water Management
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) hosted AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event celebrated the contributions of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) — known as AMRUT Mitras — in strengthening urban water and sanitation services under AMRUT 2.0. Over 1,000 women and 300 officials from 30 States and Union Territories participated. AMRUT Mitras from Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka shared their experiences. Union Minister Manohar Lal emphasised that water management is a Jan Bhagidari (people's participation) movement, not merely a government service.
- AMRUT 2.0: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0; launched October 2021; total outlay increased from ₹3.60 lakh crore to ₹8.69 lakh crore
- Central funds condition: Released only after meeting four compliance requirements under AMRUT 2.0 framework
- AMRUT Mitras' roles: Water quality testing, billing and collection, community mobilisation, Operations & Maintenance, and Faecal Sludge Management
- Jan Bhagidari: Means "people's participation" — a core theme of MoHUA's urban governance approach
- AMRUT 1.0: Launched June 2015; covered 500 cities; focused on water supply, sewerage, and urban transport
Sonam Wangchuk Released — NSA Detention Revoked on March 14, 2026
On March 14, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order revoking the preventive detention of Sonam Wangchuk — the Ladakh-based climate activist, educator, and engineer — under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, under Section 14 of the NSA. Wangchuk had been held in detention since September 2025 — nearly six months — without being formally charged with any criminal offence. His detention was triggered by his sustained public campaign demanding either full statehood for Ladakh or its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant tribal communities special protections. A habeas corpus petition was pending in the Supreme Court of India, filed by Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo. The MHA's revocation came just before a scheduled Supreme Court hearing — drawing significant public and judicial attention.
- Sonam Wangchuk: Mechanical engineer, education reformer, and environmental activist; received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for education reform in Ladakh
- Inspiration: The Bollywood character 'Phunsukh Wangdu' in 3 Idiots (2009) is partly inspired by his work
- NSA (1980): Allows detention for up to 12 months without formal charges if authorities believe the person poses a threat to national security or public order
- Habeas Corpus: A Latin term meaning "you shall have the body" — a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a court to examine the legality of detention
- Sixth Schedule: Under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution; provides for autonomous District Councils in tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram
- Ladakh UT status: Made a Union Territory without legislature on October 31, 2019 following J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019
- Ice Stupa: Wangchuk's innovation — artificial glaciers that store winter water for use by farmers in spring, addressing Ladakh's water scarcity
Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia for First Time
In the week of March 8–15, 2026, the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of removing life support from Harish Rana, who had been in a vegetative state since 2013 following an accident. This marked the first time passive euthanasia was allowed by an Indian court in a specific individual case. The ruling cited the landmark Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) judgment, where a five-judge Constitution Bench had unanimously upheld the right to die with dignity as a component of Article 21 (Right to Life), also permitting Advance Directives (Living Wills). Passive euthanasia involves withdrawing life-sustaining treatment — it is distinct from active euthanasia where a lethal substance is administered.
- Active euthanasia: Administering a lethal substance; still illegal in India
- Passive euthanasia: Withdrawing life-sustaining treatment; permitted under strict conditions per SC's 2018 ruling
- Living Will (Advance Directive): A document where a person specifies medical treatment preferences if they become incapacitated; now legally valid in India
- Article 21: Fundamental right guaranteeing protection of life and personal liberty — interpreted broadly to include right to die with dignity
Fitch Revises India GDP Forecast to 7.5% for FY 2025-26
Fitch Ratings, in its latest global economic outlook released in the second week of March 2026, revised India's GDP growth forecast upward to 7.5% for FY 2025-26. Fitch estimated that consumer spending could grow by about 8.6%, while investment may rise around 6.9%. The agency also revised its FY27 growth forecast to 6.7% — slightly higher than its earlier estimate of 6.4% made in December 2025. Fitch projected global GDP growth at 2.6% for 2026, assuming stable energy prices and manageable geopolitical tensions. The agency highlighted that India's strong domestic demand and economic fundamentals are helping it remain one of the world's fastest-growing major economies despite global headwinds.
- Fitch Ratings: One of the world's three major credit rating agencies along with Moody's and S&P Global (the "Big Three")
- India's sovereign rating by Fitch: BBB- (lowest investment grade) with stable outlook
- GDP growth drivers: Government capex, domestic consumption, services exports, and digital economy growth
- Risk factors noted by Fitch: Inflation, global energy price volatility, and geopolitical uncertainty
- IMF India GDP forecast (for comparison): 6.5% for FY26 (IMF World Economic Outlook, January 2026)
IIT-Guwahati Signs LoI with Japan's Gifu University for NE-Japan Academic Consortium
In March 2026, 22 institutions from North-East India, led by IIT-Guwahati (Assam), along with Japan's Gifu University, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish the 'North East Region (NER)–Japan International Academic and Research Consortium'. The LoI was signed during the Japan-North East Academic Industry Cooperation Symposium (JNTCS 2026) at IIT-Guwahati. Among the 22 NE institutions, 8 are National Institutes of Technology (NITs), two are IITs, and others include AIIMS-Guwahati and NERIWAL. The consortium aims to foster research collaboration, innovation, and contribute to the economic development of India's North-East region.
USTR Launches Section 301 Investigation Against India
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched two investigations against India and several other countries under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 in March 2026. The probes aim to determine whether India's trade policies are unreasonable or discriminatory and restrict US commerce, potentially justifying trade retaliation. These investigations follow a 2026 ruling by the US Supreme Court that limited some of the broad tariff actions previously imposed under emergency powers, prompting the administration to seek alternative legal mechanisms. The investigation spans approximately 60 countries and covers sectors including solar equipment, steel, chemicals, and textiles. If unfair practices are confirmed, tariffs could be imposed by mid-2026 or later.
- Section 301: Allows the US President to impose trade sanctions on countries with unfair trade practices; previously used to impose tariffs on China in 2018
- India-US trade context: India and US signed a trade deal in February 2026 reducing US tariffs on Indian exports to 18% in exchange for India stopping Russian oil purchases
- Concern areas for India: Digital services tax, IPR regime, agriculture import restrictions, and data localisation norms
- USTR: An agency within the Executive Office of the US President responsible for coordinating US trade policy
CSE Releases 'State of India's Environment 2026' Report
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released its annual flagship report 'State of India's Environment 2026' in the second week of March 2026. Published annually since 1982, the report provides a comprehensive overview of India's major environmental challenges. The 2026 edition flagged that extreme weather events occurred on 99% of days in 2025, from January 1 to November 30, 2025 — resulting in 4,419 deaths and damaging 17.41 million hectares of crop area. CSE experts warned that the global temperature rise may exceed the 1.5°C threshold, indicating the world is approaching a critical climate tipping point.
- CSE: Centre for Science and Environment — an independent public interest research organisation based in New Delhi; founded in 1980
- Air quality monitoring gap: Only ~15% of India's population lives within 10 km of a continuous air quality monitoring station; 85% live outside measurable range
- Tiger attacks: Report links rising human-tiger conflicts to habitat loss, increasing tiger populations, and human settlements near forest borders
- Recommended solutions: Climate-resilient planning, nature-based solutions including wetland restoration and rainwater harvesting
- 1.5°C threshold: The Paris Agreement's aspirational target to limit global warming; breaching it triggers irreversible tipping points
| Date | Day / Observance | Theme 2026 / Key Fact | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 8 | International Women's Day (IWD) | Observed globally since 1911; focuses on gender equality, women's empowerment. India won T20 WC on this date in 2026! | Global |
| Mar 8 | International Day of Women Judges | Declared by UNGA; celebrates women in the judiciary and calls for gender parity in courts worldwide | UN |
| Mar 10 | CISF Raising Day | Central Industrial Security Force raised on March 10, 1969; guards airports, nuclear plants, metro systems, and government buildings | National |
| Mar 14 | International Day of Mathematics / Pi Day | Celebrates π (3.14...); also Einstein's birthday. Declared by UNESCO in 2019; promoted by International Mathematical Union (IMU) | Science |
| Mar 14 | National Vaccination Day (India) | First observed in 1995 when Oral Polio Vaccine was administered under Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme | Health |
| Mar 15 | World Consumer Rights Day | Inspired by JFK's 1962 message to US Congress on consumer rights; led by Consumers International since 1983 | Global |
| Mar 15 | World Sleep Day | Annual event held Friday before Spring Equinox; raises awareness about sleep health, disorders, and insomnia | Health |
OIL India Signs MoU with NSTFDC for Tribal Healthcare in Madhya Pradesh
In March 2026, Oil India Limited (OIL) signed an MoU with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) — a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) — at OIL's corporate office in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Under the collaboration, OIL sanctioned ₹86.27 lakh to strengthen Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Rajgarh district — an Aspirational District of Madhya Pradesh. Healthcare facilities will be equipped with ambulances, life-care and diagnostic equipment, ventilators, CPAP, and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machines.
- Oil India Limited (OIL): A Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Petroleum; headquartered in Duliajan, Assam
- NSTFDC: National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation; provides financial assistance for economic development of ST communities
- Aspirational Districts Programme: Launched by NITI Aayog in 2018; focuses on improving 112 most underdeveloped districts across India
- Section 8 Company: A non-profit company under Companies Act, 2013 focused on promoting arts, science, commerce, education, charity, etc.
Nitish Kumar Resigns as Bihar CM to Contest Rajya Sabha Elections
In a significant political development in the second week of March 2026, Nitish Kumar announced his resignation as Chief Minister of Bihar to contest the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections. Bihar's Rajya Sabha elections were part of the broader nationwide 2026 Rajya Sabha elections held to fill 72 seats in India's upper house. Nitish Kumar has served as Bihar's Chief Minister across multiple terms — first taking office in 2005. He leads the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] party, which is an NDA ally. A major governor reshuffle affecting 7 states and 2 Union Territories was also announced by President Droupadi Murmu in this period.
🧩 Practice MCQ Quiz — March 2026 Week 2
10 carefully designed questions based on this week's current affairs. Detailed explanations included after every answer.
FSSAI is established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The revised turnover threshold for Basic Registration was raised from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore, effective April 1, 2026. Businesses with turnover up to ₹50 crore require a State Licence, and those above ₹50 crore require a Central Licence. Street vendors registered with Municipal Corporations under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 are now automatically deemed FSSAI registered.
The seven districts added under Gold Hallmarking Phase VI (effective March 2, 2026) are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (UP), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (MP). Imphal and Agartala were not included. Mandatory gold hallmarking has been implemented in phases since June 2021. The HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) 6-digit alphanumeric code enables traceability of every piece from the jeweller to the consumer.
Yoga Mahotsav 2026 was organised by the Ministry of Ayush and marked the beginning of the 100-day countdown to the 12th International Day of Yoga, to be celebrated on June 21, 2026. International Yoga Day has been celebrated globally since 2015 following a proposal by PM Modi at the 69th UNGA session in September 2014. Ten Yoga Protocols for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and a new 'Yoga for Air Travel' protocol were introduced during the event.
AMRUT stands for Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. Over 1,000 women AMRUT Mitras and 300 officials from 30 States and Union Territories participated in the Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. AMRUT 2.0 was launched in October 2021, with its total outlay increased from ₹3.60 lakh crore to ₹8.69 lakh crore. AMRUT Mitras are women SHG members engaged in urban water quality testing, billing, community mobilisation, and Operations & Maintenance.
Sonam Wangchuk was detained for demanding either full statehood for Ladakh or its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant tribal communities special protections through autonomous District Councils. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his education reform work through SECMOL in Ladakh. He is also known for his innovative Ice Stupa technology — artificial glaciers that address water scarcity in Ladakh. His work inspired the character 'Phunsukh Wangdu' in the film 3 Idiots (2009).
The 2026 Supreme Court ruling cited the landmark Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) judgment, where a five-judge Constitution Bench unanimously upheld the right to die with dignity as part of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). The 2018 ruling also permitted Advance Directives (Living Wills) in India. Note: The Aruna Shanbaug case (2011) had also dealt with passive euthanasia, but Common Cause (2018) is the definitive constitutional authority on this subject.
Fitch Ratings estimated India's consumer spending growth at approximately 8.6% and investment growth at around 6.9% for FY26. The agency revised its FY27 GDP forecast to 6.7% — up from the earlier estimate of 6.4% made in December 2025. Overall FY26 GDP was forecast at 7.5%. Fitch projected global GDP growth at 2.6% for 2026. India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies despite global headwinds from geopolitical tensions and inflation.
Section 301 is empowered under the Trade Act of 1974. It allows the US President to impose targeted trade sanctions on countries with unreasonable or discriminatory trade practices. If investigations conclude negatively against India, tariffs could be imposed by mid-2026 or later on sectors like solar equipment, steel, chemicals, and textiles. The USTR probe covers around 60 countries. Previously, Section 301 was used in 2018 to impose tariffs on China. The investigation follows a US Supreme Court ruling that limited broader emergency-based tariff powers.
The CSE report found that only ~15% of India's population (around 200 million people) lives within 10 km of a continuous air quality monitoring station. The remaining 85% — over 1.2 billion people — live outside measurable monitoring range. Air quality monitoring is heavily concentrated in major cities and state capitals. In 2025, extreme weather events caused 4,419 deaths and damaged 17.41 million hectares of crop area. CSE has been publishing this annual report since 1982.
March 14 is observed as the International Day of Mathematics (also called Pi Day, since π ≈ 3.14). It was declared by UNESCO at its 40th General Conference in 2019 and is promoted by the International Mathematical Union (IMU). March 14 is also the birthday of Albert Einstein (1879). Note: Srinivasa Ramanujan's birth anniversary (December 22) is celebrated as National Mathematics Day in India since 2012, following a declaration by PM Manmohan Singh.
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