Daily Current Affairs – 12-03-2026

International News

Reliance Oil Refinery Project in the United States

US President Donald Trump announced that Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, plans to establish an oil refinery in the United States with an investment of 300 billion dollars (₹27 lakh crore).

The proposed refinery is planned to be located in the Brownsville Port area of Texas.

This project marks the first time in 50 years that Reliance Industries is setting up an oil refinery in the United States.

The refinery is expected to supply fuel to the US domestic market and also facilitate exports using the deep-water port facilities of Brownsville.

The refinery is planned to operate using advanced technology designed to minimize environmental impact.

The foundation stone ceremony for the infrastructure project is expected to take place in April at Brownsville Port, Texas.

The project is also expected to generate employment opportunities in the state of Texas and increase economic activity in the region.

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu – University of California Energy Sector MoU

The Government of Tamil Nadu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of California, Berkeley (USA) to strengthen the development of the electricity sector and green energy usage in Tamil Nadu.

The agreement was signed at the Chennai Secretariat in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

During the event, an agreement was also signed with the Japanese company Mitsubishi to establish an electrical and electronic connectors manufacturing project in Tiruvallur district with an investment of ₹100 crore, creating 100 jobs.

In addition, Ashok Leyland will establish a new engine manufacturing plant at SIPCOT Pillaipakkam Industrial Park in Kanchipuram district with an investment of ₹500 crore, providing 200 jobs.

The Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also laid the foundation stone for three Mini SIDCO Industrial Parks in Karur, Pudukkottai, and Nagapattinam districts with an investment of ₹119.06 crore, expected to create 1,800 employment opportunities.

National News

Supreme Court Permits Passive Euthanasia in Coma Case

The Supreme Court of India permitted passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a resident of Ghaziabad near Delhi, who had been in a coma since August 20, 2013 after suffering a spinal cord injury from a fall at Punjab University, Chandigarh, where he was pursuing B.Tech.

The petition seeking euthanasia was filed by his parents after he remained unconscious for 13 years despite medical treatment.

The case was heard by a bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan.

The primary and secondary medical boards constituted to examine the patient recommended the withdrawal of life-sustaining medical support such as artificial feeding and hydration, and the Court permitted the removal of these life-supporting medical devices, marking the first instance where the Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal of such medical equipment.

The Court directed that cases involving euthanasia must follow the guidelines laid down in the Common Cause case judgment and recommended that the Central Government enact a comprehensive law on euthanasia.

In India, Passive Euthanasia, which involves withdrawing life-support or stopping treatment in incurable cases, is legally permitted under guidelines, while Active Euthanasia, involving causing death through lethal injection, remains illegal.

Char Dham Yatra 2026

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand will commence on April 19, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya. The pilgrimage includes visits to the four sacred temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The decision regarding the pilgrimage was taken during the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) budget meeting held in Dehradun. According to the schedule, the portals of Yamunotri Temple and Gangotri Temple will open on April 19, while the portals of Kedarnath Temple will open on April 22, and the Badrinath Temple portals will open on April 23. A restriction has been imposed on the entry of non-Hindus into Badrinath and Kedarnath temples, and the use of mobile phones has been banned within a specified distance inside the temples.

Sports News

ICC T20 Rankings – Abhishek Sharma Tops

Following the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the T20 rankings for batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders in Dubai.

In the batsmen’s rankings, India’s Abhishek Sharma retained the No.1 position with 875 rating points, while India’s Ishan Kishan moved up two places to 2nd position with 871 points. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan ranked 3rd with 848 points, followed by England’s Phil Salt (4th – 792 points) and Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka (5th – 766 points).

In the bowlers’ rankings, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan secured the No.1 position with 753 points, while India’s Varun Chakaravarthy dropped to 2nd position with 740 points, and Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed remained 3rd with 736 points.

In the all-rounders’ rankings, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza ranked 1st with 328 points, followed by India’s Hardik Pandya at 2nd with 299 points and Pakistan’s Saim Ayub at 3rd with 275 points.

Economy News

RBI Open Market Operations to Boost Liquidity

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it will purchase government securities worth ₹50,000 crore through Open Market Operations (OMO) to increase liquidity in the banking sector. The auction for this purchase is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on March 11, with the second phase of the auction taking place from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Friday. This purchase is part of the ₹1 lakh crore government securities purchase plan announced on March 6. Under this operation, the RBI will purchase seven types of government securities with varying interest rates maturing between 2029 and 2046. According to estimates, banks currently hold excess liquidity of about ₹2.74 lakh crore, and the measure has been taken to ensure adequate liquidity in the market as companies and individuals are required to pay advance income tax and GST at the end of the month. Since the beginning of the year, the RBI has purchased government securities worth nearly ₹3 lakh crore through Open Market Operations.

RBI Approval for CRED as Payment Aggregator

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final approval to CRED, a Bengaluru-based financial technology company, to operate as a Payment Aggregator, enabling it to facilitate financial transactions between customers and merchants.

With this approval, CRED has obtained two key authorisations from the RBI related to financial transaction services and already holds a Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) licence for services such as NT Wallets.

Under the Payment Aggregator framework, the company is authorised to onboard merchants onto its platform, collect payments from customers, distribute the collected funds to merchants, and process refunds under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of India.

According to the company’s financial data, CRED reduced its loss to ₹298 crore during the financial year 2024–25, while its total revenue increased by 16% to ₹2,735 crore.

CDSCO Restricts Advertisements for Anti-Obesity Drugs

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) issued an advisory to pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers directing them to strictly comply with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 while promoting and marketing prescription medicines. The advisory specifically refers to GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are medicines used to treat obesity and metabolic disorders. The regulator stated that these medicines must be prescribed only by Registered Medical Practitioners. It also reiterated that direct or indirect advertisements of prescription medicines are prohibited under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules of 1945.

Tamil Nadu Wins C.K. Nayudu Trophy for the First Time

Tamil Nadu won the C.K. Nayudu Trophy for the first time by defeating Maharashtra by seven wickets in the final held at the NPR College Cricket Ground, Dindigul on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 66 runs, Tamil Nadu reached 67/3 in 20 overs to secure victory. In the first innings, Tamil Nadu scored 334 runs, gaining a 96-run lead, with Kiran Karthikeyan scoring 86 runs. In Maharashtra’s second innings, Sachin Rathi and P. Vignesh took three wickets each, while Mohamed Ali took 2 wickets for 18 runs, and Manav Parakh dismissed Niraj Joshi, who scored 55 runs. Maharashtra was all out for 161 runs in the second innings. With this victory, Tamil Nadu completed a double in the season, having earlier won the BCCI Men’s U-23 State-A One-Day Trophy.

Nuclear Energy Mission and Small Modular Reactors

Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, the Government of India has allocated ₹20,000 crore for the research, design, development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is undertaking the design and development of 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen generation. The lead units of these reactors will be established at DAE sites for technology demonstration. The estimated cost outlay includes ₹5,960 crore for development and construction of BSMR-200, ₹7,000 crore for development and construction of two SMR-55 units, ₹320 crore for the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor, ₹800 crore for design and engineering of new reactors, and ₹452 crore for civil and general infrastructure development. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has granted in-principle approval for BSMR-200 and SMR-55, and the proposal for administrative and financial sanction for BSMR-200 has been cleared by the AEC for submission to the Cabinet Committee. For HTGCR, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared and environmental clearance procedures have been initiated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) is being jointly designed and developed by BARC and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and the estimated construction period is 60 to 72 months after administrative and financial approval. This information was provided in the Lok Sabha by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, in a written reply on March 11, 2026.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

India supported a draft resolution submitted by Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemning Iran’s missile and drone attacks, which is to be voted on in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic organization established on 25 May 1981 through a cooperative agreement among six Gulf countries, with its headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The member countries of the GCC are United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. The main objective of the GCC is to promote coordination, integration, and cooperation among the member states to achieve regional unity. The organizational structure of the GCC includes the Supreme Council, which is the highest authority and oversees the Dispute Settlement Commission, the Ministerial Council, and the Secretariat General.

CDSCO Restricts Advertisement of GLP-1 Drugs

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has prohibited pharmaceutical companies from advertising GLP-1 drugs (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists) due to concerns over misuse. GLP-1 drugs are a class of medicines that mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. These medicines were originally used for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, but are also used for obesity management and weight reduction. Examples of these drugs include Ozempic and Wegovy. These medicines work by slowing the digestion of food and increasing the feeling of fullness, thereby reducing food intake. Some GLP-1 drugs are also associated with lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and reducing the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease.

AYUSH Store Launched on Zepto Platform

Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated a dedicated AYUSH Store on the Zepto quick-commerce platform on March 12, 2026.

The initiative was launched in collaboration between the AYUSH Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) and Zepto to expand the digital presence and consumer access to AYUSH products.

The event was held in the presence of AYUSH Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha.

The digital storefront will provide a curated range of authentic AYUSH products through the Zepto digital platform and delivery network.

The initiative aims to enhance the digital visibility of traditional Indian wellness products and support the growth of the AYUSH sector by improving access for consumers and expanding the digital reach of manufacturers.

Deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in India

Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, the Government of India has allocated ₹20,000 crore for the research, design, development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is developing indigenous reactors including the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen generation. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has granted in-principle approval for BSMR-200 and SMR-55, while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for HTGCR has been prepared and environmental clearance procedures have been initiated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The reactors use an indigenous material called Advanced Purified Reactor Vessel Alloy (ApuRVA) developed in collaboration with Indian industries, and the control rod drive mechanism has also been developed domestically. The Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) is jointly designed and developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The lead units of BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are proposed to be constructed at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharashtra, while the HTGCR will be constructed at BARC Vizag in Andhra Pradesh. The government has prepared a roadmap to achieve 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, with the current capacity of 8.78 GW expected to reach 22 GW by 2031–32, and further expansion through PHWR and LWR reactors by NPCIL and other public and private sector entities.

Deep Ocean Mission and Deep-Sea Mining

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) of the Government of India includes six major components: development of technologies for deep-sea mining, human submersible and underwater robotics; ocean climate change advisory services; exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity; deep-ocean survey and exploration; energy and fresh water from the ocean; and establishment of an Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology. Under this mission, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai has completed the design and system engineering of MATSYA-6000, India’s flagship human submersible capable of reaching a depth of 6000 meters with three aquanauts, and wet tests were conducted at L&T Harbour, Katupalli near Chennai in January–February 2025. Scientists also gained pilot experience with the French submersible NAUTILE in August 2025. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad conducted 11 glider missions in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, and deployed 60 directional wave spectra barometric drifters and 92 Argo floats in the Indian Ocean. About 1845 deep-sea microbes were isolated from the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and rare microbes were identified. The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi surveyed 25 seamounts in the Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar regions, documenting 195 deep-sea species, while the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa identified two active and two inactive hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). The mission also sanctioned 144 collaborative research projects to national government and private institutions. A seabed mining system capable of collecting and crushing nodules from the seabed was tested at 5270 meters depth in the Central Indian Ocean in 2021 and later for exploratory mining trials in the Andaman Sea in 2024. The SAHAV digital portal was launched in 2025 to provide real-time ocean data for climate forecasting, marine resource tracking, and disaster early warning. Commercial deep-sea mining in international waters is regulated under the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Exploitation Code for polymetallic mining, which is currently not yet in force.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Implements Digital Twin Technology

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority became the first major port in India to implement the Digital Twin initiative for port management. The Digital Twin platform was inaugurated on 23 February 2026 by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The system creates a real-time virtual replica of the port’s infrastructure, operational assets, and maritime ecosystem, enabling improved monitoring and management of port operations. The platform integrates technologies such as IoT sensors, GPS tracking, LiDAR mapping, drone imaging, and CCTV networks to monitor activities such as berth occupancy, vessel movements, crane utilisation, and yard capacity. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency, predictive maintenance of cargo handling equipment, and data-driven decision-making, and is expected to reduce vessel turnaround time by up to 25%. The project supports the objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which emphasise digitalisation and technological advancement in the maritime sector to improve the efficiency and global competitiveness of Indian ports.

Important Days

Mauritius National Day

Mauritius National Day is observed on March 12 every year to commemorate the independence of Mauritius from the United Kingdom in 1968. On the same date in 1992, Mauritius became a Republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. The day marks an important national event in Mauritius, whose capital is Port Louis.

World Day Against Cyber Censorship

World Day Against Cyber Censorship is observed on March 12 every year.

The day was initiated in 2008 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International to promote freedom of expression and free access to information on the internet and to raise awareness about online censorship and digital restrictions.