Daily Current Affairs – 18-03-2026

Sports News

Women’s Cricket Rankings 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the latest Women’s Cricket Rankings in Dubai, where Smriti Mandhana of India continues to hold the 1st rank with 790 points. Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa is placed 2nd with 782 points, followed by Beth Mooney of Australia in 3rd position with 749 points. Ashleigh Gardner of Australia holds the 4th rank with 724 points, while Nat Sciver-Brunt of England is in 5th place with 714 points. Phoebe Litchfield of Australia is ranked 6th with 674 points. Harmanpreet Kaur of India has moved up to the 7th position with 652 points, and Jemimah Rodrigues of India is placed at the 12th position.

National News

IIT Madras Ocean Engineering Golden Jubilee

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) conducted the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Department of Ocean Engineering in Chennai on March 17, where Director V. Kamakoti highlighted the institute’s role in enhancing self-reliance in maritime sectors. The Ocean Engineering Centre was established in 1977 and was upgraded into a full-fledged department in 1982. The department contributes to maritime engineering, ship design, coastal technology research and development, and has supported national projects such as coastal security initiatives, port development studies, dredging assessments, and maritime hydrodynamics research. The institute has contributed to reducing India’s dependence on foreign countries and is associated with areas such as the Blue Economy, deep-sea exploration projects, shipbuilding, green port development, and coastal resilience to climate change. Key participants included Abdus Samad (Head of Department), S.A. Sannasiraj (Chairman, Golden Jubilee Organising Commi

MGNREGA Fund Release 2026

The Central Government informed in the Lok Sabha on March 17 that more than ₹81,500 crore has been released to states in the current financial year under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), which was implemented in 2000. The released amount includes ₹65,875.13 crore for wages and ₹15,627.8 crore for materials and administrative expenses. As of March 11, the total outstanding dues to states stand at ₹18,862 crore, comprising ₹8,688.29 crore for wages, ₹9,692.28 crore for materials, and ₹502.42 crore for administrative costs. The Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan, stated that dues for all states except West Bengal have been cleared for the previous financial year, while funds to West Bengal have been suspended since 2022 under Section 27 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The Central Government has also introduced the Viksit Bharat Rural Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Scheme (VP GRAAJ) in April, increasing guaranteed workdays to 125 days and introducing a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and States, while the existing MGNREGA scheme will continue until full implementation of the new scheme.

Universal Health Insurance Target 2033

The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on March 17, stated that all citizens of India will be brought under medical insurance coverage by 2033. In the 2024–25 financial year, around 58 crore people have been covered under insurance. The government has prioritized health insurance expansion, and the insurance sector is growing rapidly. Over the past three years, private insurers such as Reliance Health Insurance, HDFC, and SBI Life Insurance have been fined between ₹1 crore and ₹2 crore for regulatory violations. Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), loans worth ₹15.50 lakh crore were sanctioned between April 2022 and March 2024, with 65% of loans given to women entrepreneurs, and since its launch in 2015, total sanctioned loans have reached ₹39.48 lakh crore, with around 2% classified as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). Under the Companies Act, 2013, companies are required to spend at least 2% of their average net profit of the last three years on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and penalties were imposed for violations, including ₹2.97 crore (2022–23), ₹3.32 crore (2023–24), and ₹13.65 crore (2024–25).

Indian Wells Tennis Rankings Update 2026

Following the conclusion of the Indian Wells Open Tennis Tournament held in the USA, changes were observed in the global rankings released in Dubai on March 17. In the men’s category, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain continues as World No.1 with 13,550 points, while Jannik Sinner of Italy remains 2nd with 11,400 points, and Novak Djokovic of Serbia is placed 3rd with 5,370 points. Daniil Medvedev of Russia has entered the Top 10 (10th position with 3,610 points) for the first time since July last year. In the women’s category, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus continues as World No.1, while Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan has moved up to the 2nd position. The rankings show that only the last three positions changed in the men’s category, while multiple position changes occurred in the women’s category.

Tamil Nadu News

Torpedo Jar Shards in Vembakottai Excavation

During the excavation conducted in Vembakottai (Vijayakarisalkulam) in Virudhunagar district by the Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology, pottery shards in the form of ‘torpedo jars’ were discovered in the third phase of excavation. The excavation, carried out in three phases, yielded artifacts such as terracotta seals, glass beads, shell bangles, gold beads, microlithic tools, terracotta earrings, toys, rings, iron slag, and ivory objects. The identified torpedo jar shards are historically associated with the transport of liquids like olive oil and wine from Roman and Middle Eastern regions. The discovery of these shards along the Vaippar River region provides evidence of ancient Tamil maritime trade and confirms international trade links of early Tamil society. The finding was highlighted by Tamil Nadu Minister Thangam Thennarasu as an important archaeological evidence of ancient Tamil trade history.

FIFA–YouTube World Cup Partnership

FIFA has signed a “game-changing partnership” with YouTube related to the World Cup tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19, allowing rights-holding broadcasters to stream matches on the YouTube platform to reach global audiences. Under this agreement, broadcasters are encouraged to stream the first 10 minutes of matches live on YouTube during the tournament. Additionally, selected matches can be fully streamed on official YouTube channels by broadcasters, enabling wider global access and promoting viewership of the tournament.

International News

Iran–Israel Conflict Update 2026

Israel announced on March 17 in Tel Aviv that it has killed Ali Larijani, identified as Iran’s National Security Chief and de facto leader, in a strike carried out in Tehran. It also claimed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though Iran has not confirmed or denied these claims. The ongoing US–Israel conflict with Iran has entered its third week, resulting in about 2,000 deaths, and has disrupted global oil and gas supply through the Strait of Hormuz. In this context, Joe Kent, Director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre, resigned from his post. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE President held discussions on ensuring secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports and Indices

State of Working India 2026 Report

According to the ‘State of Working India 2026’ report released by Azim Premji University, about 40% of young graduates in India are unemployed, a trend that has remained largely unchanged between 1983 and 2023, with unemployment rates staying between 35% and 40%. The report defines youth as those aged 15–29 years, and indicates that unemployment affects 40% of those aged 15–25 years and 20% of those aged 25–29 years. The share of youth in education declined from 38% in 2017 to 34% in 2024, and among those aged 15–24 years, the proportion leaving studies to support families increased from 58% in 2017 to 72% in 2023. The report also states that only 7% of graduates secure permanent salaried employment within one year, and estimates that the proportion of the working-age population in India will begin to decline after 2030.

Supreme Court Adoption Maternity Leave Verdict

The Supreme Court of India, in a judgment delivered on March 17 in New Delhi, held that adoption is part of the Right to Reproductive Autonomy and struck down the provision under Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which allowed maternity leave only if a woman adopts a child below three months, declaring it violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan directed that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave irrespective of the age of the adopted child. The Court also emphasized the need for recognizing paternity leave as a social security benefit and urged the Central Government to bring appropriate legislation.

Drone Attack on UAE Shah Gas Field

Following a drone attack on March 16, 2026, operations at the Shah Gas Field in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been temporarily suspended to assess damages, as informed by the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The Shah gas field, located about 180 km southwest of Abu Dhabi, is one of the largest gas fields in the world, and no injuries were reported in the incident. Due to the ongoing Iran conflict and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE’s daily oil production has reduced by more than half, leading the state-owned company ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) to implement production cuts. Additionally, oil export operations at Fujairah Port, a major export terminal of the UAE, were suspended twice due to drone attacks, though some operations have resumed.

National Quantum Mission – Quantum Labs Approval

The Central Government, under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), has approved 23 academic institutions in India to establish quantum teaching laboratories, with around 100 additional proposals under consideration, as announced in a meeting held in New Delhi on March 16, 2026. The NQM, approved with a budget of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023–2031, aims to develop quantum computers with 50–1,000 qubit capacity, satellite-based secure communication, and advanced quantum sensors. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science & Technology, and attended by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood and ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. It was also noted that a PSLV mission is planned later in the year and a navigation satellite for the Indian Navy is expected to be launched around May, while earlier missions such as EOS-9 (RISAT-1B) and EOS-N1 failed due to PSLV rocket malfunction. Additionally, Pune has been identified as the venue for the India International Science Festival 2026.

India Leads Global Coconut Production

The Government of India, in a reply in the Lok Sabha on March 17, stated that India ranks first in global coconut production, contributing about 30.37% of the world’s total output. Coconut cultivation in India covers around 21.65 lakh hectares, with an annual production of approximately 21,373 million nuts and an average productivity of about 9,871 nuts per hectare. The sector supports nearly 30 million people, including about 10 million farmers. To strengthen this sector, the government has announced the Coconut Promotion Scheme in the Union Budget 2026–27, aiming to increase production by replacing old and low-yielding trees with high-yielding varieties. The scheme is part of a broader allocation of ₹350 crore for high-value crops such as coconut, cashew, and cocoa.

Small Hydro Power Development Scheme 2026–31

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31 with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore to develop projects with a total capacity of about 1,500 MW. The scheme supports small hydro projects of 1–25 MW capacity, with special focus on hilly regions and North Eastern States. Under the scheme, central financial assistance will be provided at ₹3.6 crore per MW or 30% of project cost (up to ₹30 crore) for North Eastern and border districts, and ₹2.4 crore per MW or 20% of project cost (up to ₹20 crore) for other states. The scheme is expected to attract about ₹15,000 crore investment, generate 51 lakh person-days of employment, and ensure 100% indigenous sourcing of equipment under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. An amount of ₹30 crore has also been allocated for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for around 200 future projects.

BHAVYA Scheme – Industrial Parks Approval

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) on March 18 in New Delhi, with an allocation of ₹33,660 crore to establish 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India. The parks will be developed over 100 to 1,000 acres, with financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore per acre for core infrastructure and up to 25% of project cost for external connectivity. The scheme aims to promote manufacturing under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision by providing ready infrastructure such as roads, utilities, treatment facilities, testing labs, warehouses, and worker housing. Projects will be selected through a challenge mode involving state governments and private partners. The scheme aligns with PM GatiShakti principles and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and is expected to generate large-scale direct and indirect employment in manufacturing and logistics sectors.

World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector

The Government of India approved the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector” on May 31, 2023 to address food grain storage shortages and develop decentralized scientific storage infrastructure through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and cooperatives. The scheme provides financial support under Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), including 33% subsidy for warehouse construction, reduction of margin money from 20% to 10%, and revised construction costs of ₹7,000 per metric tonne in plain areas and ₹8,000 in Northeastern states. With support from NABARD refinance scheme and 3% interest subvention under AIF, the effective interest rate is reduced to 1%, and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has assured 9-year rental support for warehouses. A storage gap of 46.92 lakh metric tonnes has been identified across 378 districts, and so far 560 cooperatives have been identified, with 120 completed projects creating 72,702 metric tonnes capacity. The plan also enables development of cold storage and refrigerated transport facilities under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

Science and Technology News

IOS SAGAR Maritime Initiative

The Indian Navy commenced the second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR on March 16, 2026, to strengthen maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). India assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in February 2026, and the programme includes participation from 16 IONS member countries. The initiative reflects India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and supports the broader framework of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions). The programme enables naval personnel from friendly countries to undergo training at Indian Naval training establishments in Kochi and participate in maritime operations onboard Indian Naval ships. It includes maritime exercises, operational activities, and port visits, promoting cooperation, interoperability, and understanding of shared maritime challenges among participating nations.

SVAMITVA Scheme Progress

Under the SVAMITVA Scheme, as of March 11, 2026, drone survey has been completed in 3.29 lakh villages out of the targeted 3.44 lakh villages, and 3.10 crore property cards have been prepared for 1.87 lakh villages, of which 2.65 crore cards have been distributed. In Uttar Pradesh, 1.15 crore property cards have been prepared and 1.01 crore distributed. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj provides funds to the Survey of India for drone surveys and map preparation, while States and Union Territories carry out ground verification, preparation, and distribution of property cards. The scheme uses drone survey and Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) technology to map rural inhabited land and create accurate records of ownership (Record of Rights), reducing property disputes. States including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli have provisions for co-ownership of women in property cards.

“Convert the following news article into a TNPSC-focused current-affairs passage. Write the output in two passages — one in English and one in Tamil, each with a short factual title. Both passages should be written as single continuous paragraphs, NOT in points or sections. Include only the information relevant for TNPSC exams (Group 1, Group 2, Group 4, VAO). Remove all speeches, quotes, opinions, descriptions, emotional lines and keep only factual details such as names, designations, books, events, places, roles, and dates that are important for exams. Highlight important exam-worthy facts in bold (such as important personalities, books, positions, places, committees, acts, schemes, years). Keep the language simple, factual, and suitable for TNPSC Current Affairs. Do not add any new information that is not present in the original news.”

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) through the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), providing grant-in-aid to NGOs for running facilities such as Senior Citizen Homes (Sr.CH), Continuous Care Homes (CCH), Mobile Medicare Units (MMUs), Physiotherapy Units (Phy.U), and Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs). Help Age India has been designated as an RRTC, and each centre receives ₹19.58 lakh annually. The scheme is monitored through the Project Monitoring Unit (PMU), and NGOs are required to submit progress reports, Utilization Certificates, and audited accounts. The government clarified that Age Well Foundation does not receive funding under AVYAY. The information was provided by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B.L. Verma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, and no new proposals are currently under consideration under the scheme.