Iran appoints Zolghadr as head of SNSC amid regional tensions
Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the head of its Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing senior leader Ali Larijani who was killed in ongoing regional conflict. Zolghadr is a veteran figure in Iran’s security establishment, having served as Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council. He has also held roles in the interior ministry and judiciary, with experience in strategic security and crime prevention. The appointment comes as Iran navigates heightened tensions in West Asia and a reconfiguration of its security leadership. Analysts expect Zolghadr to influence policy decisions on security, diplomacy and crisis management going forward.
New SNSC head: Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
Predecessor: Ali Larijani (killed amid regional conflict)
Background: veteran IRGC figure; former Expediency Discernment Council secretary
Context: ongoing regional tensions in West Asia
Implication: potential shifts in Iran’s security and diplomacy
World Air Quality Report 2025 ranks Pakistan top; India sixth
The World Air Quality Report 2025 by IQAir ranks Pakistan as the most polluted country globally, followed by Bangladesh and Tajikistan, while India sits sixth. The study covers 198 countries and highlights ongoing health risks linked to air pollution. Top polluted nations include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In contrast, the United States and the United Kingdom rank around 120th and 110th, indicating comparatively better air quality. The report underscores the continuing need for policy action, urban planning and clean energy to reduce emissions and protect public health.
Source: IQAir World Air Quality Report 2025
Rankings: Pakistan 1st, India 6th among 198 countries
Top five polluted: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad, DRC
Public health implication: higher pollution exposure
Policy takeaway: strengthen emissions reduction and urban planning
Karnataka Grameena Bank wins National Award for SHG Linkage 2024-25
On 23 March 2026, Karnataka Grameena Bank was named the National Award for Outstanding Performance in SHG Bank Linkage for 2024-25 by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The award, announced at a national conference in Hyderabad, recognises the bank’s support for Self-Help Groups across rural areas, contributing to financial inclusion and rural empowerment. The SHG linkage program has mobilised thousands of groups and extended substantial credit, strengthening livelihoods in rural communities. The recognition was presented during the National Conference on Financial Literacy and Capacity Building, alongside the 25th Central Level Coordination Committee meeting in Hyderabad. This award is among the most prestigious in rural banking.
Date and venue of announcement: 23 March 2026, Hyderabad
Award: National Award for Outstanding SHG Linkage (2024-25)
Awarding body: Union Ministry of Rural Development
Impact: support for thousands of SHGs and credit flow
Context: part of National Conference on Financial Literacy and Capacity Building
Convergence India & Smart Cities India Expo 2026 held in New Delhi
Convergence India and Smart Cities India Expo 2026 were held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 23 to 25 March 2026. The event showcased ICT, digital infrastructure and smart city solutions, drawing government officials, industry leaders and investors. It featured conference sessions, business matchmaking and technology demonstrations across 5G, AI, IoT, cybersecurity and urban governance. The expo supports India’s digital transformation and citizen services, promoting public‑private collaboration for sustainable urban development under the national smart city agenda. Participants included technology providers, city authorities and financiers looking to scale, pilot and deploy next‑generation solutions for urban living.
Dates and venue: 23–25 March 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Theme: ICT, digital infrastructure and smart city solutions
Anahat Singh wins India Open 2026 with 3-1 final, securing second title
India Open 2026 final took place on 22 March 2026, where 18-year-old Anahat Singh defeated Egypt’s Hana Moataz 3-1. The scoreline read 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6. This victory secured Anahat’s second consecutive JSW Indian Open title, underscoring her rapid rise on the international squash circuit. She dominated the early two games with swift movement and precise shot-making, endured a setback in the third, then regained momentum to close out the match convincingly. The win highlights her mental toughness and tactical poise against a higher-ranked opponent on a global stage.
Date of final: 22 March 2026
Winner: Anahat Singh, 18, World No. 29 Hana Moataz (Egypt)
Score: 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6
Significance: second JSW Indian Open title
Notable aspects: early dominance, quick adaptation
Implication: rising presence in international squash
Kalpana Soren wins Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award at BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026
Kalpana Soren, MLA from Gandey in Jharkhand, was honoured with the Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award at the BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The award recognises her efforts to promote women-led development and grassroots empowerment, enabling women to become entrepreneurs and active contributors in rural and tribal areas. The Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award was presented during the BRICS CCI WE Annual Women Summit and Felicitation 2026, honouring individuals who have advanced women’s empowerment at the grassroots level. The recognition aligns with BRICS WE’s broader mission of gender equality and inclusive growth across member countries.
Recipient: Kalpana Soren, Gandey, Jharkhand MLA
Event: BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026, New Delhi
Award: Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award
Focus: promoting women-led development and entrepreneurship
Context: BRICS CCI WE Annual Summit and Felicitations 2026
Significance: highlight for grassroots women empowerment
International Day for the Right to Truth observed on 24 March 2026
On 24 March 2026, the International Day for the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims was observed worldwide. The day, established by the United Nations, underscores the importance of justice, transparency and human dignity for victims and their families. It emphasizes the right to know the truth about serious violations, including enforced disappearances, torture, killings and abductions, and to learn who was responsible, why it happened and under what circumstances. The observance supports accountability, healing and reconciliation in societies affected by violence. Governments, civil society and international bodies use the occasion to promote truth commissions, documentation and access to reliable information.
Date of observance: 24 March 2026
UN-established day highlighting justice and transparency
Rights include truth about enforced disappearances, torture, killings, abductions
Emphasis on identifying responsibility and circumstances
Aims at accountability, healing and reconciliation
Encourages use of truth commissions and reliable documentation
Gujarat digitises 20 citizen services under Sugam Digital Gujarat
On 23 March 2026, the Gujarat state government announced digitisation of 20 high-demand citizen services under the Sugam Digital Gujarat Initiative. The program aims to deliver faceless, cashless and paperless governance via the Digital Gujarat portal. Services use Aadhaar authentication, DigiLocker, eSign and UPI payments to improve transparency and ease of access. Sugam Digital Gujarat focuses on transforming traditional government services into a seamless digital system, reducing in-person visits and paperwork. Citizens can access services from anywhere with minimal effort, while officials expect faster processing, fewer delays and greater transparency in service delivery.
Date: 23 March 2026
20 digitised citizen services under Sugam Digital Gujarat
DPIIT signs MoU with Blue Star to boost manufacturing innovation
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Blue Star Limited to strengthen India’s manufacturing and startup ecosystem. The collaboration targets startups in HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing and supply-chain innovation. Under the MoU, participating startups will gain access to mentorship from industry experts, R&D facilities, testing infrastructure and pilot opportunities. The programme supports product validation, proof-of-concept development and integration into industry value chains. It aims to accelerate manufacturing innovation and encourage scalable, market-ready solutions through industry-government partnerships.
Parties: DPIIT and Blue Star Limited
Focus areas: HVAC, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, supply chain
Benefits to startups: mentorship, R&D facilities, testing, pilots
Outcomes: validation, PoC, integration into value chains
Strategic aim: boost manufacturing innovation and startup ecosystem
Context: part of India’s broader DPIIT-startup collaborations
GHADC Amendment 2026 makes ST certificates mandatory for elections
Meghalaya’s Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) passed an amendment on 24 March 2026 making Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory to contest elections. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced the measure, which requires candidates to be members of recognized STs of Meghalaya. This change bars non-tribal residents, even if permanent, from contesting elections to the council. Government officials described the amendment as historic and aimed at reinforcing the tribal character and governance of the council. The move follows weeks of regional tension and concerns about representation in tribal governance structures.
Date: 24 March 2026
Amendment: ST certificate mandatory to contest GHADC elections
Authority: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Meghalaya
Rationale: reinforce tribal character and representation
Impact: bars non-tribal permanent residents from contesting
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