General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - April 2025

Apr 2025

Mar 23, 2026

PM Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Head of Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic milestone by becoming India’s longest-serving head of government. Reaching over 8,931 days in office, Modi surpassed Pawan Kumar Chamling’s record of 8,930 days as Sikkim’s chief minister, achieved by combining his Gujarat tenure (2001–2014) with the prime ministership since 2014. Analysts see the milestone as a signal of political stability, continuity and reform momentum, while critics caution that time in office does not guarantee progress. The achievement underscores Modi’s enduring political presence and the flow of leadership across state and national levels, shaping policy and governance across decades.

Modi surpassed Chamling to become longest-serving Indian head of government.
Total days in office surpassed 8,931; combined Gujarat and PM tenure.
Represents political stability and policy continuity.
Supports observed momentum of reforms and international engagement.
Raises questions about tenure versus tangible progress.

From Management Trainee to Director: Natarajan’s Journey at SAIL

On 19 March 2026, Shri T.N. Natarajan assumed charge as Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). He brings over 32 years of experience in production, logistics and sales, and will lead the company’s commercial operations. Natarajan joined SAIL as a Management Trainee in 1993 and has held key roles across manufacturing, supply chain management and marketing. His career spans manufacturing operations, strategic marketing and domestic and global market exposure. In his new role, he will guide procurement, pricing and sales strategy to strengthen SAIL’s competitive position in Indian and international markets. His appointment aligns with SAIL’s modernization and growth plans.

Appointed Director (Commercial) of SAIL on 19 March 2026.
Has over 32 years of experience in production, logistics and sales.
Joined SAIL as Management Trainee in 1993 and held multiple senior roles.
Will oversee procurement, pricing and sales strategy.
Aims to strengthen SAIL’s position in domestic and global markets.

Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: Schedule and Process

Rajya Sabha elections for 2026 began in March and will continue through the year. A total of 72 of 245 seats are up for election, with the process spanning from 16 March to November 2026 and voting on multiple dates across states. The results will influence the government’s legislative balance and committee formations. Parties are forming alliances and finalising candidate lists ahead of sessions in the summer. The elections underscore India’s federal structure and ongoing state-national political dynamics, with regional considerations shaping outcomes and parliamentary dynamics for the year ahead.

72 of 245 Rajya Sabha seats to be elected in 2026.
Elections run from 16 March to November 2026 with multiple dates.
Outcomes affect legislative balance and committee appointments.
Parties are building alliances and finalising candidates.
Illustrates India’s federal structure and evolving state-national dynamics.

Mar 21, 2026

President Murmu inaugurates oncology block at Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Hospital, Vrindavan

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Nand Kishor Somani Oncology Block at Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Hospital in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, to strengthen cancer care in the region. The facility adds modern radiotherapy and diagnostic capabilities. The President is on a three-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, during which she visited the Premanand Ji Maharaj Ashram and the Samadhi of Neeb Karori Baba in Vrindavan. She planned to visit Vatsalya Gram, a welfare organisation serving the elderly, women, and children. The inauguration signals government emphasis on expanding specialist healthcare infrastructure in tier-2 cities.

Location: Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Hospital, Vrindavan
Facility: Nand Kishor Somani Oncology Block with radiotherapy and diagnostics
President: Droupadi Murmu on a three-day UP visit
Other engagements: ashram visit and welfare site tour
Policy angle: focus on regional healthcare expansion

Mar 20, 2026

Shri Ram Yantra Installed at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya

President Droupadi Murmu installed the Shri Ram Yantra at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, marking the second-floor installation and symbolic completion of the temple’s structure. Vedic chants accompanied the ceremony, conducted by scholars from southern India, Kashi, and Ayodhya under priest Ganeshwar Shastri. The President’s visit included a planned felicitation for nearly 400 workers involved in temple construction and a flag-raising at a gate area known as the parkota. The ceremony reflects religious and cultural significance, with political leaders observing closely as the project advances toward broader public access and national symbolism.

Shri Ram Yantra installed at Ayodhya temple on site completion
Ceremony includes Vedic recitations and multi-regional participation
President Murmu oversees installation and worker felicitation
Second-floor installation marks temple completion milestones
Event linked to broader cultural and political symbolism

Kalinjar Hill Declared National Geo-Heritage Site by GSI

Kalinjar Hill near Kalinjar Fort in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India on 16 March 2026. The designation recognizes the region’s geological significance and its cultural legacy. Situated in the Vindhya range, the area is expected to attract geo-tourism along with Kalinjar and Khajuraho circuit plans. The site features the Eparchaean Unconformity, where ancient rock layers meet, with Bundelkhand granite overlain by Kaimur sandstone, dating back billions of years. The recognition enhances scientific study and heritage tourism prospects in central India.

Kalinjar Hill named National Geo-Heritage Site on 16 March 2026
Geological Survey of India designated the site
Located in the Vindhya mountain range, central India
Features Eparchaean Unconformity between very old rock layers
Geo-heritage status boosts geo-tourism and research

India-Vietnam Boost Tribal Development Cooperation Ties

India and Vietnam expanded bilateral cooperation on tribal and ethnic development during a 20 March 2026 New Delhi meeting. The discussions, co-chaired by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and Vietnam’s Minister Dao Ngoc Dung, aim to institutionalise collaboration within their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Officials reviewed policy frameworks and best practices for tribal welfare, education, and cultural preservation. The dialogue seeks long-term cooperation at leadership level, enabling joint programs and knowledge exchange to uplift tribal communities in both nations.

20 March 2026 ministerial meeting in New Delhi on tribal development
Co-chaired by India’s Tribal Affairs Minister and Vietnam’s Ethnic Affairs Minister
Focus on policy frameworks, education, and cultural preservation
Aims to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Plans for joint programs and knowledge exchange

Mar 18, 2026

Narcotics Control Bureau Observes 41st Raising Day

The Narcotics Control Bureau observed its 41st Raising Day, commemorating over four decades of work against drug trafficking and substance abuse in India. Nationwide youth mobilisation programs for a Drug-Free India were organized at about 40 locations, including Delhi, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Raipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Agartala. Activities included anti-drug pledges, awareness addresses, rallies, and heritage walks to address health, psychological and legal consequences of drug abuse. The events emphasized collaborations with communities and authorities to strengthen prevention, early warning, and recovery support, reinforcing the agency’s role in national drug policy and enforcement.

Raising Day: 41st anniversary of NCB.
Locations: around 40 places nationwide.
Activities: pledges, awareness talks, rallies, heritage walks.
Focus: prevention, education, and support for drug-free life.
Goal: strengthen partnerships and youth engagement in drug policy.

Fiscal Health Index 2026: Odisha tops again

Odisha has topped the Fiscal Health Index 2026 released by NITI Aayog, maintaining its position as the best performing state. The index evaluates FY 2023-24 using five pillars: quality of expenditure, revenue mobilization, fiscal prudence, debt index, and debt sustainability. The report highlights Odisha’s strong revenue management and prudent spending as drivers of its high score. The index emphasizes fiscal discipline and the need to balance development with debt risk. While Odisha leads, several other states show improvements in public finances, signaling ongoing reforms across the union. The report serves as a benchmark for state governance and policy formulation today.

Top state: Odisha, Fiscal Health Index 2026.
Evaluation period: FY 2023-24 across five pillars.
Key drivers: revenue mobilization and prudent expenditure.
Implication: benchmark for state governance and policy.

Mar 16, 2026

Four Major Inland Waterways Projects Worth Rs 526 Crore Launched

Under the Inland Waterways Authority of India, four major projects worth Rs 526 crore were launched to boost Assam’s connectivity. The package includes an elevated road corridor from Pandu Port to NH-27 with an allocation of ₹180 crore, the foundation stone for a cruise terminal at Biswanath Ghat, the Bhoomi Pujan for a Regional Centre of Excellence at Bogibeel, Dibrugarh (₹188 crore), and a second cruise terminal at Neamati. Officials described the projects as critical for boosting tourism, trade and employment, while strengthening the Brahmaputra river corridor. The investments aim to stimulate regional growth and improve freight movement across the northeast.

Four major IWAI projects worth Rs 526 crore were launched.
Pandu Port–NH-27 elevated road received ₹180 crore.
Biswanath Ghat cruise terminal foundation stone laid.
Bogibeel RCoE (₹188 crore) and Neamati cruise terminal established.

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