• 10 Mar 2026

Bihar Unveils Semiconductor Policy 2026

Why in News? 

The Government of Bihar has launched the Semiconductor Policy 2026 as part of its broader industrialisation strategy. The policy, approved by the Bihar Cabinet, aims to attract investment, generate employment, and position Bihar as a key technology hub in Eastern India by promoting semiconductor and electronics manufacturing industries. 

Key Points: 

• Goal and Vision: The policy seeks to boost industrial development in Bihar by creating a supportive ecosystem for semiconductor production and related sectors, aligned with the state government’s vision under “Saat Nischay‑3: Prosperous Industry, Empowered Bihar.” 
  • The policy offers allotment of land at token rates (₹1 per acre for every ₹100 crore of project cost), exemptions from stamp duty, registration charges, and land conversion fees, as well as capital subsidies to reduce project costs.  
• Impact: Bihar plans to establish three major semiconductor units with over ₹5,000 crore investment, including fabrication (fabs) and assembly‑testing‑marking‑packaging (ATMP) facilities.  
  • The policy is projected to attract around ₹25,000 crore of investment into Bihar’s semiconductor and electronics sector. 
• Employment Generation: Implementation of the policy is expected to create over 2 lakh direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing and allied services, contributing to skill development and reducing unemployment among youth. 
• Implementation and Monitoring: A dedicated Bihar Semiconductor Mission has been formed to oversee execution, with high-level monitoring by state officials. 
  • Single-window clearances and simplified regulatory processes aim to attract more investors. 
• Significance: The policy positions Bihar to compete in India’s growing electronics market, strengthens technological capabilities, and supports the national agenda on electronics self-reliance. 

Read More: Semiconductor Policy, Single-window clearances 

Inter-State Cheetah Movement from Kuno to Rajasthan

Why in News? 

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has stated that the movement of two cheetahs from Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) to the Baran district of Rajasthan represents natural territorial behaviour and underlines the importance of establishing an interstate wildlife corridor for cheetahs. 

Key Points: 

• Movement: Two cheetahs named KP‑2 and KP‑3 were tracked moving from Kuno National Park into the Mangrol range of Baran and Banjh Amli Conservation Reserve in Rajasthan after travelling about 60–70 km.  
  • The NTCA described their dispersal across landscape boundaries as natural territorial behaviour, anticipated under the Project Cheetah Action Plan. 
• Monitoring and Coordination: Both cheetahs are being monitored 24×7 with GPS and radio collars, with joint field teams from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan deployed for monitoring and coordination. 
• Inter‑State Corridor: The movement supports the need for a planned 17,000 sq km Kuno‑Gandhi‑Sagar inter‑state wildlife corridor spanning seven districts in Rajasthan and eight in Madhya Pradesh to facilitate safe movement and genetic exchange among cheetah populations. 
  • Project Cheetah is the Indian government’s initiative to reintroduce the cheetah — extinct in India since 1952 — to suitable habitats, bringing individuals from Africa to Kuno National Park to establish a viable population. 
• Human-Wildlife Safety: Inter-state monitoring helps minimize human-cheetah conflicts and ensures animal safety. 
• Ecological Impact: Helps maintain predator-prey balance and strengthens ecosystem restoration in MP and Rajasthan. 
  • Reinforces need for planned wildlife corridors, part of India’s broader wildlife conservation and restoration efforts. 

Read More: Kuno National Park,  NTCA, Project Cheetah, Gandhi‑Sagar 

Maharashtra Signs MoU With Finnish Firms to Modernise Sassoon Dock

Why in News? 

The Government of Maharashtra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three Finland‑based companies to modernise the historic Sassoon Dock in Mumbai, aiming to transform it into a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable fishing harbour. 

Key Points: 

• Agreement: The MoU was signed with Finland‑based companies Helvar, Mirasis, and River Recycle to introduce advanced technology and sustainable practices at Sassoon Dock. 
• Objective: The partnership focuses on upgrading infrastructure, improving waste management, strengthening plastic recycling, and modernising net‑repair systems at the dock. 
  • The initiative will also include training and capacity building programmes for fishermen and dock workers to adopt modern and sustainable fishing harbour practices. 
• Significance: Sassoon Dock is one of India’s oldest and most important fishing harbours, hosting about 1,560 registered mechanised fishing boats and recording an annual fish production of 50,000–60,000 metric tonnes, supporting thousands involved in Mumbai’s seafood trade. 
  • The Maharashtra government has already undertaken infrastructure upgrades at the dock including net‑mending sheds, workshops, water tanks, pump houses, protective walls, and renovated public facilities for better working conditions. 
• Focus: The collaboration with Finnish firms aims to make the harbour more environmentally sustainable, leveraging improved waste management systems and recycling initiatives. 
• Government Vision: The project aligns with the state government’s vision to develop world‑class fisheries infrastructure, ensuring welfare of fishing communities and promoting sustainable coastal development in Maharashtra. 

Read More: Environmentally sustainable, Waste management systems 

Uttar Pradesh Sees Maximum Cases of SCs Denied Access to Public Spaces

Why in News? 

According to the NCRB’s 2023 Crime in India report, 180 cases were registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for denying Scheduled Castes access to public spaces, with a staggering 173 cases (over 96%) reported from Uttar Pradesh alone.  

Key Points:  

• Trend in SC Discrimination: Since 2017, cases involving SCs being denied access to public spaces — such as community areas, common lands, and social venues — have risen, highlighting ongoing social exclusion despite legal safeguards. 
  • Uttar Pradesh accounts for the lion’s share of such incidents, suggesting deeper challenges related to caste‑based exclusion in public life within the state.  
  • Other reports show that complaints related to denial of access to public spaces, social boycotts, and caste‑based abuse form a significant portion of calls to the National Helpline Against Atrocities since 2021, with UP reporting the highest volume of calls. 
• SC/ST Act: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 prohibits denial of access and other discriminatory acts against SCs, making such offences punishable. 
• Constitutional Rights: The Constitution of India guarantees equality before law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste, including in public spaces, under Articles 14 and 15. 
• Social Exclusion: Despite legal protections, historical caste discrimination persists socially and culturally, leading to continued incidents where SCs face exclusion from public services and community facilities. 
• Significance: Highlights gaps in law enforcement, regional disparities, and need for stronger protection of SC rights. 

Read More: SC and ST Act 1989, Constitution of India 

West Bengal Announces ₹1,500 Youth Allowance under Banglar Yuva Sathi

Why in News? 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 for unemployed youth under the Banglar Yuva Sathi programme. 

Key Points: 

• Announcement Details: The allowance of ₹1,500 per month will be provided to unemployed young men and women aged 21–40 years who have passed Class 10, starting from March 7, 2026. 
  • The scheme, part of the Banglar Yuva Sathi programme, aims to help jobless youth become financially independent while they seek employment opportunities. 
• Early Rollout: Although initially planned to begin in April, the payment was brought forward to March 7 as a gesture on the eve of International Women’s Day (March 8).  
  • Beneficiaries must not be receiving benefits from other government schemes except scholarships. 
• Unemployment Claims: Mamata Banerjee claimed that the unemployment rate in West Bengal has decreased by about 40 per cent due to skill training and employment initiatives such as Utkarsha Bangla. 
  • The government has reported that around 40 lakh people received skill training, with about 10 lakh already employed, and efforts are being made to link trainees with job opportunities. 
  • The government has announced other welfare initiatives, including support to landless farmers and employment opportunities through infrastructure and industrial expansion. 
• Significance: Provides financial support to unemployed youth, promotes social welfare, and strengthens youth empowerment. 

Read More: Banglar Yuva Sathi programme,  International Women’s Day 2026 

Indian Bison Fest 2026 at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News? 

The 2nd edition of the Indian Bison Fest was organised at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha.  

Key Points: 

• Festival: The Indian Bison Fest was held in March 2026 at Zeropoint inside Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary and was organised by the Hirakud Wildlife Division to highlight conservation efforts for the Indian bison (gaur). 
• Eco-Tourism Initiatives: The second edition introduced activities such as guided gaur safari, night camping, trekking and stargazing, offering participants an immersive wildlife experience. 
• Gaur Conservation: The sanctuary has emerged as an important habitat for the Indian bison (gaur), the largest living wild bovine species.  
  • A recent census recorded about 848 gaurs in the Debrigarh–Hirakud landscape, indicating a growing population and successful conservation efforts. 
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (highest level of protection) 
  • CITES: Appendix I  
• Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: 
  • Located in Bargarh district of Odisha, near the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River. 
  • Covers about 346 sq km and hosts rich biodiversity including over 40 mammal species and more than 200 bird species. 
• Significance: The festival promotes wildlife conservation awareness, community participation and eco-tourism, while strengthening Debrigarh’s role as a major conservation landscape for the Indian bison in eastern India. 

Read More: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Indian bison (gaur),  Hirakud Dam, Mahanadi River 

Hurun Global Rich List 2026

Why in News? 

The Hurun Global Rich List 2026, released by Hurun Research Institute, highlights a significant rise in the number of billionaires in India.  

Key Points: 

• New Billionaires: The report shows that India added 57 new billionaires in 2025–26, taking the total number to 308, making the country one of the fastest-growing hubs of wealth creation globally. 
  • India remains the third-largest billionaire hub in the world, after the United States and China. 
• Total Wealth: The combined fortune of Indian billionaires rose 10% to approximately ₹112.6 trillion. 
• Average Wealth: Indian billionaires have an average wealth of ₹36,570 crore, which now surpasses the average wealth of billionaires in China. 
• Wealth Distribution: Out of the total, 199 individuals saw their wealth increase, while 109 experienced a decline or no change. 
• Mumbai’s Dominance: Billionaire’s capital Mumbai remains India’s top billionaire hub with 95 billionaires. 
  • Other major billionaire hubs in India include: 
    • New Delhi 
    • Bengaluru 
    • Hyderabad 
• Growth Pace: The city added 15 new billionaires this year, outpacing global financial centers like New York (14) and London (9). 
• Asian Ranking: While Mumbai leads in India, it lost its title as Asia's billionaire capital to Shenzhen, which now hosts 132 billionaires. 
• Top Indian Billionaires (Hurun Global Rich List 2026) 
  • Mukesh Ambani 
    • Chairman of Reliance Industries 
    • Remains the richest person in India. 
  • Gautam Adani 
    • Founder of Adani Group 
    • Among the top wealth creators globally. 
  • Shiv Nadar 
    • Founder of HCL Technologies. 
  • Cyrus Poonawalla 
    • Founder of Serum Institute of India. 
  • Radhakishan Damani 
    • Founder of Avenue Supermarts (DMart). 
• Economic Transformation: Over 80% of Indian billionaires on the 2026 list were not present a decade ago, indicating a shift from legacy businesses to new-age entrepreneurship. 
• Gender Gap: Women account for only 7% of India's billionaire population, highlighting a persistent gender gap in ultra-high-net-worth brackets. 

Mojtaba Khamenei Becomes Iran's New Supreme Leader

Why in News? 

Mojtaba Khamenei is an Iranian cleric and the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, appointed on 8 March 2026. He succeeded his father Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country since 1989. 

Key Points: 

• Early Life: Mojtaba Khamenei was born in Mashhad in Iran. 
  • He studied Islamic theology in the seminaries of Qom, a major center of Shia scholarship. 
  • During the Iran–Iraq War, he reportedly served in volunteer forces. 
• Military Ties: He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1987 and served during the final years of the Iran-Iraq War. He maintains deep, lifelong connections with high-ranking IRGC and intelligence officials. 
• Political Maneuvering: He was widely believed to be the architect behind the rise of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005 and 2009. 
• Suppression of Dissent: Critics and reformists have long accused him of orchestrating the violent crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement and subsequent anti-government protests. 
• Hereditary Succession: His selection is historic and controversial, as the 1979 Revolution rejected hereditary rule.  
  • This shift toward a "dynastic" system may deepen domestic public discontent. 
• Continuity of Hardline Policy: Experts view his leadership as a signal that Iran intends to maintain its confrontational stance.  
  • He is considered more supportive of developing nuclear weapons than his father was. 
• Geopolitical Friction: U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed him as a "lightweight" and called the choice "unacceptable," while Israel has suggested his successor remains a "target for elimination".  
  • Conversely, Russia and China have expressed support for his appointment based on the Iranian constitution.

Denmark Eliminates Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis

Why in News?

On 27 February 2026, the WHO certified Denmark as the first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of both HIV and syphilis. 

Key Points: 

• Achievement: Denmark met the stringent international targets for EMTCT from 2021 to 2024, which include:  
  • Transmission Rate: Keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 live births. 
  • Testing and Treatment: Ensuring that at least 95% of pregnant women receive testing and necessary treatment. 
  • Universal Care: Providing free or low-cost prenatal screening and care through its universal health system.  
• Global Standing: Denmark joins over 20 other countries and territories—including Botswana, Malaysia, and Cuba—that have achieved similar WHO validation. 
• Triple Elimination Goal: Denmark is now working toward "triple elimination" by adding Hepatitis B to its certified transmission-free list.  
• Public Health: Demonstrates the efficacy of Integrated Maternal and Child Health services and robust data tracking systems. 
• Human Rights: The achievement is underpinned by rights-based policies ensuring equal access to healthcare regardless of background. 
• SDG Targets: Directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by ending preventable deaths of newborns and children.  

Read More:SDG, HIV and syphilis 

Indian Army Hosts Strategic Communication Conclave in Lucknow

Why in News? 

The Indian Army’s Central Command conducted its inaugural Strategic Communication Conclave in Lucknow on Saturday, 7 March 2026.  

Key Points: 

• Venue: The one-day event, held at the Surya Auditorium in Lucknow Cantonment, brought together nearly 500 participants, including senior military officers, diplomats, and media professionals.  
• Theme: The conclave included an expert policy-level session on institutional and national security dimensions on the theme ‘Institutionalising Strategic Communication as a Capability for Future Preparedness in the Emerging Information Space’. 
  • A special interactive session was organised on the theme ‘Strategic Communication in Emerging Multi-Domain Operations: Strategies, Structures, Processes and Preparedness’ which integrated policy and operational perspectives.  
• Core Objective: To examine strategic communication as a vital institutional capability within India’s national security architecture. 
• Key Address: Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C of Central Command, emphasized that the "battlespace now includes information and cognitive domains," where perception management is crucial because "perception shapes legitimacy, legitimacy shapes influence, and influence shapes outcomes". 
  • India’s first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj (Retd), Ambassador Yashvardhan Sinha (Retd) and Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) addressed the session. 
• Strategic Importance: The conclave addressed the weaponisation of narratives and the growing threat of conflicts that exist below the threshold of traditional war.  
  • Future Preparedness: Experts argued that strategic communication must move beyond being reactive or episodic to becoming a doctrine-backed and institutionalised capability for future military preparedness.