1 FIH Women’s Hockey: England win final of World Qualifier
India lost 0-2 to England in the final of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Qualifiers played in Hyderabad . Despite this defeat, India has qualified for this year’s Women’s Hockey World Cup . Champion England, runner-up India, as well as Scotland have qualified for the World Cup from this tournament. The Women’s Hockey World Cup will be held jointly with the men’s tournament in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14 to 30 this year .
2 Gujarat successfully launches first sounding rocket from Dholera
Gujarat achieved a historic milestone in space research with the successful launch of the state’s first sounding rocket from Dholera. The single-stage sub-orbital rocket, operated by Ahmedabad -based startup Omspace Rocket and Exploration Private Limited (OSRE), lifted off from a temporary launch complex at 1 p.m. and reached an altitude of approximately three kilometers. The rocket also carried a mini-satellite designed to collect critical meteorological data . As part of the “Make in India” initiative, the rocket’s airframe was developed using carbon fiber and advanced composites in the Ahmedabad-based startup’s laboratory. The launch was conducted under the authority of IN-SPACe and with the support of the Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025-2030 . Gujarat’s Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia, who was present in Bavalyari to witness the launch, said that this achievement gives Gujarat a special identity in the private space sector. Sounding rockets are one- or two-stage solid propellant rockets. They are primarily used in the Earth’s upper atmosphere (50 to 1500 km) for scientific experiments, research, meteorology, and testing new space technologies. They are a reliable means of collecting scientific data at a low cost and at a high speed. The Indian space agency, ISRO, began launching indigenously designed sounding rockets in 1965.
3 Indian Naval Ship Trikand concludes her stay at Port Louis, Mauritius
INS Trikand concluded her stay in Port Louis, Mauritius on 13 March 2026. The ship participated in the 58th Mauritian National Day Parade held at the Champ de Mars in Port Louis on 12 March 2026, with a marching contingent, naval band, and an integrated helicopter for a fly-past. This is in keeping with the tradition of participation of Indian warships and aircraft in the Mauritian National Day celebrations. The ship opened for visitors on 12 March 2026 and received over 500 visitors. Upon departure from Port Louis, INS Trikand conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) and joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance with CGS Valiant , and thereafter proceeded for the next phase of her planned operational deployment.
4 Great Indian Bustard Captive Breeding Programme project enters its fourth year with two new chicks
5 Gujarat launches ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative to monitor AQI and lake health
Maintaining environmental balance amid rapid urbanization in India has become a major challenge. To promote sustainable urban development, the Gujarat government has launched the ” Lake and Air Watch” initiative. This program , implemented under the Gujarat Urban Development Mission , primarily aims to monitor the condition of lakes and air quality in cities in real time . Launched by the state’s Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, this initiative is considered an important step towards building environmentally friendly and future-ready cities, in line with India’s broader goal of developing a “Develop India” mission.
India’s first microalgae-based air purification tower, called the PureAir Tower, has been deployed in New Delhi . It is installed on the road divider of the Aerocity Highway Corridor . It is an innovative biotechnology-based solution aimed at reducing urban air pollution. Under this project, conventional road infrastructure has been transformed into an active air purification system. This pilot project has been launched to reduce vehicular emissions in the capital’s busy traffic corridors. Instead of using mechanical filters like traditional smog towers, this technology utilizes photosynthetic microalgae , which directly absorb pollutants from the surrounding air. The system captures pollutants such as carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides at the road level. These pollutants are then converted into oxygen and algal biomass through a natural biological process. The microalgae air tower uses very little energy and produces no secondary filter waste, making it an environmentally friendly air purification solution.
7 Supreme Court’s big decision on OBC creamy layer: Reservation eligibility will not be determined by income alone.
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court has stated that the status and socio-administrative status of parents must be taken into account when determining the creamy layer in reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) . The court, dismissing the central government’s appeals, provided relief to several UPSC candidates who were wrongly barred from appointments after being considered OBC creamy layer candidates. The court clarified that parents’ income alone cannot be the sole basis for determining the creamy layer. When determining the creamy layer, the relevant authorities must also consider other factors, such as the parents’ job type, social status, and position. This decision aims to ensure that the benefits of reservation reach the truly disadvantaged and backward classes within the OBC community.
The International Rail Coach Expo 2026 was inaugurated on 12 March 2026 at the Integral Coach Factory premises in Chennai . The event was inaugurated by ICF General Manager U. Subba Rao. . The expo is being organised by Integral Coach Factory in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry. The exhibition will be held from 12 to 14 March 2026 and will witness participation of railway manufacturers, technology providers and industry experts from India and abroad showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in the railway sector.
9 NMDC creates history, becomes India’s first mining company to produce 50 million tonnes of iron ore
NMDC Limited, India’s largest iron ore producer and a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Steel, has created history by becoming the first mining company in the country to produce 50 million tonnes (MT) of iron ore in a single financial year . This significant milestone was achieved just days before the conclusion of FY 2025-26. NMDC was established in 1958 to develop India’s iron ore resources and produced approximately 10 MT in 1978. Production has steadily increased over the past decades and is now projected to increase fivefold to a historic level of 50 MT in FY 2025-26. This marks the company’s strong transformation as a cornerstone of India’s iron ore supply chain.
10 The US heavily bombed Iran’s Kharg Island.
US President Donald Trump has said that Iran ‘s ambition was to dominate the entire West Asian region and destroy Israel, but now their plans are over. In a social media post, Mr. Trump said that the US Central Command carried out a major bombing campaign on military bases on Iran’s Kharg Island . He also claimed to have completely destroyed every military base on the island in this operation. This island plays a vital role in Iran’s oil network, as it houses the main terminal that manages the country’s oil exports. The military bases located on Kharg Island were targeted in this attack, but the power plants located there were spared.
11 Habitat International Film Festival begins at India Habitat Centre, continues till March 22
The Habitat International Film Festival , which began at the India Habitat Centre in the capital , will continue until March 22nd . Films screened at the festival will be based on Hungarian cinema . This year’s festival will screen 67 films from 18 countries, in approximately 20 languages. Hungary is the focus of this international film festival . This film will serve as a symbolic cultural bridge between Hungary and India.
12 India to dominate World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi
India dominated the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 held in New Delhi . The three-day competition concluded yesterday with 208 medals . Around 257 athletes from eight countries, India, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, China, Serbia, Bosnia and Egypt participated in the competition. India topped the medal table with 75 gold, 69 silver and 64 bronze medals. Russia came second , while Bosnia and Herzegovina secured the third position. The main attraction on the last day of the competition was two-time Paris Paralympic medalist Preeti Pal, who won the gold medal in the women’s 200m T35-T37.
13 Pi Day: March 14
Pi Day is celebrated every year on March 14th . This day is celebrated in honor of the mathematical constant Pi (π) . The date March 14th (3/14) represents the first three digits of Pi, equal to 3.14 , so this day was specifically chosen. Pi (π) is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter . The value of Pi is approximately 3.14159 and it is an irrational number, meaning its decimal digits go on indefinitely and do not repeat.
Sleep is a vital component of bodily functions. Without it, optimal health is impossible. Its effects are felt from childhood to old age. In today’s fast-paced lives, people are compromising on their sleep due to work, mobile phones, and stress. Staying up late and waking up early has become a common habit. To raise awareness about this problem, World Sleep Day is celebrated every year on March 13th .