1 Holi: The Pink City’s colourful heritage ‘Gulal Gote’
Holi evokes colors, excitement, and a sense of belonging, but Holi in Jaipur is something else entirely. It’s not just the gulal that’s thrown here, but a centuries-old tradition comes alive, a beautiful fusion of Hindu festival and Muslim craftsmanship . This tradition is that of ” gulal gota ,” a tradition steeped in history and the colors of brotherhood. Gulal gota resembles a small ball , weighing only 4 to 6 grams . It’s made of lacquer and is so delicate that it shatters upon touching someone. As soon as it breaks, the gulal inside drench the person in color, but without causing any injury. This art has its roots in Jaipur’s founding in 1727. Since Sawai Jai Singh II founded the city, the Manihar community has been adept at this craft. Muslim Manihar families living in the “Maniharon ka Rasta” area have been crafting it for generations.
2 Agreement on uranium supply between India and Canada
On March 2nd , PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney met at Hyderabad House in New Delhi . During this meeting, Modi and PM Carney signed a long-term uranium supply agreement. This MoU is worth approximately US$2.6 billion and will be valid for 10 years. India and Canada signed a uranium deal in 2015. This deal was extended in 2018, and Canada has agreed to supply 3,000 metric tons of uranium to India until 2020. This is PM Carney’s first official visit to India.
3 Narendra Modi-Mark Carney talks: India-Canada defence dialogue established, $50 billion trade target by 2030
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and Canada will work towards enhancing defence industry, maritime surveillance, and military exchanges . At a joint press conference following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New Delhi, he announced the establishment of an India-Canada Defence Dialogue . India and Canada initiated negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in New Delhi and decided to finalize it soon. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed on March 2, 2026, by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, and Canada’s International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, and the documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi mentioned that bilateral trade has been targeted to reach US$50 billion by 2030 .
4 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Zhou Jiayi.
On March 2 , Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Zhou Jiayi, the new President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in New Delhi . During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening the India-AIIB partnership. Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized increasing investment in AIIB member countries, especially low-income countries, through innovative financing and non-financing instruments. AIIB operations also included expedited project approvals and the establishment of regional offices in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The AIIB’s primary objective is to finance infrastructure development in Asia and other regions, including road and rail projects, ports, and urban development projects. The AIIB has 120 members, and India is the largest shareholder in the AIIB after China.
5 India renews bilateral currency swap agreement with Japan
India has renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement (BSA) with Japan through February 28, 2026. According to an official release issued by the Reserve Bank of India , the size of the BSA remains unchanged at US$75 billion . The BSA is a bilateral agreement under which both countries can exchange their local currencies for US dollars . Both countries hope that the BSA will strengthen and complement other financial safety nets. It will also deepen financial cooperation between the two countries and contribute to regional and global financial stability.
6 Uttar Pradesh: Over 250,000 saplings planted in Varanasi in one hour, breaking China’s record
In Sujabad Domari , Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh , residents broke China’s eight-year-old record by planting 251,446 trees in just one hour . On this occasion, Rishinath presented certificates to the mayor and municipal commissioner on behalf of Guinness World Records . The entire area has been divided into 60 distinct zones, each named after one of Kashi’s famous Ganga ghats. These include Dashashwamedh, Lalita Ghat, Naya Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Kedar Ghat, Chausatti Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, and Sheetla Ghat. Over 4,000 trees have been planted in each zone. These include shisham, arjun, teak, and bamboo, along with fruit trees like mango, guava, and papaya, and medicinal plants like ashwagandha, asparagus, and giloy.
7 Shri B.P. Singh assumes charge as Director General of Naval Armament
Shri B. P. Singh assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGoNA) at Naval Headquarters , New Delhi on March 1, 2026. A 1994 batch officer of the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) , B. P. Singh succeeds Shri Diwakar Jayant , who superannuated on February 28, 2026 after distinguished service to the nation. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (presently National Institute of Technology), Patna, Shri B. P. Singh brings with him rich and multifaceted experience of over three decades in the Naval Armament Organisation.
8 CBDC-based digital food currency pilot begins in Puducherry
The Government of India has launched a CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) -based digital food currency pilot in Puducherry , taking a major step towards making the food distribution system more transparent and technology-based. This initiative is implemented through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Under this new system , food subsidies will now be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ CBDC digital wallets instead of their bank accounts . Beneficiaries will be able to use these digital coupons or vouchers to obtain their entitled rations from fair price shops . The system will use a programmable digital currency (e₹) issued by the Reserve Bank of India. This will ensure secure, traceable, and real-time transactions, while also reducing the hassles associated with biometric authentication and e-POS.
9 Maharashtra: Oleum gas leaked from Bhageria Chemicals Company
An incident of oleum (fuming sulfuric acid) gas leak has occurred at Bhageria Chemicals Company located in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area in Tarapur , Palghar district , Maharashtra . Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh said that the gas leak was reported around 2 pm. The administration has advised local residents to cover their nose and mouth with a wet handkerchief, cloth or mask and wear protective equipment like gloves and goggles. In case of exposure to the gas, affected skin or eyes have been instructed to wash with clean water for 15 to 20 minutes and seek medical help.
10 President Murmu launched Lakhpati Bitiya, free gas cylinders on Holi-Diwali and Saheli Pink Smart Card schemes.
President Draupadi Murmu launched four schemes dedicated to the women of Delhi . These include the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, the Saheli Pink Smart Card, the Meri Punjyoti Mera Adhikar (Meri Punjyoti Mera Adhikar) scheme, and the Free LPG Cylinder Scheme . These initiatives aim to promote women’s mobility, safety, and economic empowerment. The Saheli Pink Smart Card will provide women with seamless and integrated travel on public transport. It will promote cashless and digital ticketing across all transport services, including buses. Under the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, ₹56,000 will be deposited in installments in the name of a girl child, which can exceed ₹1 lakh with interest by the age of 21. Eligibility criteria include a family annual income of up to ₹1.20 lakh, residence in Delhi for the last three years, a girl child born in Delhi, and a maximum of two living daughters. The Meri Punjyoti Mera Adhikar scheme focuses on resolving pending financial debts and ensuring transparent fulfillment of citizens’ economic rights. It aims to ensure timely fulfillment of government financial commitments and strengthen accountability.
11 Alyssa Healy retires from ODI cricket
On March 1st , Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy played her last ODI . In her last match against India Women , captain Alyssa Healy scored 158 runs off 98 balls . Alyssa is considered one of the best wicketkeepers and batsmen in the history of women’s cricket. Alyssa began her career in 2010 and played in all formats of cricket. Alyssa will captain the Australian women’s cricket team in all formats (Test, ODI, T20) until 2023. Healy announced her retirement in January 2025. The India-Australia ODI series is her last series . The Indian women’s team lost the ODI series 3-0 on their tour of Australia. Healy is the second player to score a century in her last ODI. Before her, South Africa’s Johmarie Lotegberg scored a century in 2007.