1 India created history by winning the ICC T20 World Cup for the third time
India created history by winning the ICC T20 World Cup for the third time . It also achieved the distinction of winning the T20 World Cup twice in a row . This marked the third time India had previously won the trophy in 2007 and 2024. Team India also became the first country to win the T20 World Cup on home soil . India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to win the title. Batting first, led by Suryakumar Yadav , India scored 255 for five in their allotted 20 overs, the highest total ever in a World Cup final. Sanju Samson scored 89, Ishan Kishan 54, and Abhishek Sharma 52. In response to the mammoth target of 256, New Zealand’s entire team could only manage 159 runs in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was the best performer, taking 4 wickets. He was named Player of the Match . Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament.
2 SBI announces $500 million syndicated social term loan on the eve of Women’s Day
On March 7 , the State Bank of India (SBI) announced the launch of a $500 million (approximately ₹4600 crore) syndicated social term loan facility for women . SBI, the country’s largest bank, made this announcement on International Women’s Day . A syndicated social term loan is a group of banks that provides loans for social reform or projects . Syndicated social term loans are offered for amounts of $1 million or more . This is a $500 million loan with a greenshoe option . The greenshoe limit can be increased based on investor demand. This is the country’s first syndicated social term loan for women’s empowerment. The loan aims to provide financial support to women entrepreneurs. Women who want to start a new business or expand their existing businesses will benefit from this loan. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), based in Tokyo, Japan, is the lead arranger for this loan. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 focuses on ensuring gender equality and empowering women and girls, which are essential for sustainable development.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development organized the ” Shakti Walk #SheLeadsBharat ” on Kartavya Path in New Delhi to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026. This Shakti Walk celebrated the spirit of women empowerment and highlighted the crucial role of women in building a progressive and inclusive India. The event was organized under the guidance of Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi , and Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur . The walk was graced by the presence of Delhi Chief Minister, Smt. Rekha Gupta , and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel . International Women’s Day , celebrated globally on March 8th , celebrates the achievements and leadership of women in all spheres of life and reaffirms our collective commitment to gender equality, safety, dignity, and empowerment. The walk was held along the approximately 2-kilometer stretch of Kartavya Path from India Gate to Vijay Chowk . Exhibitions showcasing key government schemes and initiatives for women, as well as key achievements of women in various fields, were set up along the route. The event also included vibrant cultural performances showcasing the rich cultural diversity and power of women from across India. These included Dollu Kunitha from Karnataka , Kalaripayattu and Sringarimelam from Kerala, Ranchandi from Assam , and Ghoomar from Rajasthan , each reflecting the unique cultural heritage of their respective states.
On March 7 , former UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta . President Draupadi Murmu approved the appointment of M. Jagadesh Kumar. He will hold the post for the next 4 years. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar’s appointment has been made after the resignation of former Board Chairman Shrikrishna Kulkarni. Mamidala was the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) from 2022 to 2025. Mamidala has also been a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar was awarded the Padma Shri on January 26, 2026.
5 Army and ITBP organised ‘Synergy Summit’
On March 7 , the Indian Army ‘s Northern Command held a ” Synergy Summit ” with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Border Security Force (BSF) . The Synergy Summit was held in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir . The Synergy Summit was led by Lieutenant General Prateek Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command. The Synergy Summit aimed to enhance coordination among the forces guarding India’s borders. The Army, ITBP, and BSF work together in sensitive border areas such as the Line of Control (LOC), especially the northern borders with Pakistan and China. The ITBP is deployed on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The BSF guards the India-Pakistan border and the India-Bangladesh border. The Army provides security along the Line of Control (LOC) and in high-altitude conflict zones.
6 GeM platform celebrates seven years of ‘Swatantra’ initiative
The Government e-marketplace (GeM) celebrated seven years of the SWAYATT Initiative , a flagship program aimed at promoting inclusive public procurement across India . The SWAYATT initiative was launched on February 19, 2019. The initiative’s primary objective is to provide startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, self-help groups (SHGs), and micro-enterprises access to the government procurement market. Through the GeM platform, these groups have the opportunity to provide goods and services directly to government departments. Over the past years, the initiative has seen significant growth in participation from these enterprises.
7 Former PM KP Sharma Oli loses Nepal general election
Counting of votes for the general elections in Nepal is underway. Initial trends have come in for 165 seats . Rapper and former Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli by 50,000 votes . Balen Shah and Oli of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) were contesting from the Jhapa-5 constituency. Balen Shah received 68,348 votes, while KP Sharma Oli received 18,734 votes. Oli, considered an anti-India leader, won the 2017 and 2022 elections from the Jhapa-5 constituency. Balen Shah first became the Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022. Elections were held in Nepal on March 5th following violent protests in September 2025. Counting of votes takes three to four days. The Election Commission has stated that efforts will be made to complete the counting by March 9th.
On March 6, senior journalist Narayan Bareth, who had worked in several media groups including BBC , passed away. He was 68 years old. Bareth started his journalism career in 1986 with Navbharat Times in Kota . During his career, Bareth was associated with news groups like BBC Hindi, The Asian Age, Deccan Chronicle, Dainik Bhaskar and The Pioneer . Apart from journalism, Bareth was also associated as a professor of journalism at Rajasthan University and Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication . Bareth also served as the Rajasthan State Information Commissioner from December 2020 to October 2022 .