RAS Current Affairs — March 2026
RAS current affairs monthly brief for March 2026 covering 303 RAS-scoped articles. The dominant themes this month are the West Asia crisis and India's BRICS chairmanship, the updated NDC 2031-2035 climate targets, and Rajasthan's new industrial, AI-ML and semiconductor policies alongside the state budget.
1 March 2026 – 31 March 2026
37 qualifying articles· 28 sources· 1 coverage areas
Articles in this archive
Great Indian Bustard Chick Hatched in Gujarat's Kutch After a Decade via First-Ever Inter-State 'Jumpstart' Initiative from Rajasthan
India's first inter-state 'jumpstart' GIB conservation initiative successfully hatched a chick in Gujarat's Kutch on March 26, 2026 — after a decade — by transporting a fertile egg 770 km from Sam, Rajasthan to Naliya, Gujarat. Only ~150 GIBs remain in the wild; Rajasthan's two breeding centres house 73 birds.
31 March 2026 · Manorama Yearbook / Gulf News / Social News XYZ / DD News
Union Cabinet Approves India's Updated NDC for 2031–2035: 47% Emissions Intensity Reduction and 60% Non-Fossil Power by 2035
The Union Cabinet on March 25, 2026 approved India's NDC 3.0 for 2031–2035, targeting 60% non-fossil electricity capacity, 47% emissions intensity cut from 2005 levels, and a 3.5–4 billion tonne carbon sink by 2035. India had already surpassed earlier NDC targets, with 52% non-fossil power and 36% emission intensity reduction achieved.
31 March 2026 · PIB / Kashmir Reader / Down to Earth
India Approves Updated NDC: 47% Emissions Intensity Cut and 60% Clean Power by 2035
India Cabinet approved updated NDC on March 25, 2026 targeting 47% emissions intensity reduction and 60% non-fossil electricity capacity by 2035, with net-zero goal by 2070. India already achieves 52.57% non-fossil capacity.
31 March 2026 · Mongabay India
PM Modi Inaugurates Noida International Airport Phase I at Jewar — India's Newest Net-Zero Gateway
PM Modi inaugurated Noida International Airport Phase I at Jewar on March 28, 2026 — India's first net-zero airport with ₹11,200 crore Phase-I investment, 12 MPPA capacity, and a 3,900-metre runway, designed to eventually serve 70 MPPA by 2036.
28 March 2026 · PIB / DD News / The Week / News on Air
Earth Hour 2026 Marks 20th Anniversary — India Observes Symbolic Lights-Off at Iconic Landmarks
Earth Hour 2026 was observed globally on March 28, 2026 (8:30–9:30 PM) marking its 20th anniversary, with India switching off lights at iconic landmarks including India Gate and Hawa Mahal (Jaipur). The event aligns with India's new NDC 2031-2035 commitments.
28 March 2026 · PIB / WWF India / Times of India
Heavy Snowfall Expected in Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh as Western Disturbance Intensifies
IMD warned of heavy snowfall in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on March 28-29, with avalanche warnings and highway closures expected, though the snowfall will benefit water availability for irrigation.
28 March 2026 · Business Today
IMD Forecasts Northwest India Thunderstorms Amid Western Disturbance Activity
IMD issued a yellow alert for Delhi-NCR and multiple states on March 28 due to an active Western Disturbance, warning of dust storms, gusty winds up to 50 km/h, and rainfall across north India.
28 March 2026 · Business Today
Cabinet Approves India's Updated NDC 2031–2035: 47% Emissions Intensity Cut, 60% Non-Fossil Power by 2035
India's Cabinet approved updated NDC 2031-2035 on March 25, 2026: 47% emissions intensity cut by 2035, 60% non-fossil power capacity, and 3.5-4 billion tonne carbon sink via forests — with India already at 36% reduction and 52.57% non-fossil capacity.
28 March 2026 · PIB / Mongabay India / Down to Earth / WRI
Cabinet Approves Updated NDC Targets: India to Cut Emissions Intensity by 47% by 2035
India's Cabinet approved updated NDC targets for 2031-2035, aiming to cut emissions intensity by 47% from 2005 levels, achieve 60% non-fossil power capacity, and enhance carbon sinks to 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2035.
27 March 2026 · Business Standard
Union Cabinet Approves India's NDC 2031–2035: 47% GDP Emissions Intensity Cut, 60% Non-Fossil Power Target by 2035
India's NDC 2031–2035, approved by Cabinet on March 25, 2026, targets 47% reduction in GDP emissions intensity by 2035 (vs 2005), 60% non-fossil power capacity, and a carbon sink of 3.5–4 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent — consistent with the Net Zero 2070 goal.
27 March 2026 · PIB / Business Standard
CSE and Down To Earth Release State of India's Environment 2026 Report at Anil Agarwal Dialogue
CSE's SoE 2026 report finds India's CO2 growth at a two-decade low (0.7%) due to renewable energy expansion, but flags persistent river pollution, air quality failures in the IGP, and Rajasthan's worsening groundwater crisis.
27 March 2026 · Down To Earth / CSE
Union Cabinet Approves Modified UDAN Scheme with ₹28,840 Crore Outlay to Connect 120 New Destinations
The Union Cabinet on March 25, 2026 approved the Modified UDAN scheme with ₹28,840 crore outlay (2026–2036) to connect 120 new destinations, develop 100 new airports, and serve 40 million passengers — advancing India's aviation accessibility goals under Viksit Bharat 2047.
27 March 2026 · PIB / Business Standard