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
119 qualifying articles· 107 sources· 1 coverage areas
Articles in this archive
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
Strait of Hormuz Closure Triggers India Energy Crisis; PM Modi Chairs Emergency Meeting with CMs
The Strait of Hormuz closure due to West Asia conflict caused ~54% LPG supply disruption in India (60% LPG import dependency, 90% via Hormuz). PM Modi chaired an emergency meeting with CMs on March 30, 2026, to activate strategic reserves and alternate supply routes via Cape of Good Hope.
30 March 2026 · www.pib.gov.in
Reliance Industries Announces ₹10 Trillion AI Investment to Build India's Sovereign Compute Infrastructure
Reliance Industries announces ₹10 trillion AI investment to build India's sovereign compute infrastructure, aligning with IndiaAI Mission; India's AI industry projected at ₹2.47 lakh crore with 45% CAGR.
30 March 2026 · IBEF
India GDP Grows at 7.8% in October-December 2025 Quarter, Remains World's Fastest-Growing Major Economy
India GDP grew 7.8% in Q3 FY2026 (Oct-Dec 2025), beating forecasts. Full-year FY2026 growth projected at 7.4-7.6%; net direct tax collections rose 7.19% YoY to ₹22.80 trillion.
30 March 2026 · CNBC
WTO MC14 Concludes in Yaoundé: India's Position on Consensus, Agriculture, and Digital Trade Upheld
India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal led the Indian delegation at WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon (March 26–30, 2026). India upheld consensus-based decision-making, opposed IFD Agreement annexation, and pushed for a permanent solution on public food stockholding, with its position reflected in the final ministerial decisions.
30 March 2026 · PIB India / WTO
India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train Completes RDSO Oscillation Trials; to Run on Jind–Sonipat Route
India's first hydrogen train, built by ICF Chennai, completed RDSO oscillation trials around March 29, 2026 for the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana. With 2,400 kW output, zero emissions, and trials at 70 km/h, India is set to become the 5th country globally with an operational hydrogen train.
29 March 2026 · Deccan Chronicle / DD News / Business Standard / Channel IAM
India Net Direct Tax Collection Grows 7.19% to ₹22.80 Trillion in FY2025-26
India net direct tax collection grew 7.19% to ₹22.80 trillion in FY26 (as of March 17). Budget 2026-27 targets record ₹12.2 lakh crore capex. RBI cuts rate to 5.25%.
29 March 2026 · Business Standard
India Private Sector Growth Hits 3-Year Low in March 2026 Amid West Asia Conflict
HSBC PMI shows India private sector growth at 3-year low in March 2026 due to West Asia conflict disrupting Hormuz shipping. Forex reserves of $700bn provide cushion.
29 March 2026 · CNBC
Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025: Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur Named Players of the Year; Gurjant Singh Retires
Hockey India's 8th Annual Awards 2025 (March 27, 2026) named Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur as Players of the Year (₹20 lakh each). Zafar Iqbal won the Lifetime Achievement Award (₹25 lakh). Two-time Olympic medallist Gurjant Singh (130 caps, 33 goals) announced retirement from international hockey.
29 March 2026 · Hockey India / ANI / Tribune India / Olympics.com / Business Standard
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
UP Becomes India's Top State for International Airports After Noida Airport Launch
Uttar Pradesh became India's state with the most international airports after the Noida Airport launch, surpassing Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala.
28 March 2026 · Tribune India
RBI Says India's Economy Has Strength to Withstand External Shocks from West Asia Crisis
RBI affirmed India's strong economic fundamentals and forex reserves can absorb West Asia conflict shocks, as repo rate stands at 5.25% with markets expecting a 50 bps hike.
28 March 2026 · Bloomberg