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The Reserve Bank of India has released its official holiday calendar for March 2026, mandating bank closures on 11 days across the country excluding second and fourth Saturdays. Closures coincide with festivals including Holi, Gudhi Padwa, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami, and Mahavir Jayanti. Citizens are advised to plan banking transactions in advance to avoid disruptions.
India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over joint Israel-US military strikes on Iran, calling for dialogue and diplomatic de-escalation. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar contacted regional counterparts including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel to emphasize India's position on restraint. The Indian embassy in Tehran has advised all nationals to leave Iran immediately as regional tensions disrupt air travel and threaten civilian safety.
Jammu & Kashmir's cricket team defeated eight-time champion Karnataka to win the Ranji Trophy for the first time in 60 years on Saturday at the Karnataka State Cricket Association ground. The historic victory has united the region politically and personally, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announcing ₹2 crore prize money and government job eligibility for players. Star pacer Aquib Nabi took the most wickets in the season with multiple five-wicket hauls.
Air India has cancelled all international flights to Middle East destinations until 11:59 PM on March 1, 2026, citing escalating Iran-Israel tensions and airspace closures in the region. The airline is notifying affected passengers and offering alternative flight options. Air India said it will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates based on ongoing risk assessments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign targeting 14-year-old girls, starting from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The campaign uses Gardasil 4, a single-dose quadrivalent vaccine protecting against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11 that cause cervical cancer. This marks India's first state-funded HPV immunisation programme for this age group.
Iran's Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali declared on Saturday that Tehran has the right to self-defence and will use all available options following recent US-Israeli military attacks on Iranian territory. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi telephoned regional leaders—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq—urging them to prevent American and Israeli forces from using their territories against Iran. Iran characterizes the strikes as violations of sovereignty and international law.
Nine cheetahs from Botswana—six females and three males—arrived at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on March 1, 2026, marking the third international batch under Project Cheetah. India's cheetah population now totals 48, including 29 cubs born in captivity since 2023, demonstrating breeding success. The animals will undergo 15-30 days quarantine before GPS tracking and eventual forest release.
Trilochan Nayak, 53, died on February 26 in Kendrapada district after waiting three days outside a rice mill without shelter or food for paddy procurement. His family alleges harassment by cooperative society officials caused his death and has demanded a judicial probe. District authorities claim their inquiry shows Nayak received ₹1.10 lakh for 39 quintals sold and attribute death to pre-existing cardiac issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held phone conversations with rulers of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Jordan on March 3, 2026, condemning Iranian military attacks on Gulf states without naming Iran directly. Modi emphasized India's support for regional peace and stability while assuring protection for Indian communities across West Asia. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar simultaneously engaged with counterparts across eight Middle Eastern nations.
India's Comptroller and Auditor General has flagged severe implementation failures in Bihar's Ayushman Bharat health scheme and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana. Only 41% of targeted beneficiaries were verified under Ayushman Bharat, while 94% of completed houses under PMAY lacked basic toilets. The audit reveals fund underutilisation, delayed claims processing, weak monitoring, and financial irregularities totalling crores of rupees.
More than 1,100 Kashmiri students studying medicine in Iran are now stuck following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and subsequent regional conflict. Students had returned to Iran in March for critical national exams (Uloom-e-Paya and pre-internship) scheduled for March 5, but exams were cancelled and communication has been severely restricted. The J&K Students' Association has appealed to PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for emergency relocation to safer locations until full evacuation can occur.
A Guwahati sessions court directed Assam Police to unfreeze nine financial accounts belonging to Shyamkanu Mahanta, a key accused in singer Zubeen Garg's death, citing procedural violations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS). The court found that police failed to obtain magistrate approval before freezing accounts and did not report the action afterward as mandated by law. Mahanta faces murder and conspiracy charges in connection with Garg's September 2025 death.
Following escalating conflict in West Asia triggered by US-Israel strikes killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Andhra Pradesh has mobilized state resources to protect Telugu nationals abroad. The state government activated its 24/7 helpline and directed the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) to coordinate emergency assistance across Gulf countries as international airports face closure and travel disruptions intensify.
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has officially recognized Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) as an institution authorized to award dual degrees combining academic and vocational qualifications. This recognition enables KSOU to offer integrated programs that blend traditional university education with industry-relevant skill certification, expanding educational pathways for distance learners across India.
The National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU) in Assam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to function as a dual awarding body (AB-Dual). This framework allows students to earn qualifications recognized by both institutions simultaneously, bridging vocational and academic credentials.
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) signed an MOU with Sant Shiromanī Ravidasī Global Skills Park (ESR-GSP) recognizing it as an AB-Dual award-granting institution. This enables ESR-GSP to issue NCVET-accredited vocational qualifications in dual education programs. The recognition expands India's vocational training infrastructure beyond government institutions.
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has formally recognized LaberNet Livelihood Foundation as an awarding body under India's National Qualification Framework. This recognition enables the foundation to certify skill training programs and issue nationally valid credentials to vocational trainees across multiple sectors.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the new office of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at Netaji Nagar, New Delhi on March 3, 2026. The relocated office consolidates the ministry's administrative operations at a single location. This move is expected to improve coordination between youth development and sports programs.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has released factual status updates on waqf property registration and progress achieved under the UMEED scheme. The announcement highlights digitization efforts and implementation progress in documenting waqf assets across India. Key metrics on property cataloguing and scheme benefits were provided.
India's Ministry of Steel convened high-level sessions with global diplomats on March 3, 2026, to prepare for the 'Bharat Steel 2026' conference. These discussions aim to strengthen international partnerships in steel trade, investment, and technology transfer. The initiative signals India's push to position itself as a global steel hub amid shifting supply chains.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation announced cancellation of 444 flights on March 1, 2026, following airspace restrictions over Iran and the Middle East due to escalating Iran-Israel tensions. Air India cancelled 10 international routes including services to London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Milan. The DGCA is coordinating with airlines to prioritize passenger safety while the Passenger Assistance Control Room monitors traveller grievances.
Jammu and Kashmir defeated Karnataka to claim their first Ranji Trophy title in six decades, marking a historic milestone for the region's cricket. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a ₹2 crore cash reward and promised government appointments for players. The victory drew rare unified praise from leaders across all political parties, who hailed it as a moment of regional pride transcending divisions.
Jammu and Kashmir defeated Karnataka to claim its first-ever Ranji Trophy title on Saturday at the KSCA Stadium in Hubballi. Left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar from Kathar village took 29 wickets across eight matches, playing a pivotal role in the historic victory. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ₹2 crore cash reward and government job eligibility for the winning squad, calling it a watershed moment for J&K sports.
India's government issued an advisory on March 1, 2026, directing foreign nationals whose travel plans were disrupted by developments in West Asia to contact the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for visa extensions or stay regularization. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reported 444 flights cancelled on Sunday due to airspace restrictions, following 410 cancellations the previous day. Major Indian airports remain on operational alert to manage diversions and assist affected passengers.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israel attack, triggering the first major protests in Kashmir since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370. Thousands assembled at Srinagar's Lal Chowk and blocked highways across multiple districts. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm while coordinating with the External Affairs Ministry regarding J&K residents in Iran.
West Asian airspace closures due to the Iran conflict have crippled operations for India's two largest carriers. Air India cancelled 50 flights to Europe and North America on March 1, while IndiGo suspended all European services through March 2. Indian airlines face unique vulnerability because they cannot overfly Pakistan, making them entirely dependent on West Asian corridors for international routes.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel military operation on March 1, 2026, triggering regional escalation. Congress MPs Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi condemned the killing as a 'targeted assassination' and demanded PM Modi prioritize evacuating Indian citizens from the Middle East. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has contacted counterparts across seven Middle Eastern nations seeking safety assurances for approximately 8-9 million Indian expatriates in the region.
Pakistani quadcopters attempted to violate Indian airspace along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on March 1, 2026, marking the second incursion in three days. Army troops fired over a dozen rounds between 5:45-6:10 AM, forcing the drone to retreat. Search operations found no evidence of weapons or narcotics airdropping.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) postponed Class 10 and Class 12 board exams scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026, across seven Middle East countries—Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—following escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict. Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj issued the directive citing security concerns. New exam dates will be announced after the Board reviews the situation on March 3.
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