17 March 2026

The Reserve Bank of India released revised draft guidelines on the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) for scheduled commercial banks, requiring banks to hold an additional 5% High Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) buffer for digital deposit outflows deemed more volatile. The revisions align with Basel III norms and address risks flagged after the SVB collapse in 2023.

The Department of Space and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly launched a NAVIC-based Precision Agriculture Decision Support Service (PADSS) across eight states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, MP, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and UP. PADSS provides real-time soil moisture, crop health, and localised weather advisories using NAVIC's L5 and S-band positioning signals.

The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted its implementation report to the Cabinet recommending a phased rollout: synchronisation of state elections with Lok Sabha by 2029 in two phases. The report recommends amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Constitution.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority reported that 32 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are established across Kuno National Park (26) and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (6) in Madhya Pradesh. The first litter of second-generation cubs — born to mothers transported from South Africa — marks a milestone for the translocation programme initiated in September 2022.

The first commercial passenger ferry in 41 years commenced between Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) and Talaimannar (Sri Lanka), reducing travel time across the Palk Strait from 16 hours (via Colombo air) to 3.5 hours by sea. The service, operated by SCI (Shipping Corporation of India), is part of the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership and connectivity vision.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the Crime in India 2025 Report showing overall IPC cognisable offences declined 3.1% year-on-year, while cybercrime registrations increased 27.4% to 9.2 lakh cases. NCRB, established in 1986 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, compiles and analyses criminal data from state police organisations.

The National Ganga River Basin Authority approved the Namami Gange Phase III plan with ₹22,000 crore outlay, focusing on industrial effluent treatment in 12 Ganga Corridor industrial clusters, ecological flows maintenance at 18 barrages, and dolphin conservation at 8 designated riparian zones. The Ganga is declared India's National River under the National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Act, 2023.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the full-cost procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A Light Combat Aircraft for the Indian Air Force at a revised cost of ₹73,000 crore. HAL will deliver the aircraft between 2026 and 2031. Tejas Mk-1A incorporates AESA radar, Uttam-AESA, electronic warfare suite, and in-flight refuelling capability over the Mk-1 variant.

The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti declared results of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) 2026, with 80,000 students selected for Class VI across 661 JNVs. JNVs are residential schools funded by the Ministry of Education; 75% of seats are reserved for rural students. The scheme targets gifted rural children irrespective of family income.

India's badminton team won the BWF World Junior Championships 2026 held in Bangkok, clinching the mixed team title for the first time since 1998. The victory involved wins in all five rubbers against Indonesia in the final. Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the national apex body affiliated with Badminton World Federation (BWF).