22 March 2026

The Reserve Bank of India released a draft framework for Unified Lending Interface (ULI) 2.0, expanding the consent-based data sharing architecture to include MSME credit bureaus and GST return data. ULI 2.0 aims to reduce average loan processing time from 10 days to 48 hours for small borrowers. Public comments are invited until 30 April 2026.

The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the National Forest Policy, 1988, formally recognising agroforestry as a land-use category and setting a target of 3 crore hectares under agroforestry by 2030. The amendment also mandates that State Forest Departments prepare district-level agroforestry plans under the National Agroforestry Policy, 2014.

DRDO conducted a successful test of the Long Range Hypersonic Cruise Missile (LRHCM) from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. The missile demonstrated a speed exceeding Mach 6 over a range of 1,500 km. The test is part of the DRDO Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle programme initiated in 2019.

India and ASEAN signed a Digital Trade Chapter under the revised India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), covering cross-border data flows, electronic commerce, and mutual recognition of digital signatures. The chapter excludes sensitive sectors such as financial services data and health records from free-flow provisions.

The Election Commission of India launched the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) 2026 campaign ahead of five state assembly elections. The campaign targets first-time voters aged 18–21 and urban apathetic voters, using district-level awareness drives and social media outreach. SVEEP is governed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

ISRO successfully launched NovaSAR-3, a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, aboard PSLV-C62 into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at 580 km altitude from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. NovaSAR-3 carries a dual-frequency SAR payload capable of all-weather, day-night maritime and agricultural monitoring.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified an increase in the EPF wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹21,000 per month, effective 1 April 2026. The revision extends mandatory EPF coverage to an additional 1.8 crore workers. The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 mandates EPF for establishments with 20 or more employees.

UNESCO formally acknowledged India's extended nomination dossier for the Western Ghats, adding 13 new site clusters (covering Goa and Maharashtra) to the existing 39 serial sites inscribed in 2012. The extended nomination covers 1.4 lakh sq km of biodiversity hotspot terrain across six states and is under evaluation for full World Heritage status.

The President of India, on the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice of India under the Collegium system, appointed Justice Arun Bharadwaj as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. The appointment follows the convention established post-Second Judges Case (1993) under which the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed Chief Justice.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) announced findings from Keezhadi Phase VIII excavations in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, uncovering an iron-age settlement dated to 800 BCE — pushing back Tamil urban civilisation by 300 years compared to earlier estimates. Artefacts include Tamil-Brahmi inscribed pottery and iron tools indicative of craft specialisation.