31 March 2026

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) released provisional data showing India's fiscal deficit for 2025-26 at 5.1% of GDP, marginally higher than the revised estimate of 4.9% owing to elevated food subsidy outgo. Total receipts stood at ₹31.4 lakh crore against expenditure of ₹47.6 lakh crore. The FRBM Act mandates a glide path toward 4.5% fiscal deficit by 2027-28.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 received Presidential assent and was gazetted on March 31, 2026 ahead of implementation. The Act amends the Waqf Act 1995 and provides for inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council, digitisation of all waqf property records within one year, and establishment of a unified grievance portal. Critics have challenged the law in the Supreme Court citing Article 26 (right to manage religious affairs).

The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully completed the first long-duration hot test of the SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Research Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The engine burns liquid oxygen and refined kerosene (RP-1) and will power the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), targeting a first flight in 2028. Semi-cryogenic engines offer higher thrust-to-weight ratio compared to fully cryogenic variants.

India and the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Green Hydrogen cooperation during the visit of the UAE Minister of Energy to New Delhi. The MoU covers joint feasibility studies for hydrogen export corridors, co-development of electrolyser manufacturing, and sharing of regulatory frameworks. The agreement aligns with India's National Green Hydrogen Mission target of 5 MMT production by 2030.

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) submitted India's 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity ahead of the COP17 deadline. The report highlights progress on India's Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets, including designation of 29 new Ramsar Sites (total 89), expansion of Biodiversity Heritage Sites to 112, and enrolment of 1.82 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees under the Biological Diversity Act 2002.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, concluded a two-day operational review of formation commanders in the Northern Command covering the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. The review assessed implementation of the October 2024 disengagement agreement, infrastructure development under the Border Roads Organisation, and integration of Loitering Munition Systems procured under emergency powers.

The Ministry of Agriculture reported that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) together enrolled 6.5 crore farmer applications for Kharif 2025, insuring crops worth ₹3.2 lakh crore. Claims worth ₹28,200 crore have been settled. PMFBY was restructured in 2020 to make it voluntary for non-loanee farmers.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Summit was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the theme "Strengthening the Blue Economy". India assumed the Vice-Chairmanship, succeeding Sri Lanka. IORA has 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners; India is a founding member. The summit adopted the Colombo Declaration on Maritime Security and endorsed a Blue Economy Action Plan.

India observed the 165th birth anniversary of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861–1946), eminent freedom fighter, educationist, and founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916. Malaviya was conferred the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2015. He also co-founded the Hindu Mahasabha and championed Hindi as a national language in the early 20th century.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Smt. Nidhi Khare, IAS (CG:1995), as Secretary in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. She succeeds Rohit Kumar Singh. The Ministry oversees the Consumer Protection Act 2019, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), and the Essential Commodities Act 1955.