Daily current affairs: 8 March 2026

Long Description : The Ministry of Women and Child Development organized the "Shakti Walk" to symbolize the strides made by Indian women in various professional and social spheres. President Droupadi Murmu graced the primary celebration at the Manekshaw Centre, emphasizing that empowered women are the pillars of a progressive nation. The 2026 theme, "Rights. Justice. Action For ALL Women and Girls," was highlighted alongside the global "Give to Gain" campaign. The event brought together women achievers from science, security, and grassroots leadership to discuss the role of Nari Shakti in achieving the "Viksit Bharat@2047" vision, showcasing a shift from "development for women" to "women-led development."

Long Description : The Ministry of Defence highlighted significant milestones in gender inclusion, noting that women officers now hold operational command roles and senior leadership positions, including the rank of Lieutenant General. A key highlight was Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becoming the Navy's first woman fighter pilot, and Captain Hansja Sharma making history as the first woman Rudra helicopter pilot. The entry of women into the National Defence Academy (NDA) has been a game-changer, with two batches of women cadets graduating in 2025. These reforms represent a strategic shift in expanding career avenues and leadership opportunities for women within India's national security framework.

Long Description : In a high-stakes encounter, India posted a record-breaking total of 255/5, the highest ever in a T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89, supported by half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma. The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, entered the final as defending champions seeking a historic encore on home soil. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, reached the final after a dominant victory over South Africa in the semi-finals. The match drew global attention, marking Ahmedabad as a premier venue for world-class cricket finals following the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Long Description : The Prime Minister opened the 12.3 km Majlis Park–Maujpur section (Pink Line) and the 9.9 km Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park section (Magenta Line), enhancing connectivity across the national capital. Additionally, foundation stones were laid for three new corridors under Phase V-A: R K Ashram Marg to Indraprastha, Aerocity to Terminal-1, and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj. These projects aim to drastically reduce travel time between Noida, South Delhi, and the International Airport. The expansion is part of a larger urban infrastructure push to support Delhi's growing population and improve the efficiency of the public transit system.

Long Description : Amidst a 95% drop in commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence are evaluating security measures for Indian-flagged ships. Approximately 40% of India's crude oil and 50% of its LNG imports transit through this vital chokepoint. With over 600 ships reportedly stranded in the region, the Indian Navy may provide safe passage to ensure energy security. This follows recent missile strikes in the region that have spiked maritime insurance costs and threatened global supply chains. India is also coordinating with the U.S. to secure maritime insurance support.

Long Description : Coinciding with International Women's Day, the Punjab government announced the "Mahila Samman" scheme, providing ₹1,000 per month to eligible women in the state. The budget, the largest in the state's history at ₹2.6 lakh crore, prioritizes social welfare, education, and healthcare. The Finance Minister emphasized that this direct benefit transfer (DBT) aims to promote financial independence among women. Other significant allocations include funds for agrarian diversification and infrastructure development. This move is seen as a major political and economic commitment to gender-based budgeting and rural empowerment ahead of upcoming local body elections.

Long Description : As the 53rd CJI, Justice Surya Kant has spearheaded the launch of India's first AI-powered multilingual legal assistant, designed to help litigants navigate court procedures in regional languages. His leadership focuses on the "e-Courts Phase III" project, which integrates cloud computing and blockchain for secure record-keeping. On March 8, the Supreme Court highlighted its commitment to gender parity within the judiciary, noting an increase in the number of women judges in High Courts. The CJI has also been instrumental in refining the earthquake zoning framework for infrastructure projects to balance safety with construction costs.

Long Description : The appointment comes at a critical time as ISRO prepares for the next phases of the Gaganyaan mission and the upcoming Mangalyaan-2. LPSC is responsible for the development of liquid and cryogenic propulsion systems for India's launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3). Mohan, who has had an extensive career in propulsion technology, will lead the center in developing high-thrust semi-cryogenic engines, which are essential for increasing the payload capacity of Indian rockets. His leadership is expected to accelerate the commercialization of ISRO's launch services through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

Long Description : Coinciding with the International Women’s Day, the Jal Mahotsav 2026 began with the nationwide observance of "Jal Arpan Diwas." The Ministry honored "Jal Jeevan Sakshis"—women who lead village water and sanitation committees. These women play a crucial role in testing water quality and managing greywater in rural India. The event emphasized that women are the primary stakeholders in water management, and their involvement has been key to the success of providing functional tap connections to over 15 crore rural households. The initiative aims to institutionalize women's leadership in sustainable water governance.

Long Description : The Assembly of Experts in Iran concluded their selection process for a successor to the Supreme Leadership, a move of immense geopolitical significance for India and the world. This transition occurs during an active conflict with Israel and the U.S., which has seen strikes on Iranian oil facilities and the targeting of the Strait of Hormuz. For India, the stability of the new Iranian leadership is vital due to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port projects. The selection will determine Iran's future foreign policy and its impact on global energy prices and regional security.

Long Description : Named "TGB on Wheels," the mobile ATM van is equipped with rooftop solar panels, making it self-sustaining for operations in off-grid rural regions. This initiative aims to provide doorstep banking services, including cash withdrawal and account inquiries, to tribal populations in Tripura. The project was supported by NABARD and reflects the push for green energy in the banking sector. By eliminating the need for grid electricity or diesel generators, the van reduces operational costs and carbon footprint while ensuring that financial services reach the "last mile" in the North-Eastern state.

Long Description : ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Athletes) is a comprehensive program designed to increase the medal tally for India in international competitions. MoS Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, highlighted that the league provides a competitive platform for women across various disciplines, including wrestling, shooting, and track events. The initiative also focuses on providing specialized coaching and nutritional support to female athletes from rural backgrounds. By creating a robust scouting network, the government aims to bridge the gender gap in Indian sports and ensure sustained success on the global Olympic stage.

Long Description : The expo features hand-woven products from across India, specifically highlighting the work of women self-help groups (SHGs) and master craftswomen. It serves as a platform to promote the "Vocal for Local" and "One District One Product" (ODOP) initiatives. On International Women's Day, the event underscored the economic empowerment of women in the textile sector, which is the second-largest employer in India after agriculture. Visitors can interact with weavers and witness live demonstrations of traditional techniques like Ikat, Banarasi, and Jamdani. The exhibition aims to boost the market reach of authentic Indian handlooms globally.

Long Description : The 24-year-old Lakshya Sen overcame severe cramps and foot blisters to secure his spot in the summit clash, moving one step closer to ending India’s 25-year wait for the title (last won by Pullela Gopichand in 2001). In the final scheduled for March 8, Sen faces World No. 11 Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei. His journey to the final has been marked by a gritty performance against top-seeded players, cementing his position as India’s leading male shuttler. Fans and the sporting fraternity are closely watching this match as a significant milestone in Sen’s career.

Long Description : The SAKSHAM grid is designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones using a combination of radar, radio frequency sensors, and soft-kill/hard-kill measures. This deployment is part of India’s focus on "Atmanirbhar Bharat" in defense technology, specifically addressing the growing threat of drone-based incursions along the borders. Developed at the BEL Ghaziabad facility, the system is integrated with AI to distinguish between birds and small UAVs. The successful operationalization of this grid marks a significant step in protecting critical infrastructure and military installations from asymmetric aerial threats.

Long Description : As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, India has set up a dedicated 24/7 control room to assist its citizens caught in the crisis. Air India and IndiGo are operating special non-scheduled flights to cities like Dubai, Muscat, and Abu Dhabi to repatriate stranded passengers. The MEA is working closely with regional authorities to ensure the safety of the Indian diaspora, which numbers in the millions across the Gulf. While flights to Bahrain and Kuwait remain largely cancelled, the evacuation effort remains a top priority for the Indian government to prevent civilian casualties amidst the ongoing missile exchanges.