Compiled
by:
Nandita
Banerjee, Anisha Hazra, Diya Nath
MAJMC
Sem 2
National
News
A Silent Crisis for
India’s "NavIC" GPS
ISRO shared some sobering
news this week regarding our homegrown navigation system. The final atomic
clock on the IRNSS-1F satellite has officially given up the ghost. This is a
bit of a blow because we now only have three fully functional satellites in the
constellation—one short of what’s needed for precise, pinpoint navigation.
While the satellite is still floating around and sending messages, its days as
a reliable GPS tool are basically over until the next batch of replacements can
get off the ground.
Source: India Today, March 16,
2026
A Massive Legal
Milestone for Human Dignity
In a case that really pulled
at the country's heartstrings, the Supreme Court authorized the first
real-world application of passive euthanasia for a patient named Harish Rana.
Harish had been in a vegetative state for over 13 years following an accident.
By ruling that his life support could be withdrawn, the court shifted the
conversation from "prolonging life" to "ending suffering."
It’s a landmark moment that finally puts the 2018 "Right to Die with
Dignity" guidelines into actual practice.
Source: SC Observer, March 16,
2026
Lifeline for Exporters:
The RELIEF Scheme
With the conflict in West
Asia causing chaos in shipping lanes, the government launched the RELIEF
(Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme this
Thursday. With a ₹497 crore budget, it’s basically a massive safety net for Indian
businesses. It helps cover the insane spikes in insurance and freight costs
that have been killing profit margins for smaller exporters. If you're a
business owner trying to ship goods through the Gulf right now, this was the
best news you could have asked for.
Source: Economic Times, March
19, 2026
The Kitchen Scramble:
LPG Supply Woes
It’s been a tense week for
households as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz began hitting local gas
supplies. To prevent a full-blown shortage, the government had to step in and
tighten the rules on LPG refills, specifically for people who already have piped
gas (PNG). There was a collective sigh of relief toward the end of the week
when two major Indian tankers managed to slip through the danger zone and reach
the Gujarat coast, but the "panic booking" of cylinders is still a
major headache for officials.
Source: Times of India, March 22, 2026
Regional
News
(Kolkata
and West Bengal)
Poll Dates Create Tension
for Board Exam Students
The
clash between election dates (April 29 and May 4) and IB and CAIE board exams
has caused concern among students and schools in Kolkata. Many schools are
planning arrangements like reducing staff duties and coordinating with
authorities to help students reach exam centers smoothly. Despite the issues,
exam boards are unlikely to reschedule the exams, as the problem affects only a
small number of schools. Schools are also communicating closely with parents to
ensure students face minimal inconvenience. Special measures may be taken for
transport and safety on exam days. Overall, authorities are trying to balance
both the election process and students’ academic needs.
Source: The Telegraph, March 16, 2026
Election
Commission Transfers 19 Police Officers Ahead of Bengal Polls
The
Election Commission ordered the transfer of 19 police officers across West
Bengal shortly after the announcement of Assembly elections. The reshuffle
included four police commissioners, senior officers like ADGs, several district
superintendents, and a Kolkata Police deputy commissioner. The move came soon
after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised concerns to the Chief Election
Commissioner about such actions. The EC directed that the transferred officers
should not be assigned any election-related duties until the polls are
completed and asked for immediate implementation. The transfers, affecting
multiple districts, have stirred reactions within political and administrative
circles, with opposition leaders also raising issues regarding officer
appointments and re-employment.
Source: The Telegraph, March 17, 2026
Smita
Pandey Becomes Kolkata’s First Woman Municipal Commissioner
Smita
Pandey, a 2005‑batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the first woman
commissioner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and its civic executive
head. She replaced Anshul Gupta, another IAS officer. Apart from being KMC
commissioner, she will also act as District Election Officer (DEO) for north
Calcutta, managing seven Assembly constituencies. Pandey holds an MBA from
Lucknow University and an LLM from Calcutta University. She has experience with
the Kolkata Environment Improvement Investment Programme (KEIIP) and will focus
on property tax collection, a major revenue source for KMC, while handling dual
roles of commissioner and DEO.
Source:
The Telegraph, March 19, 2026
Tragic
Lift Accident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Claims Life of 40-Year-Old
Man
A
40-year-old man, Arup Banerjee from Dum Dum, died after getting trapped inside
a malfunctioning elevator at RG Kar Medical College’s trauma building in
Kolkata. He had come to the hospital around 3:30 am for his 4-year-old son’s
treatment and was inside the lift with his wife and child. The elevator
reportedly malfunctioned—moving erratically and eventually getting stuck for
nearly an hour before dropping to the basement, where the door opened but an
iron grill blocked their exit. By the time help arrived, Arup Banerjee had
died. The incident sparked protests from patients’ families, and Tala Police
Station began an investigation. Authorities are now examining whether the
tragedy was caused by mechanical failure or negligence in maintenance.
Source:
ABP Ananda, March 22, 2026
International
News
Donald Trump wants help
in securing the Strait of Hormuz
Pexels
American
President has called on several countries to deploy naval vessels to ensure
safe passage for ships to go through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the key
maritime checkpoints through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply
passes. Iran has blocked the route by using drones, mines etc. Speaking to reporters he said that several
governments had been approached for assistance. Although he did not take the
name of the countries but analysis believed that France and Great Britain are
among those. Unfortunately, two allies of the United States, Japan and
Australia, have said that they are not willing to help or agree on the
proposal. He also spoke about operation
Epic Fury stating that although they want to negotiate but he thinks that they
are not ready so the US will finish the job. As a result of the war there is a
scarcity in the global energy markets.
Source:
The Statesman, 17 March.
Killing of one person
will not weaken Iran’s Political system: Araghchi.
The
secretary of Iran’s supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and his son
have been killed. Tehran has confirmed the news. Iran’s intelligence minister
Ismail khatib was also killed on Tuesday. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign
Minister has said Iran’s governing structure is “very solid”. And that America
and Israel are unable to understand that one particular individual’s loss will
not affect Iran’s strong government. He also said that they do not want
ceasefire because they do not want the situation to recur. They want to end the
war completely.
Source:
The Statesman, 18 March.
Finland ranked happiest
country for the ninth consecutive time
According
to the world happiness report 2026,published on Thursday, limitless use of
social media affecting the wellbeing of teenage girls Particularly in English
speaking countries as they are busy in having in social connection but have no
connection with their families. Once again, Afghanistan ranks as the unhappiest
country and Finland ranks as the happiest. Costa Rica, a new country is
upgraded its position. It is now in the top 5 on the list. According to the report Finland and other
Northern European countries are happy because they have equal distribution of
wealth and the state welfare system that protects people from having a risk of
recessions and healthy life expectancy.
Source:
AP, 19 March.
400 dead, 200 wounded in
the sudden Pak attack.
Around
400 people were killed and 200 people injured in a sudden attack by Pakistan on
a drug rehabilitation hospital named Omid on Monday at 9:00 PM. large part of
the hospital facility has been destroyed. Condemning these incident,
Afghanistan government’s chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that
they will retaliate against the attack.
Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan has marked this incident as “war crime” and
India has said that this incident is “barbaric”. Although Pakistan denies the
accusation that it targeted a hospital and saying it is propaganda and that
they targeted a military installation. The incident has sparked widespread
condemnation.
Source:
The Statesman, 18 March.
