1 Retail Inflation & Economic Stabilisation Fund

Retail inflation in India, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), quickened to a 10-month high of 3.2% in February 2026. This rise was largely driven by a surge in food inflation and escalating precious metal prices. Vegetables, particularly tomatoes, witnessed a staggering inflation rate of over 45%. This upward trend might delay any anticipated repo rate cuts by the RBI in the near future.

• Stabilisation Fund: The Central Government has allocated a substantial ₹57,381 crore for an 'Economic Stabilisation Fund' to act as a buffer against unforeseen economic shocks.
• Purpose: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that this allocation will provide the necessary fiscal space to deal with global headwinds, such as supply chain disruptions and the looming threat of a $100-per-barrel oil shock arising from the ongoing West Asia conflict.

2 Fertilizer Shortage Warning & PM Unity Malls

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Fertilizers, headed by TMC MP Azad Kirti Jha, has issued a stark warning regarding an acute shortage of essential fertilizers for the agriculture sector. The committee cited the escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the resulting pressure on crucial international shipping routes, like the Red Sea, as major risks that could disrupt the supply chain before the Kharif sowing season.

• PM Unity Malls: The UP government announced a major initiative where local, traditional products from all 75 districts will receive national and international exposure through newly established PM Unity Malls. This will provide larger and more lucrative markets for artisans making ODOP (One District One Product) and certified GI-tagged products.

3 Sonam Wangchuk Released

Prominent Ladakhi climate and social activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur Central Jail after a prolonged 170-day detention. The Union Home Ministry intervened, invoking its special powers under Section 14 of the National Security Act (NSA) to officially revoke his detention order with immediate effect. His initial arrest had sparked widespread protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh.

4 West Asia Conflict & WHO Pandemic Agreement

The conflict in the Middle East has escalated significantly. A missile struck a helipad inside the highly fortified U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, while debris from an intercepted Iranian drone hit an oil facility in the UAE, raising global energy security alarms. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that key military sites on an island vital to Iran’s entire oil export network have been destroyed in targeted strikes.

• WHO Agreement: At the ongoing WHO pandemic agreement talks, India is strongly advocating for a more equitable global health system. Along with the 'Group for Equity', India is demanding that developing nations sharing critical pathogen materials for research must receive fair benefits, such as guaranteed access to vaccines and therapeutics, in return.

5 Tiger Deaths & IRNSS-1F Satellite

In a concerning development for India's wildlife conservation efforts, the latest data released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reveals that Maharashtra recorded a staggering 41 tiger deaths over the past year. This high mortality rate raises questions about increasing human-animal conflicts and potential poaching activities.

• ISRO News: India's indigenous regional navigation system (NavIC) faced a technical setback. The critical atomic clock onboard the IRNSS-1F satellite has stopped functioning, which could temporarily impact the precision of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services.

6 Formula 1 Record: Antonelli Makes History

A new prodigy has emerged in the world of motorsports. Young racing sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made history by becoming the youngest driver ever to clinch pole position in a Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix qualifying session, shattering previous age records held by veteran champions.

7 Marathi Mandatory & Sabarimala Gold Case

The Maharashtra Government issued a stern warning indicating strict action, including potential de-recognition, against any schools—including those affiliated with national (CBSE/ICSE) and international boards—that fail to strictly comply with the state legislation making Marathi mandatory as a subject for students from Classes 1 to 10.

• Kerala News: The Kerala High Court ruled that there was currently no need to transfer the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple to a central agency. The court orally observed that the state police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) was carrying out a satisfactory and thorough probe.