Daily Current Affairs- 17th March 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 17th March 2026

Fiscal Health Index 2026: Odisha Tops Again, Check Top 10 Best Performing States in India

In the News: NITI Aayog released the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2026 on March 12, 2026, evaluating fiscal performance of Indian states for FY 2023-24. Odisha topped the rankings for the second consecutive year with an FHI score of 73.1. Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala ranked at the bottom under the "Aspirational" category.

Key Points:

• About FHI 2026: NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026 evaluates 18 major Indian states and 10 northeastern/Himalayan states across five pillars — Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability. It assesses fiscal trends for FY 2023-24. A higher score indicates better fiscal management.
• Odisha Tops Again (Achiever): Odisha retained the #1 position with an overall score of 73.1. Its standout sub-scores: Debt Index (95.8) and Revenue Mobilisation (80.3). Success attributed to prudent fiscal management, stable revenues, and effective deficit control.
• Top 10 States (Major States): Odisha (73.1) → Goa (54.7) → Jharkhand (50.5) → Gujarat (49.9) → Maharashtra (45.0) → Chhattisgarh (44.3) → Telangana (44.3) → Uttar Pradesh (41.9) → Karnataka (41.7) → Madhya Pradesh (37.8).
• Notable Risers: Goa and Jharkhand moved up into Top 3 (previously "Front Runners" category). Haryana jumped from rank 14 to rank 11, reflecting disciplined expenditure management. Bihar (rank 12) showed marginal recovery through improved revenue surplus and expenditure quality.
• Notable Fallers: Chhattisgarh, which was ranked 2nd as an "Achiever" last year, slipped to 6th in the "Front Runners" category due to weaker fiscal conditions.
• Stable Performers: Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana showed stable and moderate fiscal strength, driven by resilient own-revenue bases and prudent debt levels.
• Bottom States (Aspirational): Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala ranked at the bottom due to widening sustained deficits, slow revenue growth, and ongoing financial strain.
• Northeastern & Himalayan States: Arunachal Pradesh led this special category (driven by high Quality of Expenditure score). Uttarakhand ranked second (strong Revenue Mobilisation). Nagaland, Manipur, and Himachal Pradesh were among the weaker performers due to limited administrative capacity and fragmented public financial management.

Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden Inaugurated By in Srinagar

In the News:  Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Tulip Show-2026 at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar — Asia's largest tulip garden. The inauguration marked the official start of the tourism season in the Kashmir Valley, with nearly 18 lakh tulips of over 70 varieties in full bloom.

Key Points:

• About the Garden: . The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountain Range, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. It is recognised as Asia's largest tulip garden. The garden was established in 2007 and has since become one of Kashmir's premier tourist attractions.
• Inauguration of Tulip Show-2026: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Tulip Show-2026 on March 17, 2026, and took a tour of the garden. He appealed to tourists from across India and around the world to visit J&K during the spring season to experience its natural beauty.
• Flowers Planted This Year: Around 18 lakh (1.8 million) tulips of over 70 varieties have been planted. Additionally, nearly 1 lakh other bulbous flowers — including daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissus — have also been cultivated, adding further vibrancy to the valley's spring landscape.
• Why Tulips Thrive in Kashmir — Climatic Reasons: Tulips are temperate flowers that grow from bulbs and require a prolonged cold period (vernalisation) before they break dormancy and bloom. Kashmir's naturally cold winters followed by cool, mild springs provide ideal conditions. Unlike the Indian plains where temperatures rise sharply post-winter, Kashmir's longer, cooler spring allows tulips to develop and bloom naturally — without artificial chilling, which is required in most other parts of India.
• Annual Tulip Festival: Every year during the bloom season, Kashmir celebrates the Tulip Festival, attracting thousands of domestic and international tourists. The festival showcases tulips against the scenic backdrop of the Zabarwan Mountains and Dal Lake, making it a unique and globally recognised floral event.

Government Withdraws Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2025

In the News: The Union Government withdrew the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 from the Lok Sabha. The withdrawal was moved by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and approved by the House via a voice vote. The bill will be revised incorporating recommendations of a Select Committee before being reintroduced in Parliament.

Key Points:

• About the Bill: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 sought to amend various laws to decriminalise minor offences and rationalise penalties. Its core objective is to replace imprisonment provisions with monetary penalties in certain cases, reducing the burden on the judicial system and promoting ease of doing business.
• Reason for Withdrawal: The bill was examined by a Select Committee, which suggested modifications to improve its provisions. To incorporate these recommendations, the government withdrew the bill with the approval of the Lok Sabha through a voice vote. This is a standard procedural step that allows the government to rework and reintroduce the bill in a refined form.
• Who Moved the Withdrawal: Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal moved the motion for withdrawal of the bill in the Lok Sabha.
• Legislative Process — Bill Withdrawal in India: Under the Indian parliamentary system, a pending bill can be withdrawn by the government with the permission of the House. After withdrawal, the revised version incorporating committee suggestions can be reintroduced in Parliament at a later date. This is not a lapse of the bill but a deliberate procedural step for refinement.
• Role of Select Committees: A Select Committee is a parliamentary committee formed to examine a specific bill in detail. It studies provisions clause by clause, hears expert testimony, and recommends amendments. Its suggestions are not binding but carry significant legislative weight. Here, the Select Committee's recommendations prompted the government to revise the bill before re-enactment.
• Purpose — Decriminalisation & Trust-Based Governance: The bill is part of the government's broader initiative to shift from a punitive enforcement model to a trust-based governance framework. Decriminalising minor offences reduces unnecessary litigation, lowers compliance burden on businesses and citizens, and improves India's ease of doing business ranking.

Kharg Island–Fujairah Attacks

In the News: Geopolitical tensions in West Asia escalated sharply when the US carried out bombing strikes on Iran's Kharg Island , Iran's primary crude oil export hub. Iran retaliated with drone strikes on Fujairah, a key UAE oil trading hub, causing large fires and halting oil loading operations. The attacks have sent global oil prices surging past $100 per barrel and severely disrupted international shipping through the Persian Gulf.

Key Points:

• The Attacks — Sequence of Events: The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, targeting Kharg Island. In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck oil facilities at Fujairah, UAE with drone attacks on March 14 and March 16, 2026. A drone attack also hit a fuel depot at Dubai International Airport, temporarily suspending flights. Iran warned residents near Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Khalifa ports to evacuate.
• Global Impact: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted since the initial strikes. Oil prices have surged over 50% in one month — Brent crude crossed $106/barrel and WTI reached $100/barrel, the highest since 2022. Iran has also been targeting ships attempting to pass through the maritime corridor.
• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow maritime chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Approximately 20% of global oil trade passes through it. Iran has the ability to threaten or block shipping through this corridor, making Fujairah's bypass pipeline (Habshan–Fujairah) strategically critical.
• UAE's Borders: UAE is bordered by Saudi Arabia (west and south) and Oman (east and northeast). It shares maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran.
• IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps): Iran's elite military force that controls Kharg Island and has claimed responsibility for the retaliatory strikes on UAE facilities. The IRGC declared US interests in the UAE — including ports, docks, and military locations — as legitimate targets.

India Submits First National Report on Nagoya Protocol

In the News: India submitted its First National Report (NR1) on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), covering the period from November 1, 2017 to December 31, 2025.

Key Points:

• About the Nagoya Protocol: The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It deals with Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their utilisation (ABS). It came into force in 2014 and aims to ensure that benefits derived from genetic resources are shared equitably with the communities and countries from which those resources originate.
• India's First National Report (NR1): Submitted on February 27, 2026, in accordance with Article 29 of the Nagoya Protocol (on Monitoring and Reporting). It covers 2017–2025 and was preceded by an Interim National Report submitted in November 2017. The report contributes to Target 13 of India's updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
• India's Legal Framework for ABS: India's ABS framework is built on the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, supported by the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 and the ABS Regulations, 2025. These laws regulate access to biological resources and ensure benefit-sharing with local communities and traditional knowledge holders.
• Three-Tier Institutional Structure: India's ABS implementation follows a three-tier structure — the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) / UT Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level. Over 2,76,653 BMCs have been established across the country, enabling grassroots biodiversity governance.
• Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs): India has published 3,556 IRCCs on the ABS Clearing-House in accordance with Article 17 of the Nagoya Protocol. This represents over 60% of the global total, reflecting India's leadership in ABS transparency and compliance.
• Monitoring Foreign Bioresources: Under Rule 18 of BD Rules, 2024 and Section 36A of BD Act, 2002, India monitors the use of foreign-sourced biological resources. The NBA received 41 declarations in Form 10 for use of foreign biological resources during the reporting period.

Indian Animated Film CHYIMI Wins Best Director Award at NYSAF 2026

In the News: The Indian animated short film CHYIMI won the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026. The film was directed by Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, a senior Indian Police Service officer currently serving as Inspector General of Police (IGP), Assam and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. The win marks a significant milestone for Indian and Assamese animation on the global stage.

Key Points:

• About the Film — CHYIMI: CHYIMI is an Indian animated short film rooted in local culture and lived experiences from Assam and North-East India. The film demonstrates how regional narratives can transcend linguistic and geographical boundaries and resonate with global audiences. It was selected and showcased at the New York Short Animation Festival 2026, one of the prominent international platforms for animated storytelling.
• Award Won: CHYIMI won the Best Director Award at NYSAF 2026. This award recognises excellence in storytelling, creativity, and artistic direction in animated filmmaking. The win places CHYIMI among globally acclaimed animated short films.
• About the Director — Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta: Dr. Mahanta is a senior IPS officer serving as Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Assam and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. His achievement represents a rare and inspiring blend of public service and creative expression — demonstrating that artistic storytelling can emerge from diverse professional backgrounds.
• About NYSAF — New York Short Animation Festival: The New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) is a prestigious international event celebrating creativity, originality, and craftsmanship in animated storytelling. It brings together filmmakers and animators from across the world to present diverse styles and narratives through short animated films. Winning at NYSAF is considered a mark of global distinction in animation.

Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 Announced: Full Winners List Across 24 Languages

In the News: Sahitya Akademi announced the winners of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 across 24 Indian languages. The awards are to be presented on March 31, 2026 in New Delhi. Notable awardees include writer Mamta Kalia (Hindi memoir), diplomat-author Navtej Sarna (English novel), and poet Pritpal Singh Betab (Urdu poetry). Each winner receives a prize of ₹1 lakh along with an engraved copper plaque and a shawl.

Key Points:

• About Sahitya Akademi:  Established by the Government of India in 1954 in New Delhi, Sahitya Akademi is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. It is India's central institution for literary dialogue, publication, promotion, and cultural unity through literature. It recognises 24 Indian languages and has regional offices in Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
• Sahitya Akademi Award — Nature & Prize: The Sahitya Akademi Award is the second highest honour conferred by the Akademi (after the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship). It is given for outstanding literary works in any of the 24 recognised Indian languages. The award carries a prize of ₹1,00,000 (one lakh rupees) and an engraved copper plaque.
• Awards 2025 — Genre Breakdown: This year's awards cover works across multiple literary forms — 8 poetry books, 4 novels, 6 short story collections, 2 essays, 1 literary criticism, 1 autobiography, and 2 memoirs — across all 24 languages.
• Notable Winners: Mamta Kalia — Hindi memoir Jeete Jee Allahabad; Navtej Sarna (noted diplomat-author) — English novel Crimson Spring; Pritpal Singh Betab — Urdu poetry Safar Jaari Hai; Devabrat Das — Assamese novel Karhi Khelar Sadhu; Prasun Bandyopadhyay — Bengali poetry Shrestha Kabita.
• Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (Highest Honour): The Sahitya Akademi Fellowship is the highest honour of the Akademi, reserved for "immortals of literature." It is limited to 21 fellows at any given time. Established in 1968, the first fellow was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. It covers literary work in any of the 24 recognised languages.