NATIONAL NEWS

Universal Health Insurance Coverage Target 2033

• Nirmala Sitharaman announced the goal of achieving universal health insurance coverage by 2033.

• Health insurance has been identified as a key priority sector by the government.

• A major outreach plan aims to cover 25,000 gram panchayats to expand access in rural areas.

• Policy measures are being implemented to increase insurance penetration, especially in underserved regions.

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has designated gram panchayats as the basic unit for measuring coverage.

• India’s insurance penetration remains low, with per capita premium at $97 compared to the global average of $943.

• The health insurance sector has grown significantly, covering 58 crore people with a premium volume of ₹1.17 lakh crore (2024–25).

• Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana provide affordable life insurance, with ₹2 lakh cover and over 26 crore enrolments.

MSME Online Dispute Resolution Workshop

• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises organised the first national workshop on the MSME ODR Portal.

• The event was held in New Delhi.

• It aims to ensure faster resolution of disputes for Micro and Small Enterprises.

• The initiative also focuses on making dispute resolution cost-effective and accessible.

• Emphasis was placed on technology-driven mechanisms through the MSME Online Dispute Resolution Portal.

• The workshop saw participation from industry associations and Facilitation Councils.

• Discussions focused on strengthening the dispute resolution ecosystem for MSMEs.

• Stakeholders were briefed on the features and functioning of the ODR system to enhance its effective implementation.

STATE NEWS

Kusunpur to Become Odisha’s First Smart Village

• Kusunpur village in Kendrapada district is set to become Odisha’s first smart village.

• The village has around 130 households with nearly 700 residents.

• The initiative is being implemented by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science & Technology.

• It aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 focusing on tech-driven rural transformation.

• The project promotes modern technologies in agriculture and daily rural life for sustainable development.

• Multiple CSIR labs will collaborate to provide scientific and indigenous solutions, including improved paddy storage systems.

• Infrastructure upgrades include cyclone-resilient structures, clean energy systems, and agrivoltaic farming models.

• Skill development initiatives, such as leather product training, will also be introduced to enhance rural livelihoods.

AWARDS

“CHYIMI” Wins at NYSAF 2026

• The animated short film CHYIMI won the Best Director award at the New York Short Animation Festival 2026.

• It was directed by Partha Sarathi Mahanta, an IGP in Assam Police.

• The recognition has brought global attention to Indian animation.

• NYSAF is known for promoting creativity and innovation in animation worldwide.

• The film was appreciated for its strong storytelling and artistic direction.

• The director highlighted that animation can cross language and cultural barriers.

• He emphasized that local stories can achieve global resonance.

• The award reflects the rising international presence of India’s animation industry.

Jnanpith Award 2025 Announced

• The 60th Jnanpith Award (2025) will be conferred on R. Vairamuthu.

• He has been honoured for his exceptional contribution to Tamil literature and poetic excellence.

• The selection was made by the committee chaired by Pratibha Ray.

• The award includes ₹11 lakh, a Saraswati bronze statuette, and a citation.

• Vairamuthu is known for his powerful portrayal of human emotions, social themes, and nature.

• His literary career spans over four decades across poetry, lyrics, and prose.

• He has authored 37+ books, including works like Kallikattu Ethikasam and Karuvachi Kaaviyam.

• He is also a recipient of Padma Shri (2003) and Padma Bhushan (2014), along with multiple National Film Awards.

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025

• The Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 have been announced for 24 Indian languages.

• The awards honour outstanding literary works selected through an expert jury-based process.

• The selection began in January 2025 with an open call for entries across multiple literary forms.

• Recognised genres include poetry, novels, short stories, essays, memoirs, autobiography, and criticism.

• The final list includes 8 poetry collections, 4 novels, 6 short story collections, and other works.

• Notable winners include Navtej Sarna, Mamta Kalia, and N. Prabhakaran.

• Each award consists of a copper plaque, shawl, and ₹1 lakh cash prize.

• The award ceremony will be held in New Delhi on 31 March 2026.

SPORTS

BNP Paribas Open 2026 (Indian Wells)

• Jannik Sinner won the title at the BNP Paribas Open.

• The final was played at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

• Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev with a score of 7-6, 7-6.

• He remained unbeaten in sets throughout the entire tournament.

• In the second-set tiebreak, Sinner made a remarkable comeback from 0–4 down.

• This victory marked his 9th win in the last 10 matches against Medvedev.

• In the women’s category, Aryna Sabalenka won her first Indian Wells title by defeating Elena Rybakina.

• Sabalenka will next compete at the Miami Open, aiming to defend her title.

DEFENCE

Exercise Sea Dragon 2026

• Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 is a US Navy-led anti-submarine warfare exercise conducted in Guam.

• The drill is being held at Andersen Air Force Base throughout March.

• Participating countries include Indian Navy, along with the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

• The exercise aims to enhance coordination and strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Advanced assets like the P-8A Poseidon are deployed for surveillance and submarine detection.

• Complex drills are conducted to detect, track, and neutralize submarine threats under realistic scenarios.

• The exercise follows a competitive format to improve tactics, precision, and interoperability.

• It contributes to broader defence cooperation and stability in strategic sea routes of the Indo-Pacific.