Amendments to the existing "MCGS-MSME" Scheme:

• Upfront Contribution: The 5% upfront contribution is refundable; 1% is refundable annually starting from the fourth year onwards, provided the performance of the loan account is satisfactory.
• Eligibility: MSMEs in the service sector have also been included in this scheme.
• Minimum Project Cost for Machinery/Equipment: The cost of equipment/machinery has been capped at 60% of the total project cost (previously, this limit was 75%).
• Guarantee Tenure: The guarantee coverage will cease after 10 years.

Special provisions have been incorporated into the scheme specifically for exporters:

• Eligible Exporters: Profit-making entities that have exported at least 25% of their sales turnover in each of the preceding 3 financial years and fulfill certain export realization conditions.
• Guaranteed Loan Amount: ₹20 Crore.
• Upfront Contribution: 2% of the loan amount (subject to a maximum of ₹40 Lakh); with a 1% refund provided during the fourth and fifth years of the guarantee tenure.
• Guarantee Coverage: 75% of the defaulted amount.
• Guarantee Fee: First Year: Nil; Thereafter (each subsequent year): 0.50% of the outstanding loan amount.

Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS-MSME):

• Launch Year: 2025.
• Loan Limit: A maximum loan of ₹100 Crore for the purchase of equipment/machinery.
• Loan Guarantee: The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC) will provide guarantee coverage of 60% of the loan amount to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs). Project Cost: The minimum cost of equipment/machinery constitutes 75% of the project cost.
• Scheme Period: For a period of 4 years, or until cumulative guarantees amounting to ₹7 lakh crore are issued, whichever occurs earlier.

• Global Standing: Surpassing Japan in terms of network length, India has secured the third position globally, ranking after China and the United States.
• Operational and Under Construction: Currently, over 1,143 km of lines are operational, while approximately 936 km are under construction.
• Expansion: Expanding from just 5 cities in 2014, metro services are now available in 29 cities across India.
• Daily Commuters: The metro network serves approximately 11.5 million (1.15 crore) passengers daily.
• Leading Role: The Delhi Metro remains the backbone of the network, accounting for a significant share of the country's total metro usage.

• This Year's (2026) Theme: "Water and Gender Equality" (Water and Gender)
• Connection with SDG Goals: This theme directly highlights the interconnections between SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Slogan for This Year's (2026) Campaign: "Where water flows, equality grows"
• The proposal for its inception was put forward in 1992 at the 'United Nations Conference on Environment and Development' (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
• First World Water Day Celebration: 1993
• Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals: This day aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.

On the occasion of this day, the Government of India organized the 'World Water Day Conference 2026':

• Date of Event: March 23, 2026
• Venue: Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
• Organizing Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Theme: "Industry for Water"

• Capital: Patna; known in ancient times as Pataliputra, Pushpapura, and Kusumapura.
• Situated between 24°20'10" to 27°31'15" North Latitude and 83°19'50" to 88°17'40" East Longitude.
• Total Area: 94,163 sq. km.
• Its total geographical area covers 2.86% of India's landmass.
• Length from North to South: 345 km; Length from East to West: 483 km.
• In terms of area, the largest district is West Champaran, and the smallest district is Sheohar.
• Borders: Shares boundaries with 3 states (West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand) and Nepal.
• With Nepal: 7 districts—West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj.
• With Uttar Pradesh: 8 districts—Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, and West Champaran.
• With West Bengal: 3 districts—Kishanganj, Purnia, and Katihar.
• With Jharkhand: 8 districts—Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, Aurangabad, Rohtas, and Katihar.
• The northernmost district is West Champaran; the southernmost district is Gaya; the westernmost district is Kaimur; and the easternmost district is Kishanganj.
• Major Rivers: The River Ganges divides Bihar into two unequal parts (North and South Bihar). Other tributaries include the Kosi (the "Sorrow of Bihar"), the Gandak, the Son, and the Punpun.
• Climate: The region primarily experiences a subtropical monsoon climate.
• State Symbols: State Animal: Ox; State Bird: Sparrow; State Flower: Marigold (or Lotus, in some contexts); State Tree: Peepal.
• Prominent Personalities: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (First President), Veer Kunwar Singh (Revolt of 1857), and Shri Krishna Singh (First Chief Minister of Bihar).
• Festivals: Chhath Puja is the most famous and culturally significant festival of the region.
• Sarhul: A nature festival celebrated by tribal communities.

• Modi is the country's first Prime Minister to be born after India's independence and the first to have won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections.
• Modi first became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001; after serving in that capacity for 13 years, he became the country's 14th Prime Minister in 2014.
• He is also the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve three consecutive terms.
• Modi has over 30 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and ranks among the political figures with the largest following.
• In February of this year, Modi's follower count on the social media site Instagram surpassed 100 million—a figure higher than that of any other serving politician in the world.
• Modi's follower count on the social media platform X also exceeds 106 million.

• Re-elected: Arun Mammen (MRF Limited) has been elected as the Chairman of ATMA for the second consecutive year.
• New Vice Chairman: Rajarshi Moitra (Managing Director, Bridgestone India) has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman of ATMA.
• Director General: Sanjay Chatterjee has been appointed as the new Director General of ATMA, succeeding Rajiv Budhraja effective March 31, 2026.
• Organizational Scope: ATMA represents India's tyre industry, valued at over US$ 12 billion, and accounts for more than 80% of the country's tyre production.

• Youngest Centurion: She set this record at the age of 15 years and 223 days.
• Century on Debut (1st in WT20Is): She is the first female player to score a century in her very first T20 International match.
• Explosive Innings: Against Ghana, she played an unbeaten innings of 111 runs off 65 balls, helping Rwanda post a massive total of 210/3.
• Record Broken: She broke the record previously held by Uganda’s Proscovia Alako (16 years and 233 days).

• Location: Cambodia (Siem Reap)
• Builder: Khmer Emperor Suryavarman II (12th Century)
• Dedication: Originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu; later became a center for Buddhism.
• Distinguishing Features: Spanning 162.6 hectares, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also depicted on the national flag of Cambodia.
• Art and Style: It symbolizes 'Mount Meru' and is constructed in the Khmer architectural style. It exhibits influences of Indian Gupta art.
• Construction Material: Primarily sandstone.
• Religious Significance: Originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, it was later transformed into a Buddhist temple.
• Eighth Wonder of the World: It is considered the eighth wonder of the world.

• Award: KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences) Humanitarian Award 2025.
• Presented by: Sri Lankan Nobel Laureate Prof. Mohan Munasinghe and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT/KISS, presented this award.
• Reason for Honor: Her work in the fields of education, healthcare, women's empowerment, and rural development undertaken through the Reliance Foundation.
• Event: A special ceremony held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where she was conferred with this prestigious honor.
• Response: Upon accepting the award, Nita Ambani dedicated this honor to the entire Reliance Foundation team.