Current Affairs 07 March 2026

List of New Governors / Lieutenant Governors

Poshana – Shiksha – Suraksha Scheme

Context

Andhra Pradesh currently has a TFR of around 1.5, similar to states like Tamil Nadu (1.4) and Kerala (1.6), which indicates a declining fertility trend. The government warned that if the trend continues, around 23% of the population could become elderly in the future, potentially impacting economic growth.

Draft Population Management Policy to increase Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The Andhra Pradesh Government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, introduced a Draft Population Management Policy in the State Assembly aimed at increasing the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 1.5 to the replacement level of 2.1.

The policy is intended to reverse the declining birth rate and address the challenges of an ageing population in the coming decades. The proposed policy is expected to come into effect from April 1, 2026, after public consultation.

Key Provisions of the Policy

To encourage families to have a third child, the government proposed a “Poshana – Shiksha – Suraksha” package, which includes:

• ₹25,000 incentive at the time of delivery of the third child
• ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for five years
• Free education for the child up to 18 years of age

Objective of the Policy

• Increase the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.1, the replacement level required to maintain population stability.
• Prevent future workforce shortages due to declining birth rates.
• Prepare the State for ageing population challenges by 2047.

SWAYATT Initiative

Context

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated seven years of its flagship initiative SWAYATT (Startups, Women and Youth Advantage through e-Transactions) on 6 March 2026.

The initiative was launched on 19 February 2019 with the aim of making government procurement more inclusive by enabling startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and Self Help Groups (SHGs) to participate directly in public procurement through the GeM platform.

Key Objectives of SWAYATT

SWAYATT focuses on addressing three major challenges faced by emerging enterprises:

• Access to markets
• Access to finance
• Access to value addition

By leveraging GeM’s digital procurement ecosystem, the initiative allows small businesses and startups to connect directly with government buyers, thereby reducing entry barriers.

CISF Celebrates 57th Raising Day

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) celebrated its 57th Raising Day on 6 March 2026 in Mundali, Odisha, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended as the Chief Guest.

Established in 1969, the CISF has grown into India’s premier industrial security force, responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure and national assets.

AI-Powered G-SPIDER Robot Deployed for Canal Cleaning in Thiruvananthapuram

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has deployed an AI-powered robotic canal-cleaning system called G-SPIDER to improve urban sanitation and eliminate the need for manual scavenging in hazardous environments.

The robot has been deployed at the Amayizhanchan Canal near Thampanoor Railway Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where canal cleaning is difficult due to restricted space, continuous water flow, and unsafe working conditions.

Key Features of G-SPIDER

• Developed by Genrobotic Innovations, the same company that built the robotic scavenger Bandicoot.
• Built using Cable-Driven Parallel Robotics (CDPR) architecture.
• Equipped with AI-enabled vision and sensor intelligence to detect and remove waste.
• Enables fully automated canal cleaning without human entry.

First-Ever Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 to be Held in Chhattisgarh

The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 will be held from 25 March to 6 April 2026 in the state of Chhattisgarh. The games will be organised across three cities Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja.

The announcement was made by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. The event aims to identify and promote sporting talent from tribal communities across India and integrate them into the national sports ecosystem.

Mascot for Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

The official mascot of the event is “Morveer.”

• “Mor” means mine/our in Chhattisgarhi.
• “Veer” symbolizes courage and bravery.

The mascot represents the pride, identity, and sporting spirit of India’s tribal communities.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Project in Lakshadweep

Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) project during his visit to Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep.

The project involves an OTEC-based desalination facility that converts seawater into potable drinking water using the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep-sea water to generate energy.

Key Features of the Project

• The OTEC technology uses the temperature gradient in ocean water to produce renewable energy.
• The generated energy powers desalination systems to convert seawater into fresh drinking water.
• This project is said to be the first of its kind in the world.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.