New Governors and Lieutenant Governors Appointed in India
Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, appointed nine new Governors and Lieutenant Governors across several Indian states and Union Territories on March 6, 2026 . According to the official statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, leadership changes were announced for key states including Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal.
State-wise Newly Appointed Governors
State | Governor | Details |
Telangana | Shiv Pratap Shukla | Transferred from Himachal Pradesh |
Maharashtra | Jishnu Dev Varma | Transferred from Telangana |
Bihar | Lt. Gen. (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain | Former Army officer |
West Bengal | R. N. Ravi | Transferred from Tamil Nadu |
Tamil Nadu | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar | Additional charge while serving as Kerala Governor |
Himachal Pradesh | Kavinder Gupta | Promoted from Ladakh LG |
Nagaland | Nand Kishore Yadav | Newly appointed Governor |
Union Territory Appointments
- Delhi LG: Former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu
- Ladakh LG: Current Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena transferred
These appointments include experienced diplomats, political leaders, and former military officials to strengthen governance.
India-Finland Strategic Partnership
Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, visited India in March 2026, where both countries upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability.
Key Areas of Cooperation
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- 6G Telecommunications
- Quantum Computing
- Semiconductor Technology
- Clean energy and green technology
- Defence and space collaboration
Major MoUs Signed
- Migration and Mobility Partnership - Easier movement for Indian professionals, students, and researchers to Finland.
- Environmental Cooperation - Joint work in bio-energy, green hydrogen, solar and wind power.
- Statistical Cooperation Agreement - Data exchange between statistical institutions.
Other Key Announcements
- Joint 6G research collaboration between University of Oulu and India 6G Alliance
- Launch of Indo-Finland Startup Corridor
- Target to double bilateral trade by 2030
Census 2027: India's First Fully Digital Census
Amit Shah launched digital tools and mascots "Pragati" and "Vikas" for the upcoming Census-2027 in New Delhi.
This will be India's first fully digital census using mobile apps and web portals.
Key Features
- Self-enumeration option for citizens
- Mobile apps for field data collection
- Real-time monitoring dashboard
- Satellite-based house mapping
Census Timeline
- Phase 1 (House Listing): April 1 - September 30, 2026
- Phase 2 (Population Enumeration): February 2027
The reference date for most states will be March 1, 2027.
NITI Aayog and UNICEF Partnership
NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent to improve nutrition and health outcomes in India's Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
Key Objectives
- Improve maternal and child nutrition
- Strengthen Anganwadi services
- Promote nutrition literacy
- Expand ICDS implementation
The initiative will use the IMPAct4Nutrition platform to mobilize CSR funds from private companies.
MeHEALTH Mobile App Launched in Kerala
The Health Department of Kerala launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to improve access to government healthcare services.
Key Features
- Locate nearby hospitals, labs, blood banks
- Online doctor appointment booking
- Digital OP ticket generation
- Information on hospital facilities and charges
The app integrates with Google Maps for navigation to healthcare facilities.
Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project
The Karnataka High Court issued notices regarding environmental concerns linked to the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project.
Project Highlights
- Capacity: 2000 MW
- Developed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited
- Located near the Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary
The project aims to balance electricity supply during peak and low demand periods.
Raisina Dialogue 2026
Narendra Modi inaugurated the 11th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
About Raisina Dialogue
- India's premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics
- Organized by Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs
- Participants from 110 countries
Theme 2026
"Samskara - Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement"
Rare Dusky Eagle Owl Spotted
A pair of Dusky Eagle Owls was spotted near Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand after nearly 15 years.
Key Facts
- Length: 48-53 cm
- Habitat: Dense riverine forests
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
IISc Moonshot Project
Indian Institute of Science launched the Moonshot Project to develop AI-powered brain co-processors.
Objective
To help restore motor and cognitive functions in people recovering from paralysis or neurological disorders.
The project is funded by the Pratiksha Trust.
Discovery of Two New Fish Species in Nagaland
Researchers discovered two new freshwater fish species in Nagaland:
- Glyptothorax sentimereni
- Oreichthys elianae
These species were identified in tributaries of the Brahmaputra River and contribute to India's biodiversity research.
Golestan Palace Damaged in Tehran
The historic Golestan Palace in Tehran, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reportedly suffered damage amid regional conflicts in the Middle East.
The palace dates back to the 16th century and represents Persian architecture from the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi eras.
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