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The stories covered in India Pulse Newsletter for March 9, 2026 are: 1,000 stranded Indians leaving Doha on Qatar Airways flights in three days, Indian Embassy advising against land travel in Iran amid regional tensions, Government ordering refineries to boost LPG production ensuring supply security, Vaishnaw highlighting India’s creator economy, Pradhan stating NEP 2020 promotes inclusive education for all, Dr Jitendra Singh scheduled to chair 35th SCOVA meeting, and SEBI Chief urging investors to stay calm despite West Asia conflict market impact.
NEWS IN DETAIL
1,000 Stranded Indians Leave Doha On Qatar Airways Flights In Three Days: Indian Embassy
The Indian Embassy in Qatar has informed that around one thousand Indians stranded in Doha on transit or short-term visits have departed on Qatar Airways flights over the last three days.
It added that Qatar Airways operated a Doha-New Delhi flight on March 9, 2026 in which more than 300 Indian passengers travelled to India. The Embassy further informed that Qatar Airways is planning three flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi on March 10, 2026. It advised stranded Indian passengers to use these flights for travelling to India and asked them to remain in touch with the airlines regarding their travel.
The Embassy also ensured that they are taking up cases of stranded passengers requesting Saudi visas. It has also advised the Indian community to strictly comply with guidelines of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior for their safety and security. It also urged people not to fall for rumours advised to follow authentic sources of information only.
Indian Embassy Advises Against Land Travel In Iran
The Embassy of India in Iran has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals not to approach any of Iran’s land borders for travel outside the country without prior coordination.
According to the advisory, any movement towards land border points should only be undertaken after obtaining explicit guidance from the Embassy.
The Embassy also noted that it will not be in a position to assist individuals once they have exited Iranian territory and are unable to enter the third country concerned.
The Embassy remains available to guide Indian nationals through the following emergency contact helplines:
Mobile Numbers: +98 912 810 9115, +98 912 810 9102, +98 912 810 9109, +98 993 217 9359 Email: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in
Govt Orders Refineries To Boost LPG Production
The Government has issued order to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic use. This move came amid current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG.
In a social media post, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that the Government has prioritised domestic LPG supply to households and introduced 25 day inter-booking period to avoid hoarding and black marketing. It said that Non-domestic supplies from imported LPG is being prioritised to essential non-domestic sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
They Ministry further said that LPG supply to other non-domestic sectors, a committee of three Executive Directors of Oil Marketing Companies has been constituted to review the representations for LPG supply to restaurants, hotels and other industries.
India’s Creator Economy Showcases Culture, Local Products: Vaishnaw
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that India’s creator economy sector is showcasing the country’s culture, food and hyper local products to the world. He said this while addressing the Post Budget Webinar - Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas - Fulfilling Aspirations of the People.
Mr Vaishnaw emphasized that technology is playing a primary role in media entertainment, highlighting that the WAVES platform was created to help Indian creators in leading the sector.
He added that WAVES has become a globally recognised platform bringing together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss methods of development in the sector. Mr Vaishnaw also informed that WAVES has brought business of around one thousand crore rupees for the Indian creators.
The Minister further said that with the aim of institutionalising creator’s economy, the first campus of Indian institute of Creative Technologies is being established in Mumbai. He said that the industry orientated institute will help the country’s youth to get proper education and become expert in the relevant field. He highlighted that the temporary campus of the Institute is already operational, and the facilities of this campus have been rated among the best in the world.
Pradhan Says NEP 2020 Promotes Inclusive Education
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that the National Education Policy 2020 advocates inclusive and accessible education and added that this year’s budget gives a big push to education, employment, enterprise, innovation and research. He said this while addressing the concluding session of the Post-Budget Webinar virtually on Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas-Fulfilling Aspirations of People in New Delhi.
Mr Pradhan noted that the huge participation from a diverse set of domain experts and stakeholders reflected participatory governance in the truest sense. He thanked all the stakeholders for their valuable suggestions and insights and expressed confidence that they would play an important role in implementing the budget announcements on the ground.
The discussions focused on strengthening education-to-employment linkages, developing future-ready curricula, and expanding skilling pathways. The meet also emphasized on fostering innovation-driven ecosystems through collaboration among ministries, academia, industry, civil society and implementation partners.
Dr. Jitendra Singh To Chair 35th SCOVA Meeting
Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh will chair the 35th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) in New Delhi on March 11, 2026.
The meeting is being organised by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare to address issues concerning the welfare of Central Government pensioners.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare said the meeting is expected to help strengthen policy coordination and address grievances, thereby improving ease of living for Central Government pensioners.
SEBI Chief Urges Investors To Stay Calm Amid West Asia Conflict Impact
Amid heightened volatility in the financial markets due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has urged investors to remain calm.
Addressing an event to celebrate 30 years of the NIFTY 50 in Mumbai, Mr. Pandey said India’s domestic fundamentals have continued to remain strong and provide resilience amid such uncertainties.
Stating that global markets are currently experiencing turbulence as the war in West Asia has disrupted key shipping routes and triggered oil and gas supply shocks, leading to supply and demand-side disruptions, Mr. Pandey said India too is deeply impacted by such developments.
However, the SEBI Chairman stressed that India’s underlying economic strength has helped it navigate multiple global shocks in the past and continues to provide stability to domestic markets. Mr. Pandey said NIFTY has navigated several such phases but over the long run, continued to reflect the strength and resilience of India’s growth story.
While the Nifty was originally introduced as a benchmark index, Mr. Pancey said its role has expanded considerably over time. He added that the index today serves as a central reference point for institutional investors, mutual funds, and portfolio managers. Mr. Pandey further informed that since its inception, the Nifty 50 has increased around 25-fold, delivering a compound annual growth rate of around 11 percent
The SEBI Chairman said over the last thirty years, Nifty has become a mirror of corporate India, a barometer of investor sentiment, and a compass for the direction of Indian markets.