The India Pulse Newsletter for March 11, 2026 covers internet users rising to 103 crore in India marking digital inclusion milestone, India amending FDI policy for faster approvals boosting investment inflows, India condemning attack on ship in Hormuz Strait, President Murmu stressing water conservation importance, KAVACH train protection system expanding rapidly per Vaishnaw enhancing rail safety, India sending humanitarian aid to Madagascar after cyclones, securing 70% crude oil imports outside Strait of Hormuz per Petroleum Ministry, NITI Aayog releasing second annual Fiscal Health Index 2026, BCCI announcing IPL 2026 first phase schedule, and man held for attacking Farooq Abdullah with point-blank fire.
NEWS IN DETAIL
Internet Users Rise To 103 Crore In India
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Digital India programme has significantly advanced digital inclusion across the country.
Speaking during Question Hour in the second phase of the Budget Session of Parliament, the minister said in the past 10 years, the Prime Minister has worked on digital inclusion through Digital India on three fronts: Increasing access to the internet; second, making the internet affordable; and third, providing digital public infrastructure.
Minister Vaishnaw said that in 2014 only around 25 crore people in India had access to internet connectivity. He added that the number has risen to nearly 103 crore people today.
In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to democratise technology and empower citizens, the Government of India had launched the Digital India programme in July, 2015.
Digital India includes many flagship programmes that cut across sectors: DigiLocker for secure document access, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for cashless transactions, Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) for accessing digital services through mobile App, CoWIN for vaccine management, and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for procurement transparency.
India Amends FDI Policy For Faster Approvals
The Indian government has approved changes in guidelines on investments from countries sharing a land border with India. The amendments in the FDI policy aim to unlock greater FDI inflows from global funds for startups and deep tech and take forward the agenda of ease of doing business.
Earlier, due to the COVID pandemic, the government had amended the extant FDI Policy in order to curb opportunistic takeovers and acquisitions of Indian companies due to the pandemic.
But on Tuesday, the government gave its nod to changes in FDI policy to provide for a definitive timeline for investments in critical sectors.
Now, an expeditious decision in 60 days will help companies enter into collaborations to expand manufacturing in India.
The 60-day decision/approval timeline will help companies enter into joint ventures to access technologies and integrate with global supply chains.
New guidelines will provide clarity and ease of doing business in India and facilitate investments which can contribute towards greater FDI inflows, access to new technologies, domestic value addition, expansion of domestic firms and integration with the global supply chains.
This would help in leveraging and enhancing India’s competitiveness as a preferred investment and manufacturing destination. Increased FDI inflows would supplement domestic capital, support the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and accelerate overall economic growth.
India Condemns Attack On Ship In Hormuz
India has strongly condemned the attack on a Thai ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which was bound for Kandla in Gujarat.
In a statement, the government said it deplores the targeting of commercial shipping in the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
India noted that precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in several such attacks during the earlier phase of the conflict.
The government also expressed concern that the intensity and lethality of these attacks appear to be increasing, posing serious risks to maritime safety and global trade routes.
President Murmu Stresses Water Conservation
President Droupadi Murmu attended the Jal Mahotsav 2026 event in New Delhi. Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil, along with Ministers of State V. Somanna and Raj Bhushan Choudhary, were also present on the occasion. Speaking at the event, the President emphasised that water conservation is the duty of every citizen.
The President urged the nation to treat water as an invaluable treasure, one that must be preserved for generations to come. To secure a sustainable future, President Murmu called upon everyone to make water conservation not just a practice but a way of life.
The President said that under the Nal Jal Mitra Programme, rural youth and women from Self-Help Groups are being trained to make them active partners in the operation and maintenance of water supply systems. President Murmu highlighted that this initiative is not only contributing to water conservation but also creating meaningful employment opportunities in rural areas.
President Murmu stressed that achieving lasting water security requires multi-dimensional efforts across all levels of society. President Murmu expressed satisfaction that significant work is being done in this direction and encouraged continued momentum toward a water-secure future.
KAVACH Train Protection System Expanding Rapidly: Vaishnaw
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that work on the automatic train protection system KAVACH in the country is progressing at a fast pace.
Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, Mr Vaishnaw said KAVACH is a very complex system with five sub-systems. He said Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) have been installed in eight thousand 570 kilometres.
The minister said over 1100 telecom towers have been put in place and 767 station data centres have been established in stations. He said trackside equipment has been installed in 6,776 kilometres. Mr Vaishnaw said the work on the KAVACH system should have started in the 90s, but it was started after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge in 2014.
Replying to another supplementary, the minister said railways have taken several steps to protect wildlife, like creating underpasses and overpasses. He said the Ministry of Railways is using technologies like optical fibre cables and AI cameras to protect wildlife, including elephants.
In his reply to a question on Konkan Railways, Mr Vaishnaw said, ‘Detailed Project Report work is underway to increase capacity.’ He said Konkan Rail is an important line, and efforts are on to strengthen the tunnels and tracks.
He added that four states Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala, are stakeholders in it and sought more cooperation from Karnataka and Kerala state governments.
India Sends Humanitarian Aid To Madagascar After Cyclones
India dispatched humanitarian assistance to support ongoing relief efforts in Madagascar, following the widespread devastation caused by Tropical Cyclones Fytia and Gezani earlier this year.
An Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft carrying 12 tonnes of medical aid and 18 tonnes of disaster relief material landed in Antananarivo.
Sharing pictures on social media X, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “India stands in solidarity with the people of Madagascar.”
The consignment includes life-saving medicines, surgical supplies, tents, water storage tanks, dignity kits, and ready-to-eat meals, providing critical support to affected communities.
India Secures 70% Of Crude Oil Imports Outside Strait Of Hormuz: Petroleum Ministry
Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Sujata Sharma has said that India’s crude supply is secure and about 70 percent of the country’s crude import is now coming from outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing Inter-Ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia in New Delhi, she said that the volume of crude oil secured by government exceeds what normally would have arrived through Strait of Hormuz. She added that the country today imports crude oil from 40 countries and Oil marketing companies have secured various crude cargos through different sources.
The Joint Secretary said that country’s gas companies have procured LNG cargoes from new sources. Two LNG cargoes are on their way to India.
Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Randhir Jaiswal said that the government remains committed to the welfare of Indian nationals who reside in GCC and West Asian countries. He added that all Indian Missions are in regular touch with the community members.
Mr Jaiswal also informed that two Indian nationals have died and one person is missing while they were on merchant vessels which came under attack. He added that a few Indians who have suffered injuries in the GCC region are being treated and the consulate is in touch with them.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said that presently 28 Indian flag vessels, having 778 Indian Seafarers are operating in Persian Gulf. He said that government is actively monitoring all these vessels and crew for their safety and security. Authorities, Ship Managers and Recruitment Agencies are closely coordinating with Indian embassies and local authorities to ensure safety and render medical assistance to them. He added that overall port operations across India remain stable.
Mr Sinha said that ports have been directed to extend all necessary assistance to minimise hardships faced by exporters and ensure continuity of exim trade.
NITI Aayog Releases Second Annual Edition Of Fiscal Health Index 2026
NITI Aayog released the second annual edition of the Fiscal Health Index 2026 in New Delhi. The report highlights several policy priorities for strengthening fiscal health across states.
These include enhancing revenue mobilisation and strengthening state-owned tax capacity, rationalising committed expenditures to restore fiscal flexibility, improving the composition and quality of capital expenditure.
The Fiscal Health Index 2026 provides an important resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders by offering a transparent and data-driven assessment of state finances.
BCCI Announces IPL 2026 First Phase Schedule
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The opening phase of the 19th edition of the tournament will be played from March 28 to April 12, with 20 matches scheduled across 10 venues in the country.
The opening match of IPL 2026 will be played on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Matches in the first phase will be played in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
Man Attacks Farooq Abdullah, Opens Fire at Point-Blank Range, Accused Held
A man attacked Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and allegedly opened fire at him from point-blank range during a private function in Jammu on Wednesday evening. Abdullah escaped unhurt, officials said.
The incident occurred when Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani were leaving the venue after attending the event.
Security personnel present at the spot quickly overpowered the accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, and took him into custody.
Senior police officials rushed to the scene soon after the incident and launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
In a brief statement, Jammu and Kashmir Police said one person has been arrested in connection with the case and further details are awaited.