The Economic Times

GATE 2026 Result Out: IIT Guwahati has released the GATE Result 2026. Candidates can now access and download their scorecards from the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE 2026 scorecard will be valid for three years from the date of its declaration.

Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200, closed at its lowest in nearly four months on Thursday, dropping 1.65% amid escalating Middle East tensions and mixed local labor data. Geopolitical risks fueled inflation fears and curbed risk-taking, though energy stocks surged. Miners and gold stocks were notably down.

Cricketer Gautam Gambhir has filed a lawsuit in Delhi High Court. He seeks protection for his identity against fake videos and unauthorised use of his image. The suit targets social media accounts, e-commerce platforms, and tech giants. Gambhir claims his name, face, and voice are being misused for revenue.

India is in talks to boost fertilizer imports from Russia, Belarus, and Morocco due to Middle East tensions and China's export curbs. With the summer planting season approaching, the nation is seeking to secure supplies of urea and DAP, its most crucial fertilizers, to avert potential shortfalls.

A crucial meeting took place at Calcutta High Court. Chief Justice Sujoy Paul led discussions on judicial officer safety and West Bengal's law and order. This comes before the first supplementary list's publication this weekend. Senior officials attended the meeting. Over 2.3 million adjudication cases have been resolved.

For now, the Fortnite down phase remains a waiting game. While downtime can be frustrating, it is an essential part of maintaining and evolving a live-service game of this scale.

The Election Commission of India has withdrawn two police commissioners from observer duties in Tamil Nadu. Muralidhar Sharma of Bidhannagar and Waqar Raja of Siliguri will no longer serve as central observers. This comes amid a series of bureaucratic and police reshuffles announced by the ECI for the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal.

A political storm is brewing in Bihar's Mahagathbandhan. Four opposition MLAs missed crucial Rajya Sabha voting, handing a win to the ruling NDA. The Congress has issued notices to its absent members. Disagreements over candidate choice and party respect are cited. Other alliance partners are urging unity and action against such lapses.

Delhi Electric Vehicle policy explained: The Delhi government is set to introduce a new policy aimed at accelerating electric vehicle adoption by offering financial incentives for scrapping old vehicles. Under the scheme, individuals who scrap BS-IV or older Delhi-registered vehicles can avail the benefits of up to 1 lakh when purchasing new EVs, along with exemptions on road tax and registration fees until 2030.

Sarke Chunar song singer Mangli has publicly apologized and removed the song 'Sarke Chunar' from all platforms following backlash over its explicit Hindi lyrics. The controversy reached Parliament, prompting the government to confirm a ban. The song's removal and a promise of a revised version aim to address public sentiment, though the film it's from remains on track for release.

Iran's football team plans to participate in the World Cup but will boycott the United States. Talks are underway with FIFA to relocate matches from the US. Mexico has offered to host Iran's games. US President Donald Trump raised safety concerns for Iranian players. Iran's participation was in doubt due to the Middle East conflict.

LIK release date: Seven Screen Studio has officially announced the theatrical release date for the upcoming Tamil feature film Love Insurance Kompany (LIK). Directed by Vignesh Shivan and starring Pradeep Ranganathan alongside Krithi Shetty, the film is scheduled to premiere on April 3, 2026, coinciding with the Good Friday holiday.

Kerala bird flu scare: Bird flu (H5N1) has been confirmed in Alappuzha's Muhamma grama panchayat, prompting authorities to cull over 5,000 birds. Rapid response teams are implementing containment measures within a one-kilometre radius of the epicentre. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual bird deaths.

Cricketer Dinesh Karthik and squash star Dipika Pallikal have welcomed their baby girl, Raaha Pallikal Karthik. The couple shared the joyous news on social media, with their sons Kabir and Zian reportedly thrilled to have a baby sister. This marks a new chapter for the family.

Patna High Court granted bail to Janata Dal (United) MLA Anant Singh. He was arrested in connection with the murder of Jan Suraaj supporter Dularchand Yadav. Singh had won the Mokama assembly seat while in custody. The court's decision comes after the Bihar Assembly election last year. Dularchand Yadav was killed during a violent clash in Mokama.

The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education will announce Class 10 results on March 20, 2026. Over 10 lakh students appeared for the exams held in February. Students can check their scores on official websites. Those who need to improve can appear for compartment exams in August 2026. This announcement comes earlier than previous years.

Karachi experienced a severe storm overnight. Heavy rains and strong winds caused widespread damage. Walls and roofs collapsed, leading to at least 15 fatalities. Several people were injured. The storm uprooted trees and disrupted traffic. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors. More rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Karachi and other parts of Sindh province.

Seat-sharing talks between the BJP and AIADMK for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls are proceeding smoothly. BJP Tamil Nadu chief Nainar Nagenthran confirmed no issues are affecting the discussions. The number of constituencies will be finalized soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Kanyakumari and Coimbatore for campaigning. Several national leaders will also campaign in Tamil Nadu.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India's need for a strong drone manufacturing ecosystem. He highlighted the crucial role of drones and counter-drone technologies in modern warfare, drawing lessons from ongoing global conflicts. Singh stressed the importance of complete self-reliance, from components like software and engines to the final product, for India's defence preparedness and strategic autonomy.

As the Middle East conflict enters its 20th day, Iran shows no signs of backing down amid US pressure. Reports suggest President Trump plans to send troops to clear the Strait of Hormuz blockade, potentially reigniting global energy supplies. This move comes as historical invasions of Iran, like the Iran-Iraq War, highlight significant challenges for the US.

The Iran war has disrupted regional stability and energy markets, with Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and targeting infrastructure. This has led to higher oil prices and underscored global economic vulnerability to Middle East disruptions. The conflict is expected to reshape trade flows and investment for years.

The Pentagon has requested over $200 billion from the White House. This funding aims to rapidly replenish critical weapons stockpiles. US and Israeli forces have struck thousands of targets recently. The proposal faces significant resistance in Congress. Budget pressures and political divisions add to the challenge. Expanding weapons production will take time.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor clarifies he is not a chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls. He believes the Chief Minister should be chosen from elected MLAs. Tharoor is actively campaigning across the state. He expressed confidence in the United Democratic Front's prospects, citing anti-incumbency against the current government.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, launched the BJP's campaign for the Bhabanipur seat. He inaugurated the election office and led a rally. Adhikari expressed hope for public acceptance and attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Supporters of both BJP and TMC gathered, leading to police deployment.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's Iftaar event in Poonjeeri aimed to manage fan frenzy after a chaotic Chennai debut. Despite organizational efforts and instructions for decorum, the crowd's enthusiasm for actor Vijay ultimately led to pushing and attempts to get close to him, highlighting the party's challenge in balancing stardom with political outreach.

A local Trinamool Congress leader, Masiur Gazi, was found dead in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. Police discovered his body on Thursday. Gazi, a garment trader and booth president, was allegedly hacked to death. His body was found near Nobbai Pat Gheri. Police suspect he was killed elsewhere and his body dumped.

Hyderabad Dairy Crackdown: Authorities seized 3.8 tonnes of unhygienic paneer and other dairy products from six outlets near Ganj Bazar in Secunderabad. The products, stored improperly and sourced from unidentified suppliers, were supplied to hotels and consumers, posing significant health risks. Six individuals were apprehended in connection with the operation.

US-Israel Iran War: Italy's economy faces new challenges. Recent strikes in Iran have impacted oil and gas prices. This affects Italian businesses and families. Higher borrowing costs and rising energy bills are concerns. The manufacturing and agriculture sectors are also feeling the strain. Tourism from the Middle East is disrupted. These issues could affect Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's popularity.

The National Commission for Women has summoned Nora Fatehi, Sanjay Dutt, and others over obscenity allegations in the song 'Sarke Chunar'. The song's content is deemed sexually suggestive and violative of laws. Lyricist Raqueeb Alam and producers have also been summoned to appear on March 24.

At a time when the world is grappling with oil crisis due to the Middle East conflict, a Chinese startup Carbonology has announced a big breakthrough and claimed that it can make fuel from air and water. The company co-founded by former Tesla Vice President has claimed to develop a method to capture carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and other products. The process uses solar and wind energy, making it a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

China urged the United States on Thursday to stop hyping the theory that China is a threat, after a US intelligence report said Beijing does not have plans to invade the self-ruled island next year. The US should... speak and act cautiously on the Taiwan issue, should correct their understanding of China, and stop hyping up the China threat theory, Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference, when asked about the report. pfc-dhw/jm

Kuwait experienced two major fires at its oil facilities on Thursday. Drone attacks targeted the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries. Emergency crews worked to control the blazes. The incidents highlight growing drone threats to oil infrastructure in the Gulf region. Kuwait, a significant oil producer, relies on these refineries for its energy sector.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan announces admission guidelines for the 2026-27 academic year. Online registrations for Class I and Balvatika-1 begin March 20, 2026, closing April 2. Offline admissions for other classes and Balvatika-2 and 3 will follow. Age criteria are set for March 31, 2026. Parents can apply online via the KVS portal. Document verification is crucial.

Indian Railways is running special trains to manage the festive travel rush for Chaitra Navratri and Eid. This initiative aims to ease passenger pressure and provide more travel options. Special services will connect Mumbai and Nagpur, and Pune and Nagpur. These trains will stop at key stations across Maharashtra.

Karunya Plus KN-615 Lottery Result (19/03/2026): The Kerala State Lotteries Department conducts the high-stakes draw for the Karunya Plus KN-615 weekly lottery today, March 19, 2026. The event will be held at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring a grand first prize of 1 crore.

Chhattisgarh has introduced a new bill in its assembly to prevent religious conversions. The proposed legislation aims to stop conversions through force, allurement, fraud, or misrepresentation. This bill updates existing laws from 1968. It seeks to protect people's freedom while preventing social discord.

Indian exporters are grappling with significant shipment delays. The ongoing West Asia conflict is disrupting trade routes, impacting the movement of goods and increasing logistics costs. The Indian government has formed an inter-ministerial group to address these challenges. Measures are being implemented to support affected exporters and manage returning cargo. This situation affects key sectors and is being closely monitored.

Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran received an honorary knighthood from the British government. This honour recognizes his significant contributions to India-UK business relations. The Tata Group is a major investor in the UK, supporting jobs and key industries. Chandrasekaran expressed commitment to deepening the partnership and creating shared prosperity.

A major war between the U.S. and Israel with Iran is shifting global energy markets. Buyers are looking towards North America for Liquefied Natural Gas supplies. This conflict is disrupting shipping routes and causing damage to energy infrastructure. Experts predict price surges and increased market volatility. Japan's JERA is already securing more LNG from the U.S.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that the United States economy faces an 'Israel First Tax'. He cited the Pentagon's $200 billion budget request for the ongoing Middle East conflict as just the beginning. Araghchi suggested ordinary Americans can attribute this impending financial burden to Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies in Congress.

GATE 2026 results are imminent, unlocking doors to top IITs, NITs for MTech and PhD. A strong score also paves the way for lucrative jobs in numerous Public Sector Undertakings like BHEL, IOCL, and NTPC. Furthermore, qualifying candidates can secure financial aid for postgraduate studies, making GATE a crucial step for career advancement.

A Sichuan aviation college urges students to see the flowers and enjoy romance during April 1-6 spring break, aligning with China's push for new school holidays, travel, and leisure to counter declining births and spur consumption. The move follows record-low 2025 birth rates and NDRC guidelines for child-friendly cities.

Anutin Charnvirakul has been elected Thailand's prime minister by the new parliament. His party secured a significant victory in the recent elections. The government faces challenges including economic slowdown and border tensions with Cambodia. Anutin previously championed cannabis decriminalization. The new administration will navigate global economic turmoil and domestic issues.

Who is winning US-Iran war? US and Israeli strikes have inflicted significant damage on Iran, eliminating top leaders and military assets. However, Iran's strategy of disrupting global oil markets and leveraging geography and time poses a long-term challenge. Despite early military gains, the war's ultimate outcome remains uncertain, with potential for prolonged instability and shifting narratives.

GATE official website: Candidates awaiting the GATE Result 2026 are urged to access their scores exclusively through the official GOAPS portal and the gate2026.iitg.ac.in website. Unofficial platforms should be avoided to prevent data security risks and misinformation. The result, expected soon, will be available for download on the official portal.

Prateek Bordoloi has withdrawn his candidacy for the Margherita Assembly seat. He was set to contest on a Congress ticket. His decision follows his father, Pradyut Bordoloi, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. Prateek stated it would be inappropriate to continue as a Congress candidate. He affirmed his commitment to the party in other roles.

Congress leader A K Antony has asked K Sudhakaran to follow the party's directive. This is to ensure the defeat of the CPI(M)-led LDF in the upcoming Kerala assembly polls. Sudhakaran had reportedly expressed discontent over not being considered for the Kannur constituency. Antony emphasized the need to prevent the LDF from securing a third term.