TODAY NEWS ON March 11, 2026
Centre invokes Essential Commodities Act to prioritise natural gas allocation to certain sectors
Invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has sought diverting natural gas to certain priority sectors with a tiered structure. In a gazette notification dated March 9, the Ministry underlined domestic piped natural gas (PNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicular fuel, and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) production alongside fertilizer manufacturing, tea industries, manufacturing and other industrial consumers, among the priority sectors.
Indian hotels grapple with gas shortage as West Asia conflict prolongs
Hoteliers across various States have flagged shortage of cooking gas supply and have urged the government to ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel. The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), Bengaluru Hotels Association, Chennai Hotels Association, Chennai Tea Shops Association, the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), and several hoteliers have warned that non-availability of cooking gas would force many units to shut their shops.
Supreme Court urges balance as Centre clarifies IT Rules not meant to curb humour, satire or criticism
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) sought balance between protecting the nation against fake online content and safeguarding the right to free speech while the Centre defended that its Information Technology Rules was not meant to curb humour, satire or criticism of the government.
U.S. military destroys at least 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels ‘near Strait of Hormuz’
The U.S. military said it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels “near the Strait of Hormuz” on Tuesday (March 10, 2026), following reports Tehran is mining the key waterway that has been virtually closed due to the war in West Asia. Earlier, President Donald Trump said U.S. forces had destroyed 10 Iranian mine-laying vessels. He also warned Tehran of unprecedented military consequences if it targets the Strait of Hormuz.
Jaishankar holds ‘detailed’ conversation with Iranian counterpart Araghchi
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi – their third such conversation since the West Asia crisis began – as New Delhi ramped up efforts to protect its energy security amid a virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
T20 World Cup: Arshdeep docks 15% match fee for hitting Daryl Mitchell with ball during final
India pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15% of his match fee for throwing the ball “aggressively and inappropriately” at New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad. In addition, one demerit point has been added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.
Trump announces opening of oil refinery in Texas, thanks India’s Reliance for ‘tremendous’ investment
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) the opening of an oil refinery in Brownsville, Texas and thanked Indian energy company Reliance for its investment. He said it was a $300 billion deal, but it was not immediately clear if he meant that was part of a bigger deal with India.
Air tickets to get costlier as Air India to levy fuel surcharge due to hike in ATF prices
Air fares are set to rise after the Air India Group announced it will introduce a ₹400 fuel surcharge on domestic flights, while international passengers will have to pay an additional $10–50 over the existing surcharge amid a surge in aviation fuel prices.
SC urges balance as Centre clarifies IT Rules not meant to curb humour, satire or criticism
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) sought balance between protecting the nation against fake online content and safeguarding the right to free speech while the Centre defended that its Information Technology Rules was not meant to curb humour, satire or criticism of the government.
Chhattisgarh Cabinet approves new anti-conversion law draft
Chhattisgarh’s BJP government on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) approved the draft of a new anti-religious conversion law. Titled Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, the proposed legislation “seeks to effectively curb religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraudulent means, undue influence, or misrepresentation”, stated a government press note.
Fair and violence-free Assembly election in West Bengal, assures Chief Election Commissioner
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) assured the electorate of West Bengal that free and peaceful elections would be held in the State, but added that the number of phases in which the Assembly elections were held would depend on the preparedness for law and order by the State administration.
Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission calls for legal protection and social security for gig workers
The Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission (SPC) has proposed policy measures to improve the livelihood, social security, and working conditions of gig workers in the State. In its latest study, ‘Status of Platform Based Gig Workers in Tamil Nadu,’ it highlights the rapid expansion of platform-based work and calls for targeted interventions to ensure welfare, protection, and long-term sustainability for these workers.
Maternity leave is not a break in service, cannot attract bond penalty: Bombay HC
The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has ruled that the period of maternity leave availed by a woman cannot be treated as a break in her service, and that the conditions of a compulsory service bond cannot be used to penalise her for exercising her right to motherhood.
Better to await UCC than strike down Shariat Act inheritance provisions, says SC
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) orally observed that it would be better to defer to Parliament’s wisdom to bring a Uniform Civil Code rather than judicially strike down the Shariat Application Act, 1937 on the ground of discrimination for giving Muslim women a smaller share of family inheritance compared with their male counterparts.
Kremlin says Putin’s proposals on Iran are still on the table
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered different options to mediate in the Iran conflict and these proposals are still on the table, the Kremlin said on Tuesday (March 10, 2026). “From the very beginning of this situation, even before the military phase began, President Putin has proposed various options for our mediation and good offices that could help reduce tensions. Many of these proposals are still on the table,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
UN peacekeepers defy South Sudan military’s order to leave opposition-held town
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan said on Monday (March 9, 2026) that it would not comply with a government order to shut down its base in Akobo, an opposition stronghold near the Ethiopian border where tens of thousands of refugees have fled.
BCCI announces ₹131 crore cash reward for India’s triumphant T20 squad, support staff
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash reward of ₹131 crore for the Men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and support staff. “With this victory, India also became the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times, further cementing their place among the most successful teams in the history of the format,” Saikia stated.
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