LIVE India News updates on March 26: UPI faces widespread outage, causing payment inconvenience for thousands as users share memes

UPI is experiencing widespread disruptions, leaving many users unable to make payments or transfer funds. Frustrated users are reporting issues with major banks and sharing humorous memes about the inconvenience on social media.

India faces a severe air pollution crisis, yet allocated funds for pollution control remain largely unutilized. A parliamentary panel has expressed concern over the environment ministry's inaction, which is exacerbating the already dire situation.

The US Annual Threat Assessment implicates China and India in supplying precursor chemicals for illicit fentanyl production. China is identified as the primary source, raising concerns about regulation and the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the US.

Lionel Messi took to social media to celebrate Argentina's historic 4-1 win over Brazil, qualifying them for the 2026 World Cup.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed CM Yogi Adityanath’s eight-year rule, accusing the BJP government of corruption and misgovernance. Meanwhile, Adityanath defended his tenure, citing law-and-order improvements and economic growth under BJP’s "double-engine" governance.
 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s car was involved in an accident after being hit by a bus.

IMD has predicted a hotter-than-usual summer in North India, predicting nearly double the usual heatwave days. Maximum temperatures could rise significantly, with Delhi and nearby areas already feeling the heat. Dusty winds may provide temporary relief.

The Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹6,900 crore with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems for ATAGS and gun-towing vehicles, boosting indigenous artillery, modernizing the Army, and advancing India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

India's fuel consumption decreased in February 2025, driven by increased adoption of EVs and CNG. Petrol consumption hit a 12-month low, while diesel also saw a decline due to the shift towards alternative fuels.

President Trump lauded Elon Musk as a friend and patriot, acknowledging his support during the election. Trump also addressed the electric car mandate revocation and condemned attacks on Tesla vehicles, promising consequences for perpetrators.

BJP has expelled Karnataka MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal for six years over his repeated ‘anti-party’ remarks.

A ‘buy one, get one free’ liquor offer in Uttar Pradesh sparked massive crowds, police deployment, and frantic buying, as customers took leave from work to stock up before the March-end deadline.
 

Shreyas Iyer's selfless act in IPL 2025, prioritizing team success over his century, sparked comparisons with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

AIMPLB launched nationwide protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, arguing most Waqf properties generate no income. BJP MP Jagadambika Pal accused the board of politicising the issue, as the bill aims to introduce reforms and transparency.
 

A helicopter battling wildfires in South Korea crashed, killing the pilot. The wildfires, which started last Friday, have caused widespread damage and are being fought by thousands of personnel.

PM Modi is set to inaugurate Pamban Bridge on April 6, coinciding with Ram Navami. The bridge is a vital rail link between Rameswaram and mainland Tamil Nadu.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai humorously responded to a fan's query about Washington Sundar's absence from Gujarat Titans' IPL 2025 playing XI.

Firozabad witnessed high drama as Karni Sena activists stormed the residence of Samajwadi Party MP Ramjilal Suman on Wednesday, smashing furniture and pelting stones over his controversial remark in the Rajya Sabha, where he allegedly called Rajput warrior Maharana Sanga a "traitor." 
 

Amazon MGM has announced that Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the next James Bond film, marking a historic shift as the first movie outside the Broccoli family's control

The Congress on Wednesday moved a privilege motion against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

Eden Gardens curator denies KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane's request for a spin-friendly pitch after their loss to RCB in IPL 2025.

Kunal Kamra 

Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team will play an exhibition match in Kerala in October 2025, marking Messi's return to India after 14 years.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced Manchester City's MoU to establish a sports school in Bengal. This collaboration aims to strengthen the state's sporting ecosystem, building on the existing Manchester City Football School in Kolkata.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut defended stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra amid controversy over his ‘gaddar’ joke on Eknath Shinde. Raut dismissed threats against Kamra, while BJP leaders, including CM Fadnavis and Yogi Adityanath, condemned the comedian’s remarks.
 

BRS MLCs, led by K Kavitha, protested in Telangana’s Legislative Council over Congress' unfulfilled gold promise under Kalyana Lakshmi. Kavitha also vowed to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill, reaffirming BRS's support for the Muslim community.
 

Kane Williamson highlights Shreyas Iyer's technical adjustments against short-pitched deliveries, transforming him into a dominant force in IPL 2025.

Mumbai Police denied Kunal Kamra's request for a week's extension to appear before them regarding his controversial 'gaddar' joke aimed at Eknath Shinde. A second summons will be issued under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 35.

The Basaveshwaranagar Machete case exposes major lapses in Bengaluru Police's handling under ACP Chandan Kumar. A viral reel led to arrests, but gullible officers released the accused based on a fake prop, prompting a belated crackdown after public outrage.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath slammed the opposition for misleading people on Waqf properties, alleging misuse and blackmail. He defended the Waqf Amendment Bill, stressing transparency and questioning the board’s authority to take over public land.
 

Shubman Gill reflects on Gujarat Titans' 11-run loss to Punjab Kings in their IPL opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

A female teacher at a government girls' school has been booked for instructing a student to slap her classmates for giving incorrect answers. The incident, reported by a 10-year-old student, led to a police case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Juvenile Justice Act.

After a nearly two-year delay, GE Aerospace has delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A.

Riyan Parag is confident in leading Rajasthan Royals in Sanju Samson's absence, citing support from senior players and coaches.

SC put a stay on the Allahabad High Court’s ruling, which stated that acts such as grabbing a minor girl’s breasts, breaking her pyjama, and attempting to drag her beneath a culvert would not constitute rape or an attempt to rape.

PM has approved the appointment of former Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief SK Mishra as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the Kodakara hawala case, naming 23 accused, contradicting the Kerala Police's earlier findings. The ED's investigation ruled out BJP’s direct involvement, contrary to claims that the looted funds were meant for the party's 2021 Kerala assembly election campaign.

A petition has been filed against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in a local court, accusing him of disrespecting the national anthem at a public event in Patna. The complaint, filed by Vikas Paswan, alleges that Kumar neither stood up nor allowed officials to pay proper respect during the anthem.

Missing Rohtak yoga teacher Jagdeep was found buried in Charkhi Dadri, murdered over a suspected affair; the main accused remains absconding.

Odisha Congress workers staged a sit-in protest outside the party office on Wednesday against the suspension of 12 party MLAs from the Legislative Assembly. The suspended legislators had spent the night inside the Assembly on March 25, demanding a House Committee to investigate alleged atrocities against women.