March 2026
In short: Andhra Pradesh society, culture, sports & awards current affairs for March 2026.
Current Affairs — Andhra Pradesh › Society, Culture, Sports & Awards · 15 min read · Free to read · English & Telugu
Bilingual study notes for the Andhra Pradesh Police SI & Constable exams (SLPRB AP) by AP Police Hub, a product of Anvil Academy.
Andhra Pradesh's March 2026 society digest — Molla Jayanti (March 13) declared a State festival, the 'Araku Kouni' tribal millet menu, the 'Divyang Shakti' free bus-travel scheme for persons with disabilities, an IVRS survey on ICDS nutrition delivery, and the logo of AP Festival 2026 unveiled in Vijayawada.
March 2026 — At a Glance
March 2026's society and culture news from Andhra Pradesh blended literary heritage, tribal food culture and welfare delivery. The birth anniversary of Telugu poetess Atukuri Molla — Molla Jayanti, March 13 — became an official State festival. CM N. Chandrababu Naidu launched 'Araku Kouni', the state's first tribal millet-based menu. The 'Divyang Shakti' scheme gives free bus travel to persons with more than 40% disability. An IVRS survey found high satisfaction with ICDS nutrition but last-mile gaps in Rayalaseema, and the logo of AP Festival 2026 was unveiled in Vijayawada.
1. Culture — Molla Jayanti Declared a State Festival
Honouring the Adi Kavayitri of Telugu
- What — The AP government announced that Molla Jayanti, the birth anniversary of poetess Atukuri Molla, will be celebrated as an official State festival on March 13.
- Celebrations — A state-level programme at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, Vijayawada, with district-level events across the state.
- Who she was — Atukuri Molla, also known as Molla Mamba, was born in the 16th century at Gopavaram village, Kadapa district, into a potter's family.
- Title — Revered as the Adi Kavayitri (first poetess) of Telugu literature — while Nannayya is honoured as the Adi Kavi (first poet).
- Molla Ramayanam — Her most famous work — a Telugu rendering of Valmiki's Sanskrit Ramayana in simple, accessible Telugu, which took the epic to common people.
Tribal recipes from Alluri Sitarama Raju district on the tourism menu
- What — CM N. Chandrababu Naidu launched 'Araku Kouni', the state's first tribal millet-based food menu, during the Collectors' Conference at the State Secretariat.
- Inspiration — Traditional recipes of indigenous communities of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district (the Araku region), grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
- Dishes — Korra Payasam, Ragi Chapati, Samala Pulihora, Kantla Ambali, Corn Vada and Toor Dal Curry.
- Roll-out — First in Haritha restaurants across ASR district, later at other tourism centres across the state.
- Goals — Promote tribal food culture and millet consumption, support tribal farmers and develop culinary tourism in Araku.
Institutions behind Araku Kouni| Institution | Role |
|---|
| ASR District Administration | Led the initiative and coordinated implementation |
| Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati | Documented recipes, nutritional value and calorific index |
| Tribal Anganwadi Workers | Identified traditional recipes and local food practices |
| Department of Tourism & APTDC | Introducing the menu in Haritha tourism restaurants |
3. Social Welfare — 'Divyang Shakti' Free Bus Travel Scheme
- What — The AP government launched the 'Divyang Shakti' scheme to provide free bus travel for differently-abled citizens, promoting independence and social inclusion.
- Buses covered — City Ordinary, Metro Express, Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu and Express buses.
- Helpers — Helpers/assistants may accompany beneficiaries.
- Eligibility — Persons with more than 40% disability, covering 21 categories of disabilities.
- Scale — Expected to benefit about 12.76 lakh persons; about ₹207 crore allocated annually.
- Concerns — Proper certification of beneficiaries, fiscal burden, accessible infrastructure (ramps, low-floor buses) and monitoring against misuse.
4. Nutrition — IVRS Survey on ICDS Delivery
High satisfaction, but last-mile gaps in Rayalaseema
- What — An IVRS-based survey found 84–85% of beneficiaries satisfied with nutritional services, but significant last-mile delivery gaps, especially in Rayalaseema.
- Take Home Ration — 85.2% confirmed receiving Take Home Ration (THR); 14.8% reported non-receipt.
- Nutrition kits — 82% satisfied with kit quality; 18% dissatisfied, citing irregular supply, storage issues and delays.
- Regional picture — Coastal Andhra performed better; Rayalaseema districts such as Kurnool, Nandyal, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor reported about 22–25% dissatisfaction.
- About ICDS — A Centrally Sponsored Scheme run through Anganwadi Centres for children (0–6 years), pregnant women and lactating mothers, with a package of six services — supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition & health education, immunisation, health check-up and referral services.
District-wise satisfaction| Top performers | Bottom performers |
|---|
| Visakhapatnam — 85.6% | Anantapur — 75.8% |
| West Godavari — 84.0% | Kurnool — 75.6% |
| Vizianagaram — 83.9% | Sri Sathya Sai — 75.0% |
| — | ASR — 73.3% |
5. Events — AP Festival 2026 Logo Unveiled
- What — The official logo of Andhra Pradesh Festival 2026 (APF-2026) was unveiled in Vijayawada by MP Kesineni Srinivas.
- When & where — A three-day event from April 17, 2026 at the Tummalapalli Kalakshetram auditorium, Vijayawada.
- Theme — A confluence of industry, arts, culture, cinema, music and folk traditions, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and artists.
- Organisers — Jointly by the AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Discovery Multimedia Productions and the Tamkin Alamara Foundation; supported by the Bright Horizons Foundation and others.
- Programme — Industrial and policy discussions, cultural performances, a multilingual poets' meet, a film festival, an awards ceremony and live music concerts.