Current Affairs

Jan Suraksha schemes, launched May 2015, complete 11 years of insurance and pension-based social security for underserved sections: PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), both one-year renewable for bank/post office account holders aged 18–70; PMSBY premium ₹20, cover ₹2 lakh/₹1 lakh (enrolment 58.09 crore); PMJJBY premium ₹436, ₹2 lakh on death (27.43 crore). Atal Pension Yojana (PFRDA-administered) targets unorganised sector, for bank account holders 18–40 (not open to income tax payers), assured ₹1,000–₹5,000 monthly pension after 60; spouse/nominee benefits; contributions monthly/quarterly/half-yearly.

India inaugurated its first functional PM MITRA (Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Regional and Apparel) Park at Kakatiya Mega Textile Park, Warangal (Telangana). The ₹1695.54-crore brownfield project has a CETP with Zero Liquid Discharge, workers’ quarters and a 10 MW solar plant; connectivity via NH-163G (Nagpur–Vijayawada). Scheme follows 5F vision, implemented in PPP via SPV, with PLI benefits. Seven parks: TN, KA, MP, TS, UP, MH, GJ. GoI support: 30% (cap ₹200 crore brownfield; ₹500 crore greenfield).

In 2026, the Forest Department will launch a scientific wildlife census in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Almora (Kumaon), Uttarakhand, located atop a Central Himalayan mountain (900–2,500 m) and established in 1988 to conserve broad-leaf oak forests. It will assess species population dynamics, document under-recorded red fox and wild boar, and map movement corridors, especially for leopards, aiding climate-impact monitoring.

Government targets covering 100 lakh ha under micro-irrigation during 2025–26 to 2029–30 under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Launched in 2014–15, NMSA is one of eight missions under NAPCC; since 2022–23 it is subsumed under PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare as nodal. Key interventions: Rainfed Area Development, Per Drop More Crop (drip/sprinkler), Soil Health Management (Soil Health Card, nutrient mapping) and CCSAMMN platform; supports NDC-linked adaptation, cutting wastage in agriculture (>80% freshwater use) and inputs via fertigation and lower electricity.

Reports said Lavan Island, Iran, faced covert strikes amid regional conflict. Located in the Persian Gulf (Hormozgan Province), ~40 km west of Qeshm, it is ~25 km long and 5 km wide, dubbed “Hidden Pearl” for pearl fishing history. A critical oil export terminal with major refinery, it supports Salman, Resalat and Reshadat fields; Salman (144 km south) feeds crude to Lavan. Near Strait of Hormuz (~20% global crude transit), disruptions raise maritime and supply-chain risks.

Union Health Ministry launched JANANI, an upgraded Reproductive and Child Health portal, for real-time maternal and child healthcare monitoring and longitudinal digital records for women of reproductive age across India. It covers family planning, ANC, delivery preparedness, postnatal and newborn/home-based care, with QR-enabled digital mother-child health cards. It interoperates with ABHA, U-WIN and POSHAN; enables web/mobile self-registration; uses ABHA/Aadhaar/mobile authentication. It has 1.34 crore beneficiaries, 30 lakh pregnant women, 1 lakh biometric verifications, 30 lakh cards, plus risk alerts, due-lists, immunisation reminders and dashboards.

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited were recognised by India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for using technical textile geocells made from end-of-life plastic in road construction. Demonstration was near Delhi on the DND–Faridabad–KMP Expressway, supported by NHAI, aligning with circular economy goals. Geocells are 3D honeycomb confinement systems improving load-bearing and soil stability. CSIR-CRRI, established in 1952 under the Ministry of Science and Technology, works on highways, bridges and traffic safety.

Ministry of MSME reported record PMEGP performance in the 15th Finance Commission period (Finance Commission: Article 280 constitutional body, set up by President every 5 years). PMEGP (credit-linked Margin Money subsidy) utilised ₹13,554.42 crore, set up 4,03,706 new non-farm micro-enterprises (target 4.02 lakh), generating 36.33 lakh jobs; 80% units rural. Women: ~40% units, 45% subsidy; SC/ST/OBC: 54% beneficiaries. Implemented by KVIC; beneficiary contributes 5–10%, rest bank credit; subsidy—general: 25% rural/15% urban; special: 35% rural/25% urban. Eligibility: 18+; 8th pass for projects >₹10 lakh (manufacturing) or >₹5 lakh (services); only new units; SHGs, societies, trusts eligible.

Hantavirus cases and fatalities were confirmed aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, highlighting global infectious disease surveillance. The species reported is Andes virus, a rodent-borne virus spread via aerosolised urine/droppings/saliva; it is the only hantavirus with known human-to-human transmission. It causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome. Diagnosis: ELISA (IgM) and early RT-PCR. Incubation: 1–8 weeks. No vaccine/specific antivirals; supportive care and rodent control are key.

Researchers from Annamalai University discovered a new plant species, Cyphostemma annamalaii (family Vitaceae; genus Cyphostemma), at Sanjeevi Hill, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, aiding biodiversity documentation in the southern Eastern Ghats. Named after Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiyar, it is a climber of tropical dry forests/open scrub, endemic with restricted distribution. Distinct morphology from allied C. setosum was expert-reviewed in Phytotaxa.

Rare caracal (Caracal caracal; Padang) sighted in Shahgarh, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) near the India‑Pakistan border, aiding monitoring of India’s northwestern population (~50; >95% decline from habitat loss and retaliatory killings). Found mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Legal status: Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Schedule I; IUCN Least Concern; CITES Asia Appendix I, Africa Appendix II. Conservation tools include camera traps, radio-collaring, Goat Bank compensation and identifying Thar refuge zones.

India and Suriname reviewed bilateral ties at the 9th Joint Commission meeting, adopting a six-point approach covering people-to-people links, Suriname’s development, defence, development partnership projects, trade, tourism, and sharing India’s digital technology and AI expertise. Suriname’s capital is Paramaribo; it lies on South America’s northern coast, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, French Guiana, Brazil and Guyana; major rivers are Courantyne, Suriname and Maroni; climate is tropical; highest peak is Juliana Top (Wilhelmina Mountains).

Bangladesh has sought China’s support for the Teesta project; the Teesta is a transboundary river between India and Bangladesh. It originates from Tso Lhamo Lake (also linked to Pahunri, Khangse glaciers and Chho Lhamo Lake) in North Sikkim, flows through Sikkim and West Bengal, enters Bangladesh and joins the Brahmaputra at Fulchori. Rangit is its main Sikkim tributary. A 2011 draft Teesta water agreement (India 42.5%, Bangladesh 37.5% in dry season) remains stalled due to West Bengal’s objections.

India’s elderly population is projected to reach 347 million (~20%) by 2050, up from 8.6% in 2011, raising geriatric healthcare, financial insecurity and social isolation concerns. Hospital-centric care is inadequate for multi-morbidity; dementia, Alzheimer’s and depression remain underdiagnosed. High out-of-pocket spending pushes poverty; 78% lack pension and 70% are economically dependent. Women are more vulnerable. Key gaps include geriatricians, social security, digital access and rural-urban divide; long-term care and teleconsultation/EHRs under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are relevant.

Union Cabinet approved ECLGS 5.0 (May 2026; ECLGS launched May 2020 under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) to provide collateral-free, low-cost liquidity to MSMEs and airlines hit by West Asia conflict and rising ATF prices. Nodal: Ministry of Finance; implemented by NCGTC under DFS. Eligible: existing borrowers standard as on 31 Mar 2026. MSMEs: extra credit up to 20% of peak Q4 FY26 working capital, capped ₹100 crore; guarantee 100%, tenure 5 years, 1-year moratorium. Airlines: max ₹1,500 crore; up to 50% unpaid interest convertible to FITL; guarantee 90%, tenure 7 years, 2-year moratorium. Rates capped 9% (banks) and 13% (NBFCs). Valid for NCGTC-sanctioned loans till 31 Mar 2027; additional credit flow ₹2.55 lakh crore incl ₹5,000 crore for airlines; aviation allocation ₹1,000 crore per airline plus ₹500 crore on equivalent equity infusion.

Union Government extended provisions of five State laws to UT Chandigarh under Section 87, Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, through Official Gazette notifications, for legal modernisation, transparency and ease of living. Article 239 governs UT administration by President via administrator; Chandigarh has no legislature and is capital of Punjab and Haryana. Extended laws: Indian Stamp (Punjab Amendments) 2001/2003; Punjab Abadi Deh Act 2021; Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act 2012 (amended 2014); Haryana Fire and Emergency Services Act 2022; Assam Tenancy Act 2021.

During the Vietnamese President’s visit, India and Vietnam elevated ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, upgrading the 2016 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They set a $25 billion trade target by 2030 (from ~$16 billion) and backed early conclusion of AITIGA review. Thirteen MoUs covered critical minerals, digital connectivity, FinTech, healthcare and Cham manuscripts digitisation. A 2+2 dialogue will begin; Vietnam joined IPOI (India’s 2019 EAS, Thailand, voluntary initiative). Both reaffirmed UNCLOS-1982-based South China Sea rules and Indian oil-gas projects in Vietnamese waters, supporting supply-chain diversification.

Latest NCRB report (vs 2023) shows crime rate declined to 418.9 per lakh (from 448.3) and overall case registrations fell 6%. Crimes against women fell 1.5% (~4.4 lakh), with cruelty by husband ~42%; BNS adds “Offences against Women and Child”. Crimes against children rose 5.9% (~1.8 lakh), senior citizens 16.9% (theft/fraud), and cyber crimes 17.9% (fraud ~73%). NCRB (1986) runs CCTNS (2009; >15,000 police stations) and National Digital Police Portal (2017).

At the North Tech Symposium, the Defence Minister urged faster innovation in emerging defence technologies to strengthen India’s indigenous capabilities. Focus areas included directed-energy weapons (lasers/microwaves/particle beams); hypersonic systems (HGVs/HCMs above Mach 5 with mid-course manoeuvres), with Russia’s Oreshnik cited and Dhvani as an indigenous HGV model; AI for cyber defence, predictive maintenance and simulations; and quantum tech for logistics, QKD-based secure communications and sensors. Enablers include iDEX, ADITI (30 critical deep-tech/strategic technologies), the Technology Development Fund, and an AI framework comprising the Defence AI Council and Defence AI Project Agency.

India is developing an Orbital Data Centre (ODC) via Pixxel–Sarvam to strengthen space-based computing and technological sovereignty. ODCs are scalable, cloud-enabled processing and storage infrastructure operating in space, standalone or with terrestrial clouds. Pixxel will design, build, launch and operate a 200-kg pathfinder satellite (orbit by Q4 2026); Sarvam will provide the AI backbone. In sun-synchronous orbit, near-continuous solar power and vacuum radiative cooling reduce freshwater needs. The satellite will use data centre-grade GPUs and carry a hyperspectral imaging camera.

Supreme Court expanded “acid attack victims” under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 to include forcible acid ingestion and internal injuries even without visible disfigurement, and suggested shifting burden of proof to accused. BNS 2023 Section 124 makes acid attack a cognizable, non-bailable offence (10 years to life, fine). BNSS Sections 397 (free immediate treatment; police intimation) and 396 (victim compensation) apply. PMNRF aid up to ₹1 lakh. Laxmi and Parivartan Kendra cases address acid sale regulation and action against illegal suppliers.

Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” (1776) completes 250 years on March 9, 2026, reviving debate on “Das Adam Smith Problem”, the perceived conflict with “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” (1759). German thinkers (19th century) saw a shift from sympathy to self-interest, but modern scholars view an integrated moral-economic system: the invisible hand works with moral rules. Jacob Viner (1920s), Amartya Sen, and Kenneth Arrow (1950s) support this. Smith (1723–1790) is a key Scottish Enlightenment figure; the debate informs welfare economics.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three Railways multi-tracking (3rd/4th parallel lines) projects for capacity expansion, congestion reduction and logistics efficiency, aligned to PM Gati Shakti, Atmanirbhar Bharat and New India: Nagda–Mathura (568 km), Guntakal–Wadi (230 km), Burhwal–Sitapur (103 km) across MP, Rajasthan, UP, Karnataka, AP, Telangana; covering 19 districts, 4,161 villages (83 lakh). Adds 60 MTPA freight (coal, foodgrains, cement, POL, iron/steel/ore, containers, fertilisers); cuts 185 crore kg CO₂ (~7 crore trees) and 37 crore litres oil imports; improves access to Kuno, Mahakaleshwar, Keoladeo, Ranthambore, Naimisharamya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Mantralayam, Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Vari and Shyamnath.