DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th March 2026

Category: Government Schemes

Context:

• Recently, the union Cabinet has approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA).

About Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA):

• Nodal Ministry: It is governed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• • Implementation Agency: The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) anchors the scheme under the broader National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).
  • Total Outlay: The Union Cabinet has allocated Rs. 33,660 crores for the scheme’s execution.
  • Target: The primary goal is to establish 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across all States and Union Territories.
  • Primary Goal: It aims to accelerate the transition of industries from “intent to production” by removing entry barriers like land acquisition and procedural delays
  • Financial Support: The Centre provides up to ₹1 crore per acre for core, value-added, and social infrastructure.
  • External Connectivity: Up to 25% of the project cost is provided for external infrastructure like highway, rail, and port connectivity.
  • Park Scale: Industrial parks will range from 100 to 1,000 acres in size.

• Infrastructure Scope:

• • • Core: Internal roads, drainage, underground utilities, and ICT systems.
    • Value-Added: Ready-built factory sheds, testing labs, and warehousing.
    • Social: Worker housing and essential support amenities.
  • “No-Dig” Environment: It features integrated underground utility corridors to ensure uninterrupted operations and future-ready sustainability.
  • Challenge Mode Selection: Projects are selected through a competitive “Challenge Mode” to incentivize state-level reforms and investment readiness.

• PM Gati Shakti Alignment: The parks are integrated with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for seamless multimodal logistics.

• Partnership Model: The scheme is implemented through collaboration between the Centre, States, and the private sector.

• Geographic Flexibility: While the standard minimum size is 100 acres, it is reduced to 25 acres for North-eastern and hilly regions.

• Ease of Doing Business: It employs single-window clearance systems and pre-approved land to streamline industrial setup.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • PIB

Category: Miscellaneous

Context:

• Recently, Kaveh Madani has been named the 2026 recipient of the Stockholm Water Prize.

About Stockholm Water Prize:

• • Establishment: The prize was established in 1991 by the Stockholm Water Foundation.

• Other names: It is widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize of Water”.

• • Objective: It honours individuals and organizations for extraordinary water-related achievements that contribute to the conservation and protection of water resources.

• Organizing Body: It is awarded by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

• • Award Ceremony: The announcement occurs on World Water Day (March 22), and the ceremony is held during World Water Week in Stockholm every August.

• Prize Value: Laureates receive a cash award of SEK 1 million and a specially designed Orrefors crystal sculpture.

• Scope: Recognition spans multiple disciplines, including science, engineering, policy, and environmental advocacy.

• Recent winners:

• • • 2026: Kaveh Madani (Iran), recognized for linking water science with policy and diplomacy. He is the youngest recipient (age 44) and the first UN official to be honoured.
    • 2025: Gunter Bloschl (Austria), for his pioneering research on flood risks and climate change impacts.
    • 2024: Taikan Oki (Japan), for contributions to studying global water balance and virtual water flows.

• Indian winners:

• • • Rajendra Singh (2015): Known as the “Waterman of India,” he was honored for reviving traditional rainwater harvesting techniques (Johads) in Rajasthan through his NGO, Tarun Bharat Sangh.
    • Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (2009): Founder of Sulabh International, recognized for his massive impact on sanitation and human rights.

• Centre for Science and Environment (2005): The New Delhi-based NGO (led by Sunita Narain) was awarded for community-based sustainable resource management.

• Madhav Atmaram Chitale (1993): Honoured for his work in water conservation and public education programs.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Down To Earth

Category: Polity and Governance

Context:

• Recently, the Meghalaya State Government has extended the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for a period of six months.

About Autonomous District Council:

• Constitutional Basis: ADCs are established under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution.

• State Coverage: They are operational in four states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

• • Members: Each ADC typically consists of 30 members. 26 members are directly elected on the basis of adult franchise. 4 members are nominated by the Governor.
  • Tenure: Elected members serve a term of five years, while nominated members hold office at the Governor’s pleasure.
  • Bodoland Exception: The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam is an exception, with 46 members (40 elected, 6 nominated).
  • Legislative Power: ADCs can make laws on specific subjects like land management, management of non-reserved forests, water channels, agriculture, village councils, and social customs (marriage, divorce, inheritance).

• Governor’s Assent: All laws made by the ADCs require the assent of the Governor to become effective.

• • Judicial Authority: They can constitute Village Councils or Courts to trial suits and cases between tribal parties. They cannot, however, decide cases involving offences punishable by death or imprisonment for 5+ years.
  • Executive Control: ADCs manage local services such as primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, and roads.
  • Financial Autonomy: They have the power to levy taxes, fees, and tolls on land, buildings, professions, and vehicles, and receive grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India.
  • Boundary Management: The Governor has the power to organize or reorganize autonomous districts—including increasing, decreasing, or defining their boundaries and changing their names.

• Autonomous Regions: If there are different tribes in one autonomous district, the Governor can divide the district into several autonomous regions.

• Application of Rules: Acts of Parliament or State Legislatures do not automatically apply to these areas. The Governor (for Assam) or the President (for others) can specify if and how such laws apply.
• Total Councils: There are currently 10 ADCs in the Northeast (3 in Assam, 3 in Meghalaya, 3 in Mizoram, and 1 in Tripura).
• Difference with Fifth Schedule: Unlike the Fifth Schedule (where the Union has more executive authority), the Sixth Schedule provides significantly greater legislative and judicial autonomy to the tribal areas.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • News on AIR

Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• Recently, an Indian wolf named Geeta at Pilikula Biological Park gave birth to seven pups.

About Indian Wolf:

• Taxonomy: The Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), often referred to as the Peninsular Wolf, is a genetically distinct lineage of the grey wolf.

• • Genetically Basal: Within the grey wolf family, the Indian plains wolf is considered genetically basal to almost all other extant grey wolves, except for the even older Himalayan wolf.
  • Size: It is smaller and leaner than the European or Himalayan wolf, representing an adaptation to hot, arid landscapes.
  • Coat Adaptation: Unlike its northern counterparts, it lacks a thick undercoat and possesses shorter fur, which helps it survive high temperatures.
  • Pack Dynamics: They live in relatively small packs, typically consisting of 6–8 individuals.
  • Vocalisation: They are known to be less vocal and rarely howl compared to other grey wolf subspecies.
  • Nocturnal Hunter: They are primarily nocturnal, hunting from dusk to dawn to avoid daytime heat.
  • Ecological Niche: They are the apex predators of grasslands, scrublands, and semi-arid agro-ecosystems, which are often misclassified as “wastelands” in policy.

• Core Range: They are found across multiple Indian states, with major populations concentrated in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

• • Outside Protected Areas: Notably, nearly 87% of their range lies outside the protected area network, forcing them to coexist in human-dominated landscapes.
  • Legal Protection: Thery are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of legal protection in India.

• International Status: They are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and listed in Appendix I of CITES.

• Major Threats: The species faces severe pressure from habitat fragmentation due to industrial projects, hybridisation with feral dogs, and retaliatory killings by pastoralists.

Source:

• • • • The Hindu

Category: Defence and Security

Context:

• Recently, the second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR commenced.

About IOS SAGAR:

• Full Form: It stands for Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR.

• Vision Alignment: The mission is an operational pillar of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the broader MAHASAGAR framework.

• • Primary Objective: It aims to consolidate India’s role as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean Region through collaborative training and joint sailing.
  • Launch Date: The maiden edition was flagged off on April 5, 2025, from the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka.
  • Geopolitical Signal: Launched on National Maritime Day (April 5), it commemorates the 1919 sailing of the first Indian merchant ship, SS Loyalty. The launch coincided with the inauguration of facilities under Project Seabird, boosting the sustenance of naval assets on the West Coast.

• Chairmanship Context: The second edition (March 2026) aligns with India assuming the chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

• Participating Nations: The initiative involves personnel from various friendly foreign countries (FFCs), including Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

• • Lead Vessel: The INS Sunayna, a Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), served as the primary platform for the maiden mission.
  • Unique Engagement: It allows naval personnel from friendly foreign countries (FFCs) to train and sail together alongside Indian Navy personnel on an Indian vessel.
  • Training Focus: The curriculum includes firefighting, damage control, VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure), bridge operations, and engine room management.

• Strategic Surveillance: The mission includes joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of participating partner nations.

• • Interoperability: It aims to build a shared understanding of maritime challenges and standardise operational procedures among regional navies.

• Collaborative Security: It transitions regional maritime policy from individual surveillance to a collective security architecture.

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Over 90% of the equipment and material for the infrastructure supporting the mission are sourced indigenously.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • PIB

UPSC Mains Subject: GS III – Science & Technology (Space Technology, Indigenization), GS III – Security (Strategic Infrastructure)

Introduction

The NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system, India’s answer to the U.S. GPS, is facing an operational crisis. With only three of its 11 satellites currently capable of providing Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services—against a minimum requirement of four—the constellation is unable to fulfil its strategic purpose. 

This degradation, compounded by atomic clock failures, launch delays, and the absence of a dedicated institutional framework, threatens India’s self-reliance in a domain critical for both defence and civilian applications.

NavIC at a Glance: Current Status

(Source: ISRO updates)

Key Issues Plaguing NavIC

1. Technical Failures: The Atomic Clock Crisis

• Foreign Dependency: First-generation satellites used rubidium atomic clocks from Swiss company SpectraTime.
• Chronic Failure: Multiple clocks failed prematurely, degrading constellation faster than replenishment.
• Indigenous Solution: ISRO now uses indigenous rubidium atomic clocks (developed by ISRO-Space Applications Centre), first flown on NVS-01 (May 2023).
• Mitigation: Future satellites to carry 5 clocks (instead of 3) for redundancy.

1. Launch and Orbital Challenges

• NVS-02 Failure: Latest second-generation satellite left in wrong orbit—abortive launch.
• Poor Launch Rate: Constellation degrading faster than ISRO can replenish due to:
  • PSLV technical issues.
  • Diversion of resources to Gaganyaan (human spaceflight), earth observation satellites, and R&D for new rockets.
  • Hand-holding space start-ups yet to achieve operational maturity.

1. Institutional and Policy Gaps

Critical Analysis: Why NavIC Matters

Way Forward: A Strategic Roadmap for NavIC

1. Immediate Measures (0-2 Years)

• Expedite Second-Generation Launches: The 2026 target for three satellites is inadequate; must be accelerated.
• Redundancy in Design: Equip all future satellites with 5 atomic clocks (already proposed).
• Mission Mode for NVS-02 Recovery: Attempt orbital correction or fast-track replacement.

1. Institutional Reforms (Medium-Term)

1. Technological Roadmap

• Indigenisation: Continue refining indigenous atomic clocks; aim for 100% import substitution.
• Interoperability: Ensure L1 band integration with civilian devices while maintaining encrypted restricted services for defence.
• Backup Constellation: Explore feasibility of a small, dedicated backup fleet for emergency redundancy.

1. International Cooperation

• Leverage SCO/BRICS: Explore cooperation with GLONASS (Russia) and BeiDou (China) for mutual PNT assurance during crises—cautiously, given security sensitivities.

Global Best Practices: Lessons for India

Conclusion

NavIC is not just a technological project; it is a symbol of India’s quest for strategic autonomy. The current crisis—ageing satellites, clock failures, and institutional overstretch—demands urgent attention. By enacting a national space law, creating a dedicated PNT directorate, and accelerating indigenous technology development, India can secure its place among the handful of nations with a fully sovereign navigation system. The stakes are too high for delay.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “India’s NavIC constellation is facing an operational crisis due to technical failures, launch delays, and institutional gaps.” Critically examine the challenges confronting India’s indigenous navigation system and suggest a comprehensive strategy to ensure its long-term viability and strategic relevance. (250 words)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/losing-the-way-on-isro-and-issues-with-its-navic-constellation/article70758366.ece

UPSC Mains Subject: GS III – Indian Economy (National Income Accounting, Growth, Statistics)

Introduction

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released a new GDP series with base year 2022-23, addressing the long-standing demand for a more accurate and realistic picture of the Indian economy. 

Replacing the outdated 2011-12 base, this revision aligns India’s national accounts with contemporary economic structures, captures the post-pandemic economic dynamics, and incorporates significant methodological refinements. For FY 2024-25, India’s GDP at current prices is estimated at ₹318.07 lakh crore, with the tertiary sector dominating at 52.9% of GVA.

New GDP Series at a Glance (2022-23 Base)

(Source: MoSPI Press Note, Feb 2026)

Major Methodological Refinements

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Persistent Challenges

1. Strengths of the New Series

• Contemporary Base: 2022-23 captures post-COVID economic structure, digitalisation, and formalisation (GST regime).
• Data Integration: MCA MGT-7 data, GSTN, and ASUSE now feed directly into estimates.
• International Best Practices: Double deflation brings India closer to UN System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008 standards.
• Granularity: State-level estimates (GSDP) will improve with better allocation methods.

1. Persistent Challenges

Way Forward: Recommendations for Further Improvement

1. Strengthening the ASI Frame for GSDP

• Integrate MCA & GST Data: Use MCA-registered companies and GST returns to expand ASI sampling frame beyond registered factories.
• Sample Survey of Active Companies: Design a dedicated survey to derive state-wise GVA shares directly from companies, supplementing ASI.

1. Refining ASUSE Methodology

1. Institutional Reforms

• National Statistical Commission (NSC) Oversight: Ensure independent review of methodology and survey designs.
• State Statistical Strengthening: Build capacity of State Directorates of Economics and Statistics for better GSDP compilation.
• Timely Data Release: Align ASUSE and PLFS timelines with national accounts preparation cycle.

1. Technology Integration

• AI/ML for Data Validation: Use machine learning to detect outliers in corporate and household data.
• Dashboard for GSDP: Create a real-time dashboard for states to track their GVA contributions using GST and MCA data.

Global Best Practices

Conclusion

The new GDP series with 2022-23 base marks a significant leap toward capturing the true size and structure of the Indian economy. By integrating MCA data, expanding double deflation, and directly using household consumption surveys, it aligns with global best practices. However, challenges in GSDP allocation and ASUSE volatility remain. A focused effort to update the ASI frame, introduce panel surveys, and leverage technology will further enhance the credibility and utility of India’s national accounts—essential for evidence-based policymaking.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. Critically examine methodological improvements in India’s new GDP series (base 2022–23), highlighting issues in state-level allocation and household sector estimation, and suggest measures to improve accuracy and reliability of national accounts. (250 words)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/new-gdp-series-charting-the-path-ahead/article70762604.ece