DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 24th March 2026

Why in News?
World TB Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. 

For 2026, the focus remains on accelerating the momentum to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 and the End TB Strategy targets, with a critical lens on post-pandemic recovery and the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

UPSC Syllabus Coverage

• Subject: General Studies I (Social Issues – Health), General Studies II (Governance – Policies & Schemes), General Studies III (Science & Tech – Diseases)
• Micro-topic: Issues relating to Health; Government policies and interventions for development in health sector; Communicable Diseases.

Core Theme: From Elimination to Eradication
The core theme revolves around shifting the strategy from merely controlling TB to eliminating it as a public health problem. India, which bears the highest global burden of TB, is leveraging its National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) (formerly RNTCP) to achieve the target of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global SDG target of 2030.

Key Details & Facts

• Causative Agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Initiatives:
  • Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for nutritional support to patients.
  • Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative: Part of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, encouraging community/NGO/CSR support to adopt TB patients.
  • TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative: Decentralizing the fight to the grassroots.
  • Vaccine: BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin).
• Reports: Global TB Report (WHO); India TB Report (MoHFW).

Prelims Keywords

• Organizations: WHO, Stop TB Partnership, Central TB Division (CTD).
• Concepts: Drug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB, XDR-TB), NTEP, Nikshay Portal (case notification), Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST).

UPSC-Oriented Analysis (Static-Dynamic Linkage)

• Static Link: Understanding the difference between Latent TB Infection (asymptomatic) and Active TB Disease; the socio-economic determinants of health (poverty, malnutrition) as primary drivers of the disease.
• Dynamic Link: The interplay of Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in decentralizing TB screening; the challenge of Co-morbidities (TB-Diabetes, TB-COVID-19); the critical role of vaccine development (looking beyond BCG) in achieving long-term goals.
• Possible Prelims Angle: MCQs on the year of target elimination (2025 vs 2030), matching schemes with their objectives (Ni-kshay Poshan vs Ni-kshay Mitra), the causative agent, and WHO’s ‘End TB Strategy’ pillars.

Source/Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-evolving-diagnostic-landscape-for-tuberculosis/article70776514.ece

Why in News?
The government proposes amending the delimitation framework to use 2011 Census data instead of the first Census after 2026, aiming to implement the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816, with 273 seats (33%) reserved for women.

UPSC Syllabus: GS II – Parliament, Delimitation, Constitutional Amendments

Core Theme
The move seeks to override the existing freeze on delimitation (based on 1971 Census, extended to 2026 by the 84th Amendment) to enable timely implementation of women’s quota. However, southern states fear losing representation due to their successful population control policies.

Key Facts

Prelims Keywords

• Amendments: 42nd, 84th, 87th, 106th (Women’s Reservation)
• Articles: 82, 330A, 332A
• Concept: Delimitation freeze, proportional representation

UPSC Angles

• Static: Delimitation process; difference between seat allocation and boundary redrawing; special majority amendment requiring state ratification if representation affected.
• Dynamic: Tension between population-based representation and federal equity; bypassing delayed 2021 Census; political consensus needed for 2/3rd majority.

Possible Prelims MCQ: The 106th Amendment’s implementation depends on – (a) next general election (b) Census & delimitation (c) state ratification (d) presidential notification.

Source: The Hindu 

Why in News?
The Indian rupee depreciated by 20 paise to 93.73 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on March 24, 2026, touching near-record lows. The decline was driven by a strengthening greenback, persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows, and renewed volatility in global crude oil prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving the U.S. and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

UPSC Syllabus Coverage

• Subject: General Studies III – Indian Economy
• Micro-topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to mobilization of resources; effects of global economic developments on India; Exchange rate management.

Core Theme: Triple Pressure on the Rupee
The rupee is facing simultaneous headwinds from three critical variables: external sector vulnerability (high oil import dependence), capital account volatility (FII outflows), and global geopolitical uncertainty (West Asia tensions impacting supply routes). Despite intermittent intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the currency remains under pressure.

Key Details & Important Facts

Geopolitical Context: Iran-U.S. Tensions

• U.S. President Trump announced five-day extension of deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
• Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which approximately 20% of global oil supply passes.
• Iran’s denial of U.S. claims created uncertainty, initially pushing oil prices higher before partial correction.

Prelims Keywords

• Concepts: Rupee depreciation, FII outflows, dollar index, current account deficit (CAD), RBI intervention, managed float exchange rate system.
• Locations: Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf.
• Organizations: RBI, Finrex Treasury Advisors.

UPSC-Oriented Analysis (Static–Dynamic Linkages)

Possible Prelims Angles

1. MCQ on exchange rate system: India follows (a) fixed (b) managed float (c) free float (d) currency board.
2. MCQ on strategic chokepoints: Which strait is critical for global oil supply? (a) Malacca (b) Hormuz (c) Bab-el-Mandeb (d) Bering.
3. MCQ on FIIs: FII outflows impact which component of Balance of Payments? (a) Current Account (b) Capital Account (c) Official Reserves Account (d) Trade Balance.
4. MCQ on RBI intervention: RBI sells dollars in forex market to (a) depreciate rupee (b) appreciate rupee (c) stabilize inflation (d) increase money supply.

Source/Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/rupee-falls-20-paise-to-9373-against-us-dollar-in-early-trade/article70778474.ece

Why in News?
Scientists have used a novel pressure-quenching protocol (PQP) to raise the ambient-pressure superconductivity temperature of a copper oxide (Hg1223) to -122°C, breaking a 33-year-old record. The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

UPSC Syllabus: GS III – Science & Technology; Physics (basic concepts)

Core Theme
Superconductors conduct electricity with zero resistance. Achieving this at room temperature and ambient pressure is a long-sought goal. The new technique preserves high-pressure superconducting states even after pressure is released, enabling practical applications.

Key Facts

Significance & Applications

• Lossless power transmission – eliminates energy waste in grids
• Efficient MRI machines, motors, maglev trains
• Cheaper renewable energy infrastructure
• Uses liquid nitrogen (cheaper coolant) instead of expensive liquid helium

Prelims Keywords

• Concepts: Zero resistance, Meissner effect, critical temperature (Tc), ambient pressure vs. high-pressure superconductivity
• Technique: Pressure quenching, diamond anvil cell
• Materials: Cuprates (Hg1223), YBCO (yttrium barium copper oxide)
• Institutions: University of Houston, Argonne National Laboratory

UPSC Angles

• Static: Difference between conductors, semiconductors, and superconductors; Meissner effect as hallmark of superconductivity; types of superconductors (Type I & II).
• Dynamic: India’s National Supercomputing Mission; applications in quantum computing and energy infrastructure; contrast with controversial LK-99 and Ranga Dias episodes (reproducibility crisis).

Possible Prelims MCQ: The Meissner effect is associated with – (a) photoelectric effect (b) superconductivity (c) thermionic emission (d) Compton effect.

Source: The Hindu 

Why in News?
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, a reflection on the deep civilizational ties between India and Iran highlights centuries of shared linguistic, philosophical, and artistic heritage that transcend modern political boundaries.

UPSC Syllabus: GS I – Indian Culture (salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture); GS I – History (ancient and medieval periods)

Core Theme
India and Iran share a continuous cultural exchange dating back to prehistoric times, manifesting in common linguistic roots (Sanskrit and Avestan), shared philosophical concepts, and profound Persian influence on Indian medieval literature, music, architecture, and governance.

Key Historical & Cultural Links

Linguistic & Philosophical Parallels

Persian Legacy in India

• Language: Persian was the lingua franca for centuries; loanwords include roj, sadak, darawaza, kagaz, sarkar.
• Literature: Raja Rammohan Roy’s first book was in Persian; British replaced Persian with English (1837).
• Music: Amir Khusrau (13th century) fused Persian and Indian traditions, shaping Hindustani classical music.
• Sufism: Rumi’s philosophy deeply influenced Bhakti literature and challenged social hierarchies.

Prelims Keywords

• Languages: Proto-Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Avestan, Old Persian, Pahlavi, Sanskrit, Prakrits
• Texts: Avesta, Gathas, Vedas, Mahabharata, Gatha-Saptashati
• Personalities: Zoroaster, Al-Biruni, Rumi, Amir Khusrau, Ferdowsi, Tagore
• Concepts: Asha (truth), rta (cosmic order), Bhakti movement, Sufism

UPSC Angles

• Static: Indo-European language family tree; Zoroastrianism and its influence; Persian as court language under Delhi Sultanate and Mughals; difference between Avestan and modern Persian.
• Dynamic: Cultural diplomacy between India and Iran; India’s connectivity projects (Chabahar Port) and the civilizational underpinnings; contemporary relevance of shared heritage amid geopolitical shifts.

Possible Prelims MCQ: The term ‘Gatha’ in Indian tradition refers to – (a) a form of classical dance (b) metrical verse (c) a temple architecture style (d) a philosophical school.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/research/from-avestan-and-persian-to-rumi-and-sufism-the-many-links-between-india-and-iran-10593485/

UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper II – Social Justice (Health) | GS Paper I – Society
Sub-topic: Government Policies & Interventions in Health; Issues Relating to Social Sector Development

Introduction

India’s commitment to eliminating Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025—five years ahead of the SDG target—represents a significant public health ambition. The recent 100-day ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ and the documented 21% reduction in TB incidence (nearly double the global rate) signal a strategic shift. 

This approach moves beyond passive clinical care to a proactive model combining scientific innovation, systemic integration, and ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (people’s participation), embodying the constitutional vision of health as a foundation for national development.

Background & Conceptual Shift: From Control to Elimination

India’s TB strategy has evolved from the clinic-based Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP, 1997) to the current National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP, 2020). The paradigm now rests on three pillars:

• Science & Technology: AI-enabled handheld X-ray units and molecular testing deployed via mobile ‘Nishkaya Vahans’ enable proactive screening in high-risk communities.
• Systems Integration: Collaboration with 25 central ministries and Panchayati Raj Institutions mainstreams TB elimination into broader development planning.
• Jan Bhagidari: Recovered patients as ‘TB Vjetas’ and over 2 lakh ‘My Bharat’ volunteers provide psychosocial support, addressing stigma and ensuring treatment adherence.

Significance & Rationale

• Economic: TB affects the productive age group (15-54 years). The WHO estimates India loses billions annually due to TB-related morbidity. Reduction is critical for human capital development.
• Social Justice: TB disproportionately impacts marginalized groups—migrant workers, urban poor, tribal communities. Proactive screening of asymptomatic vulnerable populations targets health inequities, aligning with Article 21 (right to life) and distributive justice.
• Governance Model: The strategy exemplifies Cooperative Federalism and Collaborative Governance, demonstrating how a health goal can strengthen the primary healthcare ecosystem.

Key Challenges & Critical Analysis

Strengths of the Current Approach:

• Evidence-based adaptation: The National TB Prevalence Survey revealed half of patients are asymptomatic, prompting the shift to proactive screening—a landmark policy pivot.
• ‘Made in India’ focus: Indigenous diagnostics and drugs ensure supply chain resilience and align with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
• Community ownership: Leveraging youth and recovered patients builds sustainable social capital, addressing workforce limitations.

Way Forward: Institutionalizing the Momentum

• Strengthen Private Sector Interface: Mandate TB notification in private healthcare. Use the Nikshay platform for unified, real-time patient tracking to ensure complete surveillance.
• Address Social Determinants: Converge TB efforts with PM-GKAY (food security) and PM-JAY (health insurance) to create holistic support, as recommended by NITI Aayog’s health action plan.
• Institutionalize Volunteer Framework: Integrate TB Vjetas and My Bharat volunteers into the public health system with honorariums and clear roles, transitioning from a campaign to a sustained framework.
• Ethical Safeguards: Ensure AI-driven screening adheres to data privacy protocols, maintaining patient dignity without coercive practices.

Conclusion

India’s TB elimination journey demonstrates that public health goals are achievable through a fusion of political will, scientific innovation, and community participation. 

By institutionalizing Jan Bhagidari and addressing underlying social determinants, the ‘TB-Mukt Bharat’ campaign can leave a lasting legacy—not merely the elimination of a disease, but the creation of a more resilient, equitable, and community-owned health system aligned with India’s constitutional ideals.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “India’s strategy to eliminate Tuberculosis marks a paradigm shift from a clinical approach to a community-led, technology-enabled model.” Critically examine this statement. What are the key challenges in sustaining this momentum, and how can a whole-of-society approach be effectively institutionalized? (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/science-and-the-power-of-jan-bhagidari-can-lead-to-a-tb-free-india-10597338/?ref=top_opinion

UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper III – Indian Economy (Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Employment)
Sub-topic: Growth & Development; Industrial Policy; Energy Security

Introduction

Recent economic data presents a discomfiting picture, challenging the narrative of robust macroeconomic resilience. The Index of Eight Core Industries hit a three-month low in February 2026, with crude oil contracting for six consecutive months and natural gas for twenty. 

Simultaneously, revised GDP data reveals a smaller economy with shrinking contributions from private consumption, capital formation, and trade. This confluence—domestic structural weakness compounded by external shocks like the West Asian conflict—necessitates a realistic reassessment of India’s economic fundamentals and policy preparedness.

Background & Diagnostic Reality: Core Sector Distress

The core industries (weight: 40.27% in IIP) are leading indicators of industrial health. Recent trends reveal deep structural issues:

The revised GDP series further compounds concerns:

• Shrinking Economy: The economy is smaller than previously estimated
• Falling Demand: Share of private consumption, capital formation, and exports in GDP has declined
• Inventory Glut: Share of ‘change in stocks’ nearly doubled—production without commensurate sales signals subdued demand, presaging future output cuts

Significance & Policy Critique: Energy Security & Strategic Blindness

Energy Import Dependence: India imports over 85% of its crude oil and 50% of natural gas. The West Asian conflict—predictable since mid-2025—exposed strategic unpreparedness.

• Missed Opportunity: Domestic production contracted partly due to cheap imports. Instead of building reserves during the window of stability, policy complacency prevailed. The belated push for domestic production now comes amid $100+/barrel oil and supply curtailments.
• LPG Security Gap: The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (2016) expanded LPG access but was not accompanied by a parallel strategy to secure long-term supplies and strategic reserves. This represents a classic case of policy asymmetry—success in demand-side expansion without commensurate supply-side resilience.

Economic Implications:

• Current Account Deficit (CAD): Elevated oil prices worsen CAD, exerting pressure on the rupee
• Fiscal Space: Fuel subsidies, if reintroduced, constrain fiscal headroom for capital expenditure
• Inflation: Pass-through of higher energy costs fuels imported inflation, disproportionately impacting the poor

Challenges: Structural & Cyclical Converge

• Structural Bottlenecks: Stagnant domestic hydrocarbon production reflects policy, regulatory, and investment challenges in exploration and licensing (e.g., under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy).
• Demand-Side Weakness: Declining share of private consumption and investment signals a deeper demand recession. High inventory accumulation indicates that supply-side capacity is not matched by purchasing power.
• Global Uncertainty: Trade disruptions, elevated oil prices, and rating agency downgrades (growth outlook ~6.5%) compound domestic fragilities.

Critical Analysis: Reassessing ‘Resilience’

The narrative of strong macroeconomic fundamentals requires nuanced scrutiny:

• Strengths Acknowledged: India’s foreign exchange reserves, formal sector digitization, and infrastructure push provide some cushion.
• Weaknesses Exposed: Over-reliance on imported energy without adequate strategic reserves, fiscal rigidity, and subdued private investment reveal vulnerabilities. The Economic Survey’s emphasis on caution against global spillovers stands validated, yet policy action on domestic production has been reactive rather than proactive.

Way Forward: Towards Realistic Reassessment

• Energy Security 2.0: Move beyond import dependence narratives. Operationalize strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) more aggressively. Diversify import sources beyond West Asia (e.g., Russia, South America). Revitalize domestic exploration through production-linked incentives and streamlined clearances.
• Supply-Demand Symmetry: Link demand-side schemes (like Ujjwala) with supply-side security audits. Establish a National Energy Security Council to anticipate geopolitical risks and coordinate production, imports, and reserves.
• Reviving Demand: The ‘change in stocks’ phenomenon signals weak consumption. Policy must prioritize rural demand recovery (via MGNREGS, direct benefit transfers) and private investment (via credit flow, regulatory stability) to align production with consumption.
• Fiscal Prudence: Maintain fiscal discipline while allowing automatic stabilizers to operate. Targeted subsidies, rather than broad-based ones, can cushion vulnerable populations without derailing consolidation.

Conclusion

India’s economic fundamentals demand a realistic reassessment beyond celebratory narratives. The convergence of core sector contraction, downward GDP revisions, and external shocks reveals structural fragilities masked by short-term resilience. Strengthening energy security, reviving domestic demand, and institutionalizing strategic foresight are imperative. 

A pragmatic recalibration—not mere optimism—will determine whether India navigates this turbulence to achieve its long-term growth aspirations.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “The recent slowdown in core industries and downward revision of GDP data expose structural fragilities in India’s growth model.” Critically examine the interlinkages between energy security, domestic demand, and macroeconomic stability in this context. Suggest a policy framework for building genuine economic resilience. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/grim-future-on-the-economy-discomfiting-data/article70775757.ece