UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 16 March 2026

10 issues picked from 84 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

Convention on Biological Diversity and India's National Reports (NBSAP, KMGBF). India filed its seventh CBD national report, saying all 23 national biodiversity targets are on track.
India's Non-Fossil Capacity and NDC Targets. India crossed 50% non-fossil power capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of NDC target.
GDP Base Year Revision (2022-23). MoSPI moved GDP base year to 2022-23; IIP, CPI, WPI also updated.
Green Credit Programme. Ministry details Green Credit forest restoration rules, ICFRE's role and 4,391 ha selected in 12 states.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. CARA tells States to follow adoption timelines, preserve records and never disclose children's identity.
Model Code of Conduct. Model Code of Conduct is in force in five poll-bound States/UT; ECI sets up complaint systems.
MSME Champions Scheme. MSME Champions Scheme has met key targets; third-party impact evaluation under way, minister tells Rajya Sabha.
GOBARdhan Scheme. Centre funds community biogas plants, biomass machinery and pipelines under GOBARdhan to turn rural waste into compressed biogas.
Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project. Subansiri Lower HEP: two of eight 250 MW units running; full commissioning planned by December 2026.
Procurement Commission for Arthiyas and Cooperative Societies. Centre raises procurement commission for Arthiyas and cooperative societies on wheat and paddy from RMS 2026-27.

International relations

Convention on Biological Diversity and India's National Reports (NBSAP, KMGBF)

GS3 Environment and biodiversityGS2 International agreementsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026 the Environment Ministry announced that India submitted its Seventh National Report (NR-7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity on 26 February 2026, two days before the deadline.
What it is: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a treaty opened at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. It has three objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. Parties must file periodic national reports on how they are meeting these goals, and they align national plans (NBSAP) with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

NR-7 submission date: India submitted NR-7 on 26 February 2026, ahead of the 28 February 2026 due date, under CoP Decision 15/6.
Indicators and targets: The report uses 142 national indicators mapped against 23 National Biodiversity Targets.
Self-assessment: India reports all 23 NBTs as on track to achieve.
Ramsar sites: Notified Ramsar wetlands rose from 26 in 2014 to 98 as of 2026.
Framework adopted: The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at CBD CoP15 in December 2022, with targets for 2030.

Don’t confuse with NBSAP vs KMGBF: The KMGBF is the global framework under the CBD with 2030 targets. The NBSAP is each country's own plan, and India's 23 NBTs are its national version.

Don’t confuse with CBD vs Ramsar Convention: The CBD covers all biodiversity and has the Cartagena and Nagoya protocols. The Ramsar Convention covers wetlands only.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 16 Mar, 13:46 IST · Release 286025

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Environment

India's Non-Fossil Capacity and NDC Targets

GS3 Energy and climate changeGS3 Renewable energyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026, the Ministry of Power told the Rajya Sabha that India reached 50% non-fossil installed capacity in June 2025, over five years ahead of its Paris NDC target.
What it is: India's NDC under the Paris Agreement sets a goal of 50% cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. It sits alongside the aim of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070. Non-fossil capacity covers solar, wind, hydro, biomass and nuclear.

NDC target met: The Minister said India achieved the NDC target of 50% cumulative non-fossil electric capacity nearly five years ahead of schedule.
Solar growth: Solar capacity has grown from 2.8 GW to over 143 GW, according to the Minister of State.
Peak demand: India met a peak demand of 250 GW in 2024-25 and says it is ready for 270 GW and beyond.
Capacity basis: The NDC target is about installed capacity, not electricity generated. Generation share of non-fossil sources is lower.
Milestone: Non-fossil sources made up 50.08% of installed capacity (242.78 GW of 484.82 GW) on 30 June 2025.
Target for 2030: The government aims at 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Nuclear goal: A target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 has been set.
Net zero year: India's net zero target year is 2070.
RE bidding: MNRE set a bidding trajectory of 50 GW per annum of RE power procurement bids from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.
RCO: The Renewable Consumption Obligation applies to designated consumers under the Energy Conservation Act 2001 and carries penalties for non-compliance.

Don’t confuse with Capacity vs generation: 50% of installed capacity is not 50% of electricity generated. Solar and wind run at lower utilisation than coal, so their generation share is lower.

Don’t confuse with NDC vs net zero: The NDC targets are for 2030 and are filed under the Paris Agreement. Net zero by 2070 is a separate long-term goal.

Don’t confuse with NDC vs net zero target: The NDC is a 2030 pledge under the Paris Agreement, including 50% non-fossil capacity. Net zero by 2070 is a separate long-term goal.

Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Power, 16 Mar, 16:43 IST · Release 286067

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

GDP Base Year Revision (2022-23)

GS3 National income accountingPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026 the government told the Rajya Sabha that MoSPI shifted the GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23, with revised estimates released on 27 February 2026.
What it is: The base year is the reference year whose prices and structure are used to measure real output and to weight indices. India revises it every several years so that GDP, IIP and price indices reflect the current economy. The previous GDP series used 2011-12 as base.

New base year: GDP base year changed from 2011-12 to 2022-23; revised estimates released on 27 February 2026.
Classification used: GDP compilation uses National Industrial Classification (NIC)-2025.
CPI 2024 series: The CPI 2024 series introduces Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) for price collection using handheld devices.
IIP new base: The new IIP series has base year 2022-23, with wider coverage and updated weights.
Nowcasting: Economic Survey 2025-26 presents a nowcasting framework using high-frequency indicators to give early GDP growth estimates before official quarterly data.
Monthly Economic Review: The Department of Economic Affairs publishes the Monthly Economic Review.
Release date: The new series is scheduled for release on 27 February 2026.
Data sources sub-committee: It was headed by Manish Sinha, CEO of GSTN, with members from academia, Centre, States and RBI.
GST data use: GST outward supplies data will be used to allocate GVA of private corporations among States/UTs.
ASUSE and PLFS: Household sector and quasi-corporation GVA is now compiled from ASUSE (annual since 2021-22) and PLFS (since 2017-18), removing the need to extrapolate base-year estimates.
Advisory Committee: ACNAS, chaired by Prof. B.N. Goldar, advised on methodology and new data sources.
Double deflation: Output and intermediate consumption are deflated separately to get Value Added at constant prices; used for manufacturing industries.
Deflators used: The new series uses CPI (Base 2024), UVI (Base 2022-23) and WPI (Base 2022-23) or PPI when available.

Don’t confuse with Real vs nominal GDP: Real GDP is measured at base-year (constant) prices; nominal GDP at current prices.

Don’t confuse with GDP vs GVA: GVA is output minus intermediate consumption; GDP equals GVA plus product taxes minus product subsidies.

Don’t confuse with GVA vs GDP: GDP equals GVA plus product taxes minus product subsidies.

Don’t confuse with PFCE vs GFCF: PFCE is household consumption spending; GFCF is investment in fixed assets.

Don’t confuse with Double deflation vs single deflator: Single deflator uses one price index for the whole sector; double deflation deflates output and inputs separately.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 17

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The revised GDP series released in February 2026 uses 2022-23 as its base year.
2.The CPI 2024 series introduces Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing for price data collection.
3.The Monthly Economic Review is published by the Department of Economic Affairs.
4.Nowcasting uses high-frequency indicators such as GST collections, e-way bills and electricity consumption to estimate economic activity before official quarterly GDP data.
5.Changing the base year of GDP changes the year whose prices are used to calculate nominal GDP.
6.The Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics for the revision was chaired by Manish Sinha.
7.In the new series, GST data will be used to allocate the GVA of private corporations among States and UTs.
8.In the 2011-12 series, GST data was not used in any national accounts compilation.
9.ASUSE has been conducted annually by MoSPI since 2021-22.
10.PFCE benchmark estimates in the new series are based mainly on the Annual Survey of Industries.
11.For GVA of private NBFCs, the new series replaces proxy-based loan growth with actual financial data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs database.
12.The new GDP series of India uses 2022-23 as its base year.
13.Under double deflation, only the output is deflated by a price index, while intermediate consumption is kept at current prices.
14.In the new series, double deflation is adopted for various industries in the manufacturing sector.
15.The new series uses Unit Value Indices at commodity-group level to deflate exports and imports of goods.
16.The Advisory Committee on National Account Statistics for the new series was chaired by Prof. B.N. Goldar.
17.National Accounts Statistics in India are compiled and released by the Reserve Bank of India.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, 16 Mar, 15:01 IST · Release 286036

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Environment

Green Credit Programme

GS3 EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026 the Environment Ministry told the Lok Sabha how the Green Credit Programme restores degraded forest land, with ICFRE as Administrator and 4,391 ha selected across 12 states.
What it is: The Green Credit Programme is a market-style incentive to reward voluntary actions that help the environment, such as tree planting and land restoration. It is linked to Mission LiFE. It runs under the Green Credit Rules, 2023, made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Legal basis: Green Credit Rules were notified on 12 October 2023 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Administrator: ICFRE, Dehradun, is the Administrator. It manages and runs the programme and issues credits.
Land selection: The State Forest Department selects and registers degraded forest land parcels after ground verification.
Verification: A designated agency verifies claims and reports to the Administrator.
Modality dates: The tree plantation and eco-restoration modality was notified on 22 February 2024 and revised on 29 August 2025.
Compensatory afforestation link: Forest lands restored under the programme can be exchanged to meet compensatory afforestation requirements.

Don’t confuse with Green Credit vs carbon credit: Green Credits reward voluntary environmental actions such as tree planting. Carbon credits under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme relate to greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 13

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Green Credit Rules, 2023 were notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2.The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education is the Administrator of the Green Credit Programme.
3.Under the forest restoration modality, Green Credits can be claimed as soon as planting is completed.
4.The minimum canopy density required to claim credits under forest restoration is 40 per cent, corresponding to moderately dense forest.
5.Degraded forest land parcels are selected and registered by the applicant company without State involvement.
6.The Green Credit Programme is linked to the Mission LiFE movement.
7.Verification of Green Credit claims is done by the Administrator itself, with no designated agency.
8.The Green Credit Rules, 2023 were made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
9.The Forest Survey of India is the Administrator of the Green Credit Programme.
10.Degraded forest land parcels under the programme are selected and registered by the Central Government's designated agency.
11.Land parcels already earmarked for compensatory afforestation can be taken up under the programme as long as they are verified.
12.Afforestation under the programme on degraded forest land is required to use a mixture of indigenous species based on site suitability.
13.The Green Credit Programme is linked to the LiFE movement, which encourages sustainable lifestyles.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 16 Mar, 15:34 IST · Release 286046

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

GS2 Laws for vulnerable sectionsGS1 Social issuesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026, CARA issued three Office Memorandums to State Adoption Resource Agencies. They cover adoption procedures, preservation of adoptee records and protection of children's identity.
What it is: The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is India's main law for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection. It replaced the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000. It sets up Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees and registered Child Care Institutions, and provides for adoption.

Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Women and Child Development administers the Act. States and UTs implement it.
Child Welfare Committees: Sections 27-30 empower CWCs to decide on children in need of care and protection, in their best interest. They also monitor Child Care Institutions.
Monitoring commissions: Section 109 provides for National and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights to monitor implementation.
Inspection and District Magistrate: Section 54 mandates Inspection Committees to visit facilities housing children. The District Magistrate is the district nodal authority for children in need of care and protection.
Cancelling CCI registration: Section 41 lets States and UTs cancel or withhold registration of CCIs that fail to provide rehabilitation and reintegration services under section 53.
Heinous offences: The 2015 Act allows children aged 16-18 who commit heinous offences to be tried as adults after a Juvenile Justice Board assessment.
CARA's status: CARA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It issued the three Office Memorandums to all SARAs.
Right to family (Section 56(1)): Adoption under the Act is meant to secure the right to family for orphan, abandoned and surrendered children.
Surrendered children: A mandatory two-month reconsideration period must be followed before a surrendered child is declared legally free for adoption.

Don’t confuse with CWC vs JJB: Child Welfare Committees handle children in need of care and protection. Juvenile Justice Boards handle children alleged to be in conflict with law.

Don’t confuse with NCPCR vs Ministry: NCPCR is a statutory commission under the CPCR Act, 2005 and monitors the Act. The Ministry is the nodal administrative body.

Don’t confuse with CARA vs SARA: CARA is the central statutory authority for adoption. SARAs are State-level agencies that implement the directions.

Don’t confuse with JJB vs CWC: Juvenile Justice Boards deal with children in conflict with law. Child Welfare Committees deal with children in need of care and protection.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Women and Child Development, 16 Mar, 10:17 IST · Release 286005

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Model Code of Conduct

GS2 Elections and Election CommissionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026 the ECI directed strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct after announcing, on 15 March 2026, the Assembly election schedule for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Bye-elections in 6 States are also covered.
What it is: The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission for parties and candidates during elections. It covers speeches, meetings, processions, polling day conduct, party manifestos and the conduct of ruling parties. It has no direct statutory backing; it has evolved through consensus among parties and the ECI's powers under Article 324.

When it applies: The MCC comes into force immediately once the ECI announces the election schedule, and it applies to the Central Government for announcements and policy decisions concerning the poll-going States/UT.
Complaint channels: Complaints can be lodged through call centre number 1950 with the DEO/RO, and through the C-Vigil App on ECINET.
Ministers and government machinery: Ministers must not combine official duties with electioneering or use government machinery, transport or personnel for campaigning.
Use of public places: The SUVIDHA module on ECINET lets parties apply for public places such as maidans and helipads, allotted on a first come, first served basis.
Legal status: The MCC is not a statute. The ECI enforces it using its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution, which vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Commission.

Don’t confuse with MCC vs Representation of the People Act: The RP Act, 1951 is a law with penalties. The MCC is a set of guidelines without direct statutory force, though some provisions overlap with the IPC/BNS and the RP Act.

Don’t confuse with C-Vigil vs Call Centre 1950: C-Vigil is an app for reporting violations. 1950 is the voter helpline/call centre number where complaints can also be lodged.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Assembly polls in five States/UT announced and MCC in force; a lasting topic on the syllabus, but MCC has no statutory basis so a question is unlikely.

Source: PIB, Election Commission, 16 Mar, 13:36 IST · Release 286024

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

MSME Champions Scheme

GS3 MSME and industryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026, the MSME Ministry told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the MSME Champion Scheme has met or exceeded its targets. A third-party impact evaluation is under way.
What it is: The MSME Champions Scheme is a Ministry of MSME umbrella scheme that combines three sub-components: ZED certification, LEAN and IPR support. It aims to raise the quality, competitiveness and innovation of micro, small and medium enterprises. It supports MSMEs in both domestic and export markets.

Sub-components: The scheme has three parts: MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification, MSME Competitive (LEAN) and MSME Innovative (IPR).
ZED incentives: Banks and financial institutions give graded incentives to ZED-certified MSMEs, such as lower processing fees and interest rates.
ZED purpose: ZED encourages quality and environmentally sustainable manufacturing, which helps MSMEs join the supply chains of large industries.
IPR support: The IPR component reimburses expenses for filing foreign and domestic patents, trademarks and design registrations. It is open to all sectors.
Coverage of ZED and LEAN: ZED and LEAN apply only to manufacturing-sector MSMEs.
Evaluation: A third-party impact evaluation of the scheme is in process.

Don’t confuse with ZED vs LEAN: ZED certifies quality and environmental sustainability in manufacturing. LEAN focuses on process optimisation and waste reduction.

Don’t confuse with ZED vs IPR component: ZED and LEAN cover only manufacturing MSMEs. The IPR component is sector agnostic.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Scheme with ZED, LEAN and IPR components; reply gives progress only, with few fresh facts, so a question is unlikely.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises, 16 Mar, 14:20 IST · Release 286028

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

GOBARdhan Scheme

GS3 Bioenergy and waste managementGS2 Rural sanitationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026, the Jal Shakti Ministry told Rajya Sabha about funds under the GOBARdhan scheme, including support of up to Rs 50 lakh per district and MoPNG schemes for compressed biogas.
What it is: GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) converts cattle dung, crop residue, kitchen and market waste into biogas and bio-slurry. It runs as part of solid waste management under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, and also supports compressed biogas (CBG) projects with several ministries involved.

Support per district: Up to Rs 50 lakh per district is available for a community or cluster-based biogas plant under SBM(G) Phase II.
Nodal ministry: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the nodal ministry for GOBARdhan.
Pipeline scheme: The Development of Pipeline Infrastructure scheme helps CBG offtake. Its outlay is Rs 994.5 crore for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
Nature of SBM(G): SBM(G) is a Centrally Sponsored, demand-driven scheme. Funds go to States as a consolidated amount based on their Annual Implementation Plans.
Monitoring: Project proponents report status and production data on the GOBARdhan Portal.

Don’t confuse with SBM(G) funding vs MoPNG schemes: The Rs 50 lakh per district support comes via SBM(G) under Jal Shakti. The machinery and pipeline schemes are run by MoPNG.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting scheme on biogas under SBM(G) Phase II, nodal ministry MoPNG. Scheme facts are 16% of Prelims, but this reply is mostly funding detail.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Jal Shakti, 16 Mar, 14:40 IST · Release 286031

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Place in the news

Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project

GS1 Geography and energy infrastructureGS3 EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026, the Minister of State for Power told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that two of eight units of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project are commissioned and the rest are planned by Dec 2026.

Location: The project is on the Subansiri River at the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Capacity and developer: Installed capacity is 2000 MW in eight units of 250 MW each. NHPC Limited is implementing it.
Dam safety oversight: Dam safety is ensured under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, with guidance from the National Dam Safety Authority.

Don’t confuse with Subansiri Lower vs Subansiri Upper: Subansiri Lower is the 2000 MW project on the Arunachal-Assam border. Subansiri Upper is a separate, planned project further upstream in Arunachal Pradesh.

Places in the news: 26 Prelims questions since 2013, rising (12% of news questions in 2022–26); they test location and why it matters.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: 2000 MW project on Arunachal-Assam border by NHPC; worth a card, but progress update has few fresh testable facts. Places are 8% of Prelims.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Power, 16 Mar, 16:41 IST · Release 286064

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Procurement Commission for Arthiyas and Cooperative Societies

GS3 Agriculture: procurement and food managementPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 16 March 2026 the Centre approved higher commission rates for Arthiyas and cooperative societies that procure wheat and paddy for the Government, from Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27.
What it is: Government procurement of wheat and paddy at MSP relies on intermediaries in mandis, mainly Arthiyas (commission agents) and cooperative societies. They aggregate, clean and handle grain for state agencies and FCI, and are paid a commission per quintal under central guidelines. The rates are revised from time to time after states ask for it.

Arthiya commission, wheat: In Punjab and Haryana it rises from ₹46.00 to ₹50.75 per quintal. In Rajasthan it rises from ₹41.40 to ₹45.67 per quintal.
Arthiya commission, paddy: The commission for paddy rises from ₹45.88 to ₹50.61 per quintal.
Cooperative societies: Wheat commission rises from ₹27.00 to ₹29.79 per quintal. Paddy commission rises from ₹32.00 to ₹35.30 per quintal.
Modern silos: Commission at modern silos is 50 per cent of the mandi rate, as under the existing policy.
How the rates were set: A sub-committee of FCI, state governments and the Department of Food and Public Distribution examined rates after state requests and recommended the revision.

Don’t confuse with Procurement commission vs MSP: MSP is the price paid to farmers. The commission is a per-quintal fee paid to intermediaries for aggregation and handling.

Don’t confuse with Arthiyas vs cooperative societies: Both procure for the Government, but Arthiyas are private commission agents and get higher commission than cooperative societies.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Commission revised from RMS 2026-27 for wheat and paddy procurement. Relevant to MSP and procurement, but rate figures are rarely asked.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 16 Mar, 22:05 IST · Release 286094

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Department of Posts launched 24 Speed Post on 17 March 2026, giving next-day guaranteed delivery in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
NSO plans a Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives from April 2026 to estimate GVA and employment of cooperative sectors, using the National Cooperative Database.
Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 were announced for books in 24 Indian languages.
The National Youth Parliament Scheme portal NYPS 2.0 was launched on 11 September 2024 and is open to institutions, groups and individual citizens.
MSME Ministry held the first National Workshop on the MSME Online Dispute Resolution Portal on 16 March 2026 to speed up resolution of delayed-payment disputes.

Source: PIB, 16 Mar

What we left out: 69 of 84 releases

Speeches without a decision (3)
Ceremonies and campaigns (7)
Routine data releases (8)
Condolences and meetings (4)
Same issue as another release (23)
Routine parliament replies (21)
Research findings (1)
Routine notices (1)
Routine project updates (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1Convention on Biological Diversity and India's National Reports (NBSAP, KMGBF)MCQ · 6 true or false
2India's Non-Fossil Capacity and NDC TargetsMCQ · 5 true or false · Mains
3GDP Base Year Revision (2022-23)MCQ · 17 true or false
4Green Credit ProgrammeMCQ · 13 true or false
5Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015MCQ · 7 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

India recently submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, reporting all 23 National Biodiversity Targets as 'on track'. Examine the obligations that the Convention places on India and discuss the challenges in aligning national biodiversity plans (NBSAP) with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

From: Convention on Biological Diversity and India's National Reports (NBSAP, KMGBF)

Write and get it marked

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