UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 17 March 2026

12 issues picked from 96 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

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). VB-G RAM G Act guarantees 125 days of rural work, with 60:40 Centre-State funding.
Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Arpan. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh sign 11-reform MoUs under extended Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, with Jal Arpan handover.
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. Pulses Mission targets self-sufficiency by 2030-31 through seed kits, processing units and 489 focus districts.
HPV Vaccination Drive and Cervical Cancer Elimination. Free single-dose HPV vaccine for 14-year-old girls began 28 February 2026 across India.
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). Ayush Ministry details TKDL and digitisation efforts that protect traditional medicine knowledge from wrongful patents.
Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions. Lok Sabha reply details 15th Finance Commission grant rules, eligibility conditions and releases to rural local bodies.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and EEZ Fishing Rules 2025. Lok Sabha reply details PMMSY approvals, fisher insurance, credit cards and record fish production.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). FIDF gives cheap loans for fisheries infrastructure; 228 projects worth Rs 5,559.54 crore approved so far.
Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW). Uttarakhand notifies treated-water reuse policy; city reuse action plans advance in Ganga basin cities.
RBI Digital Lending Guidelines and DLA Directory. RBI's digital lending rules, DLA directory and cybercrime tools target fraudulent loan apps.
PM-eBus Sewa Scheme. PSM scheme backs e-bus operator payments; 19 States/UTs gave RBI debit mandates by March 2026.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). MHA reports I4C figures on cyber fraud: funds saved, mule accounts flagged, e-FIR rollout in six States/UTs.

Law and statutory body

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Inclusive growthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Minister of State for Rural Development told the Lok Sabha that the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees 125 days of rural work, with a record Central share of ₹95,692.31 crore for 2026-27.
What it is: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 is a Central law on rural wage employment. It gives eligible rural households a statutory entitlement to guaranteed wage employment and aims at durable rural assets and livelihoods. It takes the place of the earlier rural employment guarantee framework under which households had 100 days of work.

Wage floor: No notified daily wage anywhere in the country will be below ₹300.
National average wage: The national average notified wage rose from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day, an increase of over 10 per cent.
Interim allocation: The Centre has released an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore to States and UTs.
Launch venue: The National Launch Programme is on 2 July 2026 at Mukkavaripalle Village, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh.
Ministry: The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Days of guaranteed work: The statutory guarantee rises from 100 to 125 days for every eligible rural household.
Commencement date: The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
Role of Gram Panchayats: The Act places Gram Panchayats at the centre, stressing durable assets, water conservation, SHGs and convergence with other rural programmes.
State readiness: 29 States/UTs have made budget provisions and 24 States have notified the VB-G RAM G State Scheme.
Job card transition: Existing e-KYC verified job cards stay valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
Commencement: The Act is to be rolled out nationwide from 1 July 2026, notified on 11 May 2026.
Repeal of MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed from the date the new Act commences.
Guarantee: Each rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work is entitled to 125 days of wage employment every financial year.
Unemployment allowance: If work is not given within the prescribed time after demand, workers are entitled to unemployment allowance.
Funding pattern: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Section 22. Sharing is 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and UTs (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K), and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State scheme: Under Section 3(1), each State must notify a Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of its commencement.
Normative allocation: The Central Government decides State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Type of scheme: Section 22 makes the scheme a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Fund sharing: The Centre-State ratio is 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State-wise allocation: Under Section 22(4), the Centre decides each State's normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes.
Special relaxations: In disasters or pandemics, States may recommend relaxations. The Centre can allow wider permissible works, relaxed documentation and temporarily more employment.
Plan approval: The Gram Panchayat prepares the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan and the Gram Sabha approves it (Schedule I, para 5(2)).
50% works through Gram Panchayats: At least half of the total works, by cost, must be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
Gati Shakti link: Village plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti, use geospatial systems, and are aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Guaranteed days: At least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year, up from 100 days.
Women's participation: At least one-third participation of women is mandatory, with special job cards for women-headed households and single women.
Crèche: A crèche is to be provided at worksites where five or more children under five accompany working women.
Councils: One-third women representation is mandatory in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
Work themes: Works are prioritised under four themes: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events.
Nature of scheme: The scheme under the Act is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Allocation: The Centre fixes State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters, under Section 22(4).
Planning: Works are chosen through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans approved by the Gram Sabha and aggregated up to the national level, in four thematic domains.
Four thematic domains: Water security works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and special works for extreme weather events and disaster preparedness.
Allocation to States: The Central Government determines State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Planning link: Works are planned through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Wage payment: Wages must be paid within one week. If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, workers get 0.05 percent extra as interest on dues.
Role of Gram Sabha: The Gram Sabha takes the decision on which village-related works are to be undertaken.
Women's share: 33 percent of the work under the scheme is reserved for women.
Farm work window: State governments can notify deployment of workers for agricultural operations for a maximum of 60 days during sowing and harvesting.
Administrative expenditure: Administrative expenditure is raised from 6 percent to 9 percent to avoid delays in payments to employment assistants.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 guaranteed 100 days of work per household. VB-G RAM G raises the entitlement to 125 days and adds a focus on durable assets and livelihoods.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier rural employment guarantee law: The new Act raises the guarantee from 100 to 125 days and replaces the earlier framework; the 100-day figure belongs to the old one.

Don’t confuse with Interim allocation vs final allocation: The ₹95,692.31 crore is an interim sum for a smooth start, not the full annual allocation.

Don’t confuse with VB–G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 gave 100 days and is repealed; VB–G RAM G gives 125 days from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with Notification vs commencement: The notification was on 11 May 2026; the Act applies from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs earlier 100-day framework: The new Act raises the guarantee to 125 days, makes the scheme Centrally Sponsored with normative allocation, and adds an off-season employment guarantee.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs the earlier rural employment guarantee: The earlier framework gave 100 days of work. The 2025 Act guarantees 125 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGS: MGNREGS gave 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G gives 125 days and adds Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans linked to PM Gati Shakti.

Don’t confuse with Gram Panchayat vs Gram Sabha: The Gram Panchayat is the elected village body that prepares plans and executes works; the Gram Sabha of village voters approves plans and conducts social audits.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs MGNREGA: The new Act gives 125 days of guaranteed work; the earlier framework gave 100 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier MGNREGA: The earlier framework guaranteed 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days and adds thematic works and a digital governance layer.

Don’t confuse with Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Schemes share cost with States; Central Sector Schemes are fully funded by the Centre.

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.

Why it matters

Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days and lifts wages, supporting rural income and livelihood security.
Targets durable assets, natural resource conservation and women-led development.
Raises the legal guarantee of wage work to 125 days, improving rural income security.
Focus on durable assets, water conservation and convergence can build rural infrastructure and livelihoods.
Gram Panchayat-centred planning supports decentralised, participatory governance.
Raises the statutory guarantee from 100 to 125 days, strengthening livelihood security and rural incomes.
Keeps the legal right to work, with unemployment allowance and delay compensation as enforcement tools.
Makes Gram Panchayats central to rural development planning.
Raises the statutory wage guarantee, improving income and livelihood security for rural households.
Mandatory off-season work gives support when farm work is scarce.
Large outlay supports rural asset creation and demand.
Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural income security.
Demand-driven design with State partnership supports cooperative federalism.
Strengthens decentralised planning by making Panchayats at three tiers the principal authorities.
Raises the guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural livelihood security.
Geospatial, Gati Shakti-linked plans promote convergence and durable assets.
Higher guaranteed days raise rural income security and consumption smoothing.
Women-centric provisions promote gender-inclusive employment and support SHGs.
Focus on durable and climate-resilient assets links wage work to livelihoods.
Raises the statutory guarantee of rural work from 100 to 125 days, strengthening income security.
Links works to water security, rural infrastructure and disaster resilience through local plans.
Raises the statutory guarantee to 125 days, supporting rural income security.
Ties wage work to durable assets, water security and climate resilience.
Digital tools like biometrics, GPS monitoring and AI audits aim to cut leakages.
Gives rural households a stronger legal work guarantee and a safety net through more days and an unemployment allowance.
Gram Sabha control over works ties employment to local needs such as water conservation and disaster mitigation.

Problems

States must share costs and keep up timely wage payment, which strains finances.
Real delivery depends on demand-based work, administration capacity and transparent payments.
States must share costs and prepare schemes, and uneven readiness could delay work and wage payments.
Technology-based verification and new cards may exclude workers with poor connectivity or documents.
Transition risk: rules on transition, allocation and grievance redressal are still being drafted.
Fiscal burden on States, which share the cost, and dependence on Central normative allocation.
Technology-linked requirements such as e-KYC and DBT can exclude workers.
The 60:40 sharing and normative allocation may strain finances of poorer States.
Centrally fixed allocation may limit a demand-driven entitlement.
Timely wage payment, State scheme notification and capacity remain hurdles.
States must pay 40% in most cases, which strains finances.
Central fixing of normative allocations may limit the demand-driven character.
Panchayats may lack technical staff and capacity for geospatial planning and record-keeping.
Dependence on digital systems can exclude workers with poor connectivity.
Funding and timely wage payment depend on Centre-State coordination.
Timely wage payment and paying the unemployment allowance depend on state capacity and funds.
Critics may argue that changes to the earlier framework could weaken its demand-driven nature.
The 60:40 sharing may strain finances of poorer States.
Biometric and digital monitoring may exclude workers with poor connectivity or authentication failures.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work.
States must bear 40% (or 10%) of costs, straining finances of poorer States.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work and State autonomy.
Biometric and digital dependence can exclude workers in areas with poor connectivity.
Faster wage payment and interest on delays depend on states' capacity and fund flow.
Allowing farm work for up to 60 days must not dilute the purpose of creating durable rural assets.

Way forward

Release funds on time and pay wages without delay.
Use the new software platform for transparency and social audit of works.
Ensure timely wage payment and adequate funds to States, with regular social audits.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity for planning and asset creation, with support for digital access.
Publish the rules quickly after public consultation so the transition is smooth.
Support States with timely funds and e-KYC facilitation, never denying work for pending e-KYC.
Strengthen grievance redressal and social audit so wage payment and work demand are enforced.
Keep allocation flexible enough to meet actual demand.
Ensure timely payment of wages and the Centre's share.
Build State capacity and social audit to ensure assets are durable.
Use clear, objective allocation parameters and release funds on time.
Focus spending on durable rural assets.
Build Panchayat capacity with technical staff and training.
Ensure regular Gram Sabha social audits with public disclosure of records.
Keep offline options and grievance redressal for workers facing digital barriers.
Ensure time-bound wage payment and effective social audits.
Converge works with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and ensure strong grievance redressal.
Ensure fallback to manual verification so no worker is excluded.
Keep funds flowing on time and allocation responsive to actual demand.
Strengthen Gram Sabha role and social audits in planning.
Ensure timely fund release and wage payment, with fiscal support for weaker States.
Keep non-digital fallback for authentication and strengthen social audits and Gram Sabha role.
Issue clear instructions with states and strengthen monitoring and social audit so timely payment is enforced.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity to plan village-specific works.

Put in your answer

Interim allocation: Cite the ₹95,692.31 crore interim release as the Centre's funding for rollout.

Guarantee raised: Statutory entitlement increased from 100 to 125 days per eligible rural household.

State readiness data: 29 States/UTs made budget provisions and 24 States notified the State Scheme before rollout.

Fiscal federalism angle: Section 22 makes it a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 90:10 and 60:40 sharing, a case of cooperative federalism and cost burden on States.

Fund sharing: Centre-State ratio of 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States, 60:40 for others, shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Section 16 role of Panchayats: Panchayats at all three levels are the principal authorities for planning, implementation and monitoring, a decentralisation point in answers on grassroots governance.

Social audit: Records must be placed before the Gram Sabha for social audits, supporting transparency and accountability.

Women's participation: Women's participation under MGNREGS has been above 50% in the last three financial years and in 2025-26.

Livelihood infrastructure: Assets such as SHG buildings, work sheds, nurseries, livestock shelters and rural haats strengthen women and SHGs.

Digital governance: Biometric authentication, GPS or mobile worksite monitoring, real-time dashboards and AI for audits and fraud risk.

Funding split: 60:40 for most States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Accountability: Delayed wages now attract 0.05 percent extra interest on dues after 15 days, so those responsible bear the cost of delays.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 40

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

1.The Act keeps the earlier entitlement of 100 days of employment per eligible rural household.
2.Following the notification of revised rates, no notified daily wage in any State or UT is below ₹300.
3.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
4.The National Launch Programme of the Act is to be held in Tirupati district of Telangana.
5.The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
6.The Act makes Block Panchayats the central unit of rural transformation in place of Gram Panchayats.
7.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, whose Union Minister also holds the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare portfolio.
8.The interim allocation to States and UTs for the rollout is ₹95,692.31 crore.
9.The Act will come into force on 11 May 2026, the date of its notification.
10.MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed when the new Act comes into force.
11.If work is not provided within the prescribed time after demand, the worker has no remedy under the Act.
12.Existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards remain valid under the new Act until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
13.The ₹95,692.31 crore allocation for 2026–27 is the total programme outlay including State contributions.
14.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Centre.
15.For Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Centre-State sharing ratio is 90:10.
16.For States other than North-Eastern and Himalayan States, the Centre bears 90 per cent of the cost.
17.Each State must notify its own Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of commencement.
18.State-wise normative allocation is fixed by each State Government on its own parameters.
19.Under the Act, the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan is prepared by the Programme Officer and approved by the Block Panchayat.
20.At least fifty percent of the total works, in cost terms, are to be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
21.The intermediate-level Panchayat finalises the aggregate district-level plan under the Act.
22.The Gram Panchayat registers households and issues Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards under the Scheme.
23.Under the Act, muster rolls, bills and vouchers are placed before the Block Panchayat for social audit.
24.Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
25.The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees at least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year.
26.Under the Act, an unemployment allowance is payable if work is not provided within the stipulated time.
27.The Act makes at least half of the participation of women mandatory.
28.Crèche facilities are required at worksites where five or more children under five years accompany working women.
29.The Act requires one-third women representation in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
30.The four priority themes of works under the Act include defence infrastructure.
31.For most States, the Centre and State share the cost in a 60:40 ratio.
32.The 90:10 sharing pattern applies to the North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
33.State-wise normative allocation under the Act is decided by each State Government on its own parameters.
34.Works under the Act are identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared and approved by the Gram Sabha.
35.The Act confines works to a single theme, rural roads.
36.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Union Government.
37.Under the Act, the Centre-State funding ratio is 60:40 for most States, and 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
38.Special works to mitigate extreme weather events and prepare for disasters are one of the thematic domains of works under the Act.
39.The Act provides for works to be identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, which are integrated with PM Gati Shakti.
40.The Act has five thematic domains of works, including a separate domain for urban infrastructure.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Rural Development, 17 Mar, 17:35 IST · Release 286186

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Arpan

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Rural water supplyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed reform-linked MoUs under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, the extended phase the Union Cabinet approved on 10 March 2026.
What it is: Jal Jeevan Mission is the Centre's flagship scheme, run by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to give every rural household a tap water connection. Jal Arpan is a reform under it: the formal handover of completed water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees for operation and maintenance.

Jal Arpan: Formal handover of completed rural water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and VWSCs, after a prescribed trial run period.
Coverage: More than 15.96 crore rural households, over 82% of rural households, have tap connections.
Jal Arpan module: Developed by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation; keeps a digital record of scheme handover.
Sujalam Bharat: Geotagging of water supply assets and sources under JJM 2.0 to build a digital inventory.
Launch: Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in August 2019 with the target of tap water to all rural households by 2024.
Summit dates and venue: The first Departmental Summit is on 1-2 September 2026 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi.
Purpose of the summit model: It is a new platform to strengthen cooperative federalism through Centre-State collaboration. It is the first of a series of such summits.
Four thematic pillars: Timely implementation of water infrastructure projects, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari-Catch the Rain, source sustainability of drinking water, and operation and maintenance of rural water supply under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
Who attends: Political leaders and senior officials from the Union and State Governments take part.
Outcome presentation: States will present outcomes and action plans to the Prime Minister in the valedictory session.
Nodal ministry: Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
JJM 2.0 approval: JJM 2.0 was approved on 10 March 2026. Its strategy centres on source sustainability, groundwater recharge and greywater management.
Water security in the VB-G RAM G Act: The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 names water security as one of its four thematic focus areas.
SBM(G) 2.0 focus: SBM(G) 2.0 focuses on scientific management of solid and liquid waste.
Planning vehicle: Convergence is to be done through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, aligned with Village Action Plans under JJM 2.0 and SBM-G 2.0.
Geo-tagging and tools: Works must be registered and geo-tagged on the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack. States are to use tools such as Yuktdhara, water budgeting and hydrogeological assessments.
Institutional step: The officer in charge of Rural Water Supply or the Public Health Engineering Department is to join the State-level Steering Committee under the Act.
Launch and aim: Launched on 15 August 2019 to give every rural household a functional tap connection on a regular, long-term basis.
Service standard: The Mission targets 55 litres per capita per day of water meeting the BIS 10500 standard, at affordable service charges.
Har Ghar Jal certification: 188 districts, 1,090 blocks, 1.01 lakh Gram Panchayats and 2.04 lakh villages are certified Har Ghar Jal.
Extension: The Union Government has extended the Mission till December 2028.
Signatories: MoUs were signed with four States (Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland) and one UT (Puducherry).
Model mandated: The MoU requires a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centred model of rural water governance.
JJM 2.0 priorities: Focus is on sustaining infrastructure, tap functionality, water quality, source sustainability, O&M, community ownership and regular monitoring.
Institutions: Collectors are to hold regular District Water and Sanitation Mission meetings, which help prepare Village Action Plans and certify Panchayats as capable institutions.
Conditions before fund release: States must sign the MoU, get schemes validated against the Sujalam Bharat GIS-linked Asset Registry, certify compliance with CPHEEO design norms, and reconcile expenditure financially.
Jal Utsav: A three-tier annual community campaign: Jal Mahotsav nationally, Rajya Jal Utsav or Nadi Utsav in States, and Lok Jal Utsav at Gram Panchayat level.
MoU count: Meghalaya is the twelfth State to sign a Reform-Linked MoU under JJM 2.0.
Cabinet approval: JJM 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
Extended deadline: The original deadline of May 2024 has been extended to December 2028.
Outlay: The Cabinet approved an additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Mission.
Local role: Gram Panchayats and VWSCs are to manage and operate in-village water supply systems; District Water Sanitation Missions prepare village action plans and issue panchayat certifications.
Implementing ministry: JJM is implemented by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Jal Mahotsav 2026: A 15-day nationwide campaign from 8 March (International Women's Day) to 22 March (World Water Day), with Jal Arpan of assets to Gram Panchayats.
Key reform areas: Assured service delivery with defined performance standards, clear accountability at State, district and Gram Panchayat levels, and long-term sustainability through source protection.
Implementing body: JJM is implemented by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, jointly with States.
New end date: The Mission is extended up to December 2028 with a higher financial outlay.
MoU model: The MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based, community-centred model of rural water governance.
Implementing department: The Mission is run by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, through the National Jal Jeevan Mission.
Original launch: JJM was launched in 2019 with the aim of tap water to every rural household by 2024.
Funding pattern: JJM is a centrally sponsored scheme; the Centre-State share is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other States.
Start and aim: Running since August 2019, JJM aims at assured tap water to every rural household in partnership with States.
Extended phase: The extended phase focuses on infrastructure quality and O&M through Jan Bhagidhari, with separate MoUs signed with States/UTs.
Functionality assessment 2024: An independent third-party assessment found 76% of household tap connections functional, judged on quantity, quality and regularity.
Federal division: Drinking water is a state subject; States handle planning, approval, implementation and O&M, and the Centre gives technical and financial help.
Reform areas in MoU: The reform-linked MoU covers 11 structural reform areas, including institutional architecture, service utility framework, water quality governance and source sustainability.
Jal Arpan condition: A key MoU condition is that completed piped schemes be handed over to Gram Panchayats/VWSCs and the community through Jal Arpan.
Decision Support System: The MoU provides for the DSS platform, developed by DDWS, as a digital planning tool at district and GP levels for source sustainability, integrated with Sujalam Bharat and national water datasets.
Mission extension: JJM has been extended till December 2028 with an enhanced outlay.
Reform areas: The MoU covers 11 structural reform areas, such as service utility framework, water quality governance and source sustainability.
Sujal Gaon ID: A scheme-based unique digital identifier for mapping rural piped water supply assets. 1.64 lakh IDs are created across 31 States/UTs, linked to 67,000 Sujalam Bharat IDs.
Conditions for central funds: Central funds depend on four requirements: signing the MoU, creating Sujal Gaon IDs, timely financial reconciliation, and notifying State O&M policies.
Funding modes: Upfront payment, reimbursement and Viability Gap Funding (for annuity-based PPP models in BWSs). No central help for retrofitting schemes.
Har Ghar Jal declaration: A Gram Panchayat can declare itself Har Ghar Jal only after the State has set up adequate in-village operation and maintenance mechanisms.
Target and MoUs: All 19.36 crore rural households are to get tap connections by December 2028, with separate MoUs with States/UTs.
Water quality standard: BIS:10500 is the benchmark for water supplied under JJM; arsenic and fluoride affected habitations get priority.
Quality monitoring funds: States/UTs can use up to 2% of their annual JJM allocation for water quality monitoring and surveillance.
Nal Jal Mitra: Nal Jal Mitra Programme, run with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, trains villagers as scheme operators and for minor repairs.
Implementing agency: The scheme is run by the Ministry of Jal Shakti through its Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): JJM targets rural household tap connections; AMRUT covers urban water supply and sewerage.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen): JJM is for drinking water supply; SBM-G is for sanitation. Both run under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Don’t confuse with Jal Arpan vs Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Jal Arpan hands over completed water supply schemes to local bodies for operation and maintenance. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari is a community-participation drive on water conservation and rainwater harvesting.

Don’t confuse with JJM vs SBM(G): JJM provides tap water to rural homes. SBM(G) deals with rural sanitation and waste management. Both are run by DDWS.

Don’t confuse with Jal Arpan vs JJM: Jal Arpan is only the handover of completed schemes for operation and maintenance. JJM is the whole mission.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs Jal Jal Shakti Abhiyan: JJM provides household tap connections in rural areas. Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a water conservation and rainwater harvesting campaign.

Don’t confuse with JJM vs Swajaldhara/NRDWP: Earlier programmes such as Swajaldhara and NRDWP focused on habitation-level coverage; JJM targets household tap service delivery.

Don’t confuse with Jal Arpan vs Jal Sankalp: Jal Arpan is the formal handover of water assets to Gram Panchayats. Jal Sankalp is Arunachal Pradesh's gap-funding effort for source sustainability.

Don’t confuse with Jal Arpan vs Jal Utsav: Jal Arpan is the commissioning and formal handover of schemes to Gram Panchayats and VWSCs. Jal Utsav is an annual community campaign for maintenance and review.

Don’t confuse with Sujalam Bharat vs Meri Panchayat: Sujalam Bharat is the digital asset and service-area mapping framework. Meri Panchayat is the application that reflects citizen feedback from Jal Seva Aankalan.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs Jal Sanchay: JJM provides tap water to rural homes; Jal Sanchay is the water conservation push that supports source sustainability.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs AMRUT: JJM covers rural households; AMRUT focuses on urban water supply and sewerage.

Don’t confuse with Jal Arpan vs Jal Mahotsav: Jal Arpan is the handover of water assets to local bodies; Jal Mahotsav is a community campaign during which such handovers were held.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs Jal Shakti Abhiyan: JJM is a tap connection scheme; Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a water conservation campaign.

Don’t confuse with Jal Shakti Abhiyan vs Jal Jeevan Mission: Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain is a water conservation campaign for source sustainability; JJM is the tap connection scheme.

Don’t confuse with Jal Seva Aankalan vs Jal Arpan: Jal Seva Aankalan records service delivery responses at GP level. Jal Arpan is the handover of schemes.

Don’t confuse with Sujal Gaon ID vs Sujalam Bharat ID: Sujal Gaon ID identifies a scheme. Each Sujalam Bharat ID combines a scheme's infrastructure ID and service area ID, and Sujalam Bharat is the wider national digital architecture.

Don’t confuse with Jal Jeevan Mission vs Jal Arpan: JJM is the overall scheme for rural tap connections; Jal Arpan is a reform under it for handing over completed schemes to GPs/VWSCs.

Don’t confuse with JJM vs Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin): JJM provides piped drinking water; SBM (Gramin) is the sanitation programme, with which JJM converges for grey-water reuse.

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.

Why it matters

Handing schemes to Gram Panchayats and VWSCs builds community ownership and supports the 73rd Amendment's local self-governance.
Geotagging and digital records improve monitoring and planning of rural water assets.
Institutionalises Centre-State dialogue on water, a State subject, supporting cooperative federalism.
Focus on operation and maintenance and source sustainability addresses the gap between creating tap connections and delivering reliable water.
Joint planning of water, sanitation and livelihood works can cut duplication and make better use of funds.
Source sustainability and groundwater recharge work can make tap water services last.
Reduces women's and girls' time spent fetching water, aiding health, education and livelihoods.
Moves rural water policy from creating assets to delivering a regular service.
Moves the mission from asset creation to reliable, accountable service delivery.
Strengthens decentralised governance by giving Gram Panchayats and VWSCs charge of O&M.
Linking funds to MoUs, validation and reconciliation brings accountability and performance-based release.
Focus on O&M and community ownership aims at lasting service, not just connections.
Shifts focus from building pipelines to sustainable service delivery.
Strengthens decentralisation by giving Gram Panchayats and VWSCs charge of operation and maintenance.
Shifts focus from building pipes to reliable, safe water, which supports health, hygiene and women's time savings.
Reform-linked MoUs bind States to accountability, strengthening cooperative federalism.
Shifts focus from creating pipelines to assured, regular, quality service.
Strengthens Panchayats and community ownership in water management, advancing decentralisation.
Tap water at home reduces the time women spend fetching water and lowers waterborne disease.
Cuts across health, gender and rural development goals, and supports SDG 6.
Shifts focus from building taps to assured service delivery, quality and long-term sustainability.
Gram Panchayat-led management gives local bodies ownership of water assets.
Shifts the Mission from creating tap connections to assured, lasting service delivery.
Gives Gram Panchayats and communities ownership of rural water systems.
Digital IDs enable source-to-tap tracking, real-time monitoring and transparency.
Conditional, milestone-based funding ties central money to State reforms and long-term service delivery.
Shifts focus from building pipes to reliable service delivery, aiming at assured 24x7 rural supply.
Reduces women's drudgery and improves health, with women and girls the main beneficiaries.
Tap water at home cuts the drudgery of fetching water, which falls mostly on women.
Safe supply in arsenic and fluoride areas reduces waterborne disease and health costs.
Community ownership through GPs and VWSCs builds local self-government.

Problems

Gram Panchayats may lack technical skills and funds to run and maintain schemes.
Source sustainability and water quality (contamination) remain concerns even after tap connections.
Water is a State subject, so outcomes depend on State follow-through; summit commitments are not binding.
Weak source sustainability, groundwater depletion and thin local capacity for operation and maintenance can leave connections without water.
Several departments and levels of government must coordinate, and capacity at Gram Panchayat level is uneven.
Source depletion and poor operation and maintenance can undercut tap connections.
Sustaining sources and keeping schemes functional after tap connections are installed.
Ensuring water quality and community capacity to operate and maintain systems.
Difficult terrain, forest clearances and NoCs delay pipelines (Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh).
Source sustainability and lack of perennial sources, as in Tamil Nadu, threaten tap functionality.
Water is a State subject, so success depends on State accountability and capacity.
Sustaining source and O&M after handover to Gram Panchayats and VWSCs is difficult.
Operation and maintenance of in-village systems needs funds and capacity at village level.
Quality, accountability and source sustainability must be ensured.
Sustaining O&M depends on user charges and local capacity, which vary across villages (₹40 to ₹100 per household in the villages featured).
Source sustainability and water quality remain at risk without groundwater recharge and regular testing.
Panchayats need funds, skills and the power to levy user charges for operation and maintenance.
Source sustainability, water quality and corruption in works threaten long-term functionality.
Functionality lags coverage: only 76% of connections were functional in 2024, with quality and regularity gaps.
Scarce sources, geogenic contamination, difficult terrain, limited technical capacity and rising costs slow delivery.
Local bodies may lack technical skills and funds to run and maintain schemes.
Source sustainability and water quality (arsenic, fluoride) need continuous monitoring.
Weak capacity and finances of Gram Panchayats to run and maintain schemes.
Source sustainability and water quality, especially in water-scarce and varied hydro-geological areas.
Water is a State subject, so delivery depends on State capacity and accountability; delays have arisen from technical shortcomings.
Oversized or non-compliant works raise costs, and States must bear that expenditure.
Sustaining operation and maintenance and source sustainability after handover, with weak Gram Panchayat finances and capacity.
Last-mile coverage of the remaining households and ensuring water quality and State-wise delivery.
Water source sustainability and groundwater depletion threaten long-term supply.
Reported connections may not mean regular, quality-assured supply; functionality must be checked.
Weak capacity of Gram Panchayats for operation, maintenance and tariff collection; Central outlay is almost used up.

Way forward

Train and fund VWSCs, with user charges for operation and maintenance.
Strengthen source recharge and regular quality testing, with women-led surveillance.
Set time-bound, monitored targets for agreed action points, with digital monitoring and regular review.
Strengthen Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees with funds, training and tariff support for asset management.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity for planning, water budgeting and asset upkeep.
Use geo-tagged data to monitor assets and check that convergent works are completed.
Strengthen source sustainability through groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting.
Build Gram Panchayat and VWSC capacity, with regular water quality testing and surveillance.
Notify State O&M policies and certify Panchayats as capable institutions.
Invest in spring rejuvenation, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and community water quality monitoring.
Build Gram Panchayat and VWSC capacity for O&M and tariff or financing arrangements.
Use Sujalam Bharat data and Jal Seva Aankalan feedback to monitor and fix service gaps.
Link JJM with MGNREGA and conservation works to strengthen water sources.
Enforce accountability measures in the MoUs and build local capacity.
Ensure Gram Panchayats and VWSCs are trained and funded to run schemes, with defined performance standards.
Link supply with source protection, rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse and aquifer recharge, backed by technology-based monitoring.
Build Panchayat capacity and allow user charges with support for poor households.
Strengthen source recharge, quality testing and third-party audit of assets.
Shift to O&M and sustainability through community ownership (Jan Bhagidhari, Jal Arpan) and State MoUs.
Strengthen source sustainability, monitoring through IoT sensors and dashboards, and local skills such as Nal Jal Mitra.
Build GP capacity and skilling, and ensure sound operational and financial models such as user charges.
Use digital tools like DSS and citizen feedback to track service delivery and source health.
Train and fund GPs and VWSCs, and set up service utility arrangements.
Use digital tools like the DSS and citizen feedback to track quality and sources.
Strengthen Gram Panchayat-led O&M, source sustainability and recharge, and community oversight.
Enforce technical specifications, financial reconciliation and quality checks through the State MoUs.
Strengthen GPs and VWSCs with training, tariff or user-charge systems and funds for upkeep.
Use digital mapping and monitoring for accountability, and converge with groundwater recharge and source-sustainability programmes.
Strengthen source recharge by converging with watershed, MGNREGA-type and Finance Commission funds.
Train and pay local operators such as Nal Jal Mitras and enforce independent quality testing with public data.
Secure enhanced funding for extension to 2028 and link it to service-delivery outcomes.

Put in your answer

JJM coverage: Over 15.96 crore rural households (82%+) have tap connections.

Geotagging: 2,691 water supply assets, including around 700 sources, were geotagged on the day.

Departmental Summit as cooperative federalism example: A new Centre-State platform where States present action plans to the Prime Minister, for answers on cooperative federalism and governance.

Community-led water governance: Discussions cover asset management and strengthening community-led water governance, useful for answers on decentralised service delivery.

Convergence tools: Geo-tagging on the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack and geospatial planning tools such as Yuktdhara are named for convergent planning.

Local planning example: Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans are the unit for integrated planning of water security.

Community role: Gram Panchayats, VWSCs and Self-Help Groups are meant to manage and sustain rural water supply assets.

Reform-linked MoUs: Use as an example of cooperative federalism tied to governance reforms and community ownership.

Arunachal catchment law: Arunachal Pradesh has an Act for protection and management of drinking water catchment areas, with community participation.

Compliance-linked release: ₹1,561.53 crore went to five States, the first performance-based, compliance-linked release.

Extended timeline: JJM deadline extended from May 2024 to December 2028.

Meghalaya example: Meghalaya, once among the lowest in rural tap coverage, reached 83.59% coverage.

Community-managed example: Tepla village in Ambala collects ₹40 per household per month as user charges for operation and maintenance.

Reform-linked MoU: Centre-State MoUs tie JJM 2.0 to Panchayat-led O&M reforms, an example of cooperative federalism.

Jan Bhagidari: The MoU seeks stronger community participation (Jan Bhagidari) for sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply.

Functionality gap: The 2024 assessment found 76% of tap connections functional on quantity, quality and regularity.

Health benefit claim: The Minister cited a WHO study that universal household tap water could prevent close to 4 lakh diarrhoeal deaths annually.

Reform-linked federal model: The MoU ties Centre-State cooperation to 11 structural reforms, an example of conditional cooperative federalism.

Community model: The MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based, community-centred model of rural water governance.

Cooperative federalism example: State-specific MoUs with conditional, milestone-based central funding show how the Centre links funds to reforms.

WHO health estimate: WHO estimated 5.5 crore hours saved daily for women and 400,000 diarrhoeal deaths prevented.

Jal Arpan handbook: A 15-day trial run with GP and VWSC members precedes handover of schemes, supported by dashboards and Jal Seva Ankalan.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 56

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

1.Jal Arpan involves the formal handover of completed rural water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees.
2.The Jal Arpan digital module was developed by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
3.Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, Sujalam Bharat is used for geotagging of rural water supply assets.
4.Water quality testing demonstrations during Jal Arpan used Field Test Kits.
5.Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
6.Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2014 to provide tap water to every rural household.
7.The Jal Arpan module now provides Har Ghar Jal certificates only in Hindi and English.
8.Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in August 2019 and is implemented by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
9.JJM 2.0 shifts the mission from an infrastructure-centric approach to a service delivery model.
10.Under JJM 2.0, States can receive funds without signing any MoU, as long as the schemes are completed.
11.Schemes are validated against the Sujalam Bharat GIS-linked Asset Registry before funds are released to States.
12.Jal Utsav is organised in three tiers, with Lok Jal Utsav held at the State level.
13.Meghalaya is the twelfth State to sign a Reform-Linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
14.Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026.
15.The Cabinet has approved an additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Mission.
16.Under the reform-linked MoU, District Water Sanitation Missions are headed by the State Water Resources Secretary.
17.Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti through its Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
18.Jal Jeevan Mission has been extended till December 2028 with the approval of the Cabinet.
19.Jal Mahotsav 2026 was a 15-day campaign running from International Women's Day to World Water Day.
20.JJM 2.0 aims to move from a service-delivery approach to an infrastructure-creation approach.
21.The Guidelines say source sustainability is secondary to service delivery, so convergence on water conservation is optional.
22.The Union Cabinet approved Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 on 10 March 2026.
23.Under JJM 2.0 the Mission period has been extended up to December 2028.
24.The reform-linked MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based model of rural water governance.
25.Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019.
26.The MoUs under JJM 2.0 were signed with Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Goa.
27.Jal Jeevan Mission has been implemented since August 2019 by the Centre in partnership with States.
28.At the start of the Mission, about half of rural households had tap water connections.
29.Under JJM, responsibility for operation and maintenance of drinking water schemes lies with the State/UT governments.
30.The functionality assessment of tap connections under JJM is carried out by an independent third-party agency selected on standard statistical sampling.
31.The 2024 Functionality Assessment judged tap connections functional on quantity, quality and regularity, and found about 76% functional.
32.Jal Jeevan Mission is administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
33.Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
34.The reform-linked MoU signed by Uttar Pradesh covers 11 key structural reform areas.
35.Under the MoU, completed piped water schemes are to be handed over to Gram Panchayats or Village Water and Sanitation Committees through the Jal Arpan process.
36.The Decision Support System platform under the MoU was developed by the NITI Aayog for planning at district and GP levels.
37.Jal Utsav is a two-tier annual campaign held only at the national and State levels.
38.Jal Jeevan Mission has been extended till December 2028 with an enhanced outlay.
39.Under the MoU, completed piped water supply schemes are to be handed over to Gram Panchayats and VWSCs through the Jal Arpan process.
40.The Decision Support System platform was developed by the Ministry of Rural Development.
41.Jal Utsav includes Lok Jal Utsav at the Gram Panchayat level.
42.Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti through the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
43.Jal Seva Aankalan is a Union-level audit carried out by the Ministry, with results published on the Jal Shakti portal.
44.The Jal Jeevan Mission has been extended up to December 2028 under JJM 2.0.
45.A Gram Panchayat may declare itself 'Har Ghar Jal' as soon as pipelines are laid, without any check on maintenance arrangements.
46.The central assistance approved for JJM has been raised from Rs 2.08 lakh crore to Rs 3.59 lakh crore.
47.Jal Utsav is a biennial event led by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti to inaugurate new schemes.
48.In 2019, about 17 per cent of rural households had tap water connections, the baseline for JJM.
49.Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
50.Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in August 2019 to provide potable water to every rural household.
51.Under JJM, Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees plan, implement, operate and maintain in-village water supply systems.
52.Under JJM, the benchmark for quality of piped water is the standard set by the World Health Organization.
53.States and UTs may use up to 2% of their annual JJM allocation for water quality monitoring and surveillance.
54.Under Jal Arpan, the handbook on community-managed piped water systems mandates a 15-day trial run involving GPs and VWSC members before handover.
55.Since drinking water is a Union subject, the Centre alone funds and builds JJM schemes.
56.Community water purification plants under JJM are meant as an interim measure in arsenic and fluoride affected habitations until compliant piped schemes are commissioned.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Jal Shakti, 17 Mar, 18:30 IST · Release 286191

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

GS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Agriculture Ministry told the Lok Sabha about progress under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, approved by the Cabinet on 1 October 2025 with an outlay of Rs 11,440 crore.
What it is: Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is a six-year scheme (2025-26 to 2030-31) to make India self-sufficient in pulses. It takes a value-chain approach: seeds, area expansion, processing, assured procurement and digital monitoring. It focuses on Tur, Urad and Masoor.

Procurement agencies: NCCF and NAFED are authorised to procure 100% of Tur, Masur and Urad for four years, 2025-26 to 2028-29.
Digital tools: Krishi Mapper does geo-tagging and tracking of demonstrations. SATHI tracks the seed life cycle. A three-tier Steering Committee monitors the Mission.
Approval and outlay: Cabinet approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 1 October 2025, with Rs 11,440 crore over 2025-26 to 2030-31.
Focus districts: 489 districts are identified as focus districts for clusters. The list may be modified later.
Area expansion: Pulses area is projected to expand by 35 lakh hectares by 2030-31: 24.5 lakh ha in traditional areas and 10.5 lakh ha in non-traditional areas.
Focus pulses: The mission gives special focus to Tur, Urad and Masoor.
PMKSY projects: 23 pulse processing units were approved under CEFPPC of PMKSY, and 18 are completed.

Don’t confuse with NAFED vs NCCF: Both are national cooperative marketing bodies and both procure pulses under the Mission. NAFED is the apex agricultural marketing cooperative; NCCF is the consumers' cooperative federation.

Don’t confuse with Mission vs PM-AASHA: PM-AASHA is a broad price-support umbrella for pulses, oilseeds and copra. This Mission is a dedicated six-year pulses scheme with seeds, processing and procurement.

Don’t confuse with Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector scheme: In a Centrally Sponsored Scheme the Centre and States share the cost. A Central Sector scheme is fully funded by the Centre.

Don’t confuse with PM-AASHA vs PM-KISAN: PM-AASHA protects farmers' income through procurement, including the Price Support Scheme. PM-KISAN gives direct income support of Rs 6,000 a year.

Don’t confuse with Mission vs PMKSY: The pulses mission is a crop-focused scheme of the Agriculture Ministry. PMKSY (Kisan SAMPADA) is a food processing scheme under a separate ministry.

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.

Why it matters

Cuts import dependence and saves foreign exchange; pulses imports fell 31.52% in 2025-26.
Strengthens protein and nutritional security, as pulses have 20-25% protein.
Assured procurement at MSP raises farmer confidence and income.
Reduces dependence on pulse imports and saves foreign exchange.
Raises farmer incomes and nutrition security, and brings rice fallows under pulses.
Aims to cut pulse imports and improve self-sufficiency in a major protein source.
Assured procurement can encourage farmers to shift to pulses.

Problems

Yield of 957 kg/ha in 2025-26 is well below the 1,130 kg/ha target; closing the gap needs better seed and climate-resilient varieties.
Only 4.69 lakh of 7.74 lakh registered farmers have been benefited by NCCF procurement, so reach is partial.
Pulses are mostly rainfed and prone to weather and price swings.
Yield stagnation and weather risk in rain-fed pulse areas.
Price volatility and weak assured procurement can discourage farmers.
Yield of pulses remains low and rain-dependent, with price risk for farmers.
Procurement and storage capacity are limited in many states.

Way forward

Speed up seed kit distribution and certified seed supply for rice fallows.
Complete processing units and extend procurement beyond the four-year window.
Use AgriStack and digital surveys to target inputs and registration.
Promote high-yielding, climate-resilient seed varieties and timely seed supply.
Ensure assured procurement at MSP and build post-harvest processing capacity.
Promote climate-resilient, high-yielding seeds and wider adoption.
Strengthen storage, processing and timely procurement.

Put in your answer

Mission outlay and duration: Rs 11,440 crore over six years, 2025-26 to 2030-31, aiming at self-sufficiency in pulses.

Area expansion target: Pulses area is to rise by 35 lakh hectares by 2030-31.

Mission outlay: Rs 11,440 crore over 2025-26 to 2030-31 for pulses self-sufficiency.

Farmer registration: 1.5 lakh pulse farmers registered through NAFED and NCCF in Rabi 2026-27 procurement season.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 18

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

1.The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses runs for six years from 2025-26 to 2030-31.
2.The Mission targets pulses production of nearly 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.
3.Under the Mission, assured procurement of Tur, Urad and Masoor is done by NCCF and NAFED for the full six years of the Mission.
4.The Mission aims to set up 1,000 pulse processing units.
5.The SATHI portal covers the seed life cycle from seed production to certification and sale.
6.The Minimum Support Price for pulses is announced by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices after approval by the Parliament.
7.The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
8.Its financial outlay is Rs 11,440 crore.
9.The Mission approves 1,000 processing units for the mission period.
10.Under the Mission, seed kits are supplied to farmers at subsidised prices.
11.Seed kits under the Mission target rice fallow areas and other diversifiable areas.
12.The list of 489 focus districts under the Mission is fixed and cannot be changed during the mission period.
13.Most of the projected 35 lakh hectare area expansion is in non-traditional areas.
14.The Mission runs for five years from 2025-26.
15.The Mission gives special focus to Tur, Urad and Masoor.
16.Procurement support under the Mission follows Price Support Scheme norms under PM-AASHA.
17.Procurement of Tur, Urad and Masoor is limited to a fixed quantity per farmer under the Mission.
18.NAFED and NCCF are the Central Nodal Agencies for pulses procurement.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 17 Mar, 19:11 IST · Release 286194

Issue page →

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

Scheme

HPV Vaccination Drive and Cervical Cancer Elimination

GS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Health Ministry told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the free HPV vaccination campaign began on 28 February 2026. It targets about 1.2 crore girls aged 14 in all 36 States and UTs.
What it is: India's national HPV vaccination campaign gives a free single dose of the Gardasil Quadrivalent vaccine to adolescent girls at government health facilities. It sits alongside VIA-based cervical cancer screening under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Together they follow WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.

Launch date: The nationwide campaign was launched on 28 February 2026 and runs for three months.
Target group: About 1.2 crore girls aged 14 years in all 36 States and UTs.
Vaccine and dose: A single dose of Gardasil-4 is given free at government facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals and GMCs.
After the campaign: Once the three-month campaign ends, the vaccine stays available on routine immunization days.
Target group and size: The campaign targets 12 million girls aged 14 years. It was inaugurated on 28 February.
Vaccine and schedule: A single dose of Gardasil Quadrivalent over 90 days, free at designated government facilities, in line with WHO and NTAGI recommendations.
Voluntary participation: The programme is voluntary and rests on parental consent.
Digital tracking: U-WIN records each vaccination event. eVIN tracks vaccine stocks and cold-chain logistics.
WHO 90-70-90 targets for 2030: 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV, 70% of women screened, and 90% of women with cervical disease treated.
Digital platforms: U-WIN handles session planning, registration, consent and reporting; e-VIN manages vaccine stocks and logistics.
Campaign mode: A 90-day campaign, after which the vaccine moves to routine immunization session days. Voluntary, free, with parental consent.
Expert recommendation: The vaccination is recommended by WHO and India's NTAGI.
Vaccine used: Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine covering HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11.
Where given: Free of cost at designated government facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, CHCs, district hospitals and medical colleges.
Procurement: Supply secured through a procurement mechanism in partnership with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

Don’t confuse with HPV vaccination vs VIA screening: The vaccine prevents HPV infection in adolescent girls. VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) is a screening test that detects precancerous changes in women.

Don’t confuse with U-WIN vs eVIN: U-WIN is the digital platform recording each vaccination event. eVIN tracks vaccine stocks and cold-chain logistics.

Don’t confuse with VIA vs HPV vaccination: VIA is a screening test for women aged 30-65 and detects disease early. HPV vaccination is primary prevention for adolescent girls.

Don’t confuse with U-WIN vs e-VIN: U-WIN is the digital platform for beneficiary registration, sessions, consent and records. e-VIN tracks vaccine stocks and cold chain logistics.

Don’t confuse with Gardasil-4 vs Gardasil-9 vs Cervavac: Gardasil-4 covers types 6, 11, 16, 18. Gardasil-9 covers nine types. Cervavac is an Indian-made quadrivalent vaccine. The campaign uses Gardasil-4.

Don’t confuse with NTAGI vs SAGE: NTAGI is India's national expert group advising the Health Ministry on immunization; SAGE is WHO's global advisory group.

Don’t confuse with HPV types 16/18 vs 6/11: Types 16 and 18 cause most cervical cancers; types 6 and 11 mainly cause genital warts.

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.

Why it matters

Cervical cancer is largely preventable, so vaccination plus screening can cut cases and deaths among women.
Free delivery through public facilities, including rural areas, improves equity of access.
Cervical cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths among Indian women. Vaccination plus screening can cut this burden over time.
A free, single-dose drive supports India's alignment with WHO's global elimination goals.
Prevents a leading cancer in women, with about 1.2 crore girls in each yearly cohort.
A single dose lowers cost and logistics burden, which helps reach and coverage.
Advances India's contribution to the WHO goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable; vaccination before exposure cuts future cases and deaths.
Single-dose schedule lowers cost and eases delivery, helping equity in women's health.

Problems

Parental consent and vaccine hesitancy or misinformation can lower uptake.
Reaching girls outside school and in underserved areas, and tracking them for follow-up, is hard.
Voluntary, consent-based uptake needs trust-building to counter vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Screening coverage and follow-up treatment for those who test positive must keep pace with vaccination.
Parental consent and misinformation or hesitancy about a vaccine for adolescents may limit uptake.
Reaching out-of-school girls and remote areas within a 90-day window is hard.
Vaccination alone is not enough; screening and treatment capacity for older women remains uneven.
Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation about safety among parents.
Reaching out-of-school girls and remote areas with cold-chain and tracking.

Way forward

Run awareness drives with schools, ASHAs and community leaders to build trust.
Link vaccination with screening and treatment so prevention covers all age groups.
Use frontline health workers and U-WIN for outreach, tracking and follow-up of beneficiaries.
Link vaccination, screening and treatment so that all three WHO 90-70-90 targets are pursued together.
Run awareness drives through schools, ASHAs and Anganwadis to counter hesitancy.
Use U-WIN data to track coverage and adverse events, and follow up missed girls in routine sessions.
Link vaccination with screening and treatment under the NP-NCD for a full elimination strategy.
Run awareness drives with schools, ASHAs and community leaders, and monitor adverse events openly.
Pair vaccination with expanded cervical cancer screening and treatment under NP-NCD.

Put in your answer

Campaign coverage: Target of about 1.2 crore girls aged 14 across 36 States/UTs with a single dose.

Safety system: Vaccination sites are linked to 24x7 AEFI Management Centres for prompt handling of adverse events.

Cervical cancer burden in India: WHO's chief cited over 80,000 deaths and about 42,000 new cases annually in India.

Screening reach: Over 86 million women screened under NP-NCD shows scale of population-based screening.

Herd effect: High coverage reduces circulation of HPV strains, giving indirect protection to the unvaccinated.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

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

1.Gardasil-4 protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
2.The U-WIN portal manages vaccine stocks and logistics under the campaign.
3.Vaccination is free and voluntary, and needs parental or guardian consent.
4.The vaccine is offered at both government and private health facilities in the campaign.
5.Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, particularly 16 and 18, is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
6.Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India.
7.The vaccine used in the national programme protects only against HPV types 16 and 18.
8.India has secured HPV vaccine supply through a procurement mechanism in partnership with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
9.The programme is built on a two-dose schedule recommended by WHO.
10.Vaccination under the programme is voluntary and requires informed consent from parents or guardians.
11.Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India according to GLOBOCAN 2022 data cited by the Ministry.
12.The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization is an advisory body of the World Health Organization.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 17 Mar, 13:15 IST · Release 286104

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)

GS3 Science and TechnologyGS1 CulturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: In a written Lok Sabha reply on 13 March 2026 (released 17 March), the Ministry of Ayush set out how TKDL and related Ayush initiatives protect and promote traditional medicinal knowledge.
What it is: The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a database of Indian traditional knowledge, set up in 2001 by CSIR and the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy. It records texts from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga in five international languages. Patent offices use it as prior art to reject claims on existing traditional knowledge.

Set up: TKDL was established in 2001 jointly by CSIR and the department that is now the Ministry of Ayush.
Systems covered: It covers Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga.
Languages: Content in Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Bhoti and others is transcribed into English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese.
Purpose and access: It prevents misappropriation of traditional knowledge through patents. 18 patent offices have access under non-disclosure agreements with CSIR.
Impact: Since 2009, 375 patent applications were refused, withdrawn, amended or set aside based on TKDL evidence.
Biodiversity law: The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 regulates access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge, with benefit sharing through the National Biodiversity Authority.
Content: It has over 5.2 lakh formulations and practices from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga.
Access terms: Patent offices get access through Non-Disclosure Agreements; with Brazil the count is eighteen.

Don’t confuse with TKDL vs Biological Diversity Act: TKDL blocks wrongful patents by supplying prior art. The Biological Diversity Act regulates access to biological resources and shares benefits through the NBA.

Don’t confuse with Prior art vs patent: Prior art is existing public knowledge used to show an invention is not novel. A patent is an exclusive right granted for a new invention.

Don’t confuse with Defensive vs positive protection: TKDL is defensive: it blocks wrong patents by supplying prior art. Positive protection would give holders their own rights, such as a patent or sui generis right.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, AYUSH, 17 Mar, 14:47 IST · Release 286121

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions

GS2 Local GovernmentGS3 Fiscal federalismPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Union Panchayati Raj Minister told the Lok Sabha in a written reply how 15th Finance Commission grants to rural local bodies are allocated, released and monitored for FY 2020-21 to 2025-26.
What it is: The Fifteenth Finance Commission is the Finance Commission set up under Article 280 of the Constitution. It recommended grants to Rural Local Bodies for 2020-21 and for 2021-26, split into untied (basic) and tied parts. The grants carry conditions meant to improve planning, accounts, audit and the State Finance Commission process.

Inter-se State criteria: Grants are distributed among States with 90% weight to population and 10% to area.
Nodal ministries: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj handles untied (basic) grants; the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation handles tied grants.
Disbursal deadline: States must pass grants to panchayats within 10 working days, or pay interest on the delay.
Release in instalments: Grants go to States in two instalments a year, after the Grant Transfer Certificate for the last instalment is received.
Amount released: Rs 256.60 crore of the second instalment of untied grants for 2025-26 went to Assam's eligible rural local bodies.
Withheld portion: Rs 42.70 crore of the withheld part of the first untied instalment was released to three additionally eligible Autonomous District Councils.
Release route: Panchayati Raj and Jal Shakti recommend release of the grants; the Ministry of Finance releases them. Grants come in two instalments a year.
Use of tied grants: Tied grants are for sanitation and ODF maintenance, and for drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
Constitutional basis: The Finance Commission is constituted under Article 280 every five years by the President.

Don’t confuse with Finance Commission vs State Finance Commission: The Finance Commission (Article 280) shares Union taxes with States and recommends grants. The State Finance Commission (Article 243I) reviews finances of panchayats and recommends sharing between State and local bodies.

Don’t confuse with Untied vs tied grants: Untied (basic) grants can be used for local needs except salaries. Tied grants are for specified purposes such as drinking water, rainwater harvesting and sanitation.

Don’t confuse with Eleventh vs Twelfth Schedule: The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects for Panchayats. The Twelfth Schedule lists 18 subjects for Municipalities.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Gives standing allocation figures and tier-wise bands for rural local body grants. Issue on file; Mains gate not met as it is a routine reply.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 17 Mar, 15:05 IST · Release 286126

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and EEZ Fishing Rules 2025

GS3 Agriculture and fisheriesGS2 SchemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026 the Fisheries Minister gave the Lok Sabha an update on PMMSY: outlay, approvals, fisher insurance, Kisan Credit Cards and fish production data for 2023-24.
What it is: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is the flagship scheme of the Department of Fisheries for fisheries and aquaculture development. It runs from 2020-21 and funds harbours, cold chains, insurance and climate-resilient fishing villages.

Outlay and start: PMMSY began in 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs 20,750 crore.
Fish production: India's fish production reached 183.93 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, with inland fisheries giving 75.57 percent.
Kisan Credit Card for fishers: The KCC facility was extended to fishers and fish farmers in 2018-19 for working capital.
Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages: The CRCFV programme builds fisheries infrastructure and promotes seaweed cultivation, artificial reefs and green fuel. Turtle Excluder Devices are a PMMSY component.
Seafood exports: Seafood exports rose from Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25.
Potential yield of EEZ: An Expert Committee estimated India's EEZ potential yield at 53.1 lakh tons.
Training nodal agency: NFDB is the nodal agency for the PMMSY training component, working with CIFNET.
PMMSY start: PMMSY has been implemented from 2020-21 and includes support for acquiring deep-sea vessels for traditional fishermen.
EEZ extent: India's EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
Legal basis: The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
How it is issued: The pass is free and issued online via the ReALCRaft portal, built by NIC and the Department of Fisheries.
Export link: ReALCRaft is integrated with MPEDA for catch certificates and with the Export Inspection Council for health certificates.
Sea safety: One lakh free transponders are being fitted on fishing vessels; over 50,000 are installed.
Access Pass: A completely online, free-of-cost pass for authorised Indian vessels to fish in the EEZ, launched at Veraval, Gujarat.
EEZ Rules 2025: The 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ, 2025' Rules were notified on 4 November 2025, in line with the Budget 2025-26 announcement.
Foreign vessels: The Rules strictly prohibit entry of foreign fishing vessels into the Indian EEZ.
Fishing Harbour Cluster: Veraval has been designated a 'Fishing Harbour Cluster' under PMMSY.
Duty-free catch: Fish catch by any Indian vessel in the EEZ/high seas is duty-free as per Budget 2026.
VCSS rollout: The National Rollout Plan for VCSS covers one lakh mechanized and motorized marine fishing vessels in all 13 coastal states and UTs, with an outlay of Rs 364 crore.
ISRO role: VCSS is implemented with technical support from ISRO.
What VCSS does: It is a satellite-based two-way communication system giving weather alerts, No Fishing Zone alerts and IMBL geo-fencing, and it integrates with the Nabhmitra App.
Progress: More than 49,000 transponders have been installed so far.
Banned methods in EEZ: Bull trawling, pair trawling and artificial or LED lights for fishing are prohibited in the Indian EEZ. Purse seine fishing is not prohibited in the EEZ beyond territorial waters, on an Expert Committee's recommendation.
Enforcement: States and UTs enforce fishing rules under their Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts, including seizure, penalties and prosecution.

Don’t confuse with PMMSY vs Blue Revolution: The Blue Revolution scheme preceded PMMSY, which is the current flagship scheme from 2020-21.

Don’t confuse with Blue Revolution vs PMMSY: Blue Revolution was the earlier Centrally Sponsored Scheme; PMMSY (from 2020-21) is the later flagship Central sector scheme.

Don’t confuse with EEZ vs territorial sea: Territorial sea reaches 12 nautical miles with full sovereignty; EEZ reaches 200 nautical miles with sovereign rights over resources.

Don’t confuse with Territorial waters vs EEZ: Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles; the EEZ lies from 12 to 200 nautical miles, where India has sovereign rights over resources.

Don’t confuse with ReALCRaft vs Access Pass: ReALCRaft is the online registration and licensing portal; the Access Pass is the permit for EEZ fishing issued through it.

Don’t confuse with EEZ vs territorial waters: Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles with full sovereignty; the EEZ extends to 200 nautical miles with sovereign rights over resources.

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.

Why it matters

Supports livelihoods of over 2.8 crore fishers and fish farmers.
Raises exports and value addition through post-harvest and cold-chain infrastructure.
Access passes bring larger vessels into a regulated system, helping track and manage EEZ fishing.
Deep-sea support shifts traditional fishers toward under-used EEZ resources.
Taps under-used EEZ resources such as tuna, raising fishers' incomes and seafood exports.
Gives a legal and traceable framework that supports conservation and compliance with international obligations.
Routes access through cooperatives and FFPOs, so small fishers gain from deep-sea fishing.
Opens under-used deep-sea resources such as tuna and raises fisher incomes.
Digital passes improve traceability and protect the EEZ from foreign vessels.
Transponders improve safety of fishers at sea and help stop accidental crossing of the IMBL.

Problems

Approved central share (Rs 9,189.79 crore) is well below the full outlay, and funds released lag approvals in many states.
Inland output dominates, leaving marine fisheries and coastal communities exposed to climate risk.
Actual EEZ catch is small against the 53.1 lakh tonne potential yield, and vessel costs are high.
Traditional fishers need skills and capital for deep-sea operations.
Deep-sea vessels, skills and capital are costly for small fishers, who may be crowded out by large operators.
Monitoring and enforcement across a vast EEZ is hard, with risks of overfishing and maritime boundary incidents.
Small fishers lack deep-sea vessels, capital and skills.
Overfishing and monitoring of far-off vessels are difficult.
Enforcement lies with states and rules differ across territorial waters, so harmful methods persist.
Small fishers may find it hard to maintain and use the devices.

Way forward

Speed up release of funds and project completion.
Expand insurance and credit coverage and climate-resilient livelihoods for coastal fishers.
Expand training and subsidised finance for deep-sea vessels.
Enforce monitoring of access passes while protecting fish stocks.
Expand training through CIFNET and FSI and finance cooperative-owned deep-sea vessels, including under PMMSY.
Strengthen vessel tracking, stock assessment and catch limits to keep harvesting sustainable.
Organise fishers into cooperatives and FFPOs and support vessel upgrades.
Expand training, transponder tracking and sustainable catch limits.
Harmonise state Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts and coordinate Coast Guard and state patrols.
Use transponder data for monitoring and stock management.

Put in your answer

Fish production: 183.93 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, 75.57% inland.

Seafood exports: Exports doubled from Rs 30,213 crore to Rs 62,408 crore between 2013-14 and 2024-25; value-added share rose from 2% to 11%.

EEZ potential yield: The Expert Committee put India's EEZ potential yield at 53.1 lakh tons.

Access passes issued: 707 access passes had been issued by 5 March 2026.

Fisher welfare data: Accident insurance cover is raised to ₹5 lakh, benefiting over 33 lakh fishers.

EEZ size: India's EEZ spans nearly 24 lakh sq km but is under-utilised.

Safety measures: Transponders for real-time tracking and PFZ advisories are cited as safety systems.

Banned practices: Bull trawling, pair trawling and LED-light fishing are prohibited in the EEZ.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 23

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

1.The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
2.The National Fisheries Development Board is the nodal agency for the training component of PMMSY.
3.PMMSY has been implemented since 2020-21.
4.Access passes for EEZ fishing are applied for on the ReALCraft portal.
5.India's Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
6.The Access Pass for fishing in the EEZ is issued free of cost through the ReALCRaft portal.
7.Traditional non-motorised fishing crafts are exempt from the Access Pass requirement.
8.The EEZ of India extends from the coastline up to 200 nautical miles.
9.The ReALCRaft portal is integrated with MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council for export-related certificates.
10.Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for about 49% of India's EEZ.
11.PMMSY is a scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
12.The Access Pass for fishing in India's EEZ is issued through an online portal free of cost.
13.The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules were notified in November 2025.
14.Veraval has been designated a Fishing Harbour Cluster under PMMSY.
15.PMMSY was launched in 2020-21 and is implemented by the Department of Fisheries.
16.India's Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
17.The Vessel Communication and Support System is being implemented with technical support from ISRO.
18.The VCSS project is planned to cover one lakh marine fishing vessels in all coastal states and UTs.
19.VCSS is a one-way broadcast system that only sends weather alerts to fishers.
20.Purse seine fishing is prohibited in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters.
21.Enforcement against prohibited fishing is primarily done by State/UT governments under their Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts.
22.The Coast Guard and State Fisheries Departments conduct regular joint patrols to enforce fishing rules.
23.The Indian Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, 17 Mar, 15:14 IST · Release 286130

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)

GS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Fisheries Ministry told the Lok Sabha about FIDF's objectives and progress: 228 projects approved at Rs 5559.54 crore, including some in Madhya Pradesh.
What it is: FIDF is a Department of Fisheries fund that has run since 2018-19 with a total size of Rs 7522.48 crore. It gives concessional finance, backed by interest subvention, to States, UTs, State entities and other stakeholders. The money builds harbours, landing centres, hatcheries, cold chains and similar facilities.

Fund size and start: FIDF has a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore and has been implemented from 2018-19.
Interest subvention: The Department gives interest subvention up to 3% a year. Nodal Loaning Entities lend at a rate not lower than 5% a year.
Who can borrow: Eligible Entities include State Governments/UTs, State entities and other stakeholders.
Link with PMMSY: FIDF is an enabling financial mechanism for infrastructure. PMMSY gives developmental support.
Start and size: FIDF has run since 2018-19 with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore.
Progress: 228 proposals were approved at Rs 5559.54 crore, with the cost eligible for subvention capped at Rs 4351.86 crore.
Intended outcomes: The infrastructure aims to cut post-harvest losses, raise production and productivity, add value and improve marketing.

Don’t confuse with FIDF vs PMMSY: FIDF gives concessional loans with interest subvention for infrastructure. PMMSY gives developmental support for the sector.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, 17 Mar, 15:23 IST · Release 286138

Issue page →

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

Environment

Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW)

GS3 EnvironmentGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026 the Ministry of Jal Shakti said Uttarakhand has notified its Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) policy. UP, Bihar and West Bengal are at the final stage of notifying theirs, and city reuse plans are advancing.
What it is: Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) is a framework to treat sewage and reuse it for non-potable uses such as industry, power plants, construction, irrigation and urban landscaping. It treats wastewater as a resource, not waste. It reduces pressure on freshwater and river pollution, and works through state policies and city-level action plans.

Uttarakhand policy: Uttarakhand has notified a formal SRTW policy for reuse of treated wastewater in non-potable uses and defines roles of departments, urban local bodies and industries.
Other states: SRTW policies of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are close to notification.
City plans: City-Level Reuse Action Plans are done for Agra and Prayagraj, in the final stage for Varanasi, and begun for Kanpur.
Industrial reuse: Panki Thermal Power Plant uses 40 MLD of treated water, cutting freshwater dependence.

Don’t confuse with SRTW vs Namami Gange: SRTW is a reuse framework for treated water across states and cities. Namami Gange is the Ganga rejuvenation mission that funds sewage infrastructure such as the Bingawan STP.

Don’t confuse with Treated water vs potable use: The policy promotes reuse for non-potable purposes such as industry, construction, flushing and irrigation of green spaces, not for drinking.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting water-policy topic with state policies being notified. Few hard facts for a statement, so no question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Jal Shakti, 17 Mar, 16:06 IST · Release 286151

Issue page →

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

Economy

RBI Digital Lending Guidelines and DLA Directory

GS3 EconomyGS2 Consumer protectionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Finance Ministry told Rajya Sabha about steps against fraudulent loan apps: RBI's digital lending guidelines, the DLA directory, blocking under IT Act Section 69A, and cybercrime reporting channels.
What it is: RBI's digital lending guidelines were framed after a Working Group on Digital Lending, including through online platforms and mobile apps, gave its recommendations. They bind all Regulated Entities and aim to protect borrowers in loans offered through apps. The DLA directory on RBI's website lets customers check whether an app is linked to a regulated lender.

Origin of guidelines: RBI set up a Working Group on Digital Lending, and its recommendations led to the guidelines.
Who must comply: All Regulated Entities must follow the guidelines. Compliance is checked on a sample basis in supervision, and non-compliance can draw enforcement action.
Blocking power: MeitY blocks fraudulent loan apps under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, following the 2009 blocking Rules.
Constitutional position: Police and Public Order are State subjects in the Seventh Schedule, so States are primarily responsible for crime prevention and prosecution.

Don’t confuse with SACHET vs National Cybercrime Portal: SACHET is a public-facing portal for complaints about illegal deposit or money collection by entities, working with State Level Coordination Committees. The cybercrime portal, run by MHA, takes cyber incident reports.

Don’t confuse with Regulated Entity vs unauthorised app: A Regulated Entity is a lender regulated by RBI. Unauthorised apps have no such link, and the DLA directory helps tell them apart.

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: Lasting regulatory topic: RBI digital lending guidelines, DLA directory from 1 July 2025, blocking under Section 69A IT Act. No fresh hook.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 17 Mar, 16:44 IST · Release 286159

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM-eBus Sewa Scheme

GS3 Infrastructure / Urban transportGS3 EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the Minister of State for Heavy Industries told the Lok Sabha how the PM e-Bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme is progressing, including the Direct Debit Mandates given by 19 States/UTs.
What it is: PM-eBus Sewa is a Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs scheme to deploy 10,000 electric buses in cities, run on a Gross Cost Contract model. The Payment Security Mechanism is a linked scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries. It sets up a fund so that bus operators get paid on time even if a city transport authority defaults.

Implementing agency: Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) is the Central Implementing Agency. It manages the Payment Security Fund and verifies payment claims.
Coverage period: PSM gives payment security for up to 12 years for each bus deployed under the scheme.
Default recovery: If a transport authority does not repay the fund with Late Payment Surcharge within 90 days, MHI asks RBI to invoke the Direct Debit Mandate. RBI then debits the State/UT account.
First tranche: Rs 500 crore was given to CESL in FY 2025-26 to set up the PSM Fund.
Implementing ministry: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, not by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Target cities: Cities with 3 to 40 lakh population, plus state capitals and capitals of North Eastern and hilly regions with under 3 lakh people.
Infrastructure support: The scheme gives 100% financial support for Behind-the-Meter power infrastructure.
Coverage: 10,000 buses are sanctioned across 116 cities in 20 States and 6 UTs.
Infrastructure money: Rs 1254.38 crore sanctioned and Rs 483.70 crore spent on BTM and civil depot infrastructure till December 2025.
Jobs estimate: Estimated 45,000 to 55,000 direct jobs during the scheme; actual jobs are not tracked by MoHUA.

Don’t confuse with PM-eBus Sewa vs PM E-DRIVE: PM-eBus Sewa is a MoHUA scheme for 10,000 city buses. PM E-DRIVE is a Ministry of Heavy Industries scheme. PSM covers buses under both.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, 17 Mar, 16:50 IST · Release 286168

Issue page →

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

In the news

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

GS3 Internal security: cyber crimePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 March 2026, the MoS Home told the Lok Sabha that I4C's platforms had saved over Rs 8,690 crore in cyber fraud complaints. He also said the Suspect Registry had shared 27.37 lakh Layer 1 mule accounts with banks.
What it is: I4C is the Ministry of Home Affairs body that coordinates the national response to cyber crime among law enforcement agencies. It runs platforms such as the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and the Suspect Registry. RBIH is the Reserve Bank of India's wholly owned subsidiary that promotes innovation in the financial sector.

Parties to the MoU: I4C of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub signed the MoU.
Areas of cooperation: The MoU covers fraud-risk intelligence sharing, analytical support and operational coordination.
RBIH status: RBIH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India.
I4C platforms: I4C works through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the Suspect Registry and other intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
Constitutional basis: Police and Public Order are State subjects in the Seventh Schedule. The Centre supports States through advisories and financial assistance.
Samanvaya platform: An MIS, data repository and coordination platform for LEAs. Its Pratibimb module maps locations of criminals and crime infrastructure.
e-FIR: The e-FIR system for cybercrime cases is in place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand.

Don’t confuse with I4C vs CERT-In: I4C coordinates law-enforcement action against cyber crime under the Home Ministry. CERT-In is the technical agency for cyber security incidents, under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

Don’t confuse with RBIH vs RBI: RBIH is a separate company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBI, set up to promote financial-sector innovation. It is not the central bank itself.

Don’t confuse with CFCFRMS vs Suspect Registry: CFCFRMS handles immediate reporting of financial frauds to stop funds leaving. The Suspect Registry is a database of cyber criminal identifiers shared with banks.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Issue on file; gives set-up as scheme in 2018, attached office of MHA from 1 July 2024, and CFCFRMS from 2021. Body facts, no news hook.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs, 17 Mar, 17:30 IST · Release 286181

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

India Post launched 24 Speed Post, 48 Speed Post and 24 Speed Post Parcel time-definite services on 17 March 2026.
As on 1 March 2026, 10,000 FPOs have been registered under the central scheme for forming 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations.
Budget 2026-27 announced a Coconut Promotion Scheme; India produces 30.37% of the world's coconuts.

Source: PIB, 17 Mar

What we left out: 81 of 96 releases

Speeches without a decision (8)
Workshops and seminars (6)
Ceremonies and campaigns (6)
Greetings and tributes (2)
Same issue as another release (24)
Routine data (32)
Visit schedules (1)
Routine grants and MoUs (1)
Other releases (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)MCQ · 40 true or false · Mains
2Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal ArpanMCQ · 56 true or false · Mains
3Mission for Aatmanirbharta in PulsesMCQ · 18 true or false · Mains
4HPV Vaccination Drive and Cervical Cancer EliminationMCQ · 12 true or false · Mains
5Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)MCQ · 7 true or false
6Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and EEZ Fishing Rules 2025MCQ · 23 true or false · Mains
7Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)MCQ · 7 true or false
8PM-eBus Sewa SchemeMCQ · 7 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 raises the statutory rural wage employment guarantee to 125 days and makes the scheme Centrally Sponsored with a 60:40 and 90:10 Centre-State funding split, with a record Central share of ₹95,692.31 crore for 2026-27. Examine the key provisions of the Act and discuss the challenges in its implementation, especially for States' finances and federal balance.

From: Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

Write and get it marked

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