UPSC current affairs · Thursday

Current Affairs, 19 March 2026

11 issues picked from 82 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

Export Promotion Mission (EPM). RELIEF gives ECGC-backed risk cover and MSME reimbursement to exporters hit by Gulf shipping disruption.
PM-KISAN. 22nd PM-KISAN instalment of ₹18,640 crore reaches 9.32 crore farmers via DBT.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). FIDF has approved 228 fisheries infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,559.54 crore; 68 are complete, Rajya Sabha told.
Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Arpan. JJM tap coverage reached 81.71% of rural homes; the next phase targets O&M and community participation.
Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme. NICDC will implement BHAVYA scheme to build 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India.
National Waterways and Inland Waterways Transport. Government lists 20 National Waterways to be made operational by 2030-31, starting with six in 2026-27.
MATSYA-6000 and Deep-Sea Mining. MATSYA-6000 dive awaits a faulty foam part; seabed commercial mining rules still pending.
BioE3 Policy. India's bioeconomy reached $195.3 billion in 2025, about 4.8% of GDP; target is $300 billion by 2030.
Postal Ballot under Section 60(c), Representation of the People Act, 1951. ECI extends postal ballot to 85+, PwD, essential-service and service voters for 2026 Assembly polls.
India's Non-Fossil Capacity and NDC Targets. India says it met its 50% non-fossil NDC early and released a grid plan for 900 GW.
NITI Aayog Report on Sports Equipment Manufacturing Exports. NITI Aayog roadmap seeks to lift India's sports equipment exports from $275 million to $8.1 billion by 2036.

Scheme

Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

GS3 Economy, external sectorPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026 the Government approved RELIEF, a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission, to help exporters hit by West Asia shipping disruptions. It has an outlay of Rs 497 crore.
What it is: The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a Commerce Ministry mission that bundles financial and non-financial support for exporters into one framework. It is run through DGFT with Export Promotion Councils and industry bodies as partners. It covers areas such as export credit, factoring, warehousing and logistics, certification, trade intelligence and market access.

Rollout status: Ten EPM interventions are already rolled out. The branding component is still under stakeholder consultation.
Interest subvention: After industry feedback, interest subvention was extended to small and micro exporters on identified tariff lines.
Committee schedule: The Norms Committee, Policy Relaxation Committee, EPCG Committee and Exim Facilitation Committees will meet fortnightly. The SCOMET inter-ministerial group meets monthly.
District Export Hubs drive: A 90-day activation drive for District Export Hubs began on 1 June 2026, using District Export Promotion Committees and District Export Action Plans.
Implementing agency: DGFT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the main agency for foreign trade policy and facilitation.
EPM period: The Export Promotion Mission is approved for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, aimed at export competitiveness, especially for MSMEs.
RELIEF outlay: RELIEF has a financial outlay of Rs 497 crore under EPM, to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions.
Cover for already insured consignments: Exporters with ECGC cover for eligible consignments get up to 100% risk coverage over and above existing cover, for 14 Feb to 15 Mar 2026.
Support for upcoming consignments: For 16 Mar to 15 Jun 2026, exporters are encouraged to take ECGC cover, with Government support for up to 95% risk coverage over existing cover.
Reimbursement for non-insured MSMEs: Eligible MSME exporters without ECGC insurance get partial reimbursement of up to 50% of freight and insurance surcharge burden, capped at Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
Two sub-schemes: EPM has NIRYAT PROTSAHAN for trade finance (interest subvention, factoring, collateral guarantees) and NIRYAT DISHA for other enablers (quality, branding, market access, logistics, trade intelligence).
Nodal agency: ECGC Ltd, wholly owned by the Government of India under the Commerce Ministry, verifies claims, pays out and monitors RELIEF.
Outlay: RELIEF has an approved outlay of Rs 497 crore, funded under EPM.
Cover for existing ECGC policyholders: Exporters with ECGC cover get up to 100% extra risk coverage for consignments from 14 Feb to 15 Mar 2026.
Cover for future shipments: For consignments from 16 Mar to 15 Jun 2026, government support covers up to 95% risk coverage over existing ECGC cover.
MSME reimbursement: Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters can get up to 50% partial reimbursement of freight and insurance surcharges, capped at Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
Review: The EPM Steering Committee will review RELIEF periodically and may modify, continue or withdraw it.
Approval and outlay: The Government approved EPM in November 2025. Its outlay is ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
LIFT: LIFT supports hinterland exporters on transport costs. It covers up to 30% of the cost, capped at ₹20 lakh per exporter per year.
Two verticals: EPM combines financial support under Niryat Protsahan with trade ecosystem support under Niryat Disha, in a digitally monitored framework.
TRACE: Reimburses 60% (Positive List) or 75% (Priority Positive List) of testing, inspection and certification costs, up to ₹25 lakh per IEC a year.
Status: With this launch, 10 of the 11 proposed EPM interventions are operational.
Implementing ministries: Jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Finance.
Collateral guarantee: Offered with CGTMSE: cover up to 85% for Micro and Small exporters, 65% for Medium, with max guaranteed exposure of ₹10 crore per exporter per year.

Don’t confuse with EPC vs DGFT: Export Promotion Councils are industry-facing bodies of exporters that promote specific sectors. DGFT is the government office that administers foreign trade policy.

Don’t confuse with EPCG vs EPC: EPCG is the Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme allowing concessional duty on capital goods imports. EPC is a Council of exporters.

Don’t confuse with NIRYAT PROTSAHAN vs NIRYAT DISHA: PROTSAHAN deals with trade finance; DISHA covers non-financial enablers such as compliance, branding, market access, logistics and trade intelligence.

Don’t confuse with ECGC cover vs RELIEF support: ECGC is the credit insurer; RELIEF is a Government intervention that adds cover on top of ECGC's existing cover or reimburses costs for uninsured MSMEs.

Don’t confuse with ECGC vs EXIM Bank: ECGC insures exporters against non-payment and political risk. EXIM Bank is a financial institution that lends for trade.

Don’t confuse with RELIEF vs EPM: EPM is the umbrella mission. RELIEF is one time-bound intervention under it.

Don’t confuse with EPM vs earlier schemes: EPM replaces earlier schemes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme and the Market Access Initiative, whose arrears are being cleared under it.

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

Brings exporter support schemes under one mission, helping use of FTA market access.
District-level hubs can bring new exporters and local products such as GI goods into exports.
Cushions exporters, especially MSMEs, from conflict-driven freight and insurance cost shocks.
Sustains shipment flows and exporter confidence during logistics uncertainty.
Cushions exporters and jobs, especially MSMEs, from conflict-driven freight and insurance costs.
Shows EPM can be used flexibly for quick response to external shocks.
Using ECGC's existing machinery lets support reach exporters fast.
Merges scattered export aid into one framework, reducing fragmentation for MSME exporters.
Eases credit, compliance and logistics costs, which can help competitiveness and market diversification.
Lowers the cost of capital and widens trade finance options for MSMEs.
Helps MSMEs meet international standards and cut logistics disadvantages, supporting broad-based export growth.
Lowers the cost of export credit and eases working capital for MSME exporters.
Improves bank lending to export-oriented MSMEs and supports market diversification and global value chain integration.

Problems

Low uptake of schemes by exporters, especially small ones, needs outreach and handholding.
Pendency and delays in facilitation committees hurt predictability for exporters.
Support is time-bound and conditional on documentary verification and ceilings, so smaller exporters may face compliance burden.
Exporters outside the eligible windows or without ECGC cover (non-MSME) get limited relief.
Fiscal cost is open-ended if the disruption lasts beyond the support window.
Documentary verification and claim processing may delay MSMEs' relief.
Only ECGC-linked or MSME exporters are covered, so other exporters stay exposed to higher costs.
Many separate interventions with caps and eligibility lists may be hard for small exporters to navigate.
Early uptake is low for some components, such as about 60 exporters for collateral support since January 2026.
MSMEs may find it hard to access schemes and claim reimbursements, and many lack awareness of them.
Caps on assistance per IEC or MSME may limit impact, and export growth also depends on global demand and trade barriers.
Caps (₹50 lakh per IEC) and a positive list may limit reach; the pilot depends on RBI and CGTMSE guidelines.
Banks' risk aversion and operational readiness can delay uptake, especially for emerging-market incentives.

Way forward

Run focused outreach with banks and Export Promotion Councils, and track measurable outcomes.
Use FTAs to target new markets and products, with district action plans.
Speed up claim verification and disbursal through digital processes.
Diversify routes and markets, and build lasting logistics resilience beyond one-off relief.
Keep real-time dashboard tracking and review the scheme as conditions change.
Widen ECGC coverage among MSMEs and diversify routes and markets to cut dependence on chokepoints.
Simplify applications on the digital portals and spread awareness among first-time exporters.
Track uptake and release funds on time, including arrears under older schemes.
Keep the digital claim process simple and time-bound, and run outreach through EPCs and district export hubs.
Review outcomes regularly and link support to FTA market opportunities.
Use pilot feedback and data to refine rates, caps and the positive list, with bi-annual reviews.
Pair finance support with NIRYAT DISHA measures on compliance, logistics and market access.

Put in your answer

District Export Hubs: Example of last-mile export promotion: District Export Promotion Committees and District Export Action Plans identify products and districts with export potential.

EPM structure: Cite EPM's two sub-schemes, NIRYAT PROTSAHAN (trade finance) and NIRYAT DISHA (trade enablers), as an example of integrated export support.

RELIEF under EPM: A targeted, time-bound intervention with Rs 497 crore to offset war-related freight and insurance costs.

EPM outlay: ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, with a focus on MSMEs.

Interest subvention rate: Interest subvention of 2.75%, up to ₹50 lakh, on pre- and post-shipment export credit for MSMEs.

Cost of capital and compliance: The new interventions aim to address MSME constraints: high cost of capital, limited trade finance instruments, compliance burdens, logistics disadvantages and market entry barriers.

FTA reach: Nine concluded FTAs give access to nearly 70% of global GDP and two-thirds of global trade, as stated by the Minister.

Mission outlay: ₹25,060 crore over FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, focused on MSMEs, first-time exporters and labour-intensive sectors.

Guarantee design: Cover of 85% for Micro and Small and 65% for Medium exporters, up to ₹10 crore exposure per exporter.

Test yourselfMains

True or false?

1 of 19

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

1.ECGC Ltd has been designated the nodal agency for implementing RELIEF.
2.RELIEF is funded separately from the Export Promotion Mission through a standalone allocation.
3.For existing ECGC policyholders, RELIEF offers up to 100% additional risk coverage for consignments in the period 14 February to 15 March 2026.
4.Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters can get partial reimbursement of up to 50% of surcharge burdens, subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
5.ECGC provides export credit insurance against commercial and political risks.
6.RELIEF is a permanent scheme with no provision for withdrawal.
7.Under the Export Promotion Mission, financial enablers are grouped under Niryat Protsahan and trade ecosystem support under Niryat Disha.
8.The export factoring intervention offers an interest subvention of 2.75% on factoring cost.
9.TRACE reimburses a higher share of testing and certification costs for items on the Priority Positive List than on the Positive List.
10.LIFT is meant to reduce the geographical disadvantage of exporters in districts with high export intensity.
11.INSIGHT can provide up to 100% support for proposals from Central and State Government institutions and Indian Missions abroad.
12.All 11 proposed interventions under the Export Promotion Mission are now operational.
13.The Export Promotion Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025.
14.The Mission is implemented solely by the Department of Commerce.
15.NIRYAT DISHA focuses on access to affordable trade finance, while NIRYAT PROTSAHAN supports non-financial enablers such as branding and logistics.
16.The base interest subvention on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit is 2.75 per cent.
17.The interest subvention applies to all tariff lines without restriction.
18.The collateral guarantee for export credit is being introduced in partnership with CGTMSE.
19.Guarantee coverage is up to 65 per cent for Micro and Small exporters and up to 85 per cent for Medium exporters.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 19 Mar, 14:20 IST · Release 286378

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM-KISAN

GS3 Agriculture - Farmer supportGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 March 2026, the Prime Minister released the 22nd PM-KISAN instalment of over ₹18,640 crore to about 9.32 crore farmers from Guwahati, Assam (PIB release, 19 March 2026).
What it is: PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is an income support scheme for landholding farmer families, launched on 24 February 2019. It gives ₹6,000 a year in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. It is a Central Sector scheme fully funded by the Centre, with States identifying beneficiaries.

Who identifies beneficiaries: State Governments identify eligible farmer households and build the beneficiary database.
Exclusions and recovery: Income tax payers, government employees, PSU personnel and holders of constitutional posts are ineligible; recovery is done from them.
Monitoring: The national-level review mechanism is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, with State and District Monitoring Committees below it.
Cumulative disbursal: More than ₹4.47 lakh crore was disbursed through the first 23 instalments.
Mode of payment: Support reaches eligible farmer families through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: Under the AIF, about ₹1.75 lakh crore has been invested across more than 2.28 lakh projects.
Scheme type and funding: PM-KISAN is a Central Sector scheme, fully funded by the Centre. It pays ₹6,000 a year in three instalments.
Benefit: Eligible landholding farmer families get Rs.6,000 a year in three equal instalments, paid into bank accounts.
Launch: The scheme was launched in February 2019.
Disbursal so far: Over Rs.4.47 lakh crore has been transferred through 23 instalments.
Women beneficiaries: Women farmers received over Rs.1.06 lakh crore, nearly one in four beneficiaries.
Funding: PM-KISAN is a Central Sector scheme, funded 100% by the Centre.
Cumulative payout: Total disbursement since the 24 February 2019 launch will exceed Rs 4.46 lakh crore.
Funding and type: PM-KISAN is a Central Sector scheme, fully funded by the Centre. It pays Rs 6,000 a year in three instalments by DBT.
Payment: Each eligible family gets ₹6,000 a year in three equal instalments of ₹2,000, paid into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
Role of States: States identify eligible households and build the beneficiary database. They must also start recovery where ineligible people were paid.
Budget 2026-27: The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹60,000 crore to the scheme.
Voluntary Surrender: A facility lets affluent farmers give up the benefit; accounts surrendered by mistake can be reactivated.

Don’t confuse with Central Sector vs Centrally Sponsored: Central Sector schemes are 100% Centre-funded; Centrally Sponsored schemes share costs with States. The release calls PM-KISAN centrally sponsored, but it is a Central Sector scheme.

Don’t confuse with PM-KISAN vs PM Fasal Bima Yojana: PM-KISAN gives income support. PMFBY is crop insurance for risk protection.

Don’t confuse with PM-KISAN vs PMFBY: PM-KISAN is cash income support; PMFBY is crop insurance against losses.

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

Gives small and marginal farmers assured cash for inputs, reducing reliance on informal credit.
DBT with Aadhaar and e-KYC cuts leakages and intermediaries.
Gives small farmers a predictable cash income through DBT, without middlemen.
Gives assured, direct income support to small and marginal farmers and reduces dependence on informal credit.
Shows DBT with Aadhaar-based verification can cut leakages.
Assured, direct income support reduces reliance on informal credit and helps buy inputs.
DBT removes intermediaries and cuts leakage.
Regular DBT gives small farmers assured cash for inputs and cuts leakages.
Launching insurance, AgriStack and natural farming alongside builds a wider support system for farmers.
Direct cash transfer eases farmers' liquidity constraints and cuts reliance on informal credit.
Aadhaar-linked DBT lowers leakage and removes intermediaries.
Gives assured income support to small and marginal farmers and boosts rural demand.
DBT through digital infrastructure cuts leakages and middlemen.

Problems

Exclusion of tenant farmers and sharecroppers, since it is tied to land records.
Ineligible payments needed recovery (₹416.75 crore as of December 2025); land record and Aadhaar-seeding gaps persist.
Keeping the beneficiary list accurate and excluding ineligible people, and leaving out tenant farmers who hold no land records.
Tenant farmers and sharecroppers without land records are left out.
Fixed Rs.6,000 has not kept pace with input costs and inflation.
Exclusion of tenant farmers and landless labourers, since the scheme depends on land records.
Ineligible payments to tax payers and others need recovery.
Tenant and landless farmers are left out because eligibility depends on land records.
Outdated land records and eKYC or Aadhaar mismatches cause exclusions.
Tenant farmers and landless labourers are excluded because eligibility rests on land records.
Outdated land records, Aadhaar-bank mismatches and ineligible payments, with ₹416.75 crore recovered so far, hurt targeting.
Exclusion of eligible farmers, such as tenant farmers, and errors in land records and e-KYC.
Ineligible or deceased beneficiaries need continuous weeding out.

Way forward

Digitise and update land records and include tenant cultivators.
Strengthen State verification and grievance redressal.
Digitise and update land records and link them to the beneficiary database to improve targeting and include tenant farmers.
Clean and digitise land records to include tenant farmers.
Review the amount periodically and target it better.
Complete land-record and Aadhaar seeding, and integrate with AgriStack.
Strengthen verification and grievance redressal to reduce errors.
Digitise land records and link them with AgriStack to improve targeting.
Pair income support with insurance, credit and input reforms.
Update and digitise land records and extend coverage to tenant farmers.
Strengthen e-KYC and database checks to prevent duplicate and ineligible payments.
Complete land-record digitisation and e-KYC to reach 100% saturation.
Use periodic verification to remove ineligible entries.

Put in your answer

Cumulative disbursement: Over ₹4.64 lakh crore has gone to farmers through 24 instalments.

Recoveries from ineligible: ₹416.75 crore recovered from ineligible beneficiaries as of December 2025.

Cumulative PM-KISAN disbursal: More than ₹4.47 lakh crore was disbursed through 23 instalments.

AIF investments: About ₹1.75 lakh crore invested across over 2.28 lakh projects to cut post-harvest losses.

Cumulative transfers: Over Rs.4.47 lakh crore sent to farmers through 23 instalments.

Use of funds: DMEO found over 92% of beneficiaries used the money for agriculture.

Recovery from ineligible: ₹416.75 crore recovered from ineligible beneficiaries as of December 2025.

PM-KISAN scale: Cumulative payouts will exceed Rs 4.46 lakh crore since 2019. Use this to show the scheme's reach.

AgriStack: AgriStack is a unified digital platform for fertiliser distribution, Kisan Credit Cards, DBT and MSP procurement. It is part of the Digital Agriculture Mission.

Cumulative disbursal: More than ₹4.27 lakh crore has been disbursed since launch, making it one of the world's largest DBT initiatives.

NITI Aayog evaluation: Nearly 85 percent of beneficiaries reported better farm income and less reliance on informal credit.

Women beneficiaries: Over 2.15 crore women farmers receive the 22nd instalment.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 32

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

1.Under PM-KISAN, State Governments are responsible for identifying eligible farmer households and preparing the beneficiary database.
2.The national-level review of PM-KISAN is chaired by the Union Agriculture Minister.
3.Income tax payers and holders of constitutional posts are among those ineligible for PM-KISAN benefits.
4.Kisan-eMitra, the PM-KISAN chatbot, was developed with technical support from the EkStep Foundation and BHASHINI.
5.PM-KISAN is a Central Sector scheme funded fully by the Union Government.
6.Under PM-KISAN, eligible farmer families get ₹6,000 a year in three equal instalments.
7.PM-KISAN money is paid through Direct Benefit Transfer to bank accounts.
8.PM-KISAN was launched in 2019.
9.PM-KISAN cost-shares its funding between the Centre and States in a 60:40 ratio.
10.PM-KISAN pays ₹6,000 a year in four quarterly instalments.
11.Through the first 23 instalments, PM-KISAN had disbursed more than ₹4.47 lakh crore.
12.The scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, implemented by State governments with the Centre's share.
13.PM-KISAN provides Rs.6,000 per year to eligible landholding farmer families in three equal instalments.
14.PM-KISAN was launched in February 2019.
15.PM-KISAN is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in which States share the cost with the Centre.
16.The money under the scheme is transferred through the Direct Benefit Transfer system.
17.Roughly half of the beneficiaries of PM-KISAN are women farmers.
18.The evaluation of the scheme's impact cited in the release was conducted by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office of NITI Aayog.
19.The scheme was launched in February 2019.
20.State Governments are responsible for identifying eligible farmer households under PM-KISAN.
21.Income tax payers and government employees are among those ineligible, and amounts paid to them are subject to recovery.
22.Kisan-eMitra, the AI chatbot linked to PM-KISAN, was developed with technical support from the EkStep Foundation and BHASHINI.
23.Funds under PM-KISAN are transferred to farmers through the state cooperative banks only, without use of PFMS or NPCI.
24.Under PM-KISAN, each eligible farmer family receives ₹6,000 a year in three equal instalments of ₹2,000.
25.Beneficiary identification under PM-KISAN is done by the Central Government through the PM-KISAN portal, without any role for States.
26.The national-level review of PM-KISAN is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
27.Under PM-KISAN, States and Union Territories must initiate recovery of benefits paid to ineligible persons such as income tax payers and government employees.
28.PM-KISAN provides Rs 6,000 a year to each eligible farmer family in three equal instalments.
29.Benefits under PM-KISAN are transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
30.The PM-KISAN portal's Know Your Status module lets beneficiaries check payment status, Aadhaar linking and e-KYC status.
31.The face-authentication e-KYC app under PM-KISAN requires an OTP or a biometric device.
32.The Voluntary Surrender facility under PM-KISAN is meant for affluent farmers.

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

Source: PIB Headquarters, 19 Mar, 11:18 IST · Release 286349

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: 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 19 March 2026, the Fisheries Minister told the Rajya Sabha that FIDF has approved 228 projects worth Rs 5559.54 crore, with 68 completed.
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, 19 Mar, 14:25 IST · Release 286381

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: 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 19 March 2026, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti told Lok Sabha that about 15.82 crore rural households (81.71%) now have tap water under Jal Jeevan Mission. The reply also set out the extended phase, the 2024 functionality assessment and the 2026-27 budget proposal.
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, 19 Mar, 17:23 IST · Release 286402

Issue page →

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

Economy

Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme

GS3 Economy: Trade and industryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026, the Commerce Ministry said NICDC will anchor implementation of the BHAVYA scheme to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
What it is: The Board of Trade is the apex consultative body of the Department of Commerce. It brings together the Centre, States, Export Promotion Councils and industry to discuss trade policy. The BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme funds the development of industrial parks, with States taking part through rounds of selection.

Board of Trade: It is the apex consultative platform of the Department of Commerce, chaired by the Commerce Minister. Members include States, Export Promotion Councils, industry chambers and non-official members.
BHAVYA scheme: The scheme has an outlay of ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 industrial parks. Its first round is currently open to States.
USD 1 trillion target: The target is about USD 530 billion in merchandise and USD 470 billion in services exports.
DGTR: The Directorate General of Trade Remedies can recommend anti-dumping and safeguard measures for industries hurt by dumping or predatory pricing. It runs outreach such as Jan Sunwai.
Aim and outlay: Cabinet approved the scheme with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore to build 100 industrial parks over six years.
Implementing agency: NICDC is the Project Management Agency, responsible for implementation and monitoring, and built the BHAVYA Portal.
Centre-State model: States provide the land. The Centre supports infrastructure through NICDC, which partners with States under a 51:49 model.
Park sizes: Parks start at 25 acres in hilly areas, smaller UTs and the Northeast, run to 100-500 acres in mid-sized States, and reach up to 1,000 acres near cities.
Selection phases: Applications from 1 June to 31 July are considered for the first 20 parks. A further 30 parks follow from applications up to 30 September.
Portal function: The portal handles DPR submission, appraisal and real-time monitoring, and supports the challenge-based selection.
Scale and period: 100 industrial parks over six years, 2026-27 to 2031-32, with an outlay of about ₹33,660 crore.
First phase: Up to 50 parks will be taken up through a challenge-based competitive selection.
Implementation vehicle: Projects are executed by SPVs incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
Funding form and agency: Assistance is equity contribution linked to the value of land transferred to the SPV and to milestones. NICDC is the Project Management Agency.
Oversight: The National Level Steering Committee is chaired by the Secretary, DPIIT; GIS-based monitoring is used.
Target: BHAVYA aims at 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
Park features: Parks have pre-approved land, ready infrastructure, integrated services and single-window systems.
Link to PM GatiShakti: Parks are aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, focusing on multimodal connectivity and last-mile access.
NICDC's current work: NICDC is implementing 20 projects across 13 states and is Project Management Agency for seven PM MITRA Parks.
Outlay and target: Rs.33,660 crore for developing 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
External infrastructure: Support for external connectivity infrastructure up to 25% of project cost.
Selection: Projects are chosen through challenge mode, favouring reform-oriented, investment-ready proposals.
Design principles: Parks follow PM GatiShakti principles and use underground utility corridors (no-dig environment).
NICDC: NICDC under DPIIT is implementing 20 projects across 13 states.

Don’t confuse with Export Promotion Mission vs Districts as Export Hubs: The Mission is a ₹25,000 crore financial support scheme for exporters. Districts as Export Hubs is an initiative to build export capacity at district level, now with a 90-day drive in 120 districts.

Don’t confuse with Anti-dumping duty vs safeguard duty: Anti-dumping duty counters unfairly priced imports from specific countries. Safeguard duty counters a sudden import surge, whatever the source, and needs no unfair practice.

Don’t confuse with BHAVYA vs Board of Trade: BHAVYA is an industrial parks scheme. The Board of Trade is a consultative body on trade policy under the Department of Commerce.

Don’t confuse with DPIIT vs NICDC: DPIIT issued the operational guidelines. NICDC is the Project Management Agency that implements and monitors the scheme.

Don’t confuse with NICDC vs DPIIT: DPIIT is the ministry department that frames the scheme; NICDC is the agency that manages and monitors it.

Don’t confuse with BHAVYA vs PM MITRA: BHAVYA covers 100 general industrial parks via NICDC; PM MITRA parks are textile-specific under the Ministry of Textiles, with NICDC as project management agency.

Don’t confuse with NICDC vs NICDP: NICDC is the company implementing; NICDP is the programme for industrial corridors.

Don’t confuse with BHAVYA vs NICDP: NICDP builds greenfield Industrial Smart Cities along corridors through NICDC; BHAVYA funds plug-and-play parks in all States through challenge mode.

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.

Why it matters

A coordinated Centre-State push can lift exports toward the USD 1 trillion target.
Support for MSMEs through certification and market-access finance widens the exporter base.
Plug-and-play parks with land, power, water and single-window clearance can cut the time to start operations and attract investment.
The competitive model among States strengthens Centre-State partnership and supports job creation and manufacturing.
Plug-and-play parks with logistics and utilities can cut costs and attract manufacturing investment.
Supports Make in India, PM Gati Shakti, jobs and integration with global value chains.
Ready land and single-window approvals can cut delays and costs for manufacturers, aiding ease of doing business.
Parks across regions can spread industrial growth and jobs beyond existing hubs.
Ready industrial land and infrastructure cut entry barriers and costs for manufacturers and MSMEs.
Cluster-based parks can create jobs and spread industrial growth across regions.

Problems

States differ in how quickly they notify labour rules and align their incentives with Central schemes.
Global tariff changes, freight disruptions and weak demand can hurt export growth.
State capacity to prepare strong proposals and supply land may vary, so weaker States may lag in a competitive model.
Timely environmental clearances and utility connectivity are needed for the parks to be investment-ready.
Land acquisition and State-level delays can slow park development.
Equity linked to land and milestones depends on SPV capacity and private developer discipline.
Land availability and timely utilities and connectivity at many sites.
Demand for plots and coordination with States may vary across regions.
Land acquisition and State-level approval delays may slow parks.
Parks may stay underused without reliable external connectivity and demand.

Way forward

Set up State export committees with monthly district-level reviews.
Expand testing and certification labs to cut compliance costs for MSMEs.
Give handholding to less-developed and smaller States so that selection stays balanced.
Use the portal's real-time monitoring to track progress and adjust later phases from early experience.
Use transparent challenge-based selection and GIS-based monitoring to enforce milestones.
Converge with logistics, skilling and renewable energy schemes so parks get connected infrastructure.
Tie parks to PM GatiShakti planning and States' single-window systems.
Track timelines and occupancy publicly, with State coordination.
Use challenge mode to reward States that reform land and approval systems.
Link parks with PM GatiShakti planning for logistics and power.

Put in your answer

Districts as Export Hubs drive: A 90-day drive covers 120 priority districts across 27 States and UTs, linked to One District One Product and GI products.

BHAVYA outlay and target: ₹33,660 crore for 100 industrial parks over six years, as an example of Centre-State industrial infrastructure planning.

Competitive federalism: States compete through challenge-based proposals, with land from States and 51:49 partnership with NICDC.

BHAVYA outlay and scale: 100 parks, about ₹33,660 crore, 2026-27 to 2031-32.

Private participation: Private developers can take part through project-specific SPVs with governance and accountability safeguards.

NICDC progress: NICDC is implementing 20 projects across 13 states in greenfield industrial smart cities.

Industrial nodes: Dholera, Shendra-Bidkin, Vikram Udyogpuri and Greater Noida are NICDC industrial nodes.

NICDC projects: NICDC is implementing 20 projects across 13 states, the base on which BHAVYA builds.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 18

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

1.BHAVYA is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by DPIIT.
2.The scheme provides for 100 industrial parks over six years from 2026-27 to 2031-32.
3.The minimum land requirement for a park is 100 acres for non-hilly states and 25 acres for hilly and northeastern states.
4.The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation is the Project Management Agency for the scheme.
5.The National Level Steering Committee for the scheme is chaired by the Union Commerce Minister.
6.NICDC functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
7.The BHAVYA scheme aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
8.BHAVYA industrial parks are aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
9.NICDC is the Project Management Agency for PM MITRA Parks under the Ministry of Textiles.
10.BHAVYA is implemented by the Ministry of MSME through the Small Industries Development Bank of India.
11.NICDC is currently implementing projects in all States and Union Territories of India.
12.BHAVYA is implemented under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
13.BHAVYA provides for the development of 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
14.Under BHAVYA, industrial parks of 100 to 1000 acres will be taken up for development.
15.Projects under BHAVYA are selected on a first-come-first-served basis by the Centre.
16.The financial support under BHAVYA can cover worker housing and other social infrastructure.
17.BHAVYA is limited to States with existing industrial corridors.
18.The industrial parks under BHAVYA are to be aligned with the PM GatiShakti principles.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 19 Mar, 17:36 IST · Release 286406

Issue page →

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

In the news

National Waterways and Inland Waterways Transport

GS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026, the Shipping Ministry told the Rajya Sabha which new National Waterways will become operational over the next five years, in three phases from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
What it is: National Waterways are inland waterways declared by Parliament under the National Waterways Act, 2016, which lists 111 waterways. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) develops and regulates them for shipping and navigation. A declared waterway is not always operational; it needs surveys, fairway development and terminals first.

Operational waterways: As of March 2026, 32 National Waterways spanning 5,155 km are operational; the number is proposed to rise to 52 in five years.
IWAI Act, 1985: This Act created the Inland Waterways Authority of India to develop and regulate inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
Cargo record: Cargo on National Waterways reached 145.84 million tonnes in FY 2024-25.
Legal basis: The National Waterways Act, 2016 declared 111 National Waterways, replacing the earlier five.
Sites: Lighthouses will be at Bogibeel, Pandu, Silghat and Biswanath Ghat. Biswanath Ghat is the only one on the north bank.
NW-2 length: NW-2 runs from Dhubri to Sadiya over 891 km, the longest navigable stretch of any Indian waterway, as per the release.
DGLL: DGLL is the statutory authority for aids to navigation along India's 11,098 km coastline and now inland waterways.
Institutional steps: IWAI and DGLL signed an MoU on 8 April 2025. Sites were transferred to DGLL under Right of Use agreements in June 2025.
NW-1: NW-1 on the Ganga (Haldia-Prayagraj) was the first national waterway, declared in 1986.
IWDC 3.0: The third council meeting was held in Kochi and chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. It follows IWDC 1.0 in 2024 and IWDC 2.0 in 2025.
Growth in cargo and waterways: Cargo on national waterways rose from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145.84 million tonnes in 2024-25. Operational waterways rose from 3 to 32.
Number of national waterways: There are 111 national waterways across 23 states and four union territories. IWAI under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the nodal agency.
Jal Vahak scheme: The cargo promotion scheme reimburses up to 35% of operating expenditure on cargo moved by inland waterways. It is valid initially for three years and is being explored for other waterways including Kerala.

Don’t confuse with IWAI Act, 1985 vs National Waterways Act, 2016: The 1985 Act set up IWAI; the 2016 Act declares the 111 National Waterways.

Don’t confuse with Operational vs declared waterways: 111 are declared as National Waterways, but only 32 are operational with fairway, terminals and navigational aids.

Don’t confuse with Declared vs operational: Declaring a waterway as national (by Parliament) is different from making it operational (by IWAI with infrastructure and cargo movement).

Don’t confuse with NW-1 vs NW-2 vs NW-3: NW-1 is the Ganga (Haldia-Prayagraj), NW-2 the Brahmaputra (Dhubri-Sadiya), NW-3 the West Coast Canal (Kollam-Kottapuram).

Don’t confuse with IWAI vs DGLL: IWAI develops and regulates national waterways; DGLL provides aids to navigation such as lighthouses. Both are under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Don’t confuse with IWAI vs IWDC: IWAI is the statutory authority that develops and regulates national waterways. IWDC is a Centre-State council that reviews projects and coordination.

Don’t confuse with NW-2 vs NW-1: NW-2 is the Brahmaputra (Sadiya to Dhubri). NW-1 is the Ganga (Haldia to Prayagraj).

Why it matters

Inland waterways are cheaper and cleaner than road and rail for bulk cargo, and lower logistics costs.
Inland water transport is cheaper and less polluting per tonne-km than road or rail, helping logistics cost reduction.
Waterways in new regions like J&K, Goa, Kerala and Odisha add connectivity and local trade.
Night navigation and weather sensors can support round-the-clock freight on NW-2.
Cheaper, lower-carbon cargo movement helps the Northeast; lighthouses may also add tourism.
Waterways are a fuel-efficient, low-emission mode that decongests roads and rail and lowers logistics costs.
Northeast jetties and river cruises can improve connectivity and livelihoods of riverine communities.

Problems

Only 32 of 111 declared waterways are operational; depth and low bridges limit vessel size, for example large cruise vessels reach only Patna on NW-1.
Many listed stretches are short and seasonal, with low depth and limited cargo.
Delays in dredging, terminals, land and environmental clearances keep declared waterways idle.
Siltation, shifting channels and bank erosion of the Brahmaputra can limit navigation.
Navigability depends on river depth, which needs regular dredging and varies with seasons.
Projects need Centre-State coordination; states raised regulatory concerns at the meeting.

Way forward

Sustain dredging, terminals and navigational aids, and use private investment and green vessels to meet the 2030 and 2047 cargo targets.
Prioritise waterways with assured cargo and link them to rail, road and ports.
Ensure year-round navigability through maintained fairways and assessed environmental impact.
Extend navigational aids and terminals to other national waterways, with dredging and channel maintenance.
Expand incentives like Jal Vahak and fixed-day scheduled sailing to build cargo volumes.
Add terminals, digital navigation systems and green vessels to support year-round operations.

Put in your answer

Cargo growth: Cargo on National Waterways hit 145.84 MMT in FY 2024-25.

Modal share target: India targets raising IWT modal share from 2% to 5% and cargo above 200 MMT by 2030.

National Waterways Act, 2016: The Act raised declared national waterways to 111, giving legal basis for expansion.

NW-2 cargo growth: IWAI recorded a 53 percent rise in cargo on the Brahmaputra waterway in 2024–25.

Cost advantage: Minister's claim: a tonne of cargo by inland waterway costs about one-third of road and half of rail.

Cargo growth data: Cargo on national waterways grew from 18 to 145.84 million tonnes between 2013-14 and 2024-25.

Kochi Water Metro: Cited as a model of urban water transport to be replicated in cities such as Guwahati, Varanasi and Patna.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Shipping, 19 Mar, 12:26 IST · Release 286351

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

MATSYA-6000 and Deep-Sea Mining

GS3 Science and TechnologyGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026, the Earth Sciences Minister told Rajya Sabha that MATSYA-6000's 500 m shallow-water dive is delayed because a European-made syntactic foam component is defective. He also said the International Seabed Authority has not yet framed the Exploitation Code for commercial mining.
What it is: MATSYA-6000 is India's crewed deep-ocean submersible under the Deep Ocean Mission, built by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. It is meant to carry people to 6,000 m depth. Deep-sea mining targets polymetallic nodules on the seabed, which hold metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese.

Foam source: India designs the foam, but a designated firm in Europe makes it.
Exploitation Code: Commercial mining is governed by the Exploitation Code, which the International Seabed Authority has not yet developed.
International Seabed Authority: The ISA is an UNCLOS body based in Kingston, Jamaica. It regulates mineral activity in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction (the Area).
Deep Ocean Mission: Matsya-6000 is part of the Deep Ocean Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Don’t confuse with MATSYA-6000 vs Samudrayaan: Samudrayaan is the mission name for the crewed dive project; MATSYA-6000 is the submersible vehicle built for it.

Don’t confuse with ISA vs NIOT: ISA is the international regulator under UNCLOS; NIOT is India's Chennai-based technology institute that builds the systems.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting S&T and ocean-resources topic; the release gives ISA Exploitation Code status. Worth a card; no question since facts are mainly progress updates.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Earth Science, 19 Mar, 12:55 IST · Release 286363

Issue page →

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

Scheme

BioE3 Policy

GS3 Science and TechnologyGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026, at BIRAC's 14th Foundation Day, Dr Jitendra Singh said India's bioeconomy has grown to over USD 195 billion. The India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026 and the BIRAC Impact Report were released.
What it is: BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) is a policy approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024. It aims to build a resilient biomanufacturing ecosystem for bio-based products. It is run mainly by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its public sector company BIRAC.

Policy name and approval: BioE3 stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment. The Union Cabinet approved it in August 2024.
Six thematic sectors: These are bio-based chemicals/enzymes, smart proteins and functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture and utilization, and futuristic marine and space research.
BioE3 Strain Resource Centre: It is set up at BRIC-NCCS, Pune. It gives access to indigenous microbial strains with freedom-to-operate, cutting reliance on imported strains.
Funding by DBT and BIRAC: DBT gives academia grant-in-aid. BIRAC supports start-ups and academia by grant-in-aid, and SMEs and industry through cofunding and royalty sharing.
State BioE3 Cells: BioE3 Cells have been notified in Assam, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh as State coordination units.
Six thematic areas: The Policy covers biobased chemicals, enzymes and APIs; smart proteins and functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture and utilization; and marine and space research.
Shared facilities (BioEnablers): The Policy plans Bio-AI Hubs, Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs across the country in PPP mode, under the 'Moolankur' BioEnablers name.
Biomanufacturing Hubs: They give startups, academia and SMEs shared pilot-scale and pre-commercial-scale facilities, bridging lab research and full-scale manufacturing.
ISS microalgae experiment: Three indigenous microalgae (Chlorella sorokiniana-I, Parachlorella kessleri-I, Dysmorphococcus globosus-HI) were tested on the ISS for effects of microgravity, CO2 and O2 levels.
Cyanobacteria experiment: An Indian Spirulina isolate and a fast-growing Synechococcus strain were tested on nitrate and urea in microgravity, towards biological life support for space missions.
DBT-ICGEB Biofoundry: The New Delhi facility uses bacteria and yeast as microbial platforms and can scale production up to 20 litres.
2030 target: India aims for a USD 300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.
Startups: More than 11,800 biotech startups support the sector, which has more than doubled in size since 2020.
RDI Fund: The Research, Development and Innovation Fund has an outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore; BIRAC has a key role in backing biotech ventures under it.
BIRAC: BIRAC is the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, which helps connect research with industry and bring ideas to market.

Don’t confuse with DBT vs BIRAC: DBT is the government department for biotechnology. BIRAC is its public sector enterprise that funds start-ups, SMEs and industry.

Don’t confuse with Biofoundry vs Biomanufacturing Hub: A biofoundry gives early scale-up of proof-of-concept work using automation and the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle. A hub offers larger shared pilot and pre-commercial-scale capacity.

Don’t confuse with Microalgae vs cyanobacteria: Chlorella and related species are eukaryotic microalgae. Spirulina and Synechococcus are cyanobacteria, which are prokaryotes.

Don’t confuse with BioE3 vs. BIRAC: BioE3 is a policy for the bioeconomy. BIRAC is an agency that funds and supports biotech startups and innovation.

Don’t confuse with IBER vs. BIRAC Impact Report: IBER measures the size of India's bioeconomy. The BIRAC Impact Report shows the outcomes of BIRAC's funding and incubation.

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

Builds a domestic biomanufacturing base and cuts import dependence on strains, chemicals and APIs.
Links the bioeconomy with climate goals through carbon capture and bio-based alternatives.
Shared facilities cut upfront costs for startups and SMEs, helping move lab innovations to market.
Space experiments with algae and cyanobacteria point to CO2 capture and food supply in life support systems.
Biotech now drives growth in healthcare, agriculture, climate solutions and sustainable manufacturing.
Bio-based industries can cut dependence on fossil-based products and create jobs.

Problems

Only three States have so far notified BioE3 Cells, so Centre-State coordination is uneven.
Scaling from pilot to commercial production needs shared infrastructure, finance and regulatory clarity.
Scale-up from lab to commercial production is hard and capital-intensive; the Delhi biofoundry reaches only 20 litres.
PPP-based shared infrastructure needs steady funding and skilled manpower.
Scale-up and commercialisation of lab innovations needs long-term capital and shared infrastructure.
Talent and startup activity are concentrated in a few cities, so tier-2 and tier-3 cities need support.

Way forward

Speed up State BioE3 Action Plans and Cells.
Expand biofoundries and biomanufacturing hubs, and link them with industry for commercial scale-up.
Build more pilot and commercial-scale hubs with regulatory support and training in bio-automation.
Link research outputs to industry partners for market entry.
Build shared facilities such as bio foundries and biomanufacturing platforms, and channel RDI Fund money to scale-up projects.
Strengthen industry-academia links and support young researchers and women entrepreneurs.

Put in your answer

Strain Resource Centre: The SRC provides indigenous strains with freedom-to-operate, supporting Make in India.

BioE3 Policy: Approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024; six thematic areas and BioEnablers to build biomanufacturing capacity.

Biofoundry example: The DBT-ICGEB Biofoundry replaces slow manual processes with bio-automation and AI in the DBTL cycle.

Bioeconomy data: India's bioeconomy was USD 195.3 billion in 2025, about 4.8% of GDP, with a CAGR of nearly 18%.

BioE3 focus areas: The policy promotes precision biotherapeutics, smart proteins, climate-resilient agriculture, bio-based chemicals and carbon capture.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 19 Mar, 14:16 IST · Release 286376

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Postal Ballot under Section 60(c), Representation of the People Act, 1951

GS2 Polity and GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On March 19, 2026, the Election Commission said elderly, PwD, essential-service and service voters can use postal ballots in the Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections, whose schedule was announced on March 15, 2026.

Legal basis: The facility for elderly and PwD electors is notified by the ECI under Section 60(c) of the RP Act, 1951.
Application route: Elderly and PwD electors apply on Form 12D to the Returning Officer through the BLO within 5 days of notification of election; polling teams collect votes at their homes.
Essential services: Electors on essential services on poll day apply through a nodal officer of their department. Fire, health, electricity, traffic, ambulance and aviation services are covered.
Media persons: Media persons authorised by the ECI for poll-day coverage are treated as absentee voters on essential services and can use postal ballot.
Service voters and ETPBS: Service voters receive postal ballots electronically through ETPBS once the list of contesting candidates is final, and do not bear postal costs.
Deadline: Postal ballots must reach the Returning Officers by 8:00 AM on the counting day, May 4, 2026.

Don’t confuse with Postal ballot vs proxy voting: Postal ballot is a ballot paper marked and returned by post or at a centre. Proxy voting lets a nominated person cast the vote for a classified service voter.

Don’t confuse with Postal ballot vs ETPBS: ETPBS sends the blank ballot electronically to service voters. The voter still prints, marks and posts the ballot back.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting electoral-law topic: postal ballot for 85+ voters, PwDs and essential-service voters. Procedural announcement for a state election cycle; card only.

Source: PIB, Election Commission, 19 Mar, 15:42 IST · Release 286390

Issue page →

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

Environment

India's Non-Fossil Capacity and NDC Targets

GS3 Energy and climate changeGS3 Renewable energyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026, at the Bharat Electricity Summit in New Delhi, the Ministry of Power released the National Resource Adequacy Plan and a transmission plan for over 900 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2035-36. The Minister said India reached its NDC target of 50% non-fossil capacity nearly five years early.
What it is: India's NDC under the Paris Agreement sets a goal of 50% cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. It sits alongside the aim of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070. Non-fossil capacity covers solar, wind, hydro, biomass and nuclear.

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

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

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

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

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

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Power, 19 Mar, 19:24 IST · Release 286415

Issue page →

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

Report or index

NITI Aayog Report on Sports Equipment Manufacturing Exports

GS3 IndustryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026, NITI Aayog released a report on realising the export potential of India's sports equipment manufacturing sector. It sets a roadmap to 2036 for raising exports.
What it is: This is a NITI Aayog policy report on India's sports equipment manufacturing sector. It assesses the sector's capabilities, global markets, and the policy steps needed to compete abroad. The sector is mostly small and micro enterprises, clustered in Jalandhar and Meerut.

Publisher and release: The report was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery. NITI Aayog is the Government of India's policy think tank.
India's export position: India exports about $275 million of sports equipment a year, about 0.5% of the global export market.
Industry structure: About 90% of production is by small and micro enterprises. Key clusters are Jalandhar (Punjab) and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh).
Cost disadvantage: Indian makers face a 15-20% cost disadvantage against China and Pakistan. Causes include high duties on carbon fibre, EVA foam and polyurethane, and high certification costs.
Recommendations: These include four new greenfield clusters in port-proximate states, modernising the Meerut and Jalandhar clusters, shared testing facilities and a 'Brand India' framework. The roadmap proposes about ₹7,500 crore of investment in 2027-2031.

Don’t confuse with Sports goods vs sports equipment: Sports goods include apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories (about $700 billion globally in 2024). Equipment alone is about $140 billion.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Report with target of USD 8.1 billion sports goods exports by 2036. Reports are only 14 Prelims questions, mostly on publisher; card only.

Source: PIB, NITI Aayog, 19 Mar, 19:56 IST · Release 286418

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

India auctioned a record 200 mineral blocks in FY 2025-26 (123 Mining Lease, 77 Composite Licence); Gujarat led with 32.
A Rs 200-crore Banana Cluster at Jalgaon, Maharashtra has been approved, with subsidies under MIDH and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

Source: PIB, 19 Mar

What we left out: 69 of 82 releases

Greetings and festival messages (7)
Same issue as another release (18)
Routine parliament replies (18)
Routine data updates (6)
Speeches without a decision (2)
Ceremonies and campaigns (8)
Leader phone calls (5)
Routine MoUs (1)
Briefings without a decision (1)
Workshops and webinars (2)
Visit schedules and bilateral meetings (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Export Promotion Mission (EPM)MCQ · 19 true or false · Mains
2PM-KISANMCQ · 32 true or false
3Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)MCQ · 7 true or false
4Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal ArpanMCQ · 56 true or false · Mains
5Board of Trade and BHAVYA Industrial Parks SchemeMCQ · 18 true or false · Mains
6National Waterways and Inland Waterways TransportMCQ · 9 true or false
7BioE3 PolicyMCQ · 3 true or false
8India's Non-Fossil Capacity and NDC TargetsMCQ · 5 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Government has approved RELIEF under the Export Promotion Mission, with an outlay of Rs 497 crore, to support exporters hit by West Asia shipping disruptions. Discuss the provisions of RELIEF and examine its significance and challenges in protecting Indian exporters, especially MSMEs, during geopolitical shocks.

From: Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

Write and get it marked

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