UPSC current affairs · Friday

Current Affairs, 20 March 2026

12 issues picked from 50 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

National Dental Commission. National Dental Commission replaces Dental Council of India; Dentists Act, 1948 repealed from 19 March 2026.
Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Arpan. Five States sign reform-linked MoUs for JJM 2.0, extended to December 2028, with Panchayat-led water service.
Income-tax Act, 2025. FM launches PRARAMBH 2026 outreach before Income-tax Act, 2025 takes effect on 1 April 2026.
Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets. Heavy Industries ministry opens global tender for 6,000 MTPA rare earth magnet manufacturing under its Rs 7,280 crore scheme.
National AIDS Control Organisation and HIV/AIDS Control Programme. NACO workshop pushes district-level HIV response in Delhi and Haryana, targeting epidemic control by 2027.
National Youth Policy and MY Bharat Platform. Proposed National Youth Policy 2026 sets six focus areas, delivered through the MY Bharat digital platform.
Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). ECI requires MCMC pre-certification of all political ads, including social media, in the 2026 assembly polls.
National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC). NSTFDC promotes its concessional loan schemes to tribal homestay entrepreneurs at a tourism capacity-building workshop.
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Out-of-School Children. Education Ministry to use NIOS and NIOS Mitra to enrol out-of-school children, targeting 100% GER by 2030.
National Ayush Mission and Integration of Ayush. Ayush is integrated with modern medicine via co-location, shared NHM-NAM funding, integrated departments and research council initiatives.
National Medicinal Plants Board and Medicinal Plants Conservation Scheme. Ayush Ministry details NMPB scheme for medicinal plant conservation, supply-chain linkages and the e-CHARAK platform.
Draft National Electricity Policy 2026. Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 proposes DISCOM reforms: smart meters, lower AT&C losses, a Distribution System Operator.

Law and statutory body

National Dental Commission

GS2 Health and statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 19 March 2026 the Centre notified the National Dental Commission and three autonomous boards, replacing the Dental Council of India. The NDC Act took effect that day and repealed the Dentists Act, 1948 (release dated 20 March 2026).
What it is: The National Dental Commission is the statutory regulator of dental education and the dental profession in India, set up under the National Dental Commission Act, 2023. It replaces the Dental Council of India and works through three autonomous boards. It follows the model of the National Medical Commission.

Legal basis: The selection was made under the National Dental Commission Act, 2023 and its Rules.
Tenure and numbers: Part-time members serve two years. Ten represent State/UT Governments and nine represent State Dental Councils.
Autonomous Boards: The Commission has three boards: Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board, Dental Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Dental Registration Board.
Board members from State Dental Councils: The second part-time member of each board comes from the nine State Dental Council members, under Section 17(5) of the Act.
Method: A draw of lots is the statutory way to choose part-time members, giving states a rotating turn.
Replaces: The NDC replaces the Dental Council of India, which is dissolved from 19 March 2026.
Date of effect: Notifications were issued on 19 March 2026 and the NDC framework came into force the same day.
Three autonomous boards: The boards cover dental education (UG and PG), assessment and rating, and ethics and registration.
Functions: The NDC frames regulations, rates institutions, promotes research and frames fee guidelines for private dental colleges.
Structure change: The new framework replaces the earlier elected structure with an appointed one.
Parent ministry: The NDC functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Don’t confuse with National Dental Commission vs National Medical Commission: The NDC regulates dental education and practice under the 2023 Act. The NMC regulates medical education and practice under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

Don’t confuse with Part-time vs full-time members: Part-time members from states are drawn by lots for fixed terms. This release covers only part-time members.

Don’t confuse with NDC vs NMC: The National Dental Commission regulates dentistry; the National Medical Commission (2020) regulates medical education and replaced the Medical Council of India.

Don’t confuse with Statutory vs constitutional body: NDC is statutory, created by an Act of Parliament. Constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission derive power from the Constitution.

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

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 20 Mar, 13:52 IST · Release 286438

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Arpan

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Rural water supplyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Jal Shakti Ministry signed reform-linked MoUs under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 with Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Goa. The Union Cabinet had approved JJM 2.0 on 10 March 2026.
What it is: Jal Jeevan Mission is the Centre's flagship scheme, run by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to give every rural household a tap water connection. Jal Arpan is a reform under it: the formal handover of completed water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees for operation and maintenance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why it matters

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

Problems

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

Way forward

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

Put in your answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 56

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

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

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Jal Shakti, 20 Mar, 20:47 IST · Release 286493

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Income-tax Act, 2025

GS3 Economy: taxationGS2 LawsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched 'PRARAMBH 2026', an awareness campaign on the Income-tax Act, 2025, which takes effect on 1 April 2026. She also unveiled Income Tax Website 2.0 and the AI chatbot 'Kar Saathi'.
What it is: The Income-tax Act, 2025 is India's new direct tax law. It rewrites and replaces the Income-tax Act, 1961 in simpler language and a cleaner structure. It is meant to ease compliance and does not change the underlying tax policy.

Act replaced: It replaces the six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961.
Passage and assent: Parliament passed the Bill on 12 August 2025. The President gave assent on 21 August 2025.
Rules: The CBDT notified the Income-tax Rules, 2026 on 20 March 2026 to operationalise the Act.
Commencement: The Act came into force on 1 April 2026.
Constitutional basis: Parliament taxes income under Entry 82 of the Union List (taxes on income other than agricultural income). Agricultural income is a State subject.
Who runs the campaign: PRARAMBH is an Income Tax Department outreach run through CBDT, expanded as Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat.
Kar Saathi: An AI-enabled chatbot to help taxpayers with queries on the new Act, Rules and Forms.
Outreach scale: The campaign includes over 300 workshops, and seeks stakeholder feedback.
Simultaneous overhaul: The FM said direct and indirect tax systems are being overhauled together, a first for independent India.
Governing schedule: Recognized provident funds fall under Schedule XI of the Income Tax Act, 2025.
Exemption condition: Tax recognition is now open only to provident funds that have exemption under Section 17 of the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Investment ceiling removed: The fixed statutory cap of 50% on investment in Government securities has been removed. Investment norms follow the EPF framework.
Reason for change: Differences between the two laws caused confusion and avoidable litigation.
Effective date: The Act is slated to come into force on 1 April 2026.
Rules and forms: Simplified rules and redesigned forms will be notified later, giving taxpayers time to prepare.
Law it replaces: It replaces the Income-tax Act, 1961.
ICDS and IndAS: A joint committee of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and CBDT will fold ICDS requirements into IndAS. Separate ICDS-based accounting ends from tax year 2027-28.

Don’t confuse with Income-tax Act vs Rules: The Act is passed by Parliament; the Rules and Forms are subordinate legislation notified by the CBDT.

Don’t confuse with Passage vs assent vs commencement: Passed 12 Aug 2025, assent 21 Aug 2025, in force 1 Apr 2026.

Don’t confuse with CBDT vs CBIC: CBDT administers direct taxes such as income tax; CBIC administers indirect taxes such as GST and customs. Both sit under the Department of Revenue.

Don’t confuse with EPF Act, 1952 vs Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952: The Act is the parent law. The Scheme is framed under it and lays out the working rules.

Don’t confuse with Income-tax Act, 2025 vs Finance Bill: The Act is a standing rewrite of the direct tax law. The Finance Bill carries the year's rate and rule changes, such as TCS, STT and MAT.

Don’t confuse with MAT vs ICDS: MAT is a minimum tax on companies with low taxable income. ICDS are standards for computing taxable income.

Why it matters

Replaces a six-decade-old law with simpler language and structure, easing compliance.
Reduces litigation arising from complex wording while keeping tax policy unchanged.
Supports a more modern, predictable tax administration.
Simpler language and structure can ease compliance and cut disputes.
Multilingual outreach and digital tools improve taxpayer access.
Aligning the two laws reduces confusion and litigation for employers and fund trusts.
It makes EPF exemption depend on one framework, which eases compliance.
Simpler language and structure can cut disputes and ease compliance for ordinary taxpayers.
Aligning tax accounting (ICDS) with IndAS reduces duplicate record-keeping for companies.

Problems

Taxpayers and officials must adjust to new section numbers and Forms, causing transition costs.
Old case law is tied to 1961 Act provisions, which may create interpretive uncertainty.
Simplifying language alone does not remove complexity in rates, exemptions and disputes.
Frequent amendments could undo the simplicity; the FM warned against repeating past patterns.
Officers need training and uniform on-ground implementation.
Removing the 50% cap on government securities gives trusts more investment freedom, which needs sound oversight to protect members' savings.
Taxpayers and professionals need time to learn the new sections, rules and forms.
Transition from old provisions may cause litigation and uncertainty.

Way forward

Give clear guidance, FAQs and training for taxpayers, professionals and officers.
Map old provisions to new ones to preserve legal continuity.
Move next to rationalising exemptions and speeding up dispute resolution.
Keep the law stable with minimal amendments.
Use technology to reduce human interface while keeping an empathetic, trust-based approach.
Keep investment norms under the EPF framework clear and watch fund performance and member safety.
Notify clear rules and forms on time, with guidance and training.
Monitor early implementation and issue clarifications quickly.

Put in your answer

Constitutional basis: Entry 82, Union List gives Parliament power to tax non-agricultural income.

Stability of law: FM stressed that the new law must remain stable, simple and comprehensible, avoiding excessive amendments.

Capacity building: Over 300 workshops are planned under the outreach to seek stakeholder feedback.

Budget 2026-27 alignment: Example of harmonising tax law with labour and social security law to cut disputes.

MAT shift to new regime: Set-off of brought-forward MAT credit is allowed only in the new regime, up to one-fourth of tax liability, to push companies to the new regime.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 20 Mar, 21:21 IST · Release 286494

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets

GS3 Industry and critical mineralsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026 the Ministry of Heavy Industries released the Request for Proposal inviting global bids to set up sintered rare earth permanent magnet plants of 6,000 MTPA total capacity. Bids are due on 28 May 2026.
What it is: The Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet is a Ministry of Heavy Industries scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025. It supports integrated NdFeB magnet plants, from NdPr oxide to finished magnets, using a capital subsidy and sales-linked incentives. It aims to cut India's import dependence for magnets used in EVs, wind turbines, electronics and defence.

Outlay and approval: The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 26 November 2025 with an outlay of Rs 7,280 crore.
Incentive structure: The scheme gives a capital subsidy of Rs 750 crore and sales-linked incentives of Rs 6,450 crore. The three lowest bidders get limited assured supply of NdPr oxide from IREL (India) Ltd.
Selection method: Beneficiaries are chosen online through a two-stage Least Cost System (technical and financial bid) on the CPP Portal.
Outlay: Total outlay is Rs 7,280 crore: Rs 6,450 crore as sales-linked incentives and Rs 750 crore as capital subsidy.
Capacity: The scheme targets an aggregate 6,000 metric tonnes per annum of magnet manufacturing capacity.
Duration: The scheme runs 7 years from the date of award: a 2-year gestation period to build integrated facilities, then 5 years of incentive payment on sales.
Notification and selection: The scheme was notified on 15 December 2025. Beneficiaries are chosen through a bidding process, and the RfP is being finalised.
Administering ministry: The Ministry of Heavy Industries runs the scheme. The Cabinet approved it in November 2025.

Don’t confuse with Sintered NdFeB magnets vs NdPr oxide: NdPr oxide is the rare earth input, supplied in limited quantity by IREL. Sintered NdFeB magnets are the finished product the scheme supports.

Don’t confuse with Capital subsidy vs sales-linked incentive: The capital subsidy (Rs 750 crore) supports setting up plants. The sales-linked incentive (Rs 6,450 crore) is paid against magnet sales and forms most of the outlay.

Don’t confuse with Sintered NdFeB magnets vs rare earth oxides: The scheme supports making finished magnets from NdPr oxide in integrated plants. It does not support mining or oxide production alone.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting scheme with a tender stage. Scheme questions are 52 of 327 Prelims items, but the release has few testable facts beyond capacity and dates.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, 20 Mar, 10:25 IST · Release 286428

Issue page →

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

In the news

National AIDS Control Organisation and HIV/AIDS Control Programme

GS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Health Ministry, through NACO, held the 'Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala' in Delhi to speed up district-level HIV action in Haryana and Delhi.
What it is: The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is the body under the Union Health Ministry that leads India's HIV/AIDS control programme. It plans and guides prevention, testing, treatment and care through State AIDS Control Societies. The programme follows the global 95:95:95 targets for diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.

Priority districts: 219 districts across India are identified as priority for intensified HIV/AIDS interventions. Of these, 11 are in Haryana and 7 in Delhi.
95:95:95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on sustained ART, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Global goal: The initiative aligns with the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Don’t confuse with 95:95:95 vs 95:95:99: The global target is 95:95:95. India is now pushing for 95:95:99, raising the third target (viral suppression) to 99%.

Don’t confuse with NACO vs NHM: NACO runs the HIV/AIDS programme. The National Health Mission is a separate, broader health programme.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Workshop release, but the HIV response, 95:95:95 targets and NACO are a lasting health topic with few fresh facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 20 Mar, 11:28 IST · Release 286429

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Youth Policy and MY Bharat Platform

GS2 Welfare schemes and policiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Youth Affairs Minister told Rajya Sabha in a written reply that a National Youth Policy 2026 is proposed, linked to Viksit Bharat 2047. The MY Bharat platform is its main delivery tool.
What it is: The National Youth Policy is the Centre's framework for youth development. The 2014 policy was a broad guide; the proposed 2026 version is more structured and outcome-oriented. MY Bharat is a digital platform where youth register and join volunteering, learning programmes and events.

Six focus areas: Youth leadership and volunteerism; education; skilling and employment readiness; entrepreneurship and innovation; health and well-being; sports and recreation; and environment and climate action are listed as focus areas.
MY Bharat platform: It lets youth register, build profiles and take part in volunteering, experiential learning and events, linking opportunities across ministries.
Youth Development Index: The Youth Development Index (2017) was prepared by RGNIYD and compares education and health indicators with global benchmarks.
Monitoring: Monitoring uses real-time dashboards on the MY Bharat portal and NITI Aayog's Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework.

Don’t confuse with National Youth Policy 2014 vs 2026: 2014 is the existing policy and a broad guiding framework. 2026 is only proposed and is outcome-oriented.

Don’t confuse with MY Bharat vs MY Gov: MY Bharat is the youth engagement platform. MY Gov is the citizen engagement platform used here to collect feedback on the policy.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Proposed policy with focus areas, still a draft. Lasting topic but little settled to test.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, 20 Mar, 14:01 IST · Release 286439

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC)

GS2 ElectionsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On March 20, 2026, ECI ordered parties and candidates to get all political ads, including on social media, pre-certified by the MCMC for the Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal assembly polls. Candidates must also declare authentic social media accounts in their nomination affidavit.
What it is: The Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) is a body set up by the Election Commission at district and state level during elections. It certifies political advertisements before publication and watches for paid news. It is an administrative mechanism of the ECI for election-time media oversight, not a permanent statutory body.

Two levels: Candidates apply to the District MCMC. Parties headquartered in a State/UT apply to the State Level MCMC.
Appeals: An Appellate Committee headed by the CEO hears appeals against District/State MCMC decisions.
Scope of certification: Pre-certification covers electronic media and internet media including social media; no political ad may go to internet media without it.
Paid news: MCMCs keep vigil on suspected paid news and take suitable action.
Social media spending: Parties must report campaign expenditure on the internet, including social media, to ECI within 75 days of the end of the assembly elections, under Section 77(1) of the RP Act, 1951 and Supreme Court directions.
Account disclosure: Candidates must give details of their authentic social media accounts in the nomination affidavit.

Don’t confuse with MCMC vs Model Code of Conduct: The MCMC is a body that certifies ads and checks paid news. The Model Code of Conduct is the set of guidelines for parties and candidates that these checks help enforce.

Don’t confuse with Pre-certification vs expenditure statement: Pre-certification is done before an ad is published. The expenditure statement is filed with ECI after the election, within 75 days.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Pre-certification of political ads is an election-regulation topic; an election-rule fact, though routine each election.

Source: PIB, Election Commission, 20 Mar, 14:32 IST · Release 286441

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)

GS2 Welfare schemes for Scheduled TribesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the CMD of NSTFDC briefed tribal homestay owners from Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on its loan schemes at an ITDC–Ministry of Tribal Affairs workshop in New Delhi.
What it is: NSTFDC is an apex financial institution under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It gives concessional finance to Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries for income-generating activities and their socio-economic and educational upliftment. It lends mainly through State Channelizing Agencies, banks and regional rural banks.

Mandate: NSTFDC is an apex financial institution under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It gives concessional finance for the socio-economic and educational upliftment of Scheduled Tribes.
Term Loan Scheme: It offers up to ₹50 lakh per unit through State Channelizing Agencies, public sector banks and regional rural banks.
Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana: A scheme for ST women entrepreneurs. It lends at 4% a year and finances up to 90% of project cost, with no mandatory promoter contribution.
Micro Credit Scheme for SHGs: It gives credit to tribal self-help groups for collective income-generating activities such as hospitality, community kitchens and crafts.
Outreach channel: NSTFDC expands its reach through partnerships and General Loan Agreements with state agencies.

Don’t confuse with NSTFDC vs TRIFED: NSTFDC gives concessional loans to ST entrepreneurs. TRIFED is a separate body under the same ministry that handles marketing support for tribal products and minor forest produce.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting apex finance body for tribes with loan schemes; the file has similar SC and safai karamchari corporations. Few fresh facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 20 Mar, 16:08 IST · Release 286457

Issue page →

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

In the news

National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Out-of-School Children

GS2 EducationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Department of School Education and Literacy announced a nationwide drive to identify and enrol out-of-school and dropout children through NIOS, including a new 'NIOS Mitra' outreach programme.
What it is: The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education. It offers school education and skill courses through open and distance learning, and is described as the largest open school board in the world. Its certificates are recognised on par with those of other national and state boards.

Status of NIOS: NIOS is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education and the world's largest open school board.
NEP 2020 target: NEP 2020 aims for 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio from pre-school to secondary level by 2030.
NIOS Mitra: A technology-enabled outreach programme where trained facilitators identify and counsel out-of-school children and support their enrolment, focusing on marginalised groups.
Study centres: NIOS has over 10,800 Study and Examination Centres. The plan is at least one in every block.
Out-of-school estimate: PLFS 2023-24 shows nearly 2 crore children aged 14-18 not attending school.

Don’t confuse with NIOS vs State Open School Boards: NIOS is the national open school board under the Union Ministry of Education. State Open School Boards are run by states; the drive encourages them to let NIOS use government schools for exams.

Don’t confuse with GER vs NER: Gross Enrolment Ratio counts all enrolled students of any age against the official age-group population. Net Enrolment Ratio counts only students of the official age group.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Education access and the NEP 100% GER target for 2030 are syllabus topics; a drive is planned, no firm facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Human Resource Development, 20 Mar, 16:10 IST · Release 286458

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Ayush Mission and Integration of Ayush

GS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Minister of State (IC) for Ayush told the Lok Sabha how Ayush systems are being integrated with modern medicine, mainly through co-location and the National Ayush Mission (NAM).
What it is: The National Ayush Mission (NAM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Ayush. It gives States/UTs money for Ayush hospitals, dispensaries, colleges, drugs and health centres. It works with the National Health Mission so that patients can choose between Ayush and modern medicine at the same facility.

Co-location strategy: Ayush facilities are placed inside PHCs, CHCs and District Hospitals, giving patients a choice of medicine systems under one window.
Shared responsibility: MoHFW pays for Ayush doctors, paramedics and training under NHM. Ministry of Ayush pays for infrastructure, equipment and medicines under NAM.
How NAM works: NAM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme run through States/UTs. Aid is given against State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
Ayush Vertical: A dedicated mechanism under DGHS, set up by the Ministry of Ayush and MoHFW, plans, monitors and supervises Ayush public health programmes.
International Cooperation scheme: A central sector scheme backs Ayush exports and academic chairs abroad. It has 27 country-to-country MoUs, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs and 54 institute-level MoUs.
MDNIY and WHO: Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine (Yoga), in its fourth consecutive term from 2013.

Don’t confuse with NAM vs NHM: NHM (Health Ministry) funds Ayush doctors, paramedics and training. NAM (Ayush Ministry) funds Ayush infrastructure, equipment and medicines.

Don’t confuse with NAM vs IC Scheme: NAM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through States/UTs. The International Cooperation scheme is a central sector scheme aimed at exports and global recognition.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: National Ayush Mission and co-location of Ayush at PHCs, CHCs and DHs are lasting scheme facts, but the reply is a long list.

Source: PIB, AYUSH, 20 Mar, 17:37 IST · Release 286474

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Medicinal Plants Board and Medicinal Plants Conservation Scheme

GS3 Environment and conservationGS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Minister of State for Ayush told the Lok Sabha how the National Medicinal Plants Board's Central Sector Scheme supports conservation and farmer linkages, with state-wise project and fund data.
What it is: The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of Ayush runs a Central Sector Scheme for conservation, development and sustainable management of medicinal plants. It gives project-based support to conserve plants in the wild and in gardens, and to link growers and forest communities to markets.

Implementing body: The scheme is run by the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Ayush, as a Central Sector Scheme across the country.
In-situ conservation tool: In-situ conservation is done by developing Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs).
Ex-situ conservation tool: Ex-situ conservation is done by setting up herbal gardens.
e-CHARAK: NMPB launched the e-CHARAK app and web portal for price transparency and market access. It gives fortnightly prices of 100 medicinal plants from 25 herbal markets.

Don’t confuse with Central Sector vs Centrally Sponsored: NMPB's conservation scheme is Central Sector, funded fully by the Centre. National Ayush Mission is Centrally Sponsored, with costs shared with states.

Don’t confuse with In-situ vs ex-situ: In-situ conserves plants in their natural habitat, such as MPCDAs. Ex-situ conserves them outside it, such as herbal gardens.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Central Sector Scheme with MPCDAs and in-situ and ex-situ conservation. Lasting topic, but UPSC rarely asks it.

Source: PIB, AYUSH, 20 Mar, 17:45 IST · Release 286476

Issue page →

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

Economy

Draft National Electricity Policy 2026

GS3 Infrastructure: EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 20 March 2026, the Ministry of Power held a CEO Roundtable on power distribution at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. It discussed the distribution reforms proposed in the draft National Electricity Policy, 2026.
What it is: The National Electricity Policy is the Centre's policy framework for the power sector, issued under the Electricity Act, 2003. The 2026 draft updates it for high growth, net-zero goals and more renewables. Its distribution chapter aims to make DISCOMs financially viable and reliable.

Consumption targets: The draft targets per capita electricity use of 2,000 kWh by 2030 and over 4,000 kWh by 2047.
AT&C losses: The aim is single-digit AT&C losses, through phased prepaid smart meters starting with government, commercial and industrial consumers.
Distribution System Operator: The draft recommends a DSO to integrate distributed renewables, storage and Vehicle-to-Grid, using local energy markets.
Shared networks: Shared distribution networks are proposed to remove duplicate infrastructure.
Climate commitments: India's goals are a 45% cut in emissions intensity from 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.
AT&C loss meaning: AT&C loss is the share of energy put into the distribution system that is not billed and collected. It combines technical loss and commercial loss (theft, billing and collection gaps).

Don’t confuse with AT&C loss vs T&D loss: AT&C loss includes collection inefficiency, so it is wider than T&D loss, which counts only energy lost in transmission and distribution.

Don’t confuse with DSO vs DISCOM: A DISCOM supplies power and bills consumers. A DSO would run and balance the local distribution grid, including distributed resources.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Draft policy with targets of 2,000 kWh per capita by 2030 and over 4,000 kWh by 2047. Draft stage, so it is not yet testable.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Power, 20 Mar, 17:51 IST · Release 286480

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

Anutin Charnvirakul has been elected Prime Minister of Thailand; PM Modi congratulated him.
The Ministry of Ayush launched the Ayush Suraksha portal on 30 May 2025 to track misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions.
India and Bhutan signed a postal cooperation MoU and plan a UPU-UPI cross-border remittance link.

Source: PIB, 20 Mar

What we left out: 35 of 50 releases

Greetings and tributes (4)
General explainer, no decision (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (6)
Visit schedules (2)
Speeches without a decision (4)
Courtesy meetings (3)
Review meetings (2)
Same issue as another release (7)
Routine technology rollouts (1)
Research findings, no syllabus line (1)
Personal awards (1)
Appointments to routine posts (2)
Other releases (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1National Dental CommissionMCQ · 8 true or false
2Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal ArpanMCQ · 56 true or false · Mains
3Income-tax Act, 2025MCQ · 10 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Centre has recently notified the National Dental Commission and three autonomous boards, replacing the Dental Council of India and repealing the Dentists Act, 1948, on the lines of the National Medical Commission. Examine the key provisions of this reform. Critically analyse the trade-offs of replacing an elected regulator with an appointed one for the quality, cost and accessibility of dental education and care.

From: National Dental Commission

Write and get it marked

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