UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 24 March 2026

12 issues picked from 100 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

Natural Gas Pipelines (Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion) Order, 2026. New Essential Commodities Act order sets time-bound, uniform rules with deemed approval for gas pipelines.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. 100 low-performing farm districts get convergence-based action plans under DDKY, led by district collectors.
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). NMNF reached 18.19 lakh farmers in 18,786 clusters by March 2026, with incentives and research support.
AgriStack and Farmers Registry. AgriStack's Farmers Registry has issued over 9.20 crore Farmer IDs, linking farmers to DBT schemes.
National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). NICRA maps climate vulnerability in 651 districts; 310 vulnerable; resilient villages and varieties scaled up.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme. Namo Drone Didi gives 80% subsidised drones to women SHGs for rental farm spraying services.
PM-KUSUM. PM-KUSUM had reached 21.77 lakh farmers by December 2025; Component A solar plants lag far behind target.
Regional Fisheries Management Councils. Three Regional Fisheries Management Councils help States settle inter-state marine fishing disputes, as Andhra Pradesh complains of intrusion.
Districts as Export Hubs (DEH). DEH has export committees in all 36 States/UTs; 249 of 590 district plans notified.
RBI Framework on Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions. RBI revises 2017 customer-liability rules, adds compensation, and expands AI tools against mule accounts and cyber fraud.
Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY). Elderly share will rise to 14.9% by 2036; AVYAY is the umbrella scheme for senior citizens.
U-WIN Portal. U-WIN digital immunisation portal has registered 11.87 crore children and 3.96 crore pregnant women.

Law and statutory body

Natural Gas Pipelines (Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion) Order, 2026

GS3 Energy: gas infrastructureGS2 RegulationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026 the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. It took effect immediately.
What it is: The Order is a delegated rule under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. It sets one national framework for laying, building, operating and expanding natural gas pipelines, including city gas networks. It aims to cut approval delays, fix charges and speed up piped gas supply.

Parent law: The Order is issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Commencement: It was published in the Extraordinary Gazette and took effect at once.
Deemed approval: Approvals are time-bound, with deemed approval if authorities do not act in time.
Levies and compensation: Arbitrary levies are removed. Dig and restore or dig and pay mechanisms define compensation.
Safeguards and disputes: Bank guarantees ensure accountability. Designated authorities resolve disputes.
Consumer side: The Order enables time-bound PNG connections and a gradual shift from LPG to PNG where pipelines exist.

Don’t confuse with PNGRB Act, 2006 vs this Order: The PNGRB Act, 2006 created the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board. This Order is made under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Don’t confuse with PNG vs CNG: PNG is piped gas for homes and industry. CNG is compressed gas used as a vehicle fuel.

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 Petroleum & Natural Gas, 24 Mar, 21:18 IST · Release 286765

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

GS3 Agriculture · SchemesGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Agriculture Ministry told the Lok Sabha how the 100 DDKY districts were picked and how plans and monitoring work.
What it is: PMDDKY is a six-year, district-focused agriculture scheme that began in 2025-26. It targets 100 districts that lag in productivity, cropping intensity and agricultural credit. It works by converging existing Central and State schemes and private participation, and tracks progress on a dashboard.

Approval and launch: Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 16 July 2025 for six years. The Prime Minister launched it on 11 October 2025.
Convergence: The scheme converges 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments, besides State schemes and private participation.
Three-tier structure: The District Samiti is headed by the Collector/DM and the State Samiti by the Chief Secretary. At national level, the National Executive Committee is headed by the Agriculture Minister and the National Monitoring Committee by the Secretary, DA&FW.
Monitoring: Progress is tracked through 121 indicators (74 output, 47 outcome) across 36 schemes. Output rankings are monthly on the PM-DDKY dashboard.
Score improvement: The average score of the 100 districts rose from 18.85 (April 2026) to 46.89 (August 2026).
District selection: 100 districts are chosen on three criteria: low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
Six objectives: Productivity, crop diversification and sustainable practices, post-harvest storage, irrigation, short- and long-term credit, and governance and service delivery.
Indicators: 121 indicators: 74 output and 47 outcome. Output indicators rank districts monthly on the dashboard.
Dates: Cabinet approval on 16 July 2025; launch by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025.
Role of KVKs: Krishi Vigyan Kendras act as technical partners for capacity building and field interventions.
Selection criteria: Districts were chosen on three indicators: low crop productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
Aims: Higher productivity, crop diversification, sustainable practices, panchayat and block-level post-harvest storage, better irrigation and long- and short-term credit.
Who prepares the plan: The District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti prepares and implements the District Action Plan; it is headed by the district collector.
Launch and duration: Launched by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025 for six years, covering 100 districts.
Model: Draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme, but is the first of its kind focusing only on agriculture and allied sectors.
Implementation: Runs through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, State schemes and private sector partnerships.
Role of Lead Banks: Lead Banks are to ensure success of KCC and PMFBY in these districts through specialised drives and financial inclusion efforts.

Don’t confuse with National Executive Committee vs National Monitoring Committee: The Agriculture Minister heads the Executive Committee; the DA&FW Secretary heads the Monitoring Committee.

Don’t confuse with Output vs outcome indicators: Monthly district rankings use output indicators; outcome indicator data is submitted yearly (FY 2025-26).

Don’t confuse with PM-DDKY vs Aspirational Districts Programme: Both target lagging districts with dashboards. PM-DDKY is farm-sector specific and converges 36 schemes. The Aspirational Districts Programme covers many sectors (health, education, etc.).

Don’t confuse with DDKY vs Aspirational Districts Programme: The Aspirational Districts Programme (NITI Aayog) covers many sectors; DDKY focuses only on agriculture and allied sectors.

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

Targets lagging districts, so it can cut regional gaps in farm productivity, irrigation and credit.
Convergence of 36 schemes avoids duplication and uses existing funds.
Targets agriculturally lagging districts, helping regional balance in farm incomes.
Convergence of many schemes reduces duplication and improves last-mile delivery.
Targets lagging districts, so it addresses regional disparity in farm outcomes.
Convergence of many schemes can cut duplication and fit local needs.
Targets lagging agricultural districts through convergence, so no large new spending stream is needed.
Brings in private and CSR resources, FPO linkages and manpower such as Young Professionals.

Problems

Convergence depends on coordination across Centre, States and many departments.
Early score gains rest on self-reported data and low starting scores, so lasting impact is uncertain.
Coordination across 11 Ministries, States and districts is hard to sustain.
Scores based on output tracking may not show real gains in farmers' incomes.
Coordination across 11 departments and many schemes is hard at district level.
Quality of District Action Plans and local capacity may vary.
Coordinating 36 schemes across 11 Departments is hard.
Private CSR funding is voluntary and may be small or uneven across districts.

Way forward

Verify district data independently and track outcome indicators such as farmer income.
Strengthen FPOs, post-harvest infrastructure and credit access, and extend CSR and private participation.
Move monitoring from activities and spending to farmer-level outcomes, as the Beneficiary Progress Module plans.
Involve farmers in District Dhan-Dhaanya Committees and use KVKs for extension.
Use the monthly dashboard rankings for timely course correction.
Build district-level capacity for planning and credit linkage.
Strong monitoring with district-level outcome tracking and rankings.
Long-term CSR engagement with capacity building, FPO linkages and market access.

Put in your answer

District score rise: Average district score rose from 18.85 to 46.89 between April and August 2026.

FPO Sangam: The December 2025 FPO Sangam brought together over 72 FPOs from 15 States and 33 districts.

CSR adoption: Department of Public Enterprises allowed CPSEs to adopt DDKY districts under CSR for FY 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Capacity building: From January to July 2026, 6,90,530 farmers and 88,961 extension workers were trained.

CSR convergence: The Department of Public Enterprises has included adoption of PM-DDKY districts for CPSE CSR activities in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Convergence model: DDKY plans converge 36 Central Schemes of 11 Departments with state schemes and private participation.

CSR example: Canara Bank was felicitated for a Rs 50 lakh CSR grant to a DDKY district.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 26

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

1.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet for a period of six years beginning with 2025-26.
2.The districts under the scheme were selected on low productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
3.The State-level Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti is headed by the State Agriculture Minister.
4.The scheme is implemented through convergence of 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments.
5.The National Monitoring Committee under the scheme is headed by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
6.District performance is ranked monthly on output indicators through the PM-DDKY dashboard.
7.Of the 121 monitoring indicators, 74 are outcome indicators and 47 are output indicators.
8.PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts selected on the basis of low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
9.The scheme is implemented through the convergence of 36 Central schemes of 11 Ministries and Departments.
10.The scheme is implemented only through Central schemes, with no role for State schemes or private-sector participation.
11.Among the scheme's six objectives are enhancing post-harvest storage capacity and improving irrigation infrastructure.
12.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2025 and launched in July 2025.
13.District performance on output indicators is ranked every month through the scheme's dashboard.
14.Districts under DDKY were identified using indicators of low crop productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
15.The District Action Plan under DDKY is prepared by the District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti.
16.The District Action Plans are made in convergence of 36 Central Schemes of 11 Departments.
17.The District DDKY Samitis are headed by the Chief Development Officer of the district.
18.DDKY provides for Central Nodal Officers assigned to each DDKY district for field visits and performance review.
19.DDKY plans exclude private sector participation and rely only on Central schemes.
20.PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts.
21.The scheme was launched for a period of ten years.
22.It is implemented mainly through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments.
23.The scheme is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors, drawing inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Programme.
24.The scheme aims to augment post-harvest storage only at the district headquarters level.
25.The scheme aims to facilitate both long-term and short-term agricultural credit.
26.The scheme is run by the Ministry of Rural Development.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 24 Mar, 18:12 IST · Release 286745

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

GS3 Agriculture: sustainable farmingPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Agriculture Ministry told the Lok Sabha about progress under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): clusters formed, farmers enrolled, CRPs trained and research findings.
What it is: The National Mission on Natural Farming is a centrally sponsored scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2024. It promotes chemical-free farming that uses on-farm inputs such as cow dung and cow urine. It aims to improve soil health, cut input costs and build climate resilience.

Approval and outlay: Approved by the Union Cabinet on 25 November 2024 as a centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of ₹2481 crore.
Incentive: ₹4000 per acre per year per farmer for 2 years, limited to 1 acre per farmer, and output based.
Bio-input Resource Centre: A BRC is a cluster-level enterprise supplying ready-to-use inputs such as Beejamrut and Jeevamrut to farmers who do not make them on their own farms.
Community Resource Persons: CRPs such as Krishi Sakhis give village-level guidance and training; 33,676 have been trained.
ICAR research: ICAR's All India Network on Natural Farming works through 20 cooperation centres in 16 States to develop packages of practices.

Don’t confuse with Natural farming vs organic farming: Natural farming uses on-farm inputs like cow dung and cow urine, with no purchased inputs. Organic farming may use purchased organic inputs and is certified under separate schemes such as PKVY.

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 Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 24 Mar, 18:13 IST · Release 286746

Issue page →

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

Scheme

AgriStack and Farmers Registry

GS3 Agriculture: digital public infrastructureGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Agriculture Ministry told the Lok Sabha that over 9.20 crore Farmer IDs had been generated under AgriStack's Farmers Registry as of 19 March 2026.
What it is: AgriStack is a digital public infrastructure for agriculture. Its Farmers Registry gives each landholding farmer a digital identity called Farmer ID. The ID is meant to link farmers to schemes, credit, insurance and procurement without repeated paperwork.

Coverage: The registry covers landholding farmers, including women farmers, livestock and fisheries.
Tenants and sharecroppers: The application can onboard cultivators such as tenants and sharecroppers, not only landowners.
Schemes linked: Farmer ID helps integrate DBT schemes such as PM-Kisan and PMFBY, MSP procurement, credit, input distribution and disaster relief.
Inclusion support: Farmers without mobile phones can register through FPOs, KrishiSakhis and Common Service Centres.
Chhattisgarh use: Chhattisgarh uses Farmer ID and Digital Crop Survey for MSP-based paddy procurement.

Don’t confuse with Farmer ID vs Aadhaar: Farmer ID is a farmer-specific digital identity under the Farmers Registry. Aadhaar is the general resident identity number.

Don’t confuse with Farmers Registry vs Digital Crop Survey: The registry records farmers. The Digital Crop Survey records crops sown on the ground. Both are parts of AgriStack.

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 Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 24 Mar, 18:14 IST · Release 286747

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)

GS3 Agriculture and climate changePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Agriculture Ministry told the Lok Sabha that ICAR's NICRA has assessed climate risk in 651 districts and found 310 vulnerable.
What it is: NICRA is a project run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It studies how climate change affects crops, livestock and fisheries. It develops and demonstrates climate-resilient technologies through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and farmer-participatory village institutions.

Implementing agency: NICRA is implemented by ICAR under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Contingency plans: District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) exist for the 651 districts, for use by State Departments of Agriculture.
Village institutions: Village Climate Risk Management Committees and seed and fodder banks have been set up with farmer participation.
Stress-tolerant varieties: Of 2900 varieties ICAR released in 2014-2024, 2661 tolerate one or more biotic or abiotic stresses.

Don’t confuse with NICRA vs KVK: NICRA is a research and demonstration project of ICAR; KVKs are district-level farm science centres that deliver its technologies.

Don’t confuse with Kisan Sarathi vs Bharat VISTAAR: KISAN SARATHI is an ICAR ICT platform for digital advisories; Bharat VISTAAR is the Agriculture Ministry's AI multilingual platform.

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 Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 24 Mar, 18:15 IST · Release 286748

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Namo Drone Didi Scheme

GS3 Agriculture technology and women SHGsGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Minister of State for Rural Development told the Lok Sabha about the Namo Drone Didi scheme: its funding terms, the drone package, and 500 drones given to women SHGs in 2023-24.
What it is: Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector Scheme that gives agricultural drones to selected women Self Help Groups. The groups rent the drones to farmers for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. It aims to raise rural women's incomes and spread drone technology in farming.

Scheme type and outlay: Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 1261 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Balance financing: Cluster Level Federations of SHGs can raise the balance as a loan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund with 3% interest subvention.
Package and training: The package includes 15 days of drone pilot training, one-year insurance and a 2-year annual maintenance contract.
Drones distributed: Lead Fertilizer Companies distributed 500 drones in 2023-24, with pilots trained at DGCA-authorised remote pilot training organisations.

Don’t confuse with Namo Drone Didi vs Lakhpati Didi: Namo Drone Didi gives drones to women SHGs for farm services. Lakhpati Didi aims to help SHG women earn at least Rs 1 lakh a year.

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 Rural Development, 24 Mar, 18:35 IST · Release 286753

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM-KUSUM

GS3 Energy and agriculture: solarGS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026 the MNRE told Rajya Sabha that PM-KUSUM had benefited 21,77,369 farmers by 31 December 2025, and gave component-wise installation and funding details.
What it is: PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) is a central scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched in 2019. It promotes solar power for farmers through solar plants on farm land, standalone solar pumps and solarisation of existing grid-connected pumps or agriculture feeders. It aims to cut diesel use and give farmers extra income.

Delivery model: The scheme is demand-driven. States raise demand, and the State Implementing Agency selects beneficiaries and implements it.

Don’t confuse with PM-KUSUM vs PM Surya Ghar: PM-KUSUM supports solar for farmers (pumps, feeders, plants). PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is for rooftop solar on homes.

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 New and Renewable Energy, 24 Mar, 19:11 IST · Release 286757

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Regional Fisheries Management Councils

GS2 Federalism and fisheries jurisdictionGS3 FisheriesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Fisheries Ministry told the Lok Sabha how inter-state fishing disputes, such as Andhra Pradesh's complaints about Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vessels, are handled through three Regional Fisheries Management Councils.
What it is: Regional Fisheries Management Councils (RFMCs) are platforms set up by the Union Department of Fisheries. They bring coastal States and UTs together to settle inter-state marine fishing disputes. They are administrative forums, not statutory bodies, and work within the split of fisheries powers between States and the Union.

Constitution of RFMCs: The Department of Fisheries created three RFMCs, Western, Eastern and Southern, by an order of 29 March 2023, on the advice of the Inter-State Council.
Purpose: RFMCs let States and UTs resolve inter-state fishing disputes together and ensure fair access to marine resources.
Coast Guard role: The Indian Coast Guard is represented in all three RFMCs.
Territorial waters jurisdiction: Coastal States and UTs regulate fishing up to 12 nautical miles under Entry 21 of the State List.
EEZ jurisdiction: The Union regulates fishing in the EEZ beyond 12 nautical miles under Entry 57 of the Union List.
Southern RFMC follow-up: After Andhra Pradesh raised concerns at the Southern RFMC meeting of 19 August 2023, Tamil Nadu formed a District-Level Committee by an order of 31 January 2024.

Don’t confuse with Inter-State Council vs RFMCs: The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body under Article 263 that advises on Centre-State and inter-State issues. RFMCs are administrative fisheries forums set up on its advice.

Don’t confuse with Territorial waters vs EEZ: Territorial waters extend to 12 nautical miles and fishing there is regulated by States/UTs. The EEZ lies beyond that and is regulated by the Union.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic: territorial waters under State List Entry 21, EEZ under Union List Entry 57, three RFMCs set up in 2023. Few facts for a Prelims question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, 24 Mar, 12:19 IST · Release 286671

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Districts as Export Hubs (DEH)

GS3 Economy · TradeGS2 Government policiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Commerce Ministry told Lok Sabha that SEPCs and DEPCs are now set up in all 36 States/UTs under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative. Draft export plans exist for 590 districts, and 249 are notified.
What it is: Districts as Export Hubs is a Department of Commerce initiative, anchored by DGFT, that treats each district as a unit of export planning. It builds on One District One Product (ODOP) and brings together central and state schemes, institutions and industry. It does not add a new funding scheme.

Nature: DEH is a convergence framework. It uses funds from ongoing central and state schemes and has no separate financial scheme.
Who runs it: The Department of Commerce gives policy direction. DGFT anchors implementation, coordinates stakeholders and monitors progress.
Committees: State Export Promotion Committees guide implementation at State level. District Export Promotion Committees work at district level and prepare District Export Action Plans.
ODOP origin: ODOP began as an Uttar Pradesh initiative in 2018, built around Moradabad's brass industry, before it was scaled nationally.
EXIM Bank GRID: Six districts (Anantapur, Raipur, Solan, Tiruppur, Kanpur and Kolhapur) were selected for support under EXIM Bank's Grassroots Initiatives for Development (GRID) programme.
Action plans: As of March 2026, draft DEAPs were prepared for 590 districts, and 249 of them were formally adopted by DEPCs.
Institutional structure: State Export Promotion Committees at State/UT level and District Export Promotion Committees at district level have been constituted in all 36 States/UTs.
District Export Action Plans: Draft DEAPs of 590 districts are ready; 249 have been formally notified by the DEPCs.
Product coverage: Products and services with export potential have been identified in all districts, including GI products, agricultural clusters and toy clusters.
Role of committees: The committees help promote exports and address bottlenecks. Outreach events build awareness and address exporters' concerns.
Nodal agency: The initiative is anchored by DGFT under the Department of Commerce and builds on One District One Product.

Don’t confuse with DEH vs ODOP: ODOP selects and promotes one product per district. DEH covers the whole district export ecosystem and converges existing schemes.

Don’t confuse with SEPC vs DEPC: SEPCs work at State level to ensure convergence across departments. DEPCs work at district level and prepare the District Export Action Plans.

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 SEPC and DEPC structure and district plans. Scheme questions are 16% of news-linked Prelims, but facts here are thin.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 24 Mar, 14:53 IST · Release 286687

Issue page →

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

Economy

RBI Framework on Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions

GS3 Banking and digital payments fraudGS3 Cyber securityPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Finance Ministry told Rajya Sabha that RBI has revised its 2017 rules on customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions. The draft was issued for public consultation on 6 March 2026.
What it is: RBI's framework on limiting customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions sets out when a customer bears a loss and when the bank must compensate. It dates from 2017. The revised draft adds a compensation mechanism for small-value frauds, as digital payments have grown fast.

Original instructions: RBI first issued the rules on limiting customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions in 2017.
IDPIC: The Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation was incorporated on 16 October 2025 as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013. Its mandate is to detect, prevent and analyse digital payment fraud in real time.
MuleHunter.AI: This is an AI/ML-based tool for detecting mule accounts, rolled out by RBI. It is live in 26 banks and is being scaled up.
Financial Literacy Week: It has been held every year since 2016.

Don’t confuse with Mule account vs fraudster's own account: A mule account belongs to a person used to receive and pass on stolen money, which hides the trail of funds (layering).

Don’t confuse with RBI Kehta Hai vs SEBI vs SCAM: RBI Kehta Hai is RBI's awareness campaign on safe banking. SEBI vs SCAM is SEBI's fraud awareness campaign on securities markets.

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 revised customer liability rules, IDPIC and MuleHunter.AI. Still a draft, so Prelims facts are unsettled.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 24 Mar, 16:07 IST · Release 286705

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)

GS2 Welfare of vulnerable sections: senior citizensGS1 Population and ageingPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026 the Social Justice Ministry told the Lok Sabha about India's fast-growing elderly population and the schemes for their care, led by the umbrella scheme AVYAY.
What it is: Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) is the umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for senior citizens. It brings together several components such as grant-in-aid for homes, state action plans, aids and devices, and a helpline. It aims at better quality of life and active, productive ageing.

Elderly population projection: Population aged 60 and above is projected to rise from 10 crore in 2011 to 23 crore in 2036, or 8.4% to 14.9% of the total.
Elderline: The National Helpline for Senior Citizens, number 14567, spreads awareness of the Act and schemes and handles grievances.
AB-PMJAY expansion: In October 2024 the scheme was expanded to give Rs 5 lakh a year free cover to all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
IGNOAPS under NSAP: Pension of Rs 200 a month for ages 60-79 and Rs 500 for 80 and above, for BPL elderly.

Don’t confuse with AVYAY vs NPHCE: AVYAY is a Social Justice Ministry scheme for welfare. NPHCE is a Health Ministry programme for geriatric healthcare.

Don’t confuse with Atal Pension Yojana vs NSAP pension: APY is a contributory pension for those aged 18-40, paid from 60. NSAP gives non-contributory pension to BPL elderly.

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: Umbrella scheme for senior citizens plus ageing projections: 60+ share to rise from 8.4% to 14.9% by 2036.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 24 Mar, 16:11 IST · Release 286707

Issue page →

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

Scheme

U-WIN Portal

GS2 Health: immunisationGS3 Digital governancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 March 2026, the Health Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that 11.87 crore children and 3.96 crore pregnant women were registered on the U-WIN portal as of 18 March 2026.
What it is: U-WIN is a digital platform of the Health Ministry that records vaccinations for pregnant women and children. It works like a digital vaccination record, similar in purpose to CoWIN, which was used for Covid-19 vaccines. It supports Universal Immunisation Programme delivery by tracking doses and follow-ups.

Children registered: 11.87 crore children were registered on U-WIN as of 18 March 2026.
Pregnant women registered: 3.96 crore pregnant women were registered on the portal as of the same date.
Registrations in 2025: 8.01 crore beneficiaries were registered in U-WIN in 2025.
Digital certificate: After each vaccination event, a beneficiary can download a QR code-based vaccination certificate.
Follow-up of dropouts: Children due for vaccination are mapped digitally and get SMS alerts. A list of those who miss a session is generated automatically for follow-up.
Who answered: MoS Health Anupriya Patel gave the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Don’t confuse with U-WIN vs CoWIN: CoWIN was the platform for Covid-19 vaccination. U-WIN covers routine immunisation of pregnant women and children.

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: Digital immunisation platform with registration numbers. Lasting topic, but facts are mostly routine data.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 24 Mar, 16:37 IST · Release 286716

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha signed reform-linked MoUs with the Centre under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
Ayush Ministry and DBT announced a joint clinical study of Ayurveda as adjunct therapy to anti-TB treatment on World TB Day 2026.

Source: PIB, 24 Mar

What we left out: 86 of 100 releases

Ceremonies and greetings (2)
Speeches without a decision (9)
Routine enforcement drives (1)
Routine project approvals (1)
Routine drive tests (3)
Routine announcements (2)
Same issue as another release (26)
Routine MoUs (2)
Routine data (3)
Ceremonies and courtesy meetings (1)
Routine meetings (1)
Routine parliamentary replies (14)
Internal campaigns (2)
Routine regulatory amendments (1)
Internal meetings (2)
Ceremonies and outreach events (1)
Webinars and workshops (2)
Visit schedules (1)
Routine briefings (1)
Same issue as on file (5)
Webinars and conclaves (2)
Routine cargo movements (1)
Other releases (3)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Natural Gas Pipelines (Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion) Order, 2026MCQ · 7 true or false
2PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi YojanaMCQ · 26 true or false · Mains
3National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)MCQ · 6 true or false
4AgriStack and Farmers RegistryMCQ · 6 true or false
5National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)MCQ · 8 true or false
6Namo Drone Didi SchemeMCQ · 6 true or false
7PM-KUSUMMCQ · 5 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, with time-bound approvals, deemed approval and standardised charges. Examine its main provisions and discuss the challenges in using it to expand piped natural gas and City Gas Distribution networks in India.

From: Natural Gas Pipelines (Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion) Order, 2026

Write and get it marked

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Wednesday, 25 March 2026WTO 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) · India's Nationally Determined Contribution (2031-2035) · Regional Connectivity Scheme - Modified UDAN and 7 more

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Practice · 7 Mains question