UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 30 March 2026

11 issues picked from 76 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

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. New solid waste rules replace the 2016 rules from 1 April 2026, with four-stream segregation.
Census 2027. Census 2027 starts 1 April 2026: first digital census, with self-enumeration and caste enumeration in phase two.
Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). MeitY clears 29 more ECMS proposals; 75 approved in all, Rs 61,671 crore investment.
National Green Hydrogen Mission (SIGHT Mode 2B). SECI-run bidding allocated 7.24 lakh tonnes of green ammonia to fertiliser units under NGHM; agreements exchanged.
Designated Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Kochi's Bhavasagara centre becomes India's national repository for deep-sea specimens under the Biological Diversity Act.
Agricultural Credit. Government lists PSL norms, interest subvention and digital portals to expand Kisan Credit Card reach.
Bio-Bitumen from Crop Residue (CSIR). CSIR transfers bio-bitumen technology turning crop residue into road-building material for industry adoption.
National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). MSDE reports NSQF qualification numbers and steps to align skilling with industry demand, in a Lok Sabha reply.
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). RDSS has sanctioned Rs 2.83 lakh crore; national AT&C losses fell from 21.91% to 15.04%.
Jan Samarth Portal. Jan Samarth, the single portal for 15 credit-linked schemes, has processed 41.14 lakh applications.
Price Support Scheme (PSS) for Pulses and Oilseeds. Centre approves MSP procurement of Rabi pulses and oilseeds under PSS in three states.

Law and statutory body

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

GS3 EnvironmentGS2 Local governancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, the Environment Ministry told the Lok Sabha that the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, notified on 27 January 2026, take effect from 1 April 2026.
What it is: The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 are the national rules for municipal solid waste. They replace the SWM Rules, 2016 and cover collection, processing and disposal, including sanitary landfills. Such rules are made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Who builds landfills: The local body sets up and runs sanitary landfills through eligible agencies.
District Magistrate role: The District Magistrate must ensure the landfill operates as per the Rules.
Audit and portal: The SPCB or PCC, or a registered environment auditor, audits landfills; the SPCB or PCC uploads the report on a centralised portal.
CPCB direction: CPCB issued its biomining and bioremediation direction under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Four-stream segregation: Waste must be segregated at source into wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste.
RDF fuel substitution: Industrial units, including cement and waste-to-energy plants, must raise use of Refuse Derived Fuel from 5% to 15% over six years.
Polluter Pays: Environmental compensation is levied on the Polluter Pays principle.
Implementation bodies: Central and State-level Committees are to be set up; the CPCB has constituted the Central Implementation Committee.
Parent law: Rules of this kind are made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Four streams: Waste must be segregated at source into wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste.
Bulk Waste Generator: A bulk generator has a floor area of 20,000 sq m or more, or water use of 40,000 litres a day or more, or waste of 100 kg a day or more.
Environmental compensation: CPCB prepares guidelines on compensation under the Polluter Pays principle. State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees levy it.
RDF use: Industries using solid fuel, including cement and waste-to-energy plants, must replace it with RDF. The substitution rate rises from 5 to 15 per cent over six years.
Buffer zone: Facilities with installed capacity above 5 tonnes per day must keep a buffer zone within the allotted area. CPCB will set its size.

Don’t confuse with SWM Rules 2016 vs 2026: The 2016 Rules are superseded; the 2026 Rules apply from 1 April 2026.

Don’t confuse with CPCB vs CAQM: CPCB issued a 2021 direction under the EP Act; CAQM issued Direction no. 91 in June 2025 for NCR legacy waste.

Don’t confuse with EPR vs Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility: EPR applies to producers of products; the new bulk generator responsibility applies to large waste generators.

Don’t confuse with EPR vs EBWGR: Extended Producer Responsibility makes producers answerable for post-consumer waste. Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility makes large waste generators answerable for their own waste.

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

Why it matters

Replaces the 2016 framework with specific rules on sanitary landfills and audits.
Audits and a public portal improve accountability of local bodies.
Legacy waste cleanup reduces groundwater and air pollution in NCR.
Moves waste policy toward a circular economy and producer accountability.
Online tracking and audits improve transparency and enforcement.
Polluter-pays compensation and landfill fees push segregation and cut load on urban local bodies.
Circular economy tools (RDF, MRFs, biomining, carbon credits) turn waste into a resource.
An online portal improves tracking and accountability.

Problems

Local bodies often lack funds and capacity to build and run landfills.
Legacy dumpsites and open burning continue to worsen air quality.
Urban and rural local bodies have weak finances and capacity to enforce segregation.
Finding land for processing sites and clearing legacy dumps remain hard.
Urban local bodies often lack finance, staff and capacity to enforce four-stream collection.
Land for processing plants and buffer zones is hard to get, and nearby residents often oppose such facilities.
State Pollution Control Boards are stretched for audits and compensation enforcement.

Way forward

Strengthen local body finances and capacity, with regular audits.
Speed up biomining of remaining dumpsites and enforce segregation at source.
Fund and train local bodies, and enforce segregation with incentives and penalties.
Use the online portal data for audits and apply environmental compensation consistently.
Build local body capacity and fund MRFs and processing plants.
Use user fees and awareness drives to change household segregation habits.
Publish portal data openly so audits and compensation can be checked.

Put in your answer

NCR dumpsite remediation: Seven legacy dumpsites identified in Delhi-NCR; four remediated.

Polluter Pays: Environmental compensation under the rules applies the Polluter Pays principle.

Legacy waste: The rules require a time-bound plan to remediate legacy waste and tighten limits on landfilling.

Bulk generators' share: Bulk waste generators account for nearly 30 per cent of total solid waste generation, so on-site processing under EBWGR eases the burden on local bodies.

Polluter Pays principle: The rules apply Polluter Pays to cases such as operating without registration, false reporting and forged documents.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 20

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

1.The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 supersede the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
2.The Rules came into force on the date of their notification in the Gazette, with no separate commencement date.
3.Under the Rules, sanitary landfills are established and operated by the local body through eligible agencies.
4.The Rules make the Central Pollution Control Board directly responsible for operating sanitary landfills in each district.
5.Audit reports on landfill operation are to be uploaded by the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee on a centralised portal.
6.The CPCB's 2021 direction on biomining of legacy dumpsites was issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
7.All seven legacy dumpsites identified in Delhi-NCR have been remediated so far.
8.The rules mandate segregation of waste at source into three streams: wet, dry and hazardous waste.
9.The rules raise the fuel substitution rate for Refuse Derived Fuel in industrial units from 5% to 15% over six years.
10.The rules provide for environmental compensation based on the Polluter Pays principle.
11.The rules apply only to urban local bodies and do not assign duties to rural local bodies.
12.The rules operationalise a Centralised Online Portal to track all stages of solid waste management.
13.Rules of this kind are made under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
14.The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
15.The rules require segregation of waste at source into three streams: wet, dry and hazardous waste.
16.An entity generating 100 kg or more of solid waste per day qualifies as a Bulk Waste Generator.
17.Under the rules, the Central Pollution Control Board itself levies environmental compensation on violators.
18.Industries such as cement plants are required to raise the use of Refuse Derived Fuel from 5 per cent to 15 per cent over six years.
19.The State-level committee for effective implementation of the rules is chaired by the State Pollution Control Board chairperson.
20.The rules allow landfilling only of non-recyclable, non-energy recoverable waste and inert material.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 30 Mar, 13:37 IST · Release 287101

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Census 2027

GS2 Governance - Census and Census Act, 1948GS1 PopulationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner announced that Census 2027 begins with Phase I on 1 April 2026, with self-enumeration for the first time.
What it is: Census 2027 is India's national population count, run by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Census Act, 1948. It has two phases: Houselisting and Housing Census, then Population Enumeration. This round is the first to use digital tools, including a mobile app and an online self-enumeration option.

Legal basis: Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948. Information collected is confidential and used only for statistical purposes and development planning.
Digital first: Data is collected through a dedicated mobile app, while door-to-door enumeration continues.
Self-Enumeration dates: In Tamil Nadu and Tripura, self-enumeration runs till 31 July 2026. Field enumeration follows from 1 to 30 August 2026.
HLO questionnaire: The Houselisting phase covers housing conditions, household details, amenities and assets, using 33 notified questions.
Nodal ministry: The Census is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a Union subject in the Seventh Schedule (Entry 69, Union List).
Digital features: Includes the CMMS portal for near real-time monitoring, a houselisting mobile app and a self-enumeration portal. Data centres are designated Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).
HLO window: The Houselisting phase runs across the country between 1 April and 30 September 2026. Each State/UT does a 30-day field operation.
Questions: 33 questions for Phase I were notified in January 2026, on housing condition, amenities and assets.
Self-Enumeration ID: On submission, a unique SE ID is generated and shared with the enumerator at the field visit for confirmation.
First states: Self-Enumeration began in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, and the NDMC and Delhi Cantonment areas. Houselisting there runs from 16 April to 15 May 2026.
Reference date: The reference date is 1 March 2027. For Ladakh, snow-bound areas of J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh it is 1 October 2026.
Caste enumeration: Castes will be enumerated in Phase II, as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA).
Outlay: The Union Government approved an outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore.
Self-enumeration: Respondents fill the schedule on a portal, get a unique SE ID and give it to the enumerator.
Notification: The Centre notified its intent to hold the Census by Gazette Notification on 16 June 2025.
Tool developer: C-DAC developed the digital platforms for enumeration.
Phase 2 and reference date: Population Enumeration is in February 2027, with reference date 1 March 2027. Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand use 1 October 2026.
Caste question: Caste-related questions will be included in the second phase.

Don’t confuse with Census vs Sample Registration System: The Census is a full count every ten years. The SRS is a yearly sample survey that estimates birth and death rates.

Don’t confuse with Houselisting phase vs Population Enumeration phase: Houselisting records housing and assets of households. Population Enumeration records details of each person.

Don’t confuse with Census vs SECC: The Census is under the Census Act, 1948. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011 was a separate exercise and not under that Act.

Don’t confuse with Census Act, 1948 vs Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969: The Census Act governs the decennial count. The 1969 Act governs civil registration of births and deaths.

Don’t confuse with HLO vs Population Enumeration: HLO covers housing, amenities and assets. Population Enumeration collects details of each person.

Don’t confuse with Houselisting vs Population Enumeration: Phase I covers houses, amenities and assets. Phase II covers each person: demographics, education, migration, fertility and caste.

Don’t confuse with SECC 2011 vs Census: The Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 was a separate exercise. Census 2027 enumerates caste within the Census itself under the Census Act.

Don’t confuse with Census vs NPR: The Census is a count under the Census Act, 1948. The National Population Register is a register of usual residents under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Why it matters

Gives the base data for delimitation, policy planning, and targeting of welfare schemes.
Digital collection can speed up processing and improve accuracy.
Gives the base data for planning, delimitation and targeting of schemes.
Caste data can inform policy for backward groups. It fills a gap left since the 1931 caste count.
Census data are the base for planning, welfare targeting and policy for the next decade.
Digital capture and self-enumeration can speed up work and improve convenience.
It provides the base data for planning, welfare targeting and resource sharing.
Caste enumeration will give fresh data for the reservation and social justice debate.
A digital census can speed up processing and cut errors.
Digital collection can speed up data processing and cut paperwork and errors.
Census data underpins delimitation, welfare targeting and planning.

Problems

Data privacy and security concerns with app-based and online collection.
The digital divide may limit self-enumeration, and the staggered State-wise schedule needs coordination.
Data security and privacy risks in a first digital exercise.
Caste enumeration raises questions of classification, accuracy and political use.
Reaching the digitally excluded and remote areas.
Digital divide may limit self-enumeration in rural and poor areas.
Data security and privacy concerns with online collection.
Data security and privacy of online and app-based collection.
Digital divide may limit self-enumeration; training over 3 million staff is a big task.
Caste data may stir political and social disputes, and delimitation concerns may follow.
Digital divide and data privacy risks in online self-enumeration and app-based collection.
Handling caste data raises questions of accuracy and social sensitivity.

Way forward

Keep strict confidentiality safeguards under the Census Act and publish clear data-protection practices.
Keep door-to-door enumeration strong alongside digital options to ensure full coverage.
Strong audits and clear data-protection safeguards.
Careful enumerator training and public awareness, with the offline app and field verification kept as backup.
Keep enumerator visits and assistance for those without digital access.
Maintain strong encryption and confidentiality safeguards under the Census Act.
Strong data protection safeguards and clear limits on use of personal data.
Awareness drives in regional languages, with enumerators backing up those offline.
Publish data on time and transparently, with clear caste classification.
Keep offline modes, multilingual support and field verification so no group is missed.
Put strong data security and confidentiality safeguards in place.

Put in your answer

Census Act, 1948: The Act provides the legal basis for the Census and requires information to be kept confidential.

First digital Census: Mobile app data collection and self-enumeration mark a shift to e-governance in statistics.

Census Act, 1948, Section 15: Confidentiality of individual data, which supports public trust in the Census.

Pre-test for Phase I: A nationwide pre-test covering about 5,000 census blocks was held in November 2025 to validate methods and tools.

Scale: Census 2027 covers 36 States/UTs, 7,092 sub-districts and around 6,39,902 villages.

Digital first: Enumerators submit data via a mobile app; the app and portal work in 16 languages.

Outlay: ₹11,718.24 crore approved for Census 2027.

Self-enumeration: A secure web-based facility lets households submit data online in 16 languages before the door-to-door survey.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

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

1.The Houselisting and Housing Census phase will be conducted between April 1 and September 30, 2026.
2.The Self-Enumeration portal is available in 16 regional languages.
3.The Census is conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
4.Census 2027 will be the 16th census in India's series and the 8th since independence.
5.The Census of India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990.
6.Enumeration of castes will be done in Phase I, the Houselisting and Housing Census.
7.The reference date for Census 2027 is 1 March 2027 for most of the country, but 1 October 2026 for Ladakh and snow-bound areas.
8.The Census in India is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
9.Census 2027 will be the first Indian census conducted using digital tools.
10.The Census Management and Monitoring System portal lets officers at sub-district, district and state levels track enumeration progress in real time.
11.The reference date for Census 2027 is 1 March 2027 for all States and Union Territories without exception.
12.The Census in India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs, 30 Mar, 15:22 IST · Release 287109

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)

GS3 Industry and electronicsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, MeitY approved 29 more proposals under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), with Rs 7,104 crore of projected investment. Overall approvals now stand at 75 applications.
What it is: The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) is a MeitY scheme that supports domestic making of electronic components, sub-assemblies, supply chain items and related capital goods. It aims to cut import dependence and deepen value addition in India's electronics manufacturing.

Cumulative approvals: With this round, 75 applications are approved, with expected investment of Rs 61,671 crore and 65,040 direct jobs.
Firsts: Approvals include the country's first SMD passive plant for tantalum-based capacitors, first flexible PCB plant and first rare earth permanent magnet facility.
Budget outlay: The latest Union Budget raised the ECMS outlay to Rs 40,000 crore, as welcomed by the ICEA chairman.
Implementing ministry: ECMS is run by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Aluminium extrusion: Hindalco is approved to make aluminium extrusions for mobile phone enclosures, which are now 100% imported.

Don’t confuse with ECMS vs PLI: PLI gives incentives on incremental sales of finished products such as mobiles. ECMS supports components, sub-assemblies, supply chain items and capital goods.

Don’t confuse with ECMS vs PLI for Electronics: ECMS targets components, sub-assemblies, supply chain items and capital goods. PLI schemes for mobile and IT hardware reward sales of finished products.

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 Electronics & IT, 30 Mar, 19:17 IST · Release 287157

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Green Hydrogen Mission (SIGHT Mode 2B)

GS3 EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, MNRE and the Department of Fertilizers exchanged 10-year Green Ammonia Purchase and Supply Agreements under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, covering about 7.24 lakh tonnes a year for 13 fertiliser units.
What it is: The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a global hub for producing, using and exporting green hydrogen and its derivatives. SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) is its incentive programme. Mode 2B supports green hydrogen production at refineries.

Objective: NGHM aims to make India a global hub for production, usage and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
SIGHT: SIGHT stands for Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition. Mode 2B covers refinery green hydrogen production.
Implementation model: Projects run on Build Own Operate basis through private developers, who make project-specific investments.
Nodal ministry: The Mission is run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Outlay: The Mission was launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
Targets: The Mission targets 5 MMT of green hydrogen capacity, backed by 125 GW of dedicated renewable energy capacity.
Certification portal: The GHCI portal, developed by MNRE, supports certification and compliance under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India.
Electrolyser manufacturing: Incentives have gone to 15 companies for 3,000 MW per annum of indigenous electrolyser capacity.
State policies: Six states have notified dedicated green hydrogen policies, seven have integrated hydrogen into existing policies, and four more are finalising theirs.
Mission outlay: The Mission has an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
2030 target: The Mission targets at least 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen a year by 2030.
Who ran the bidding: SECI ran competitive bidding for supply of green ammonia to fertiliser units.
Allocation: About 7,24,000 tonnes per annum was allocated to developers, linked to 13 fertiliser units.
Prices: The lowest discovered price is about ₹49.75 per kg, in a range of ₹49.75 to 64.74 per kg.
Forex savings: Savings of about $2.5 billion over 10 years are expected by replacing imported grey ammonia in non-urea fertiliser units.
Notifying body: MNRE notified the standards on 27 February 2026 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Renewable energy definition: Renewable energy includes stored or grid-banked renewable electricity.
Verification: Measurement, monitoring, verification and certification methods will be issued separately by MNRE.
Project cost: The jetty is approved at an estimated ₹797.17 crore.
Capacity: The facility will handle 4.0 million tonnes per annum.
Port support: The Port Authority gives capital support of 20% of the cost, ₹159.43 crore, during construction.
Timeline: The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Other cargo: The jetty will also handle other liquid cargo to ensure use during the early phase of the green hydrogen sector.

Don’t confuse with Green vs grey hydrogen: Green hydrogen is made by electrolysis of water using renewable power. Grey hydrogen is made from natural gas or other fossil fuels and emits CO2.

Don’t confuse with BOO vs BOT: In BOO the developer keeps ownership of the asset. In BOT, it is transferred to the authority after a fixed period.

Don’t confuse with SIGHT vs the Mission: SIGHT is the incentive programme within the Mission, not the Mission itself.

Don’t confuse with Green vs grey ammonia: Green ammonia is made from hydrogen produced by electrolysis using renewable power. Grey ammonia is made from fossil fuels, and India imports it for fertilisers.

Don’t confuse with Biogenic vs non-biogenic emissions: The thresholds count only non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions, not those from biological sources.

Don’t confuse with Green hydrogen vs green ammonia: Ammonia is a derivative made from green hydrogen. It is easier to store and ship.

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

Replaces fossil-fuel-based grey hydrogen in refineries, cutting emissions and import dependence.
Builds domestic demand that supports energy security and net-zero goals.
Cuts import dependence on fossil fuels and ammonia, and supports industrial decarbonisation.
Certification builds buyer trust and prepares Indian green hydrogen for export markets.
Replaces imported grey ammonia, saving foreign exchange and improving fertiliser supply security.
Decarbonises a hard-to-abate sector and builds a domestic green hydrogen market.
Gives industry and investors clarity and supports exports of green fuels.
Helps decarbonise fertilizers, shipping, power and heavy industry.
Export logistics for green hydrogen and ammonia support the Mission's export-hub goal.
Links Odisha's emerging production clusters to global markets and attracts investment and jobs in eastern India.

Problems

Green hydrogen costs more than grey hydrogen, so refineries depend on incentives.
Needs large supply of cheap renewable power and electrolyser capacity.
Green hydrogen costs more than grey hydrogen, so demand depends on subsidies and mandates.
Needs large renewable capacity, electrolysers, storage and transport infrastructure.
Green ammonia must reach a price that fertiliser units and subsidy budgets can sustain against grey ammonia.
Large renewable power, electrolysers and water are needed to deliver the allocated volumes.
Certification methodologies are still to be issued, leaving some uncertainty.
Export buyers may apply different standards, so mutual recognition is needed.
Demand is uncertain in the early phase, so the jetty must also carry other liquid cargo.
Handling hydrogen derivatives needs specialised safety systems, and green hydrogen costs remain high.

Way forward

Scale up domestic electrolyser manufacturing and renewable capacity.
Create demand through purchase obligations and long-term offtake in refineries and fertiliser.
Align state policies with the Mission and build hubs with shared infrastructure.
Create demand through offtake obligations and mutual recognition of certification abroad.
Keep long-term offtake contracts and extend them to other hard-to-abate sectors such as refineries and steel.
Build domestic electrolyser manufacturing and renewable capacity.
Issue the measurement and certification framework quickly.
Seek recognition of the standards with major importing markets.
Match port capacity with production clusters and firm offtake agreements.
Set safety and certification standards for handling hydrogen derivatives.

Put in your answer

Energy security link: Domestic green hydrogen is expected to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and support net-zero objectives.

Import substitution example: Green ammonia supply agreements of 6.7 lakh MTPA for 11 fertiliser plants reduce import dependence.

Industry example: JSW commissioned a 3,600 MTPA green hydrogen plant in November 2025.

Forex savings: About $2.5 billion saved over 10 years by substituting imported grey ammonia in non-urea units.

Target sectors: Standards aim to decarbonise fertilizers, shipping, power and heavy industry.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 21

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

1.The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched in 2023 with an outlay of about ₹19,744 crore.
2.The Mission aims for 5 MMT of annual green hydrogen production capacity, supported by 125 GW of dedicated renewable energy capacity.
3.The Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India has been developed by the Ministry of Power.
4.Under the Mission, incentives have been awarded to 15 companies for 3,000 MW per annum of domestic electrolyser manufacturing capacity.
5.Agreements have been signed for the supply of green ammonia to 11 fertiliser plants under the Mission.
6.Contracts for 30,000 MTPA of green hydrogen supply have been awarded to refineries including IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and NRL.
7.The Mission targets about 5 million tonnes of annual carbon emission reduction.
8.Six states have notified dedicated green hydrogen policies, and all other states have integrated hydrogen into their existing policies.
9.The National Green Hydrogen Mission has an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
10.The Mission targets at least 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production per annum by 2030.
11.The competitive bidding for green ammonia supply to fertiliser units was conducted by NTPC Limited.
12.The green ammonia agreements exchanged have a tenure of 10 years.
13.The expected foreign exchange savings arise from replacing imported grey ammonia in urea-based fertiliser units.
14.SIGHT is the programme under the Mission that incentivises green hydrogen production through transparent competitive bidding.
15.The lowest discovered price of green ammonia in the bidding was about ₹49.75 per tonne.
16.The Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards for India were notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
17.The emission limit for green methanol is the same as that for green ammonia.
18.The emission thresholds are calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period.
19.Carbon dioxide for green methanol may be sourced only from biogenic sources.
20.Renewable electricity stored in an energy storage system or banked with the grid counts as renewable energy for producing green ammonia and methanol.
21.The notification itself prescribes the detailed certification methodology, and tenders issued earlier must be re-aligned to the standards.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 30 Mar, 20:09 IST · Release 287161

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Designated Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002

GS3 Environment and biodiversityPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, the Environment Ministry designated CMLRE's 'Bhavasagara' Referral Centre in Kochi as the National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
What it is: Designated Repositories are institutions notified by the Central Government under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. They keep authenticated specimens of biological material, including voucher and type specimens, that have been accessed or studied under the Act. The National Biodiversity Authority recommends which institutions should be notified.

Legal basis: The Central Government designates repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Who recommends: The National Biodiversity Authority recommended the proposal. The Centre then notified it.
Role of repositories: They preserve authenticated biological specimens accessed under the Act.
Mandate of this museum: It will hold voucher specimens of select flora and fauna. It will also be the depository for type specimens of newly discovered species from the region.
Host institution: The museum was set up in 2022 under Mizoram University, a Central University created by an Act of Parliament.
Duty on discoverers: A person who discovers a new taxon must notify the designated repository and deposit the voucher specimens.
Role of NBA: NBA issues guidelines on criteria for designation. Its governing body considers proposals and recommends them to the Ministry for notification.
Number of repositories: With 18 institutions designated so far, these two additions raise the network further.
Bhavasagara centre: The Referral Centre Bhavasagara at CMLRE, Kochi, is a national facility for deep-sea biodiversity with over 3,500 identified, geo-referenced voucher specimens.
National Biodiversity Authority: The NBA is a statutory body set up under the 2002 Act, headquartered at Chennai.
Who designated it: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change designated the centre. It is run by CMLRE under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Collection size: It holds over 3,500 taxonomically identified, geo-referenced voucher specimens.
Type specimens: It is the official custodian for any new deep-sea species discovered in Indian waters.
Location: CMLRE is based at Kochi, Kerala.

Don’t confuse with Designated Repository vs Biodiversity Heritage Site: A Designated Repository (Section 39) stores specimens. A Biodiversity Heritage Site (Section 37) is an area of ecological value notified by the State Government.

Don’t confuse with Voucher vs type specimen: A voucher specimen is a preserved sample that documents a study or identification. A type specimen is the reference specimen on which a species' formal description is based.

Don’t confuse with Designated repository vs Biodiversity Management Committee: Repositories are scientific institutions notified by the Centre to hold specimens. BMCs are local-body committees that document local biodiversity.

Don’t confuse with Section 39 vs access and benefit sharing sections: Section 39 deals with repositories. Access and benefit sharing is governed by separate provisions of the Act.

Don’t confuse with Designated repository vs. Biodiversity Heritage Site: A repository stores authenticated specimens (Section 39). A Biodiversity Heritage Site is an area of ecological value notified by the State Government (Section 37).

Don’t confuse with CMLRE vs. NIOT: CMLRE explores and manages marine living resources. NIOT, Chennai, develops ocean technology. Both are under MoES.

Why it matters

Keeping authenticated specimens near their source aids species identification, traceability and research.
The collections support restoration after habitat loss, disasters or species decline.
It fills a gap for lesser-studied groups such as pteridophytes, macrofungi, moths and beetles in the Indo-Burma hotspot.
Strengthens documentation and traceability of biological resources, supporting access and benefit sharing.
Supports research and India's commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Gives India a national reference collection for deep-sea species, aiding taxonomy and Blue Economy research.

Problems

Specimen collections need steady funding, trained taxonomists and proper storage.
Compliance by researchers in depositing voucher specimens may be uneven.
Repositories need steady funding and trained taxonomists to maintain collections.
Deep-sea sampling is costly, and taxonomic expertise is scarce.

Way forward

Link repositories with State Biodiversity Boards and regional institutions, and keep strengthening taxonomic capacity.
Expand the repository network across taxa and regions, with regular audits.
Link repository records to digital databases for transparent tracking of use.
Expand deep-sea surveys and link specimen data with genetic databases and researchers.

Put in your answer

Policy alignment: The designation advances Target 4 of India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030), in line with Target 4 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Regional richness: Mizoram and the wider North-east have over 7,500 species of flowering plants and over 2,000 faunal species.

Bhavasagara collection: Over 3,500 identified, geo-referenced voucher specimens of marine organisms, including deep-sea fishes, are held at Kochi.

Network size: The network has 18 designated repositories before these two additions.

UN Ocean Decade: The repository's capacity building aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Earth Science, 30 Mar, 21:17 IST · Release 287164

Issue page →

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

Economy

Agricultural Credit: KCC, Ground Level Credit and Priority Sector Lending

GS3 Agriculture / CreditPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026 the Finance Ministry told Lok Sabha about steps to widen Kisan Credit Card access, including priority sector norms, interest subvention and digital portals.
What it is: The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) gives farmers short-term credit for crops and related needs through one revolving limit. Its reach is shaped by RBI's Priority Sector Lending norms, yearly Ground Level Credit targets and the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme. Since 2019 it also covers working capital for animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.

PSL agriculture target: Covered banks must lend at least 18% of ANBC or CEOBSE, whichever is higher, to agriculture. Of this, 10% is a sub-target for small and marginal farmers.
KCC extended to allied activities: Since 2019 the KCC covers working capital for animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.
Digital channels: Jan Samarth is a one-stop portal linking government-sponsored loans, including KCC. NABARD's e-KCC portal lets RRB and rural cooperative bank applicants apply without visiting branches.
District-level credit incentives: PSL norms give incentives for districts with low priority sector credit flow and disincentives for districts with high flow, to spread credit more evenly.
KCC extension: Since 2019, KCC covers working capital for animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.
PLP and GLC: NABARD prepares the district Potential Linked Credit Plan under the Lead Bank Scheme; these are aggregated at state level and inform the GLC target.

Don’t confuse with MISS vs the Rs 2 lakh collateral-free limit: MISS is a government interest subsidy on KCC short-term loans. The collateral-free limit is an RBI rule on security for such loans. They are separate instruments.

Don’t confuse with GLC target vs PSL norm: The Ground Level Credit target is set yearly by the Government for banks. The PSL norm is a standing RBI percentage requirement.

Don’t confuse with GLC target vs PSL target: GLC is a yearly government target for agri credit set by region, agency and loan type. PSL is an RBI norm of a share of bank credit (18% for agriculture).

Don’t confuse with Interest subvention vs prompt repayment incentive: The 7% rate is after the subvention. The extra 3% for prompt repayment brings it to 4%.

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

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 30 Mar, 15:34 IST · Release 287112

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Bio-Bitumen from Crop Residue (CSIR)

GS3 Science and technology, EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, CSIR held a technology transfer event in New Delhi to hand over its bio-bitumen process, made from farm residue, to industry for large-scale adoption.
What it is: Bio-bitumen is a renewable binder for road surfacing, made from lignocellulosic biomass such as crop residue. It is meant to replace part or all of petroleum-based bitumen. The process was developed jointly by CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP.

Developers: CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum developed the process jointly.
Feedstock and process: It uses agricultural biomass and crop residues as feedstock and a thermochemical conversion process.
Intended user: The technology is meant for adoption by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in road construction.
Problems addressed: It targets pollution from agricultural waste and rising dependence on imported bitumen.
CSIR: CSIR is an autonomous research body, with the Prime Minister as its President; its Director General also serves as Secretary, DSIR.

Don’t confuse with Bio-bitumen vs biofuel/ethanol: Bio-bitumen is a road binder from biomass, not a transport fuel like ethanol or biodiesel.

Don’t confuse with CSIR-CRRI vs CSIR-IIP: CRRI is the road research institute; IIP (Dehradun) works on petroleum and fuels. Both developed this process.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic linking stubble burning and import reduction, but few testable facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 30 Mar, 15:54 IST · Release 287119

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)

GS2 Education and skillingPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, the Skill Development Minister told the Lok Sabha how the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) is being implemented. He gave the number of NSQF-aligned qualifications as on 31 December 2025 and listed steps to match skilling with industry needs.
What it is: The NSQF is a competency-based framework that arranges qualifications into levels 1 to 8 by learning outcomes. It covers formal, non-formal and informal learning. It aims to give vocational and general education equal standing and to allow movement between them.

Launch and rationalisation: NSQF was launched in December 2013. It was rationalised and notified in June 2023.
Levels: The framework has eight levels. Each level reflects different skill, complexity, knowledge, responsibility and autonomy.
Regulator: NCVET is the overarching regulator for technical and vocational education and training. It sets regulations and standards for quality.
Sector Skill Councils: 36 industry-led Sector Skill Councils identify sector skill needs and set competency standards.
Link to higher education: UGC allows up to 50% of the credit requirement of a UG/PG programme to be met through skill courses, including NSQF-aligned qualifications.

Don’t confuse with NSQF vs NCrF: NSQF organises qualifications into levels by learning outcomes. The National Credit Framework is a credit accumulation and transfer system covering school, higher and vocational education.

Don’t confuse with NCVET vs Sector Skill Councils: NCVET is the regulator that recognises awarding bodies. Sector Skill Councils are industry-led bodies that identify skill needs and set standards.

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: Framework launched 2013, rationalised 2023, levels 1 to 8. Standing facts, but UPSC rarely tests it.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 30 Mar, 16:00 IST · Release 287120

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)

GS3 EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, the Power Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that RDSS works worth Rs 2.83 lakh crore are sanctioned and AT&C losses fell to 15.04% in FY25.
What it is: The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is a Centre-backed reform scheme for power distribution companies (DISCOMs), launched in 2021. It funds loss-reduction works and smart metering. Funds are tied to DISCOMs meeting operational and financial performance conditions.

Objective: RDSS aims to cut AT&C losses to 12-15% and close the gap between Average Cost of Supply and Average Revenue Realised.
Sanctioned outlay: Rs 1.53 lakh crore is sanctioned for loss reduction and Rs 1.31 lakh crore for smart metering, on State proposals.
Monitoring bodies: PFC and REC are nodal agencies. A State Distribution Reforms Committee is headed by the Chief Secretary. A central Inter-Ministerial Monitoring Committee is headed by Secretary (Power).
Conditional funding: Funds are released only if DISCOMs improve parameters such as timely subsidy payment, regular tariff orders, publishing accounts and not creating regulatory assets.
Loss trend: National AT&C losses fell from 21.91% in FY21 to 15.04% in FY25.

Don’t confuse with AT&C loss vs ACS-ARR gap: AT&C loss measures energy lost and revenue not collected. The ACS-ARR gap is the per-unit difference between cost of supplying power and revenue realised.

Don’t confuse with RDSS vs UDAY: UDAY (2015) was a DISCOM debt restructuring scheme. RDSS (2021) gives results-linked funding for infrastructure and metering.

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 AT&C loss target of 12-15% and smart metering; schemes are 52 of 327 Prelims questions but this reply adds little fresh.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Power, 30 Mar, 16:15 IST · Release 287134

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Jan Samarth Portal

GS3 Economy · Financial inclusionGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026 the Ministry of Finance released progress figures for the Jan Samarth portal as on 20 March 2026: about 41.14 lakh applications worth ₹1,06,306 crore processed.
What it is: Jan Samarth is a digital single-window portal run under the Ministry of Finance. It links applicants for government credit-linked schemes directly with lenders. It checks eligibility, gives in-principle sanction and sends the application to a bank branch.

Launch: The portal was launched on 6 June 2022 as a platform for credit-linked government schemes.
Schemes covered: It is a unified gateway for applications to 16 credit-linked Central Government schemes.
Languages: It is available in 8 languages, to help rural and underprivileged users.
Lenders: 269 Member Lending Institutions are onboarded, including banks, NBFCs, RRBs and cooperative banks.
Data integration: It runs real-time checks against government databases such as UIDAI, UDYAM, AgriStack and GST.
Lenders onboarded: About 254 lenders onboarded as on 20 March 2026, including 12 PSBs, 20 private banks, 28 RRBs, 173 DCCBs, 15 NBFCs and 6 SFBs.
Progress: 41.14 lakh applications worth ₹1,06,306 crore processed; banks gave digital approval to 35.07 lakh beneficiaries worth ₹84,365.55 crore.
How it works: The portal checks eligibility, gives in-principle sanction and forwards the application to the chosen bank branch.
Data links: Real-time checks with CBDT, GST, UDYAM, NeSL, UIDAI, CIBIL, AgriStack and others speed up processing.

Don’t confuse with Jan Samarth vs Jan Dhan: Jan Samarth is a credit-application portal for linked schemes. Jan Dhan Yojana is about opening bank accounts.

Don’t confuse with Jan Samarth vs UDGAM/other portals: Jan Samarth links applicants to lenders for scheme loans. It is not a regulator or a credit bureau, though it uses CIBIL data.

Don’t confuse with Jan Samarth vs Udyamimitra: Both are digital loan portals. Jan Samarth covers 15 Central credit-linked schemes across sectors, not only MSME loans.

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: Single portal for 15 credit-linked schemes, launched 6 June 2022. Lasting platform, but few testable features.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 30 Mar, 18:57 IST · Release 287155

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Price Support Scheme (PSS) for Pulses and Oilseeds

GS3 Agriculture and MSPPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 30 March 2026, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved procurement of over 18 lakh tonnes of Rabi pulses and oilseeds at MSP under the Price Support Scheme in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, worth over Rs 11,698 crore.
What it is: The Price Support Scheme (PSS) lets the Centre buy pulses, oilseeds and copra from farmers at MSP when market prices fall below it. States send proposals and the Centre approves the quantity. Procurement is done through central nodal agencies such as NAFED and NCCF.

Karnataka safflower: Only 25 per cent of the state's proposal, 6,923 tonnes of kusum (safflower), was approved, at an MSP of Rs 65,400 per tonne.
Payment mechanism: States already have POS-based procurement in place, which is meant to ensure transparent payment to farmers.
Nodal agencies: Central nodal agencies NAFED and NCCF carry out PSS procurement. PSS is part of the PM-AASHA umbrella scheme.

Don’t confuse with PSS vs Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF): PSS buys crops at MSP to protect farmers when prices fall. PSF builds buffer stocks to control consumer prices of pulses and onions.

Don’t confuse with PSS vs Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Under PSS the government physically buys the crop. Under PDPS it pays farmers the difference between MSP and the market price, without buying.

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 MSP procurement mechanism, but this release is a state-wise approval with little new.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 30 Mar, 21:24 IST · Release 287166

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

Jan Dhan Darshak App shows 99.92% of villages have a banking outlet within 5 km (as on 6 March 2026).
NHAI has realised Rs 28,307 crore through InvIT and TOT monetisation in FY 2025-26 against a Rs 30,000 crore target.
A record 30 mineral blocks were operationalised in FY 2025-26, the highest in a single year.
INS Agray, fourth of eight ASW Shallow Water Craft built by GRSE Kolkata, was delivered to the Navy on 30 March 2026.

Source: PIB, 30 Mar

What we left out: 61 of 76 releases

Tributes and greetings (3)
Routine project approvals (1)
Visit schedules (3)
Routine data replies (23)
Same issue as another release (10)
Routine data releases (4)
Recruitment and results notices (2)
Routine portal updates (2)
Lab research findings (2)
Budget explainers without decision (1)
Routine MoUs (3)
Briefings without a decision (1)
Production records (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (1)
Speeches without a decision (4)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026MCQ · 20 true or false · Mains
2Census 2027MCQ · 12 true or false · Mains
3Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)MCQ · 10 true or false
4National Green Hydrogen Mission (SIGHT Mode 2B)MCQ · 21 true or false
5Designated Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002MCQ · 9 true or false
6Agricultural CreditMCQ · 4 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which supersede the 2016 rules, come into effect from 1 April 2026. Examine the key provisions of the new rules and discuss the challenges in implementing them effectively, especially for urban and rural local bodies.

From: Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

Write and get it marked

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Sunday, 29 March 2026WTO 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14)

The day after

Tuesday, 31 March 2026Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin · WTO 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) · Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and 4 more

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Practice · 6 Mains question