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Current Affairs Pulse

25 March 2026

22 articles20 high importance22 with quiz
MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Antibiotic-Resistant Typhoid Imposes ₹123 Billion Economic Burden on India: Study

  • A study in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia reveals antibiotic-resistant typhoid infections caused an estimated ₹123 billion economic burden in India in 2023.
  • Antibiotic-resistant strains, particularly fluoroquinolone-resistant ones, accounted for 87% of the total costs, disproportionately affecting children under 10.
  • Households bore 91% of the expenses, with 70,000 families facing 'catastrophic' health expenditure.
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MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

India's TB Burden Declines Significantly Amidst Elimination Efforts

  • India has reported a notable reduction in its Tuberculosis (TB) burden, reflecting progress in national elimination strategies.
  • The country aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal target of 2030.
  • Key initiatives like the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and Nikshay Poshan Yojana are central to these efforts.
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Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026: Enhanced Government Control Over Foreign Funds

  • The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposes to strengthen government oversight on foreign-funded assets of organizations.
  • A new 'designated authority' will be established to manage and potentially transfer assets of entities whose FCRA registration is cancelled or lapses.
  • The Bill broadens the definitions of 'key functionaries' and 'political party' to expand accountability and address existing legal loopholes.
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EconomyHighquizQuiz

India's Youth Job Market: Growing Challenges for Men and Women

  • Indian youth are facing significant and distinct employment challenges across genders.
  • Young women often resort to agricultural work, indicating a lack of diverse non-farm opportunities.
  • Male graduates are struggling with stagnant wages and a scarcity of suitable job openings.
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EconomyHighquizQuiz

Oil Prices Drop on West Asia Ceasefire Hopes; Positive for India's Economy

  • Global crude oil prices, including Brent, fell by approximately 5% due to increasing hopes for a ceasefire in the West Asia conflict.
  • Despite the recent drop, ongoing regional tensions and risks associated with the Strait of Hormuz continue to contribute to market volatility.
  • Lower oil prices are significantly beneficial for India, as they can help reduce the nation's substantial crude oil import bill and alleviate inflationary pressures.
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Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

Govt proposes FCRA amendment for greater control over foreign-funded assets

  • A proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) aims to enhance government control over foreign-funded assets.
  • The Bill suggests creating a 'designated authority' with civil court powers to manage foreign contributions and assets of organizations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed.
  • This move is intended to ensure greater accountability and prevent potential misuse of foreign funds by various entities.
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EconomyHighquizQuiz

MGNREGA Demand Projected to Hit Six-Year Low in FY26 Amidst Labor Shift

  • Demand for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is projected to reach a six-year low in FY26.
  • This decline is primarily attributed to rural workers shifting towards better-paying employment opportunities in manufacturing and urban construction sectors.
  • The scheme experienced its peak demand during the COVID-19 pandemic years, serving as a crucial safety net.
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EconomyHighquizQuiz

Geopolitical Tensions in West Asia and Their Impact on Global Oil Prices

  • Geopolitical events and conflicts in West Asia significantly influence global crude oil markets and international petrol prices.
  • Fears of supply disruptions from this major oil-producing region can lead to immediate volatility and upward pressure on global crude benchmarks.
  • India, being a major net importer of crude oil, is particularly vulnerable to such price fluctuations, impacting its economy through inflation and current account deficit.
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EconomyMediumquizQuiz

Lok Sabha Clears Finance Bill 2026, Clarifies 12% Surcharge on Share Buybacks

  • The Lok Sabha has passed the Finance Bill 2026, incorporating key amendments.
  • A significant amendment clarifies the application of a flat 12% surcharge on share buybacks.
  • The Finance Bill is crucial for implementing the government's annual financial proposals and tax changes.
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EconomyMediumquizQuiz

India's LPG Strategy: An 'Opportunistic but Precarious Jugaad' with Household Risks

  • An Emkay Global report labels India's LPG strategy as 'opportunistic but precarious jugaad'.
  • The report warns of potential 'painful adjustments' for Indian households and industries.
  • These risks arise from the strategy's vulnerability to shifts in global energy dynamics.
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EnvironmentHighquizQuiz

Oil Discovery Transformed Persian Gulf's Ecology: A Historical Environmental Analysis

  • The Persian Gulf's ecology underwent a drastic transformation following the discovery and extraction of oil.
  • Historically, the region supported rich and diverse marine ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds.
  • Major contributors to environmental degradation include oil spills, extensive dredging for infrastructure, coastal development, and increased shipping traffic.
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MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Antibiotic Resistance Drives 87% of India's Typhoid Economic Burden: Study

  • A recent study indicates that antibiotic resistance accounts for a significant 87% of the economic cost associated with typhoid fever in India.
  • Typhoid fever is an infectious disease primarily spread through contaminated food and water.
  • The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improve public health infrastructure.
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EnvironmentHighquizQuiz

India Aims for 60% Non-Fossil Fuel Power by 2035, Enhances Climate Targets

  • India has set a new target to achieve 60% of its electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035.
  • The country aims to reduce the emissions intensity per unit of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 47%.
  • A goal has been established to increase India's carbon sink capacity to 3.5 billion tonnes to 4 billion tonnes.
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Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

FM Defends Centre's Constitutional Right to Levy Cess, Cites Fiscal Transfers to States

  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted the Centre's constitutional authority to impose cesses and surcharges.
  • She highlighted that the Centre's transfers to states exceed the revenue collected from these specific levies.
  • The Opposition's concern was that cesses and surcharges are excluded from the divisible pool of taxes shared with states.
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EconomyHighquizQuiz

Paradip Port to receive 7 million barrels of crude oil, boosting energy logistics

  • Paradip Port in Odisha is set to receive a total of 7 million barrels of crude oil, reinforcing its role as a key energy gateway.
  • The vessel 'Almi Titan' will deliver approximately 3.296 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil as part of this consignment.
  • This significant import highlights India's reliance on maritime routes for its energy needs and the strategic importance of its major ports.
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History & CultureHighquizQuiz

Ram Prasad Bismil: A Revolutionary Poet and Architect of India's Freedom Struggle

  • Ram Prasad Bismil was a prominent Indian revolutionary and a key figure in the armed struggle for independence.
  • He was a co-founder of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), a significant revolutionary organization.
  • Bismil was a central figure in the Kakori Conspiracy (now Kakori Train Action) of 1925.
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MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

World Health Day and 'One Health' Approach: A Global Public Health Focus

  • World Health Day is observed annually on April 7th to raise global awareness about critical health issues.
  • It commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.
  • The 'One Health' approach recognizes the profound interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
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EnvironmentHighquizQuiz

India Updates NDC: Targets 47% Emissions Intensity Cut, 60% Non-Fossil Power by 2035

  • India's Union Cabinet has approved the country's new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031-2035, enhancing climate ambition under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.
  • Key targets include a 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 compared to 2005 levels.
  • The nation aims to achieve 60% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035.
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Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

Women's Reservation Act: Implementation Tied to Delimitation and Census

  • The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, mandates a one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
  • This significant constitutional amendment, the 106th, aims to enhance women's political representation at the national and state levels.
  • The implementation of the reservation is contingent upon the completion of the next census and a subsequent delimitation exercise.
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Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

Global Corruption Perceptions Index: Declining Integrity and Governance Challenges

  • The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 indicates a global decline in integrity, with the average score falling to 42 out of 100.
  • A significant majority of countries, 122 out of 182, scored below 50, highlighting widespread perceived public sector corruption.
  • Only five countries managed to score above 80, underscoring the pervasive nature of corruption challenges worldwide.
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EnvironmentHighquizQuiz

Supreme Court Elevates Environmental CSR to Constitutional Duty, Bolstering Climate Action

  • India mandated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the Companies Act, 2013, to channel corporate profits towards societal welfare.
  • Despite this, environmental initiatives within CSR have remained significantly underfunded, hindering progress towards climate goals like the 2070 net-zero target.
  • The Supreme Court has now reinterpreted environmental CSR, elevating it to a constitutional duty under Article 51A(g).
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EconomyHighquizQuiz

India's Drive for Solar Strategic Autonomy and Domestic Manufacturing

  • India is actively pursuing self-reliance in solar energy manufacturing to reduce its significant dependence on imports.
  • Government initiatives, particularly the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV modules, are key to boosting domestic production across the value chain.
  • Achieving strategic autonomy in solar energy is crucial for enhancing national energy security, meeting climate change commitments, and fostering economic growth.
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