Current Affairs 25 March 2026

Polity & GovernanceMediumquizQuiz

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 Introduced in Lok Sabha

•The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2026 by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
•It amends the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, which governs foreign funding of NGOs and individuals.
•The Bill proposes a 'Designated Authority' empowered to manage or dispose of assets created from foreign contributions when an NGO's registration ends.

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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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