menu_book

Current Affairs Pulse

31 March 2026

38 articles29 high importance38 with quiz
Science & TechHighquizQuiz

Qdenga: India's First Dengue Vaccine Approved, Offers Hope Amidst Evolving Viral Patterns

  • Qdenga, developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) as India's first dengue vaccine.
  • The vaccine is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to protect against all four serotypes of the dengue virus.
  • It is indicated for individuals aged 4 to 60 years, irrespective of their prior exposure to dengue infection.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
DefenceHighquizQuiz

India Nears Freedom from Left-Wing Extremism: Multi-pronged Strategy Success

  • India has achieved a significant reduction in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) incidents and its geographical spread.
  • The government's multi-pronged strategy, combining robust security measures with socio-economic development initiatives, is credited for this success.
  • The number of LWE-affected districts has substantially decreased, indicating a shrinking 'Red Corridor'.
UPSCSSCDefenceRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Lieutenant Commander Daisy Tang: India's First Woman Naval Officer to Die in Line of Duty

  • Lieutenant Commander Daisy Tang holds the distinction of being India's first woman Naval officer to die in the line of duty.
  • She tragically passed away in 1994 due to a road accident while performing official duties in Mumbai.
  • Her sacrifice marked a poignant and significant milestone for women serving in the Indian Armed Forces.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

India's First Fully Digital Census Scheduled for 2027

  • India's upcoming Census in 2027 is set to be the nation's first entirely digital enumeration.
  • This initiative marks a significant technological shift from traditional paper-based data collection methods.
  • The move aims to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and speed in demographic data processing and analysis.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyMediumquizQuiz

Farmers' Diesel Supply Concerns During Harvest Season Highlight Policy Impact

  • Farmer unions have raised concerns over restrictions on the sale of loose diesel.
  • The ban is feared to cause a significant supply shortage during the crucial wheat harvest season.
  • Diesel is an essential input for agricultural machinery like harvesters and tractors.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

Major Income Tax Changes Effective April 1st Impact Salaried Class and Corporate Taxation

  • New income tax provisions, including a streamlined legal code, become effective from April 1st, marking the start of the financial year.
  • Salaried individuals are set to benefit from enhanced allowances or deductions under the revised tax regime.
  • Significant alterations in the taxation of share buybacks are also introduced, impacting corporate financial strategies.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

India Eases E-commerce Export Norms, Removes ₹10 Lakh Courier Cap

  • India has removed the ₹10 lakh value cap on e-commerce exports facilitated through courier firms.
  • The new regulations, effective from April 1, also permit the return of uncleared parcels to their original senders.
  • This policy aims to streamline logistical processes, reduce shipment constraints, and enhance turnaround times for exporters.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
InternationalHighquizQuiz

India warns against forced rules at WTO, flags legitimacy risks

  • India emphasized that no nation should be compelled to adhere to international trade rules it has not explicitly agreed upon.
  • The country warned that imposing rules without achieving consensus could significantly undermine the World Trade Organization's (WTO) legitimacy.
  • This statement was made during a ministerial meeting, highlighting ongoing institutional challenges and the need for inclusive decision-making within the global trade body.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyMediumquizQuiz

Lupin gets USFDA tentative nod for generic Sugammadex injection

  • Indian pharmaceutical company Lupin Ltd. has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its generic Sugammadex Injection.
  • This generic drug is an equivalent to Merck's Bridion, which is used to reverse neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing surgery.
  • The approval covers adult and pediatric patients aged two years and older.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Science & TechMediumquizQuiz

Granules Life Sciences' Hyderabad Plant Receives U.S. FDA VAI Classification

  • Granules Life Sciences' Hyderabad facility received a 'Voluntary Action Indicated' (VAI) classification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • This classification followed a comprehensive current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Pre-Approval Inspection (PAI) of its oral solid dosage manufacturing operations.
  • A VAI classification indicates that while some objectionable conditions were observed, they are not severe enough to warrant official regulatory action.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyMediumquizQuiz

First-Time Homebuyers Fuel Chennai's Housing Growth: Aadhar Housing Finance Report

  • Aadhar Housing Finance identifies first-time homebuyers as the primary drivers of growth in Chennai's housing market.
  • This surge in demand is attributed to a combination of robust economic growth, significant infrastructure development, and evolving buyer preferences.
  • The company specifically focuses on providing housing finance solutions to the low-income segment, particularly in India's tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

India's Domestic LNG Can Fuel 30 Crore PNG Connections Amidst Geopolitical Tensions

  • India's domestic Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production is projected to be sufficient to cater to 30 crore Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections.
  • This domestic capability is gaining critical importance due to escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which can impact global energy supplies.
  • The government is actively promoting an accelerated and incentivized transition towards piped gas for various sectors.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

India's Diesel Exports to SE Asia Surge Amid Geopolitical Shifts

  • India's diesel exports to Southeast Asia reached a seven-year peak in March.
  • This surge is attributed to disruptions in Middle East oil supply due to geopolitical tensions, specifically the Iran war.
  • Indian refiners increased purchases of Russian crude to compensate for Middle East supply shortfalls.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
InternationalHighquizQuiz

US Faces Constraints in Sustaining Prolonged West Asia Conflict with Iran

  • A conflict in West Asia, involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, has escalated into a regional war.
  • The article suggests this escalation began with a U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran on February 28.
  • The United States is reportedly facing constraints in sustaining a prolonged war due to emergency military sales, escalating monetary costs, and a strained supply chain.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
InternationalHighquizQuiz

China, Pakistan Propose West Asia Peace Plan Emphasizing UN Charter

  • China and Pakistan have jointly put forth a five-point peace proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
  • The initiative calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the prompt commencement of peace negotiations.
  • Key aspects of the plan include ensuring the safety of non-military targets and guaranteeing secure maritime navigation.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
DefenceHighquizQuiz

Pentagon Chief Declares 'Decisive' Days Ahead in Iran Conflict

  • The Pentagon chief stated that the upcoming days in the conflict involving Iran would be 'decisive'.
  • This declaration followed a visit by the chief to US troops in West Asia on March 28.
  • The visit was to observe military operations targeting Iran in the region.
UPSCSSCDefenceRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
DefenceHighquizQuiz

US Strikes Iran's Isfahan; Iranian Drone Targets Oil Tanker Off Dubai

  • The United States reportedly conducted strikes in Isfahan, Iran, amidst heightened regional tensions.
  • An Iranian drone attacked a Kuwaiti-owned oil tanker in waters off Dubai, United Arab Emirates, causing a fire.
  • These incidents underscore the escalating security challenges and the vulnerability of critical maritime trade routes in the Middle East.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
DefenceHighquizQuiz

Iran Alleges US-Israel Cyberattack on Pharmaceutical Company, Raising Cyber Warfare Concerns

  • Iran has accused the U.S. and Israel of conducting a cyberattack on one of its major pharmaceutical companies.
  • The alleged attack reportedly damaged production lines for anti-cancer and other specialized medicines.
  • This incident highlights the escalating threat of cyber warfare targeting critical civilian infrastructure globally.
UPSCSSCDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
InternationalHighquizQuiz

Over 200,000 Fled Lebanon to Syria Amidst Escalating West Asia Conflict

  • Over 200,000 individuals were displaced from Lebanon to Syria in March, as reported by UNHCR.
  • The mass movement is a direct consequence of the escalating conflict in the West Asia region.
  • The conflict intensified following Israeli-U.S. strikes and subsequent retaliation by Iran-backed Hezbollah against Israel.
UPSCSSCDefenceRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
InternationalHighquizQuiz

Myanmar Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing Elected Vice-President Amidst Political Turmoil

  • Myanmar's military junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has been elected as one of the Vice-Presidents by the upper house of the parliament.
  • This development further solidifies the military's control following the 2021 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government.
  • Nan Ni Ni Aye, a regional MP from the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), was also elected as another Vice-President.
UPSCSSCDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

Global Tensions Impact India's Economy: Need for Energy Diversification and Fiscal Resilience

  • India's economy is highly vulnerable to external shocks due to its significant crude oil import dependency, exceeding 80%.
  • Global tensions transmit shocks through volatile energy prices, disrupted shipping routes, and commodity markets, directly impacting India's fiscal health.
  • To mitigate these risks, India must strategically rebalance its economy towards income-led demand and build more resilient revenue bases.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

India's Economic Momentum Propels Global Influence and Strategic Importance

  • India has emerged as the world's 5th largest economy, projected to reach 3rd by 2027.
  • The nation's economic momentum is driven by robust domestic demand, infrastructure development, and digital transformation.
  • India's rising economic stature enhances its influence in global forums like G20 and BRICS, shaping international discourse.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Understanding India's Prestigious Awards: Civilian, Gallantry, Sports, and Literature

  • India confers various national awards across categories like civilian, gallantry, sports, and literature to recognize exceptional contributions.
  • Civilian awards, led by Bharat Ratna, are given for distinguished service of the highest order in any field.
  • Gallantry awards honour bravery and sacrifice of armed forces personnel, both in wartime and peacetime.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative 2026: Fostering Rural Entrepreneurial Self-Reliance

  • The Government of India has launched the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI) 2026.
  • Announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it aims to achieve 'Poorna Swaraj' at the grassroots level.
  • The initiative marks a strategic shift from basic wage-seeking labor to high-value entrepreneurial self-reliance in rural development.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

Indian Rupee Depreciation: Causes, Impact, and RBI's Role in Stability

  • The Indian Rupee's value against the US Dollar is a critical economic indicator, with its depreciation meaning more Rupees are needed to acquire one Dollar.
  • Currency depreciation has direct implications for domestic inflation, fuel prices, and the overall economic stability of the country.
  • Understanding the underlying causes of Rupee depreciation and the measures taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to manage it is crucial for competitive examinations.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026: Showcasing Tribal Empowerment Initiatives like PMJVM and Van Dhan

  • The Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 is a key event focusing on India's tribal economic development and cultural preservation.
  • It serves as a platform to highlight major government initiatives aimed at tribal empowerment, such as PMJVM.
  • The Van Dhan Conclave, emphasizing value addition to Minor Forest Produce, is a significant part of the festival.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

Electoral Reforms and Conduct of State Assembly Elections in India

  • Elections to Legislative Assemblies are fundamental to India's democratic structure, ensuring representation at the state level.
  • The Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous constitutional body, is solely responsible for conducting free and fair elections across the country.
  • The concept of 'perfect election' refers to ongoing efforts and reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, integrity, and voter participation in the electoral process.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Healthcare's Pivotal Role in Achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision

  • Healthcare is identified as a fundamental pillar for realizing India's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision.
  • A robust healthcare system directly contributes to strengthening human capital and enhancing national productivity.
  • Prioritizing health outcomes is essential for achieving India's broader socio-economic development goals and developed nation status.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

Delimitation and Federalism: Balancing Representation Post-2026 Census

  • India is preparing for a significant delimitation exercise after the 2026 Census, which will involve redrawing parliamentary constituencies.
  • The process aims to reallocate Lok Sabha seats among states based on updated population figures.
  • A key challenge is to ensure fair representation without disadvantaging states that have successfully controlled population growth.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyMediumquizQuiz

Small Savings Schemes Interest Rates Unchanged for Q1 FY25

  • The Ministry of Finance has announced that interest rates for various small savings schemes will remain unchanged for the first quarter (April-June) of the financial year 2024-25.
  • The Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will continue to offer an interest rate of 8.2%.
  • The interest rate on a three-year term deposit remains at 7.1%.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
DefenceHighquizQuiz

Delhi Police Arrest Lashkar-e-Taiba Operative Linked to Anti-India Posters

  • Delhi Police apprehended Shabir Ahmed Lone, an alleged operative of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
  • The arrest is connected to the appearance of 'anti-India' posters at various Delhi Metro stations on February 22.
  • This incident underscores the continuous efforts by Indian security agencies to combat internal security threats and monitor activities of proscribed groups.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Polity & GovernanceMediumquizQuiz

BJP Alleges MCC Breach Against Mamata Banerjee, Approaches ECI

  • A BJP delegation lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
  • The complaint alleges a breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Ms. Banerjee.
  • The BJP accused her of making 'grave and disturbing public statements' during election rallies.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

President Assents to Transgender Amendment Bill Amidst Constitutional Concerns

  • President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Transgender Amendment Bill, turning it into law.
  • The Bill, which amends the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, was passed by the Rajya Sabha a day prior.
  • A group of lawyers and feminists had urged the President to withhold assent, citing concerns over 'constitutional violations' and 'procedural infirmities'.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyMediumquizQuiz

ED Facilitates ₹15,582 Crore PACL Property Restitution to Justice Lodha Committee

  • The Enforcement Directorate (ED) facilitated the restitution of 455 properties belonging to PACL Ltd. to the Justice Lodha Committee.
  • These properties are valued at approximately ₹15,582 crore, aimed at refunding defrauded investors.
  • Total assets attached by the ED in the PACL case, both in India and Australia, now stand at ₹27,030 crore.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward
Polity & GovernanceHighquizQuiz

Rajasthan HC on Transgender OBC Quota and Gender Self-Determination Right

  • The Rajasthan High Court observed that including transgender persons in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota may not provide substantial benefits for their upliftment.
  • The court criticized a proposed Central amendment Bill for potentially undermining the fundamental right to gender self-determination.
  • It emphasized that gender self-determination is an "inviolable aspect of personhood" and should not be reduced to a "State-mediated entitlement."
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousMediumquizQuiz

J&K Poverty Data Mismatch: Lone Seeks Unified Definition for Fair Welfare Distribution

  • J&K PC chief Sajad Lone highlighted significant discrepancies in official data concerning the poor population across the Kashmir and Jammu regions.
  • He termed this data mismatch a 'structural flaw' that adversely impacts fairness in employment opportunities and the distribution of welfare benefits.
  • The demand is for the establishment of a single, consistent definition of poverty to be applied uniformly across the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
MiscellaneousMediumquizQuiz

Rajasthan Disburses ₹1,000 to 1.22 Lakh Anganwadi Workers via DBT

  • Rajasthan Chief Minister disbursed ₹1,000 each to 1.22 lakh Anganwadi workers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
  • The initiative aims to support frontline Anganwadi workers in the state.
  • Anganwadi centres in Rajasthan also provide hot milk five days a week to children aged 3-6 years under the Amrit Aahar Yojana.
UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence
Read Analysisarrow_forward
EconomyHighquizQuiz

India Procures Natural Gas from Spot Market Amidst West Asia Crisis, Impacts Fertiliser Costs

  • India recently procured natural gas from international spot markets at $19 per unit.
  • This purchase was made amidst the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has impacted global energy supplies and prices.
  • The acquired natural gas is designated for use by domestic fertiliser manufacturing units.
UPSCSSCBankingRailway
Read Analysisarrow_forward