NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
NCVET Grants Awarding Body (Dual Category) Recognition
- National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) granted Dual Category Awarding Body (AB) recognition to Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Haryana Knowledge Corporation Ltd, Council of Architecture, and Max Healthcare Institute Ltd (through MIME).
- What Does it Mean? Awarding Bodies are authorised entities that design curriculum, approve training providers, assess learners, and issue certifications aligned with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). Dual Category ABs can also directly train, assess, and certify candidates.
- NCVET: it was established in 2018 under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It is India’s apex regulator for vocational education, ensuring standardisation, quality, and industry relevance in skill development.
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Development Pioneer Grant: NIPER Mohali–Novartis Collaboration
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali signed agreement with Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd to strengthen academia–industry collaboration in pharmaceutical research.
- Grant Objective: To promote cutting-edge research, innovation-driven partnerships, and enhance academic R&D capabilities in India’s pharma sector.
- MoU Highlights: Under it, a NIPER Mohali faculty member was selected for Development Pioneer Grant, chosen from 42 proposals submitted across all seven NIPERs after rigorous evaluation by an independent jury.
- It provides a competitive platform for faculty to develop impactful research projects, driving advancements in healthcare innovation and strengthening industry-academia linkages.
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LIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ Apps
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched MyLIC (for customers) and Super Sales Saathi (for intermediaries) under its DIVE (Digital Innovation & Value Enhancement) platform to enable a seamless and secure digital insurance ecosystem.
- MyLIC App (For Customers): Provides a 360-degree digital experience covering policy servicing, claims, payments, and documentation. Its features include portfolio management, instant premium payments, policy updates, revival of lapsed policies, digital purchase, and e-KYC
- Super Sales Saathi (For Intermediaries): Supports end-to-end sales and servicing journey. Features: digital sales tools, real-time tracking, automated follow-ups, AI-driven insights, digital kits, and performance dashboards.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Reserve Bank of India Proposes Amendments to SBR Framework for NBFCs
- RBI proposed changes to Scale-Based Regulatory (SBR) framework, which classifies NBFCs into Base, Middle, Upper, and Top layers based on risk and size. NBFCs are companies engaged in lending and financial activities under Companies Act.
- Key Reform replaces complex scoring model with a simpler rule: NBFCs with assets ≥ ₹1 lakh crore will be classified as Upper Layer, with threshold reviewed every 5 years.
- Government-owned NBFCs (like NABARD, EXIM Bank, and SIDBI) will now be brought under similar regulations as private Upper Layer entities. These NBFCs can also use state government guarantees for credit risk transfer without caps.
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DoT–SEBI MoU on Telecom Misuse in Market Frauds
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed an MoU to curb misuse of telecom resources in securities frauds and investment scams.
- MoU Highlights: DoT will share Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) and Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) to flag suspicious numbers and ensure only valid mobile links in investor accounts. SEBI will provide inputs on telecom links used in cyber frauds and money mule activities.
- Data exchange will occur through DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) connecting 1,400+ stakeholders. Sanchar Saathi and ASTR tools have already enabled disconnection of over 88 lakh fraudulent mobile connections.
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Department of Commerce Launches New Integrated Website
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched a modern, integrated website for Department of Commerce (DoC) to improve service delivery for exporters, importers, and stakeholders.
- It complies with Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) 3.0 and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW), ensuring standardisation and accessibility.
- Key Features: Bilingual mobile app (Android/iOS) with offline access and GPS features. Provides: Multilingual support in 22 Indian languages via Bhashini API, Accessible design for persons with disabilities, Customisable interface (font, theme, language), CMS-enabled platform for real-time updates, Three-level structured menu for seamless navigation.
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All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI): March 2026
- India’s WPI-based inflation increased to 3.88% (provisional) in March 2026 (YoY), up from 2.13% in February 2026. The month-on-month increase stood at 1.64% over February 2026.
- Inflation Reason: Rising prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, manufactured goods, non-food articles, basic metals, and food articles.
- Final Index (January 2026): WPI (Base 2011–12 = 100): 157.6; Inflation rate: 1.68%
- WPI: Measures price changes at wholesale level before retail stage. It is published monthly by Office of the Economic Adviser (Ministry of Commerce & Industry). It covers 697 commodities. Its base Year is 2011–12 (revision to 2022–23 under consideration).
- Major Groups (Weightage): Manufactured Products (64.23%); Primary Articles (22.62%), Fuel & Power (13.15%)
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Exercise DUSTLIK-2026 (7th Edition)
- The 7th edition of India–Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK to be held from 12–25 April 2026 at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan, Uzbekistan. It is an annual exercise conducted alternately in both countries; the previous edition was held in Pune (April 2025).
- Objective: To enhance joint operational capabilities in semi-mountainous terrain, focusing on physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills, and special arms skills.
- Participants: ndia: Army MAHAR Regiment and Air Force; Uzbekistan: Army and Air Force. Each side will deploy 60 personnel.
- Key activities include land navigation, strike missions, and area domination, along with exchange of operational procedures and experiences.
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POLITY CURRENT AFFAIRS
National Highways Fee (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified revised rules (effective 15 April 2026) for fee collection from overloaded vehicles to improve compliance, road safety, and protect highway infrastructure.
- Under Rule 10, overload fees are based on excess Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): no fee up to 10%, 2× base rate for 10–40%, and 4× base rate above 40%, with clear calculation illustrations.
- Key Provisions: Use of certified weighment devices, no fee without weighment facility, and mandatory FASTag-based digital payment. Details of overloaded vehicles will be recorded and reported to VAHAN (National Vehicle Register), ensuring transparency and enforcement.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
INST Mohali Develops Fluorescent Sensor for Nicotine Detection
- Scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali (under DST) developed a fluorescent “turn-on” sensor for rapid detection of nicotine and cotinine in aqueous media and living cells.
- Cotinine: It is a stable metabolite of nicotine, acts as a reliable biomarker in blood, saliva, and urine for long-term exposure. Conventional methods (like GC-MS, HPLC, electrophoresis, and immunoassays) are costly, time-consuming, and complex.
- Technology: Based on Fe-III-MOF nanosphere (iron metal-organic framework) with porous structure. Shows “turn-on” fluorescence (blue shift) when detecting target molecules
- Mechanism: host-guest interaction and electron transfer. Validated using confocal microscopy and intracellular imaging
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REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
PLFS Monthly Bulletin: March 2026
- Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI, is India’s key source for employment data. Since January 2025, it provides monthly and quarterly estimates using Current Weekly Status (CWS) for persons aged 15+. The March 2026 release is 12th bulletin.
Key Findings
- Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Overall: 55.4%; Rural: 58.0% (down from 58.7% in Feb 2026); Urban: 50.3% (stable)
- Female LFPR: Overall: 34.4% (down from 35.3%); Rural: 38.9%; Urban: 25.2%
- Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Overall: 52.6%; Rural: 55.5% (slight decline); Urban: 46.8% (stable)
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AGRICULTURE CURRENT AFFAIRS
NAAS Brainstorming Session: Roadmap for Atmanirbharta in Fertilizers
- National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) held a brainstorming session to chart a roadmap for fertilizer self-reliance, involving government, academia, industry, and farmers.
- India’s fertilizer consumption stood at 93 million tonnes (2024–25) with use intensity of 151 kg/ha and a skewed N:P:K ratio of 3:3.5:1, heavily biased towards nitrogen.
- The subsidy burden reached ₹1.71 lakh crore, while ~80% of natural gas for urea is imported and dependence on phosphorus and potassium remains high. Low nutrient use efficiency persists: 30–50% (N), 15–25% (P), 50–60% (K).
- Recommendations include developing smart fertilizers, utilising indigenous minerals (glauconite, phosphate rock, mica, polyhalite), and leveraging industrial by-products.
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PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Anand Kumar Pal Appointed as Chief Adviser (Cost), Department of Expenditure
- Anand Kumar Pal (a 1997-batch Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) officer), assumed charge as Chief Adviser (Cost) in Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, following approval by Appointments Committee of Cabinet.
- As a qualified Cost Accountant with degrees in Commerce and Law, he brings over 30 years of experience in financial analysis, public policy, WTO trade policy, and costing methodologies across sectors.
- Office of Chief Adviser (Cost): It is a specialised unit that provides expert advice on costing, pricing, and financial management. It assists ministries in price fixation and verifies contractual claims involving government departments, PSUs, and suppliers.