Daily Current Affairs 2025  

20/03/2026

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CA-20/03/2026

• Geopolitical Conflict: Ongoing tensions, including security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, have led to vessel diversions and longer shipping routes.
• Surging Costs: Freight rates and insurance premiums have spiked significantly (some by 90–100%) due to conflict-linked surcharges and "war-risk" premiums.
• Stranded Cargo: Exporters have faced operational uncertainty with goods stranded or delayed at transshipment hubs like those in the UAE.

• Financial Outlay: ₹497 crore allocated to provide a cushion against rising logistics costs.
• Three-Pronged Framework:
  • Past Shipments: For consignments shipped between February 14 and March 15, 2026, exporters with existing ECGC insurance receive up to 100% risk coverage at no extra cost.
  • Upcoming Exports: For shipments between March 16 and June 15, 2026, the government supports up to 95% risk coverage to maintain trade flow.
  • MSME Support: Small exporters without insurance can receive partial reimbursement (up to 50%) of increased freight and insurance costs, capped at ₹50 lakh per exporter.
• Targeted Destinations: Covers exports to or through 10 key countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Yemen.
• Procedural Easing: Includes automatic extension of export obligations and waivers for storage/dwell time charges at ports for affected cargo.
• Monitoring: An Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on Supply Chain Resilience conducts daily reviews to adjust the scheme based on evolving geopolitical conditions. 

• Maintain Market Share: To prevent Indian exporters from losing ground to international competitors during the crisis.
• Protect Employment: By safeguarding the export-linked sectors that are major employers in India.
• Exporter Confidence: Ensuring that order cancellations are minimized by providing a financial safety net. 
• Are you an exporter looking to check your eligibility for these reimbursements, or would you like more details on the ECGC claim process?

• Objective: To develop, provide, and maintain basic and advanced tourist amenities at 3,696 centrally protected monuments.
• Role of Stakeholders (Monument Mitras):
  • Scope: Limited to non-conservational aspects such as cleaning, lighting, drinking water, washrooms, and signage.
  • Funding: Entities use their own CSR funds; the government provides no financial allocation to them.
  • Duration: The initial appointment is for five years, extendable for another five.
• Regulatory Oversight:
  • Core Conservation: Archaeological conservation and structural preservation are strictly executed or supervised by ASI experts only.
  • Revenue: Any revenue generated from semi-commercial activities (e.g., cafeterias or light shows) must be deposited into a dedicated account for the monument's upkeep.
• Amenity Categories:
  • Hygiene: Toilets, waste management, and baby care rooms.
  • Accessibility: Ramps, wheelchairs, battery-operated vehicles, and Wi-Fi.
  • Safety: CCTV surveillance, first aid, and night illumination.
  • Knowledge: Interpretation centers, AR/VR tools, and souvenir kiosks. 

• The region is transitioning from traditional marine fishing to a high-tech inland and brackishwater model to ensure year-round livelihoods. 

• Integrated Reservoir Development:
  • 34 reservoirs in Maharashtra, including sites in the Konkan, have been selected for integrated fish farming under the Union Budget 2026-27.
  • Initiatives focus on linking these water bodies to market linkages involving startups and women-led Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (Fish FPOs).
• District-Wise Value Chains:
  • Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), specific fish value chains have been approved for Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
  • Projects include fish/prawn hatcheries, biofloc fish culture (182 ha), and Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) (541 units) to maximize production in limited spaces.
• Brackishwater & Mariculture:
  • Scientists from CIBA are collaborating on cost-effective farming technologies for the Sindhudurg region to benefit the coastal population.
  • The state has approved 110 open sea cage farming units and 1,000 seaweed cultivation rafts to diversify income beyond traditional catches.
• Ornamental Fisheries:
  • A significant push is being made for Freshwater Ornamental Fish Rearing, with 39 units already implemented across the state, many concentrated in the Konkan's tropical climate.
• Financial & Digital Support:
  • The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limit has been increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh to help fishers and processors meet working capital needs.
  • A new National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) is being used to register and provide direct benefits to thousands of fishers in the region. 

• Connectivity: Konkan Railway has introduced special summer trains for April 2026 to handle the seasonal surge between Mumbai and Madgaon.
• Heritage: The government is establishing a World Heritage Desk in Ratnagiri to pursue UNESCO status for the region's ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings).
• Economic Strategy: The region is being branded as "dollar land" with a non-political focus on horticulture (Alphanso mangoes) and maritime trade through new greenfield ports. 

• Constitutional Basis: Established under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) (Sixth Schedule), primarily for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (often called the "ATM2" states).
• Composition: Most councils consist of up to 30 members (26 elected and 4 nominated by the Governor). The Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam is an exception with 46 members.
• Legislative Powers: They can make laws on subjects like land, forest management (excluding reserved forests), inheritance, marriage, and social customs.
• Judicial Authority: Councils can establish Village Courts to try civil and criminal cases between Scheduled Tribe members, though they cannot award the death penalty or life imprisonment.
• Financial Powers: ADCs have the power to levy certain taxes (e.g., on professions, vehicles, and markets) and receive grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India.
• Governor's Role: The Governor has the power to organize/reorganize districts, alter names, and even dissolve a council if its administration is found lacking after a commission of inquiry. 

State  Autonomous District Council Assam Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council Meghalaya Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils Mizoram Chakma, Lai, and Mara Autonomous District Councils Tripura Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council

• Full form: Indian Ocean Ship – Security and Growth for All in the Region (IOS SAGAR).
• It is an Indian Navy initiative that sends an Indian naval ship (designated as “IOS SAGAR”) as a floating platform for joint training and operational engagement with friendly navies of the IOR.

• Vision: Aligns with India's SAGAR and MAHASAGAR initiatives.
• Objective: To foster a collective maritime security architecture and strengthen interoperability among IOR navies.
• Two-Phase Structure: Includes a Harbour Phase in Kochi (firefighting, damage control) and a Sea Phase aboard Indian Naval Ships, such as INS Sunayna.
• Regional Engagement: Focuses on joint EEZ surveillance and building "Bridges of Friendship" with nations like Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tanzania.
• Threat Focus: Addresses regional challenges including piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing.
• Participation: Involves personnel from 16 nations (Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar) to enhance professional, maritime ties.

• Youngest Laureate: At 44, he is the youngest recipient in the prize's 35-year history.
• Unique Background: He is the first UN official and first former politician to receive the honour.
• "Water Bankruptcy": He is being recognised for coining this concept, which frames water scarcity as a systemic failure rather than a temporary crisis.
• Resilience and Risk: The citation highlights his work in linking water science with policy and diplomacy, often under significant personal and political risk; Madani is recently in exile from Iran. 

• Established: Created in 1991 by the Stockholm Water Foundation.
• Awarded By: Presented by the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• The Award: Includes a 1 million SEK (Swedish Krona) cash prize and a specially designed Orrefors crystal sculpture.
• Patronage: H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the official patron and presents the award annually during World Water Week in August.

• 2026: Kaveh Madani (Iran/UN) for bridging science, policy, and public outreach.
• 2025: Günter Blöschl (Austria) for revolutionising the global understanding of flood risk reduction.
• 2024: Taikan Oki (Japan) for research on virtual water trade and global water balance.

• 2015: Rajendra Singh (the "Water Man of India") for community-based water harvesting.
• 2005: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi.
• 1993: Madhav Atmaram Chitale.

• MSP Funding Approval: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved ₹1,718.56 crore in funding to the CCI. This support is specifically for Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations for the 2023–24 cotton season to prevent distress sales and ensure remunerative returns to approximately 60 lakh farmers.
• Record Turnover: In the current fiscal review, it was announced that CCI achieved one of its highest-ever turnovers of ₹20,009 crore during FY 2024–25.
• Dividend Payout: The corporation recently presented a dividend cheque of ₹8.89 crore to the Union Minister of Textiles, reflecting strong financial performance.

• Primary Role: Acts as the government's central agency to undertake MSP operations when market prices for seed cotton (kapas) fall below the government-set threshold.
• Infrastructure: Operates an extensive network, recently expanding to 571 procurement centres across 150 cotton-growing districts (up from 508 in the previous season).
• Kasturi Cotton Bharat: The CCI is the backbone of India’s premium cotton branding, producing nearly 97% of all certified Kasturi Cotton (approximately 1.51 lakh bales) to ensure quality and traceability in global markets.

• Kapas Kisan App: A mobile platform with over 46 lakh registered farmers used for paperless self-registration, slot booking, and Aadhaar-linked payments.
• Blockchain Traceability (BITS): Implements a Blockchain-based Bale Identification and Traceability System for 100% end-to-end tracking of cotton bales.
• CotBiz: An online portal for faceless e-auctions, billing, and digital contracts for buyers.
• Market Stabilization: Beyond MSP, the CCI undertakes commercial purchase operations when necessary to maintain a steady supply of raw cotton for the domestic textile industry.

• It is a colourless to yellowish liquid with a highly pungent and offensive odour.
• It is highly flammable and reacts violently with water (hydrolysis).

• Pharmaceuticals: Used as a key reagent to activate carboxylic acids and produce intermediates for drugs, including antiviral and anticancer medications.
• Agrochemicals: Essential in the synthesis of pesticides and herbicides.
• Organic Synthesis: Facilitates the creation of carbamates, mixed anhydrides, and protecting groups like Ethoxycarbonyl (Cbz).

• Toxicity: Highly toxic if inhaled and corrosive to metals and human tissue.
• Exposure Effects: Can cause severe irritation or burns to skin and eyes; inhalation can lead to pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs), which is a medical emergency.
• Environmental Impact: It is listed on hazardous substance lists by major agencies like the EPA and NFPA due to its corrosive and flammable nature.

• The global market was valued at approximately USD 480–500 million in 2025 and is projected to grow as demand for advanced pharmaceuticals and high-performance polymers increases. 

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