12 March 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams.

 

HALEU–Thorium Fuel for Nuclear Reactors

Researchers from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have indicated that HALEU–Thorium fuel may not align effectively with India’s existing nuclear power strategy and reactor systems.

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What is HALEU–Thorium Fuel?

• HALEU–Thorium is an advanced nuclear fuel concept combining High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) and Thorium
• This combination forms the basis of the Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL) fuel concept.

Key Features:

• HALEU: Uranium enriched to 5–20% U-235, higher than conventional low-enriched uranium used in many reactors.
• Thorium Component: Thorium can absorb neutrons to produce uranium-233, a potential future nuclear fuel.

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Claimed Advantages of HALEU Fuel

• Higher Fuel Efficiency: Enables higher burn-up rates, generating more energy from the same amount of nuclear fuel.
• Longer Reactor Operation: Fuel remains effective for longer periods, reducing refuelling frequency.
• Reduced Nuclear Waste: Higher burn-up leads to lower volumes of spent nuclear fuel.
• Compatibility with Advanced Reactors: Suitable for next-generation systems such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear designs.
• Potential for Thorium Utilisation: Thorium can produce uranium-233, supporting future thorium-based nuclear fuel cycles.

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Technical Concerns Identified by BARC

1. Not a Direct Replacement:

• Thorium strongly absorbs neutrons.
• This makes existing reactor shutdown rods about 26% less effective, affecting safety mechanisms.

2. Reactor Redesign Requirements:

• Current Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) may require modifications to emergency shutdown and safety systems.

3. Long Stabilisation Period:

• Reactors using this fuel may take 7–10 years to reach stable operation.
• During this period, Power output may remain lower and Operational costs may increase.

4. Low Plutonium Production:

• The fuel generates around 20 times less plutonium, which could affect India’s nuclear fuel strategy.

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India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme

India’s long-term nuclear strategy was proposed by Homi Jehangir Bhabha to utilise limited uranium resources and large thorium reserves.

1. Stage I – PHWR-Based Reactors:

• Uses natural uranium as fuel.
• Operates mainly through Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
• Produces plutonium-239 as a by-product.

2. Stage II – Fast Breeder Reactors:

• Uses plutonium-239 mixed with uranium-238.
• Operates in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs).
• Generates more fissile material and begins limited thorium utilisation.

3. Stage III – Thorium-Based Reactors:

• Uses thorium-232 to produce uranium-233, which becomes the main reactor fuel.
• Intended for long-term sustainable nuclear energy production.

 

Removal Process of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

Opposition parties have proposed a removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar, the current Chief Election Commissioner of India.
This is the first removal motion against a CEC appointed under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

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Constitutional Basis

• The procedure derives from Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India.
• It states that the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

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Grounds for Removal

• The CEC can be removed only on two grounds: Proven misbehaviour and Incapacity

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Step-by-Step Removal Process

1. Initiation of Motion:

• A removal motion can be introduced in either House of Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
• Required support 100 members in Lok Sabha or 50 members in Rajya Sabha.

2. Admission of Motion:

• The motion is examined by the presiding officer: Speaker in Lok Sabha or Chairman (Vice-President) in Rajya Sabha
• They may admit or reject the motion after checking whether conditions are fulfilled.

3. Constitution of Inquiry Committee:

If admitted, a three-member committee is formed consisting of:

• A Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court of India
• A Chief Justice of a High Court
• A distinguished jurist

4. Investigation:

• The committee Frames charges, Conducts investigation, gives the CEC an opportunity to defend himself
• It then submits a report to the presiding officer.

5. Continuity of Motion:

• The removal motion does not lapse due to Prorogation of Parliament, or Dissolution of Lok Sabha during inquiry.

6. Parliamentary Voting (Special Majority):

If the committee finds the CEC guilty, both Houses must pass the motion with:

• Majority of the total membership of the House, AND
• Two-thirds of members present and voting.

Both Houses must pass it in the same parliamentary session.

7. Presidential Order:

• After Parliament passes the resolution, it is sent to the President of India.
• The President then orders the removal of the CEC.

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Removal of Other Election Commissioners

• Other Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners can be removed by the President.
• However, this requires a recommendation from the Chief Election Commissioner.
• Parliament is not involved in this process.

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Important Fact

• No Chief Election Commissioner has ever been removed from office in India.

 

Extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) till 2028

The Union Cabinet of India has approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028, allocating additional funds to achieve universal rural tap water coverage.

The extended phase, often referred to as JJM 2.0, shifts the focus from infrastructure creation to citizen-centric service delivery and sustainable water supply.

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Key Features of JJM 2.0

1. Universal Rural Tap Connections:

• Aim to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all 19.36 crore rural households.

2. Sujalam Bharat Digital Platform:

• A new digital platform to map drinking water infrastructure.
• Each village will receive a unique “Sujal Gaon / Service Area ID” to track water supply systems and service delivery.

3. Jal Arpan Initiative:

• Introduces a formal handover protocol for completed water infrastructure.
• Involves Gram Panchayats and Village Water Committees (Paani Samitis)
• Ensures community ownership, transparency, and accountability.

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About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

1. Launch:

• Launched in 2019 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

2. Type of Scheme:

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

3. Vision:

• “Har Ghar Jal” – providing safe drinking water to every rural household.

4. Key Objective:

• Ensure safe and adequate drinking water through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs).

5. Water Supply Standard:

• 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) of prescribed quality water.

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Funding Pattern

Category	Centre : State Share
Himalayan & North-Eastern States and UTs with Legislature	90 : 10
Other States	50 : 50
UTs without Legislature	100% Central funding

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Urban Component

• Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) was announced in Union Budget 2021–22.
• Implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Aims to provide universal water supply in all statutory towns.

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Key Achievements

• 81.71% of rural households (about 15.82 crore homes) currently have tap water connections.
• 11 States and Union Territories have already achieved 100% rural tap water coverage.

 

FDI Policy for Investments from Land-Bordering Countries (LBCs)

The Union Cabinet of India has approved amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy governing investments from countries sharing land borders with India.

This policy framework was first tightened in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies when market valuations were low.

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Countries Covered

The policy applies to investments originating from countries sharing land borders with India, including:

• China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Afghanistan

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Key Changes Introduced in the FDI Policy

1. Definition of Beneficial Owner:

• The term Beneficial Owner is now defined using the framework of the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005.
• This improves transparency in identifying the ultimate investor.

2. Automatic Route for Small Investments:

• Investments up to 10% with non-controlling beneficial ownership from LBCs can now be made through the automatic route (without prior government approval).
• Such investments must still comply with sectoral caps.

3. Disclosure Requirement:

• Investee companies must disclose investment details and ownership structure to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

4. Fixed Timeline for Approvals:

• Investment proposals requiring government approval will now be processed within 60 days, improving ease of doing business.

5. Fast-Track for Strategic Sectors:

• Capital goods manufacturing
• Electronic capital goods
• Electronic components
• Polysilicon production
• Ingot-wafer manufacturing (solar supply chain)

6. Majority Indian Ownership:

• Majority ownership and control must remain with resident Indian citizens or Indian-owned entities to safeguard national security and economic interests.

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Expected Benefits of the Policy Reform

 

• Higher Foreign Investment: Expected to attract global funds and venture capital, especially in startups and advanced technologies.
• Boost to Domestic Manufacturing: Supports manufacturing in electronics, capital goods, and solar sectors.
• Technology Transfer: Joint ventures with foreign firms can enable technology transfer and innovation.
• Economic Growth: Helps advance national initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by supplementing domestic capital.

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What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to investment by a foreign company or individual in business assets in another country with the intention of establishing lasting interest or control.

• Setting up subsidiaries or factories
• Acquiring shares in domestic companies
• Joint ventures with local firms

 

India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Export Surge

The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry highlighted the strong growth in India’s agricultural and processed food exports during AAHAR 2026, an international food and hospitality exhibition.

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About AAHAR

• AAHAR is a premier Business-to-Business (B2B) international exhibition for the food and hospitality sector.
• Held annually in New Delhi.

1. Organisers:

• India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
• Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)

2. Culinary Diplomacy:

The event promotes “Brand India” by showcasing:

• GI-tagged agricultural products
• Indigenous superfoods such as Millets, popularly known as Shree Anna.

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India’s Agri-Food Export Performance

1. Global Position:

• India has become the 7th largest exporter of agricultural produce globally.

2. Export Value:

• Annual agri-food exports have reached ₹5 lakh crore (~$55 billion).

3. Processed Food Exports:

• Exports of processed foods have quadrupled between 2014 and 2025.
• They now constitute over 20% of total agricultural exports.

4. Sectoral Growth (2014–2025):

• Rice exports: Increased by 62%.
• Fruit and pulses exports: Tripled.
• Cereal exports: Doubled.

5. Key Export Commodities:

• Rice: Accounts for over 20% of total agri-exports.
• Marine products, meat, and dairy products are emerging as major export sectors.

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Key Drivers of Export Growth

1. Expansion of Free Trade Agreements:

• India has concluded 9 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the last 3.5 years, expanding export access to 38 developed economies.

2. Market Diversification:

• Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.

3. Improved Quality Standards:

• Better compliance and certifications have increased global acceptance.
• Support from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has strengthened marine export standards.

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About MPEDA

• The Marine Products Export Development Authority is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Established in 1972 to promote and regulate marine product exports from India.

 

SIPRI Report: India as the Second-Largest Arms Importer

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its latest report titled “Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025,” analysing global patterns in defence trade and military procurement.

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About SIPRI

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is an independent international research institute.
• Established: 1966
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
• Focus Areas: Conflict and peace studies, Armaments and military expenditure, Arms transfers and disarmament.

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Key Global Findings

1. Rising Global Arms Transfers:

• International arms transfers increased by 9.2% compared to the 2016–2020 period.

2. Surge in European Imports:

• Arms imports by European countries rose by 210%.
• The increase was largely driven by the Russia–Ukraine War, which heightened security concerns in Europe.

3. Major Exporters and Importers:

• Largest Exporter: United States with 42% share of global arms exports.
• Largest Importer: Ukraine with 9.7% share of global imports.

4. Decline in Russian Arms Exports:

• Arms exports from Russia declined by 64%, reducing its share in global exports to 6.8%.

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India-Specific Findings

1. Import Rank:

• India remained the second-largest arms importer, accounting for 8.2% of global arms transfers.

2. Changing Supplier Composition:

• Russia: 40% share of India’s imports
• France: 29% share
• Israel: 15% share

3. Decline in Total Imports:

• India’s overall arms imports declined by 4%, largely due to increased domestic defence manufacturing and indigenisation efforts.

 

Bharat-Made Trainsets for India’s Bullet Train Project

India’s first high-speed rail corridor — the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor — will begin operations with indigenously developed B28 bullet trainsets, marking a major step toward domestic high-speed rail technology.

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B28 Bullet Trainsets

1. Developer:

• Developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru.

2. Speed Capability:

• Design speed: ~280 km/h
• Initial operational speed: ~250 km/h on the corridor
• Future upgrade: Capability planned up to 320–350 km/h

3. Strategic Purpose:

• Reduce dependence on imported trainsets such as E10 Series Shinkansen from Japan.
• Strengthen indigenous railway manufacturing and technology development.

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Safety and Signalling

The B28 trainsets will use advanced safety systems including:

• European Train Control System Level‑2 (ETCS-2)
• Continuous communication-based signalling
• Automatic train protection systems for safe high-speed operations

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India’s Bullet Train Project

1. First High-Speed Rail Corridor:

• Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor
• Length: ~508 km
• Connects Mumbai and Ahmedabad, passing through Maharashtra and Gujarat.

2. Implementing Agency:

• Executed by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) under the Ministry of Railways.

3. International Collaboration:

• India is adopting Shinkansen high-speed rail system technology.
• Financial and technical support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

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Proposed Future High-Speed Rail Corridors

The Union Budget 2026–27 proposed new high-speed rail corridors as “growth connectors,” including:

• Mumbai – Pune
• Pune – Hyderabad
• Hyderabad – Bengaluru
• Hyderabad – Chennai
• Chennai – Bengaluru
• Delhi – Varanasi
• Varanasi – Siliguri

 

National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted the progress of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in reducing the prevalence of Leprosy in India.

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About NLEP

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Implemented by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Integration: Now integrated with the National Health Mission (NHM).

1. Objective:

• Achieve “Leprosy Mukt Bharat” by 2027, three years ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target year (2030).

2. Policy Framework:

• Guided by the National Strategic Plan and Roadmap (2023–2027) for the last-mile elimination of leprosy.

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Current Status

• India eliminated leprosy as a public health problem in 2005 (defined as prevalence below 1 case per 10,000 population).
• Current prevalence: 0.57 per 10,000 population.

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Key Components of NLEP

1. Active Detection:

• Active Case Detection and Regular Surveillance (ACDRS) system ensures early identification of new cases through proactive screening.

2. Standardised Treatment:

• Free Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) provided at public health facilities.
• MDT drugs include Rifampicin, Dapsone, Clofazimine
• India has also declared leprosy a notifiable disease and revised treatment protocols in 2025, aligning them with World Health Organization guidelines.

3. Disability Prevention & Rehabilitation:

• Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) services include Reconstructive surgeries, Protective footwear, ₹12,000 welfare allowance for patients undergoing surgery.

4. Awareness Campaign:

• Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) conducted annually on Anti-Leprosy Day (30 January) to reduce stigma and increase awareness.

5. Digital Monitoring:

• Nikusth 2.0 provides real-time reporting, case tracking, and surveillance of leprosy cases across the country.

 

India–New Zealand Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme

India and New Zealand have launched the Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme to commemorate 100 years of sporting relations between the two countries.

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Historical Background

• The centenary marks the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand, one of the earliest major sporting exchanges between the two nations.
• This tour laid the foundation for long-term sports diplomacy and athletic cooperation.

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Key Features of the Programme

1. Priority Sports for Collaboration:

The initiative identifies six focus sports for joint development:

• Rugby, Rowing, Canoeing, Sailing, Athletics, Cycling

These disciplines were selected to enhance technical cooperation, training exchanges, and athlete development.

2. Integration with Sports Education:

• New Zealand’s coach development framework will be incorporated into the curriculum of the National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
• This aims to strengthen sports science, coaching standards, and athlete training systems in India.

3. Sports and Culture Week:

• A Sports and Culture Week is proposed as part of the programme.
• It will showcase Athletes and coaches from both countries, Indigenous sporting traditions, Cultural exchanges promoting people-to-people ties.

 

Defence Forces Vision 2047 Roadmap

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the Defence Forces Vision 2047 roadmap aimed at transforming India’s military capabilities in line with the goal of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

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About the Vision 2047 Roadmap

1. Developer:

• The roadmap has been prepared by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).

2. Objective:

• To modernise and transform India’s armed forces into a technologically advanced, integrated, and self-reliant military force by 2047.

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Key Pillars of the Roadmap

1. Integrated Theatre Commands:

• Establishment of Integrated Theatre Command structures.
• These commands will enable joint operations across multiple domains, including Land, Sea, Air, Cyber, Space
• This integration aims to improve operational efficiency and coordination among the armed forces.

2. Aatmanirbharta in Defence:

• Emphasis on expanding indigenous defence production and technologies.
• Focus on reducing dependence on defence imports while strengthening domestic manufacturing.

3. Advanced Technology Integration:

• Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous and unmanned systems, Advanced surveillance and intelligence technologies
• These technologies are expected to support future warfare capabilities.

4. Whole-of-Nation Approach:

• The vision promotes a comprehensive national strategy, combining Military strength, Diplomatic engagement, Economic power
• This integrated approach aims to enhance India’s overall strategic influence and security preparedness.

 

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