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UPSC Current Affairs 17 March 2026 | Daily Digest – Vaidra
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  3. 17 March 2026

Tuesday

UPSC Current Affairs17 March 2026

39 articles across 3 GS papers

GS13GS225GS311

Today's Topics

society13
defence6
economy5
environment4
international3
schemes3

Must Read Today

Highest UPSC relevance
1
societyGS2

Supreme Court Declares Section 60(4) of Social Security Code Unconstitutional, Extends Maternity Leave to Adoptive Mothers

Supreme Court expands maternity benefits to all adoptive mothers, reinforcing gender‑neutral labour rights

84%
UPSC
2
societyGS3

AB-PMJAY & ABDM Milestones: 43.5 crore Ayushman Cards, 36,229 Empanelled Hospitals as of Feb 2026

AB‑PMJAY and ABDM’s 2026 scale signal India’s push for universal health coverage and digital health governance.

84%
UPSC
3
societyGS2

Supreme Court Notices Appeal by Bilkis Bano Convicts; SLP Hearing Set for 5 May 2026

SC to review Gujarat remission in Bilkis Bano case, testing judicial power over state clemency

80%
UPSC

GS Paper I

3 articles

History, Geography & Indian Society

societyGS1

MoHFW Announces Integrated Measures for Malaria, Dengue & Japanese Encephalitis Control Ahead of Monsoon

MoHFW’s Integrated Vector‑Control Drive Ahead of Monsoon Highlights Centre‑State Health Coordination

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
societyGS1

India Launches Nationwide Free HPV Vaccination for 1.2 Crore Girls – Single‑Dose Gardasil‑4 Roll‑out

Free single‑dose HPV vaccine for 1.2 crore girls marks a watershed in India’s preventive health strategy

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC
societyGS1

Disability‑Inclusive Census 2027: New Phased Approach and Self‑Enumeration Facility Announced by MHA

Census 2027 adopts a two‑phase, disability‑inclusive model with a new self‑enumeration portal.

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC

GS Paper II

25 articles

Polity, Governance & International Relations

societyGS2

Supreme Court Declares Section 60(4) of Social Security Code Unconstitutional, Extends Maternity Leave to Adoptive Mothers

Supreme Court expands maternity benefits to all adoptive mothers, reinforcing gender‑neutral labour rights

Read full analysis
84%
UPSC
society

GS Paper III

11 articles

Economy, Environment & Science & Technology

societyGS3

AB-PMJAY & ABDM Milestones: 43.5 crore Ayushman Cards, 36,229 Empanelled Hospitals as of Feb 2026

AB‑PMJAY and ABDM’s 2026 scale signal India’s push for universal health coverage and digital health governance.

Read full analysis
84%
UPSC
economyGS3
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16 Mar 2026
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18 Mar 2026
GS2

Supreme Court Notices Appeal by Bilkis Bano Convicts; SLP Hearing Set for 5 May 2026

SC to review Gujarat remission in Bilkis Bano case, testing judicial power over state clemency

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
internationalGS2

Parliamentary Panel Flags US Sanctions Impact on India’s Strategic Chabahar Port Project

US sanctions jeopardise India’s Chabahar port push, prompting parliamentary scrutiny.

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
economyGS2

Supreme Court Declares Post‑Fact Shareholder Ratification Invalid in Preferential Allotment Fraud – SEBI Victory

Supreme Court bars retrospective shareholder ratification, reinforcing SEBI’s fraud deterrence

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
schemesGS2

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Urges MP Briefings on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Yojana – Implications for Crop Insurance & Integrated Farming

Parliamentary briefings on PMFY aim to sharpen oversight of crop‑insurance and integrated farming

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
schemesGS2

MoHFW Reports 100% IPHS Assessment; OOPE Falls to 39.4% – Implications for Public Health Delivery

Full IPHS audit and falling OOPE signal stronger public health governance and financing

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
economyGS2

ED Attaches ₹10.24 Cr in HPZ Token Scam; Uncovers Mule Accounts, Shell Firms and Payment Aggregator Abuse

ED’s ₹10.24 cr attachment exposes fintech loopholes in India’s anti‑money‑laundering regime

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
defenceGS2

Ladakhi Activist Sonam Wangchuk Released After 170‑Day Detention Under NSA — Implications for Statehood Demands

MHA revokes NSA detention of Ladakhi activist, spotlighting statehood demands and preventive‑detention limits

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
environmentGS2

Supreme Court Quashes NGT Order to Demolish Illegal Temple in Ghaziabad – Jurisdiction Clarified

Supreme Court limits NGT’s reach, directing encroachment cases to municipal authorities

Read full analysis
77%
UPSC
societyGS2

Ministry of Finance directs banks & insurers to use Indian Sign Language for Persons with Disabilities

DFS orders banks and insurers to adopt Indian Sign Language, boosting inclusive finance.

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76%
UPSC
economyGS2

Supreme Court Questions RBI on Access to Unclaimed Bank Funds for Legal Heirs

Supreme Court pushes for a unified portal to help heirs claim ₹1.5 lakh crore of dormant assets

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Directs Union to Enact Paternity Leave Law – Expands Social Security Benefits

Supreme Court mandates paternity leave law, expanding social security and gender equity

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC
internationalGS2

US Sinks Iranian Warship IRIS Dena – Implications for India’s West Asia Policy and Regional Security

US‑Iran naval clash forces India to rethink West Asia policy and diaspora security.

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC
internationalGS2

Israel Claims Assassination of Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani and Basij Leader

Israel’s 2026 strike on Iran’s security chiefs reshapes regional power balance, impacting India’s strategic calculus

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
societyGS2

Startup India Milestone: Over 1 Lakh Startups Have Women Directors – Funding Schemes Impact (2026)

Women‑led startups crossing 1‑lakh mark signals gender‑inclusive growth under Startup India

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
defenceGS2

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) Expands Cyber‑Fraud Reporting, Suspect Registry and e‑FIR Initiatives – Implications for UPSC

I4C’s cyber‑fraud hub strengthens governance, saving ₹8,690 crore for India

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Flags Massive Trial Delays in Maharashtra – Focus on 2019 Nashik Case

Supreme Court warns Maharashtra of trial delays, urging speedy‑justice reforms.

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74%
UPSC
defenceGS2

UAE Airspace Closed Amid Iran‑Israel Conflict; Oil Prices Surge as Strait of Hormuz Threatened

UAE airspace closure underscores Gulf geopolitics and oil price volatility amid Iran‑Israel war

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
societyGS2

NCTP Rejects Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 Over Lack of Consultation

NCTP’s boycott of 2026 amendment spotlights consultation lapses in transgender legislation

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
schemesGS2

Vibrant Villages Programme‑I (VVP‑I): Border Development Drive by MHA to Boost Livelihoods and Connectivity (2023‑2026)

VVP‑I: Border villages development to boost livelihoods, connectivity and strategic security

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Drafts Guidelines for High Courts to Curb Judgment Delays

Supreme Court’s three‑month rule aims to safeguard speedy justice and curb judicial backlog

Read full analysis
73%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court 9‑Judge Bench Reviews 1978 ‘Industry’ Definition in Bangalore Water Supply Case

Supreme Court’s 9‑Judge Review of ‘Industry’ Definition Could Redefine Labour Law Scope

Read full analysis
72%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Bars Deduction of Employer Group Insurance from Motor Accident Compensation

Supreme Court ensures full motor accident compensation, barring employer insurance deductions

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62%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Bars Police from Offering Third Search Option Under NDPS Act – Acquittal Upheld

Supreme Court reinforces Section 50, banning police’s third search option in NDPS cases

Read full analysis
60%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Rejects Petition for National Holiday on Guru Gobind Singh’s Birth Anniversary

SC upholds executive’s exclusive power to decide public holidays, rejecting uniform holiday law

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55%
UPSC

Govt Strengthens Institutional Credit to Agriculture: GLC Targets, PSL Norms & Expanded KCC

Tightened PSL norms and expanded KCC aim to plug farm‑credit gaps for small farmers.

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
environmentGS3

Dr Jitendra Singh on Green Infrastructure, SHANTI Act & India's Net‑Zero Goal at Business Futures Summit

SHANTI Act & Green Infrastructure Push Positions India for 2070 Net‑Zero, Crucial for UPSC

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
defenceGS3

HQ IDS Conducts 2nd Niche Technology Nexus Seminar on Cognitive Spectrum Operations & Quantum Technologies – Delhi, 16 Mar 2026

India pushes AI‑driven spectrum management and quantum defence tech to secure multi‑domain warfare edge

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
scienceGS3

TDB Funds Acrannolife Genomics to Set Up Indigenous IVD Kit Manufacturing Facility in Chennai

TDB‑backed IVD plant in Chennai boosts India’s health self‑reliance

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
environmentGS3

FSSAI’s Multi‑Pronged Drive to Curb Food Adulteration: 5.18 Lakh Samples Tested, 88,192 Penalties (2022‑25)

FSSAI’s aggressive enforcement curbs food adulteration, safeguarding public health and market integrity

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
economyGS3

RBI & Govt Launch Digital Lending App Directory and Cyber‑Crime Measures to Curb Fraudulent Loans

RBI‑MeitY’s DLA directory curbs fraudulent loans, strengthening fintech regulation and consumer safety

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
defenceGS3

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh to Inaugurate NDIC 2026 on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies – Boosting MSME Integration in Defence

Defence Minister launches NDIC 2026 to push MSMEs into advanced manufacturing for self‑reliant defence

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
environmentGS3

Scientists Decode 130‑Myr Evolution of Ladakh Magmatic Arc – Insights into India‑Eurasia Plate Collision

Decoding Ladakh Magmatic Arc reveals 130‑Myr plate collision dynamics crucial for Himalayan geology

Read full analysis
71%
UPSC
scienceGS3

Government Approves 8 New Central Forensic Science Laboratories – Expanding Forensic Infrastructure

Expanded CFSL network boosts forensic capacity, strengthening evidence‑based policing and women’s safety.

Read full analysis
69%
UPSC
defenceGS3

MHA Boosts Cyber Forensic Infrastructure: New Labs, Funding and State‑wise Crime Data (2021‑23)

MHA’s Rs 116.5 crore push expands cyber‑forensic labs, bolstering India’s fight against rising cyber crime

Read full analysis
66%
UPSC