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UPSC Current Affairs 18 March 2026 | Daily Digest – Vaidra
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  3. 18 March 2026

Wednesday

UPSC Current Affairs18 March 2026

49 articles across 3 GS papers

GS230GS318GS41

Today's Topics

politics
9
society8
international8
science6
schemes5
economy5

Must Read Today

Highest UPSC relevance
1
societyGS2

Supreme Court Declares Adoption a Reproductive Right under Article 21, Extends Maternity Benefit to Adoptive Mothers

Supreme Court makes adoption a reproductive right, equalising maternity benefits for adoptive mothers.

84%
UPSC
2
schemesGS2

INSPIRE Scheme Overview: Funding, School Participation & Innovation Outcomes (Lok Sabha Reply, 18 Mar 2026)

INSPIRE Scheme fuels STEM talent pipeline—key for UPSC’s science & human resource agenda

84%
UPSC
3
internationalGS2

Iran Keeps Oil Flowing Through Strait of Hormuz Amid War – Implications for Global Energy Security

Selective Hormuz openings keep oil flowing, reshaping India’s energy security strategy

84%
UPSC

GS Paper II

30 articles

Polity, Governance & International Relations

societyGS2

Supreme Court Declares Adoption a Reproductive Right under Article 21, Extends Maternity Benefit to Adoptive Mothers

Supreme Court makes adoption a reproductive right, equalising maternity benefits for adoptive mothers.

Read full analysis
84%
UPSC
schemesGS2

INSPIRE Scheme Overview: Funding, School Participation & Innovation Outcomes (Lok Sabha Reply, 18 Mar 2026)

INSPIRE Scheme fuels STEM talent pipeline—key for UPSC’s science & human resource agenda

Read full analysis
84%
UPSC
internationalGS2

Iran Keeps Oil Flowing Through Strait of Hormuz Amid War – Implications for Global Energy Security

Selective Hormuz openings keep oil flowing, reshaping India’s energy security strategy

Read full analysis
84%
UPSC
internationalGS2

Indian Navy Begins 2nd IOS SAGAR Mission (Mar 16 2026) with 16 Indian Ocean Nations

India’s 2nd IOS SAGAR mission showcases maritime diplomacy and net‑security role in the Indian Ocean.

Read full analysis
81%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Bars Disability ‘Ceiling’ in Himachal ADA Recruitment – 90% Disabled Advocate to be Appointed

Supreme Court bans disability caps in recruitment, mandating appointment of 90% disabled advocate

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
scienceGS2

Science & Technology Ministries Roll Out DST, CSIR & DBT National Innovation & Rural Livelihood Schemes

DST, CSIR & DBT launch innovation schemes to turn science into inclusive rural livelihoods

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
schemesGS2

DST Launches RDI Fund via ANRF: Two‑Tier Funding for Tech Start‑ups & Digital Agriculture

RDI Fund’s two‑tier model fuels startups and digital agriculture, reshaping India’s innovation ecosystem.

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
internationalGS2

India Condemns Pakistan Airstrike on Kabul Rehab Centre Amid Pakistan‑Afghanistan Conflict and US‑Israel War

India’s condemnation of Pakistan’s Kabul airstrike spotlights escalating Durand Line tensions and regional security challenges.

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Hearings ED vs West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee's Interference in I-PAC Raid

Supreme Court probes state obstruction of ED raid, spotlighting centre‑state power balance

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
internationalGS2

US‑Iran Conflict Ripple Effects: Energy Crisis, India’s LPG Shortage & Global Trade Shifts

US‑Iran war forces India to rethink energy security, trade policy and diplomatic balance

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
internationalGS2

US‑Israel Strikes Trigger Dual Maritime Blockades, Threatening Global Subsea Cable Network and AI Infrastructure

Maritime blockades threaten oil flow and the undersea internet backbone, reshaping security policy

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
defenceGS2

India Evacuates 22 Energy‑Critical Vessels from Persian Gulf to Safeguard Energy Security

India evacuates 22 energy‑critical vessels to protect energy security amid Gulf tensions

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
generalGS2

MHA Boosts Forensic Infrastructure: ICJS 2.0 Funding, NAFIS Expansion & New CFSLs Across States

MHA’s forensic revamp: ICJS‑2.0 funds, NAFIS rollout & new CFSLs to boost evidence‑based policing

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Declares Runner‑up Elected in Odisha Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Election – No Fresh Poll Needed

SC declares runner‑up elected in two‑candidate Panchayat poll, scrapping fresh election

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Rejects West Bengal's Adjournment Plea in ED's I-PAC Raid Case

Supreme Court’s adjournment denial reinforces Union investigative power over state officials

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
economyGS2

Supreme Court Constitution Bench Re-examines 1978 ‘Industry’ Definition in Bangalore Water Supply Case

Supreme Court may broaden ‘industry’ definition, reshaping labour‑law protection for gig workers

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Interprets Section 173(3) of BNSS to Curb Mechanical FIR Registrations

Supreme Court mandates police verify allegations before FIR under BNSS 173(3)

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Sonam Wangchuk Released After NSA Detention – Implications for Ladakh Statehood Talks

NSA detention of Ladakh activist fuels debate on federalism and statehood demands

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
defenceGS2

Iranian Missile Strike Near Tel Aviv Kills Two Civilians – Security Response and UPSC Implications

Iran‑Israel missile clash tests civil‑defence models and India’s diplomatic balancing act.

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
internationalGS2

Iran’s Foreign Minister Says Larijani’s Assassination Won’t Undermine Political System Amid IRGC Revenge Threat

Iran’s institutional resilience blunts impact of Larijani’s killing, heightening IRGC‑Israel tensions

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
generalGS2

Supreme Court Reviews ED's Writ Petition Under Article 32 Against West Bengal Govt

Supreme Court's verdict on ED's Article 32 petition could redefine Centre‑State power balance

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Scrutinises ED’s Article 32 Petition After Mamata Banerjee’s Alleged Interference in I‑PAC Raids

Supreme Court’s verdict on ED’s Article 32 petition will redefine centre‑state power balance

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
generalGS2

CJI Surya Kant Calls for Black Robes Ban in Family Courts, Proposes 'Family Resolution Centres'

CJI’s call to drop black robes & rename Family Courts aims at child‑friendly, restorative justice

Read full analysis
71%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Rules US Divorce Decree on ‘Irretrievable Breakdown’ Not Enforceable in India

SC bars enforcement of US divorce on ‘irretrievable breakdown’, highlighting limits of foreign judgment recognition

Read full analysis
70%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Censures Barabanki Lawyers for Violence, Orders Bail and BCI Action

Supreme Court curbs lawyer violence, grants bail, orders BCI disciplinary action

Read full analysis
68%
UPSC
societyGS2

Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Rulings on Motor Accident Compensation, NDPS Searches & Judicial Delays (Mar 2026)

Supreme Court’s 2026 rulings tighten compensation, NDPS searches & curb judicial delays

Read full analysis
68%
UPSC
scienceGS2

CSIR‑CRRI’s Sustainable Road Technologies and Rajkot Noise‑Pollution Study – Ministry of Science & Technology Update

Sustainable road tech & noise mapping by CSIR‑CRRI boost eco‑infrastructure and urban livability

Read full analysis
68%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Issues Stricter Procedure for Adjournment Letters – Limits Delays in Litigation

Supreme Court tightens adjournment rules to curb litigation delays and backlog

Read full analysis
68%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Creates Supernumerary Post After Divergent Judgments on Ninth Schedule Immunity

Supreme Court’s super‑numerary post underscores fairness in recruitment & Ninth‑Schedule jurisprudence

Read full analysis
62%
UPSC
politicsGS2

Supreme Court Grants Final 9‑Month Extension in Sheena Bora Murder Trial — No Further Delays Allowed

Supreme Court caps extensions in high‑profile murder trial, reinforcing speedy‑justice principle

Read full analysis
62%
UPSC

GS Paper III

18 articles

Economy, Environment & Science & Technology

schemesGS3

Vibrant Villages Programme‑II Approved: ₹6,839 crore for 1,954 Border Villages across 16 States/UTs

VVP‑II earmarks ₹6,839 crore to uplift 1,954 border villages, linking development with national security.

Read full analysis
82%
UPSC
defenceGS3

GS Paper IV

1 article

Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

generalGS4

Fake UPSC Rank Claims Highlight Ethics & Integrity Issues in Aspirant Culture

Integrity over rank: Why false UPSC claims threaten civil service ethos

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
Previous
17 Mar 2026
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19 Mar 2026

Keel Laying of Two Next‑Gen Offshore Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard – Strengthening Maritime Security

Indigenous NGOPVs boost Coast Guard, reinforcing Atmanirbhar maritime security

Read full analysis
81%
UPSC
schemesGS3

Government Approves ₹33,660 crore BHAVYA Scheme to Set Up 100 Plug‑and‑Play Industrial Parks

BHAVYA scheme’s ₹33,660 cr outlay aims to boost manufacturing and create 15 lakh jobs

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
economyGS3

MoPNG Orders Oil & Gas Firms to Share Export‑Import Data with PPAC Amid Global Price Surge

MoPNG mandates real‑time oil‑gas data to avert LPG crisis amid global price shock

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
economyGS3

Iraq Resumes Crude Exports via Ceyhan Port Amid Iran Conflict – Oil Prices Slip Below $102/bbl

Iraq’s Ceyhan shipments curb oil price dip, underscoring energy‑security risks from Iran‑Israel clash

Read full analysis
80%
UPSC
scienceGS3

National Quantum Mission (NQM) Progress: Maharashtra Institutions Lead in Quantum Research, Start‑ups and Women Fellowships

NQM fuels quantum tech, Maharashtra research & women’s participation—strategic boost for India’s self‑reliance.

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
societyGS3

Rural Mental Health Gap in India: NMHS Findings, DMHP & Tele‑MANAS – Policy Challenges and Way Forward

Rural mental‑health gap widens as treatment lag persists despite DMHP and Tele‑MANAS push.

Read full analysis
79%
UPSC
economyGS3

NITI Aayog Releases Fiscal Health Index 2026 – Expanded Coverage of NE & Himalayan States

FHI 2026 expands to all states, sharpening fiscal‑sustainability assessment for UPSC relevance

Read full analysis
78%
UPSC
scienceGS3

National One Health Mission Workshop in Nagpur Sets Operational Framework for Pandemic Preparedness

One Health Mission workshop charts integrated roadmap for India's pandemic preparedness

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC
scienceGS3

India’s New BioE3 Policy & Recent Science‑Tech Initiatives (2022‑24) – Key Highlights

BioE3 Policy and mission‑mode programmes reshape India’s S&T ecosystem for growth and security

Read full analysis
76%
UPSC
schemesGS3

Union Cabinet Approves BHAVYA: Rs 33,660 crore for 100 Plug‑and‑Play Industrial Parks to Boost Atmanirbhar Bharat

BHAVYA approved: Rs 33,660 crore for 100 plug‑and‑play parks to fast‑track Atmanirbhar manufacturing.

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
internationalGS3

WTO MC14 in Yaoundé 2026: Reforming Dispute Settlement and Adapting to Digital Trade

WTO MC14 aims to revive dispute settlement and modernise digital trade rules

Read full analysis
75%
UPSC
scienceGS3

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TECHNOLOGY TRANSLATION RESEARCH PARKS (TTRP)

TTRPs boost translational research in CPS, aligning India’s tech agenda with security & health goals

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
internationalGS3

India’s Shipping Ministry Reports 2 Lakh Tonnes LNG & 16.7 Lakh Tonnes Crude Stuck Near Strait of Hormuz – Navy Escorts Vessels

Strait of Hormuz blockage threatens India’s energy security and maritime trade

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
societyGS3

NACO's Rakesh Gupta Calls for Aggressive HIV Case Identification to Achieve ‘Suraksha India’ Goal

Aggressive HIV case identification vital for Suraksha India, testing Centre-State coordination

Read full analysis
74%
UPSC
environmentGS3

MHA Deploys Grid‑Connected Rooftop Solar Across CAPFs – 27 MW Installed by March 2026

MHA’s 27 MW rooftop solar in CAPFs boosts energy security & showcases green governance

Read full analysis
72%
UPSC
economyGS3

NICDC Holds Stakeholder Consultation on Revitalising Export‑Oriented Clusters, Focusing on MSMEs

Reviving export‑oriented clusters via NICDC drives MSME competitiveness – a key to India’s export growth

Read full analysis
68%
UPSC
societyGS3

MHA Approves Integration of NFSU Campuses with CFSLs in Six States to Boost Forensic Ecosystem

MHA’s NFSU‑CFSL integration bolsters forensic capacity, enhancing internal security and justice delivery

Read full analysis
58%
UPSC