News of The Day – 7th March 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Karnataka government is considering a ban on social media access for children below 16 years to address online safety concerns.
• Concerns include cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, data privacy violations and mental health effects.
• Globally, countries like Australia, France and the UK are exploring age-verification regulations for social media platforms.
• Raises questions about digital rights, parental consent, online safety regulations and platform accountability.
• Linked with India’s Information Technology Act 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and intermediary guidelines.

(GS-2: Polity & Constitution)

• The Governor is appointed by the President of India under Article 155 of the Constitution.
• The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156).
• Acts as the constitutional head of the State, similar to the President at the Union level.
• The appointment was often debated due to concerns about political neutrality and federal balance.
• Supreme Court judgments (e.g., B.P. Singhal vs Union of India 2010) clarified that removal cannot be arbitrary.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• About Kurds 
  • One of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the world (30–40 million people).
• Primarily located across Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran.
• Speak Kurdish languages and have a distinct cultural identity.
• Iraq has an autonomous region called Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
• Kurdish forces like Peshmerga and Syrian Democratic Forces have been key allies of the U.S. against ISIS.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• About Raisina Dialogue
  • It is India’s flagship geopolitical and geoeconomic conference organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • Held annually in New Delhi since 2016.
• Named after Raisina Hill, the seat of India’s government.
• Focus themes include global governance, Indo-Pacific security, technology geopolitics and energy transition.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• The U.S. temporarily allowed India to continue buying discounted Russian crude oil due to disruptions from West Asian conflict.
• India has significantly increased Russian oil imports since the Ukraine war (2022) due to discounted prices.
• Demonstrates pragmatic energy diplomacy balancing relations with the U.S., Russia and West Asia.
• Highlights India’s dependence on imported energy (over 85% crude oil imports).
• Waivers are used in sanctions regimes to prevent global supply shocks.

(GS-3: Economy)

• The ongoing regional conflict is affecting fertilizer, petrochemical, shipping and logistics sectors in India.
• West Asia supplies critical inputs like ammonia, LNG and petrochemical feedstocks.
• Shipping disruptions increase freight costs and insurance premiums in Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz routes.
• Could increase inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions in India.
• Highlights India’s vulnerability to global geopolitical shocks.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Countries periodically submit national reports to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on biodiversity conservation progress.
• India’s report highlights achievements such as expansion of protected areas, mangrove cover growth, and wildlife recovery programmes.
• India is among the 17 megadiverse countries.
• The report aligns with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) targets like protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.

(GS-3: Environment)

• About Hyaena hyaena.
  • Found across India, West Asia, Central Asia and North Africa.
• Habitat: dry scrub forests, semi-desert regions and grasslands.
• Role: scavenger species, important for ecosystem sanitation and disease control.
• Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN Red List).
• Threats include habitat loss, road accidents, poisoning and conflict with humans.

(GS-3: Defence Technology)

• A U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed during the Cold War.
  • Range: around 13,000 km.
  • Capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
• Forms part of the U.S. nuclear triad (land-based missiles, submarines, strategic bombers).
• Planned to be gradually replaced by the LGM-35 Sentinel ICBM programme.

(GS-3: Defence Technology)

• About Gravity bombs
  • They are unguided bombs that fall purely due to gravity after release from aircraft.
• Unlike guided bombs, they lack built-in navigation or targeting systems.
• Accuracy depends on aircraft targeting systems and pilot guidance.
• Some modern gravity bombs can be converted to precision-guided munitions using kits (e.g., JDAM).
• Used for bunker destruction, large-area bombing or hardened targets.

• Thorium Based Power Plant.
• India aims to achieve 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
• India has large thorium reserves, mainly in monazite sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. 
• Thorium is used in India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme conceived by Homi J. Bhabha.
• Stages:
  1. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
  2. Fast Breeder Reactors producing plutonium.
  3. Thorium-based reactors producing U-233 fuel. 
• Thorium offers higher fuel availability, improved safety and reduced nuclear waste.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Key findings of a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)
  • Shows most Indian cities exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• Major pollutants include PM2.5, PM10, NOx, and SO₂.
• Key sources: vehicular emissions, construction dust, coal-based power plants, biomass burning.
• India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce particulate pollution by 40% by 2026 in non-attainment cities.