News of The Day – 13th March 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Art & Culture)

• About Kurumba tribal painting traditions of the Nilgiris.
• Kurumba art depicts forest life, spirits, rituals and ecological themes..
• Highlights the need for preservation of tribal cultural heritage.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Supreme Court of India ruled that parental employment status and social position must also be considered while determining the OBC creamy layer.
• Creamy layer refers to economically and socially advanced members within Other Backward Classes (OBCs) who are excluded from reservation benefits.
• Current creamy layer income ceiling: ₹8 lakh per year (subject to revision).
• The court emphasised that mere income may not reflect social advancement, particularly where parents hold high-ranking government posts.
• Important for reservation policy reform and social justice debates.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Women constitute about 48% of India’s population but remain under-represented in legislatures.
• Representation in Lok Sabha is around 15%. 
• Reservation in local bodies under 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments significantly improved women’s participation.
• The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam reserves 33% seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies (to be implemented after delimitation)
• Barriers include political financing gaps, patriarchal norms, and party nomination patterns.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Freedom of speech in Parliament is guaranteed under Article 105 of the Constitution.
• However, it is regulated by the rules of procedure of each House.
• The Presiding Officer can expunge remarks, suspend members, or maintain order.
• Parliamentary privileges protect members from legal action for statements made inside the House.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• NSQC functions under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training.
• It approves qualification standards aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
• Ensures standardisation of vocational training, industry relevance, and skill certification.
• Supports government initiatives such as Skill India Mission.

• About Global Engagement Scheme
  • Government initiative aimed at enhancing India’s engagement with global innovation ecosystems and diaspora networks
• Promotes knowledge exchange, international collaboration and research partnerships.
• Supports India’s ambition to become a global hub for technology and innovation.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• India co-sponsored a resolution in the United Nations Security Council addressing global security concerns.
• Reflects India’s growing diplomatic engagement in multilateral institutions.
• India currently seeks greater representation in global governance and UNSC reform.

(GS-3: Economy)

• India aims to shift from factor-driven growth to innovation-driven growth.
• Requires increased R&D spending, currently about 0.7% of GDP, far lower than advanced economies.
• Strengthening industry-academia collaboration, startup ecosystem and IP generation is critical.
• Government initiatives include Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission and National Deep Tech Startup Policy.
• Focus sectors: AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About the NXT Conclave/Summit
  • Platform to discuss future-oriented governance, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
• Brings together policymakers, startups, industry leaders and academia.
• Focus areas include AI, fintech, digital public infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems.

( GS-3: Economy)

• Rising geopolitical tensions have made regular shipping risky through the Strait of Hormuz.
• About “Shadow fleet” tanker
  • Ships with obscure ownership, flags of convenience, and disabled tracking.
  • Often used to bypass sanctions and transport sanctioned oil. 
• Important for global energy security and maritime trade routes.

(GS-3:Economy)

• Women constitute nearly 43% of the agricultural workforce globally and a large share in India.
• Their roles include crop production, livestock management, post-harvest processing, and food distribution.
• Challenges: limited land ownership, access to credit, technology, and extension services.
• Government initiatives include Self Help Groups under NRLM, Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) and support for women-led FPOs.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on Earth with polar desert conditions.
• Its terrain resembles the surface of Mars, especially the Haughton impact crater.
• Scientists from NASA use it to test Mars rovers, astronaut habitats, and mission technologies. Provides a realistic analogue for future human missions to Mars.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• Indian drug regulators warned companies against advertising GLP-1 drugs for weight loss without approval.
• GLP-1 drugs (e.g., Semaglutide) are primarily used for treatment of type-2 diabetes.
• They mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, regulating blood sugar and appetite.
• Over-promotion could lead to misuse and supply shortages for diabetic patients.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• About CST technology
  • uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to generate high-temperature heat.
  • Heat is used to produce steam for electricity generation or industrial processes.
• Advantages: dispatchable renewable power and thermal storage capability.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• The Government of Karnataka has constituted a committee to design policy guidelines for Artificial Intelligence adoption.
• Objectives include ethical AI governance, data privacy safeguards, and innovation promotion.
• Karnataka already hosts India’s largest AI startup ecosystem in Bengaluru.
• Aligns with India’s national AI vision under NITI Aayog and the “AI for All” strategy.