News of The Day – 18th March 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Geography)

• About Largest tulip garden in Asia
  • Located in Srinagar.
• Boosts floriculture and tourism economy.
• About Tulip
  • Growing Condition, Native to, etc 

(GS-1: Geography)

• About Ladakh Magmatic Arc
  • Part of Trans-Himalayan geological system.
  • Formed due to subduction of Neo-Tethys Oceanic plate.
• Composed of igneous rocks (granite, diorite).
• Indicates past tectonic activity before India-Eurasia collision.
• Important for understanding Himalayan evolution.

(GS-1: Geography)

• Island nation in Caribbean Sea.
• Capital: Havana.
• Climate and Geography
• Known for sugar, tobacco, and the healthcare system.
• Strategic location near the Gulf of Mexico.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Supreme Court reaffirmed the rights of adoptive mothers to maternity benefits.
• Linked to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
• Upholds Article 14 & 21 (equality and dignity).
• Expands interpretation of motherhood beyond biological childbirth.
• Important for gender justice and labour rights.

(GS-2: International Relation)

• BRICS promotes science & technology cooperation among members.
• Focus areas: AI, climate tech, health, space.
• Platforms: BRICS STI Framework Programme.
• Enhances South-South cooperation and innovation sharing.
• India plays a key role in digital public infrastructure collaboration.

• About United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
• Independent U.S. federal body monitoring religious freedom globally.
• Recommends designations like Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
  • Advisory, not binding on U.S. government.
• Important for international human rights discourse.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• Study links cholesterol accumulation to cancer metastasis
•  Makes the cell nucleus more flexible → easier spread.
• Relevant to melanoma (skin cancer) progression
• Opens new avenues for cancer therapy targeting lipid metabolism.
• Interdisciplinary: cell biology + oncology.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• Clean fuel alternative to LPG and diesel.
• Can be produced from coal, natural gas, biomass.
• Burns with low particulate emissions.• Potential for energy transition and cleaner cooking fuel.
• Storage/transport similar to LPG.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Bees attack when hives are threatened (defensive behavior).
  • Triggered by vibration, noise, or scent.
  • Release alarm pheromones attracting swarm attacks.
• Protection: stay calm, cover face, avoid sudden movement.
• Important for human-wildlife interaction awareness.

 (GS-3: Environment)

• India submitted its First National Report (NR1) under the Nagoya Protocol to the CBD Secretariat.
  • Covers period Nov 2017–Dec 2025.
• Prepared by MoEF&CC with National Biodiversity Authority.
• Focus: Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of genetic resources.
• Highlights India’s legal/institutional framework and biodiversity governance.

• About Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
• Located in southern Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu).
• Rich biodiversity: elephants, tigers, endemic flora/fauna.
• Part of Periyar–Agasthyamalai landscape.
• Important for watershed conservation.