News of The Day – 24th March 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: History)

• Shaheed Diwas observed on 23 March.
• Commemorates martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar (1931).
• Symbolises revolutionary struggle against British rule.

(GS-1: Geography)

• About Colombia
  • Located in north-west South America.
• Borders: Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Panama. Capital: Bogotá.
• Known for the Andes mountains, Amazon basin, and coffee production.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About Delimitation
  • Redrawing of constituencies based on population.
• Proposal to use 2011 Census to implement Women’s Reservation Act quickly.
• Debate: fairness vs delay till next Census.

(GS-2: International Relation)

• Gulf countries rely heavily on desalination plants for freshwater.
• Located along coasts of the Persian Gulf , vulnerable to conflict.
• Any disruption can trigger water crises in arid regions.
• Highlights water-energy-security nexus.

(GS-3: Economy)

• India depends on West Asia for both natural gas (feedstock) and imported urea.
• Urea is critical for food security and agriculture.
• Vulnerabilities: geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, price volatility.
• Govt measures: neem-coated urea, nano urea, revival of domestic plants.
• Need for self-reliance and diversification of fertiliser sources.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Shift from fossil fuel dependence to electrification of energy systems.
• Electricity (especially renewables) reduces vulnerability to global conflicts.
• Promotes energy independence, decarbonisation, and resilience. 
• About EVs, green hydrogen, and renewable energy expansion.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) store crude oil for emergencies.
• Empty reserves weaken energy security during global disruptions.
• Important amid geopolitical tensions (e.g., West Asia).
• Current SPR of India (location and capacity)
• India aims to expand SPR capacity.

• Government scheme to support microfinance institutions (MFIs).
• Provides credit guarantees to reduce lending risk.
• Enhances financial inclusion for low-income households and SHGs.
• Supports MSMEs and rural economy.

(GS-3: Environment)

• About World Water Day
  • Observed annually on 22 March.
• Focus on water conservation and sustainable management.
• Highlights global water crisis and SDG-6 (Clean Water & Sanitation).

(GS-3: Environment)

• What is Surplus heat?
  • Refers to excess heat trapped due to global warming.
  • Oceans absorb most surplus heat
  • Leads to heatwaves, glacier melt, and extreme weather.
• Highlights urgency of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Report by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.
• Key Highlights
  • Accelerated melting threatens water security of major rivers (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus).
  • Increases risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

(GS-3: Environment)

• About ‘Ningol Van Initiative’ 
  • State-level initiative for forest conservation and afforestation.
• Focus on community participation, especially women (“Ningol”).
• Promotes ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• About National AI Skilling Initiative
  • Government partners with Google and YouTube.
• Focus on AI literacy, digital skills, and workforce readiness.
• Targets youth, professionals, and students.
• Supports Digital India and future job market needs.
• About MyWAVES

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• About ‘Terafab’ AI chip project
  • Initiative to develop in-house AI chips.
• Aims to reduce dependence on external chipmakers.
• Reflects global race in semiconductors and AI infrastructure.
• Important for AI competitiveness and technological sovereignty.