News of The Day – 31st March 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Culture)

• Commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism
• Teachings: non-violence, truth, and asceticism.
• Important Jain festival.

(GS-1: Society)

• About 2026 GEM report — Access and equity: Countdown to 2030
• Key Findings of the Report
  • Rising number of children out of school globally.
• Highlights inequality in access to education
• Concern for SDG-4 (quality education).

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• What do the new laws in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh provide?
• What constitutional concerns do these laws raise?
• What are the criticisms of such laws?
• What is the legal and judicial status of these laws?
• Debate on anti-conversion laws.
• Issues of coercion, fraud, inducement.
• Concerns on Article 25 (freedom of religion).

• Key provisions of the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage Bill, 2026
• What socio-cultural issues, such as honour-based violence and caste hierarchy, does the Bill seek to address?
• Institutional mechanisms and safeguards are proposed for protection and rehabilitation of couples
• What challenges exist in the effective implementation of the Bill and its broader social impact?

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• About Jan Samarth Portal and are its objectives
• Key features and functioning of the portal as a digital credit platform
• What is the scale of its performance in terms of loan applications and approvals?
• Promotes financial inclusion.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• What is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 
• What are its core objectives?
• Why is Iran considering a possible exit from the NPT?
• What could be the global implications of Iran withdrawing from the NPT?
• Global governance frameworks.
• India’s position remains cautious.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• Eco-friendly alternative to petroleum bitumen
• Uses biomass/agri-waste
• Reduces carbon footprint and imports.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• What is extracellular RNA (exRNA) and how does it differ from intracellular RNA?
• What role does exRNA play in intercellular communication and biological processes?
• How can exRNA be used in medical diagnostics and disease detection?

(ECMS) 

(GS-3: Economy)

• About Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)
• What are its objectives?
• Key highlights of the recently approved proposals under ECMS
• Which components and sectors are targeted under the scheme?

(GS-3: Environment)

• About Earth Hour
• Global campaign for energy conservation
• Raises climate change awareness.
• Promotes sustainable lifestyle.