Current Affairs – March 06, 2026

Context (TH): National Medical Commission (NMC) directed all medical colleges to integrate digital health records and link them with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs.

Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

ABHA is a unique 14-digit identification number that serves as a digital repository, linking and storing an individual’s lifelong medical records.
It is a key part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a central sector scheme to create a unified digital health ecosystem.
Developed By: National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Read More > ABHA

National Medical Commission (NMC)

NMC is the apex regulator of medical education, professional standards, & institutional governance.
It was established as a statutory body under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Composition: 33 members, including a Chairperson, 10 ex officio members, and 22 part-time members representing central and state bodies.
Key Initiatives: National Medical Register (NMR) to create a unified digital directory of licensed doctors and National Exit Test (NExT), a single licentiate and postgraduate entrance examination.
Key Issues: The NMC faces challenges such as regulatory centralisation, infrastructure shortages, faculty gaps, and weak accountability mechanisms.

{GS – IR} India–Finland Relations Upgraded to Strategic Partnership

Context (IE): Finnish President Alexander Stubb is on a state visit to India as the Chief Guest at the 11^th Raisina Dialogue.

Key Outcome of Finnish President’s Visit to India

Strategic Upgrade: Bilateral relations were formally elevated to a “Strategic Partnership in Digitalisation and Sustainability“.
Trade Target: Both sides committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
Digital Cooperation: A Joint Working Group on Digitalisation will oversee collaboration in AI, Quantum Computing, and High-Performance Computing (HPC).
Mobility Pact: Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement facilitates the movement of skilled professionals, students, and researchers.
Statistical Cooperation: National statistics agencies will exchange best practices and methodologies.
Startup Linkage: The Indo-Finland Startup Corridor connects Startup Mahakumbh with Slush (Finnish founders’ event) to promote cross-border entrepreneurship.
Circular Forum: India will co-host the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 with Sitra (Finnish Innovation Fund).

Overview of India-Finland Relations

Finland serves as India’s gateway to the Nordic–Baltic region and offers expertise in 6G technology and Arctic research.
Bilateral Trade: Trade stood at $1.3 billion in 2024, with the balance of trade in Finland’s favour.
- Indian Exports: Pharmaceutical products, organic chemicals, ready-made garments.
- Indian Imports: Nuclear reactors, boilers, paper and paperboard, electronic components.
Key Convergence: Both countries align on a rules-based international order, UNSC reforms, global climate action, and Arctic governance.
Key Divergence: Friction persists over non-tariff barriers, visa processing delays, and Finland’s hardline approach towards Russia.
Subnational Links: Kerala and Karnataka have collaborated with Finland to adopt Finnish pedagogical practices for teacher training and early childhood education.

{GS3 – Envi} India Submitted its 7^th National Report (NR7) to CBD **

Context (DTE): India submitted its 7^th National Report (NR7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to review national biodiversity progress.

Significance: NR7 is the first full national assessment since the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted in 2022.

National Report (NR) System

NR System enables the Conference of the Parties (COP) to assess implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Legal Basis: Article 26 of the CBD requires each Contracting Party to submit national reports at intervals determined by the COP.
- Submission Cycle: Countries submit National Reports roughly every four years.
KMGBF Link: The 7^th (due February 2026) and 8^th (due June 2029) National Reports track national progress toward 23 global biodiversity targets for 2030 under the KMGBF.

Key Features of the Report

Target Status: Only 2 of 23 KMGBF national targets are clearly on track for 2030 – forest cover and land restoration.
Forest Cover: India’s forest and tree cover reached 25.17% of the geographical area, with a net gain of 1,445.81 sq km between 2021 and 2023.
Carbon Stock: Total forest carbon stock stands at 7,285.5 million tonnes, an increase of ~81.5 million tonnes from the previous assessment.
Land Restoration: ~24.1 million hectares of degraded land have been restored or placed under restoration against the 26 MHA Bonn Challenge target by 2030.
Species Recovery: India’s tiger population has risen to 3,167; Asiatic lion and one-horned rhinoceros numbers remain stable or growing.
Ramsar Sites: India now has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia at 98, with Indore and Udaipur becoming the first Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities.

Key Shortfalls

Land Degradation: About 29.77% (~97 Mha) of India’s land is undergoing degradation.
Protected Areas: India’s protected area network covers only ~5% of the geographical area, far below the 30×30 target of 30% by 2030.
Climate Threats: Rising floods, droughts, invasive species, and persistent plastic pollution continue to outpace existing mitigation efforts.
Data Gaps: Lack of standardised protocols across 33 ministries and departments complicates consistent tracking of 142 national biodiversity indicators.

Preparation of NR7

Nodal Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) served as the nodal agency for NR7 preparation.
Technical Support: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) provided technical coordination, while Wildlife Institute of India (WII) monitored progress on specific biodiversity targets.
International Support: UNDP assisted the preparation under the GEF-8 Umbrella Programme.
- GEF-8: A Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded initiative supporting 139 developing countries in updating National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and preparing NR7.
Data Portal: A dedicated NR7 data portal was created to compile 142 national indicators across 33 ministries and departments.

{GS3 – Envi} Green Pilgrimage Model for Aligning Religious Tourism with Ecology

Context (TH): A recent proposal to expand a religious structure in a wildlife sanctuary highlights the need for a Green Pilgrimage model.

About Green Pilgrimage Model

This model integrates spiritual traditions with environmental conservation, balancing ecological protection, cultural practices, and community rights.
Participatory Governance: It involves forest departments, temple trusts, local communities, and NGOs.
Constitutional Alignment: The model balances Article 25 (religious freedom) with environmental responsibilities under Articles 48A and 51A(g).

Key Principles and Framework for Green Pilgrimage

No Expansion: Strict no-expansion policy for religious structures within core forest zones to prevent habitat fragmentation and disturbance to wildlife.
Carrying Capacity: Limits on the number of pilgrims at a site to reduce overcrowding and pressure on fragile ecosystems.
Encroachment Control: Prohibition of new constructions and evaluation of existing religious sites to prevent gradual encroachment into protected habitats.
Waste Management: Management of solid waste, plastic pollution, and wastewater through segregation systems and dedicated disposal infrastructure.
Eco Transport: Restrictions on private vehicles, a ban on night traffic in wildlife zones, and the promotion of e-boats at riverine pilgrimage sites.
Minimal Infrastructure: Installation of bamboo railings, boardwalks, modular bio-toilets, and solar facilities to minimise ecological footprint in sacred landscapes.
Community Rights: Recognition of forest-dwelling communities’ rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006, safeguarding the Scheduled Tribes.

{Prelims – Geo} Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project *

Context (TH): Karnataka High Court issued notice to the State and Central governments on a PIL challenging approvals granted for the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric project.

About Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSP)

Sharavathi PSP is a proposed hydropower project on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.
Capacity: It has a planned installed capacity of 2,000 MW, making it among the largest pumped storage projects in India.
Reservoirs: The project uses the existing Talakalale Dam as the upper reservoir and Gerusoppa Dam as the lower reservoir.
Mechanism: Water is pumped upward during off-peak hours and released downward during peak demand to generate electricity.
Ecology: The site lies within the Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary, posing risks to the endangered Lion-Tailed Macaque and rare Myristica swamps.
Clearance: NBWL granted in-principle approval, but the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of MoEFCC raised concerns over landslide risks and weak conservation plans.

Sharavathi River: A 128 km west-flowing river in Karnataka, rising at Ambutheertha and draining into the Arabian Sea; It forms Jog Falls, India’s second-highest plunge waterfall (253 m).

{Prelims – A&C} Iran’s Golestan Palace

Context (NDTV): Iran’s historic Golestan Palace sustained significant damage following US-Israeli airstrikes targeted nearby areas.
The Golestan Palace, also known as the “Palace of Flowers“, is a former royal complex and the oldest historic monument in Tehran, Iran.
Origin: Built during the Safavid dynasty in the 16^th century, it became the seat of government under the Qajar dynasty in the late 18^th century.
Architecture: The palace blends Persian craftsmanship with Western aesthetics through intricate tilework, mirrored mosaics, and formal gardens with sunken pools.
WHS Status: UNESCO inscribed the Golestan Palace as a World Heritage Site in 2013 for exemplifying Persian arts during a period of modernisation.

{Prelims – Initiatives} NITI Aayog–UNICEF Initiative for Maternal and Child Nutrition *

Context (PIB): NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to improve health and nutrition outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.

This collaboration aims to improve maternal and child nutrition in underserved regions of India.
It accelerates development outcomes under the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
Key Focus: Strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, building frontline worker capacity, increasing ICDS utilisation, and enhancing nutrition literacy.
Implementation: UNICEF’s IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N) platform will channel Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments into localised nutrition programmes.
Significance: It supports evidence-based nutrition interventions to build a healthier workforce aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Aspirational Districts Programme (2018) is a data-driven initiative to improve socio-economic indicators in 112 districts through the convergence of central and state government efforts.
Aspirational Blocks Programme (2023) is a decentralised governance framework designed to achieve full coverage of essential government services across 500 blocks.

{Prelims – Infra} India’s First Riverine Lighthouses Planned on Brahmaputra *

Context (PIB): Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is constructing India’s first riverine lighthouses on the Brahmaputra (National Waterway-2).

Objective: To facilitate safe 24×7 inland navigation and promote river-based tourism along the Brahmaputra waterway.
Nodal Agencies: Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) jointly implement the initiative.
Locations: Four lighthouses will be built at Bogibeel, Pandu, and Silghat on the south bank, alongside Biswanath Ghat on the north bank.
Key Features: They will be solar-powered, equipped with weather and river-condition sensors to improve real-time navigation safety.
Significance: The infrastructure supports cargo movement on the NW-2 and reduces logistics costs for Northeast India.

{Prelims – S&T} Moonshot Project

Context (TOI): Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Pratiksha Trust launched the “Moonshot” project to develop brain co-processors.

Objective: To restore lost cognitive and motor functions in stroke survivors.
Phases: It will initially develop AI-driven non-invasive brain co-processors and introduce implantable versions in the second phase.
Indigenisation: The project creates India-specific neural databases and open-source AI to boost indigenous neurotechnology research and decrease imports of medical devices.

Brain co-processors are closed-loop brain-machine interfaces that decode neural activity, process the data, and send feedback signals to the brain.

{Prelims – Disease} Cushing’s Syndrome *

Context (TH): Recent studies have found more treatment options for Cushing’s syndrome.

Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder that occurs when the body is exposed to excessive levels of cortisol over a long period.

Cortisol, often called the ‘stress hormone,’ is produced by the adrenal glands to regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation, and maintain blood pressure.

Primary Causes:
- Exogenous: Long-term use of high-dose corticosteroid medications for conditions like asthma or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Endogenous: Pituitary tumours secrete excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to overproduction of cortisol.
Symptoms: Rapid abdominal weight gain, a rounded red face (“moon face’), and fat accumulation between the shoulders known as ‘buffalo hump.”
Treatment: Includes steroid tapering, tumour surgery, or cortisol-blocking medicines such as ketoconazole or osilodrostat.

{Prelims – Disease} Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) *

Context (DTE): A new study estimates that 33.7% of Africa’s landmass is vulnerable to Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), threatening cassava cultivation across sub-Saharan Africa.

About Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD)

Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) is a severe viral infection affecting cassava crops across East and Southern Africa.
Symptoms: CBSD causes yellow leaf mottling, brown stem streaks, and necrotic root rot that render cassava tubers inedible.
Agents: Two virus species cause the disease – Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV).
Vectors: Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is the primary vector; long-distance spread happens through the movement and replanting of infected stem cuttings.
Management: There is no cure for infected plants. Control depends on prevention and planting resistant varieties.

About Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

Cassava, also known as yuca, manioc, or tapioca, is a tropical starchy root crop widely consumed as a staple food.
Morphology: It is a perennial woody shrub with palm-like leaves. Its roots are long and tapered with rough brown skin and white-yellowish flesh.
Habitat: Crop thrives in warm, humid tropical lowland regions and can grow on low-fertility soils.
Distribution: Originally from Brazil and the Andes, it is now cultivated widely across sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
- Top Producer: Nigeria is the world’s largest cassava producer.
Drought Tolerance: Plant enters a semi-dormant state during dry spells and resumes rapid growth after rainfall returns.
Nutrition: It is naturally gluten-free, calorie-dense, rich in Vitamin C, and high in resistant starch.
Toxicity: Raw roots contain cyanogenic glycosides that release toxic cyanide if consumed uncooked.
Food Uses: It is used to make tapioca pearls (boba tea), fufu (African dough), farofa (Brazilian dish), and gluten-free flour.
Industrial Uses: Cassava starch is utilised in the manufacturing of bioethanol, biodegradable plastics, paper, animal feed, and laundry starch.