Current Affairs – March 11, 2026

{GS2 – Polity} Removal Process of Chief Election Commissioner **

Context (IE): Opposition parties are set to initiate a removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

This is the first such removal motion against a CEC appointed under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
- Legal Continuity: Section 11(2) of the CEC Act, 2023, provides that the grounds and procedure for removal are identical to Article 324(5) of the Constitution.

Removal Process of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

Constitutional Basis: Article 324(5) states that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- Grounds: He can be removed only for proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
Initiation: A removal motion may be introduced in either House of Parliament and must be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members.
Presiding Officer: The Speaker/Chairman may admit or refuse the motion after examining whether it meets the required conditions.
Committee: If admitted, the presiding officer constitutes a three-member committee comprising
1. The Chief Justice or a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court,
2. A Chief Justice of a High Court, and
3. A distinguished jurist.
Inquiry: The committee frames charges, conducts an investigation, and submits its findings to the presiding officer.
- Continuity: The motion does not lapse due to prorogation of the House or dissolution of the Lok Sabha during the inquiry process.
Special Majority: If the committee finds the CEC guilty, each House must pass the motion by –
1. A majority of the total membership of that House, AND
2. A majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting.
Same Session: Both Houses must pass the removal resolution in the same session of Parliament.
Presidential Order: An address is presented to the President, who must order the removal of the CEC.
Past Record: No Chief Election Commissioner has ever been removed from office to date.

The President removes other Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners on the recommendation of the CEC, without any parliamentary involvement.

Read More > Bill for the Appointment of CEC and ECs

{GS2 – MoJS} Union Cabinet approves extension of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) up to 2028 *

Context (PIB | TH): Union Cabinet extended Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028 and allocated more funds to achieve its goal.

This extension, JJM 2.0, shifts focus from building infrastructure to delivering citizen-centric services for a sustainable 24×7 water supply.
Key Target: Extend tap water connections to all 19.36 crore rural households to reach the national goal.
Sujalam Bharat: This new digital platform will assign each village a unique Sujal Gaon/Service Area ID to digitally map drinking-water supply systems.
Jal Arpan Initiative: A formal handover protocol involving Gram Panchayats and village committees (Paani Samitis), ensuring transparency and accountability.

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About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

JJM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2019 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Objective: Provide safe drinking water through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all rural households under “Har Ghar Jal” vision.
Target: Supply of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) of prescribed quality water on a sustained basis.
Funding Pattern: Centre–State cost sharing is 90:10 for Himalayan & NE States and UTs with legislature; 50:50 for other States; 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.
Urban Component: JJM–Urban was announced in Budget 2021–22 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to provide universal water supply in all statutory towns.
Key Achievements: Around 81.71% (15.82 crore) rural households currently have tap water connections, with 100% coverage in 11 States and UTs.

Read More > Jal Jeevan Mission

{GS2 – MoHFW} National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

Context (PIB): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) highlighted the role of National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in reducing India’s leprosy prevalence.

NLEP is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at achieving a leprosy-free India. It is now integrated into the National Health Mission (NHM) and operates under the MoHFW.
Key Goal: To achieve “Leprosy Mukt Bharat” by 2027, three years before the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030.
Framework: National Strategic Plan and Roadmap (2023–2027) guides last-mile elimination.
Current Status: India eliminated leprosy as a public health problem in 2005; prevalence is now at 0.57 per 10,000 population.

Key Components of NLEP

Active Detection: A comprehensive Active Case Detection and Regular Surveillance (ACDRS) combine previous initiatives for proactive screening.
Standardised Treatment: Public health facilities provide free Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) using Rifampicin, Dapsone, and Clofazimine.
- India declared leprosy a notifiable disease and revised treatment protocols (2025), aligning with WHO standards.
Disability Support: Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) offer reconstructive surgery, protective footwear, and ₹12,000 welfare allowance for surgery patients.
Awareness Drive: Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) is observed annually on 30 January (Anti-Leprosy Day) to reduce stigma.
Digital Monitoring: Nikusth 2.0 platform provides real-time reporting and patient tracking to strengthen national leprosy surveillance.

Read More > Leprosy

{GS3 – IE} FDI Policy for Investments from Land Bordering Countries **

Context (DDN | AIR): The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy governing investments from countries sharing land borders with India (LBCs).

In April 2020, the Government amended the FDI policy to prevent opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The policy affected investments from countries such as China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

Key Changes Introduced in the FDI Policy

Beneficial Owner: Beneficial Owner has been defined based on the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005, to improve transparency in investment ownership.
Automatic Route: Investments with non-controlling beneficial ownership up to 10% from land-bordering countries are allowed under the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps.
Disclosure to DPIIT: Investee companies must report details of such investments and ownership structure to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
60-Day Approval: Investment proposals requiring government approval will be processed within a fixed timeline of 60 days.
Strategic Sectors: Fast-track approvals apply to sectors such as capital goods, electronic capital goods, electronic components, polysilicon and ingot-wafer manufacturing.
Majority Indian Ownership: Majority ownership and control must remain with resident Indian citizens or Indian-owned entities to safeguard national interests.

Expected Benefits of the Policy Reform

Higher FDI: The amendments are expected to increase foreign investments from global funds, especially in startups and advanced technologies.
Domestic Manufacturing: Investments will support manufacturing in electronics, capital goods and solar sectors.
Technology Transfer: Joint ventures with foreign firms will enable access to advanced technologies and innovation.
National Economic Goals: Higher FDI inflows will supplement domestic capital and support initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, contributing to economic growth and industrial development.

FDI refers to investment made by a foreign company or individual in a business or assets in another country, with the aim of establishing a lasting interest or control.
It usually involves setting up subsidiaries, acquiring shares, or forming joint ventures in sectors such as manufacturing, services, or infrastructure.

{GS3 – Infra} Bharat-Made Trainsets for Bullet Train Project

Context (IE): India’s first bullet train corridor, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (HSR), will start operations with indigenously developed B28 trainsets.

B28 Bullet Trainsets

Developer: The trainsets are being developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru.
Design Speed: About 280 kmph, with initial operational speed around 250 kmph on the corridor.
Future Upgrades: Planned to enhance the capability to 320–350 kmph.
- They are intended to reduce dependence on imported rolling stock, particularly Japan’s E10 Series Shinkansen bullet train.
Safety Features: The trains will operate with advanced safety and signalling systems, including European Train Control System Level-2, enabling safe high-speed operations.

Bullet Train Project in India

First HSR: India’s first bullet train project is the Mumbai–Ahmedabad HSR Corridor (508 km) connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Implementing Agency: The project is being implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) under the Ministry of Railways.
Collaboration: India is adopting Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail technology with financial and technical assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Union Budget 2026–27 announced new high-speed rail corridors as “growth connectors,” including Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri.

{GS3 – Agri} India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Export Surge

Context (PIB): Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri highlighted the growth in India’s agricultural and processed food exports during AAHAR 2026.

About AAHAR

It is a premier Business-to-Business (B2B) international exhibition for the food and hospitality sector, held annually in New Delhi.
Organisers: India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) & Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
Culinary Diplomacy: It promotes “Brand India” by showcasing GI-tagged agricultural products and indigenous superfoods like millets (Shree Anna).

India’s Agri-Food Export Performance

Global Position: India has become the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural produce globally.
Export Value: Food and agricultural exports have reached nearly ₹5 lakh crore ($55 billion) annually.
Processed Foods: Exports quadrupled from 2014 to 2025, now making up over 20% of agri-exports.
Sectoral Growth: Rice exports rose by 62%, while fruit and pulses exports tripled; cereal exports doubled from 2014 to 2025.
Commodity Leaders: Rice makes up over 20% of agri-exports; marine products and meat-dairy exports are emerging key sectors.

Key Drivers of Export Growth

FTA Expansion: India concluded 9 Free Trade Agreements in the last 3.5 years, expanding access to 38 developed economies.
Market Diversification: India expanded into new markets like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
Quality Standards: Improved compliance supported by MPEDA certifications increased global acceptance of Indian products.

MPEDA: Marine Products Export Development Authority is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, established in 1972 to promote marine product exports.

{GS3 – Envi} MoEFCC Proposes SCEIA and SAEIA to Prevent Environmental Clearance Delays

Context (TOI): MoEFCC has proposed establishing the Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) and the Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA).

Rationale: The bodies will maintain continuity in the Environmental Clearance (EC) process when the state-level SEAC or SEIAA become non-functional.
Legal Basis: Their authority derives from the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.

State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) is the primary state-level regulatory body responsible for granting Environmental Clearances (EC) for Category B projects.
State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) is the technical advisory body responsible for the scientific evaluation of Category B project proposals and for recommending them to SEIAA.

Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA)

SCEIA will function as an interim appraisal body when State Expert Appraisal Committees (SEACs) become non-functional due to delayed reconstitution or term expiry.
Purpose: It aims to fast-track the Environmental Clearance (EC) process and prevent administrative delays at the state level.
Coverage: SCEIA primarily evaluates Category B projects requiring state-level technical appraisal.
Activation: If a SEAC fails to complete the project appraisal within 120 days, the application automatically transfers to SCEIA through the PARIVESH portal.
Tenure: SCEIA operates for six months upon activation, extendable by up to an additional six months.
Cessation: Its operation for a particular state ceases once the regular SEAC and SEIAA are reconstituted.

Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA)

SAEIA is a proposed authority empowered to grant Environmental Clearance (EC) when state-level authorities become non-functional.
Purpose: It assumes statutory powers when the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) lapses due to tenure expiry or delayed reconstitution.
Activation: Project proposals automatically transfer to SAEIA if the SEIAA fails to communicate its clearance decision within the statutory timeframe.
Control: Unlike SEIAAs, which are Centre-constituted based on state nominations, the Central Government directly appoints and controls the SAEIA.

Institutional Relationship with SCEIA

Functional Role: SCEIA conducts technical appraisals, while SAEIA is the final decision-making authority for environmental clearance.
Timeline: SAEIA must issue a final decision within 30 days of receiving the SCEIA recommendations.

Category B projects are developmental projects with localised environmental impacts, appraised by SEAC and granted Environmental Clearance (EC) by SEIAA at the state level.
Category A projects are large-scale developmental activities that require a mandatory Environmental Clearance (EC) from the MoEFCC after appraisal by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

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{GS3 – S&T} HALEU–Thorium Fuel for Nuclear Reactors **

Context (TH): Researchers from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have found that HALEU–Thorium nuclear fuel may not fit well into India’s existing nuclear programme.

What is HALEU–Thorium Fuel?

HALEU–Thorium fuel is an advanced nuclear fuel that combines High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) with thorium.
This combination forms the basis of the ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel concept.

Claimed Advantages of HALEU Fuel

Higher Fuel Efficiency: HALEU allows higher burn-up, producing more energy from the same amount of nuclear fuel.

Longer Reactor Operation: Fuel lasts longer in reactors, reducing the frequency of refuelling.
Reduced Nuclear Waste: Higher burn-up results in less spent fuel compared to conventional uranium fuel.
Supports Advanced Reactors: Suitable for next-generation reactors such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear systems.
Potential Thorium Use: When combined with thorium, it can help produce uranium-233, supporting future thorium-based fuel cycles.

Technical Concerns Identified by BARC

Not a Drop-in Replacement: Thorium absorbs neutrons strongly, making existing reactor shutdown rods about 26% less effective.
Reactor Redesign Required: Using HALEU–Thorium may require modifications to the emergency shutdown and safety systems of current PHWRs.
Long Stabilisation Period: Reactors may take 7–10 years to reach stable operation, with lower power output and higher economic costs during the transition.
Low Plutonium Production: The fuel produces around 20 times less plutonium, which could disrupt India’s second stage of the nuclear programme that depends on plutonium.

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme

Proposed by Homi Jehangir Bhabha to utilise India’s limited uranium and vast thorium reserves for long-term energy security.

Stage I – Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)

Uses natural uranium (U-238 with small U-235) as fuel.
Produces plutonium-239 as a by-product for the next stage.

Stage II – Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)

Uses plutonium-239 with uranium-238 as fuel.
“Breeds” more fissile material and begins thorium utilisation.

Stage III – Thorium-Based Reactors

Uses thorium-232 to produce uranium-233, which becomes the main fuel.
Designed for long-term sustainable nuclear energy.

Significance: India has one of the world’s largest thorium reserves, especially in coastal monazite sands.

India recently passed the SHANTI Act, allowing private sector participation in deploying advanced nuclear technologies.

{GS3 – S&T} Scientists Rewire Bacteria to Produce Designer Proteins **

Context (TH): Scientists have developed a synthetic biology technique that enables bacteria to produce complex designer proteins using artificial amino acids.

Transport Barrier: Artificial amino acids cannot enter bacteria naturally because bacterial transport systems recognise only natural amino acids or peptides.

Amino Acid: An organic molecule that serves as a building block of proteins. These molecules link together to form polypeptide chains, which fold into functional proteins.
Artificial Amino Acid: Synthetic molecules that mimic natural amino acids but contain novel chemical groups absent from the 20 amino acids used in natural proteins.
Designer Protein: Engineered protein containing artificial amino acids, giving it properties and functions not found in natural proteins.

Process of Producing Designer Proteins in Bacteria

Plasmid Insertion: Scientists insert engineered plasmids, carrying the genetic blueprint for the designer protein, into bacteria.
Peptide Delivery: Artificial amino acids are packaged inside peptides that bacteria absorb as nutrients.
Cell Release: Once inside the cell, enzymes break down the peptide, releasing the artificial amino acids.
Protein Synthesis: Ribosomes use these artificial amino acids to synthesise designer proteins.

Peptide: Short chains of 2-50 amino acids linked by peptide bonds; longer chains are typically classified as proteins.
Plasmid: A small circular DNA molecule capable of independent replication and used to introduce new genes into bacteria.

Potential Applications

Targeted Delivery: Designer proteins can attach drugs to a precise site on a carrier protein for delivery to diseased tissue.
Multifunctionality: Artificial amino acids allow a single protein to carry multiple functional chemical groups simultaneously.
Therapeutic Proteins: The system may be applied to mass-produce artificial proteins suited for a wider range of therapies.
Medical Imaging: Artificial amino acids can include fluorescent groups or atoms like chlorine and fluorine to improve medical and research imaging.

Read More > Bio-based Chemicals and Enzymes

{Prelims – IR} India-New Zealand Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme

Context (PIB): India and New Zealand launched the Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme to celebrate 100 years of bilateral sporting relations.

Origin: The centenary commemorates the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand – one of the earliest major sports engagements between the two nations.
Focus Sports: The programme identifies six priority sports for collaborative development – rugby, rowing, canoeing, sailing, athletics, and cycling.
NIS Integration: New Zealand’s coach development framework will be integrated into the curriculum of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.
Cultural Week: A proposed Sports and Culture Week aims to showcase athletes, coaches, and indigenous sporting traditions from both countries.

Read More> India-New Zealand Relations

{Prelims – S&T} Defence Forces Vision 2047 Roadmap

Context (TH): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the ‘Defence Forces Vision 2047’ roadmap to modernise India’s military for a Viksit Bharat.

Developer: Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) developed the roadmap.
Theatre Command: It aims to build an integrated theatre command operating jointly across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.
Aatmanirbharta: The roadmap focuses on expanding indigenous defence technology and reducing import dependence.
Tech Focus: It integrates AI, autonomous systems, and advanced surveillance technologies for future-ready capabilities.
Approach: The vision adopts a phased, “whole-of-nation” approach, combining military strength with diplomatic and economic instruments of power.

Read More > Defence Modernisation in India

{Prelims – Reports} SIPRI Report Finds India as Second-Largest Arms Importer *

Context (TOI): Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a new report titled “Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025.”

SIPRI: Established in 1966, is an independent international think tank based in Sweden that conducts research on conflict, armaments, and disarmament.

Key Global Findings

Global Trend: International arms transfers increased by 9.2% compared to the 2016–2020 period.
European Surge: Arms imports by European nations rose by 210%, driven by the Russia–Ukraine war.
Global Leaders: United States remained the largest exporter with 42% share, while Ukraine became the largest importer with 9.7%.
Export Decline: Russia’s arms export volume declined by 64%, reducing its share of exports to 6.8%.

India Specific Findings

Import Rank: India remained the 2^nd largest arms importer, making up 8.2% of global arms transfers.
Supplier Shift: Imports from Russia fell to 40%, while those from France (29%) and Israel (15%) grew.
Domestic Growth: India’s overall arms imports declined by 4% due to defence indigenisation initiatives.

{Prelims – Infra – Railways} Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Context (IE): The Standing Committee on Railways recommended that the Ministry of Railways periodically assess passenger satisfaction at redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations.

Launch: The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Railways.
Objective: To redevelop railway stations with improved passenger amenities, better accessibility, and integration with local city infrastructure and transport systems.
Coverage: Out of the 1,337 stations identified for redevelopment by the Ministry of Railways, 172 have been completed.
Key Features: Development of modern station buildings, improved waiting halls, lifts, escalators, clean toilets, digital information systems, and better passenger circulation.

Consumer Feedback Mechanism of Indian Railways

Rail Madad Portal: Rail Madad allows passengers to register complaints and feedback online.
Passenger Helpline (139): Railway Helpline 139 enables passengers to give feedback or lodge complaints via call, SMS, or IVRS during travel.

One Station One Product Scheme: Launched by Indian Railways, the scheme allows stations to sell region-specific products such as handicrafts, handlooms, & items, boosting local economy & tourism.

{Prelims – PIN World – Africa} Malawi *

Context (NOA): India has dispatched 1,000 MT of rice to Malawi for drought relief and food security.

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, situated within the East African Rift Valley.
Boundaries: It is bordered by Tanzania (north and northeast), Zambia (west), and Mozambique (east, south, southwest).
Physiographic Regions: Great Rift Valley, central plateau, highland region, and isolated mountain ranges.
Highest Peak: Sapitwa Peak (3,002m) is the highest point in Malawi and South-Central Africa.
Major Waterbody: Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), situated in the Great Rift Valley, covers about 20% of Malawi’s land area.
- Lake Malawi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984), renowned for its diversity of freshwater fish (cichlid).