Current Affairs – March 13, 2026

{GS1 – Geo} GeodCon-26 Highlights Geospatial Policy **

Context (PIB | DDN): Speaking at the GeodCon-26, Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted that the National Geospatial Policy 2022 is a major reform that democratised access to geospatial data.

About GeodCon-26

GeodCon-26 is India’s first national conference focused on geodesy, organised to discuss scientific developments in geospatial science.
Venue: The conference was held at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in New Delhi.
Focus Areas: It discussed advancements in geodesy and its applications in national development, scientific research, and strategic sectors.

Geodesy

Geodesy is the scientific study of the Earth’s shape, size, gravity field, and precise positioning on the planet.
Mapping and Navigation: It provides the scientific basis for mapping, satellite navigation, and geographic positioning systems.
Uses: Geodesy supports infrastructure planning, disaster management, climate monitoring, and national security.
Role in Satellites: Accurate geodesy is essential for navigation systems like NavIC, GPS and other satellite-based technologies.
Importance for Geospatial Science: It forms the core scientific foundation of the geospatial ecosystem, enabling precise Earth observation and spatial data analysis.

National Geospatial Policy 2022

Objective: The policy aims to strengthen India’s geospatial sector by improving access to geospatial data and promoting innovation.
Democratisation of Geospatial Data: It liberalises access to geospatial data, allowing wider use by government agencies, private companies, researchers, and citizens.
Private Sector Participation: The policy promotes private sector involvement and startups in geospatial technologies and services.
Geospatial data under the policy helps in infrastructure planning, urban development, disaster management, and national security.

Government Initiatives for Geospatial Technologies

National Geospatial Policy, 2022: Liberalised geospatial data access, enabled private participation, and promoted a strong geospatial ecosystem in India.
National Geospatial Mission (NGM): Launched in 2025–26 to build foundational geospatial infrastructure and high-quality national datasets.
SVAMITVA Scheme: Uses drone and GIS mapping to provide rural property records and accurate village land surveys.
CORS Network: Developed by the Survey of India to provide high-accuracy positioning data for mapping, navigation, and infrastructure projects.
Bhuvan Geoportal: ISRO’s geospatial platform offering satellite imagery and thematic data for planning, governance, and monitoring.
BISAG-N: Supports governance and development through specialised GIS and geospatial solutions.

{GS2 – MoAFW} Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Context (IE): PM Modi released the 22^nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme.

It is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2019 to support farmers’ income.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) implements the scheme.
Objective: Assist farmers in acquiring agricultural inputs and managing household expenses.
Financial Benefit: Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Beneficiaries: The scheme initially covered Small and Marginal Farmers with up to 2 hectares of land, but later expanded to all landholding farmer families.
- A family under the scheme consists of husband, wife, and minor children.
Exclusions: Institutional landholders, constitutional post holders, government employees, political office bearers, pensioners (₹10,000 or more monthly), income tax payers, and registered professionals.
Beneficiary Identification: State and Union Territory governments identify eligible farmer families.
Digital Integration: It utilises the PM-KISAN mobile app for e-KYC and Kisan e-Mitra, an AI multilingual chatbot for grievance redressal.
Coverage: It has extended support to over 9 crore families, with about 23% women beneficiaries.

Read More > PM-KISAN

{GS2 – IR} Section 301 Investigations by the United States

Context (IE | LM): Trump administration has launched Section 301 investigations into alleged unfair trade practices by 16 trading partners, including India and China.

The move aims to reimpose tariffs after a Supreme Court of the United States ruling that earlier tariffs were illegal.

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is a U.S. law that allows the government to investigate and respond to unfair trade practices by other countries.
Purpose: It enables the U.S. to impose tariffs or other trade restrictions if a country’s policies are found to be unreasonable, discriminatory, or harmful to U.S. commerce.
Authority: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has the authority to initiate investigations and recommend trade actions under this law.
Implications: It is currently a warning and negotiating tool for the United States.

Why India is Being Targeted in the Section 301 Probe

Trade Surplus: India recorded a trade surplus of about $58 billion with the United States in 2025.
Excess Manufacturing: The Office of the USTR claims India has excess production capacity in sectors like solar modules, petrochemicals, and steel.
Global Overproduction: The U.S. argues that such overproduction can distort global markets and affect American manufacturing.

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

Purpose: Enacted in 1977, the law allows the United States President to regulate international economic transactions during a national emergency.
Economic Powers: It enables the President to block assets, restrict trade, and impose economic sanctions against foreign countries, entities, or individuals.
National Security: The Act is mainly used to address unusual and extraordinary threats to U.S. national security, foreign policy, or economy.
Sanctions Policy: IEEPA is widely used to impose sanctions on countries, terrorist organisations, and individuals involved in activities threatening U.S. interests.

{GS3 – Infra} VOC Port Becomes First Indian Major Port to Launch ‘Digital Twin’ Initiative **

Context (TH): V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Tamil Nadu became India’s first major port to launch a Digital Twin initiative.

A Digital Twin is a dynamic, real-time virtual replica of a physical object, system, or infrastructure.
Data Integration: The system integrates IoT sensors, GPS tracking, LiDAR mapping, drone imaging, and CCTV networks to create a living digital model.
Live Monitoring: It provides real-time visualisation of berth occupancy, vessel movements, crane utilisation, and yard capacity.
Predictive Maintenance: An AI-powered monitoring system predicts cargo-handling equipment failures and decreases vessel turnaround times.

About V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port

VOC Port, previously called Tuticorin Port, is a major artificial all-weather deep-sea port in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
Location: The port is located on the Coromandel coast in the Gulf of Mannar, close to the East-West international shipping routes.
Namesake: It is named after V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, who founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, India’s first indigenous shipping service, in 1906.
Natural Shelter: Sri Lanka’s position to the southeast shields the port from cyclonic winds, ensuring continuous 24/7 operations.
Green Hydrogen: VOC Port is being developed as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

Read More> Digital Twin Technology

{GS3 – Infra} Indian Railways Rolls Out Kavach 4.0 **

Context (DDN): Indian Railways has deployed Kavach 4.0 across 1,452 route kilometres on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors.

Expansion Target: India plans to roll out Kavach across its entire broad-gauge railway network and equip all locomotives by December 2030.

About Kavach and Kavach 4.0

Kavach 4.0 is the most advanced version of Kavach, India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
Objective: It aims to achieve zero accidents by preventing train collisions and overspeeding.
Developer: Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) of Indian Railways developed Kavach.
Safety Standard: It is certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4), the highest global railway signalling safety standard.
Operating Mechanism: Kavach creates a safety shield through real-time communication between three main components –
1. Onboard computers and radio units monitor train speed and signal status
2. RFID tags installed at regular intervals provide precise location and direction data
3. Stationary units relay signal status and track permission through telecom towers.

Key Features of Kavach

Collision Prevention: Kavach automatically prevents head-on, rear-end, and side-on collisions by detecting trains on the same track.
Automatic Braking: If a loco pilot misses a red signal or exceeds the speed limit, the system automatically applies the brakes.
Fog Operation: Kavach shows signal information in the driver’s cab to ensure safe operation during low visibility (e.g., dense fog).
Emergency Alert: It allows loco pilots to broadcast emergency stop messages to nearby trains.

Upgrades in Kavach 4.0

Precision: Kavach 4.0 improves train location accuracy in large, multi-track station yards.
Integration: It connects with Electronic Interlocking systems and enables station-to-station signalling through optical fibre networks.
Whistling: The system automatically triggers the horn when trains near level-crossing gates.
LTE-Ready: It supports high-speed data communication via 4G/LTE railway networks.

Kavach 5.0 is the next-generation Kavach system designed for suburban rail networks to reduce train intervals and increase service frequency by up to 30%.

{GS3 – Agri} Deep-Sea Fishing in Exclusive Economic Zone

Context (PIB): Government of India has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025.

These rules were notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
They will regulate fishing activities in India’s EEZ to ensure sustainable use of marine resources.

Key Provisions of the Rules

Access passes are mandatory for mechanised fishing vessels and motorised boats 24 metres or longer to operate in the EEZ.
Special provisions permit motorised vessels engaged in tuna and tuna-like species fishing to operate within the EEZ.
Access passes are issued through the ReALCraft Portal.

ReALCRaft Portal: An online platform launched by the Ministry of Fisheries to provide registration and licensing services for fishing vessels to marine fishers, coastal States, and Union Territories.
ReALCRaft stands for Registration and Licensing of Fishing Craft.

Deep Sea Fisheries Potential in India

The Exclusive Economic Zone of India has an estimated fisheries potential yield of about 53.1 lakh tonnes.
A significant portion of this potential lies in deep-sea resources, which remain underexploited compared to coastal fisheries.
Deep-sea fishing resources include high-value species such as tuna and tuna-like fishes, which have strong export potential.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A maritime zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982, extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline.
The coastal state has exclusive rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources.
It can regulate activities such as fishing, marine research, energy production, and seabed extraction.
Other states retain freedom of navigation and overflight; India’s EEZ covers about 2.4 million sq. km.

Incentives for Deep Sea Fishing

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), training programmes are conducted to improve fishermen’s skills in deep-sea fishing and onboard fish handling.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) provides capacity-building and technology training.
Government schemes such as the Blue Revolution Scheme and PMMSY provide financial assistance for acquiring deep-sea fishing vessels and converting trawlers into deep-sea fishing vessels.

{GS3 – S&T} Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a Cooking Fuel Alternative **

Context (SW): Recent disruptions in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports have renewed policy focus on Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a scalable domestic cooking fuel alternative.

About Dimethyl Ether (DME)

Dimethyl ether (DME), also called methoxymethane, is a colourless, highly flammable gas with a faint sweet odour.
Combustion: It has a high cetane number of 55–60 and burns virtually without producing soot or particulate matter.
Physical Property: DME is gaseous at room temperature but liquefies easily under moderate pressure of 5 bar.
Feedstocks: DME can be synthesised from a wide range of feedstocks, including coal, natural gas, biomass, methanol, and captured CO₂
- Indirect Route: Most common commercial method involves catalytic dehydration of methanol.
- Direct Route: Produces DME in a single catalytic step directly from synthesis gas (syngas).
- CO₂-to-DME: Captured CO₂ reacts with green hydrogen to produce DME.
Global Leader: China currently leads the world in both DME production and consumption.

Key Applications of DME

Ozone-friendly aerosol propellant in sprays, adhesives, and cosmetics.
Chemical feedstock for manufacturing dimethyl sulfate and acetic acid.
Over-the-counter freeze sprays for skin treatment.
Environmentally friendly refrigerant (R-E170) for industrial cooling and heat pumps.
Low-emission diesel alternative for heavy transportation.
Clean-burning, soot-free cooking fuel.

Advantages of DME as an LPG Alternative

Self-Reliance: India can produce the entire DME fuel chain domestically by converting high-ash coal and agricultural biomass into methanol.
Integration: DME can utilise existing LPG cylinders for storage and transportation with minimal infrastructure modifications.
Efficiency: It yields a 10-15% improvement in heat output compared to conventional LPG burners.
Cleaner Air: DME combustion generates much lower NOx, SOx, and CO emissions, with almost no particulate matter and smoke.
Safety: Its non-toxic and non-corrosive nature ensures high safety margins for household cooking and industrial handling.

Limitations of DME as an LPG Alternative

Energy Density: DME has a lower calorific value than LPG and therefore requires larger fuel volumes for equivalent output.
Seal Degradation: As a strong solvent, DME causes nitrile rubber (NBR) seals and gaskets in LPG cylinders to swell, degrade, or leak.
Flame Stability: DME exhibits poorer flame stability and shorter flame height than LPG, requiring specialised burners for safe use.
Capital Cost: Coal gasification plants require high capital investment, and volatile methanol prices further erode producer profitability.
Lubricity: As a transport fuel, DME’s low viscosity and lack of lubricity cause premature wear in fuel injection systems.

DME Landscape in India

Market Size: India’s DME market reached $265 million in 2024, with projections to reach $765 million by 2033.
Indigenous Process: CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) has developed an indigenous Methanol-to-DME process and plans to scale output to 0.5 tonnes per day.
Tractor: IIT Kanpur and TAFE jointly developed India’s first 100% DME-fuelled tractor.
Burner: Aditi Urja Sanch, developed by CSIR-NCL, safely handles burners with up to 30% DME-LPG blends or 100% neat DME for domestic use.
Water Transport: The Sagarmala Project plans to deploy methanol and DME-powered ships to reduce pollution in water transport.
Blending Target: The government plans a phased rollout of 20% DME blending with LPG, aiming for ₹50-100 consumer savings per cylinder.

{GS3 – S&T} India Develops Three Indigenous Small Modular Reactors **

Context (PIB): India is developing three indigenous Small Modular Reactor (SMR) types under the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat.

SMRs are modular nuclear fission reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MWe, about 1/3^rd of conventional reactors.
Developers: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) are developing the indigenous SMRs.
Global Status: As of early 2026, Russia and China are the only countries with operational SMRs.

India’s Indigenous SMRs Under Development

Reactor Model	Capacity	Core Technology	Primary Application	Construction Site
Bharat SMR (BSMR-200)	220 MWe	Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)	Supplies steady baseload electricity; suitable to replace retiring coal plants.	Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra
SMR-55	55 MWe	PWR with modular block design	Provides power for remote or off-grid regions	Tarapur or another designated DAE site
HTGCR	5 MWth (thermal)	High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR)	Supplies very high industrial heat; supports clean hydrogen production.	BARC facility, Visakhapatnam

India’s Recent Nuclear Power Reforms

Target: India aims to scale nuclear power capacity from 8.18 GW to 100 GW by 2047.
Mission: Nuclear Energy Mission targets at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
Private Entry: SHANTI Act, 2025, allows private companies to enter the nuclear power sector.
Regulatory Reform: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was granted statutory status for independent nuclear oversight.

Read More> Small Modular Reactors

{Prelims – Initiatives} Bug Bounty Programme for Aadhaar Digital Platforms

Context (PIB): Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched its first structured Bug Bounty Programme to strengthen the security of Aadhaar system.

It is a cybersecurity initiative that rewards ethical hackers and specialists for responsibly identifying and reporting security gaps.
Scope: A panel of experts will review key UIDAI assets like the official website, myAadhaar portal, and Secure QR Code application.
Reward System: Researchers receive financial rewards based on the severity of vulnerability, categorised as Critical, High, Medium, and Low-risk issues.
Implementation: UIDAI adopts a public–private partnership (PPP) model, collaborating with a private cybersecurity company.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued to Indian residents by UIDAI, linking biometric and demographic data. Launched in 2009, it was supported by the Aadhaar Act 2016.
UIDAI is a statutory authority under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Read More > Aadhaar

{Prelims – IR} Surge in India’s Russian Oil Imports

Context (IE): Amid Strait of Hormuz closure, India’s Russian oil imports have jumped to 1.5 million bpd in the first 11 days of March.

Dependence on Hormuz: Around 2.5–2.7 million barrels per day (about half of India’s oil imports) normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Waiver: The United States issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian crude already loaded on tankers to maintain supply stability.
Oil Consumption: India is the third-largest oil consumer globally and imports over 88% of its crude oil requirements.
Oil Reserve: India currently has 6–8 weeks of crude and fuel reserves and is sourcing additional supplies from other global regions and traders.

The top three crude oil suppliers to India in February 2026 were Russia (1^st), Iraq (2^nd), and Saudi Arabia (3^rd).

{Prelims – S&T} Magnetic Semiconductors

Context (PIB): Scientists have discovered how heat flows in magnetic semiconductors, resolving a decade-old problem in condensed matter physics.

In normal semiconductors, thermal conductivity decreases with rising temperature due to increased scattering of phonons (heat-carrying lattice vibrations).
However, some magnetic semiconductors show the opposite trend—thermal conductivity increases at higher temperatures.

What are Magnetic Semiconductors?

A magnetic semiconductor is a type of material that exhibits both semiconducting properties and magnetic properties.
Unlike normal semiconductors, their magnetic behaviour also affects how electricity and heat move through them.
Charge and Spin: They can control electric charge and the magnetic spin of electrons, which makes them useful for advanced electronics.
Technological Applications: They are important for emerging technologies such as spintronics, magnetic memory devices, and quantum computing.
Future Electronics: They may help develop faster, more energy-efficient electronic devices in the future.

Phonons are vibrations of atoms inside a solid material that carry heat & sound through the material.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’ *

Context (PIB): Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully tested the Air Droppable Container (ADC-150).

ADC-150 is India’s first fully indigenous high-precision aerial container for delivering critical supplies directly to naval ships at sea.
Developing Agencies: DRDO and the Indian Navy developed it, coordinated by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
Payload Capacity: It can carry up to 150 kg, accommodating engineering spares, specialised tools, and emergency medical kits.
Delivery System: A multi-stage parachute system slows the container to ensure a safe descent without damaging supplies.
Launch Platforms: It has been tested for deployment from P-8I, a maritime patrol aircraft.
Significance: It strengthens the Indian Navy’s logistical readiness in ‘blue-water’ operations and supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.