Current Affairs – March 21, 2026

{GS1 – IS} Paternity Leave as a Tool for Changing Gender Norms in India

• Context (IE): Supreme Court recently urged the government to introduce paternity leave, emphasising its importance for gender equality and shared parenthood.

How Paternity Leave Can Advance Gender Equality

• Dismantling Stereotypes: Institutionalising paternity leave challenges the stereotype of women as sole caregivers and men as only financial providers.
• Reducing Penalty: Shared parental leave can reduce the ‘motherhood penalty’ that makes up nearly 80% of the global gender wage gap.
• Workplace Equity: Employers are more likely to be impartial towards women in hiring and promotion decisions when both parents have leave provisions.
• Redistributing Care: Paternity leave promotes an equitable distribution of domestic responsibilities, reducing the ‘dual burden’ faced by women.
• Boosting FLFPR: It can improve the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) by easing childcare burdens on mothers and preventing mid-career exits.

Implementation Barriers and Limitations in India

• Legal Vacuum: India lacks a binding and uniform legal framework for paternity leave, unlike the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
• Limited Reach: Such leaves benefit only a small portion of the workforce, as over 80% of India’s workers are in the unorganised sector.
• Social Stigma: Patriarchal norms and fear of professional marginalisation prevent many men from taking full paternity leave, even when it is available.
• Leave Imbalance: The current 15-day paternity leave for Central Government employees remains symbolic and too short to effect changes in domestic roles.

Framework for an Effective Paternity Leave Policy

• Legislative Reform: A National Paternity Benefit Act to mandate uniform paternity leave across the private sector, replacing discretionary policies.
• Leave Design: A “use-it-or-lose-it” leave quota with 80–100% wage protection, as practised in Sweden and Iceland, to encourage greater uptake.
• Funding Mechanism: Government-backed social insurance fund to transfer costs from employers and lower hiring bias against young parents.
• Social Acceptance: Public campaigns and workplace sensitisation normalising male caregiving.

{GS1 – Geo} Shrinking Winters in the Himalayas **

• Context (DTE): Himachal Pradesh has experienced very low snowfall and below-normal rainfall during the current winter season.

• Winters are becoming shorter, milder, and less severe compared to past decades, and places like Shimla are now witnessing dry conditions.
• The observed changes suggest a shift in traditional Himalayan weather patterns, raising concerns about climate change.

Causes of Weakened Winter in Himachal Pradesh

• Anticyclonic Conditions: Persistent anticyclonic activity leads to descending air, which suppresses cloud formation and reduces rainfall and snowfall.
• Warm Air Advection: Inflow of warm air from neighbouring regions raises temperatures and creates unusually mild winter conditions.
• Weak Western Disturbances: Reduced frequency and intensity of Western Disturbances result in lower winter precipitation in the Himalayas.
• Climate Change: Global warming is increasing baseline temperatures, causing shorter and less severe winters.
• Reduced Snow Cover (Albedo Effect): Declining snow cover reduces surface reflectivity (albedo), leading to further warming and faster snowmelt.
• Atmospheric Variability: Changing atmospheric circulation patterns are causing irregular seasonal cycles, disrupting traditional winter timelines.

Impact of Changing Winter in Himachal Pradesh

• Agriculture: Reduced snowfall and rainfall have led to crop losses and lower productivity, specially for Rabi crops.
• Horticulture: Horticulture (especially apple cultivation) faces long-term risks from heat stress, reduced chilling hours, and increased pest attacks.
• Water Resources: Decline in snowfall reduces glacier recharge and stream flows, threatening long-term water availability.
• Tourism Sector: Lack of snowfall adversely affects winter tourism, reducing income for local communities dependent on tourism.
• Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Changing climate conditions disrupt natural habitats and species distribution, affecting Himalayan biodiversity.
• Disaster Risks: Rising temperatures increase the risk of heatwaves, water scarcity, and ecological stress in mountain regions.

{GS2 – Social Sector} World Food Programme Warns of a Global Hunger Surge

• Context (RE | DDN): World Food Programme (WFP) warns that an additional 45 million people could face acute hunger by June 2026 if the conflict in West Asia continues.

Conflict-Driven Risks to Global Food Security

• Rising Costs: High oil prices and 18% higher WFP shipping costs are making staple foods unaffordable in import-dependent regions like Sudan.
• Supply Disruptions: Military operations are disrupting vital humanitarian routes, delaying the delivery of life-saving supplies to crisis areas.
• Fertiliser Shortages: Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, affecting 25% of global fertiliser trade, threaten sub-Saharan Africa’s upcoming planting season.
• Funding Crisis: Spending cuts are straining humanitarian efforts as major donor nations are redirecting budgets toward defence.

Read More > WFP | India’s Strategy Amid West Asia Conflict

{GS2 – Governance} India’s Expanding Online Censorship Regime

• Context (IE): The government is planning to decentralise content blocking powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, allowing multiple ministries to issue takedown orders.

• Currently, only the IT Ministry issues final blocking orders, but the proposal will include ministries like Home, Defence, External Affairs, and I&B, etc.

India’s Current Online Censorship Framework

• Legal Basis: India’s online censorship is governed by the IT Act, 2000 and rules like the IT Rules, 2021, which regulate digital content & intermediaries.
• Dual Framework: India follows a dual system under the IT Act, combining centralised (Section 69A) & decentralised (Section 79) content blocking mechanisms.
• Section 69A: Section 69A empowers the government to block content on grounds of sovereignty, security, and public order, with final orders issued by the IT Ministry.
• Section 79 & Sahyog Portal: Section 79(3)(b) allows multiple agencies to send direct takedown requests via the Sahyog portal, creating a decentralised system.
• Role of Intermediaries: Platforms like Facebook & YouTube must comply with orders to retain safe harbour protection under law.
• Key Concerns: The framework raises concerns over free speech, transparency, multiple authorities issuing orders, and increasing state control over digital

Sahyog Portal

• It is an online platform launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Purpose: Expedites content takedown orders under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000.
• Operated By: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
• Legal Basis: It operates under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000.
• Functioning: It enables government agencies to directly send blocking requests to platforms.

{GS2 – MNRE} ALMM Framework Expanded to Include Solar Ingots and Wafers **

• Context (NOA): Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers under List-III.

• DCR Status: The expansion does not override existing Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions under PM-KUSUM or PM Surya Ghar.
• Eligibility: A wafer manufacturer must possess equivalent ingot manufacturing capacity to be enlisted in List-III.

Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)

• ALMM is a quality and reliability framework that ensures solar equipment meets strict manufacturing and performance standards.
• Registry: It is a mandatory registry of solar manufacturers and their specific models, managed by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Eligibility: Only manufacturers and models listed under ALMM are eligible for government-owned, government-assisted, and grid-connected projects.
• Policy: ALMM is India’s primary non-tariff barrier to promote domestic solar equipment production.
• Structure: The framework is divided into three progressively upstream supply chain categories:

{GS2 – MoHFW} National Dental Commission *

• Context (DDN | PIB): Central Government has constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), repealing the Dentists Act, 1948 and dissolving the Dental Council of India (DCI).

• Legal Status: It is a statutory body established the under National Dental Commission Act, 2023.
• Nodal Ministry: Autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Composition: The NDC consists of a chairperson, 8 ex-officio members, and 24 part-time members appointed by the Central Government. Head office is at New Delhi.
• Objective: Aims to create a transparent, accountable, and quality-driven regulatory framework for dental education and practice.
• Three Autonomous Boards:
  • UG & PG Dental Education Board: To regulate dental education.
  • Dental Assessment & Rating Board: Will handle accreditation and evaluation.
  • Ethics & Dental Registration Board: Will oversee professional conduct and registration.
• Fee Regulation: Will set guidelines for fees in private colleges and establish standards for education, ethics, and community dental care.
• State Dental Councils: Within one year, all State governments must constitute State Dental Councils to handle grievances on professional/ethical misconduct and maintain state registers of dentists.

{GS3 – IE} Electrifying Indian Kitchens for Energy Security and Clean Cooking

• Context (TH): Rising LPG imports and price volatility are pushing India to explore electric cooking as a cheaper, efficient alternative.

Issues with Gas-Based Cooking

• Import Dependence: India imports around 60% of LPG and 50% of natural gas, making prices vulnerable to global supply shocks.
• Rising Cost: LPG import bill has surged (≈ $26.4 billion), making clean cooking increasingly expensive without subsidies.
• Affordability & Access: Despite 332 million LPG connections, about 37% households still rely on firewood and dung, showing affordability and access gaps.

Advantages of Electric Cooking

• Cost Advantage: As per the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, electric cooking is 37% cheaper than LPG and 14% cheaper than piped gas.
• Higher Efficiency: Induction cooktops have ~85% efficiency, compared to ~40% for LPG burners.
• Pollution-Free: Produces no indoor smoke or direct emissions, improving air quality and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants from biomass and gas cooking.
• Energy Security: Lowers dependence on imported fuels like LPG and natural gas.
• Compatible with Renewables: Can run on solar power & battery storage, enabling sustainable cooking.

Challenges in Adopting Electric Cooking in India

• Grid Capacity: Large-scale adoption can increase evening peak demand, stressing the power grid and risking outages.
• Appliance Limitations: Current induction systems lack the multi-pot flexibility and flame-like control required for Indian cooking.
• High Costs: The initial investment in induction cooktops, wiring upgrades, and appliances can be a barrier for many households.
• Electricity Reliability: In many rural areas, the power supply remains inconsistent, limiting adoption.
• Behavioural Barriers: Preference for traditional flame-based cooking and lack of awareness slow the transition.

{GS3 – IE} Anti-Dumping Investigation into Chinese Ethyl Chloroformate Imports

• Context (TH): Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) initiated an anti-dumping investigation into ethyl chloroformate imports from China.

• Allegation: China allegedly exported ethyl chloroformate at unfairly low prices, leading to price suppression and material injury to the domestic industry.

Anti-Dumping Framework in India

• Investigation: DGTR, under MoCI, acts as the quasi-judicial body that conducts investigations, calculates dumping margin, and recommends the imposition of ADD.
• Imposition: Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance) levies and collects the ADD based on DGTR’s final findings. It has the discretion to accept or reject the DGTR recommendations.
• Legal Basis: Anti-dumping measures are established under Sections 9A, 9B, and 9C of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, supported by Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Rules, 1995.
• Lesser Duty Rule: India applies a duty equal to either the dumping margin or the injury margin, whichever is lower.
• Timeline: ADDs are valid for five years but can be extended through a Sunset Review.
• Threshold: Under the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement, an investigation must be terminated if:
  1. De Minimis: Dumping margin is less than 2% of the export price, or
  2. Negligible: Volume of dumped imports is less than 3% of total imports of that product.

{GS3 – Envi} MoSPI Released SDG Bulletin Report on Prosperity **

• Context (PIB): Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released two thematic bulletins titled “Planet in Focus” and “Delivering Prosperity at Scale.”

• Purpose: The bulletins provide a clear and accessible summary of India’s progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Framework: These are part of a new thematic series aligned with the five pillars of the UN 2030 Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships.

Key Progress from ‘Planet in Focus’ Bulletin

• “Planet in Focus” bulletin evaluates India’s progress on – SDG 6 (Water), SDG 12 (Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate), SDG 14 (Oceans), and SDG 15 (Land).
• SDG 6 – Water and Sanitation: India achieved 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across all districts under the Swachh Bharat Mission. 97.2% of schools had separate toilets for girls as of 2023–24.
• SDG 12 – Sustainable Consumption: Waste recycling facilities expanded from 829 in 2019–20 to 3,036 in 2024–25, preventing 103 lakh tonnes of plastic from ending up in landfills.
• SDG 14 – Life Below Water: India’s Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for fisheries increased by 72% between 2015 and 2025.

Key Progress from ‘Delivering Prosperity at Scale’ Bulletin

• “Delivering Prosperity at Scale” bulletin evaluates India’s progress on – SDG 7 (Energy), SDG 8 (Economy and Work), SDG 9 (Industry and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Inequality), and SDG 11 (Cities).
• SDG 7 – Clean Energy: India is the 4^th largest wind energy producer globally, with renewables accounting for over 22% of total installed power capacity.
  • The carbon intensity of the power sector decreased from 61.45 to 40.52 tonnes of CO₂ per crore of GDP between 2015-16 and 2022-23.
  • Household electrification coverage reached 100%, supported by schemes like Saubhagya, DDUGJY, UDAY, etc.
• SDG 8 – Work and Economy: Social protection coverage expanded from 22% in 2016 to 64.3% in 2025.
  • India has the 3^rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over 1.2 lakh government-recognised startups creating more than 12 lakh jobs.
  • Tourism’s contribution to GDP was 2.60% in 2022–23, supported by programs like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and RCS-UDAN.
• SDG 9 – Industry and Infrastructure: Manufacturing accounted for 18.1% of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2023-24, while factories increased by 33% between 2014 and 2024.
  • PMGSY extended rural road connectivity to 99% of eligible habitations, while the length of National Highways expanded by 60% over the last decade.
  • Internet subscriptions grew to 954.40 million in 2024, reaching 68 subscribers per 100 population.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Over 50 crore accounts have been opened under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana, with women accounting for 56% of these accounts.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities: Smart Cities Mission integrated smart water systems and green mobility into 100 urban hubs.
  • PMAY-U has sanctioned over 1.18 crore houses for urban poor families, with provision for affordable pucca housing.

{Prelims – Geo} Evolution of Ladakh Magmatic Arc (LMA)

• Context (PIB): Scientists have decoded the 130-million-year evolution of the Ladakh Magmatic Arc (LMA), which laid the geological foundation for the formation of the Himalayas.

• Location: Ladakh Magmatic Arc (LMA) is a major magmatic belt of igneous rocks in the Northwest Indian Trans-Himalaya.
• Boundaries: It lies between the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) in the south and the Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ) in the north.
• Formation: The arc formed due to the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic plate beneath the Eurasian margin.
• Duration: Its magmatic activity began during the Jurassic period (~160 Ma) and continued into the Eocene epoch (<45 Ma).
• Phases: LMA records three magmatic phases during the transition from an oceanic island arc to a continental mountain system:
  1. Early Island Arc: Dras-Nidar Island Arc Complex (DNIAC) formed from mantle-derived magma.
  2. Batholith Formation: Intensified subduction produced the extensive Ladakh Batholith.
  3. Post-Collisional: Continued magmatism produced mafic dykes cutting through older formations.
• Composition: LMA exhibits directional maturity, with older mafic rocks in the south and younger felsic rocks in the north.

{Prelims – Defence} Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR *

• Context (PIB): The 2^nd edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR commenced recently.

• It is an initiative by the Indian Navy to address common maritime issues in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), such as piracy and illegal fishing.
• Participants: Naval personnel from 16 nations participated under the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) framework.
• Vessel: India deployed INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, for the initiative.
• Phases: Includes a harbour phase at Kochi’s Southern Naval Command, followed by a joint sea phase beginning off the coast of Mumbai.
• Significance: It strengthens maritime cooperation and interoperability in the IOR under India’s SAGAR and MAHASAGAR initiatives.