PIB current affairs, 8 March 2026 — UPSC & Law revision cards

💰 Economy · UPSC track

Assam Rural Bodies Receive ₹299 Crore XV FC Grants

The Union Government released the 2nd installment and withheld portion of XV Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies in Assam.

Union Government released ₹256.60 crores as 2nd installment of untied grants for FY 2025-26.
₹42.70 crores of withheld 1st installment released for 3 Autonomous District Councils.
Grants benefit 27 District Panchayats, 182 Block Panchayats, 2192 Gram Panchayats, and 3 ADCs in Assam.
Untied grants are for Eleventh Schedule subjects, excluding salaries.
Tied grants are for sanitation, ODF status, drinking water supply, and water management.

💡 Remember: XV FC Grants to Assam's Rural Local Bodies (Panchayats & ADCs) for Eleventh Schedule subjects and basic services like sanitation and water.

Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2236636

🪖 Defence & Security · UPSC track

Women Officers: Expanding Roles and Opportunities in Armed Forces

International Women’s Day highlights the increasing leadership and operational contributions of women in the Indian Armed Forces.

Around 11,000 women officers are now serving in the armed forces.
In 2025, 17 women cadets graduated from NDA in May, and 15 in November.
The Indian Navy opened all branches to women officers and Agniveers, except submarines.
The IAF formalized combat roles for women officers as a permanent scheme in 2022.

💡 For the exam: Remember the 11,000 women officers, NDA graduations (2025), Navy's all-branch opening, and IAF's permanent combat roles (2022) for women.

Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2236551

Daily filter — 8 March 2026

Assam Rural Bodies Receive ₹299 Crore XV FC Grants

Women Officers: Expanding Roles and Opportunities in Armed Forces