Daily filter — 9 March 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
UPSC Clarifies CSE 2025 Rank 301 Dispute
UPSC clarified a claim dispute for Rank 301 in the Civil Services Examination, 2025 results.
- The Civil Services Examination, 2025 final result was declared on 06.03.2026.
- Two candidates named Akanksha Singh claimed the same Rank 301.
- UPSC confirmed Akanksha Singh with Roll No. 0856794 secured Rank 301.
- Her father is Sh. Ranjit Singh and mother is Smt. Neelam Singh.
💡 Remember: UPSC clarified Rank 301 for CSE 2025 with specific Roll No. 0856794.
Source: UPSC · PIB PRID 2237056
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Director Arrested for ₹60.59 Crore Fraudulent ITC Claims
A director was arrested by CGST Delhi South for fraudulently availing Input Tax Credit using bogus invoices.
- A director was arrested for fraudulent ITC of ₹60.59 crore.
- Fraudulent claims involved bogus invoices worth ₹397.23 crore.
- This violates Section 16 and is punishable under Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017.
- The director was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
💡 Remember: fraudulent ITC via bogus invoices violates CGST Act, 2017 Sections 16 and 132.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2237189
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
ECI reviews poll preparedness for West Bengal Assembly Elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) reviewed poll preparedness for the forthcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections.
- CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar led the review in Kolkata on March 9, 2026.
- ECI met with national and state recognized political parties for suggestions.
- Parties urged ECI to deploy CAPF and curb violence, illegal firearms, money.
- CEC assured zero tolerance for violence and impartiality in elections.
- ECI directed enforcement agencies to act impartially against inducements.
- Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) like ramps must be at all polling stations.
💡 Remember: CEC Gyanesh Kumar led ECI's West Bengal review on March 9, 2026, focusing on violence, fairness, and AMFs.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2237143
🐆 Environment · UPSC track
India's Cheetah Population Reaches 53, Indian-born Cubs Rise to 33
A significant milestone in cheetah conservation as Jwala, a Namibian cheetah, gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park.
- Jwala, a Namibian cheetah, gave birth to five cubs.
- This is the 10th successful cheetah litter on Indian soil.
- Total cheetah population in India is now 53.
- The number of Indian-born cubs has risen to 33.
- Nine cheetahs from Botswana were recently released into enclosures.
💡 Remember: Jwala's 5 cubs pushed total cheetahs to 53 and Indian-born to 33 in the 10th litter.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2236900
🍽️ Economy · LAW track
IT Dept. Uncovers Widespread Restaurant Sales Suppression
The Income Tax Department conducted a nationwide survey on restaurants revealing significant under-reporting of income and launched a compliance campaign.
- A survey on March 8, 2026, covered 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 States.
- Preliminary findings show sales suppression of around Rs. 408 crore.
- The SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign will send alerts to 63,000 restaurants.
- Taxpayers are urged to update returns by March 31, 2026, under Section 139(8A).
💡 Remember SAKSHAM NUDGE and Section 139(8A) for voluntary compliance after the March 2026 restaurant survey.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2237245
🏦 Economy · LAW track
DFS Secretary Reviews PSB Progress on NCLT IBC Cases
The DFS Secretary chaired a meeting to monitor Public Sector Banks' progress on high-value Insolvency and Bankruptcy Cases (IBC) at the NCLT.
- Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, DFS, chaired the review meeting.
- Top management of Public Sector Banks and IBBI attended.
- Twenty high value accounts were resolved through NCLT admission/assignment/disposal.
- Reviewed top twenty accounts pending admission and ten accounts pending resolution.
- Banks were advised to minimize adjournments and delays in CIRP applications.
💡 DFS Secretary (M. Nagaraju) met PSBs and IBBI to expedite 20 high-value IBC cases resolved and monitor 20 pending at NCLT.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2237168
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Jal Jeevan Mission progress: 81.71% rural households with tap water
The **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)**, launched in **August 2019**, has significantly increased rural tap water connections across India.
- At Mission start, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households had tap water.
- As of 03.03.2026, 15.82 Crore (81.71%) rural households have tap water supply.
- Functionality Assessment 2024 found 76% of tap connections functional, meeting quantity, quality, and regularity.
- The Mission focuses on 'service delivery' and is demand-driven and community-managed.
- Challenges include scarce sources, contamination, and material costs.
💡 Remember JJM for its goal of 100% rural tap water by increasing connections from 16.7% to 81.71% by March 2026.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2237014
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
JJM Empowers Local Governance for Sustainable Water Supply
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) leverages Gram Panchayats and community participation for planning, implementing, and maintaining rural water supply systems.
- Gram Panchayats or VWSCs/Pani Samitis are empowered for in-village water supply.
- Around 1.81 lakh villages out of 2.74 lakh 'Har Ghar Jal' villages are Gram Sabha certified.
- Community contribution of 5% or 10% is required for in-village infrastructure costs.
- Nal Jal Mitra Programme trains locals for operation and maintenance of water supply.
- States are advised to implement an O&M policy including user charges and local skilling.
💡 JJM decentralizes water management, requiring community contribution and local skill development for sustainability.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2237010
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Jal Jeevan Mission Connects Over 15 Crore Rural Homes
The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019, aims to provide tap water to all rural households.
- Around 15.82 Crore (81.71%) rural households now have tap water as of 03.03.2026.
- At the Mission's start, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural homes had tap water connections.
- Fund allocation prioritizes difficult terrains (30% weightage) and SC/ST dominated areas (10% weightage).
💡 Remember: 81.71% of rural homes have tap water by March 2026 under JJM, prioritizing difficult and SC/ST areas.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2237007
🌳 Environment · UPSC track
NHAI Releases First National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI)
**NHAI** released its inaugural annual **NH-GCI** report to quantitatively assess green cover along National Highways.
- The NH-GCI 2025-26 report was prepared with NRSC (ISRO).
- It uses satellite data to measure green cover within Right of Way (RoW).
- The first assessment covered 30,000 km across 24 States (July–December 2024).
- An MoU was signed between NHAI and NRSC (ISRO) in January 2024.
💡 Remember: NHAI, NRSC (ISRO), 30,000 km, 24 States, first report is NH-GCI.
Source: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways · PIB PRID 2237080
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM JANMAN: Skilling PVTGs for Livelihood Opportunities
The **PM JANMAN** scheme, launched in **2024**, aims to improve socio-economic conditions for **Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)**.
- MSDE facilitates skill development through NIESBUD and IIE.
- 500 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) are to be operationalized by 31.03.2026.
- As of 28.02.2026, 489 VDVKs are operational, training 38,391 members.
- TRIFED coordinates with State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) for VDVK establishment.
💡 Remember: PM JANMAN (2024) empowers PVTGs via MSDE's NIESBUD and IIE skilling in VDVKs.
Source: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship · PIB PRID 2236972
🧠 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**SOAR Programme** boosts national AI skills readiness across India
The **Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme** is a national initiative to build foundational AI awareness and readiness for learners, educators, and citizens.
- Phase I included 04 online courses: AI to be Aware, AI to Aspire, AI to Acquire, and AI for educators.
- Phase II expanded to 50 NSQF-aligned AI and AI-application courses, with 35 as micro-credentials.
- Delivered digitally via Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), ensuring nationwide accessibility, including underserved areas.
- Courses align with the National Credit Framework and support inclusivity, targeting women, unorganised sector, and persons with disability.
- Industry partners like CII, NASSCOM, and Microsoft collaborated on curriculum development.
💡 SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) Programme: National, digital, NSQF-aligned AI courses via SIDH, covering 04 courses in Phase I and 50 in Phase II, including 35 micro-credentials.
Source: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship · PIB PRID 2236967