Daily filter — 11 March 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
BNS 2023: New Provisions for Women and Children
The **Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023** introduces significant new provisions and enhanced protections for women and children.
- Offences against women and children are prioritized in Chapter V of BNS.
- Punishment for gang rape of women below 18 years is life imprisonment or death.
- Sexual intercourse by false promise of marriage/employment is a new offence.
- Victim's statement in rape cases must be recorded via audio-video means.
- Mandatory medical reports for rape victims within 7 days from medical practitioners.
- Engaging a child to commit an offence is punishable with 7-10 years imprisonment.
💡 BNS gives precedence to women & child safety with stricter punishments and tech-backed victim protection.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2238240
📈 Economy · UPSC track
NITI Aayog Launches Second Fiscal Health Index 2026
NITI Aayog released its second annual Fiscal Health Index on March 11, 2026, assessing the fiscal performance of Indian states.
- The Fiscal Health Index 2026 was launched by NITI Aayog on March 11, 2026.
- It assesses the fiscal performance of Indian states and promotes data-driven policymaking.
- The second edition includes 10 North-Eastern and Himalayan states, in addition to 18 major states.
- NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Shri Suman Bery and CEO Smt. Nidhi Chhibber released the index.
- States account for nearly one-third of India’s general government debt.
💡 Remember: NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026 now covers 10 North-Eastern/Himalayan + 18 major states, released on March 11, 2026.
Source: NITI Aayog · PIB PRID 2238302
🛣️ Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Cube V Acquisition of Road Asset Businesses
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved **Cube V's** acquisition of road asset businesses from four companies.
- Cube V is acquiring the road asset businesses of DYIPL, DVIPL, DGIPL, and DTEHPL.
- Cube V is a foreign portfolio investor registered with SEBI.
- Cube V aims to operate high-quality highway and transportation infrastructure assets in India.
- The acquired businesses operate roads and highways in India through governmental concessions.
💡 Remember: CCI approved Cube V's acquisition of four road businesses for Indian infrastructure.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2238087
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves MacRitchie Investment in Curefit Healthcare
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved an additional stake acquisition to supplement capital requirements in the fitness sector.
- CCI approved MacRitchie Investments Pte. Ltd. acquiring a stake in Curefit Healthcare Private Limited.
- Acquirer is an indirect subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited.
- Curefit Healthcare Group operates in India's fitness sector.
💡 Remember: CCI approves acquisitions; this one involves MacRitchie (a Temasek subsidiary) and fitness company Curefit.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2238086
☁️ Science & Tech · UPSC track
Mission Mausam Boosts Weather Forecasting Capabilities
The **Ministry of Earth Sciences** has significantly enhanced weather forecasting through **Mission Mausam**, leveraging new HPC systems and AI/ML.
- New HPC systems, ARKA and ARUNIKA, were inaugurated on 26 September 2024.
- Total computing capacity of MoES increased to 21.91 petaflops.
- Tropical cyclone forecast errors reduced by 5-10% (track) and 33-35% (intensity).
- Landfall point errors decreased by 35-45% for 24 to 48 hours lead time.
- Heatwave forecasts now issued 4–5 days in advance.
- The second phase will further strengthen observation networks and AI/ML integration.
💡 Mission Mausam (MoES) launched ARKA & ARUNIKA HPCs in 2024 to improve cyclone and heatwave forecasting via AI/ML.
Source: Ministry of Earth Sciences · PIB PRID 2238030
☔ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Mission Mausam: Enhancing Weather Forecasting, Disaster Preparedness
The government launched **Mission Mausam** to boost weather forecasting and early warning systems, aiming for a "Weather Ready and Climate Smart" India.
- Mission Mausam enhances accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasting and early warnings.
- Implemented by MoES via IMD, IITM, NCMRWF, until 2031.
- Utilises AI, HPC, advanced models, and expanded observation networks.
- Supports agriculture, fisheries, and disaster management with timely advisories.
- Disseminates information via apps (MAUSAM, MEGHDOOT, DAMINI) and other platforms.
💡 Remember Mission Mausam (MoES, IMD) uses AI/HPC for accurate weather, benefiting diverse sectors by 2031.
Source: Ministry of Earth Sciences · PIB PRID 2238025
🌀 Science & Tech · UPSC track
Mission Mausam enhances cyclone and rainfall forecasts
Mission Mausam, implemented since late 2024, has significantly improved India's cyclone and extreme rainfall forecasting capabilities.
- Mission Mausam subsumed the erstwhile ACROSS scheme since late 2024.
- Landfall point forecast error improved by 35–45% for 24–48 hours lead period during 2021–25.
- Average absolute error in intensity forecast improved by 35–45% up to 72 hours during 2021–25.
- Lead time for similar accuracy improved by about 24 hours for landfall point and 36 hours for intensity forecasts.
- Probability of Detection (PoD) for heavy rainfall improved to 0.79 for Day-1 during 2021–2025.
- Two C-Band Doppler Weather Radars are proposed for Sambalpur and Balasore by 2026.
💡 Mission Mausam (post-2024) significantly improved cyclone and rainfall forecast accuracy and lead times, reducing fatalities.
Source: Ministry of Earth Sciences · PIB PRID 2238022
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
India's Legal Safeguards Against AI Harms for Children
India has robust legal frameworks and initiatives to protect children from potential harms arising from AI and related technologies.
- The IT Act, 2000 mandates intermediaries to remove child-harmful content, with specific deadlines of 3 hours or 2 hours for non-consensual content.
- The DPDP Act, 2023 requires verifiable parental consent for processing children's personal data and prohibits tracking or targeted advertising for children.
- The India AI Governance Guidelines advocate for human-centric AI and recognize children as a vulnerable group.
- The NCPCR has conducted studies and released guidelines on cyber safety and protection for children in 2021.
- The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and I4C focus on cybercrimes, including child sexual exploitation, and block CSAM websites.
💡 Remember: IT Act (removal), DPDP Act (consent, no tracking), AI Guidelines (vulnerable children), NCPCR (studies, guidelines), and Cybercrime Portal/I4C (reporting, blocking CSAM) are key to child protection in the AI era.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2238191
💉 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Draft Amendment to Drugs Rules, 1945 for Blood Products
The **MoHFW** invited public comments on amending the **Drugs Rules, 1945** to update blood product testing norms.
- Draft Gazette Notification GSR 164(E) was issued on 9th March 2026.
- The amendment targets Para G, Part XII C, Schedule F of the Drugs Rules 1945.
- It seeks to remove duplicate viral testing of blood products.
- Current rules require re-testing of final products, already tested as pooled plasma.
- Pooled plasma is mandatorily tested for HBsAg, HCV RNA, and HIV antibodies.
- This aligns with Indian, British, United States, and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
💡 The Drugs Rules, 1945 amendment (GSR 164(E), 9th March 2026) removes duplicate viral testing for blood products for harmonization.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2237960
📊 Polity & Governance · UPSC track
Census 2027: Two Phases, Self-Enumeration, Data Security
The upcoming **Census 2027** will be conducted in two phases, incorporating a self-enumeration facility and robust data security measures.
- Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases.
- Phase I, Houselisting and Housing Census, questions have been notified.
- Sex of head of household will include Male/Female/Transgender categories.
- Self-enumeration is an additional facility for respondents to submit data.
- Enumerators will confirm self-enumeration data before final submission.
- Data security measures are in place for collection, transmission, and server level.
💡 Remember: Census 2027 has two phases, allows self-enumeration, and collects three sex categories for head of household.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2238272
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Prison Remission: States' Responsibility, MHA's Model Guidelines
The **Ministry of Home Affairs** (MHA) clarifies that remission of prisoners is primarily a 'State-List' subject.
- Prisons is a 'State-List' subject under Entry 4, List II of Seventh Schedule.
- NCRB compiles 'Prison Statistics India'; latest report is for 2023.
- No Article 72 remission cases from GNCTD pending with MHA.
- MHA circulated a Model Prison Manual 2016 with remission guidelines.
💡 Remember: Prisons are a State subject (Entry 4, List II), MHA provides a Model Prison Manual 2016 for guidance, and NCRB publishes prison statistics.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2238254
🌍 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
National Disaster Management Plan: Evolution & Key Pillars
The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) defines roles and responsibilities for disaster risk reduction across all governance levels.
- The NDMP was first issued in 2016 and revised in 2019.
- It aligns with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and NPDM 2009.
- It also conforms to global goals like Sendai Framework and SDGs.
- The plan incorporates the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Agenda for DRR.
- The Ten Point Agenda was enunciated in November 2016 at AMCDRR, New Delhi.
💡 Remember NDMP 2016 (rev. 2019) aligns with DM Act 2005, NPDM 2009, global frameworks, and the PM's Ten Point Agenda from 2016.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2238244