Daily filter — 21 March 2026
7 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Tele-Law Workshop Boosts Digital Access to Justice in Haryana
A regional workshop under the DISHA scheme in Kurukshetra, Haryana, focuses on enhancing digital access to justice and legal services.
- The Tele-Law initiative is under the Designing Innovative solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme.
- The workshop, held on 22nd March 2026 at Kurukshetra University, saw 900 physical attendees.
- It launched 5 e-books on Customary Laws of the North Eastern Region and a Doordarshan documentary on DISHA.
💡 Remember DISHA (a Central Sector Scheme) implements Tele-Law for justice access, launching e-books and a documentary at its 2026 workshop.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2243292
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
EVM-VVPAT First Randomisation Completed for Upcoming Elections
The Election Commission of India completed the first randomisation of EVM-VVPATs for general and bye-elections in various states/UTs.
- First randomisation of EVM-VVPATs completed in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.
- Done for elections on April 9, 2026, in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura.
- Randomisation done using EVM Management System (EMS) by DEOs.
- Conducted in presence of Political Party representatives.
- Lists of randomized machines shared with Political Parties.
- EVMs stored in Assembly Strong Rooms with party representatives present.
💡 EVM-VVPATs' first randomisation is a security step, conducted by DEOs with party presence, before elections on April 9, 2026.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2243273
🌿 Environment · UPSC track
Wildlife Board Meeting Addresses Conservation, Tech, and Community Dependence
The 90th SC-NBWL meeting in Dehradun discussed wildlife conservation, geospatial tech use, and the role of nomadic communities.
- The 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) was chaired by the Union Environment Minister on March 21, 2026.
- An MoU was signed between FSI and BISAG-N to use geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and AI/ML for forest fire management and wildlife conservation.
- The committee deliberated on environmental flows in River Chambal to sustain species like dolphins and gharials.
- The importance of grasslands and rangelands for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and dryland resilience was highlighted.
- The committee discussed the dependence of nomadic and pastoral communities on Protected Areas.
- A comprehensive conservation action plan for wild water buffalo was recommended.
💡 Remember: The SC-NBWL is a statutory body under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, responsible for advising the government on wildlife and forest conservation, as demonstrated by the discussions on AI/ML integration, Chambal River, and grassland conservation at its 90th meeting.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2243381
🌿 Environment · UPSC track
Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species Formed by NBA
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has formed an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to address growing ecological risks.
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) constituted the committee.
- It was formed on directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) via O.A. No. 162/2023.
- The committee's mandate includes preparing a national list and recommending management strategies.
- Chaired by Shri Dhananjai Mohan, it will function for two years.
- The committee operates under powers of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (as amended in 2023).
💡 The NBA established the Dhananjai Mohan-chaired committee for 2 years under the Biological Diversity Act to manage Invasive Alien Species.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2243236
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Modified Credit Guarantee Scheme Expands Support for MSMEs
The **Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME)** launched in January 2025 has been modified to expand coverage and ease compliance.
- MCGS-MSME now includes Service Sector MSMEs and covers loans up to ₹100 crore.
- Upfront contribution is 5% and becomes refundable from the 4th year.
- Special provisions for exporters include 75% guarantee coverage on loans up to ₹20 crore.
- Exporter guarantee fee is Nil for the first year, then 0.50% annually.
💡 The MCGS-MSME modifications from March 2026 extend guarantees to Service MSMEs and offer enhanced benefits for exporters.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2243388
💳 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
New Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions
The government launched **CGSMFI-2.0** to provide credit guarantee support, strengthening lending to Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).
- The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0) was introduced on 21 MAR 2026.
- It provides guarantee cover to Banks/FIs through NCGTC for loans to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs.
- The scheme aims to facilitate credit flow of up to ₹20,000 crore to the NBFC-MFIs.
- It is estimated to benefit approximately 36 lakh MFI borrowers.
- Guarantee coverage is 80% for small, 75% for medium, and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/MFIs.
💡 CGSMFI-2.0 provides NCGTC guarantee for ₹20,000 crore to NBFC-MFIs/MFIs benefiting 36 lakh small borrowers.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2243314
🌱 Economy · UPSC track
Prakriti 2026 conference discusses Indian Carbon Market Portal launch
The **International Conference on Carbon Markets-Prakriti 2026** in New Delhi launched the **Indian Carbon Market Portal**.
- Prakriti 2026 is the flagship event organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
- The Indian Carbon Market Portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in) was launched on 21 MAR 2026.
- India has established a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) with nine methodologies.
- Nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors have GEI targets notified.
💡 Remember Prakriti 2026 and the Indian Carbon Market Portal for India's CCTS and climate commitments.
Source: Ministry of Power · PIB PRID 2243377