Daily filter — 23 March 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
📈 Economy · UPSC track
CPI Base Year Revised to 2024 by MoSPI
The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has updated the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measurement framework.
- The CPI base year is revised from 2012=100 to 2024=100.
- The revision uses the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24.
- Sample markets increased from 2295 to 2860 in the CPI 2024 series.
- Price trends from 12 online markets are now included.
💡 The new CPI base year is 2024, updated using HCES 2023-24, and includes online market data.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2243779
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Understanding Article 244 and Fifth Schedule States Governance
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs clarified the governance framework for **Scheduled Areas** in **Fifth Schedule** states.
- Scheduled Areas are governed by Article 244 read with the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Governors of Fifth Schedule States exercise powers under paragraph 5, including making regulations for peace and good governance.
- Tribes Advisory Councils (TACs) are constituted under paragraph 4 to advise on tribal welfare and advancement.
- State Governments determine the composition and functioning of TACs and maintain related records.
- The Government of India encourages states to strengthen institutional mechanisms for Scheduled Tribes' welfare.
💡 Remember: Article 244 + Fifth Schedule = Governor's powers + TACs for Scheduled Areas governance.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2243839
🌳 Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Forest Rights Act Claims: Status and Implementation Challenges
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provided an update on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in Lok Sabha.
- From 01.03.2021 to 01.03.2026, 11,35,699 claims were filed nationally under FRA.
- During this period, 5,36,401 claims were recognized and 5,88,355 claims were pending.
- As of 28.02.2026, 54,00,519 total claims were filed, with 25,38,320 (47.00%) approved.
- MoTA has not conducted independent field verification of FRA implementation.
- States/UT Administrations are primarily responsible for FRA implementation.
💡 Remember: FRA implementation is State/UT responsibility, with MoTA overseeing and encouraging timely claim processing.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2243829
🌳 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Addressing Forest Rights Act Claim Rejections and Awareness Efforts
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs detailed reasons for FRA claim rejections and outlined efforts to improve implementation and awareness.
- Common reasons for FRA claim rejections include claims on non-forest land or lack of evidence.
- MoTA requested State Governments and UT Administrations to assist claimants with government documents.
- MoTA approved 17 FRA cells at state, 324 at district, and 90 at sub-divisional levels.
- A special Gram Sabha drive was held from November 15, 2024, to November 26, 2024.
- Andhra Pradesh conducted awareness campaigns from September 2025 to February 2026.
💡 Remember: FRA claim rejections are due to various reasons, MoTA aids states with FRA cells and awareness drives like the 2024 Gram Sabha.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2243825
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
UPSC to Release Provisional Answer Keys and Moderation Details
UPSC will implement new transparency measures for its examinations, including provisional answer key release and moderation details, following a Supreme Court judgment.
- UPSC will release Provisional Answer Keys on its website after preliminary exams.
- This applies to all structured examinations from the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026.
- UPSC applies inter-subject moderation for optional subjects to ensure fairness.
- Marks of Preliminary Examination will be released only after the final result.
- Candidates can challenge factual errors via the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep).
- Representations on provisional answer keys will be accepted via QPRep from 2026.
💡 Remember: Provisional keys and moderation details from 2026, marks after final results, and QPRep for challenges.
Source: UPSC · PIB PRID 2243889
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
RTI Act: Appeals, Complaints, and Decreasing Rejection Rate
The **RTI Act** allows for appeals against **PIO** decisions and complaints to **CIC/SIC** for incomplete information.
- Appeals against PIO decisions go to the First Appellate Authority, then Central Information Commission (CIC).
- Complaints for incomplete/misleading information can be made directly to CIC or SIC.
- RTI rejection rate for Central Government Public Authorities decreased to 3.26% in 2024-25.
- The rejection rate was 7.21% in the year 2013-14.
- The CIC monitors third-party transparency audits of Public Authorities' disclosures.
💡 Remember: RTI appeals flow from PIO to First Appellate to CIC; complaints go directly to CIC/SIC; and rejection rates have fallen from 7.21% to 3.26%.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2243888
📊 Reports & Indices · UPSC track
India's SDG-NIF Progress Report 2025 Released
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the annual SDG-NIF Progress Report 2025, detailing India's advancement on Sustainable Development Goals.
- The SDG-NIF Progress Report, 2025 was released on 29.06.2025 with 284 national indicators.
- Poverty declined from 24.85 percent (2015–16) to 14.96 percent (2019–21) under Goal 1.
- Social protection coverage expanded from 22.0 percent (2016) to 64.3 percent (2025).
- Female-to-male Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 0.43 (2020–21) to 0.54 (2023–24).
- Exclusive Women Self-Help Groups in Bank-linked SHGs rose to 97.04 percent (2023–24).
💡 Remember key numbers: 284 indicators, poverty decline to 14.96%, social protection at 64.3%, female LFPR up to 0.54.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2243780
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes Progress
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provided an update on the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes scheme in Lok Sabha.
- The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes had an initial corpus of Rs.50.00 crore.
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs released Rs.20.00 crore for the fund.
- A total of 38 applications were received under the scheme since its inception.
- Rs.3.42 crore has been sanctioned, with Rs.1.51 crore disbursed till date.
- One beneficiary, Hemal Food Product Pvt. Ltd. in Chhattisgarh, received Rs.3.42 crore.
💡 Remember: Rs.50 crore corpus, Rs.20 crore released, Rs.3.42 crore sanctioned for ST entrepreneurs.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2243840
🌳 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
New FRA Cells to Monitor Tribal Development Scheme
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is expanding Forest Rights Act (FRA) cells to monitor the **Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan**.
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) launched on 2nd October, 2024.
- DA-JGUA covers 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs.
- 20 State-level and 443 District-level FRA Cells are provisioned under DA-JGUA.
- Integrated Project Monitoring Units (PMUs) will monitor FRA activities in DA-JGUA areas.
- PMUs will include FRA Experts at both State and District levels.
💡 Remember DA-JGUA uses FRA Cells and PMUs with FRA Experts across 30 States/UTs.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2243830
👶 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0: Improving Child Nutrition
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 focuses on enhancing early childhood care, education, and nutrition across India.
- 14.03 lakh Anganwadi Centres are operational under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
- Poshan Tracker digital application monitors AWC activities and 8.98 crore beneficiaries.
- Curriculum frameworks “Navchetana” and “Aadharshila” were developed in 2024 for children.
- Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi initiative trained 41,645 SLMTs and 10,35,949 AWWs by March 16, 2026.
- Over 150 crore Jan Andolan activities conducted since 2018 to promote good nutrition habits.
💡 For the exam: Remember the Anganwadi Centre numbers, Poshan Tracker, and curriculum names (Navchetana, Aadharshila) for Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development · PIB PRID 2243842
👩👧👦 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Three Centrally Sponsored Schemes for Women and Child Welfare
The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements three key centrally sponsored schemes for women's and children's welfare.
- Mission Shakti focuses on women’s safety, security, and empowerment, with sub-schemes 'Sambal' and 'Samarthya'.
- Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 improves nutrition and health for children (0-6 years), pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
- Mission Vatsalya provides protection and welfare for Children in Need of Care and Protection and Children in Conflict with Law.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 'three pillars' of MWCD's schemes: Shakti (Women), Poshan (Nutrition), and Vatsalya (Children).
Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development · PIB PRID 2243843
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
ECI reviews West Bengal poll preparedness; ensures violence-free elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) held an online review and training session for officials in West Bengal regarding upcoming general elections.
- ECI reviewed DEOs, SPs, and CPs of West Bengal on March 23, 2026.
- CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar stressed violence-free, intimidation-free elections.
- Training covered law & order, EVM management, vulnerability mapping, and MCC.
- ECI will train Returning Officers (ROs) on March 25, 2026.
💡 For the exam: Remember the ECI's focus on violence-free elections in West Bengal, training DEOs, SPs, CPs, and ROs on March 23 and 25, 2026.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2244209