Daily filter — 24 March 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Criminal Laws: Citizen-Centric Reforms for Faster Justice
New criminal laws, effective March 24, 2026, introduce key reforms for a more accessible and efficient justice system.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 are new laws.
- Victims can now report incidents by electronic communication or Zero FIR at any police station.
- Forensic experts must visit crime scenes for offences punishable by 7 years or more.
- Medical reports for rape victims must be sent within 7 days to the investigating officer.
- Key stages like preliminary enquiry have a 14-day timeline; judgment within 45 days.
- Courts can grant a maximum of two adjournments to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Community service is introduced for minor offences, expanding summary trials.
- Offences against women/children have precedence in Chapter-V of BNS.
- Gang rape on a woman below 18 years is punishable with life imprisonment or death.
- Statement of rape victims must be recorded through audio-video means by police.
💡 Remember: The three new 'Bharatiya' criminal laws focus on victim-centricity, technology, and strict timelines for faster resolution.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2244502
🌐 Defence & Security · LAW track
India's Cybercrime Crackdown: ED, I4C Lead Fight Against Digital Fraud
The **Ministry of Home Affairs** and **Directorate of Enforcement** are bolstering efforts against cybercrime and associated money laundering, utilizing various platforms.
- ED investigated 257 cybercrime cases under PMLA, 2002 identifying ₹35,925.58 crore in proceeds by 28.02.2026.
- I4C launched CFCFRMS in 2021, saving over ₹8,690 Crore from frauds by 31.01.2026.
- I4C initiated a Suspect Registry on 10.09.2024, declining ₹9518.91 crores in transactions.
- Samanvaya platform facilitated 21,857 arrests and 1,49,636 cyber investigation requests.
- A comprehensive SOP was issued on 2nd January 2026 for NCRP-CFCFRMS.
💡 Remember ED, I4C, PMLA, CFCFRMS, Suspect Registry, Samanvaya, SOP as key terms for India's cybercrime strategy.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2244499
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes cognizance of sanitation worker deaths in Chhattisgarh
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of three sanitation worker deaths in a septic tank in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- NHRC, India took suo motu cognizance of a media report.
- Three sanitation workers died cleaning a septic tank in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh.
- The incident occurred on 17th March 2026 at a private hospital.
- Notices issued to District Magistrate and Raipur SSP for a detailed report.
- Report expected within two weeks, including investigation status.
💡 NHRC acts suo motu on Raipur septic tank deaths, demands two-week report from DM and SSP.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2244405
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of Delhi fire deaths
The **NHRC** has issued notices following a tragic fire in Delhi's **Palam** area on **March 18, 2026**.
- NHRC took suo motu cognizance of nine deaths, three injuries in a fire.
- Fire started at 6:15 a.m. in a four-story building in Palam.
- Fire Brigade's hydraulic crane reportedly had a technical snag, delaying rescue.
- Notices sent to Delhi Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner for a report.
- Report expected within two weeks, including compensation status.
💡 The NHRC acts suo motu on the Palam fire, seeking reports on delays and compensation.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2244407
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
ECI reviews poll readiness for General Elections 2026
The Election Commission of India (ECI) held meetings to review poll preparedness and enhance coordination for upcoming General Elections and bye-elections.
- ECI reviewed readiness with 5 poll-going states/UTs and their 12 bordering states/UTs.
- Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi reviewed preparedness.
- General Elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
- Bye-elections will be held in 6 states.
- Agencies like NCB, CBDT, CBIC, ED, DRI were instructed for heightened vigilance and seizures.
💡 Remember: ECI's Gyanesh Kumar, Sandhu, Joshi reviewed poll prep for 5 states/UTs and bye-elections in 6 states, directing agencies for vigilance.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2244404
👨🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-KISAN Scheme: Financial Support for Land-Holding Farmers
The **PM-KISAN** scheme, launched in February 2019, provides financial assistance to cultivable land-holding farmers via **DBT**.
- The scheme transfers ₹6,000/year in three equal instalments into Aadhaar seeded bank accounts.
- Over ₹4.27 lakh Cr. has been disbursed in 22 installments since inception.
- An AI Chatbot (Kisan e-Mitra) operates in 11 languages to address queries.
- Studies by IFPRI, NITI Aayog DMEO show positive impact on farmers' income and investments.
💡 For the exam: Remember PM-KISAN launched in 2019 provides ₹6,000/year via Aadhaar DBT for agricultural support.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2244630
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NICRA Maps Climate Risk, Scales Resilient Farming Across India
The **NICRA** project assesses climate change impact on agriculture and promotes resilient farming technologies nationwide.
- NICRA mapped climate risk in 651 districts, identifying 310 as vulnerable.
- 109 districts were 'very high' and 201 'highly' vulnerable.
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) demonstrated technologies in 448 villages.
- ICAR released 2900 varieties (2014-2024), 2661 stress-tolerant.
💡 For the exam: NICRA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) maps agricultural climate risk (310 vulnerable districts) and promotes resilient farming via KVKs.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2244628
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
National Mission on Natural Farming: Boosting Sustainable Agriculture
The **NMNF**, a centrally sponsored scheme, aims to strengthen agriculture practices for sustainability and farmer welfare.
- The Union Cabinet approved NMNF on 25th November 2024 with an outlay of ₹2481 crore.
- It offers ₹4000 per acre per year per farmer for 2 years (up to 1 acre).
- As of 05.03.2026, 18,786 clusters cover 8.80 lakh hectares and 18.19 lakh farmers.
- Research by ICAR across 16 States shows 5% yield gain over organic farming.
- NITI Aayog reported 91.2% farmers increased productivity and 90.1% reduced input costs.
💡 For the exam: Remember NMNF's approval date (25th Nov 2024), outlay (₹2481 crore), and its output-based incentive of ₹4000 for 2 years.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2244625
🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana** boosts agricultural productivity in 100 districts
The **DDKY** scheme, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, targets 100 districts for agricultural development.
- DDKY identifies 100 districts based on low crop productivity and credit disbursement.
- It promotes crop diversification, sustainable practices, and improved irrigation.
- Plans are implemented by District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti.
- DAPs converge 36 Central Schemes from 11 Departments.
💡 DDKY is a Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare scheme for 100 districts, integrating 36 Central Schemes.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2244624
📱 Economy · LAW track
TRAI Amends Tariff Order, Accounting Separation Regulations
TRAI released new amendments to two key telecommunication regulations to revise financial disincentive provisions for compliance.
- TRAI issued the Telecommunication Tariff (Seventy Second Amendment) Order, 2026.
- TRAI also released the Reporting System on Accounting Separation (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
- Amendments revise financial disincentives under the Telecommunication Tariff Order, 1999.
- Changes also affect the Reporting System on Accounting Separation Regulations, 2016.
- Provisions include graded disincentives, a ceiling, and interest on delayed payments.
💡 Remember: TRAI's 2026 amendments revise financial disincentives in the 1999 Tariff Order and 2016 Accounting Separation Regulations.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2244534
💳 Economy · LAW track
RBI Strengthens Framework for Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions
RBI has revised instructions and introduced new initiatives to combat digital payment fraud and protect customers in the rapidly evolving banking sector.
- RBI issued revised instructions on March 06, 2026, for consultation.
- These include a compensation mechanism for small value fraudulent transactions.
- Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation (IDPIC) was incorporated on 16/10/2025.
- IDPIC uses AI, ML, and Big Data Analytics for real-time fraud detection.
- RBI launched “MuleHunter.AI” for mule account detection, live in 26 banks.
- RBI’s CFL project has 2,421 centers as of March 31, 2025.
- Financial Literacy Week has been conducted annually since 2016.
💡 For the exam: Remember RBI (revised instructions, MuleHunter.AI, FLW), IDPIC (AI fraud detection), and CFLs (2,421 by March 2025) are key to combating digital fraud.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2244478
💰 Economy · LAW track
Regulators Intensify Efforts to Return Unclaimed Deposits, Assets
RBI, IRDAI, and SEBI are enhancing measures to simplify claiming processes and return unclaimed financial assets to rightful owners.
- As of 28.02.2026, PSBs transferred ₹60,518 crore to RBI's DEA Fund.
- Unclaimed insurance amounts with insurers totaled ₹8,973.89 crore as of 28.2.2026.
- Mutual funds under SEBI had ₹3,749.34 crore unclaimed as of 28.2.2026.
- The nationwide campaign “आपकी पँजूी, आपका अधिकार” returned ₹5,777 crore by 28.2.2026.
- The RBI developed UDGAM Portal for searching unclaimed deposits across banks.
- New Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 allows up to four nominations.
- An Inter-Regulatory Working Group is developing a single integrated web portal.
💡 For the exam: Remember the key regulators (RBI, IRDAI, SEBI), the UDGAM portal, and the “आपका अधिकार” campaign related to unclaimed funds.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2244475