Daily filter — 27 March 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Cinematograph Act, 2023 Strengthens Anti-Piracy Laws and Penalties
The **Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023** bolsters anti-piracy efforts with new provisions and stricter penalties.
- Section 6AA and 6AB of the Act prohibit unauthorized recording and transmission of films.
- Punishment for contravention is 3 months minimum imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 3 lakh.
- Penalties can extend to 3 years imprisonment and a fine up to 5% of gross production cost.
- Section 7(1B)(ii) enables government notification of intermediaries hosting pirated content.
- As of 11.03.2026, 3,142 Telegram Channels and 800 websites were blocked.
- The IT Rules 2021 mandate intermediaries to promptly remove pirated content.
💡 Remember Cinematograph 2023 = tough anti-piracy law, 3 lakh minimum fine, 3 years max jail, and blocking of channels/websites.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2246198
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 Introduced to Decriminalise Provisions
The **Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026** was introduced to promote **Ease of Doing Business** and **Ease of Living**.
- The Bill proposes amending 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts.
- It seeks to decriminalise 717 provisions and amend 67 provisions.
- The Bill replaces imprisonment with monetary penalties or warnings.
- It also provides for Adjudicating Officers and Appellate Authorities.
💡 For the exam: Remember the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 aims to decriminalise 717 provisions in 79 Central Acts for 'ease' initiatives.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2246226
📺 Polity & Governance · LAW track
New TV Rating Policy 2026 Boosts Transparency, Accuracy
The **Ministry of Information & Broadcasting** released a new policy to enhance transparency and credibility in television audience measurement.
- Net worth for TV rating agencies reduced from Rs. 20 Crore to Rs. 5 Crore.
- Agencies must scale to 80,000 metered homes within 18 months, reaching 1,20,000.
- Landing Page viewership is excluded from measurement but allowed for marketing.
- Mandates a dual-audit system and compliance with DPDP Act, 2023.
💡 For the exam: Remember TV Rating Policy 2026 aims for transparency (DPDP, audit, disclosure), accuracy (larger sample, tech-neutral), and reduced entry barriers (lower net worth, but *excludes landing page*).
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2246225
📺 Polity & Governance · LAW track
New OTT Accessibility Guidelines Issued for Specially-abled Viewers
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released guidelines to ensure audio-visual content on OTT platforms is accessible.
- Guidelines for Accessibility of Content issued on 06.02.2026 by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Mandates one accessibility feature for hearing-impaired (e.g., Closed Captioning).
- Mandates one accessibility feature for visually impaired (e.g., Audio Descriptors).
💡 Remember: Feb 6, 2026 I&B Ministry OTT guidelines mandate one feature each for hearing and visually impaired viewers.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2246020
♀️ Schemes & Welfare · LAW track
Mission Shakti: Integrated Support for Women Safety & Empowerment
The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements 'Mission Shakti' to provide comprehensive safety, security, and empowerment interventions for women across India.
- Mission Shakti has two verticals: 'Sambal' for safety and security, and 'Samarthya' for women's empowerment.
- Under 'Sambal', One Stop Centres (OSCs) and Women Helpline (181) offer integrated support to women affected by violence.
- 'Samarthya' includes Shakti Sadan, an Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Home for women in distress.
- The Mission Shakti Dashboard and mobile app, launched on 22.01.2025, enhance accessibility to services and information.
💡 Mission Shakti: Sambal (OSCs, 181 Helpline) for safety, Samarthya (Shakti Sadan) for empowerment; track via Dashboard.
Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development · PIB PRID 2245906
⛽ Economy · UPSC track
PM Reviews Economic Preparedness Amidst West Asia Crisis
The PM chaired a meeting with CMs and LGs to review India's preparedness for the West Asia situation's economic impact.
- PM Modi stressed maintaining economic stability, energy security, and safeguarding citizen interests.
- States were urged to ensure smooth supply chains and curb hoarding and profiteering.
- An Inter-Ministerial Group has been operational since 3 March, daily reviewing the situation.
- CMs welcomed decisions to reduce excise duty on fuel and increase commercial LPG allocation to 70% from 50%.
- PM called for advance planning in agriculture, monitoring fertiliser storage and distribution.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 'Team India' approach, focus on economic stability (energy, supply chains, agriculture), and specific measures like excise duty cuts and increased LPG allocation.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2246326
🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**PM-AASHA** components for farmer income protection
**PM-AASHA** protects farmers by ensuring remunerative prices through various schemes when market prices fall below **MSP**.
- Price Support Scheme (PSS) procures pulses, oilseeds, and copra at MSP.
- Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS) pays direct difference between MSP and market price for oilseeds.
- Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) covers perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities not under MSP.
- From 2025-26, farmer biometrics are mandatory for PSS procurement.
- Loans under AIF up to ₹2 crore get 3% annual interest subvention.
💡 PM-AASHA = PSS (procurement), PDPS (direct payment), MIS (perishables); AIF for infra, e-NAM for markets.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2246181
🛡️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
DAC clears Rs 2.38 lakh crore defence acquisition proposals
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore to augment defence capabilities for various forces.
- The DAC met on March 27, 2026, chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.
- Proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore were granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN).
- Indian Army acquisitions include Air Defence Tracked System and Dhanush Gun System.
- Indian Air Force acquisitions include Medium Transport Aircraft and S-400 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System.
- Indian Coast Guard will procure Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles.
- Total AoN for 55 proposals this fiscal year amounts to Rs 6.73 lakh crore.
💡 Remember: DAC's AoN for Rs 2.38 lakh crore on March 27, 2026, boosted Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard capabilities.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2246125
🔋 Economy · UPSC track
ACC Battery PLI Scheme: 40 GWh Awarded, 1 GWh Installed
The **PLI scheme** for **Advanced Chemistry Cell** (ACC) battery storage aims to boost domestic manufacturing.
- The PLI ACC Scheme was approved in May 2021 with a ₹18,100 crore outlay.
- It targets 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity.
- Out of this, 40 GWh has been awarded to four beneficiary firms.
- Only 1 GWh of capacity has been installed by Ola Cell Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to date.
- The scheme aims to reduce India's dependence on imported ACCs.
💡 Remember: PLI ACC scheme aims for 50 GWh capacity by 2021 approval, but only 1 GWh is installed.
Source: Ministry of Heavy Industries · PIB PRID 2246037
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Meghalaya 12th State to Sign Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 MoU
Meghalaya has become the twelfth state to sign a Reform-Linked MoU under the **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0**.
- The JJM 2.0 reform framework was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 10, 2026.
- The JJM deadline has been extended to December 2028 for 100% tap water coverage.
- An additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore has been approved for the Mission.
- Meghalaya has achieved 83.59% rural tap water coverage under JJM.
💡 Remember: Meghalaya is the 12th state for JJM 2.0 MoU, mission extended to Dec 2028.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2246015
📰 Polity & Governance · LAW track
Press Council of India: Composition, Powers, and Pending Cases
The Press Council of India (PCI) has acted on 48 cases in the last five years, with 1077 complaints pending as of January 2026.
- The PCI consists of a Chairperson and 28 members.
- 14 members for the 15th Press Council were notified on 19.12.2024 and 02.12.2025.
- The quorum for PCI meetings is 11 members.
- 48 instances of censure or admonishment occurred from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- As of January 2026, 1077 complaints were pending with the PCI.
💡 The PCI has a 28-member council, needs 11 for quorum, and has acted on 48 cases in five years.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2246083
💰 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Goa, Maharashtra receive ₹592 Cr. XV FC grants for PRIs
The Union Government released significant XV Finance Commission grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions in Goa and Maharashtra for FY 2025–26 and 2024–25.
- The Union Government sanctioned XV FC Untied Grants for FY 2025–26.
- Maharashtra received ₹79.82 crores (FY 2024–25, 1st instalment) and ₹221.82 crores (FY 2024–25, 2nd instalment).
- Maharashtra also received ₹159.32 crores (FY 2023–24, 1st instalment) and ₹118.69 crores (FY 2023–24, 2nd instalment) as tied grants.
- Goa received ₹12.40 crores as the 1st instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25.
- Untied Grants are for 29 subjects of the Eleventh Schedule, excluding salaries.
- Tied Grants are for sanitation and drinking water services.
💡 XV FC grants to Goa and Maharashtra address local needs, with untied grants for general development and tied grants for water/sanitation.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2246002