Daily filter — 31 March 2026
8 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CBDT Achieves Record 219 APAs in FY 2025-26, Crosses 1000 Mark
The **CBDT** signed a record number of Advance Pricing Agreements in FY 2025-26, surpassing 1000 total APAs.
- CBDT signed a record 219 Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) in FY 2025-26.
- Total APAs since inception reached 1034, exceeding the 1000 mark.
- 84 Bilateral APAs (BAPAs) were signed, highest ever in a single year.
- First-ever BAPAs were signed with France, Ireland, Indonesia, and Sweden.
- The Finance Act 2026 enhanced Safe Harbour Rules, increasing the threshold to ₹2,000 crore.
- Safe Harbour Rules for IT services were consolidated with a uniform 15.5% margin.
💡 Remember: CBDT reached 1034 total APAs, signed record 219 in FY 2025-26 including 84 BAPAs, and Finance Act 2026 updated Safe Harbour Rules.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2247399
📦 Economy · LAW track
New reforms boost e-commerce exports, simplify courier trade
CBIC has operationalised comprehensive reforms from April 1, 2026, enhancing ease of doing business for e-commerce exports and courier trade.
- The ₹10 lakh value cap on courier export consignments has been removed.
- A Return to Origin (RTO) mechanism is introduced for unclaimed imports after 15 days.
- Simplified procedures, including a risk-based approach, for re-importing returned or rejected goods.
- Reforms aim to reduce logistics inefficiencies, dwell time, and transaction costs.
💡 For the exam: Remember CBIC removed the ₹10 lakh cap and added RTO for courier exports from April 1, 2026, boosting ease of business.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2247313
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
EVM-VVPAT Second Randomisation Completed for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry
The **ECI** completed the second randomisation of **EVM-VVPATs** for upcoming legislative assembly elections and bye-elections.
- General Elections for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal were announced on March 15, 2026.
- EVMs undergo a 2-stage randomisation process via EVM Management System (EMS).
- The second randomisation was done for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and bye-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura.
- Around 8.85 lakh EVM units were allocated during the first randomisation process.
- Polling for these states is scheduled for April 9, 2026.
💡 EVM randomisation ensures fair allocation from district to polling station, a 2-stage process overseen by ECI.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2247369
🌿 Environment · UPSC track
India Leads Global Compliance in Nagoya Protocol Certificates
India has become the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol.
- India issued 3,561 IRCCs, over 56 per cent of the global total of 6,311.
- Only 34 of 142 countries on the ABS Clearing-House have issued IRCCs.
- This reflects implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- IRCCs ensure Prior Informed Consent and Mutually Agreed Terms.
💡 For the exam: India's 56% share in Nagoya Protocol IRCCs demonstrates effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2247141
🏡 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMAY-G: Advancing Rural Housing for All by 2029
The **Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)** aims to provide permanent houses to rural families, with a target of 4.95 crore houses by 2029.
- PMAY-G has been implemented since 1st April 2016.
- As of 26 March 2026, 2.99 crore houses have been completed under PMAY-G Phase I & II.
- A cumulative total of ₹4,03,886.12 crore has been transferred to beneficiaries.
- The scheme utilizes AI-driven monitoring tools like geo-tagging and Aadhaar face authentication.
- PMAY-G converges with schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin and Jal Jeevan Mission.
💡 Remember PMAY-G for its 2029 target of ~5 crore rural homes, direct financial transfers, and tech-driven monitoring.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2247176
🌍 International Relations · UPSC track
WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference Concludes in Cameroon
The 14th Ministerial Conference of the **WTO (MC-14)** concluded in **Yaounde, Cameroon** on **March 30, 2026**.
- India highlighted risks of Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFD).
- No consensus was reached on the customs duty moratorium on electronic transmissions.
- India advocated for a permanent solution on PSH, SSM, and Cotton in agriculture negotiations.
- India supported extending the TRIPS moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints.
💡 For the exam: MC-14 in Cameroon saw India's stance on IFD, e-commerce moratorium, agriculture (PSH, SSM, Cotton), and TRIPS NVSC.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2247341
⛰️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
MoD contracts BEL for Mountain Radars for IAF
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract to boost indigenous air defence capabilities for the Indian Air Force.
- MoD signed a capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
- Procurement is for two Mountain Radars and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force.
- Contract value is around Rs 1,950 crore.
- Radars are indigenously designed by DRDO's Electronics & Radar Development Establishment.
- The contract was signed on March 31, 2026.
💡 Remember MoD and BEL for Mountain Radars at ₹1,950 crore for IAF.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2247262
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot and Mascot “Dishika” Unveiled
**Nyaya Setu**, a voice-first, multilingual AI legal assistant, and its mascot **Dishika** were launched at the **DISHA** programme on March 31, 2026.
- Nyaya Setu helps citizens understand legal processes, rights, and next steps.
- It uses BHASHINI ASR, multilingual NLP, and conversational AI systems.
- Built by the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), it's a turnkey AI implementation.
- Mascot Dishika acts as a friendly digital interface for legal queries.
- BHASHINI’s Shrutlekh system provided real-time translation during the event.
💡 Remember: Nyaya Setu is an AI chatbot and Dishika its mascot, both from BHASHINI for legal assistance.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2247310