Daily filter — 1 April 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Income-tax Act, 2025 Replaces Six-Decade-Old Law
A new **Income-tax Act, 2025** came into force on **April 1, 2026**, replacing the **Income-tax Act, 1961**.
- The Income-tax Act, 2025 came into force on 1st April, 2026.
- It replaces the six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961.
- Parliament passed the Bill on 12th August, 2025.
- The President assented to the Bill on 21st August, 2025.
- The Income-tax Rules, 2026 were notified on 20th March, 2026.
💡 The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act, becoming effective April 1, 2026, after August 2025 assent.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2248005
💰 Economy · UPSC track
CCS reviews West Asia conflict's economic impact on India
A Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting reviewed measures to mitigate economic challenges arising from the West Asia conflict.
- PM Modi chaired the second special CCS meeting on April 1, 2026.
- Discussions covered interventions in agriculture, fertilizers, shipping, and MSMEs.
- Measures included diversifying LPG and LNG sources from different countries.
- Control Rooms were set up to monitor prices and enforce the Essential Commodities Act.
- Efforts are being made to ensure fertilizer supply for Kharif and Rabi seasons.
💡 Remember: The CCS meeting focused on mitigating the West Asia conflict's impact on India's economy through supply diversification, price control, and essential commodity availability.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2248071
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
ECI Briefs Central Observers for Assembly Elections 2026
The ECI held a review meeting for Central Observers to ensure fair and free elections in **Assam**, **Kerala**, and **Puducherry**.
- 282 Central Observers were deployed for Assembly Elections on April 9, 2026.
- Elections are scheduled in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.
- Observers must ensure MCC enforcement and timely voter turnout data feeding.
- Observers were directed to ensure assured minimum facilities at polling stations.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 282 Central Observers for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry Assembly elections in 2026.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2247752
🏭 Economy · UPSC track
SEZ to DTA Sales: Conditional Concessional Customs Duty Notified
Government introduces conditional customs duty concessions for goods manufactured in SEZs and sold to the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
- Approximately 1,200 SEZ manufacturing units are expected to benefit.
- Concessions apply up to 30% of the highest annual Free on Board export value.
- A minimum 20% value addition within the SEZ is required for eligibility.
- The measure is effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
- Sectors like agriculture, gems and jewellery, and petroleum are excluded.
💡 Remember: 30% export value limit, 20% value addition, and specific exclusion sectors for SEZ DTA concessions.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2247993
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Amaravati Declared Sole Capital via Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
The **Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026** passed in Lok Sabha, designating **Amaravati** as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.
- The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed in Lok Sabha.
- It confers legal sanctity on Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.
- Over 29,000 farmers voluntarily entrusted more than 34,000 acres of land.
- 91 major infrastructure projects worth over ₹56,000 crore are underway.
- The movement by farmers and women endured over 1,600 days.
💡 The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 designates Amaravati as sole capital of AP, involving 29,000 farmers and ₹56,000 crore projects.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2247683
🌿 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Biological Diversity Act boosts IPR filings, compliance
The **Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023** has significantly increased IPR applications linked to India's biological resources.
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) recorded a surge in IPR filings.
- The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 led to this increase.
- Applicants must obtain a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from NBA before seeking IPR.
- In April 2024–March 2025, NBA issued 792 CoRs.
- In April 2025–March 2026, NBA issued 885 CoRs for IPR applications.
💡 The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 mandated NBA CoRs for IPR, increasing filings from 792 to 885 in a year.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2247439
💰 Economy · LAW track
SEZ Units Granted Concessional Customs Duty for DTA Sales
A one-time relief allows eligible Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units to sell goods in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty.
- Relief is effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
- Units must have commenced production by March 31, 2025, for eligibility.
- Goods sold must have undergone a minimum 20% value addition.
- DTA sales are capped at 30% of peak export performance.
- Concessional rates vary, e.g., 10% becomes 9%, 20% becomes 12.5%.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 2026-27 relief for SEZ to DTA sales, requiring 20% value addition, capped at 30% of exports, for units operational by March 31, 2025.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2247628
📊 Polity & Governance · UPSC track
Census 2027: Digital Data Capture and Self-Enumeration Begins
India's first-ever digital **Census 2027** commenced Phase I with Houselisting and Housing Census, featuring a new self-enumeration facility.
- The Census 2027 began on April 1, 2026, with Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO).
- It is India's first ever digital data capture with a Self-Enumeration facility.
- President Smt. Droupadi Murmu was the first to complete self-enumeration.
- Self-Enumeration started in 8 States/UTs, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- About 55,000 households availed self-enumeration on the first day.
- The data collected is strictly confidential under the Census Act, 1948.
💡 Remember Census 2027 is India's first digital and self-enumeration census, starting April 1, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2248021
💰 Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Centre Disburses ₹1,536 Crore XV-FC Grants to 8 States
The Union Government released XV-FC grants totaling over ₹1,536 crores to 8 states for rural local governance in FY 2025-26.
- Total of ₹1,536.14 crores disbursed as Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants.
- Grants released for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in 8 states.
- States include Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand.
- Grants comprise both Tied and Untied components.
- Untied grants are for location-specific needs under the Eleventh Schedule.
- Tied grants are for basic services like sanitation and drinking water supply.
💡 Remember: XV-FC grants (₹1536.14 cr) bolster PRI services (sanitation/water, local needs) across 8 states.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2247772
📊 Reports & Indices · UPSC track
MoSPI Enhances Data Dissemination for Social, Environmental Indicators
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has strengthened its mechanisms for public access and monitoring of key statistical data.
- MoSPI developed the India SDG Dashboard with United Nations Resident Coordinator Office.
- The Dashboard is a centralized platform for monitoring SDG indicators.
- MoSPI publications are available on its website, www.mospi.gov.in.
- The e-Sankhyiki portal offers time-series data on macroeconomic indicators.
- An Advance Release Calendar (ARC) ensures timely data dissemination.
💡 Remember MoSPI's SDG Dashboard (with UNRCO), e-Sankhyiki portal, and ARC for data accessibility.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2247698
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Juvenile Justice Act 2015: Key Provisions and Implementation
The **Juvenile Justice Act, 2015** is crucial legislation for child protection, with states and UTs responsible for its implementation.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry.
- Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) make decisions for children in need.
- CWCs also monitor Child Care Institutions (CCIs).
- District Magistrates are nodal authorities for child protection.
- States/UTs can cancel CCI registration under Section 41.
- Section 54 mandates Inspection Committees to visit facilities.
- Mission Vatsalya strengthens implementation through monitoring.
💡 Remember JJ Act 2015 empowers CWCs, DMs, and allows CCI registration cancellation, all monitored under Mission Vatsalya.
Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development · PIB PRID 2247568
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
SHe-Box Portal Enhances PoSH Act Implementation, SC Directs Surveys
The **SHe-Box Portal** by **MWCD** streamlines the **PoSH Act, 2013**, implementation, with the Supreme Court directing surveys for **Internal Committees**.
- The SHe-Box Portal was launched on August 29, 2024, by MWCD.
- Over 161,000 workplaces are onboarded as on March 27, 2026.
- Supreme Court orders dated December 3, 2024, August 12, 2025, and January 6, 2026, mandated surveys for ICs.
- The portal offers multilingual support in 23 languages.
- It is integrated with the Mission Shakti mobile application.
💡 Remember SHe-Box (MWCD) for PoSH Act, launched 2024, with SC surveys for ICs directed in 2024-2026.
Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development · PIB PRID 2247562