Daily filter — 6 April 2026
11 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⛏️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Rules Allow Adding Area, Minerals to Mining Leases
The Ministry of Mines notified amendments to existing rules to allow for inclusion of contiguous areas and associated minerals in mining leases.
- The Minerals Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 were notified on March 30, 2026.
- These follow the MMDR Amendment Act, 2025 effective from September 1, 2025.
- Mining Lease (ML) contiguous area addition capped at 10%; Composite Licence (CL) at 30%.
- State Governments must permit inclusion of other minerals within 30 days of application.
- No additional payment for critical, strategic, or deep-seated minerals listed in Seventh Schedule.
- Future MLs for minor minerals (other than sand) require G3 level exploration.
💡 The 2026 Minerals Concession Rules allow expanding mining lease areas (10% for ML, 30% for CL) and adding associated minerals without extra cost for critical ones.
Source: Ministry of Mines · PIB PRID 2249459
⚛️ Science & Tech · UPSC track
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attains criticality
India's indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) has achieved criticality, marking progress in the nuclear program.
- The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attained criticality.
- This reactor advances the second stage of India's nuclear programme.
- It can generate more fuel than it consumes.
- This achievement helps harness India's thorium reserves for the third stage.
💡 PFBR at Kalpakkam reaching criticality advances India's nuclear program's second stage and thorium utilization.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2249516
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
Print Ad Pre-certification for General Elections 2026
The **Election Commission of India (ECI)** mandates pre-certification for print advertisements on poll day and the day prior.
- No political entity can publish print ads on poll day/day prior without MCMC pre-certification.
- Individuals apply to District MCMC; political parties apply to State Level MCMC.
- Applications must be submitted not later than two days prior to publication.
- MCMCs will also monitor for 'paid news' during elections.
- The mandate applies to General Elections 2026 for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal.
💡 Remember: Print ads near election day require MCMC pre-certification, applied two days prior.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2249301
📺 Polity & Governance · LAW track
TRAI Consults on Regulatory Framework for App-based TV Services
TRAI has released a consultation paper to formulate a regulatory framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) services, including FAST services.
- TRAI released a Consultation Paper on Application-based Linear Television distribution (ALTD) Services.
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) referenced TRAI on December 15, 2025.
- ALTD services include Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Services.
- Inputs are invited by May 4, 2026, with counter-comments by May 18, 2026.
💡 Remember: TRAI is framing rules for app-based linear TV (ALTD/FAST) after MIB's reference.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2249382
📈 Economy · UPSC track
GeM Achieves ₹18.4 Lakh Crore Cumulative GMV, Boosts MSEs
Government e Marketplace (GeM) has reached a significant cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) with increasing participation from diverse enterprises.
- GeM achieved a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore.
- In FY 2025–26, GeM crossed ₹5 lakh crore GMV.
- MSEs executed 68 per cent of total orders in FY 2025–26.
- 11 lakh MSEs received orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore in FY 2025–26.
- Women-led MSEs secured orders over ₹28,000 crore in FY 2025–26.
💡 For the exam: Remember GeM's cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore and significant MSE contribution (68% orders) in FY26.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2249335
🚢 Defence & Security · UPSC track
Keel Laying, Plate Cutting for Coast Guard Fast Patrol Vessels
Keel laying for FPV-4 and plate cutting for FPV-7 for **Indian Coast Guard** occurred at **Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited**.
- Keel laying for FPV-4 and plate cutting for FPV-7 happened on 06 Apr 26.
- These vessels are part of a 14 FPV project (Yard 16501-14).
- They feature AI-based predictive maintenance and multipurpose drones.
- Indigenous content includes gear box by M/s Triveni, Mysore and water jets by M/s MJP India.
- Designed for coastal security and law enforcement, with approx. 340 T displacement.
💡 Remember: FPV-4 keel laid, FPV-7 plate cut for Coast Guard, built by MDL, 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' focus.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2249440
🌬️ Economy · UPSC track
India Achieves Highest Ever Annual Wind Energy Addition
India has reached a new milestone in wind energy capacity addition, significantly strengthening its renewable energy portfolio and accelerating green energy deployment.
- India added 6.05 GW wind capacity in FY 2025-26.
- This marks a 46% increase over FY 2024–25 capacity.
- Cumulative installed wind power capacity now exceeds 56 GW.
- Key contributing states include Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
💡 Remember 6.05 GW highest annual addition in FY 2025-26 pushing total wind capacity over 56 GW.
Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy · PIB PRID 2249408
🛡️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
Indian Railways Approves ₹1,364.45 Crore for Safety Upgrades
Indian Railways has approved significant projects to enhance safety, signalling, and communication infrastructure across its network.
- Provision of Kavach Version 4.0 on 232 Southern Railway locomotives at ₹208.81 crore.
- Upgrade of optical fibre communication across 3,200+ route km in Northern Railway for ₹400.86 crore.
- Deployment of 2x48 Fibre OFC network over 2,196 route km in North Central Railway for ₹176.76 crore.
- Installation of electronic interlocking at 49 stations in South Central Railway for ₹578.02 crore.
💡 For the exam: Remember the ₹1,364.45 crore outlay for Kavach 4.0, OFC upgrades in Northern and North Central Railways, and electronic interlocking in South Central Railway.
Source: Ministry of Railways · PIB PRID 2249421
🔌 Science & Tech · UPSC track
India-UK Collaboration for Advanced EV Charging Infrastructure
The **Technology Development Board (TDB)** supports an **India–UK Collaborative R&D Programme** to innovate EV charging solutions.
- TDB-DST signed an agreement with Scharge Pvt Limited for an EV charging project.
- Project is under India–UK Collaborative R&D Programme with Albright Product Design Limited.
- It develops a next-generation EV charging solution for commercial fleet operations.
- The system includes a motorised overhead cable management system compatible with AC Type-2 EV chargers.
💡 Remember: TDB-DST and Scharge Pvt Limited are developing advanced EV charging for fleets under India-UK R&D.
Source: Ministry of Science & Technology · PIB PRID 2249255
📊 Economy · UPSC track
First-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises Launched
The **National Statistics Office (NSO)** launched the first **Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)** to create a comprehensive database of India's incorporated services sector.
- ASISSE covers incorporated services sector enterprises across India.
- Reference period for the survey is financial year 2024-25.
- Over 1.21 lakh enterprises will be surveyed using the GSTN database.
- A 'User Guide' was also released to explain the survey.
- The survey is conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
💡 ASISSE by NSO (MoSPI) is the first survey for incorporated services (FY 2024-25), surveying 1.21 lakh enterprises via GSTN.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2249336
🎣 Economy · UPSC track
India's Fisheries Sector Sees Record Budget, Production Growth
The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated record funds to the fisheries sector, which has seen substantial production and export growth since FY 2013-14.
- Union Budget 2026-27 proposed highest-ever ₹2,761.80 crore for fisheries sector.
- Fish production increased by 106% to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25.
- PMMSY continues as a central pillar with ₹2,500 crore allocation in 2026–27.
- Seafood exports reached ₹62,408 crore in FY 2024–25.
💡 Remember: Budget 2026-27 (₹2761.80 cr) for fisheries + 106% production growth (197.75 LT) = India's Blue Revolution success.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2249228