Daily Current Affairs — 17 March 2026
33 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): A New Model of Forest Finance
Context The COP30 held in Belém brought global attention that effective forest conservation requires not only financial commitments but also a redistribution of decision-making power. What is the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)? The TFFF is a performance-based financial mechanism that seeks to reward countries for maintaining standing forests rather than merely reducing deforestation rates.
Electrifying Indian Kitchens
Context Every West Asian escalation sends a price shock into Indian households raising the question whether India must electrify its kitchens at scale. India’s Need to Shift Towards Electric Kitchens High Import Dependence: India imports a large share of its LPG and natural gas, making cooking energy dependent on global markets and vulnerable routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Rising Fiscal Burden of Subsidies: Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana require huge government spending, which
Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on the Finance Industry
Context Though Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the financial sector by enhancing efficiency, strengthening risk management, at the same time, it raises concerns related to employment, ethics, and systemic risks. AI in Financial Sector: Key Research Insights About 60% of US financial services firms have already implemented or are piloting AI solutions (PwC Survey, 2023). The global AI in finance market is projected to reach $64.03 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of
Par Panel recommends IPO route for RRBs
Context The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has recommended launching IPOs of profitable RRBs to mobilise market capital and strengthen corporate governance. Key Recommendations of the Committee IPO Push: Highly profitable RRBs should launch public offerings to raise market capital, enforce superior governance, and maintain Centre-sponsor stake above 51% per the amended 1976 RRB Act. Risk Mitigation: Fully utilize Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loans (CGFSEL) for collater
Beacons Removed from Mumbai Mayor’s car After Row Over Promoting ‘VIP culture’
Context Recent debates on VIP culture in India reveal that hierarchical mindsets continue to shape public behaviour, despite constitutional guarantees of equality. VIP Culture VIP culture refers to the practice where individuals holding political office, high administrative rank, or influence receive special privileges and preferential treatment in public spaces and institutions.
India to Begin Mapping Its Manuscript Heritage
Context The Ministry of Culture has launched a first-of-its-kind, three-month nationwide survey to map India’s vast manuscript heritage. Gyan Bharatam Mission Gyan Bharatam Mission: It is a national mission for the survey, documentation, digitisation and dissemination of India’s manuscript heritage and traditional knowledge systems, including creation of a National Digital Repository. To support the initiative, the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) has sanctioned Rs.491.66 crore for the period 20
Oppn. flags govt. plan to move Bill on IPS deputation in CAPFs
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance )
Belém as a test of a new model of forest finance
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
Neighbourhood diplomacy and its West Asia challenge
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS2(IR )
Why India must electrify its kitchens
Source: The Hindu(Page10) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy )
Importance of sex education in academia
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
The dual impact of Artificial Intelligence on the finance industry
Source: The Hindu(Page13) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy /Science and Tech)
‘Continued reliance’ on 2011 Census data may lead to exclusion of beneficiaries under Food Security Act: House panel
Source: Indian express(Page5) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
Supreme Court seeks status report on encroachments along Ganga banks
Source: Indian express(Page11) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
In war on Iran, Israel knows what it wants — US does not
Source: Indian express(Page8) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
For the first time, retail top category for loan write-offs by Indian banks in FY25
Source: Indian express(Page13) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
USCIRF is creating a distorted picture of India, says Centre
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS2(IR )/GS2(Governance )
Goods export flat in Feb.; official sees dip in March on conflict
Source: The Hindu(Page12) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy )
SC rap to Allahabad HC judge over bail in dowry death: In 3 months, he gave bail in 508 of 510 such cases
Source: Indian Express(Page1) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
‘EU, UN discussing initiative for Hormuz Strait’
Source: The Hindu(Page14) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
The move to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar, though symbolic, matters
Source: Indian express(Page9) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
India seeks safeguard as US works on new tariff structure
Source: Indian express(Page1) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy)
Centre hikes Arthiyas commission on wheat, paddy procurement
Source: Indian express(Page10) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
Understanding the ‘discrepancies’ in India’s new GDP data
Source: Indian express(Page12) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
NavIC satellite loses its atomic clock: What this means for India’s bid for its own GPS
Source: Indian express(Page12) | Syllabus: GS3(Science and Tech)
Delivered price of Russia’s Urals crude at Indian ports touches record high amid Hormuz closure, discounts at four-month low
Source: Indian express(Page13) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
Painted Worlds
Source: PIB | Syllabus: GS1(Culture)
India Submits Seventh National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity
Source: PIB | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
Crab in Silent Valley found displaying both male and female biological traits
Source: The Hindu(Page3) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
India to sign U.S. deal only after clarity on rates
Source: The Hindu(Page1) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
UPSC’s new rule: SC nod must for delay in choosing State DGPs
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
Sahitya Akademi announces awards for 2025 in 24 languages
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: Miscellaneous
ASI allows T.N. Archaeology Dept. to conduct excavations at Keeladi, seven other sites
Source: The Hindu(Page2) | Syllabus: GS1(History)
4 more articles are being prepared.