Daily Current Affairs - 11th March 2026
- Kaushal
- 2 days ago
- 12 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Diesel Supply, EFTA–India TEPA Anniversary, Energy Diversification amid West Asia Conflict, FDI Policy Reforms for Land Border Countries, Natural Gas Supply Regulation under ECA 1955, Uniform Civil Code Debate, Supplementary Demand for Grants 2025–26, GPS Jamming & Spoofing in Warfare, Jal Jeevan Mission Extension to 2028, National Dam Safety Authority AI Platforms, NIIF $750 Million Fundraise and more.
Table of Content
SOCIAL ISSUES
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India Exploring New Energy Options Amid West Asia Conflict
India is diversifying its crude oil sourcing amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
India has begun sourcing crude oil from 40 countries.
Approximately 60% of India’s crude imports now arrive through alternate corridors.
Diversification aims to strengthen energy security.
Energy security refers to reliable and uninterrupted access to affordable energy supplies.
Need for Diversification
The ongoing conflict has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route.
Around 40% of India’s crude imports pass through this route.
Closure or disruption increases supply risk.
India’s clean cooking programmes have increased LPG demand.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), LPG imports have nearly tripled over the past decade.
India produces only about 40% of its LPG requirement. The remaining LPG is imported.
Most imports originate from West Asia.
Regional instability threatens supply continuity.
The United States has exerted pressure on India regarding Russian oil imports.
The U.S. has framed continued imports as requiring “permission.”
A temporary 30-day waiver has been cited in this context. Such pressure raises sovereignty concerns.
Status of India’s Energy Imports
India imported approximately 300 million metric tonnes of crude and petroleum products in 2024–25.
The oil and gas sector accounts for nearly 28% of India’s total trade by volume.
India meets around 88% of its crude oil needs through imports.
It meets about 51% of its natural gas requirements through imports.
India is the third-largest crude oil importer globally.
India is the fourth-largest refiner.
India is the fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products.
Steps Taken to Diversify Energy Sources
India signed a $3 billion LNG deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
LNG refers to Liquefied Natural Gas.
India signed its first long-term LPG deal with the United States.
The deal covers 2.2 million tonnes of cooking gas imports.
India has developed Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR).
SPR refers to emergency crude oil storage facilities.
The reserves are managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL).
SPR facilities are located at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur.
The ONGC Videsh Limited has invested in overseas oil exploration.
Exploration projects have been undertaken in African countries.
India and Canada signed a Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation at India Energy Week 2026.
Overall Assessment
Geopolitical instability has exposed vulnerabilities in energy supply chains.
India’s diversification strategy aims to reduce corridor concentration risks.
Strategic reserves and international partnerships enhance resilience.
Balancing geopolitical pressures with national energy interests remains critical.
Cabinet Approves Changes in FDI Policy for LBCs
The Union Cabinet has approved changes in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy concerning countries sharing a land border with India (LBCs).
Land Border Countries (LBCs) include nations that share a direct land boundary with India.
The changes aim to balance national security with ease of doing business.
Key Changes Introduced
1. Clear Definition of Beneficial Owner (BO)
A clear definition of Beneficial Owner (BO) has been incorporated.
The definition aligns with the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005.
A Beneficial Owner refers to the natural person who ultimately owns or controls an investment.
Clear BO criteria reduce interpretational ambiguity.
This facilitates regulatory clarity for investors.
2. Eased Criteria for Investment
A non-controlling investor from LBCs owning less than 10% of a company can now invest through the Automatic Route.
The Automatic Route allows FDI without prior government approval.
Earlier, under Press Note 3 (PN3) of 2020, all investments from LBCs required approval through the Government Route.
The Government Route mandates prior clearance from the central government.
The revision reduces compliance burden for minority investors.
3. Expedited 60-Day Approval Timeline
Proposals in select sectors will be cleared within 60 days.
These sectors include manufacturing of capital goods, electronics, polysilicon, and ingot-wafer production.
Polysilicon and ingot-wafer manufacturing are critical for solar photovoltaic supply chains.
In these cases, majority ownership and control must remain with resident Indian citizens or Indian-owned entities.
Resident ownership ensures domestic strategic control.
Benefits of the Revised Policy
1. Ease of Doing Business
Clear BO rules reduce regulatory uncertainty.
Defined timelines improve predictability.
Indian startups and technology firms can attract funding from global investment funds more easily.
2. Economic Growth
The reform can increase FDI inflows.
FDI supplements domestic capital formation.
Higher investment supports industrial expansion and employment generation.
3. Strengthening Supply Chains
Faster approvals facilitate quicker formation of Joint Ventures.
Joint Ventures enable technology transfer.
Improved tech access enhances integration into global manufacturing value chains.
4. Advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat
The policy supports technology-intensive sectors such as electronics and solar manufacturing.
It strengthens domestic manufacturing capabilities.
It aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan vision of self-reliance.
Background: Press Note 3 (PN3) of 2020
PN3 was enforced through the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Amendment Rules, 2020.
The objective was to prevent opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It aimed to safeguard vulnerable firms from hostile acquisitions.
However, PN3 had an adverse impact on investment inflows.
The new changes seek to address these unintended consequences while retaining safeguards.
India–EFTA TEPA
The India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) has completed its second anniversary.
The agreement was signed in 2024.
It includes a binding commitment of USD 100 billion in investment over the next 15 years.
It also envisages creation of 1 million direct jobs in India.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in India’s trade diversification strategy.
About the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental trade organisation.
It comprises four member countries.
The members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
EFTA was established in 1960.
It was formed through the Stockholm Convention.
The original founding members included Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Several founding members later joined the European Union.
Objective of EFTA
EFTA aims to promote free trade and economic integration among its members.
It facilitates reduction of trade barriers.
It negotiates free trade agreements with external partners.
The India–EFTA TEPA reflects EFTA’s strategy of expanding trade partnerships beyond Europe.
Significance for India
The agreement enhances India’s access to advanced European markets.
It supports long-term capital inflows.
It promotes job creation and technology collaboration.
The partnership strengthens India’s integration into global value chains.
India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
India has supplied 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh through the India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
The supply strengthens bilateral energy cooperation.
About the India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
The pipeline was inaugurated in 2023.
It is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh.
It has a capacity of 1 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA).
The pipeline transports High-Speed Diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh.
High-Speed Diesel is a refined petroleum product used in transportation and industry.
The total length of the pipeline is 131 kilometres.
It connects the Siliguri Marketing Terminal in India.
It links to the Parbatipur depot in northern Bangladesh.
Significance
The pipeline ensures reliable fuel supply to Bangladesh.
It reduces dependence on road-based fuel transport.
Pipeline transport lowers logistics costs and transit time.
The project enhances regional energy connectivity.
It strengthens India–Bangladesh strategic and economic ties.
Centre Invokes Essential Commodities Act to Regulate Natural Gas Supply
The Central Government has issued the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026.
The order has been notified under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955.
The move follows disruption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
Disruptions are linked to conflict in West Asia.
Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been severely affected.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy trade.
Four-Tier Priority Allocation Framework
The government has introduced a Four-Tier Priority Allocation Framework.
Allocation is based on average gas consumption over the past six months.
Priority Sector I – 100% Allocation
Domestic PNG supply will receive full allocation.
PNG refers to Piped Natural Gas used for households.
CNG transport will receive full allocation.
CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas used in vehicles.
LPG production will receive full allocation.
Pipeline fuel requirements are included in this category.
Priority Sector II – 70% Allocation
Fertilizer plants will receive 70% allocation.
Gas will be used strictly for fertilizer production.
Priority Sector III – 80% Allocation
Tea industries are included in this category.
Manufacturing units fall under this tier.
Industrial consumers are also covered.
They will receive 80% allocation.
Priority Sector IV – 80% Allocation
Industrial and commercial consumers under CGD networks are included.
CGD refers to City Gas Distribution networks.
These consumers will receive 80% allocation.
Key Provisions of the Order
Gas supplies to non-priority industries will be curtailed.
Power plants may face partial or full reduction in supply.
Petrochemical facilities may also face supply cuts.
A Gas Pooling Mechanism has been introduced.
Gas diverted from non-priority sectors will be pooled.
The pooled gas will be sold at a newly determined average price.
Pooling ensures equitable pricing across priority sectors.
About the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
The ECA enables regulation of essential goods.
It aims to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
It seeks to avoid artificial shortages.
Section 3 empowers the Central Government to regulate petroleum and petroleum products.
It allows control over production, supply, distribution, and trade.
The objective is equitable distribution.
Other Measures Taken
A 25-day inter-booking period has been introduced for LPG.
This measure discourages hoarding.
Imported LPG is being prioritised for essential non-domestic sectors.
Hospitals are included in this priority category.
Educational institutions are also prioritised.
A high-level committee has been constituted.
The committee will review supply to other non-domestic sectors.
The hospitality sector is among those under review.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Recently, the Supreme Court of India in Pavini Shukla vs Union of India suggested consideration of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to address gender bias in personal laws.
About Uniform Civil Code
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) seeks to replace religion-based personal laws with a common set of civil laws.
It would apply uniformly to all citizens.
It would apply irrespective of religion, caste, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.
Personal laws currently govern matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and succession.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 44
Article 44 of the Constitution directs the State to endeavour to secure a UCC.
Article 44 forms part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Directive Principles are non-justiciable guidelines for governance.
Federal Status
Marriage, divorce, adoption, and succession fall under the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule.
The Concurrent List allows both Parliament and State Legislatures to enact laws.
In case of conflict, central law prevails.
Need for UCC
1. Ensuring Gender Justice
UCC aims to remove discriminatory practices in personal laws.
Certain personal laws have been criticised for gender inequality.
Uniform provisions may promote equal rights.
2. Promoting Secularism
UCC would separate civil law from religious doctrine.
Secularism implies equal treatment of all religions by the State.
Uniform civil provisions strengthen secular governance.
3. Simplifying Legal Procedures
A common civil framework can reduce legal complexity.
It can simplify procedures related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
It can reduce multiplicity of personal law systems.
4. Fostering National Unity
UCC may promote common citizenship.
It can transcend religious and community-based distinctions.
It may strengthen national integration.
Current Status of UCC in India
Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to implement a UCC.
The code was enacted at the state level.
Goa follows a common civil code.
Goa’s framework is based on the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867.
There is currently no nationwide UCC in India.
The Supreme Court has previously advocated implementation of UCC.
In Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985), the Court highlighted the need for reform.
In Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India (1995), similar observations were made.
The Law Commission of India (21st Report, 2018) expressed reservations.
It stated that formulation of a UCC was neither necessary nor desirable at that stage.
It recommended reform of personal laws within each religion to ensure gender justice.
Supplemnetary Demand for Grants
Supplementary demand for grants for 2025-26, tabled in Parliament.
About Supplementary Demand for Grants
Under Article 115, it is caused to be laid by the President of India before both the Houses of the Parliament.
It shows the estimated amount of further expenditure necessary in respect of a financial year over and above the expenditure authorized in the Budget for that year.
It may be token, technical, or substantive/cash.
GPS Jamming and GPS Spoofing
Global Positioning System (GPS) jamming and spoofing are reportedly being used in the conflict between the United States and Iran.
These actions target Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
GNSS refers to satellite systems that provide positioning, navigation, and timing services.
Examples include GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China).
Jamming and spoofing are deliberate electronic or cyber operations.
They aim to disrupt or manipulate navigation systems of aircraft, ships, drones, and missiles.
About GPS Jamming
GPS jamming involves use of a jammer device.
A jammer transmits strong radio signals on the same frequency as GNSS signals.
GNSS satellite signals are relatively weak when they reach Earth.
The jammer overpowers these weak signals with artificial “noise.”
Noise refers to unwanted radio frequency interference.
As a result, the receiver cannot detect authentic satellite signals.
This leads to complete loss of positioning and navigation capability.
Jamming causes denial of service.
Denial of service means the system becomes unavailable or unusable.
About GPS Spoofing
GPS spoofing involves broadcasting false GNSS signals.
The attacker transmits counterfeit signals that mimic real satellite signals.
The GPS receiver locks onto the stronger fake signals.
The device is misled into calculating an incorrect location.
This results in inaccurate position, speed, or timing data.
Spoofing manipulates data rather than blocking it.
Unlike jamming, spoofing may go undetected initially.
It can redirect drones, ships, or missiles without triggering alarms.
Strategic Implications
Jamming disrupts navigation and communication systems.
Spoofing can misguide precision-guided weapons.
Both techniques affect civilian aviation and maritime safety.
Modern warfare increasingly incorporates electronic warfare tactics.
Electronic warfare involves use of the electromagnetic spectrum to disrupt enemy systems.
The growing use of GNSS interference raises global security and safety concerns.
Union Cabinet approves extension of JJM up to 2028
There is a shift in approach under JJM from purely infrastructure creation to focusing on sustainable service delivery, institutional accountability, and local governance.
Other Key Changes in JJM
Sujalam Bharat: A uniform national digital framework for precise digital mapping of the entire drinking water supply system from the source to the tap.
Jal Arpan: Involvement of Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees in the commissioning and formal handover of schemes.
Jal Utsav Initiative: Promotion of annual community led events to reinforce collective responsibility for water security.
About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
Launched: In 2019.
Objective: To provide a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) delivering 55 litres per capita per day to every rural household.
Achievements of JJM
Massive Physical Expansion: Tap water coverage has jumped from a baseline of 17% rural households in 2019 to 81.61% households.
Women Empowerment: It has freed 9 crore women from the drudgery of fetching water and saved 5.5 crore hours of labour daily.
Health and Survival: Improved access to water helps prevent up to 400,000 diarrheal deaths and saves 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
Economic Impact: JJM has generated ~60 lakh direct and ~2 crore indirect person-years of employment.
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
Recently, new digital initiatives developed by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) were launched to strengthen dam safety monitoring in India.
Key Initiatives Launched
1. NETRA
NETRA (NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI) is an AI-enabled digital platform.
It enables quick access to dam safety-related information.
The platform enhances monitoring and review efficiency.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machine-based systems capable of performing analytical tasks.
NETRA is integrated with DHARMA.
DHARMA is the national repository of dam safety data.
A repository is a centralised database for storage and management of information.
Integration improves real-time data accessibility and risk tracking.
2. Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan
The Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan platform was launched by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
It is a visualisation and interpretation tool.
It simulates potential dam break scenarios.
Dam break analysis helps assess downstream flood risks.
The platform supports risk assessment and disaster preparedness.
Risk assessment refers to systematic evaluation of potential hazards.
About the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
The NDSA is a statutory body.
It was constituted under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
The Act provides a legal framework for dam safety regulation.
The NDSA functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Functions of NDSA
The NDSA oversees safety and maintenance of specified dams across India.
Specified dams are those meeting certain height and storage criteria under the Act.
It resolves disputes between State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs).
SDSOs are state-level regulatory bodies for dam safety.
The NDSA maintains a national-level database of dams.
The database supports inspection, monitoring, and compliance review.
It ensures uniform standards in dam design, construction, and operation.
Significance
Digital platforms enhance early warning systems.
AI integration improves predictive risk analysis.
Centralised data strengthens national dam safety governance.
These initiatives contribute to disaster risk reduction and public safety.
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund has raised $750 million for its Second Private Market Fund.
About National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF, 2015)
It is a fund manager that invests in infrastructure and related sectors in India.
It is a collaborative investment platform for international and Indian investors with a mandate to invest equity capital in domestic infrastructure.
It is India’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund.
Managed by: National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL).
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