Daily Current Affairs - 12th & 13th March 2026
- Kaushal
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | GCC Draft Resolution at UNSC, Doux Commerce & Global Trade Fragmentation, Passive Euthanasia Framework in Harish Rana Case, Creamy Layer Criteria Debate, NITI Aayog Fiscal Health Index 2026, India’s Small Modular Reactors Development, GLP-1 Drug Advertising Ban, Kurumba Tribal Painting, Shadow Fleet Operations in Strait of Hormuz, National Shipping Board Reforms, Nevado Ojos del Salado Summit, UN Agreed Conclusions on Justice for Women and more.
Table of Content
INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
India backed a draft resolution submitted by Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The draft condemned missile and drone attacks attributed to Iran.
The matter is to be voted upon in the UNSC.
About the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation.
Its headquarters are located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Genesis
The GCC was established on 25 May 1981.
It was formed through a cooperative agreement among six Gulf countries.
Members (6)
The six member states are:
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Qatar
Kuwait
Objectives
The GCC promotes coordination among member states.
It seeks economic integration.
It enhances political and security cooperation.
The broader aim is greater regional unity.
Institutional Structure
The Supreme Council is the highest authority.
It comprises heads of member states.
It oversees the Dispute Settlement Commission.
The Ministerial Council formulates policy recommendations.
The Secretariat General implements decisions and coordinates activities.
Significance for India
The GCC region is critical for India’s energy security.
It hosts a large Indian diaspora.
It is a major trading partner for India.
India’s support for the GCC-backed resolution reflects its engagement in West Asian stability.
Changing Nature of Global Trade
The rise of multilateral trade institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the era of globalisation was influenced by the concept of doux commerce.
The concept was proposed by the French philosopher Montesquieu.
In recent years, this foundational principle has shown signs of weakening.
Concept of Doux Commerce
Doux commerce translates to “gentle commerce.”
The concept argues that trade softens the behaviour of nations.
It promotes cooperation among states.
It reduces the likelihood of armed conflict.
The theory assumes that economic interdependence fosters peace.
It suggests that economic interests will outweigh geopolitical ambitions.
Integrated economies are expected to behave as responsible stakeholders.
Stakeholders are actors invested in maintaining stability and cooperation.
Why Is the Idea of Doux Commerce Weakening?
1. Interdependence as Strategic Vulnerability
Economic interdependence is increasingly perceived as a national security risk.
Heavy reliance on foreign suppliers can disrupt supply chains during conflicts.
Supply chain disruptions can threaten critical sectors such as energy, defence, and technology.
Countries are prioritising resilience over efficiency.
2. Weaponisation of Trade
Trade instruments are being used for geopolitical leverage.
Tariffs are imposed to restrict market access.
Sanctions are used to isolate adversaries economically.
Export controls limit access to sensitive technologies.
Resource restrictions constrain supply of strategic materials.
Trade is increasingly treated as a strategic tool rather than a cooperative mechanism.
3. Fragmentation of the Global Trade System
There is a shift away from multilateral trade governance under the WTO.
Countries are negotiating smaller bilateral trade agreements.
Regional trade agreements are gaining prominence.
This reduces dependence on universal multilateral frameworks.
Fragmentation weakens global rule-based trade coordination.
4. Shift in Supply Chain Strategies
Countries are adopting friend-shoring strategies.
Friend-shoring involves relocating supply chains to politically allied countries.
Countries are also adopting near-shoring strategies.
Near-shoring involves relocating production to geographically closer countries.
These strategies aim to reduce geopolitical and logistical risks.
They reflect a shift from cost-driven globalisation to security-driven trade alignment.
Supreme Court Applies Passive Euthanasia Framework for First Time
The Supreme Court of India (SC) applied the passive euthanasia framework for the first time in Harish Rana vs Union of India.
The Court permitted withdrawal of artificial life support of a man in a vegetative state for over 12 years.
The decision was based on the Best Interest of the Patient Principle.
This principle requires that medical decisions prioritise the patient’s welfare and dignity.
The SC waived the usual 30-day consideration period.
The waiver was granted because the patient’s parents and both medical boards unanimously agreed that recovery was impossible.
Understanding Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to intentionally hastening a patient’s death to relieve suffering.
It is broadly classified into Passive Euthanasia and Active Euthanasia.
Passive Euthanasia
Passive euthanasia allows a patient to die naturally.
It involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.
Life-sustaining treatment includes ventilators and artificial nutrition.
It does not involve administering lethal substances.
Passive euthanasia is legally permitted in India under specific safeguards.
Active Euthanasia
Active euthanasia involves a deliberate act to end life.
It usually involves administration of lethal drugs by a physician.
Active euthanasia is illegal in India.
It is legal in countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium.
Legal Evolution in India
Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug Case (2011)
In Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug v. Union of India, the SC rejected active euthanasia.
It allowed passive euthanasia under strict conditions.
It limited applicability to terminally ill and irreversible patients.
Common Cause Judgment (2018)
In Common Cause v. Union of India, the SC recognised passive euthanasia.
The Court held that the right to die with dignity is part of Article 21.
Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
The judgment recognised the concept of a Living Will.
A Living Will is an advance directive specifying medical preferences in case of incapacity.
The Court prescribed oversight mechanisms.
These included District Magistrates, judicial officers, and medical specialists.
It allowed passive euthanasia through Advance Medical Directives.
Modified Guidelines (2023)
In 2023, the SC modified procedural guidelines.
It required constitution of a Primary Medical Board.
It also required a Secondary Medical Board.
These boards provide expert opinion on withdrawal of life support.
The framework applies to patients in a vegetative state.
Other Key Highlights of the Recent Judgment
The Court urged Parliament to enact a comprehensive statutory framework.
The proposed law should govern end-of-life care and passive euthanasia.
The Court issued administrative directions to High Courts.
Hospitals must inform judicial magistrates when medical boards decide to withdraw life support.
This ensures judicial oversight and procedural transparency
Creamy Layer
The Supreme Court of India (SC) observed that the creamy layer status of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) cannot be determined solely on the basis of parental income.
The Court held that treating similarly placed employees of private entities and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) differently from government employees would amount to discrimination.
The observation reinforces the principle of equality under Article 14.
About the Creamy Layer
The concept of the creamy layer refers to the relatively advanced and better-off members within the OBC category.
It aims to exclude the more socio-economically advanced individuals from reservation benefits.
The concept emerged from the landmark Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) judgment.
In this case, the Supreme Court upheld 27% reservation for OBCs in civil posts.
The Court mandated exclusion of the creamy layer from this reservation.
The judgment sought to ensure that benefits reach the truly disadvantaged sections.
Criteria for Identifying Creamy Layer
The Ram Nandan Prasad Committee recommended criteria for identifying the creamy layer.
It included children of parents holding certain high-ranking government posts.
It also included individuals whose parental income exceeded a specified threshold.
The income threshold was revised to ₹8 lakh per annum in 2017.
Income threshold refers to the annual income limit beyond which reservation benefits are denied.
The creamy layer exclusion applies only to OBCs.
It does not apply to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Significance of the Recent Observation
The Court’s observation indicates that income alone may not reflect social advancement.
Service category and social position must also be considered.
Uniform standards must apply across public and private sector employment.
The ruling emphasises non-discrimination and equitable classification.
The debate continues regarding periodic revision of criteria and income limits.
NITI Aayog Launches Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2026
The NITI Aayog has released the Second Annual Edition of the Fiscal Health Index (FHI), 2026.
The index assesses the fiscal performance of States.
States account for nearly one-third of India’s general government debt.
States play a central role in delivering public services.
Systematic fiscal assessment is therefore necessary.
Key Highlights of FHI 2026
1. Major States Rankings
Odisha retained the top position in the Achiever Category.
It is followed by Goa.
Jharkhand also features among Achiever states.
These states demonstrate high own-tax revenue shares.
Own-tax revenue refers to revenue generated directly by the State through taxes.
They maintain capital outlay between 4–5% of GSDP.
Capital outlay represents expenditure on asset creation and infrastructure.
They maintain fiscal deficits below 3% of GSDP.
Fiscal deficit is the gap between total expenditure and total revenue.
They maintain moderate debt levels.
The bottom rankers among major states include Punjab.
West Bengal is also among the lowest performers.
Kerala ranks low.
These states show higher non-developmental expenditure.
Non-developmental expenditure includes interest payments and administrative costs.
They exhibit less sustainable fiscal patterns.
2. Inclusion of North-Eastern and Himalayan States
The 2026 edition includes 10 North-Eastern and Himalayan states.
These states are evaluated and ranked separately from major states.
Among them, Arunachal Pradesh ranked highest in the Achiever category.
Uttarakhand also ranked among top performers.
Himachal Pradesh ranked among the lowest.
Manipur also ranked low.
These lower-ranked states face weak revenue mobilisation.
They experience persistent fiscal stress.
3. Policy Priorities Identified
The report recommends enhancing revenue mobilisation.
It emphasises strengthening own-tax capacity.
It calls for improving capital expenditure.
It suggests strengthening public financial management systems.
It recommends monitoring off-budget borrowings.
Off-budget borrowings refer to liabilities not reflected in official budget documents.
About the Fiscal Health Index (FHI), 2026
The FHI is based on five key pillars.
The pillars include Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence,
Debt Index and Debt Sustainability.
States are categorised as Achiever, Front Runner, Performer, and Aspirational.
The index uses data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
CAG is the constitutional authority responsible for auditing public finances.
Refinement for NE and Himalayan States
Sub-indicators were refined for North-Eastern states.
These refinements account for difficult terrain.
They consider sparse population density.
They reflect limited own revenue capacity.
They account for elevated committed expenditure.
Committed expenditure includes salaries, pensions, and interest payments.
They recognise higher dependence on Union transfers.
India Developing Three Types of SMRs
The Union Minister stated that India is developing three types of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
SMRs are compact versions of conventional nuclear power plants.
They produce up to 300 MWe per module.
MWe refers to megawatt electric output.
This is about one-third the capacity of traditional large nuclear reactors, as per the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
SMR Models Being Developed in India
The development is being led by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
1. Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) – 200 MWe
The BSMR-200 MWe is indigenously developed.
It is designed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
It is being developed in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
It is based on Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) technology.
PWR is a reactor type where water under high pressure acts as coolant and moderator.
It will use Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU) as fuel.
SEU contains a higher concentration of uranium-235 than natural uranium.
It is planned to be constructed at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra.
2. SMR – 55 MWe
The 55 MWe SMR is also based on PWR technology.
It features a block-type and highly modular design.
Modular design allows prefabrication of components.
It is also proposed to be constructed at Tarapur.
3. Up to 5 MWth High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor
This reactor will generate up to 5 MWth.
MWth refers to megawatt thermal output.
It is designed primarily for hydrogen generation.
It will be constructed at BARC, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
High-temperature gas-cooled reactors use gas as coolant.
They operate at higher temperatures for industrial applications.
Significance of SMRs for India
1. Modular Construction
SMRs can be manufactured in factory-built modules.
They are assembled at designated sites.
This reduces construction time.
It lowers project costs through economies of scale.
2. Scalability
SMRs can be deployed incrementally.
Capacity can be expanded as energy demand increases.
This allows flexible grid integration.
3. Enhanced Safety
SMRs incorporate inherent and passive safety features.
Passive safety systems function without human intervention.
They rely on natural physical principles such as gravity and convection.
This reduces accident risks.
4. Clean Energy Contribution
SMRs generate low-carbon electricity.
They support climate commitments.
They cater to rising energy demand from sectors such as Artificial Intelligence and data centres.
India’s Nuclear Expansion Strategy
The Nuclear Energy Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.
It focuses on research and development of SMRs.
It aims to operationalise at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.
India has set a target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
The SHANTI Act, 2025 aims to modernise India’s nuclear legal framework.
It consolidates regulatory and operational provisions.
GLP-1 drugs
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has prohibited pharmaceutical companies from advertising GLP-1 drugs amid growing concerns of rampant misuse.
About GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) drugs
They are a class of medications that mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.
These drugs include Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.
They were originally used for managing type 2 diabetes, but are now also used for reducing obesity and weight loss.
They slow down the process of food digestion and increase feelings of fullness, leading to a reduction in food intake.
Some GLP-1 drugs lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, kidney and liver disease among other outcomes.
Kurumba Painting
The Kurumba art tradition faces the threat of extinction.
Kurumba Painting
Origin: A 3,000-year-old tribal folk painting of the Kurumba tribe found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The Kurumba tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Themes: Depicts rituals, spiritual beliefs, festivals, nature, animals and community life.
Materials: Uses natural pigments from forest sources like tree resin and crushed leaves.
Style: Characterised by simple linear motifs, dots, lines and geometric patterns.
Cultural Role: Traditionally painted on walls and temples, preserving tribal traditions and visual storytelling.
Shadow Fleet
As traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declines for regular tanker vessels, ships belonging to the global “shadow fleet” continue transporting oil.
These vessels operate outside standard regulatory and transparency norms.
About the Shadow Fleet
The shadow fleet, also referred to as the dark fleet, consists of vessels using deceptive maritime practices.
These ships transport sanctioned or high-risk commodities.
Sanctioned commodities refer to goods restricted under international trade sanctions.
They conceal the true origin of cargo.
They obscure ownership details.
They often manipulate vessel identification information.
The expansion of the modern shadow fleet accelerated after the Russia–Ukraine war.
Sanctions imposed following the conflict restricted conventional oil trade routes.
As a result, alternative informal shipping networks expanded.
Methods Used by Shadow Fleets
Shadow fleet vessels frequently switch off radio transponders.
Radio transponders transmit vessel identification and location data.
This system is commonly known as the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Disabling AIS makes ships difficult to track.
Some vessels conduct ship-to-ship transfers in open waters.
This helps mask the original source of oil cargo.
International Legal Framework
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) mandates ships to keep radio transponders active.
SOLAS is an international maritime treaty focused on safety standards.
Continuous transmission ensures transparency and maritime safety.
Non-compliance undermines global shipping norms.
Broader Implications
Shadow fleet operations weaken sanction enforcement mechanisms.
They increase risks of maritime accidents.
They complicate monitoring of global oil flows.
Their growing presence reflects geopolitical fragmentation in global energy trade.
National Shipping Board (NSB)
The government held a high-level interaction with National Shipping Board (NSB) to address emerging challenges in India’s shipping sector.
About National Shipping Board
It is a permanent statutory body established in 1959, under Section 4 of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Objective: Advise government on matters related to shipping including the development and evolution of India's maritime policy.
Composition: Chairman and other members
Six Members elected by Parliament (four from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha from amongst its members).
Such number of other members not exceeding sixteen as Central Government thinks fit.
Nevado Ojos del Salado
IISc (Indian Institute of Science) professor becomes second Indian woman to summit Nevado Ojos del Salado.
About Nevado Ojos del Salado
Location: On Andes Mountain Range on Chile–Argentina border in the Atacama Desert region
World's highest active volcano (6,879 m); highest mountain in Chile.
Features: Stratovolcano; Hosts the world’s highest crater lake (~6,390 m); dry climate due to its proximity to the Atacama Desert.
Agreed Conclusions Towards Justice to Women
United Nations adopted a new global framework, called as Agreed Conclusions, to improve access to justice for women and girls worldwide.
Adopted by broad consensus on ongoing 70th session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, United States.
Key Highlights
Nature: Not legally binding.
Key Recommendations
Repeal discriminatory laws affecting women and girls;
Strengthen protection against violence, both online and offline with faster access to justice for survivors.
Promote digital justice systems.
Adopt a “whole-of-government” approach linking police, courts, health, and social services.
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