Current Affairs Today — March 22, 2026

World Water Day 2026 — Theme: “Water and Gender”

🗞️ Why in News World Water Day is observed globally on March 22 every year. The 2026 edition carries the theme “Water and Gender”, highlighting how access to clean water is deeply tied to gender equality.

Theme and Significance

The 2026 theme “Water and Gender” focuses on the disproportionate burden women and girls bear in water-scarce regions — from fetching water over long distances to suffering health consequences of contaminated water. The campaign slogan is “Where water flows, equality grows”.

Stockholm Water Prize 2026

Professor Kaveh Madani (Iran), Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), has been named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. The announcement was made at a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

• At 44 years old, he is the youngest laureate in the prize’s history
• First UN official and first former politician to receive the honour
• Known for introducing the concept of “water bankruptcy” — a condition where water shortages reflect long-term systemic failure, not temporary crises
• In a recent UN report, he argued the world entered an era of “global water bankruptcy” in January 2026

The prize will be formally presented by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during World Water Week in Stockholm in August 2026. The award includes a cash prize of 1 million SEK (~$95,000).

India’s Water Landscape

India remains 40% water-stressed for clean potable water. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is hosting the World Water Day Conclave 2026 in New Delhi on March 23, bringing together policymakers, state water boards, urban local bodies, and water-technology firms.

UPSC Angle

This is significant for understanding water governance, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and the intersection of gender and environmental policy.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

World Water Day:

• Observed: March 22 every year since 1993
• Designated by: UN General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/47/193, December 1992)
• 2026 Theme: “Water and Gender”
• 2025 Theme: “Water for Peace”
• Coordinated by: UN-Water

Stockholm Water Prize:

• Often called the “Nobel Prize of Water”
• Established: 1991 by the Stockholm Water Foundation
• 2026 Laureate: Professor Kaveh Madani (Iran/UNU-INWEH)
• Cash prize: 1 million Swedish Kronor (~$95,000)
• Presented by: H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

Other Relevant Facts:

• India is 40% water-stressed for clean potable water
• SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• UN World Water Development Report 2024: 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water globally
• India’s per capita water availability: ~1,486 cubic metres/year (2021 census) — approaching water-stressed threshold of 1,700 m³

India’s NdFeB Rare Earth Magnet Pilot Plant Inaugurated at ARCI

🗞️ Why in News The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, inaugurated India’s first pilot plant for manufacturing Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd-Fe-B) sintered rare earth permanent magnets on March 20, 2026.

Key Details

The facility adopts an end-to-end approach, covering the process from strip-cast alloy to finished sintered magnets. It utilises Dr. Masato Sagawa’s New Pressless Process (NPLP) — a novel manufacturing technique that improves efficiency and reduces production complexity.

Strategic Significance

• China controls ~90% of global rare earth magnet manufacturing
• Nd-Fe-B magnets are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems, electronics, and MRI machines
• India currently imports nearly all its rare earth magnets despite having 6% of global rare earth reserves (fifth-largest)

Government Support

The Cabinet has approved the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet with a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore, targeting a capacity of 6,000 Metric Tons Per Annum (MTPA) of integrated manufacturing facilities in India.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Heavy Industry are jointly driving the initiative.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

NdFeB Magnets:

• Full form: Neodymium-Iron-Boron
• Invented by: Dr. Masato Sagawa (Japan) in 1984
• Strongest type of permanent magnet commercially available
• Applications: EVs, wind turbines, MRI machines, smartphones, defence

ARCI (International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials):

• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
• Established: 1997
• Under: Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India

India’s Rare Earth Profile:

• India has ~6% of global rare earth reserves (5th largest after China, Vietnam, Brazil, Russia)
• India’s rare earth production: ~2,900 tonnes/year (tiny vs China’s ~210,000 tonnes)
• IREL (Indian Rare Earths Limited): PSU under Department of Atomic Energy
• Government scheme outlay: Rs 7,280 crore for 6,000 MTPA capacity

Other Relevant Facts:

• China dominates >90% of global rare earth magnet production
• Global rare earth market size: ~$5.5 billion (2024)
• Rare earth elements: 17 elements (15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium)

India-China Border Trade via Lipulekh Pass to Resume After Six Years

🗞️ Why in News Border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district is set to resume in 2026 after a six-year hiatus, following approvals from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Background

The Lipulekh Pass (elevation: ~5,334 m / 17,500 ft) is one of the designated border trading points between India and China. Trade was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent India-China border tensions in Ladakh.

Key Developments

• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrote to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan requesting the restoration of trade
• MEA issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the resumption
• Trade is scheduled for June to September every year
• Last year, around 265 traders were granted passes; higher applications expected in 2026

Traditional Goods Traded

Imports from China: wool, pashmina, salt, borax, silk, butter, yak hair, and hides. Exports from India: rice, flour, jaggery, sugar, cloth, and utensils.

Nepal’s Concerns

Nepal has expressed concerns over the resumption, as it claims the Lipulekh area as part of its territory. The Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura trijunction has been a longstanding territorial dispute between India and Nepal.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Lipulekh Pass:

• Location: Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand
• Elevation: ~5,334 m (17,500 ft)
• Connects: Dharchula (India) to Taklakot/Purang (Tibet Autonomous Region, China)
• One of 3 designated India-China border trade points (others: Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh, Nathu La in Sikkim)
• Also serves as a route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims

India-China Border Trade:

• Governed by: Protocol on Entry and Exit of Border Traders (2003)
• Trade limited to traditional/local goods
• Suspended since 2020 (COVID + border tensions)

Other Relevant Facts:

• Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura: Trijunction territory disputed by Nepal
• Nepal published a new political map in 2020 including Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura
• India’s position: Lipulekh is part of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand
• Nathu La trade (Sikkim-China): also suspended since 2020, resumed in 2023

National Dental Commission Replaces Dental Council of India

🗞️ Why in News The Government of India formally constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC) on March 19, 2026, replacing the decades-old Dental Council of India (DCI) as the new apex regulatory body for dental education and profession in India.

Key Provisions

With the NDC Act coming into force, the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed. The NDC comprises three key boards:

1. Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board
2. Dental Assessment and Rating Board
3. Ethics and Dental Registration Board

Leadership

Dr. Sanjay Tewari has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Dental Commission.

Functions

• Frame regulations for dental education standards aligned with global benchmarks
• Conduct rating and assessment of dental institutions
• Evaluate human resources and promote dental research
• Frame guidelines for fee regulation in private dental colleges
• Establish standards for community dental care, education, research, and professional ethics

Context

The reform mirrors the replacement of the Medical Council of India (MCI) by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2020. Both reforms aim to increase transparency, reduce corruption, and improve healthcare education quality.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

National Dental Commission (NDC):

• Constituted: March 19, 2026
• Replaces: Dental Council of India (DCI)
• Repeals: Dentists Act, 1948
• Chairperson: Dr. Sanjay Tewari
• 3 Boards: UG/PG Education Board, Assessment & Rating Board, Ethics & Registration Board

Previous Reform Precedent:

• Medical Council of India (MCI) replaced by National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2020
• NMC Act, 2019 repealed Indian Medical Council Act, 1956

Other Relevant Facts:

• India has ~310 dental colleges (largest number in the world)
• India produces ~26,000 dental graduates annually
• Dentist-to-population ratio in India: ~1:10,000 (WHO recommendation: 1:7,500)

India’s Bioeconomy Reaches Record $195.3 Billion in 2025

🗞️ Why in News The India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026, released by the Department of Biotechnology, revealed that India’s bioeconomy grew 18% to reach a record $195.3 billion in 2025, contributing 4.8% of national GDP.

Growth Trajectory

The bioeconomy added $29.6 billion in a single year — from $165.7 billion in 2024 to $195.3 billion in 2025. This 18% growth is the highest in recent years. Over the last decade, the bioeconomy has surged nearly 20-fold from just $10 billion.

Sector Breakdown

Startup Ecosystem

• Cumulative registered biotech startups: 11,855 (up from 10,075 in 2024)
• New biotech startups in 2025 alone: 1,780
• India is the 3rd largest biotech destination in Asia-Pacific

Target

India has set a target of building a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030 (Rs 24.9 lakh crore).

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026:

• Released by: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology
• India’s bioeconomy in 2025: $195.3 billion
• Growth rate: 18% (highest in recent years)
• GDP contribution: 4.8%
• Target: $300 billion by 2030

Sector Leaders:

• BioIndustrial: $90.2 billion (largest)
• BioPharma: $64.5 billion
• BioServices: $26.0 billion
• BioAgri: $14.6 billion

Other Relevant Facts:

• Biotech startups in India: 11,855 (cumulative, 2025)
• India: 3rd largest biotech destination in Asia-Pacific
• DBT established: 1986 under Ministry of Science and Technology
• National Biotechnology Development Strategy: Released in 2021
• India’s pharma sector: “Pharmacy of the World” — supplies 20% of global generics

Bhubaneswar to Host 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships

🗞️ Why in News The World Athletics Council, at its meeting in Torun, Poland, approved India’s bid to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Kalinga Stadium Complex in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Historic Milestone

• This will be the first time India hosts a global track and field championship
• India becomes only the 4th Asian nation to host the World Indoor Athletics Championships (after Japan in 1999, Qatar in 2010, China in 2025)
• The 2028 edition will be the 22nd edition of the meet
• Scheduled: March 3-5, 2028

Facility

A two-member team from World Athletics had visited the indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium Complex in Bhubaneswar in January 2026 before clearing India’s bid. The complex has previously hosted the 2018 Hockey World Cup and the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships:

• Venue: Kalinga Stadium Complex, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Dates: March 3-5, 2028
• Edition: 22nd
• Approved by: World Athletics Council (meeting in Torun, Poland)

Asian Hosts History:

• 1999: Maebashi, Japan
• 2010: Doha, Qatar
• 2025: Nanjing, China
• 2028: Bhubaneswar, India (first time)

Kalinga Stadium:

• Located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Hosted: 2018 Hockey World Cup, 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup
• Patron: Naveen Patnaik (former CM) supported sports infrastructure development

Other Relevant Facts:

• World Athletics President: Sebastian Coe
• India’s best World Indoor Championship medal: None yet (India has never won a medal at World Indoors)
• Athletics Federation of India (AFI): Governing body for athletics in India

Jal Jeevan Mission: Parliamentary Committee Flags Source Sustainability

🗞️ Why in News A parliamentary committee has warned that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) objectives will remain unfulfilled unless sustainable water sources are secured, noting that many tap connections installed under the scheme are running dry within a year.

Key Concerns

• In several states, taps were installed but water sources were exhausted within 12 months
• A critical data gap exists: no information on how many of the 6.83 lakh schemes actually have a permanent source
• Without long-term source management, JJM assets will likely become useless over the next 25-30 years

Mission Status

• JJM launched: August 15, 2019 by PM Narendra Modi
• Original deadline: 2024; extended to 2028
• Total tap connections provided: ~15 crore rural households (target)
• A new digital framework called Sujalam Bharat is assigning a unique Sujal Gaon ID to map water systems from source to tap

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):

• Launched: August 15, 2019
• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Objective: Provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household
• Target: “Har Ghar Jal” (Water to every home)
• Original deadline: 2024; Extended to 2028
• Budget: Rs 3.60 lakh crore (total outlay)
• Digital platform: Sujalam Bharat (Sujal Gaon ID system)

Other Relevant Facts:

• India’s rural household tap coverage: ~78% (as of 2026)
• States achieving 100% FHTC: Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh
• JJM 2.0: Focus shifted from coverage to sustainability and water quality
• Related scheme: Atal Bhujal Yojana (groundwater management in 7 states)

India-Bhutan Sign Postal Cooperation MoU with UPI-Based Remittance Plan

🗞️ Why in News India Post and Bhutan Post signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on postal cooperation during the visit of Secretary (Posts) Vandita Kaul to Bhutan from March 19-22, 2026.

Areas of Cooperation

The MoU covers: postal operations, technology development, capacity building, logistics connectivity, philately, and knowledge exchange.

Key Highlight: UPU-UPI Cross-Border Remittance

A landmark initiative was announced — the UPU-UPI cross-border remittance service — integrating the Universal Postal Union (UPU) PosTransfer system with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to enable affordable remittance services between India and Bhutan through the postal network.

Training and Digital Cooperation

Bhutanese postal officials will train at Indian institutions including the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy. Collaboration will extend to sharing India Post’s digital systems and the Digital Address Code system.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

India-Bhutan Postal MoU:

• Signed by: Vandita Kaul (Secretary, Posts, India) and Dasho Karma Wangchuk (Secretary, MoIT, Bhutan)
• Date: March 19-22, 2026
• Key initiative: UPU-UPI cross-border remittance

UPI (Unified Payments Interface):

• Developed by: NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
• Launched: April 2016
• UPI transactions in 2025: Over 17 billion/month
• International UPI: Active in Singapore, UAE, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan

Other Relevant Facts:

• UPU (Universal Postal Union): UN specialized agency, HQ in Berne, Switzerland; established 1874
• India-Bhutan relations: “Unique and special” — India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner
• India Post: Largest postal network in the world (~1.6 lakh post offices)
• Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy: Located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Ayush Ministry Launches “Yoga for Air Travel” — In-Flight Yoga Protocol

🗞️ Why in News The Ministry of Ayush launched a specially curated five-minute in-flight yoga routine called “Yoga for Air Travel” during the Yoga Mahotsav 2026, aimed at promoting health and wellness among air travellers.

Key Details

• Launched by: Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush
• Developed by: Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY)
• The protocol includes: mindful breathing, joint movements, seated postures, Anulom Vilom, Bhramari pranayama, and a short meditation segment

Purpose

The routine addresses challenges of long-duration flights — stiffness, poor blood circulation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk, and mental fatigue — through gentle movements that can be performed while seated.

Yoga Mahotsav 2026

Yoga Mahotsav 2026 marks the 100-day countdown to the 12th International Day of Yoga (June 21, 2026).

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Yoga for Air Travel:

• Duration: 5-minute protocol
• Developed by: Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi
• Techniques: Anulom Vilom, Bhramari pranayama, seated postures, joint movements, meditation

International Day of Yoga (IDY):

• Observed: June 21 every year
• 2026: 12th edition
• Proposed by: PM Narendra Modi at UNGA (September 27, 2014)
• Adopted: UN Resolution 69/131 (December 11, 2014; co-sponsored by 177 nations)

Other Relevant Facts:

• Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga: Autonomous body under Ministry of Ayush, established 1970
• Ministry of Ayush: Created in November 2014 (upgraded from Department of AYUSH)
• AYUSH stands for: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy

Pondicherry University Launches ‘Blue Voice’ App for Coastal Fisher Safety

🗞️ Why in News Pondicherry University launched a mobile application named “Blue Voice” designed to improve safety and disaster preparedness among coastal fishing communities by providing real-time, location-specific weather updates in a user-friendly format.

Development

• Created by Dr. Anand Lenin of Pondicherry University
• Outcome of an ICSSR-funded project (2019-2024)
• Before developing the app, Dr. Lenin travelled the entire 1,711 km coastline of Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, meeting over 1,000 fishermen, NGOs, and stakeholders

Key Features

The app addresses challenges faced by fishers — language barriers and complex interfaces of conventional weather platforms — by providing simplified, multilingual, location-specific alerts.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Blue Voice App:

• Developed by: Dr. Anand Lenin, Pondicherry University
• Funded by: ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research)
• Project period: 2019-2024
• Target users: Coastal fishing communities
• Available on: Google Play Store

India’s Fishing Community:

• Marine fishermen: ~4 million active fishers
• Coastline: 7,516.6 km
• India’s fish production: ~17.5 million tonnes (2023-24)
• India: 3rd largest fish producing country globally

Other Relevant Facts:

• ICSSR: Indian Council of Social Science Research (est. 1969, under Ministry of Education)
• Pondicherry University: Central university, established 1985
• India’s 3 coastline states surveyed: Kerala (590 km), Tamil Nadu (1,076 km), Puducherry (45 km)
• INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services): Provides ocean weather warnings from Hyderabad

South Sudan Conflict Escalation — UN Warns of War Crimes

🗞️ Why in News UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has urged an immediate ceasefire in South Sudan as hostilities escalate between the army (SSPDF) and opposition forces, with war crimes fears mounting.

Scale of Crisis

• Over 280,000 people displaced since late December in Jonglei, Lakes, and Upper Nile States
• At least 160 civilians killed in the past 17 days
• On March 1, at least 139 civilians killed in Abiemnom locality by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group
• On March 6, the military issued an evacuation order for Akobo town and ordered closure of the UNMISS (UN Mission in South Sudan) temporary base

Background

The 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) that ostensibly ended the 2013-2018 civil war has effectively collapsed. The latest violence has drawn comparisons to the 2013-2018 civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

South Sudan Crisis (2026):

• Displaced: 280,000+ since December 2025
• Killed: 160+ civilians in 17 days
• Affected states: Jonglei, Lakes, Upper Nile
• UN response: OHCHR called for immediate ceasefire

South Sudan — Key Facts:

• Independence: July 9, 2011 (world’s youngest country)
• Capital: Juba
• Previous civil war: 2013-2018 (estimated 400,000 killed)
• Peace agreement: R-ARCSS (Revitalized Agreement, September 2018)
• President: Salva Kiir Mayardit
• UNMISS: UN Mission in South Sudan (est. 2011)

Other Relevant Facts:

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Volker Turk (Austria)
• South Sudan is the 3rd least developed country globally (UNDP HDI)
• India’s contribution to UNMISS: ~2,400 peacekeepers (one of the largest contributors)
• South Sudan has over 60 ethnic groups; Dinka and Nuer are the two largest

Chapchar Kut 2026 — Mizoram’s Spring Festival Celebrated

🗞️ Why in News Mizoram’s traditional spring festival Chapchar Kut was celebrated with cultural grandeur in Aizawl. Chief Minister Lalduhoma called for harmony and unity among the people.

Theme and Celebrations

• 2026 Theme: “Zo Nun Ze Mawi - Inremna” (The Beauty of Zo Culture: Harmony)
• Week-long celebrations began on March 9 with the traditional Kut Tlan ceremony
• Featured: exhibitions of handloom, textiles, handicrafts, food processing showcase, flower show, living museum demonstrating traditional Mizo life, and film screenings

Significance

Chapchar Kut is the most joyous festival of the Mizo community, observed in spring after the completion of jhum cutting — the initial stage of traditional slash-and-burn farming. It marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Chapchar Kut:

• State: Mizoram
• Type: Spring festival
• Significance: Celebrated after jhum (slash-and-burn) clearing season
• 2026 theme: “Zo Nun Ze Mawi - Inremna” (Beauty of Zo Culture: Harmony)
• Chief Guest 2026: CM Lalduhoma

Mizoram — Key Facts:

• Capital: Aizawl
• Governor: V. K. Singh
• Chief Minister: Lalduhoma (Zoram People’s Movement, ZPM)
• Major tribes: Lushai (Mizo), Pawi, Lakher, Chakma
• Other festivals: Mim Kut (maize harvest), Pawl Kut (post-harvest)

Other Relevant Facts:

• Mizoram became a full state: February 20, 1987 (53rd Amendment)
• Jhum cultivation: Also called shifting/slash-and-burn agriculture; practised in NE India
• Mizoram literacy rate: 91.58% (2011 Census — 2nd highest in India after Kerala)

Persons in News

Jeff Webb (1950-2026): Founder who transformed cheerleading into a competitive global sport, passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 75. He was widely regarded as a visionary in the cheerleading industry.

Chuck Norris (1940-2026): Legendary martial artist and Hollywood actor passed away at the age of 86. Known for his roles in action films and the TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger”, he held a black belt in Tang Soo Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Rituparna Sengupta: Indian actress received the Women Empowerment Award for Art and Culture at the House of Commons, UK Parliament.

Nita Ambani: Reliance Foundation Chairperson conferred DLitt Honoris Causa by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Persons:

• Jeff Webb: Cheerleading pioneer, died March 20, 2026 (age 75)
• Chuck Norris: Martial artist and actor, died at age 86
• Rituparna Sengupta: Indian actress, Women Empowerment Award at UK Parliament
• Nita Ambani: DLitt from KIIT, Bhubaneswar

Other Relevant Facts:

• House of Commons: Lower house of UK Parliament
• KIIT: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar (deemed university)
• Reliance Foundation: CSR arm of Reliance Industries, founded 2010

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: World Water Day theme, Stockholm Water Prize, NdFeB magnets, Lipulekh Pass, NDC, Bioeconomy data, Chapchar Kut, JJM, UPI-UPU integration. Mains GS-2: India-China border trade resumption, India-Nepal Lipulekh dispute, healthcare regulation reform (NDC). Mains GS-3: Rare earth self-reliance strategy, bioeconomy growth, JJM sustainability challenges, methane monitoring. GS-1: Chapchar Kut and tribal culture of NE India.

Sources: The Tribune, PIB, Business Standard, InsightsIAS, Olympics.com, DD News