Current Affairs Today — March 25, 2026

Lok Sabha Passes Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

🗞️ Why in News The Lok Sabha passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote on March 24, introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar.

Key Amendments

The Bill amends the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. It narrows the definition of “transgender person” by excluding those who “self-perceive” as transgender. The revised definition now specifically includes socio-cultural identities — kinner, hijra, aravani, jogta, and eunuch — as well as persons with intersex variations or congenital differences in primary/secondary sexual characteristics, chromosomal patterns, gonadal development, or hormonal response.

Certification Process

Under the amended provisions, the District Magistrate will issue a transgender identity certificate after examining the recommendation of a designated medical board, replacing the earlier self-declaration-based process.

Opposition and Controversy

The Bill was introduced on March 14 and drew widespread protests from the transgender community. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed concern that the Bill was not referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee and that sections of the community felt excluded.

UPSC Angle

The amendment raises important questions about the balance between medical certification and self-identification, the NALSA v. Union of India (2014) Supreme Court judgment that recognised self-identification, and Article 14/15/21 implications.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Transgender Persons Act, 2019:

• Original Act passed: November 2019
• Supreme Court judgment: NALSA v. Union of India (2014) — recognised right to self-identification
• Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex
• Article 21 guarantees right to life and personal liberty with dignity
• National Council for Transgender Persons: chaired by Union Minister of Social Justice
• 2011 Census counted 4.88 lakh transgender persons in India

Other Relevant Facts:

• Yogyakarta Principles (2006) — international principles on sexual orientation and gender identity
• Section 377 IPC was read down in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)
• Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules notified in September 2020

Goldman Sachs Cuts India GDP Forecast to 5.9% for CY2026

🗞️ Why in News Goldman Sachs lowered India’s calendar year 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5.9%, down from 6.5% (revised on March 13) and 7% (pre-Iran war estimate) — the second downgrade within a month.

Key Projections

Drivers of Downgrade

The revision follows rising crude oil prices due to Strait of Hormuz supply disruptions after the US-Israel strikes on Iran. The Indian rupee has weakened 4% against the US dollar in 2026 (after a 4.7% decline in 2025). Goldman Sachs anticipates a 50 basis points hike in the policy repo rate from the current 5.25% to manage inflation and currency weakness.

UPSC Angle

This is significant for understanding macroeconomic vulnerability, external sector shocks, and monetary policy dilemmas in an oil-import-dependent economy.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

India’s Oil Dependence:

• India imports ~85-88% of its crude oil requirement
• India is the world’s 3rd largest oil consumer after the US and China
• Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) capacity: ~5.33 million metric tonnes (~9.5 days of consumption)
• SPR locations: Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Padur

Goldman Sachs on India:

• Pre-war GDP forecast: 7.0%
• First cut (March 13): 6.5%
• Second cut (March 24): 5.9%
• Inflation forecast raised from 3.9% → 4.2% → 4.6%
• Expected repo rate hike: 50 bps from 5.25%

Other Relevant Facts:

• RBI’s repo rate as of March 2026: 5.25% (after 25 bps cut in February 2026)
• India’s GDP growth in FY2025: 6.5% (2nd Advance Estimate)
• Strait of Hormuz handles ~20% of global traded oil

Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 Inaugurated in Chhattisgarh

🗞️ Why in News The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 began on March 25 in Chhattisgarh, with events across three cities — Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja — running until April 6, 2026.

Event Details

Over 2,300 athletes and 3,700+ total participants are taking part in the inaugural edition. The Games feature seven medal sports — Athletics, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Archery, Swimming, and Wrestling — and two demonstration sports — Mallakhamb and Kabaddi.

Organisation

The KITG is jointly managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, and the Chhattisgarh State Organising Committee. Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the Games are “part of expanding opportunity and scope” for tribal athletes.

Mascot

The official mascot is “Morveer” — “Mor” means “mine/our own” in Chhattisgarhi, and “Veer” symbolises bravery and courage.

UPSC Angle

The KITG connects to tribal welfare policy, sports governance architecture, and the push for inclusive development under Schedule V areas.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Khelo India Tribal Games 2026:

• First edition: March 25 – April 6, 2026
• Host state: Chhattisgarh
• Venues: Raipur, Jagdalpur, Sarguja
• Athletes: 2,300+; total participants: 6,000+
• Medal sports (7): Athletics, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Archery, Swimming, Wrestling
• Demonstration sports (2): Mallakhamb, Kabaddi
• Mascot: “Morveer”
• Organiser: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports + SAI
• Sports Minister: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

Other Relevant Facts:

• Khelo India programme launched in 2018 for grassroots sports development
• Tribal population in India: 10.43 crore (8.6% of total, Census 2011)
• Chhattisgarh tribal population: ~30.6% of state population
• Fifth Schedule of the Constitution covers tribal areas in 10 states

Union Minister Vaishnaw Launches AI Skilling, MyWAVES, DD Free Dish Initiatives

🗞️ Why in News Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched three major digital initiatives on March 23, 2026 — the National AI Skilling Initiative, MyWAVES content platform, and Advanced EPG with built-in satellite tuners for DD Free Dish.

National AI Skilling Initiative

Launched in partnership with Google and YouTube through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), the initiative will train 15,000 youths free of cost. Phase I (March–June 2026): foundational AI learning through Google Career Certificates and Generative AI learning paths. Phase II (July–December 2026): advanced, project-based specialisation for the creative industry using tools like Gemini 3, Veo, and Vertex AI.

MyWAVES Platform

MyWAVES is a new feature within the WAVES OTT platform enabling citizens to create, upload, and share content. It supports short videos, vertical videos, episodic content, and a multilingual interface across Indian languages. It integrates with national initiatives such as the Create in India Challenge.

DD Free Dish EPG and Built-in Tuners

Television sets with built-in satellite tuners and a new user-friendly Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) allow viewers to watch DD Free Dish channels directly without a separate set-top box, reducing costs and complexity.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

National AI Skilling Initiative:

• Training target: 15,000 youths (free of cost)
• Partners: Google, YouTube, IICT
• Phase I: March–June 2026 (foundational AI)
• Phase II: July–December 2026 (advanced creative AI)

DD Free Dish:

• Launched: December 2004
• Free-to-air DTH service by Prasar Bharati
• Channels: 100+ TV channels + 40+ radio stations
• Subscriber base: estimated 40 million+ households

Other Relevant Facts:

• WAVES OTT platform launched by Government of India
• India’s creator economy estimated at $25 billion by 2030
• IICT established under Ministry of I&B

Indian Railways Adds Five New Reforms Under Reform Express

🗞️ Why in News Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced five new reforms for Indian Railways under the “Reform Express” initiative, bringing the total reforms for 2026 to nine.

Cargo Reforms (2)

Salt Transportation: Introduction of stainless steel container-based system with top-loading and hydraulic side-discharge, reducing damage from corrosion, water seepage, and repeated handling. Automobile Transportation: Flexible wagon designs tailored to specific routes, addressing constraints of tunnels and bridges and improving capacity utilisation.

Construction Quality Reform (1)

Stricter eligibility criteria for contractors, fixed bid security at 2% of project cost, mandatory assessment of bid capacity for larger projects, and tighter controls on subcontracting.

Passenger Convenience Reforms (2)

Cancellation timelines extended to 72, 24, and 8 hours before departure. Counter tickets can now be cancelled from any railway station. E-ticket refunds processed automatically. Passengers can upgrade travel class up to 30 minutes before departure and change boarding station digitally.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Reform Express 2026:

• Total reforms in 2026: 9 (4 earlier + 5 new)
• Breakdown: 2 cargo + 1 construction + 2 passenger convenience
• Salt container: stainless steel with hydraulic side-discharge
• Cancellation windows: 72, 24, and 8 hours before departure
• Class upgrade: up to 30 minutes before departure

Other Relevant Facts:

• Indian Railways: world’s 4th largest rail network (~68,000+ route km)
• Annual passengers: ~8.5 billion
• Railway Budget merged with Union Budget since 2017
• Railway Board restructured in 2020 (unified CRB as CEO)
• Dedicated Freight Corridors: Eastern (1,337 km) + Western (1,506 km)

Philippines Declares National Energy Emergency Over Hormuz Fuel Disruption

🗞️ Why in News The Philippines became the first country to declare a state of national energy emergency, citing “imminent danger” to fuel supply following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel strikes on Iran.

Fuel Supply Status

Pump prices have surged nearly 200%, with petrol above 90 pesos, diesel near 130 pesos, and kerosene close to 145 pesos per litre.

Root Cause

After Operation Epic Fury (US-Israel strikes on Iran, beginning February 28, 2026), Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Asian countries are heavily reliant on Middle East imports, which account for about 60% of the region’s oil supply. The Philippines government is working to procure 1 million barrels of oil from within and outside Southeast Asia.

GNSS Disruption in Persian Gulf

The conflict has also triggered the largest documented GPS jamming event in maritime history. By March 7, over 1,650 vessels experienced GPS and AIS interference — a 55% increase in under two weeks. At least 30 distinct jamming clusters were identified across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Iran. Maritime traffic through the Strait fell to near-zero levels on some days.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Philippines Energy Emergency:

• First country to declare national energy emergency over Hormuz crisis
• Average fuel supply remaining: ~45 days
• Procurement target: 1 million barrels from ASEAN and beyond
• Pump price surge: ~200%

Strait of Hormuz:

• Width: ~33 km (navigable lane: 3 km each way)
• Daily crude oil flow (pre-crisis): ~20 million barrels (~20% of global traded oil)
• Key exporters via Hormuz: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran

GNSS Disruption:

• 1,650+ vessels affected by March 7, 2026
• 30+ jamming clusters identified
• Electronic warfare affecting ECDIS and AIS navigation systems

Other Relevant Facts:

• ASEAN has 10 member states (11 with Timor-Leste accession pending)
• Philippines president: Ferdinand Marcos Jr
• India’s SPR capacity: ~9.5 days vs IEA recommended 90 days

Biopharma SHAKTI Strategy — Budget 2026

🗞️ Why in News The Union Budget 2026-27 announced the Biopharma SHAKTI (Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology, and Innovation) initiative with a Rs 10,000 crore allocation to boost India’s biologics and biosimilars production capacity.

Key Components

• Establishment of 3 new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and upgrading 7 existing ones
• Creation of a network of 1,000+ accredited India Clinical Trials sites
• Strengthening the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with a dedicated scientific review cadre
• Shift toward non-animal testing models

Market Context

India ranks 3rd globally in pharmaceutical production by volume and leads in generics and vaccine manufacturing. However, India holds only about 3.2% of the global biosimilars market (2025), despite having 95+ approved biosimilars domestically. The initiative targets non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Biopharma SHAKTI:

• Full form: Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology, and Innovation
• Budget allocation: Rs 10,000 crore
• New NIPERs: 3; upgradation: 7 existing
• Clinical trial sites: 1,000+ accredited
• India’s global biosimilar market share: ~3.2% (2025)
• Approved biosimilars in India: 95+

Other Relevant Facts:

• India is called the “Pharmacy of the World”
• India supplies ~20% of global generic medicines
• Indian pharma industry size: ~$50 billion (2025)
• NIPERs established under NIPER Act, 1998
• CDSCO functions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

Kerala Becomes First State to Establish Senior Citizens Commission

🗞️ Why in News Kerala became the first Indian state to pass a law creating a Senior Citizens Commission, announced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan under the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill 2025.

Commission Structure

The Commission will be headed by a Chairperson with a minimum of three members, all of whom must be senior citizens. Former Rajya Sabha MP K. Somaprasad was appointed as the first Chairperson.

Functions

The Commission will focus on protecting the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the elderly, addressing issues of neglect, exploitation, and loneliness, and providing guidelines to tackle these problems.

Demographic Context

Kerala is aging more rapidly than the national average — people over 60 constitute 12.6% of Kerala’s population (Census 2011) compared to the national average of 8.6%. Kerala’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is 1.8, below the replacement level of 2.1.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Kerala Senior Citizens Commission:

• First state in India with a dedicated elderly commission
• Established under: Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill 2025
• First Chairperson: K. Somaprasad (former Rajya Sabha MP)
• Members: minimum 3 (all must be senior citizens)
• Kerala’s 60+ population: 12.6% vs national average 8.6%

Other Relevant Facts:

• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (Central)
• India’s 60+ population projected to reach 19.5% by 2050 (UN)
• National Policy for Senior Citizens: 2011
• PMVVY (Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana) for senior citizen pension
• Kerala’s TFR: 1.8 (below replacement level of 2.1)

Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 — India Ranks 91st

🗞️ Why in News Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, ranking 182 countries. India improved marginally to rank 91 with a score of 39 out of 100, up from 96th in 2024.

Key Findings

The global CPI average has dropped to 42 out of 100 for the first time in over a decade. India’s improvement is attributed to the expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and e-governance, which reduced “middleman” corruption in welfare delivery. However, concerns remain about political financing and protection of whistleblowers and journalists.

India Among “Dangerous for Journalists”

The report listed India among countries “dangerous for journalists reporting on corruption” — over 90% of journalist killings occur in countries with CPI scores below 50.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

CPI 2025:

• India rank: 91 out of 182 (score: 39/100)
• Previous rank (2024): 96 (score: 38/100)
• Global average: 42/100 (lowest in a decade)
• Top 3: Denmark, Finland, New Zealand
• Published by: Transparency International (HQ: Berlin, Germany)

Other Relevant Facts:

• CPI scores on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean)
• CPI measures perceived levels of public sector corruption
• India’s anti-corruption framework: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018)
• Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) established 1964, statutory status 2003

NITI Aayog Sanctions Rs 1.55 Crore for RISE Centre in Andhra Pradesh

🗞️ Why in News NITI Aayog sanctioned Rs 1.55 crore as financial assistance to the RISE (Rural Innovations, Incubation, Skilling and Entrepreneurship) Centre in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at empowering women and promoting rural entrepreneurship.

RISE Centre Details

The Centre was established at Guntupalli in Ibrahimpatnam block, NTR district. The initiative aligns with the state’s vision of “one family-one entrepreneur”. Funds will be used for AI-based skill surveys, training programmes, and infrastructure strengthening. The Centre offers integrated services through dedicated help, idea, skilling, placement, and banking desks.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

RISE Centre:

• Full form: Rural Innovations, Incubation, Skilling and Entrepreneurship
• Location: Guntupalli, Ibrahimpatnam block, NTR district, Andhra Pradesh
• NITI Aayog grant: Rs 1.55 crore
• Focus: Women-led enterprises, SHG members, AI-based skill surveys

Other Relevant Facts:

• NITI Aayog established: January 1, 2015 (replaced Planning Commission)
• NITI Aayog Chairman: Prime Minister of India
• CEO: appointed by the government
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) operates under NITI Aayog

Razorpay and Sarvam AI Launch Voice-First Digital Commerce

🗞️ Why in News Razorpay partnered with Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI to build voice-first, conversational commerce experiences in India, enabling users to discover products, place orders, and complete payments through natural voice interactions in multiple Indian languages.

How It Works

The system combines Sarvam’s AI models and agentic stack with Razorpay’s payments infrastructure. Users can complete the full transaction flow — product discovery to checkout — through voice commands without traditional app navigation. Swiggy is the first early partner on the Indus App. A voice assistant is already live on The Derma Co website.

Developer Tools

Sarvam’s technology will be integrated into Razorpay’s Agent Studio, enabling developers to build multilingual AI agents for Hindi, Hinglish, and other Indian languages.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Razorpay-Sarvam AI Partnership:

• Razorpay: India’s largest payments gateway (founded 2014, Bengaluru)
• Sarvam AI: Bengaluru-based AI startup focused on Indian languages
• First partner: Swiggy (on Indus App)
• Feature: voice-led product discovery, ordering, and payment

Other Relevant Facts:

• India’s digital payments volume: 17+ billion transactions/month (2025-26)
• UPI transactions in FY2025: ~16 billion/month average
• India has 22 scheduled languages under the Eighth Schedule

Karnataka Grameena Bank Receives National Award for SHG-Bank Linkage

🗞️ Why in News Karnataka Grameena Bank received the National Award for Outstanding Performance in Self-Help Groups (SHG)-Bank Linkage for 2024-25, at a CLCC meeting held in Hyderabad.

Bank’s Contribution

The award was received by General Manager V.M. Rukmini Devi. The bank has extended credit of Rs 2,835 crore to 80,904 SHGs, contributing significantly to livelihood generation and financial inclusion. The recognition aligns with the “One State-One Rural Bank” policy under which two regional rural banks in Karnataka were merged.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Karnataka Grameena Bank:

• Award: National Award for SHG-Bank Linkage (FY 2024-25)
• Credit extended: Rs 2,835 crore to 80,904 SHGs
• Policy: “One State-One Rural Bank” (merger of RRBs)

SHG-Bank Linkage Programme:

• Launched: 1992 by NABARD
• Largest microfinance programme in the world
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana — NRLM: umbrella programme for SHG promotion
• ~12 crore women in SHGs across India (as of 2025)

Other Relevant Facts:

• RRBs established under Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
• RRBs are jointly owned by: Central Government (50%), State Government (15%), Sponsor Bank (35%)
• NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (est. 1982)

Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary — New Reserved Forest Notified in Assam

🗞️ Why in News The Assam Government’s Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department issued a notification on March 15, 2026, proposing creation of Burhachapori No. 5 Reserved Forest in Sonitpur district, bringing 224.325 hectares under reserved forest status.

Purpose

The reservation is a compensatory afforestation measure under the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Rules, 2023, compensating for forest land diverted for development projects by NHIDCL, NHAI, ONGC, and Oil India Limited.

About the Sanctuary

Burhachapori (also Bura Chapori) Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Nagaon district, Assam, along the south bank of the Brahmaputra. It is home to the Indian rhinoceros, wild buffalo, tigers, and elephants.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: Nagaon district, Assam
• Area: ~44.06 sq km
• River: south bank of Brahmaputra
• Key species: Indian rhinoceros, wild buffalo, tiger, elephant
• Adjacent to Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

Compensatory Afforestation:

• New Reserved Forest: Burhachapori No. 5 (Sonitpur district)
• Area: 224.325 hectares
• Under: Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Rules, 2023
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act (CAMPA): 2016

Other Relevant Facts:

• Assam has 5 National Parks and 18 Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Kaziranga NP: UNESCO World Heritage Site (home to 2/3 of world’s one-horned rhinos)
• Indian Rhinoceros IUCN status: Vulnerable

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Transgender Persons Act 2019, NALSA judgment, Khelo India Tribal Games, Biopharma SHAKTI, CPI 2025 (India rank 91), Burhachapori WLS, SHG-Bank Linkage, Reform Express, GNSS/GPS jamming, DD Free Dish, RISE Centre, NIPER

Mains GS-2: Transgender rights and self-identification vs medical certification; Parliamentary committee scrutiny; Senior Citizens Commission — aging demographics; NITI Aayog’s role in women’s empowerment

Mains GS-3: Goldman Sachs GDP downgrade — oil shock macroeconomics; Biopharma SHAKTI and India’s pharma industry; AI Skilling Initiative; Railway reforms; Compensatory afforestation; Voice-first digital commerce and financial inclusion

Mains GS-1: Kerala’s demographic transition; tribal welfare and sports

Sources: GKToday, AffairsCloud, Insights on India, PIB, Business Standard, The Hindu