Daily Current Affairs — 16 March 2026
29 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
India’s Expanding Data Centre Ecosystem
Context India’s total data centre capacity has increased from about 375 MW in 2020 to around 1500 MW by 2025, indicating rapid expansion driven by digitalisation, cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI). What are Data centre? A data centre is a physical facility that centralizes an organizations IT operations and equipment to store, process, and manage vast amounts of data.
India Emerged as a Global Hub for semiconductor design and R&D
In Context As per Industry estimates, India has emerged as a global hub for semiconductor design and Research Development. Semiconductors They are also called chips or integrated circuits, which are tiny electronic circuits made mainly from silicon. They contain millions or billions of components like transistors, diodes, capacitors, and resistors that work together to process and control electrical signals.
Thorium can Power India’s 100 GWe by 2047 Mission
Context The SHANTI Act 2025 represents a watershed moment for India’s atomic energy programme; however, resolving the challenges of thorium utilisation is urgent. India’s Thorium Reserves India has one of the largest reserves of thorium in the world. Together, Kerala and Odisha account for over 70% of India’s thorium.
Failure of Atomic Clock Cripples ISRO’s NavIC
Context India’s indigenous navigation satellite system Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) has suffered a setback after the failure of the IRNSS-1F satellite due to malfunction of its last operational rubidium atomic clock. About Atomic clock An Atomic Clock is a highly precise time-keeping device that measures time based on the natural vibration frequency of atoms, usually cesium or rubidium atoms. It is considered the most accurate time-keeping technology, capable of maintaining accur
Supreme Court’s Push for Crop Diversification
Context Recently, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union Government to revisit its agricultural policy framework and develop better incentives to encourage farmers to diversify from wheat and paddy to pulses especially in North India. Issues Highlighted by the Court Lack of Adequate MSP Incentives: Farmers often prefer wheat and paddy because government procurement is strong for these crops. However, pulse farmers rarely receive effective MSP support, reducing their incentive to cultivate
UPSC’s New Rule on Appointment of State DGPs
Context The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has revised the rules for the empanelment of the State Director General of Police and Head of Police Force. Key Changes in the Rule Prior approval of the Supreme Court required for delay: State governments must now obtain permission from the Supreme Court of India if there is any delay in sending the list of eligible DGP-rank officers to the Union Public Service Commission. Three-month advance submission rule: States must send proposals at least
Leaders pay tribute to Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary
Source: The Hindu(Page1) | Syllabus: GS1(History)
Veena exponent Jayanthi Kumaresh to receive Sangita Kalanidhi award at Music Academy’s 100th Conference
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS1(Art and Culture)
India-EU ties in focus as Jaishankar visits Brussels
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)
Ice patches on melting glaciers greater threat than thought: ISRO scientists
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment/Disaster Management)
Trisulphide metathesis: new avenues
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Science and Tech )
Oil prices reflect geopolitical risks, not only supply
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS2(IR )/GS3(Economy)
Mandatory period leave sans parity in recruitment will hurt women
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance )
Diversify agriculture and encourage farmers to grow pulses, SC tells govt.
Source: The Hindu(Page1) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)/GS3(Economy)
UPSC’s new rule: SC nod must for delay in choosing State DGPs
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)
NHAI increases rate of the FASTag Annual pass: What has changed?
Source: Indian Express(Page13) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)/GS3(Economy )
Coal-fired plants’ inflexibility jeopardises India’s clean energy push
Source: Indian Express(Page13) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy /Environment)
How GDP data misread the economy, complicated policy
Source: Indian express(Page11) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy)
Iran War has hit all segments of India’s oil, gas imports. Why is stress most visible in LPG sector?How India became so dependent on LPG imports
Source: Indian express(Page16)Indian express(Page16) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy)GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy)
SHANTI act : How thorium can power India’s 100 GWe by 2047 mission
Source: Indian express(Page16) | Syllabus: GS3(Science and Tech)
Nominations for Padma Awards-2027 begins
Source: PIB | Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Disruption caused by West Asia war carries a reminder: Policy reforms in fertiliser sector are overdue
Source: Indian Express(Page11) | Syllabus: GS2(IR)/GS3(Economy )
On the right to die with dignity
Source: The Hindu(Page9) | Syllabus: GS2(Governance )/GS3(Ethics)
Why is Rajasthan’s property Bill drawing scrutiny?Kharg IslandAtomic clock on NavIC satellite calls time; ISRO’s ‘GPS’ weakensExperts clash over HALEU-Th fuel for Indian nuclear reactorsS3V Vascular unit launches indigenous TAVR system for preclinical studiesIndia’s navigation satellite system suffers major setback: 1 of 4 operational IRNSS satellites fails
Source: The Hindu(Page10)The HinduThe HinduThe HinduThe HinduIndian Express | Syllabus: GS2(Governance)GS1(Places)GS3(Space)GS3(Science and Tech)GS3(Science and Tech)GS3(Science and Tech)
Building India’s climate resilience with water at the core
Source: The Hindu(Page8) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment )
Changes in India’s FDI policy for Land Bordering Countries, including China, and who stands to gain
Source: Indian Express(Page13) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy )
What could have been done to avert a cooking gas crisis — and wasn’t
Source: Indian Express(Page10) | Syllabus: GS3(Economy )
Why is the U.S. investigating India?
Source: The Hindu(Page10) | Syllabus: GS2(IR )
High honour, deep divide: When Tamil poet Vairamuthu won the Jnanpith Award
Source: Indian Express(Page9) | Syllabus: Miscellaneous