State-run oil marketing firms have increased commercial LPG cylinder prices by over 10% in major metro cities and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) rates by 9% for domestic travel, and more than doubled for international flights. This hike is attributed to a 44% spike in benchmark Saudi Contract prices and 20-30% of global LPG being stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The government defended the hikes, stating OMCs are bearing significant under-recoveries, projected to reach ₹40,484 crore by May-end. Household LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged. Commercial LPG rates are deregulated and market-determined.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices increased by over 10% in major metro cities, while ATF rates rose by 9% for domestic and more than doubled for international flights.
The price hike is primarily due to a 44% spike in benchmark Saudi Contract prices and disruptions in global LPG supply from the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are facing substantial under-recoveries, estimated at ₹40,484 crore by May-end.
Exam Points
Commercial LPG prices hiked by ₹196-₹218 per cylinder across the country.
Aviation fuel prices for international flights more than doubled to ₹2.07 lakh per kilolitre.
Under-recoveries of oil marketing companies projected to cross ₹40,484 crore by May-end.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran had requested a ceasefire and that he would consider it if the Strait of Hormuz were opened. However, Iran swiftly denied making any such proposal, asserting its commitment to continue the conflict until the aggressor is punished and compensation is paid. This exchange highlights the ongoing high tensions and diplomatic standoff between the two nations, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global oil shipments. The denial underscores Iran's firm stance against perceived U.S. aggression.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran sought a ceasefire, linking it to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran explicitly denied making any ceasefire proposal, stating it would continue the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of contention between the U.S. and Iran.
Exam Points
U.S. President Donald Trump made the claim regarding Iran.
Home Minister Amit Shah declared India Naxal-free, following three years of intensive paramilitary operations that led to thousands of Maoist surrenders, arrests, and neutralizations. Shah emphasized a militarist strategy combined with a dual approach of dialogue and rehabilitation. The article argues that while operational success in curtailing Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is commendable, the focus must now shift to inclusive development. It warns against crony capitalist extraction of resources and advocates for expanding tribal rights, ensuring their participation in democracy, and accountability in resource extraction to heal the wounds of the battle and ensure stable peace.
Home Minister Amit Shah declared India Naxal-free after three years of intensive paramilitary operations against Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
The strategy involved both a militarist approach and a dual approach of dialogue and rehabilitation for surrendered Maoists.
The article advocates for inclusive development in these areas, focusing on expanding tribal rights and ensuring their participation in democracy.
Exam Points
Home Minister Amit Shah declared India Naxal-free on March 30.
Over 4,839 Maoists surrendered, 2,218 were arrested, and 706 neutralised during operations.
Former PM Manmohan Singh had flagged LWE as a major internal security challenge, leading to Operation Green Hunt in 2009-10.
The article discusses the Supreme Court's reaction to a Class eight textbook's portrayal of the judiciary, leading to its shelving and a new committee formation. It delves into the concept of criminal contempt, emphasizing it should not be invoked for individual ego but to protect the court's authority from hostile criticism that shakes public confidence. The author highlights that the judiciary's real power stems from public faith, earned through upholding law and justice. While acknowledging the need for a line to be drawn against reckless or ill-motivated criticism, the piece strongly advocates for academic freedom and free speech, citing historical judicial pronouncements that welcome fair criticism as a means of vindication and improvement.
The Supreme Court reacted to a Class eight textbook's content regarding the judiciary, leading to its withdrawal and a new committee.
Criminal contempt is defined as obstructing justice or scandalizing the court, not merely offending a judge's ego.
The judiciary's true power relies on public faith and trust, garnered through its actions in upholding law and justice.
Exam Points
The controversy involves a Class eight textbook by NCERT.
Former CJI Sabyasachi Mukherjee spoke about the inability of courts to deliver quick justice.
Former CJI P.B. Gajendragadkar emphasized caution in using contempt power.
India's higher education sector has expanded significantly, with a rise in institutions and student enrollments, including improved participation from disadvantaged groups. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) increased from 16% in 2011 to 28% in 2022. However, this expansion is uneven, with regional disparities in college density and a worsening student-teacher ratio (from 24:1 in 2010 to 32:1 in 2021). The article highlights cost barriers, as professional degrees are significantly more expensive and often inaccessible for poorer households, who are more likely to pursue humanities and commerce. The focus must shift from mere expansion to ensuring equity, quality, and addressing faculty capacity and cost barriers.
India's higher education sector has seen substantial growth in the number of colleges and universities, largely driven by private providers.
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) increased from 16% in 2011 to 28% in 2022, with improved participation from Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Despite institutional expansion, regional disparities persist, and the student-teacher ratio has worsened, indicating a lack of commensurate growth in teaching capacity.
Exam Points
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) increased from 16% in 2011 to 28% in 2022.
College density increased from 29 colleges per lakh youth in 2010 to 45 in 2021.
Student-teacher ratio worsened from an average of 24:1 in 2010 to 32:1 in 2021.
The Budget Session of Parliament is expected to go into recess instead of adjourning sine die on April 2, as per the original schedule. Sources indicate that the government plans to reconvene Parliament on April 16. The primary agenda for the reconvened session will be to debate amendments to the Women's Reservation Act 2023, aiming to expedite its implementation. A key proposal is that the delimitation, essential for implementing the Act, will be based on the 2011 Census. The Chair in both Houses will announce the recess.
Parliament's Budget Session will not adjourn sine die on April 2 but will go into recess.
Parliament is expected to reconvene on April 16 to debate amendments to the Women's Reservation Act 2023.
The aim of reconvening is to speed up the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act.
Exam Points
Parliament's Budget Session is expected to reconvene on April 16.
The Women's Reservation Act 2023 is the key legislation to be discussed.
Delimitation for the Act will be based on the 2011 Census.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, by voice vote. The Bill aims to decriminalize minor offences across various laws, thereby promoting ease of doing business and living. It proposes to amend 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, specifically seeking to decriminalize 717 provisions and amend 67 others to facilitate ease of living. Additionally, the Bill rationalizes over 1,000 offences by removing outdated and redundant provisions, improving the overall regulatory environment. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated it would benefit people and MSMEs.
The Lok Sabha passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, by voice vote.
The Bill's primary objective is to decriminalize minor offences and promote ease of doing business and living.
It proposes amendments to 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries.
Exam Points
The Bill is named Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026.
It amends 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries.
It seeks to decriminalise 717 provisions and amend 67 provisions.
NASA has commenced fuelling its moon rocket for humanity's first lunar trip in over half a century, aiming for an evening lift-off with four astronauts. This mission, Artemis II, will see three Americans and one Canadian fly around the moon without stopping, setting a new distance record for human space travel by zooming 6,400 km beyond the moon. Tensions were high during fuelling due to past hydrogen leaks that caused flight delays. The launch team needs to load over 2.6 million litres of fuel into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket before the crew boards. Astronauts last flew to the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972.
NASA has begun fuelling its moon rocket for the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed lunar trip in over 50 years.
The mission will involve four astronauts (three Americans, one Canadian) flying around the moon without landing.
Artemis II aims to set a new distance record for human space travel, going 6,400 km beyond the moon.
Exam Points
The mission is named Artemis II.
It involves four astronauts (three Americans, one Canadian).
India is significantly expanding its piped natural gas (PNG) network, aiming to increase domestic gas consumption and reduce reliance on imports. The government has set a target to increase the share of natural gas in the energy basket to 15% by 2030, up from the current 6.3%. This push is driven by the fact that PNG is cheaper than LPG, offers continuous supply, and is more convenient. Policy measures include a gazette notification for priority allocation of domestic gas to city gas distribution (CGD) entities. The expansion involves laying new pipelines and increasing household connections, with a projected increase in domestic production and a 25% growth in Rystad Energy projects by 2024.
India is rapidly expanding its piped natural gas (PNG) network to increase domestic gas consumption.
The government aims to raise the share of natural gas in the energy basket from 6.3% to 15% by 2030.
PNG is promoted as a cheaper, more convenient, and continuously supplied alternative to LPG.
Exam Points
India aims to increase the share of natural gas in its energy basket to 15% by 2030 (from 6.3%).
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is involved in regulating the sector.
A gazette notification provides priority allocation of domestic gas to CGD entities.
India's first dengue vaccine, TAK-003 (Qdenga) by Takeda, has received clearance for use among individuals aged 4 to 60 years, marking a significant milestone in the fight against dengue. Evaluated in global trials and approved in over 40 countries, Qdenga offers strong protection against severe dengue and hospitalization without requiring pre-vaccination screening. However, it's not a silver bullet; its effectiveness against DENV-3 and DENV-4 serotypes is lower, which is concerning given India's evolving epidemiology. The vaccine modifies disease severity rather than blocking transmission, meaning outbreaks will persist. Cost and access remain challenges, with an indigenous candidate, 'DengiAll' by Panacea Biotec, in phase III trials, potentially offering broader protection and a single-dose regimen by 2027.
India's first dengue vaccine, TAK-003 (Qdenga) by Takeda, has been cleared for use in individuals aged 4-60 years.
The vaccine provides strong protection against severe dengue and hospitalization and does not require pre-vaccination screening.
Qdenga is more effective against DENV-1 and DENV-2 but less so against DENV-3 and DENV-4, which is a concern given India's evolving dengue epidemiology.
Exam Points
India's first dengue vaccine is TAK-003, marketed as 'Qdenga', developed by Takeda.
It received clearance from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) under the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
The vaccine is approved for individuals aged 4 to 60 years.
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