India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% and continue its neutral stance. This decision was influenced by the temporary ceasefire in the West Asia conflict, which RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirmed was factored into the monetary policy. The MPC noted that the conflict's intensity and duration, along with damage to energy and infrastructure, pose risks to inflation and growth. Consequently, the real GDP growth forecast for 2026-27 was reduced by 70 bps to 6.9%, and the CPI inflation projection for 2026-27 was hiked to 4.5% from 4.4%. Geopolitical uncertainties and increased energy price pressures are identified as key upside risks to the inflation outlook.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%.
The MPC also maintained its neutral monetary policy stance, considering the West Asia ceasefire.
India's real GDP growth forecast for 2026-27 was cut to 6.9% (by 70 bps).
Exam Points
Repo rate: 5.25%.
Real GDP growth forecast for 2026-27: 6.9% (reduced by 70 bps).
CPI inflation forecast for 2026-27: 4.5% (hiked from 4.4%).
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that despite global geopolitical disturbances and supply chain disruptions, India's economic fundamentals remain strong. However, he warned that elevated crude oil prices would increase imported inflation and widen the Current Account Deficit (CAD). Disruptions in energy, fertiliser, and other commodity markets could adversely impact industry, agriculture, and services, reducing domestic output. Heightened uncertainty, increased risk aversion, and safe haven demand may also affect domestic liquidity, economic activity, consumption, investment, and global growth, potentially dampening external demand and reducing remittance flows. RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta clarified that remittances are not expected to dip, citing diverse sources and increased demand for migrant workers in the Gulf region.
Elevated crude oil prices are expected to increase imported inflation and widen India's Current Account Deficit (CAD).
Disruptions in energy, fertiliser, and other commodity markets could negatively impact various domestic economic sectors.
Global uncertainties might affect domestic liquidity, economic activity, and external demand.
Exam Points
RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra.
RBI Deputy Governor: Poonam Gupta.
Impact of crude oil prices on Current Account Deficit (CAD).
The Supreme Court, during a hearing on the Sabarimala shrine case, stated that courts cannot hollow out religion in the name of reform and that logic may not be the right tool to examine faith and belief systems. A nine-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, observed that a religion cannot lose its identity through social reform. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, argued that reform must originate from within the religion and that judicial review should not be based on rationality or science for religious matters. Justice B.V. Nagarathna questioned whether a non-devotee could challenge religious practices in court. The court also discussed that the term 'essential religious practices' was a judicial creation, not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
The Supreme Court emphasized that logic might not be suitable for examining religious belief systems.
Courts should not undermine religion under the guise of reform, as reform should ideally come from within the religion.
The concept of 'essential religious practices' is a judicial creation, not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
Exam Points
Case: Sabarimala shrine case.
Bench: Nine-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
India's sports equipment manufacturing sector, despite being labour-intensive, contributes only about 0.5% to the global trade, indicating significant under-representation. The industry is geographically concentrated in centers like Jalandhar and Meerut, dominated by MSMEs, and relies on artisanal skills, limiting scaling and adoption of new technologies. Indian firms face a 15% cost disadvantage compared to peers in China and Pakistan due to higher input prices, inefficient logistics, and limited economies of scale. Key issues include reliance on imported specialized components, high import duties, and lack of internationally recognized testing and certification facilities. The article suggests rationalizing import duties, providing fiscal support, establishing testing centers, investing in local raw materials, and building strong domestic brands to boost exports and global presence.
India's sports equipment manufacturing sector is underperforming globally, contributing only 0.5% to world trade.
Structural issues like high input costs, inefficient logistics, and lack of advanced manufacturing capabilities lead to a 15% cost disadvantage for Indian firms.
The absence of internationally recognized testing and certification centers hinders market access and innovation.
Exam Points
India's contribution to global sports equipment trade: 0.5%.
Cost disadvantage for Indian firms: 15% compared to China/Pakistan.
Report mentioned: 'Realising the export potential of the sports equipment manufacturing market in India' by NITI Aayog and FED.
India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has achieved first criticality, a significant milestone, though it is 16 years behind schedule and its cost has more than doubled to ₹8,181 crore. The PFBR is crucial for India's three-stage nuclear power programme, aiming for energy security and self-sufficiency by using spent fuel to produce plutonium and eventually thorium. Nuclear power currently contributes about 3% of India's electricity. The article emphasizes the need for scrupulous performance evaluation, honest admission of mistakes, and a revamp of the nuclear regulatory regime. It highlights that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) currently report to the Atomic Energy Commission, creating a conflict of interest where the promoter is also the regulator.
The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has achieved first criticality, a key step in India's nuclear program.
The PFBR is integral to India's three-stage nuclear power programme, designed to utilize abundant thorium resources for energy security.
The project has faced significant delays (16 years) and cost overruns (more than double the sanctioned amount).
Exam Points
Project: Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam.
Achieved first criticality: April 6.
Final cost: ₹8,181 crore (more than twice sanctioned amount).
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, builds on the 2023 Act, aiming to recalibrate regulatory balance towards trust-based compliance by decriminalizing minor business-related offenses. This reform shifts away from criminal sanctions for technical and procedural lapses to civil penalties or administrative measures, reducing compliance burdens and fostering entrepreneurship. The 2026 Bill proposes amendments to 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, decriminalizing 717 provisions, and removing obsolete offenses. It seeks to reduce court congestion by moving minor cases out of criminal courts. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has advocated for this shift, emphasizing proportionality and economic efficiency. Effective implementation, including strengthening administrative adjudication and clear guidance, will be crucial for its success.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, aims to establish a trust-based compliance culture by decriminalizing minor offenses.
It proposes to replace criminal penalties for technical and procedural lapses with civil or administrative measures.
The Bill seeks to amend 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, decriminalizing 717 of them, and remove obsolete offenses.
Exam Points
Bill name: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026.
Previous Act: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
Provisions proposed for amendment by 2026 Bill: 784 across 79 Central Acts, decriminalizing 717.
India's textile industry, experiencing a surge in orders, faces a "thermodynamic bottleneck" due to extreme heat, severely impacting worker productivity and supply chains. Indoor temperatures routinely exceeding 35-40°C halve worker capacity and cause operational collapses, leading to an estimated loss of 259 billion labour hours annually between 2001-2020, costing over $600 billion. Workers, especially informal ones, bear the brunt through lost wages and health risks. The article calls for a climate-smart supply chain by integrating heat projections into industrial policy, implementing mandatory heat-action plans, reforming financing mechanisms to support cooling technologies, strengthening labour protection codes, and driving innovation in heat-resilient solutions. International buyers are urged to share adaptation costs through fairer pricing and longer lead times.
Extreme heat in India's textile industry significantly reduces worker productivity and causes operational disruptions.
Indoor temperatures often exceed safe thresholds, leading to substantial annual labor hour and economic losses.
Informal workers disproportionately suffer from lost wages and health risks due to heat stress.
Exam Points
Estimated labor hours lost due to heat stress (2001-2020): 259 billion hours annually.
Estimated economic loss (2001-2020): over $600 billion annually.
India's textile industry employs 45 million people and controls 39% of global cotton cultivation.
The Union Cabinet has approved a draft amendment Bill to implement the Women's Reservation Act, formally known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The amendment seeks to revise the implementation framework of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Under the proposal, the strength of the Lok Sabha is set to increase from 543 to 816 seats following a fresh delimitation exercise. Of the expanded House, 273 seats (around one-third) will be reserved for women, with vertical reservation for women within Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories. Significantly, delimitation will be based on the 2011 Census data, departing from the existing law which would await 2027 Census data. The Bill is scheduled for debate in the Budget Session from April 16-18.
The Union Cabinet approved a draft amendment Bill to implement the Women's Reservation Act by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The Lok Sabha's strength is proposed to increase from 543 to 816 seats after a new delimitation exercise.
Approximately one-third (273) of the expanded Lok Sabha seats will be reserved for women, including vertical reservation for SC/ST women.
India has withdrawn its bid to host the 33rd Conference of Parties (COP33) in 2028, the annual United Nations climate talks. The decision, confirmed by The Hindu, follows a "review of its commitments for 2028," as stated in a letter from the Environment Ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced India's interest in hosting COP33 at COP28 in Dubai. The hosting of COP rotates among UN regional groups, with India belonging to the Asia Pacific group. South Korea is now the only country that has expressed interest in hosting COP33. India last hosted a climate summit in 2002 (COP8). India recently updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035, committing to source 60% electricity from non-fossil sources, reduce emissions intensity by 47%, and increase carbon sink by 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
India has withdrawn its bid to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028.
The withdrawal is attributed to a "review of its commitments for 2028" by the Environment Ministry.
The hosting of the COP rotates among UN regional groups, with India belonging to the Asia Pacific group.
Exam Points
Summit: COP33 in 2028.
Previous COP hosted by India: COP8 in 2002.
Updated NDCs for 2035: 60% electricity from non-fossil sources, 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP, 3.5-4 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent carbon sink.
Archaeologists from the ASI's Mumbai Circle have unearthed a 1,500-year-old stepped reservoir on Elephanta Island near Mumbai, described as a "remarkable engineering work." The massive T-shaped structure, measuring 14.7m long and 6.7m-10.8m wide, has 20 exposed steps built from non-local stone blocks. This discovery is significant as the island's rocky nature prevents water seepage, making water storage crucial. The excavation, ongoing since November 2025, has also yielded a brick dyeing vat, storage pot, terracotta figurines, glass and stone bangles, beads, stone anchors, and about 3,000 amphorae sherds of Mediterranean and West Asian origin. Importantly, 60 copper, lead, and silver coins, some identified as belonging to the 6th-century Kalachuri dynasty ruler Krishnaraja, confirm the island's long-distance maritime contacts.
A 1,500-year-old stepped reservoir, an impressive engineering feat, has been discovered on Elephanta Island near Mumbai.
The reservoir's construction with non-local stone indicates advanced planning and resource management for water storage.
Excavations have revealed artifacts like amphorae sherds from the Mediterranean and West Asia, indicating extensive ancient maritime trade.
Exam Points
Discovery location: Elephanta Island, near Mumbai.
India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam recently achieved first criticality, a crucial step in its three-stage nuclear power programme. This programme, conceived by Homi Bhabha, aims for long-term fuel security by utilizing India's abundant thorium reserves. The first stage uses Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with natural uranium, producing plutonium. The second stage, involving FBRs like PFBR, uses this plutonium and depleted uranium to breed more plutonium. The final stage will use thorium and plutonium to generate electricity. FBRs are technically challenging and costly due to liquid sodium coolant and stringent safety requirements, leading to delays and cost overruns for PFBR. The article also highlights the need for a robust regulatory framework and economic viability for FBRs.
India's three-stage nuclear power programme aims for energy security and self-sufficiency using its thorium reserves.
The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is a key component of the second stage, designed to breed more fissile material.
FBRs are technically complex and costly, using liquid sodium as a coolant, which requires stringent safety protocols.
Exam Points
Nuclear programme architect: Homi Bhabha.
Reactor types: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs).
PFBR location: Kalpakkam.
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