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📝 Revision Notes
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Environment
Earth Hour 2026 — 20th Anniversary
Organised by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Earth Hour was first observed on 31 March 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The 2026 theme is ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’. Observed annually on the last/penultimate Saturday of March, 8:30–9:30 PM local time across 190+ countries. WWF headquartered in Gland, Switzerland (est. 1961). Symbol: ’60+’.
Defence & Security
Operation Urja Suraksha — Indian Navy
Launched to escort India-bound LNG, LPG, and crude oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Iran conflict. 22 vessels identified (20 high-priority); 5+ frontline warships deployed. The Strait of Hormuz handles ~20% of global petroleum liquids. India imports ~85% of its crude oil, making this chokepoint critical to energy security.
Defence Technology
Project Vayu Baan — IAF’s First Helicopter-Launched UAS
India’s first helicopter-launched Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat by the IAF’s Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD). Engages targets from 50+ km — beyond MANPADS range. India joins USA and China as only three nations with this capability. RFP issued in March 2026 to domestic vendors.
Digital Governance
PRISM-SG Portal — Rail-Road Steel Girder Management
PRISM-SG = Portal for Rail-Road Inspection & Stages Management – Steel Girders. Launched jointly by Gadkari (MoRTH) and Vaishnaw (Railways/MIB). Reduces approval/inspection timeline for Road Over Bridges (ROBs) from ~12 months to 3–4 months (66–75% reduction). Features: End-to-End Digital Workflow, Real-Time Monitoring, Multi-Stakeholder Integration.
International
Balendra Shah — Nepal’s Youngest PM
Sworn in on 27 March 2026 under Article 76(1) of Nepal’s Constitution. Nepal’s youngest-ever PM (age 35), first Madhesi PM, and 47th PM. His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won 182/275 seats — Nepal’s first majority government under the federal framework. Previously 15th Mayor of Kathmandu (first independent mayor); structural engineer and former rapper.
Monetary Policy
India’s Inflation Target 2026–31 — 4% Under FIT Framework
GoI retained 4% inflation target (2nd consecutive 5-year period) under Section 45ZA of the RBI Act, 1934. Tolerance band: Upper 6%, Lower 2%. Governs CPI-based inflation under the Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework (introduced 2016) managed by the RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Failure for 3 consecutive quarters triggers a mandatory explanation to the government.
Business & Economy
Lakshya AMC — India’s First Ahmedabad-Headquartered AMC
Received SEBI approval in March 2026; sponsored by Wealth First Portfolio Managers. Headquartered in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) — first AMC based there. Key hires from Benchmark AMC: Sanjiv Shah, Rajan Mehta, Sanjay Gaitonde. Benchmark AMC (est. 2001) pioneered India’s passive investing: Nifty BeES (India’s first equity ETF), Gold BeES, Liquid BeES.
Housing & Finance
NHB’s Gruh Sugam Portal — Digital Housing Loans for Defence Personnel
NHB (National Housing Bank) — India’s apex housing finance regulator — established 1988 under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987. The Gruh Sugam Portal enables defence, paramilitary, and government employees to compare HFC/bank loan products, apply online, and track applications from their posting location. NHB also refinances banks/HFCs to promote affordable housing.
Sports
Carolina Marín — Retirement of a Badminton Legend
Spain’s Carolina Marín retired in March 2026 after a third knee injury. Won three BWF World Championships: 2014 (Copenhagen), 2015 (Jakarta), 2018 (Nanjing) — first woman to win three titles. 2016 Rio Olympics gold — first non-Asian woman to win Olympic singles badminton gold. Held World No. 1 for a record 66 weeks. Born in Huelva, Spain.
Sports Policy
IOC Female Category Policy — SRY Gene Screening
IOC approved ‘Protection of the Female Category in Olympic Sport’ policy in March 2026. Criterion: Athletes must be SRY-negative (SRY = Sex-determining Region Y Gene). SRY-positive athletes ineligible for female events; exception for Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS). Replaces 2021 framework. Effective from Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Games (14–30 July 2028). Applies to all IOC events including Youth Olympics.
🎴 Revision Flashcards
Click each card to flip and test your recall
Tap to Reveal
Where and when was Earth Hour first observed?
31 March 2007, Sydney, Australia
Organised by WWF; 2026 marks 20th anniversary
Tap to Reveal
What is Operation Urja Suraksha and through which strait does it operate?
Indian Navy escorting LNG/LPG/crude oil tankers; Strait of Hormuz
22 vessels identified; ~20% of global petroleum transits this strait
Tap to Reveal
What is Project Vayu Baan and which nations share this capability?
India’s first helicopter-launched UAS; USA, China, India
IAF’s DAD; engages targets from 50+ km; Atmanirbhar Bharat
Tap to Reveal
Who is Balendra Shah and what constitutional article governs his PM appointment?
Nepal’s 47th PM, youngest (age 35), first Madhesi PM; Article 76(1)
RSP won 182/275 seats; ex-Mayor of Kathmandu, structural engineer
Tap to Reveal
Under which section of the RBI Act is India’s inflation target set, and what is the tolerance band?
Section 45ZA; upper 6%, lower 2%
Target: 4% CPI; FIT framework; MPC mandated; 2026–31
Tap to Reveal
Which city is Lakshya AMC headquartered in, and who are its key hires from Benchmark AMC?
Ahmedabad (first AMC there); Sanjiv Shah, Rajan Mehta, Sanjay Gaitonde
Benchmark AMC pioneered Nifty BeES — India’s first equity ETF (2001)
Tap to Reveal
List Carolina Marín’s three BWF World Championship years and host cities.
2014 Copenhagen · 2015 Jakarta · 2018 Nanjing
First woman to win 3 World titles; 2016 Rio Olympic gold; World No. 1 for 66 weeks
Tap to Reveal
What screening criterion did the IOC introduce in the Female Category policy, and when is it effective?
SRY-negative screening; effective from LA28 (Los Angeles 2028)
Replaces 2021 testosterone framework; exception for CAIS; applies to all IOC events
Think & Discuss
India’s Energy Security in a Fractured World: Is Operation Urja Suraksha Enough?
Context from today’s quiz: India imports approximately 85% of its crude oil needs, much of it transiting through the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. The Indian Navy’s Operation Urja Suraksha, launched amid the US-Iran conflict in West Asia, deployed 5+ frontline warships to escort 22 India-bound LNG, LPG, and crude oil tankers. Simultaneously, Project Vayu Baan demonstrates India’s push for indigenous defence technology that could also protect maritime assets.
🤔 Your Perspective Matters
India’s extreme dependence on energy imports — particularly through chokepoints that lie in geopolitically volatile regions — raises profound questions about long-term national security strategy. While the Navy’s operational response is commendable, it is inherently reactive.
Can India build true energy security through a combination of military deterrence, diplomatic hedging, and accelerated domestic energy transition — or must it choose a primary path?
Can India build true energy security through a combination of military deterrence, diplomatic hedging, and accelerated domestic energy transition — or must it choose a primary path?
- India imports 85% of its crude oil and is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern supplies. How should India balance the short-term need for military escort operations (like Urja Suraksha) with long-term structural reforms like accelerating renewable energy and building strategic petroleum reserves?
- The Strait of Hormuz is also critical for China, Japan, South Korea, and EU nations. Should India push for a multilateral naval framework to protect energy shipping in the Persian Gulf, or does doing so risk entangling India in great-power geopolitical rivalries?
- India’s indigenous defence projects (like Vayu Baan) are built for war-fighting but could also protect energy infrastructure. How should Atmanirbhar Bharat’s defence priorities align with India’s energy security doctrine going forward?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments.
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