Daily Current Affairs

World Bipolar Day (WBD) is observed annually on 30 March, chosen to coincide with the birthday of Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh (born 30 March 1853, Zundert, Netherlands), who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having had bipolar disorder. The 2026 theme is ‘#BipolarStrong’, emphasising the strength and resilience of people living with bipolar disorder.

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• Organising bodies: Three international organisations — ISBD (International Society for Bipolar Disorders), IBPF (International Bipolar Foundation), and ANBD (Asian Network of Bipolar Disorders). Idea originated with ANBD; first officially observed on 30 March 2014.
• Awareness symbol: Green ribbon — represents hope, strength, and solidarity for those affected by bipolar disorder.
• Global prevalence: Estimated at 1–5%; the WHO lists bipolar disorder as the 6th leading cause of disability in the world. Previously known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression.
• Van Gogh’s famous works: The Starry Night (1889), Sunflowers (1888), and numerous self-portraits.

Rajasthan Diwas (Foundation Day) is observed on 30 March every year to commemorate the formation of the State of Rajasthan on 30 March 1949. In 2026, Rajasthan marks its 77th Foundation Day. Rajasthan is India’s largest state by geographical area.

• Formation (30 March 1949): The four major princely states of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner (along with Neemrana and Lawa) merged into the ‘Greater Rajasthan’ Union, consolidating the erstwhile Rajputana into a single state.
• Sardar Patel’s role: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, spearheaded the integration of princely states and inaugurated Greater Rajasthan at a ceremony in Jaipur on 30 March 1949.
• State facts: Area: 342,239 sq km (~10.4% of India’s total area); 7th largest by population; known as the ‘Land of Kings’.
• 2026 celebrations: CM Bhajanlal Sharma flagged off 207 new buses at Ajmer Road Bus Terminal, Jaipur; week-long cultural events, folk music and tourism showcases.

Mahavir Jayanti 2026 falls on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, marking the 2624th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira (Vardhamana Mahavira), the 24th and final Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism. It is a gazetted public holiday across India.

• Born: ~599 BCE in Kundagrama (present-day Vaishali district, Bihar)
• Attained Moksha (liberation): Pawapuri, Bihar
• Special RBI directive: RBI has directed all agency banks to remain open on 31 March 2026 to facilitate government transactions for the FY2025-26 closing despite the holiday.
• Upcoming bank holidays: 1 April 2026 = Annual Closing of Accounts (bank holiday); 3 April 2026 = Good Friday (bank holiday in most states).

The Government of India notified a sharp reduction in central excise duty on petrol and diesel on 26 March 2026, responding to crude oil price surges driven by the West Asia conflict. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the decision to protect consumers from rising fuel prices.

• Context: Global crude oil prices surged from ~USD 70/barrel to over USD 100–122/barrel due to disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz; India imports ~85–88% of its crude oil needs.
• Pump price impact: Cuts will NOT immediately lower retail prices — OMCs (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) will use the relief to offset under-recoveries: ~₹24/litre (petrol) and ~₹30/litre (diesel) per Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
• Revenue impact: Reduction estimated to cut government revenue by ~₹1.5–1.6 lakh crore annually.
• Export duties imposed simultaneously: Diesel — ₹21.5/litre; Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) — ₹29.5/litre (windfall tax-style levy, last seen July 2022 during Russia-Ukraine conflict).

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) revised the guidelines of the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, extending subsidy timelines for select EV categories while retaining the total budget at ₹10,900 crore.

• PM E-DRIVE basics: Launched 1 October 2024 by MHI; provides upfront purchase incentives for EVs and funds charging infrastructure; originally set to expire 31 March 2026.
• Subsidy caps: E-2W max ex-factory price: ₹1.5 lakh; E-3W max: ₹2.5 lakh; incentive rate: ₹2,500/kWh (capped at ₹5,000/vehicle for E-2W).
• E-3W L5 segment: Closed on 26 December 2025 after achieving target of 2,88,809 units.
• Progress (as of 27 Jan 2026): 22.12 lakh EVs sold (19.19 lakh E-2Ws + 2.93 lakh E-3Ws); ₹1,703 crore disbursed; charging target: 88,500 sites.

Meghalaya became the 12th state to sign a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Government under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, reflecting a shift towards a Gram Panchayat-led, community-centred model of rural water governance.

• JJM 2.0: Approved by Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026; extended with enhanced financial outlay till December 2028; earlier signatories include Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and others.
• JJM (original): Launched 15 August 2019 by PM Modi; flagship scheme under Ministry of Jal Shakti; mission name: ‘Har Ghar Jal’ — aimed at providing tap water connections to all rural households.

India’s Unemployment Rate (UR) declined to 6.5% in 2025, down from 7.0% in 2024, reflecting an improving labour market with stronger job creation in manufacturing, services, and the gig economy. The data highlights India’s economic resilience amid global headwinds.

• Drivers: Strong domestic consumption; infrastructure investment surge; improving ease of doing business; growth in organised sector employment; expansion of the gig economy and platform-based work.
• GDP context: India’s GDP grew at 7.6% in FY2025-26 (OECD estimate); labour market improvements align with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision for high-quality employment for India’s young workforce.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified that India is not acting as a mediator in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, emphasising India’s independent foreign policy and focus on protecting its citizens and interests.

• India’s West Asia stance: Maintained neutrality; urged all sides to de-escalate; prioritised energy security and safety of the Indian diaspora (~9 million Indians in the Gulf region).
• India AI Impact Summit 2026: India hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi — a major global AI event hosted by a Global South nation for the first time.
• Russia fuel export ban: Russia announced a ban on gasoline exports starting 1 April 2026 to stabilise domestic fuel prices amid global energy disruptions from the West Asia conflict.