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Mental Health
World Bipolar Day — 30 March
Observed annually on 30 March — the birthday of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), posthumously diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The 2026 theme is #BipolarStrong. First officially observed in 2014. Awareness symbol: green ribbon.
Mental Health
WBD Organising Bodies
World Bipolar Day is jointly observed by ISBD (International Society for Bipolar Disorders), IBPF (International Bipolar Foundation), and ANBD (Asian Network of Bipolar Disorders). WHO ranks bipolar disorder as the 6th leading cause of disability globally, with a prevalence of 1–5%.
History & Polity
Rajasthan Diwas — 30 March 1949
‘Greater Rajasthan’ was formed on 30 March 1949 when Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner merged. Inaugurated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Jaipur. 2026 marks Rajasthan’s 77th Foundation Day. Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area (342,239 sq km, ~10.4% of India).
History & Polity
7-Stage Formation of Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s formation had 7 stages: Matsya Union (March 1948) → Rajasthan Union → United State of Rajasthan → Greater Rajasthan (30 March 1949) → United States of Greater Rajasthan (May 1949) → United Rajasthan (Jan 1950) → Final Rajasthan (1 November 1956) when Ajmer-Merwara merged per the States Reorganisation Act (Afzal Ali Committee). Jaipur became capital on 7 September 1949.
Fiscal Policy
Excise Duty Cut on Petrol & Diesel — March 2026
India cut Special Additional Excise Duty: Petrol from Rs 13 → Rs 3/litre; Diesel from Rs 10 → Zero (26 March 2026). Retail pump prices unchanged — excise cut offsets OMC under-recoveries (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL). Export duties imposed: Rs 21.5/litre on diesel and Rs 29.5/litre on ATF to prevent diversion. Revenue impact: ~Rs 1.5–1.6 lakh crore/year.
Energy & Economy
Fuel Prices & Under-Recoveries
Global crude oil surged past USD 100–122/barrel due to West Asia conflict. India imports ~85–88% of its crude oil. OMC under-recoveries: ~Rs 24/litre on petrol and ~Rs 30/litre on diesel. Retail prices have been largely unchanged since April 2022. FM Nirmala Sitharaman stated the cut ensures ‘adequate availability of products for domestic consumption.’
EV Policy
PM E-DRIVE Scheme — Revised March 2026
PM E-DRIVE (PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) launched 1 October 2024, outlay Rs 10,900 crore. Revised deadlines: E-2W subsidies till 31 July 2026 (4-month extension); E-3W (e-rickshaws/e-carts) till 31 March 2028. As of Jan 2026: 22.12 lakh EVs sold (19.19 lakh E-2W + 2.93 lakh E-3W). Target: 88,500 EV charging sites.
Business & Economy
India’s GDP & Unemployment — FY2025-26
OECD (March 2026 Interim Outlook: Testing Resilience) projects India’s GDP at 7.6% for FY26 and 6.1% for FY27 (revised down 10 bps). S&P Global raised FY27 forecast to 7.1%. India’s unemployment rate fell from 7.0% (2024) to 6.5% (2025). India is the world’s 5th largest economy by nominal GDP and the fastest-growing major economy.
Art & Culture
Vincent van Gogh — Key Facts
Dutch Post-Impressionist painter born 30 March 1853 in Zundert, Netherlands; died 29 July 1890. Famous works: The Starry Night (1889, MoMA, New York), Sunflowers (1888). Posthumously diagnosed with probable bipolar disorder. His life story is the symbolic foundation of World Bipolar Day.
Geography
Rajasthan — Key Geographic Facts
India’s largest state by area: 342,239 sq km (~10.4% of India). Borders: Pakistan (west), Gujarat, MP, UP, Haryana, Punjab. Key features: Thar Desert (world’s 17th largest), Aravalli Hills (world’s oldest mountain range), Chambal River. Capital: Jaipur (Pink City). CM 2026: Bhajanlal Sharma (BJP). Tiger reserves: Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills.
🎴 Revision Flashcards
Click each card to flip and test your recall
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What is the 2026 theme of World Bipolar Day?
#BipolarStrong
Emphasises the resilience of people living with bipolar disorder; green ribbon is the awareness symbol
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When was ‘Greater Rajasthan’ formed and who inaugurated it?
30 March 1949; Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Ceremony held in Jaipur; four states — Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner — merged
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What are the new excise duty rates on petrol and diesel after the March 2026 cut?
Petrol: Rs 3/litre; Diesel: Zero
Cut from Rs 13 and Rs 10 respectively; export duties also imposed on diesel and ATF
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What is the total outlay of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme?
Rs 10,900 crore
Launched 1 October 2024; supports E-2W, E-3W, e-ambulances, electric trucks, buses, charging infrastructure
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When was the final stage of Rajasthan’s formation and what territory merged?
1 November 1956; Ajmer-Merwara merged
Per the States Reorganisation Act, on recommendation of Afzal Ali Committee; 7th and final stage
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What is India’s projected GDP growth for FY2025-26 according to OECD?
7.6% (FY26); 6.1% (FY27)
OECD March 2026 ‘Testing Resilience’ report; FY27 revised down 10 bps; unemployment fell to 6.5% in 2025
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What export duties were imposed alongside the excise cut in March 2026?
Diesel: Rs 21.5/litre; ATF: Rs 29.5/litre
To prevent diversion of subsidised domestic fuel for export profits; similar to windfall tax first introduced July 2022
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Until when are E-2W subsidies available under the revised PM E-DRIVE Scheme?
31 July 2026
Extended by 4 months from earlier deadline of 31 March 2026; E-3W (e-rickshaws/carts) till 31 March 2028
Think & Discuss
India’s Fuel Subsidy Dilemma: Consumer Protection or Fiscal Prudence?
Context from today’s quiz: In March 2026, India cut excise duty on petrol by Rs 10/litre and eliminated duty on diesel entirely — yet retail pump prices did not fall. The benefit was absorbed by oil marketing companies (OMCs) to offset their massive under-recoveries, as global crude oil prices soared past USD 100–122/barrel due to the West Asia conflict.
🤔 Your Perspective Matters
India routinely shields consumers from volatile global fuel prices through subsidies, excise cuts, and OMC loss absorption — a policy that provides stability but costs the exchequer dearly. When global crude prices spike due to geopolitical events like the West Asia conflict, should India pass the full cost to consumers (market pricing), or continue insulating them through fiscal intervention?
Is keeping fuel prices stable a social necessity or an unsustainable subsidy that distorts markets and drains public finances?
Is keeping fuel prices stable a social necessity or an unsustainable subsidy that distorts markets and drains public finances?
- Should India move to an automatic fuel pricing mechanism linked to global crude, as recommended by the Kirit Parikh Committee? What are the risks for low-income households?
- The government spent ~Rs 1.5–1.6 lakh crore annually in revenue foregone on fuel — could this money be better deployed in direct benefit transfers, public transport, or EV infrastructure?
- Does India’s ~85–88% crude import dependence make fuel price stability a matter of national security, or does it make the subsidy burden even more economically dangerous?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments.
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