GK One-Liners

What: The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, launched in October 2024 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, has revised its subsidy timelines. Subsidies for E-2Ws (electric two-wheelers) have been extended by four months to 31 July 2026, while subsidies for E-3Ws (electric three-wheelers — e-rickshaws and e-carts) have been extended to 31 March 2028. The L5 e-3W segment was closed on 26 December 2025 after achieving its target.

How: The scheme disburses demand-side subsidies directly to EV buyers through registered dealers, with FAME-II-style point-of-sale benefit transfer. As of 27 January 2026, 22.12 lakh EVs had been sold — 19.19 lakh E-2Ws and 2.93 lakh E-3Ws — and ₹1,703 crore had been disbursed. The overall scheme targets include 24.79 lakh E-2Ws, 39,034 E-3Ws, 14,028 electric buses across six major cities, and 88,500 charging sites.

Why: PM E-DRIVE is a high-yield GS-III topic linking energy transition, EV manufacturing policy, and fiscal outlay. UPSC frequently tests scheme-specific targets, nodal ministries, and progress milestones. The shift from FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) to E-DRIVE, and the distinction between segment-wise subsidy timelines, are classic Prelims traps.

What: Meghalaya became the 12th state to sign a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026 and extended with an enhanced outlay till December 2028. The original JJM — also known as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ (Water to Every Home) — was launched on 15 August 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

How: JJM 2.0 retains the Gram Panchayat-led community water governance model, under which village-level water and sanitation committees (VWSCs) plan, implement, manage, operate, and maintain local water supply infrastructure. The reform-linked MoU mechanism conditions enhanced central funding on states meeting specific governance and operational benchmarks, incentivising systemic reform over mere infrastructure creation.

Why: JJM is a recurring GS-II theme intersecting federalism (Centre-State funding formula), rural governance, and SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Prelims frequently asks about the launch date, nodal ministry, and community governance model. The 12th-state MoU count and the JJM 2.0 Cabinet approval date (10 March 2026) are fresh factual anchors for 2026 exam cycles.

What: The Finance Ministry notified on 26 March 2026 a cut in Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol and diesel. Petrol duty was reduced from ₹13/litre to ₹3/litre (a cut of ₹10/litre), while diesel duty was cut from ₹10/litre to zero. The move was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the context of crude oil prices surging from ~$70/barrel to ₹100–122/barrel due to the West Asia conflict.

How: Despite the duty cut, retail pump prices did not fall. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) — were absorbing under-recoveries of ₹24/litre on petrol and ₹30/litre on diesel, as confirmed by Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Simultaneously, export duties were imposed: ₹21.5/litre on diesel and ₹29.5/litre on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), a mechanism last used during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in July 2022. The estimated revenue loss to the exchequer is ₹1.5–1.6 lakh crore per year.

Why: This is a rich GS-III topic covering fiscal policy, energy security, and the interplay between global crude markets and domestic fuel pricing. Prelims questions can target: the distinction between SAED and Basic Excise Duty, the role of OMCs as price buffers, the concept of under-recovery vs. loss, and export duty mechanisms. The parallel with the 2022 windfall tax episode also makes it relevant for comparative analysis in Mains.

What: 30 March 2026 marks the 77th anniversary of Rajasthan Diwas, commemorating the formation of ‘Greater Rajasthan’ on 30 March 1949 through the merger of four princely states — Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner (along with Neemrana and Lawa principalities). The ceremony was inaugurated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Jaipur. Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area (3,42,239 sq km, roughly 10.4% of India’s landmass) and the 7th largest by population.

How: Rajasthan’s formation was a seven-stage process spanning 1948–1956: beginning with the Matsya Union (17 March 1948), progressing through the Rajasthan Union and United State of Rajasthan, reaching the key milestone of Greater Rajasthan on 30 March 1949, and concluding on 1 November 1956 when Ajmer-Merwara merged following the States Reorganisation Act (based on the Afzal Ali Committee recommendations). Jaipur became the state capital from 7 September 1949. The Aravalli Hills — India’s oldest mountain range — and the Thar Desert define the state’s geography.

Why: Rajasthan’s formation is a GS-I (Post-Independence Consolidation) topic. Prelims frequently tests the role of Sardar Patel in princely state integration, the States Reorganisation Act 1956, and specific merger dates. The 30 March 1949 ‘Greater Rajasthan’ date (often confused with the final 1 November 1956 merger) and the four founding states (Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner) are standard factual hooks. Rajasthan’s tiger reserves — Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur), Sariska (Alwar), and Mukundra Hills (Kota) — may appear in Environment questions.

What: India’s unemployment rate fell to 6.5% in 2025, down from 7.0% in 2024, reflecting improving labour market conditions. On the growth front, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.6% for FY2025-26, though it has lowered the FY2026-27 projection by 10 basis points to 6.1%. S&P Global, however, raised its FY2026-27 estimate to 7.1%. India remains the world’s 5th largest economy by nominal GDP and the fastest-growing major economy.

How: The decline in unemployment is attributed to multiple structural drivers: expansion of domestic consumption, public infrastructure investment (PM Gati Shakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline), growth of the gig economy and platform-based employment, and manufacturing momentum from the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The divergence between OECD and S&P growth estimates reflects differing weights assigned to global headwinds (US tariffs, West Asia conflict impact on oil) versus India’s domestic demand resilience.

Why: Economic data points like unemployment rate and GDP estimates are core GS-III material. UPSC Prelims tests exact figures and the names of agencies publishing them (OECD, S&P, IMF, ADB) — confusing these is a frequent error. The basis point (bps) concept, the FY distinction (FY26 vs FY27), and India’s nominal vs. PPP GDP ranking (5th nominal, 3rd PPP) are all examinable nuances. This data also anchors Mains answers on inclusive growth and economic governance.

What: Mahavir Jayanti falls on 31 March 2026, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir — the 24th and final Tirthankara (ford-maker/enlightened being) of Jainism. Lord Mahavir was born around 599 BCE in Kundagrama, Vaishali (present-day Bihar), and attained Moksha (liberation) at Pawapuri, Bihar. The day is a gazetted public holiday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) separately directed all agency banks to remain open on 31 March 2026 for government financial transactions, effectively overriding the Mahavir Jayanti holiday for FY2025-26 year-end closing.

How: The RBI direction invokes its regulatory authority over agency banks (those authorised to conduct government business — including State Bank of India and other designated commercial banks) to ensure uninterrupted government account operations on the last day of the financial year. This is a standard RBI protocol exercised annually when March 31 coincides with a public holiday: banks conduct government transactions during special banking hours while remaining closed for regular retail operations.

Why: This item carries a dual exam value. For GS-I (Indian Culture), Mahavir’s biographical facts — birth year (~599 BCE vs. Gautama Buddha’s ~563 BCE), birthplace (Kundagrama, Vaishali), the concept of Tirthankaras, and attainment of Moksha at Pawapuri — are standard Prelims MCQ material. For GS-II/GS-III (Institutional Mechanisms), the RBI’s authority over agency banks, the concept of financial year-end closing, and the distinction between gazetted holidays and regulatory overrides illustrate how monetary and fiscal administration intersect.