Current Affairs For Examinations (CAFE) 2026

March 25,2026

Explore the latest current affairs of 2026 with daily updates covering important developments from India and across the world. This section provides concise and reliable news on national events, international relations, economy, environment, science and technology, security, and government schemes. Carefully curated for UPSC, SSC, Banking, State PCS, and other competitive exam aspirants, these updates highlight key facts, policy changes, reports, and global developments that are frequently asked in exams. Each topic is explained in a clear and easy-to-understand format, helping readers quickly grasp the significance and exam relevance. From major government initiatives and economic reforms to environmental issues and international agreements, our current affairs coverage ensures you stay informed and exam-ready with accurate, timely, and structured information every day.

National News

1. Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT)

Source: News on Air

Context:

The Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), sponsored by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is being officially listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This marks an important step in India’s strategy of infrastructure monetisation and innovative financing.

What is RIIT?

RIIT is an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)—a collective investment vehicle similar to a mutual fund, but specifically designed for infrastructure assets.

• Registered with SEBI
• Constituted as an irrevocable trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882

Key Idea:

Allow investors to invest in income-generating infrastructure assets, particularly highways.

Establishment

• Registered on: December 22, 2025

Institutional Framework

Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt Ltd (RIIMPL)

• Responsible for:
  • Day-to-day management
  • Investment decisions
  • Asset optimisation

Objectives of RIIT

• Monetise completed national highway assets
• Attract retail and institutional investment
• Generate stable long-term returns
• Free up government capital for new infrastructure development

Key Functions of RIIT

1. Asset Monetisation

• Transfers operational highway assets from NHAI to the Trust
• Generates upfront capital for the government

2. Investment Management

• Managed by RIIMPL
• Focus on:
  • Acquisition of new assets
  • Portfolio optimisation

3. Revenue Collection

• Earns income through:
  • Toll collection
  • Other operational revenues

4. Distribution of Returns

• Distributes at least 90% of net cash flows to investors
• Paid as:
  • Dividends
  • Interest

5. Regulatory Compliance

• Governed by SEBI (InvIT) Regulations, 2014
• Ensures transparency and investor protection

2. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025

Source: TH

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 highlights a worsening global trend in corruption, indicating declining governance standards and weakening institutional accountability across countries.

What is CPI?

The Corruption Perceptions Index is published annually by Transparency International and measures perceived levels of public sector corruption.

• Score ranges from 0 to 100
• 0 indicates highly corrupt
• 100 indicates very clean governance

It is based on multiple data sources assessing transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness.

Global Trends in CPI 2025

• Global average score declined to 42
• 122 out of 182 countries scored below 50
• Only 5 countries scored above 80 (down from 12 a decade ago)

This reflects a global pattern of:

• Weakening oversight
• Declining civic freedoms
• Increasing corruption risks

India’s Performance

• Score: 39
• Rank: 91 out of 182 countries

Trend

• India’s score has remained between 38 and 41 over the last decade
• Indicates stagnation despite strong economic growth

Comparative Position

• Performs better than some neighbours like Bangladesh and Pakistan
• Comparable to Sri Lanka
• Slightly below China (42)
• Behind many East Asian and European countries

Economic Impact of Corruption

Global Impact

• Estimated to cost about 5% of global GDP
• Equivalent to over $2.6 trillion annually

Impact on India

• Direct loss: around 0.5% of GDP
• Total impact (including indirect effects): 1–1.5% of GDP

This results in:

• Reduced productivity
• Lower investment
• Misallocation of resources

3. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP)

Context:

The Government of India has restored full RoDTEP rates and value caps, withdrawing the earlier 50% restriction, to support exporters facing rising freight costs and logistics disruptions due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

What is RoDTEP Scheme?

The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) is a flagship export promotion scheme that provides refund of embedded taxes and duties that are not reimbursed under any other mechanism.

Core Principle:

Ensure that taxes are not exported, thereby improving the global competitiveness of Indian goods.

Launch and Administration

• Launched on: January 1, 2021
• Replaced: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Objectives of RoDTEP

• Refund un-rebated taxes and duties
• Reduce cost burden on exporters
• Enhance export competitiveness
• Boost India’s export volume and value

Key Features of RoDTEP

1. Comprehensive Coverage

• Covers 10,000+ export items
• Includes sectors such as:
  • Agriculture
  • Marine products
  • Leather
  • Gems and jewellery

2. Digital Transferable Scrips

• Benefits provided as duty credit scrips
• Maintained in an electronic ledger by Customs
• Fully transferable, allowing flexibility

3. WTO Compliance

• Based on remission of actual taxes, not subsidies
• Ensures compliance with World Trade Organization norms

4. Automatic Processing

• Rebate calculated as a percentage of FOB (Free on Board) value
• Processed automatically upon filing of shipping bill

5. Inclusion of Local and Embedded Taxes

Covers taxes not refunded elsewhere, such as:

• Mandi tax
• VAT on fuel used in transportation
• Electricity duty

4. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

Source: News on Air

Context:

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The amendment focuses on identity certification, documentation rights, and welfare provisions for transgender persons.

Background

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 provides for:

• Prohibition of discrimination
• Recognition of transgender identity
• Welfare measures by the government

Under the Act, a transgender person can apply to the District Magistrate (DM) for a certificate of identity.

Key Amendments in the 2026 Bill

1. Medical Board-Based Certification

• Certificate of identity will now be issued by the District Magistrate
• Based on recommendation of a designated medical board

Composition of Medical Board:

• Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or Deputy CMO (Head)
• Other medical experts as required

2. Role of District Magistrate

• DM will:
  • Examine medical board recommendations
  • Issue identity certificate

Change:

• Moves from self-declaration towards institutional verification

3. Change of Name in Official Documents

• Transgender persons can:
  • Change first name in birth certificate
  • Update identity across official documents

4. Focus on Welfare and Protection

• Aims to provide:
  • Legal protection
  • Social security
  • Dignity and inclusion

Key Issues Involved

1. Self-Identification vs Medical Certification

• Core debate between:
  • Autonomy (self-identification)
  • Verification (medical board)

2. Rights vs Regulation

• Balancing:
  • Individual rights
  • Administrative control

3. Inclusivity vs Procedural Safeguards

• Ensuring dignity while maintaining:
  • Documentation authenticity

5. Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Context:

The Government of India has launched a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to integrate AI tools with the e-Sankhyiki portal, enabling AI systems to access verified official statistical data directly. This is a major step towards building reliable and data-driven AI systems.

What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open-source standard that connects Artificial Intelligence models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini with external data sources, tools, and workflows.

Core Idea:
It acts as a universal interface that allows AI systems to securely interact with real-world data instead of relying only on pre-trained knowledge.

Timeline

• Introduced as an open standard in late 2024
• Government of India’s implementation launched in 2026

Objective of MCP

• Break data silos between AI and real-world databases
• Enable accurate, real-time, and context-aware responses
• Improve reliability of AI outputs
• Support evidence-based decision-making

How MCP Works

Standardized Interface

• Works like a common connector (similar to USB-C) that allows AI systems to connect with multiple data sources.

Client-Server Architecture

• AI model acts as the client, while the data source (like e-Sankhyiki) acts as the server.

Contextual Data Retrieval

• When a user asks a query, the AI fetches relevant data from the server and uses it to generate accurate responses.

Permission-Based Access

• AI can only access approved datasets and authorized tools, ensuring data security.

Key Features of MCP

Open-Source Standard

• Non-proprietary and can be used by governments, developers, and organizations.

Universal Integration

• A single MCP server can connect multiple AI tools and platforms simultaneously.

Real-Time Data Access

• Provides latest data instead of relying on static training datasets.

Tool Orchestration

• Allows AI to retrieve data, perform calculations, and generate outputs like charts.

Reduced Hallucination

• Use of verified data reduces chances of incorrect or fabricated responses.

Banking and Finance News

1. SEBI Proposal: Gift Cards and Prepaid Instruments for Mutual Fund Investment

Source: ET

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is considering allowing gift cards and prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) to be used for investing in mutual funds. This move aims to make investing simpler and increase retail participation in capital markets.

What is the Proposal?

SEBI proposes that individuals can use gift cards or prepaid instruments to invest in mutual funds. This would allow people to gift investments instead of cash and make entry into financial markets easier.

Key Features

Gift-Based Investment

• Investments can be made through gift cards, allowing people to gift mutual fund units on occasions like birthdays, weddings, or festivals. This promotes the idea of financial gifting.

Investment Limit

• A cap of around ₹50,000 per gift card or prepaid instrument is proposed to prevent misuse and ensure controlled transactions.

Validity Period

• Gift cards are expected to have a limited validity period, likely around one year, encouraging timely use.

Regulatory Safeguards

• All transactions will be monitored under regulatory norms to ensure compliance and prevent misuse such as money laundering.

Integration with Mutual Fund System

• Funds from gift cards will be directly invested into SEBI-regulated mutual fund schemes.

2. RBI Proposal: Single View of Payment Mandates

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India has asked the payments industry to develop a system that allows users to view all their payment mandates such as subscriptions and auto-debits in one place. This includes mandates across UPI, credit cards, and other payment systems.

What is the Proposal?

The RBI is working towards creating a unified system where users can access a consolidated view of all recurring payment instructions. This will provide a single dashboard for managing subscriptions and standing instructions.

Why is This Needed?

Growth of Subscription Economy

There has been a rapid increase in subscription-based services like OTT platforms, apps, and auto-renewals, making it difficult for users to track payments.

Large Number of Mandates

• UPI alone has seen a massive number of mandates, reflecting the growing use of recurring digital payments.

Fragmented System

• Currently, mandates are scattered across different platforms such as UPI apps and banking systems, with no unified view available.

Key Features

Unified Dashboard

• Users will be able to see all their active mandates in one place across platforms.

Interoperability

The system will integrate banks, payment apps, and card networks to ensure seamless access.

Easy Management

• Users can view, modify, or cancel subscriptions easily from a single interface.

Consumer Protection

• Helps prevent hidden charges, forgotten subscriptions, and unwanted deductions.

Agriculture Related News

1. Women Farmers in Agriculture

Source: IE

Context:

The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), recognizing the critical role of women in ensuring global food security and sustainable agriculture. India also hosted the Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS–2026) in New Delhi to promote policy reforms and highlight women’s contributions.

Who are Women Farmers?

Women farmers participate across the entire agricultural value chain including land preparation, crop production, livestock management, post-harvest processing, and marketing. They are increasingly being recognized as entrepreneurs and decision-makers rather than unpaid labour.

Key Data and Statistics

• 80% of economically active rural women are engaged in agriculture
• 33% are agricultural labourers and 48% are self-employed farmers
• Around 25% of PM-KISAN benefits go to women
• 2.58 crore women trained under DAY-NRLM (2022–2025)
• 1,175 women-led FPOs with 100% female shareholders

Role of Women Farmers in Agriculture

Crop Production and Pre-Harvest Activities

• Women perform key tasks like sowing, weeding, and transplanting, especially in crops like paddy.

Livestock Management

• They manage dairy, poultry, and small livestock, contributing significantly to household income.

Post-Harvest Processing and Value Addition

• Women are involved in food processing, storage, and value addition through SHGs such as mushroom cultivation and spice processing.

Natural Resource Management

• They contribute to soil conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable farming practices.

Technology Adoption

• Women are increasingly adopting modern tools such as drones and precision farming technologies.

Government Initiatives for Women Farmers

Namo Drone Didi Scheme

Provides drones to women SHGs for precision agriculture.

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

Focuses on skill development and empowerment of women farmers.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

Provides financial support for building storage and farm infrastructure.

Krishi Sakhi Programme

Trains women as grassroots extension workers.

ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (CIWA)

Develops women-friendly agricultural tools and technologies.

Challenges Faced by Women Farmers

Lack of Land Ownership

Limits access to credit and government schemes.

High Physical Drudgery

Use of heavy tools leads to health issues.

Limited Access to Credit

Dependence on informal lending sources.

Knowledge Gap

Limited access to agricultural training and extension services.

Climate Vulnerability

Greater exposure to climate-related risks.

One Liner Current Affairs

March 26, 2026

One Liner Current Affairs provides crisp, concise, and exam-focused updates covering important national and international events. Designed for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PCS, it helps in quick revision and better retention of key facts.

S. No.	Topic	Key Highlights
1	United Nations Global Compact – L&T Finance	L&T Finance became signatory aligning with ESG principles (human rights, labour, environment, anti-corruption); joined PCAF for emissions tracking and annual reporting commitment.
2	Goldman Sachs GDP Forecast	India’s GDP growth revised to 5.9% (CY26); inflation projected at 4.6% and CAD at 2% amid global uncertainties.
3	Razorpay – Sarvam AI Partnership	Enables multilingual voice-based digital commerce; early rollout on Indus App and Swiggy with real-time AI transaction integration.
4	Karnataka Grameena Bank Award	Received National Award (2024–25) from Ministry of Rural Development for SHG linkage; ₹2,835 crore credit extended to SHGs.
5	ICAI Sustainability Board Appointment	P V Narayana Rao appointed to SRSB of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for 2026–27.
6	NBFC-MFI Merger	Svatantra Microfin merger created 2nd largest NBFC-MFI; approvals from Reserve Bank of India and National Company Law Tribunal.
7	New Species Discovery	Zoological Survey of India discovered ‘Neoloboptera peninsularis’ in Pune using DNA taxonomy.
8	Obituary	Former French PM Lionel Jospin passed away; known for 35-hour workweek reforms.
9	International Nowruz Day	Observed by UN to promote peace, cultural heritage, and global solidarity.
10	World Poetry Day 2026	Theme: “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion”; promotes linguistic diversity and endangered languages.
11	World Glacier Day	Highlights urgency of glacier preservation and climate change impacts.
12	International Day of Forests	Theme: “Forests and Economies”; emphasizes role in livelihoods and sustainability.
13	MoRD Internal Audit Portal	National Informatics Centre developed real-time audit system; features ATR tracking, alerts, improved governance.
14	NITI Aayog – RISE Centre	₹1.55 crore sanctioned for AI-based women entrepreneurship; benefits 1,000+ women and 300+ families.
15	PMKVY 4.0	Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched scheme for upskilling, reskilling, and short-term training.
16	NBA Internship Programme	National Biodiversity Authority launched 3-month internship for UG/PG students in biodiversity sector.
17	S&P Global Growth Forecast	India’s GDP projected at 7.1% in FY27, indicating resilience despite geopolitical tensions.