UPSC Current Affairs 13 March 2026

GS 2: Polity GS 3: Economy GS 2: Governance GS2: Parliament and State Legislatures GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Crude supply secure, no shortage of fuel: Minister, Pg1

Government assures Parliament of stable fuel supply amidst global disruption; regulates commercial LPG to prevent hoarding and protect domestic consumers.

GS 2: Polity GS 3: Economy GS 2: Governance GS2: Parliament and State Legislatures GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Crude supply secure, no shortage of fuel: Minister, Pg1

Government assures Parliament of stable fuel supply amidst global disruption; regulates commercial LPG to prevent hoarding and protect domestic consumers.

GS 3: Economy GS 3: Science & Technology GS 2: Governance GS3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Intellectual Property Rights, IPR

Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy, Pg8

India's innovation paradox: Despite increased R&D spending and improved rankings, private sector investment lags, hindering true innovation-led economic transformation.

GS 3: Economy GS 3: Science & Technology GS 2: Governance GS3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Intellectual Property Rights, IPR

Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy, Pg8

India's innovation paradox: Despite increased R&D spending and improved rankings, private sector investment lags, hindering true innovation-led economic transformation.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Governance GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS2: Vulnerable Sections GS2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

EPFO's EPS 2026 scheme replacing EPS 1995 raises transparency concerns affecting crores of members and pensioners due to arbitrary changes.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Governance GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS2: Vulnerable Sections GS2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

EPFO's EPS 2026 scheme replacing EPS 1995 raises transparency concerns affecting crores of members and pensioners due to arbitrary changes.

GS 3: Economy GS 2: Governance GS1: Women and Women's Organizations GS1: Poverty and Developmental Issues GS3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes, Pg8

Economic Survey 2025-26 anticipates labour code reforms to boost formalization and GDP, but critics cite increased precarity and informality.

GS 3: Economy GS 2: Governance GS1: Women and Women's Organizations GS1: Poverty and Developmental Issues GS3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes, Pg8

Economic Survey 2025-26 anticipates labour code reforms to boost formalization and GDP, but critics cite increased precarity and informality.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Economy GS2: India and its Neighbourhood Relations GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?, Pg9

India's West Asia policy scrutinized amidst Israel-Iran conflict; Experts question alignment with U.S. amid rising energy, economic risks.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Economy GS2: India and its Neighbourhood Relations GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?, Pg9

India's West Asia policy scrutinized amidst Israel-Iran conflict; Experts question alignment with U.S. amid rising energy, economic risks.

GS 1: Indian Society GS 2: PolityPrelimsGS1: Women and Women's Organizations GS1: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism GS2: Representation of the People's Act

Women’s political participation in India, Pg10

Despite increased voter turnout, women's political representation lags, highlighting persistent structural and social barriers to equal participation in India.

GS 1: Indian Society GS 2: PolityPrelimsGS1: Women and Women's Organizations GS1: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism GS2: Representation of the People's Act

Women’s political participation in India, Pg10

Despite increased voter turnout, women's political representation lags, highlighting persistent structural and social barriers to equal participation in India.

GS 3: Economy GS 3: Environment & Ecology GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India’s thermal independence, Pg11

India seeks thermal independence via industrial electrification and concentrated solar thermal amid geopolitical gas supply risks and decarbonization push.

GS 3: Economy GS 3: Environment & Ecology GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India’s thermal independence, Pg11

India seeks thermal independence via industrial electrification and concentrated solar thermal amid geopolitical gas supply risks and decarbonization push.

GS 2: International Relations GS 2: Polity GS2: Indian Diaspora GS2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

India co-sponsors UNSC resolution condemning Iran's attacks amidst criticism over silence on U.S. and Israeli actions in West Asia.

GS 2: International Relations GS 2: Polity GS2: Indian Diaspora GS2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

India co-sponsors UNSC resolution condemning Iran's attacks amidst criticism over silence on U.S. and Israeli actions in West Asia.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Lacking long-term storage, India must rely on imports to manage LPG supply, Pg13

India grapples with LPG supply shortfall despite 25% production surge, necessitating reliance on imports due to storage limitations.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Lacking long-term storage, India must rely on imports to manage LPG supply, Pg13

India grapples with LPG supply shortfall despite 25% production surge, necessitating reliance on imports due to storage limitations.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Governance GS 3: Science & TechnologyEthicsGS2: Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS3: IT and Computers GS4: Right to Information and Transparency in Government

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws, Pg14

Supreme Court scrutinizes 'personal data' definition in DPDP Act amid concerns over right to information and surveillance.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Governance GS 3: Science & TechnologyEthicsGS2: Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS3: IT and Computers GS4: Right to Information and Transparency in Government

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws, Pg14

Supreme Court scrutinizes 'personal data' definition in DPDP Act amid concerns over right to information and surveillance.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS1: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism GS2: Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’, Pg14

Supreme Court rules parental income alone insufficient to determine OBC creamy layer status, potentially widening reservation pool for PSU employee children.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS1: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism GS2: Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’, Pg14

Supreme Court rules parental income alone insufficient to determine OBC creamy layer status, potentially widening reservation pool for PSU employee children.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Internal Security GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Role of External State and Non State Actors GS3: Communication Networks, Media and Social Media Challenges

PIB fact-check unit busts 50 deepfakes, says Pak. handles are spreading misinformation, Pg14

PIB busts 50 deepfakes, many spread by Pakistani handles, raising concerns over misinformation targeting top officials and national security.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Internal Security GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Role of External State and Non State Actors GS3: Communication Networks, Media and Social Media Challenges

PIB fact-check unit busts 50 deepfakes, says Pak. handles are spreading misinformation, Pg14

PIB busts 50 deepfakes, many spread by Pakistani handles, raising concerns over misinformation targeting top officials and national security.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS2: Health Sector GS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Biotechnology

As peptide therapy becomes a popular trend, experts call for caution, PgII

Experts caution against peptide therapy misuse amidst rising popularity in wellness and anti-aging, citing potential health risks and limited research.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS2: Health Sector GS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Biotechnology

As peptide therapy becomes a popular trend, experts call for caution, PgII

Experts caution against peptide therapy misuse amidst rising popularity in wellness and anti-aging, citing potential health risks and limited research.

GS 2: International Relations GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS3: Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

US initiates Section 301 probe against India, China, 14 others, Pg1

The U.S. has launched a Section 301 investigation into India, China, and 14 other nations to address structural manufacturing overcapacity and trade surpluses. The probe aims to establish a new legal basis for tariffs by July 2026, following recent Supreme Court rulings against previous trade measures.

GS 2: International Relations GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS3: Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

US initiates Section 301 probe against India, China, 14 others, Pg1

The U.S. has launched a Section 301 investigation into India, China, and 14 other nations to address structural manufacturing overcapacity and trade surpluses. The probe aims to establish a new legal basis for tariffs by July 2026, following recent Supreme Court rulings against previous trade measures.

GS 3: Economy GS 2: Governance GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests

Atmanirbharta is managing external dependencies, big-power rivalries, Pg10

Sanjaya Baru argues that true Atmanirbharta requires India to effectively manage external dependencies and big-power rivalries without succumbing to "bullying" or "weaponised" trade. He suggests that while the current leadership adopts the style of past leaders like Indira Gandhi, it must now demonstrate the same level of courage to maintain strategic autonomy against U.S. pressure.

GS 3: Economy GS 2: Governance GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests

Atmanirbharta is managing external dependencies, big-power rivalries, Pg10

Sanjaya Baru argues that true Atmanirbharta requires India to effectively manage external dependencies and big-power rivalries without succumbing to "bullying" or "weaponised" trade. He suggests that while the current leadership adopts the style of past leaders like Indira Gandhi, it must now demonstrate the same level of courage to maintain strategic autonomy against U.S. pressure.

GS 2: Governance GS 2: Polity GS2: Constitutional Bodies GS2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Question CEC,but move to impeach is unwise, Pg10

The provided editorial argues that while the Opposition’s grievances against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) may be valid, resorting to an impeachment motion is a strategic mistake.

GS 2: Governance GS 2: Polity GS2: Constitutional Bodies GS2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Question CEC,but move to impeach is unwise, Pg10

The provided editorial argues that while the Opposition’s grievances against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) may be valid, resorting to an impeachment motion is a strategic mistake.

GS 3: Economy GS3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Feb inflation rises to 3.21%, Iranwar impactyet tobe felt, Pg15

India’s headline retail inflation rose to 3.21% in February, driven largely by an unfavorable base effect and surges in specific commodities like precious metals and certain vegetables.

GS 3: Economy GS3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Feb inflation rises to 3.21%, Iranwar impactyet tobe felt, Pg15

India’s headline retail inflation rose to 3.21% in February, driven largely by an unfavorable base effect and surges in specific commodities like precious metals and certain vegetables.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Internal Security GS2: India and its Neighbourhood Relations GS3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

China’s ‘border defence’ villages and the challenges they pose, Pg17

China is rapidly constructing "well-off villages" along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to solidify its territorial claims and enhance its military posture. In response, India has launched the Vibrant Villages Programme to modernize its own frontier settlements and strengthen border infrastructure.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Internal Security GS2: India and its Neighbourhood Relations GS3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

China’s ‘border defence’ villages and the challenges they pose, Pg17

China is rapidly constructing "well-off villages" along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to solidify its territorial claims and enhance its military posture. In response, India has launched the Vibrant Villages Programme to modernize its own frontier settlements and strengthen border infrastructure.

News Analysis

Crude supply secure, no shortage of fuel: Minister, Pg1

Crude supply secure, no shortage of fuel: Minister, Pg1

Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy, Pg8

Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy, Pg8

Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes, Pg8

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes, Pg8

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?, Pg9

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?, Pg9

Women’s political participation in India, Pg10

Women’s political participation in India, Pg10

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India’s thermal independence, Pg11

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India’s thermal independence, Pg11

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

Lacking long-term storage, India must rely on imports to manage LPG supply, Pg13

Lacking long-term storage, India must rely on imports to manage LPG supply, Pg13

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws, Pg14

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws, Pg14

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’, Pg14

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’, Pg14

PIB fact-check unit busts 50 deepfakes, says Pak. handles are spreading misinformation, Pg14

PIB fact-check unit busts 50 deepfakes, says Pak. handles are spreading misinformation, Pg14

As peptide therapy becomes a popular trend, experts call for caution, PgII

As peptide therapy becomes a popular trend, experts call for caution, PgII

US initiates Section 301 probe against India, China, 14 others, Pg1

US initiates Section 301 probe against India, China, 14 others, Pg1

Atmanirbharta is managing external dependencies, big-power rivalries, Pg10

Atmanirbharta is managing external dependencies, big-power rivalries, Pg10

Question CEC,but move to impeach is unwise, Pg10

Question CEC,but move to impeach is unwise, Pg10

Feb inflation rises to 3.21%, Iranwar impactyet tobe felt, Pg15

Feb inflation rises to 3.21%, Iranwar impactyet tobe felt, Pg15

China’s ‘border defence’ villages and the challenges they pose, Pg17

China’s ‘border defence’ villages and the challenges they pose, Pg17

More News Analysis

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News Analysis

Crude supply secure, no shortage of fuel: Minister, Pg1

Crude supply secure, no shortage of fuel: Minister, Pg1

Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy, Pg8

Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy, Pg8

​Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

​Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes, Pg8

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes, Pg8

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?, Pg9

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?, Pg9

Women’s political participation in India, Pg10

Women’s political participation in India, Pg10

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India’s thermal independence, Pg11

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India’s thermal independence, Pg11

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

Lacking long-term storage, India must rely on imports to manage LPG supply, Pg13

Lacking long-term storage, India must rely on imports to manage LPG supply, Pg13

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws, Pg14

SC to study what constitutes ‘personal data’ in DPDP laws, Pg14

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’, Pg14

‘Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status’, Pg14

PIB fact-check unit busts 50 deepfakes, says Pak. handles are spreading misinformation, Pg14

PIB fact-check unit busts 50 deepfakes, says Pak. handles are spreading misinformation, Pg14

As peptide therapy becomes a popular trend, experts call for caution, PgII

As peptide therapy becomes a popular trend, experts call for caution, PgII

US initiates Section 301 probe against India, China, 14 others, Pg1

US initiates Section 301 probe against India, China, 14 others, Pg1

Atmanirbharta is managing external dependencies, big-power rivalries, Pg10

Atmanirbharta is managing external dependencies, big-power rivalries, Pg10

Question CEC,but move to impeach is unwise, Pg10

Question CEC,but move to impeach is unwise, Pg10

Feb inflation rises to 3.21%, Iranwar impactyet tobe felt, Pg15

Feb inflation rises to 3.21%, Iranwar impactyet tobe felt, Pg15

China’s ‘border defence’ villages and the challenges they pose, Pg17

China’s ‘border defence’ villages and the challenges they pose, Pg17

More News Analysis

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Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8

Arbitrary and opaque, Pg8