Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Gujarat
NATIONAL
Why in News:
Gujarat has taken an important step toward implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
The Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee submitted its final report to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Key Highlights
• The report emphasizes a common legal framework for personal laws.
• It proposes simple and uniform rules for marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
• It focuses on protecting women’s rights and ensuring equality.
• The framework aims at balancing legal uniformity with cultural diversity.
What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
UPSC/BPSC
Bharat Tribes Fest 2026
NATIONAL
Why in News
Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 will begin on 18 March in New Delhi.
Key Highlights
• The festival celebrates the culture, art and entrepreneurship of India’s tribal communities.
• It is being organized by TRIFED along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• The festival will run from March 18 to March 30.
• The venue of the event is Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.
• The event will be inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Jual Oram.
TRIFED
Basic Information
Objective
UPSC/BPSC
India – Largest Coconut Producer
NATIONAL
Why in News
India has reinforced its position as the world’s largest coconut producer, contributing over 30% of global output.
Key Highlights
• India cultivates coconut on about 2165.20 thousand hectares out of the global 12390 thousand hectares.
• This highlights India’s dominant share in global coconut production.
Coconut Promotion Scheme (Budget 2026–27)
Key Points
UPSC/BPSC
Tribal Homestay Capacity Building Program 2026
NATIONAL
Why in News
The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has launched the Tribal Homestay Capacity Building Program 2026 in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Key Highlights
• The program was inaugurated in New Delhi.
• It aims to enhance the skills of tribal homestay owners across India.
• The focus is on improving hospitality standards and service quality.
• The initiative seeks to integrate tribal regions into the mainstream tourism ecosystem.
UPSC/BPSC
Kharg Island – Fujairah Attacks
INTERNATIONAL
Why in News
Geopolitical tensions in West Asia have intensified after the United States reportedly carried out air strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, while Iran retaliated by striking oil facilities in Fujairah (UAE).
• Both locations are critical hubs in the global oil supply chain.
• The attacks have raised concerns over international shipping routes and global oil markets.
Kharg Island
Key Facts
• Location: Kharg Island is a small Iranian island in the Persian Gulf, about 25 km off Iran’s southwestern coast.
• It was once known as the “Orphan Pearl of the Persian Gulf.”
• Today it is often called the “Forbidden Island” because access is tightly controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran’s Main Oil Export Hub
• Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal.
• It is connected to major oil fields such as Ahvaz, Marun, and Gachsaran through pipelines.
• About 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports pass through Kharg Island.
• The terminal handles around 1.3–1.6 million barrels of oil per day.
• It has storage capacity of around 30 million barrels.
Historical Importance
• Kharg Island has been part of regional trade networks since the 10th century.
• It served pearl divers and traders traveling between India and Basra (Iraq).
• The island was fortified by the Dutch in the 18th century.
• It was later briefly occupied by the British in the 19th century.
Fujairah
Key Facts
• Location: Fujairah is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• It is located on the Gulf of Oman.
• It is the only UAE emirate that does not have a coastline on the Persian Gulf.
Strategic Importance
• The Habshan–Fujairah pipeline allows UAE oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a major global chokepoint.
• The Port of Fujairah is one of the largest oil storage hubs in the world and the second-largest ship bunkering hub after Singapore.
UPSC/BPSC
Menstrual Leave Policy – Supreme Court Observations
NATIONAL
Why in News
The Supreme Court of India expressed concern that making paid menstrual leave a compulsory legal right may negatively affect women’s employment and career opportunities.
The observation came while hearing a petition seeking a uniform national policy on menstrual leave for working women and students.
Key Points from the Petition
• The petition argued that menstrual leave is part of the right to dignity under Article 21 (Right to Life).
• It referred to India’s commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
• It also highlighted that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 does not provide provisions for menstrual leave.
What is Menstrual Leave (Period Leave)?
Medical Facts
• More than 50% of menstruating individuals experience menstrual pain for a few days every month.
• Around 15–25% experience moderate to severe pain, which can affect daily productivity.
Supreme Court’s Observations
UPSC/BPSC
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Outbreak in Jail
NATIONAL
Why in News
An outbreak of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in Jalpaiguri Central Correctional Home has highlighted a public health crisis in Indian prisons due to overcrowding, poor healthcare and staff shortages.
Key Highlights
• The outbreak reflects issues like overcrowding, inadequate healthcare facilities and shortage of staff in prisons.
• It raises concerns about disease spread and hygiene conditions in correctional homes.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
About
• HSV is a common viral infection that causes painful blisters or ulcers.
• It spreads through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
Types of HSV
• HSV-1: Causes oral herpes (cold sores around the mouth).
• HSV-2: Causes genital herpes (affecting genital areas).
Symptoms
• Many people show mild or no symptoms.
• Some may develop:
– Painful fluid-filled blisters
– Fever
– Body aches
– Swollen lymph nodes
Complications
• In rare cases, HSV can lead to:
– Meningitis
– Encephalitis
Treatment
• The infection remains in the body for life.
• Antiviral medicines help reduce symptoms and frequency of outbreaks.
UPSC/BPSC
IPO Proposal for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
NATIONAL
Why in News
A Parliamentary panel has recommended launching Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) for highly profitable Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to unlock their value, attract market capital and strengthen corporate governance.
Key Highlights
• The recommendation aims to unlock the financial value of profitable RRBs.
• It seeks to attract market-based capital and improve corporate governance standards.
• Listing RRBs through IPOs could increase transparency and financial discipline.
Key Observations of the Parliamentary Panel
Fiscal Performance
• RRBs recorded a consolidated net profit of ₹7,720 crore in the first nine months of FY 2025–26.
• Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) declined to a 13-year low of 5.4%.
Successful Consolidation
• Under the “One State–One RRB” policy, consolidation reduced the number of banks.
• The number of RRBs declined from 196 earlier to 28 in 2025–26.
• These banks now operate across 26 states and 2 Union Territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry).
Background:
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
• RRBs were created based on the recommendations of the Narasimham Working Group (1975).
• The first RRB, Prathama Bank, was established on 2 October 1975.
• Later, the system was formalized under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.
What is an IPO?
• An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the process by which a privately held company offers its shares to the public for the first time.
• Through an IPO, a company becomes publicly listed and can raise capital from investors.
UPSC/BPSC
One Liner
FACTUAL
UPSC/BPSC
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