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Current Affairs – 26 March 2026

Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV) and PM-KUSUM

NATIONAL

Why in News

The Union Budget 2026–27 nearly doubled the allocation for the PM-KUSUM scheme to ₹5,000 crore, signalling a renewed push for farmer-centric solarisation.

In this context, Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV) is gaining attention as a way to expand solar energy while protecting agricultural land and food security.

   What is Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV)?

     About

  • Agri-photovoltaics (AgriPV), also called Agrivoltaics, refers to the simultaneous use of the same land for solar power generation and agricultural crop cultivation.

    Mechanism

  •  Instead of converting farmland entirely into solar parks, solar panels are installed above or between crops.
  •  This allows electricity generation and farming activities to occur together on the same land.

    Benefits

  •  Helps avoid conflicts between energy production and agriculture.
  •  Provides additional income to farmers through solar energy generation.
  •  Can improve water retention and reduce crop stress due to partial shading from solar panels.

  What is PM-KUSUM?

    About

  •  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
  •  The scheme promotes solar energy use in agriculture and rural areas.

  Components of PM-KUSUM

    1. Component A:
           Installation of 10,000 MW decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants.

    2. Component B:
           Installation of 20 lakh solar-powered agricultural pumps.

    3. Component C:
           Solarisation of 15 lakh existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.

  Objectives

  •  Enable farmers to install solar power plants on barren or arid land.
  •  Allow farmers to sell surplus solar power to the grid.
  •  Increase farmers’ income while promoting clean energy.
Exam Relevance:

UPSC/BPSC

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

NATIONAL

Why in News

The Union Government plans to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to address legal gaps in managing assets created through foreign funds and improve accountability of NGO functionaries.

  Key Provisions of the Proposed Bill

    Designated Authority for Assets

  • The government may appoint a “designated authority” to take over, manage or dispose of assets created through foreign funds of NGOs whose FCRA registration is suspended, cancelled or not renewed.
  • These assets may be transferred or sold, and the proceeds may be deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India.

    Expanded Definition of “Key Functionary”

  •  The bill expands the definition to include:
  •  Directors
  •  Partners
  •  Trustees
  •  Karta of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
  •  Office-bearers of societies, trusts and trade unions
  •  Any person controlling the organisation’s management
  •  Such individuals may be personally liable for offences unless they prove lack of knowledge or due diligence.

   Prior Approval for Investigations

  • Law enforcement agencies or state governments must obtain prior approval from the Central Government before initiating investigations related to FCRA complaints.
  • Timelines and Automatic Cessation
  • The bill proposes fixed timelines for receiving and using foreign funds under prior permission.
  • It also introduces automatic cessation of registration when it expires or is not renewed.
  • Clear rules will be provided for handling assets during suspension of registration.

    Reduced Imprisonment

  • The bill proposes to reduce the maximum imprisonment for FCRA violations from 5 years to 1 year, along with revised penalties.

 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010

     About

  • The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010 is a central law regulating acceptance, utilisation and accounting of foreign contributions and foreign hospitality by individuals, associations and NGOs in India.
  • It came into force in 2011 and has been amended in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
  • The Act is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

    Coverage

  • Around 16,000 organisations are registered under FCRA.
  • They collectively receive approximately ₹22,000 crore in foreign funds annually.

    Objectives

  •  Ensure foreign funds are not used for activities detrimental to national interest, sovereignty or public order.
  •  Prevent misuse of foreign funds for anti-national, political or religious conversion activities.
Exam Relevance:

UPSC/BPSC

Orange Economy Promotion Initiatives

NATIONAL

Why in News

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting launched three major initiatives—National AI Skilling Initiative, MyWAVES platform, and Advanced Electronic Program Guide (EPG) with in-built satellite tuners to strengthen India’s Orange Economy and expand digital access.

  Key Initiatives

    National AI Skilling Initiative

  • A public–private partnership between the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Google and YouTube.
  • Objective: To train 15,000 professionals in the AVGC sector (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics).
  • Implemented through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai.

   MyWAVES Platform

  • A new feature on the WAVES OTT platform enabling users to become content creators instead of just viewers.
  • Supports User Generated Content (UGC) in multiple Indian languages.

    Advanced EPG with In-built Satellite Tuners

      • Allows direct access to DD Free Dish without the need for a set-top box.

          Benefits:
              • Expands digital access in remote and rural areas
              • Reduces hardware costs

  Orange Economy

    About

  • The Orange Economy, also called the Creative Economy, refers to an economic model where value is generated from creativity, cultural expression and intellectual property rather than natural resources or manufacturing.

   Key Sectors

  1.  Animation
  2.  Visual Effects
  3.  Gaming
  4.  Comics
  5.  Extended Reality (XR)
  6.  Film and Music
  7.  Fashion and Design
  8.  Advertising
  9.  Performing Arts
  10.  Cultural Tourism

  Economic Impact

      Global

          • Contributes around 3% of global GDP and supports about 30 million jobs.

     India

          • India’s entertainment and media industry is projected to grow from USD 35.3 billion in 2025 to USD 47.2 billion by 2029.

  Budget 2026–27 Focus

     • Government plans to establish AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges.

     • Aim: To create a workforce of around 2 million professionals in the creative economy by 2030.

Exam Relevance:

UPSC/BPSC

Litani River and City of Tyre

Why in News

The Israel–Hezbollah escalation has intensified attention on Southern Lebanon, as Israel seeks to establish a security buffer up to the Litani River, while ongoing bombardment threatens Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage city.

  Litani River

     About

  • The Litani River is the longest river entirely within Lebanon and an important water resource for southern Lebanon.
  • It originates in the Beqaa Valley, flows southward parallel to the Syrian border, and empties into the Mediterranean Sea near Tyre.

    Strategic Significance

      Buffer Zone

  • The river flows parallel to the Blue Line, the UN-recognized border between Lebanon and Israel.
  • Israel considers the area south of the Litani River a crucial security buffer against Hezbollah rocket attacks and cross-border infiltration.

    UNSC Resolution 1701

  • After the 2006 Lebanon War, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1701.
  • The resolution requires that the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River remain free of armed personnel and weapons, except those of:
  • The Government of Lebanon
  • UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).

 City of Tyre

   About

  •  Tyre (Sour in Arabic) is located on the southern coast of Lebanon, just south of the Litani River’s mouth.
  •  It was a major Phoenician maritime city (1500–300 BCE) and an important center of Mediterranean trade and navigation.

  Historical Significance

  •  Tyre was famous for producing Tyrian purple dye, obtained from Murex sea snails.
  •  In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great transformed Tyre from an island into a peninsula during his siege of the city.

  UNESCO Recognition

  •  Due to its exceptional historical and archaeological importance, Tyre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

BIHAR SPECIAL

Shailesh Kumar

NATIONAL

Why in the news?

❖ Shailesh Kumar won a gold medal at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi, starting his 2026 season with a jump of 1.84 m.

Key highlights

❖ He belongs to the Jamui district of Bihar.

❖ He is the reigning World Para Athletics Championships 2025 champion and Asian Para Games 2023 gold medalist.

❖ He is India’s top athlete in the men’s high jump T63 category.

❖ He won the gold medal at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi with a championship record jump of 1.91 m.

Note:- India finished the competition with 75 gold medals, 69 silver medals and 64 bronze medals and with this also taking the total tally to 208 medals. Russia finished second with 35 medals while Bosnia and Herzegovina secured third position with three medal

Exam Relevance:

UPSC/BPSC

Syed Ata Hasnain: 43rd Governor of Bihar

NATIONAL

Why in the news?

❖ Syed Ata Hasnain took oath as the 43rd Governor of Bihar on 14 March 2026.

Key highlights

❖ The oath of office was administered by Sangam Kumar Sahu, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan.

❖ He became the first former Army officer to serve as the Governor of Bihar.

❖ He succeeded Arif Mohammad Khan as the Governor of the state.

Exam Relevance:

UPSC/BPSC

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