Daily Current Affairs – 25 March 2026 | Important Updates for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Government Exams

Introduction

The developments of 25 March 2026 highlight India’s strategic balancing between economic resilience and technological advancement. While global geopolitical tensions have impacted growth projections and energy security, India continues to push reforms in AI governance, infrastructure, and public welfare. Simultaneously, landmark judicial rulings and environmental concerns reflect evolving governance priorities, making this day highly relevant for competitive exam preparation.

Today’s Current Affairs One-Liners (Quick Revision)

• Goldman Sachs revised India’s GDP growth forecast for CY26 to 5.9% due to West Asian geopolitical tensions impacting supply chains and energy prices.
• India’s inflation is projected to rise to 4.6% in CY26 with a widening Current Account Deficit of 2% of GDP.
• MoSPI enhanced ASUSE survey using GST and digital payment data to better estimate informal sector contribution.
• India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves are two-thirds full, covering about 9.5 days of crude oil demand.
• Government notified Natural Gas Distribution Order 2026 aiming to increase gas share to 15% by 2030.
• Sarvam AI partnered with Razorpay to enable multilingual AI-based digital payments across India.
• Supreme Court ruled SC status is restricted to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists and ceases upon conversion.
• SEBI introduced stricter conflict-of-interest rules including a ban on equity investments for top officials.
• India recorded a 21% drop in TB cases over a decade under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.
• Thailand seized 284 tonnes of illegal e-waste highlighting global “waste colonialism” concerns.
• Chhattisgarh launched the first Khelo India Tribal Games with participation from 30 states.
• Haryana topped the 24th National Para Athletics Championships with 95 medals.

Detailed Current Affairs

National

1. Revision of India’s GDP Growth Forecast

Why in News:
Global financial firm Goldman Sachs reduced India’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 due to disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, affecting energy supplies and global trade dynamics.

Key Highlights:

• GDP forecast reduced from 7% to 5.9%, indicating economic slowdown.
• Inflation expected to rise due to cost-push factors, especially fuel prices.
• Current Account Deficit projected at 2% of GDP, reflecting higher import bills.
• South Asia growth also revised downward, indicating regional impact.

Important Details:

Exam Relevance:

• Prelims: GDP, CAD, Inflation trends
• Mains: Impact of geopolitical conflicts on Indian economy

2. Strengthening Informal Sector Data – ASUSE

Why in News:
Government improved data collection of unorganized sector via ASUSE to better reflect real economic activity.

Key Highlights:

• Integration of GSTN and digital payment data.
• Supports calculation of District Domestic Product (DDP).
• Helps in revising GDP base year to 2022–23.

Important Details:

• Covers manufacturing, trade, services (non-agriculture)
• Conducted by NSO

Exam Relevance:

• Important for national income accounting and informal sector analysis

Economy

3. Transition to Gas-Based Economy

Why in News:
Government notified Natural Gas Distribution Order 2026 to increase gas usage.

Key Highlights:

• Target: 15% gas share by 2030 (currently ~6.2%).
• Demand expected to double by 2040.
• Focus on cleaner fuel transition.

Important Details:

• Pipelines: Jagdishpur-Haldia, Indradhanush Grid
• Benefits:
  • Lower emissions
  • Reduced oil import dependence

Exam Relevance:

• Energy security and climate commitments

4. Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)

Why in News:
India evaluating energy preparedness amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions.

Key Highlights:

• Capacity: 5.33 MMT
• Covers ~9.5 days demand
• Phase-II expansion underway

Important Details:

Exam Relevance:

• Strategic reserves vs IEA benchmark (90 days)

Science & Technology

5. Multilingual AI Integration in Payments

Why in News:
Sarvam AI partnered with Razorpay to enable AI-driven multilingual transactions.

Key Highlights:

• AI agents support regional languages
• Promotes financial inclusion
• Focus on rural digital economy

Important Details:

• Enables voice-based transactions
• Supports India’s Digital Public Infrastructure

Exam Relevance:

• AI + fintech integration
• Digital inclusion

6. India AI Governance Framework

Why in News:
Government released AI governance guidelines based on “7 Sutras”.

Key Highlights:

• Focus on innovation over regulation
• Ensures fairness, accountability, transparency
• Introduces sectoral sandboxes

Exam Relevance:

• Ethical AI governance
• Comparison with EU/US models

International

7. Global Waste Dumping Issue

Why in News:
Thailand seized illegal e-waste from the US, raising environmental concerns.

Key Highlights:

• 284 tonnes of waste seized
• Violation of Basel Convention
• Concept of Waste Colonialism

Important Details:

• Developed nations export waste to developing countries
• Linked to NIMBY syndrome

Exam Relevance:

• Environmental governance
• International conventions

Defence & Security

8. BIS Standards for Bomb Disposal Systems

Why in News:
New BIS standard introduced for security equipment.

Key Highlights:

• Standard: IS 19445:2025
• Ensures performance quality of bomb disposal tools

Exam Relevance:

• Internal security modernization

Polity & Governance

9. Supreme Court Ruling on SC Status

Why in News:
Supreme Court clarified religion-based eligibility for Scheduled Castes.

Key Highlights:

• SC status limited to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists
• Conversion leads to loss of SC benefits
• Based on 1950 Presidential Order

Important Details:

• ST status unaffected by religion
• Impacts SC/ST Act applicability

Exam Relevance:

• Constitutional provisions (Articles 341, 342)
• Social justice debates

10. SEBI Conflict of Interest Reforms

Why in News:
SEBI strengthened ethics rules for board members.

Key Highlights:

• Ban on equity investments
• Mandatory asset disclosure
• 2-year cooling-off period

Exam Relevance:

• Regulatory governance
• Transparency in institutions

Health

11. Tuberculosis Control Progress

Why in News:
India reported significant decline in TB cases.

Key Highlights:

• 21% reduction in cases
• 25% drop in mortality
• Introduction of BPaLM regimen

Important Details:

• Schemes:
  • PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
  • Nikshay Poshan Yojana

Exam Relevance:

• Public health programs
• SDG targets

Sports

12. Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

Why in News:
First Tribal Games launched in Chhattisgarh.

Key Highlights:

• 3,800 athletes from 30 states
• Includes archery, athletics, football, etc.
• Focus on tribal talent identification

Exam Relevance:

• Inclusive sports policy

Important Things to Remember

• GDP revised to 5.9%
• Gas target: 15% by 2030
• SPR covers only 9.5 days demand
• SC status linked to religion (1950 Order)
• TB cases reduced but still global burden leader

Exam Tips

• Focus on data-based questions (GDP, inflation, SPR capacity)
• Link Supreme Court rulings with constitutional articles
• Prepare environment conventions like Basel Convention
• Revise government schemes + objectives

Quick Revision (One-Liners)

• GDP forecast reduced to 5.9%
• Gas economy target set for 2030
• AI governance based on 7 Sutras
• SC status restricted by religion
• TB cases reduced significantly