Daily Current Affairs 11 March 2026 – Top 10 Important News from The Hindu & The Indian Express | UPSC Current Affairs
UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes
Top 10 Important News from The Hindu & The Indian Express
11 March 2026
1. BharatNet Project
Why in News
BharatNet project has been highlighted due to expansion of optical fibre infrastructure and digital connectivity in rural India.
About BharatNet
BharatNet is the largest rural telecom connectivity project in the world.
Launched by the Government of India to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to rural areas.
It aims to connect all Gram Panchayats in India through optical fibre network.
Objective
Provide affordable broadband internet access to rural India.
Bridge the digital divide between rural and urban regions.
Support development of:
E-Governance services
E-Health services
E-Education
Digital payments
Online public services
Key Features
Broadband infrastructure created through optical fibre cables.
Supports services of:
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Mobile operators
Cable TV operators
Wi-Fi service providers
Content providers.
Implementation Agency
Implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL).
Phases of BharatNet
Phase I
Target: 1 lakh Gram Panchayats.
Technology used:
Optical fibre cable connectivity.
Completion: 2017.
Phase II
Target: Additional 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats.
Technology used:
Optical fibre
Radio
Satellite technologies.
Status: Ongoing implementation.
Phase III
Focus on future-proof broadband infrastructure.
Integration of 5G connectivity in rural areas.
Aim: High-speed and reliable broadband connectivity.
Funding Mechanism
Funded through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
DBN replaced the earlier Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
Prelims Key Facts
Largest rural telecom project globally.
Focus: Gram Panchayat broadband connectivity.
Implemented by BBNL.
Funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi.
2. White Phosphorus
Why in News
Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using White Phosphorus in southern Lebanon during recent conflict.
What is White Phosphorus
A highly reactive chemical substance.
Appears as a white or yellow waxy solid.
Has a garlic-like smell.
Chemical Characteristics
Ignites spontaneously in air at around 30°C.
Burns continuously when exposed to oxygen.
Produces dense white smoke during combustion.
Uses
Military Applications
White phosphorus is used for:
Smoke screens to hide troop movement.
Incendiary weapons.
Artillery shells and grenades.
Battlefield illumination.
Industrial Uses
Used in production of:
Phosphoric acid
Detergents
Industrial chemicals
Health Effects
Exposure can cause:
Severe skin burns
Eye irritation
Respiratory damage
Internal organ failure if inhaled or ingested
Can cause severe internal burning due to reaction with oxygen in the body.
Important Global Resource Fact
Approximately 70% of the world's phosphate reserves are located in Morocco.
Prelims Keywords
Incendiary chemical
Ignites in air
Military smoke screens
Fertilizer production
3. Kheibar Shekan Missile
Why in News
Iran claimed it used Kheibar Shekan missile in recent attacks targeting Israeli facilities.
About the Missile
Kheibar Shekan is an Iranian long-range ballistic missile.
Uses solid fuel propulsion.
Key Features
Range: Approximately 1450 km.
Type: Ballistic missile.
Stage: Single-stage missile.
Special Design Feature
Missile engine is placed inside the fuel tank, which:
Reduces missile size
Improves maneuverability
Makes detection more difficult.
Missile Family
Belongs to the Khorramshahr missile family.
Name Origin
Named after Battle of Khaybar, an event in early Islamic history.
Prelims Keywords
Iranian missile
Solid fuel ballistic missile
Range ~1450 km
Khorramshahr missile family
4. Major Iranian Missile Systems (Important for Prelims)
Iran has developed several medium and long-range missile systems.
Important Iranian Missiles
Soumar missile – range around 3000 km
Sejjil missile – range around 2000 km
Khorramshahr missile
Kheibar Shekan missile
Fateh-2 missile
Shahab-3 missile
Emad missile
Importance for UPSC
Questions may ask:
Which country developed these missiles
Missile ranges
Missile family classification.
5. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Why in News
NCB dismantled a nationwide drug trafficking network called “Team Kalki”.
About NCB
Narcotics Control Bureau is India's nodal drug law enforcement agency.
Established Under
Administrative Control
Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Headquarters
New Delhi
Functions
Combat drug trafficking and narcotics smuggling.
Monitor illegal drug networks.
Coordinate with:
State police
Central agencies
International enforcement agencies.
International Cooperation
NCB collaborates with:
UN Drug Control Programme
International Narcotics Control Board
Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices
Prelims Keywords
NDPS Act 1985
MHA agency
Drug trafficking control
6. NDPS Act, 1985
Full Form
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act
Purpose
Regulate:
Production
Possession
Sale
Purchase
Transport
Consumption of narcotic drugs.
Key Objective
Prevent drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking in India.
Enforcement Agencies
Narcotics Control Bureau
State police agencies
Customs authorities.
7. Removal of Lok Sabha Speaker
Why in News
Opposition discussions regarding possible removal motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Constitutional Provision
Governed by Article 94 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 94 Covers
Vacation of office
Resignation
Removal of Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Removal Process
Step 1: Notice
A written notice must be submitted.
Must be supported by at least 50 members.
Step 2: Notice Period
Minimum 14 days notice required before moving resolution.
Step 3: Debate in Lok Sabha
Motion discussed in the House.
Step 4: Voting
Requires Effective Majority.
Effective Majority
Majority of total effective membership of Lok Sabha.
Speaker’s Voting Rights
During removal proceedings:
Speaker can:
Participate in debate
Vote as ordinary member
Speaker cannot use casting vote.
Additional Fact
Deputy Speaker post has remained vacant since 2019.
8. Shantiniketan
Why in News
Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival) celebrated at Shantiniketan.
Location
West Bengal
Founder
Rabindranath Tagore
Establishment
Founded in 1901.
Historical Background
The land was originally used by Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore.
He established an ashram in 1863 at the same site.
Development
Rabindranath Tagore later developed the institution into a residential school.
Visva Bharati University
Established in 1921.
Tagore envisioned it as a global centre for learning and cultural exchange.
UNESCO Recognition
Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.
Became India’s 41st World Heritage Site.
Cultural Importance
Associated with Basanta Utsav festival, celebrating the arrival of spring.
9. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Current Status
India currently has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Recent Additions
Shantiniketan (2023) – West Bengal.
Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty (2024) – Assam.
Maratha Military Landscapes (2025) – Maharashtra.
Categories
UNESCO sites fall under:
Cultural Heritage
Natural Heritage
Mixed Heritage
10. Nuclear Facilities of Iran
Why in News
Iranian nuclear facilities are under global scrutiny due to geopolitical tensions and nuclear weapon concerns.
Major Nuclear Sites in Iran
Natanz
Main uranium enrichment facility.
Contains multiple enrichment plants.
Fordow
Underground uranium enrichment facility.
Built deep inside mountains for protection.
Isfahan
Major nuclear technology centre.
Uranium conversion facility.
Arak
Heavy water nuclear reactor.
Used in nuclear research.
Bushehr
Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant.
Built with Russian assistance.
Used for electricity generation, not enrichment.
Important Distinction
Bushehr → Power generation
Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan, Arak → Nuclear development / enrichment facilities
Quick Prelims Revision
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| BharatNet | Largest rural broadband project |
| White Phosphorus | Ignites in air around 30°C |
| Kheibar Shekan | Iranian ballistic missile |
| Soumar Missile | ~3000 km range |
| NCB | NDPS Act 1985 |
| Speaker Removal | Article 94 |
| Effective Majority | Required for removal |
| Shantiniketan | UNESCO site (2023) |
| Bushehr | Iran’s only nuclear power reactor |
| Iran Nuclear Sites | Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan, Arak |
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