Daily Current Affairs for UPSC Prelims – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis | 5 March 2026

 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC Prelims – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis | 5 March 2026

Source: The Hindu
Date: 5 March 2026
These daily current affairs notes cover important news from The Hindu newspaper relevant for UPSC Prelims and other competitive exams. The notes focus on economy, schemes, environment, science, and international relations with key facts for quick revision.

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1. MSME & Textile Sector Initiatives

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Background

The MSME sector plays a vital role in India's economic growth. It contributes significantly to:

• Employment generation

• Manufacturing output

• Export promotion

• Entrepreneurship development

The textile industry is one of the largest labour-intensive industries, making it a key sector for job creation.

Budget Highlights

• Textile sector allocation increased by ~25%.

• MSME sector allocation nearly doubled.

• Focus on labour-intensive industries to generate employment.

Important Schemes

Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative

Focuses on strengthening the rural and village economy through traditional industries.

Key sectors:

• Khadi

• Handloom

• Handicrafts

Objective:
Promote self-reliant villages and rural employment.

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SAMARTH 2.0

A skill development scheme for the textile sector.

Purpose:

• Training workers in modern textile manufacturing

• Skill development for garment production

• Improving export competitiveness

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SME Growth Fund

Allocation: ₹10,000 crore

Purpose:

• Financial assistance to small and medium enterprises

• Encourage innovation and technology adoption

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Self-Reliant India Fund

Launched in 2021.

Allocation: ₹2000 crore

Objective:

• Provide equity funding to MSMEs

• Strengthen India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative

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Container Manufacturing Scheme

Allocation: ₹10,000 crore

Objective:

• Reduce dependence on imported containers

• Improve export logistics infrastructure

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2. Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS)

Definition

Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) is an online platform that enables MSMEs to receive early payment of invoices.

How It Works

1. MSME supplies goods to buyer.

2. Buyer delays payment.

3. MSME uploads invoice on TReDS platform.

4. Banks or financiers discount the invoice.

5. MSME receives instant payment.

Advantages

• Improves working capital

• Reduces payment delays

• Enhances MSME liquidity

Regulation

The system is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

Budget Update

• CPSEs must procure from MSMEs registered on TReDS.

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3. Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

Definition

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are offshore units established by multinational corporations to perform high-value business operations.

Evolution

Earlier roles:

• Data processing

• Call centres

• Customer support

Current roles:

• Research & Development

• Artificial Intelligence

• Data analytics

• Financial services

• Product design

Key Data

• 1700+ GCCs operating in India

• Expected revenue by 2030: $15 billion

Major GCC Hubs

• Bengaluru

• Hyderabad

• Pune

• Chennai

• Mumbai

• NCR

Budget Measures

• Tax holiday extended till 2047 for AI infrastructure and data centres.

• Expansion of Safe Harbour Rules to reduce tax disputes.

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4. Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

Definition

Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is a tax charged on transactions conducted on the stock exchange.

Introduced in 2004.

Levied On

• Equity shares

• Equity derivatives

• Equity-oriented mutual funds

• Non-delivery transactions

• IPO offer-for-sale shares

STT vs Capital Gains Tax

Feature	STT	Capital Gains Tax
Basis	Transaction value	Profit
Charged	During trade	During sale
Loss	Charged even if loss	Only on profit

Budget Update

• STT increased on derivative trading.

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5. Bio-Pharma Shakti Programme

Allocation

₹10,000 crore for 5 years.

Objective

Strengthen India's biotechnology sector by promoting:

• Biologics

• Biosimilars

Biologics

Original medicines derived from living cells.

Examples:

• Insulin

• Monoclonal antibodies

• Cancer immunotherapy

Biosimilars

Generic versions of biologic medicines developed after patent expiry.

Benefits

• Lower drug prices

• Increase access to advanced treatment

• Promote India's biotech industry

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6. NIPER Expansion

About NIPER

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research is India's premier institution for pharmaceutical education and research.

Budget Announcement

• 3 new NIPER institutes

• Upgradation of existing 7 institutes

Objective

• Strengthen drug research

• Develop complex drug manufacturing

• Enhance pharmaceutical innovation

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7. Health Sector Updates

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Health Budget

Total allocation: ₹1.05 lakh crore

Major Scheme

Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana

Allocation: ₹9,500 crore

Provides health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year.

Cancer Drug Relief

Basic Customs Duty removed on 17 cancer medicines.

Purpose:

• Reduce cost of treatment

• Improve accessibility for rare diseases.

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8. Coconut Promotion Scheme

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Importance

Coconut is called “Kalpavriksha” (Tree of Life).

Uses:

• Food

• Oil

• Fibre

• Medicine

Global Ranking

India:

• 3rd largest producer

• 1st in productivity per hectare

Major Producing States

• Kerala

• Tamil Nadu

• Karnataka

Institutional Support

The Coconut Development Board

HQ: Kochi

World Coconut Day: 2 September

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9. Important Nut Crops

Cashew

• Largest cultivation area: Goa

• Highest production: Maharashtra

• Cannot tolerate waterlogging

Almond

Major Indian region:

• Jammu & Kashmir

• Himachal Pradesh

Largest global producer: United States (California)

Walnut

Scientific name: Juglans regia

Major Indian region: Jammu & Kashmir

Pine Nuts (Chilgoza)

Not true nuts — they are seeds.

Found in:

• Asia

• Europe

• North America

Largest producer: China

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10. Agriculture Budget

Budget Increase

Only 2.6% increase in agriculture budget.

Key Scheme

Bharat Vistara 

Allocation: ₹150 crore

Features

AI-based agricultural advisory system.

Supports:

• Crop planning

• Weather advisory

• Pest management

• Data-driven farming

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11. Schemes for Persons with Disabilities

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Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana

Objective:

• Skill development for persons with disabilities

Focus areas:

• Vocational training

• Employment support

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Divyang Sahyog Yojana

Objective:

Provide assistive devices such as:

• Wheelchairs

• Hearing aids

• Prosthetics

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12. Jal Jeevan Mission

Objective

Provide tap water connection to every rural household.

Allocation

₹67,600 crore.

Progress

Over 12 crore rural households connected (till Dec 2025).

Implementation Challenges

• Financial irregularities

• Infrastructure quality issues

States addressing problems:

• Tamil Nadu

• Gujarat

• Assam

• Maharashtra

• Rajasthan

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13. Defence Budget

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Allocation

₹7.85 lakh crore.

Share of GDP

Approximately 2% of GDP.

Spending Categories

• Capital expenditure (weapons and equipment)

• Operational expenses

• Salaries

• Military pensions

Expert Criticism

Strategic experts recommend 5–7% GDP defence spending.

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14. Rare Earth Corridor

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Rare Earth Elements

Total: 17 elements

Categories:

Light Rare Earth Elements

• Lanthanum

• Cerium

• Neodymium

Heavy Rare Earth Elements

• Dysprosium

• Ytterbium

• Lutetium

Uses

• Electric vehicles

• Smartphones

• Wind turbines

• Defence technology

Proposed Corridor States

• Odisha

• Andhra Pradesh

• Tamil Nadu

• Kerala

Objective:

Reduce dependence on China.

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15. Carbon Capture Technology

Definition

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology captures CO₂ emissions before they enter the atmosphere.

Major Emission Sources

• Power plants

• Steel industry

• Cement industry

• Fertiliser plants

Storage Methods

• Geological storage

• Chemical conversion

• Industrial reuse

Budget Allocation

₹1,000 crore for CCUS development.

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16. Solar Manufacturing Boost

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Budget Measure

Customs duty removed on Sodium Antimonate.

Importance

Used in manufacturing solar glass panels.

Objective

• Boost domestic solar manufacturing

• Reduce import dependence

• Promote renewable energy industry

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17. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

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Objective

Install rooftop solar panels in 1 crore households.

Budget Allocation

₹32,000 crore.

Benefits

• Free electricity for households

• Reduce carbon emissions

• Promote renewable energy

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18. National Waterway-5

Rivers

• Brahmani

• Mahanadi

State: Odisha

Objective

Improve inland cargo transportation.

Connected Ports:

• Paradip Port

• Dhamra Port

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19. High-Speed Rail Corridors

Proposed Network

Total length: 4000 km

Key Routes

• Mumbai – Pune

• Pune – Hyderabad

• Hyderabad – Bengaluru

• Hyderabad – Chennai

• Chennai – Bengaluru

• Delhi – Varanasi

• Varanasi – Siliguri

Investment

₹16 lakh crore.

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20. Tourism Development

Buddhist Circuit

Tourism initiative connecting Buddhist heritage sites.

Target regions:

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Sikkim

• Assam

• Manipur

• Mizoram

• Tripura

Eco-Tourism Areas

• Himalayas

• Eastern Ghats

• Odisha coastal turtle nesting sites

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21. Renaming of Adampur Airport

New Name

Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport

Location: Punjab

About Guru Ravidas

• 15th-century Bhakti movement saint

• Promoted social equality

• Opposed caste discrimination

• Advocated spiritual unity

Quick Prelims Revision (Most Important)

• TReDS regulated by → RBI

• Total Rare Earth Elements → 17

• India coconut rank → 3rd producer, 1st productivity

• Coconut Development Board HQ → Kochi

• STT introduced → 2004

• PM Surya Ghar Scheme → rooftop solar

• Rare Earth Corridor → Odisha, AP, TN, Kerala

• National Waterway-5 → Brahmani & Mahanadi

• Pine nuts → seeds, not nuts

• Largest almond producer → USA