Top 10 Current Affairs from The Hindu & Indian Express for UPSC – 13 March 2026

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS NOTES From The Hindu & Indian Express

13 March 2026 

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1. Air Droppable Container – ADC 150

Overview

• ADC-150 (Air Droppable Container 150) is a defence logistics system recently successfully tested by DRDO and the Indian Navy.

• It is designed to deliver critical supplies from aircraft to ships or remote areas during operations.

Key Features

• Payload Capacity: Up to 150 kilograms.

• Designed as a compact air-droppable logistics container.

• Equipped with an advanced parachute system to ensure controlled and safe landing.

• Built to withstand harsh marine and operational conditions.

Purpose

The container is designed for rapid deployment of supplies in situations such as:

• Naval missions in the open sea

• Humanitarian and disaster relief operations

• Delivery of medical aid, ammunition, or equipment

• Supplying naval vessels far from base

Aircraft Used for Testing

• Tested using the P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

P-8I Poseidon Aircraft

• A long-range maritime surveillance aircraft used by the Indian Navy.

• Manufactured by Boeing (USA).

• Key roles include:

  • Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

  • Anti-Surface Warfare

  • Maritime reconnaissance

  • Intelligence and surveillance missions

• Plays a crucial role in monitoring the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Exam Relevance

Possible questions:

• Purpose of ADC-150

• Capabilities of P-8I Poseidon aircraft

• Role of DRDO in defence technology development

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2. Roopkund Lake (Skeleton Lake)

Location

• Located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas.

• Situated at an altitude of approximately 5,000 meters above sea level.

• Classified as a glacial lake.

Why it is Called Skeleton Lake

• Hundreds of human skeletons are found around the lake.

• These skeletons become visible when ice melts during summer months.

Discovery

• The lake and its skeletons were first discovered in 1942 by a British forest ranger during a patrol.

Age of Skeletons

• Scientific studies indicate that many skeletons date back to around 9th century CE.

• Some evidence suggests skeletons belong to different groups of people from different time periods.

Scientific Studies Conducted

Researchers have used:

• Radiocarbon dating

• DNA analysis

• Forensic examination of skull fractures

Theories About the Deaths

Several theories have been proposed:

1. Hailstorm theory

   • Massive hailstorm may have caused fatal head injuries.

2. Pilgrim tragedy

   • Group of pilgrims may have died due to natural calamity.

3. Multiple groups theory

   • Genetic evidence shows skeletons belong to different populations and periods.

Why It Appears in News

• Climate change and rising temperatures are causing glaciers to melt.

• This exposes more skeletons every year.

Exam Importance

• Location in Uttarakhand

• Reason behind the name Skeleton Lake

• Link with climate change effects

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3. Bascule Bridge

Definition

A bascule bridge is a movable bridge that can be raised to allow ships to pass underneath.

Mechanism

• The bridge has two leaves or arms that rotate upward.

• The opening mechanism works like a seesaw.

Origin of the Term

• Derived from the French word “Bascule”, meaning seesaw or balance.

Historical Development

• First used in medieval Europe, especially in:

  • Fortifications

  • Castle entrances

  • Defence structures

Modern Usage

• Commonly used in port cities and waterways where ships frequently pass.

Indian Context

• The Government of India has approved a renovation project worth ₹17.54 crore to build a bascule bridge at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.

Comparison with Other Bridge Types

Example: Pamban Bridge (Tamil Nadu)

• India’s first vertical lift railway bridge.

• Connects Rameswaram Island with mainland India.

Global Fact

• Broadway Bridge in Portland (USA) is one of the longest double-leaf bascule bridges in the world.

Exam Importance

• Definition and mechanism of bascule bridge

• Location: Kolkata port

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4. Devon Island – “Mars on Earth”

Location

• Located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

• Situated in the Arctic Ocean region near Baffin Bay.

• Close to the Arctic Circle.

Key Characteristics

• Largest uninhabited island in the world.

• No permanent human settlement.

• Extremely harsh climate.

Climate Conditions

• Temperatures can fall below –50°C.

• Landscape is:

  • Dry

  • Rocky

  • Barren

Why It is Called “Mars on Earth”

• Terrain resembles Martian surface conditions.

• Similarities include:

  • Lack of vegetation

  • Rocky desert-like terrain

  • Harsh environment

Scientific Importance

• Used by NASA for Mars simulation experiments.

• Scientists test:

  • Space suits

  • Mars rover technologies

  • Astronaut survival techniques

Major Geological Feature

Haughton Impact Crater

• Created by a meteorite impact millions of years ago.

Similar Mars-Like Regions

• Salar de Pajonales (Chile) also resembles Mars-like terrain.

Exam Importance

• Location: Canadian Arctic Archipelago

• NASA research site

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5. European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

Establishment

• Established in 1960.

• Created through the Stockholm Convention.

Nature of Organization

• An intergovernmental trade organization.

• Promotes free trade and economic cooperation.

Member Countries

There are four member countries:

• Iceland

• Liechtenstein

• Norway

• Switzerland

Objective

• Facilitate free trade agreements (FTAs) between member countries and other nations.

India-EFTA Agreement

• India signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA in 2024.

Key Targets of the Agreement

• $100 billion investment in India over 15 years.

• Creation of approximately 1 million jobs in India.

Exam Importance

• Member countries of EFTA

• Nature of organization

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6. India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline

Overview

• First cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh.

Inauguration

• Officially inaugurated in 2023.

Purpose

• Transport High Speed Diesel (HSD) from India to Bangladesh.

Pipeline Details

• Total length: 131 km

• Length in India: 5 km

• Length in Bangladesh: 126 km

Route

• Starts from Siliguri (India).

• Ends at Parbatipur depot in northern Bangladesh.

Capacity

• Transport capacity: 1 million metric tonnes per year.

Significance

• Strengthens India-Bangladesh energy cooperation.

• Improves fuel supply efficiency.

• Enhances regional connectivity and trade.

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7. National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

Establishment

• Created under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

Nature

• A statutory body.

Administrative Ministry

• Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Major Responsibilities

• Monitoring dam safety across India.

• Resolving dam-related disputes between states.

• Supervising State Dam Safety Organisations.

Recent Initiatives

1. NETRA

• AI-based digital system.

• Provides quick access to dam safety information.

2. National Dam Safety Darpan

• Digital platform for monitoring dam safety conditions.

Dam Situation in India

• Over 50% dams are more than 50 years old.

Global Dam Statistics

• China: ~23,000 dams

• USA: ~9,200 dams

• India: ~5,200 dams

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8. Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)

Introduction

• Launched in 2003.

Objective

• Prevent the trade of conflict diamonds (blood diamonds).

What Are Conflict Diamonds

• Diamonds mined in war zones.

• Used by rebel groups to finance conflicts.

Certification Mechanism

• Rough diamonds must carry Kimberley Process certification to enter international trade.

Participation

• More than 60 countries participate.

India’s Role

• India holds the Chairmanship in 2026.

Major Diamond Producers

• Russia

• Botswana

• Canada

• Angola

• Democratic Republic of Congo

India’s Diamond Resources

• Major diamond reserves located in Madhya Pradesh.

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9. Coal Gasification

Definition

Coal gasification is a process of converting solid coal into synthetic gas (syngas).

Process

Coal reacts with:

• Oxygen

• Steam

• Under high temperature and pressure

Product

Syngas consisting mainly of:

• Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Hydrogen (H₂)

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Advantages

• Lower carbon emissions compared to direct coal burning.

• Reduced sulfur pollution.

• Useful in chemical and fuel production.

Government Initiative

National Coal Gasification Mission

Target

• Gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030.

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10. Exercise Lamitye

Overview

• A bilateral joint military exercise.

Participating Countries

• India

• Seychelles

Armed Forces Involved

• Army

• Navy

• Air Force

Meaning of Lamitye

• Means “friendship” in the Seychellois language.

Importance

• Strengthens defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

• Enhances interoperability between armed forces.

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11. National Highway Green Cover Index

Released By

• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Objective

• Measure green vegetation cover along national highways.

Technology Used

• Satellite data from ISRO.

Satellites Used

• Resourcesat-2

• Resourcesat-2A

• Cartosat series

Benefits

• Helps reduce air pollution

• Promotes biodiversity conservation

• Prevents soil erosion

• Enhances road safety

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12. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Launch

• Initially launched in 2008 as Jan Aushadhi Scheme.

• Renamed in 2015.

Implementing Agency

• Department of Pharmaceuticals

Objective

• Provide affordable generic medicines to the public.

Key Features

• Medicines are 50–80% cheaper than branded drugs.

• Sold through Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India.

Major Achievements

• Over 18,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras established.

Important Initiatives

1. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins

• Available at ₹1 per pad.

• Promotes menstrual hygiene.

2. Jan Aushadhi Sugam Mobile App

Provides:

• Location of nearest Jan Aushadhi Kendra

• Medicine availability

• Price comparison

Economic Impact

• By June 2025, medicines worth ₹7700 crore sold.

• Citizens saved approximately ₹38,000 crore.