Daily Current Affairs 12 March 2026 for UPSC: Key Highlights, Mains Angle & Prelims Quiz

Daily Current Affairs 12 March 2026 highlights important international and domestic developments relevant for UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation. Major issues include the West Asia conflict affecting global energy security, the ULLAS New India Literacy Programme, and policy updates related to renewable energy in agriculture and environmental governance.

The coverage also includes the extension of Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028 and the functioning of the Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment. These topics are highly relevant for GS Paper II (Governance and Policy) and GS Paper III (Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure).

Topics Discussed in Daily Current Affairs 12 March 2026 for UPSC Exam

The Daily Current Affairs for 12 March 2026 covers the following important issues:

• West Asia Conflict and Attack on Commercial Ship near Oman Coast

• Global Oil Supply Response by International Energy Agency (IEA)

• ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Programme and Adult Literacy Mission

• Fourth National Agri-Renewable Energy Summit (Agri-RE Summit)

• PM-KUSUM Scheme and Agri-Voltaic Energy Model

• PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Scheme

• Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment

• PARIVESH Portal for Environmental Clearance

• Jal Jeevan Mission Extension till 2028

West Asia Conflict and Energy Security Concerns

The ongoing West Asia conflict has intensified after a commercial ship heading to India’s Kandla Port was attacked near the Oman coast. The ship was hit by a projectile strike, injuring several crew members.

At the same time, tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel have escalated following airstrikes and sanctions targeting Iranian assets.

Key Developments

• Missile attack on a commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz region

• Iranian threats to target financial institutions in the region

• Israel conducting operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon

• Rising tensions around oil fields and military bases in West Asia
  
  

Global Oil Supply Response

To stabilize energy markets, member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) have decided to release around 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves.

UPSC Mains Angle

• Impact of geopolitical conflicts on India’s energy security

• Role of strategic oil reserves and international coordination

• Effect of oil price fluctuations on inflation and current account deficit

ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Programme

The ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) programme aims to improve adult literacy and numeracy skills across India.

Recently, Chandigarh achieved a literacy rate of 99.93%, becoming one of the top performing regions under the programme.

Key Features

• Focus on adult learners aged 15 years and above

• Targets individuals who missed formal education

• Promotes foundational literacy and numeracy

• Provides digital and financial literacy skills

Implementation

• Launched under the National Education Policy 2020

• Implemented by the Ministry of Education

• Programme duration: 2022 – 2027

UPSC Mains Angle

• Role of adult education in human capital development

• Literacy as a tool for inclusive growth

• Importance of digital and financial literacy

Fourth National Agri-Renewable Energy Summit

The Fourth National Agri-RE Summit was organized to promote the integration of renewable energy with agriculture.

The event focused on how solar and renewable energy can help increase farmers’ income and reduce energy costs.

Key Highlights

• Organized by the National Solar Energy Federation of India

• Focus on Agri-Voltaic systems (solar panels installed above farmland)

• Encouragement of solar irrigation pumps

• Promotion of renewable energy in rural areas

Benefits of Agri-Voltaic Model

• Dual land use: agriculture + solar power generation

• Reduction in diesel-based irrigation costs

• Additional income for farmers through selling surplus electricity

UPSC Mains Angle

• Renewable energy as a tool for rural economic transformation

• Role of solar irrigation in sustainable agriculture

• Energy transition and climate change mitigation

PM-KUSUM Scheme and Renewable Energy in Agriculture

The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme promotes solar energy adoption in agriculture.

Objectives

• Provide solar irrigation pumps to farmers

• Reduce dependence on diesel-powered pumps

• Increase renewable energy capacity

Key Components

• Component A: Decentralized solar power plants

• Component B: Standalone solar pumps

• Component C: Solarization of grid-connected pumps

Target

• Achieve 34,800 MW solar capacity by March 2026

UPSC Mains Angle

• Renewable energy adoption in agriculture

• Climate-friendly farming practices

• Increasing farmers’ income through energy generation

Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment

The government has decided to continue the Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) to ensure timely environmental approvals for projects.

Background

Environmental clearances in India are governed by the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.

However, delays often occur due to:

• Non-functioning state appraisal committees

• Administrative delays in environmental clearance

Key Features

• Central authority takes over if state committees fail to act within 120 days

• Ensures faster project approvals

• Improves ease of doing business

PARIVESH Portal

Environmental clearance applications are processed through the PARIVESH portal.

Full Form:
Pro-Active and Responsive Facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub

UPSC Mains Angle

• Balancing environment protection and economic development

• Institutional reforms in environmental governance

• Role of digital platforms in governance

Jal Jeevan Mission Extended till 2028

The Union Cabinet has extended the Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 to ensure universal access to safe drinking water in rural India.

Key Objectives

• Provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC)

• Ensure 55 litres of drinking water per capita per day

• Strengthen rural water infrastructure

Implementation

• Launched on 15 August 2019

• Implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti

• Works in coordination with state governments and local bodies

Future Focus

• Improving service delivery

• Monitoring water supply through digital platforms

• Ensuring water quality and sustainability

UPSC Mains Angle

• Rural water governance and public health

• Infrastructure development and service delivery

• Sustainable water management in India

UPSC Prelims Practice Quiz – 12 March 2026

Q1. The ULLAS programme launched by the Government of India is related to:
(a) Rural employment generation
(b) Adult literacy and lifelong learning
(c) Digital payments infrastructure
(d) Renewable energy promotion

Answer: (b) Adult literacy and lifelong learning

Q2. The PM-KUSUM scheme mainly aims to:
(a) Promote organic farming
(b) Increase agricultural exports
(c) Promote solar energy use in agriculture
(d) Improve irrigation canals

Answer: (c) Promote solar energy use in agriculture

Q3. PARIVESH portal is related to:
(a) Environmental clearance of projects
(b) Agricultural subsidy distribution
(c) Water conservation programmes
(d) Renewable energy monitoring

Answer: (a) Environmental clearance of projects

Q4. Jal Jeevan Mission primarily aims to provide:
(a) Solar pumps to farmers
(b) Household tap water connections
(c) Free irrigation water
(d) Urban water supply reforms

Answer: (b) Household tap water connections

Q5. Agri-Voltaic systems refer to:
(a) Hydropower generation in rural areas
(b) Solar panels installed above agricultural land
(c) Biofuel production from crops
(d) Wind turbines used in irrigation

Answer: (b) Solar panels installed above agricultural land