News In Short 24-03-2026

World Tuberculosis Day

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated on March 24 to educate people about tuberculosis.

About

• The day is observed to commemorate the anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of the TB bacteria in 1882.
• The theme for 2026 is “Yes! We can end TB”, which focuses on hope as well as action. 

What is Tuberculosis?

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  
• It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.
• Symptoms: prolonged cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats.
  • While TB usually affects the lungs, it also affects the kidneys, brain, spine and skin.
• Treatment: It is preventable and curable with antibiotics.
  • TB Vaccine: The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine remains the only licensed vaccine against TB; it provides moderate protection against severe forms of TB (TB meningitis) in infants and young children.

India’s TB burden and progress

• TB as a global health challenge: India has the highest TB burden in the world, contributing to 26% of the global burden and 29% of global TB-related deaths.
  • India is followed by Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%), and Pakistan (6.3%).
• Multidrug-Resistant TB: India represents 27% of the world’s multi-drug-resistant TB cases, underscoring the need for specialized treatment approaches.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised India’s progress, with a 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, a rate more than double the global decline of 8.3%.
• India aims to eliminate TB through programmes like the National TB Elimination Programme.

Source: AIR

National Biodiversity Authority Constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has constituted an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to address the growing ecological and socio-economic risks posed by such species across the country.

About

• The decision follows a suo motu proceeding by the National Green Tribunal, which underscored the serious threats of invasive alien species to native biodiversity.
• The Committee has been mandated to prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species based on State-wise inputs.
  • The Committee will identify and prioritise high-risk species and recommend science-based management strategies, ecological restoration measures, and national-level guidelines for their prevention, control, and eradication.  
  • The Committee will function for a period of two years and will contribute in safeguarding the country’s biodiversity.

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003.
• It is a statutory body that performs a facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for the Government on the issue of Conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair equitable sharing of benefits of use.

Source: AIR

SEBI Revamps Framework on Conflict of Interest

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved major reforms to strengthen ethical governance and improve ease of doing business in capital markets.

Background

• SEBI faced scrutiny after allegations by Hindenburg Research regarding conflict of interest involving former SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.
• In response, SEBI constituted a High-Level Committee (HLC) in March 2025 to review its conflict-of-interest framework.

Key Reforms Measures

• Uniform Restrictions on Investments: All SEBI employees, including the Chairman and Whole-Time Members (WTMs), are prohibited from trading in equity and equity-related instruments.
  • Only investments through mutual funds are permitted.
  • New investments are allowed only in pooled instruments managed by regulated intermediaries.
• Mandatory Disclosure and Divestment: Senior officials must either liquidate or freeze their holdings in equity instruments and commercial ventures, including unlisted companies.
  • These restrictions are extended to family members (with limited exceptions).
• Insider Trading Norms: Senior officials, including the Chairman and WTMs, are now explicitly classified as “insiders.” This ensures stricter compliance with insider trading regulations.
• Asset Disclosure Requirements: Senior officials must publicly disclose immovable assets, similar to Union civil servants.

Source: IE

Modifies of Credit Guarantee Scheme to Support MSME Manufacturers and Exporters

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The Government has modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in line with the Budget 2025-26.

Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs

• Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS- MSME) was launched in 2025. 
• The scheme provides 60% guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for credit facility up to ₹ 100 crore sanctioned to eligible MSMEs under MCGS-MSME for purchase of equipment/ machinery.

Modifications in the existing “MCGS–MSME” scheme

• Upfront Contribution: 5% Upfront contribution made refundable, 1% each from 4th year onwards, subject to satisfactory performance of loan account.
• Eligibility: Service Sector MSMEs also included in the Scheme.
• Minimum project cost towards Machinery / Equipment: Cost of equipment/ machinery reduced up to 60% of project cost from earlier 75%.
• Guarantee Tenure: The credit guarantee would expire after 10 years, as compared to the unspecified period in the earlier scheme.

Incorporation of Special Provisions for Exporters

• Eligible exporters: Profitable units having exported at least 25% of their sales turnover in each of previous 3 financial years and satisfying certain export realisation conditions.
• Guaranteed Loan Amount: ₹20 crore.
• Guaranteed Loan Amount: ₹20 crore.
• Upfront Contribution:  2% of loan amount (Max ₹40 Lacs); 1% each refundable in 4th and 5th year of the guarantee period.
• Guarantee Coverage: 75% of the amount in default.

Source: PIB

Minor Planet Centre (MPC)

Syllabus: GS3/Space

In News

• The Minor Planet Center (MPC) has recently announced the discovery of 15 new moons (natural satellites)—four around Jupiter and eleven around Saturn.

About Minor Planet Centre (MPC)

• The MPC is the global repository (central database) for observations of small bodies in the solar system (asteroids, comets, and minor planets).
• It operates under the International Astronomical Union (IAU) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
• It plays a key role in tracking, cataloguing, and identifying celestial objects beyond major planets.

Functions of MPC

• Data Management: Receives and verifies astronomical observations to calculate orbital paths and assign official scientific identities to new space objects.
• Tracking NEOs: Monitors Near-Earth Objects (asteroids/comets) and collaborates with NASA to assess potential collision threats to Earth.
• Global Coordination: Publishes scientific updates to inform researchers of new discoveries, enabling worldwide collaboration among observatories for further study.

Source: TH

Diego Garcia

Syllabus: GS1/Places In News

In News

• Reports have indicated that Iran attempted a missile strike on the Diego Garcia base. 

About Diego Garcia

• Located in the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), Diego Garcia is a strategic island base in the Indian Ocean. It is a joint US–UK military facility.
• It serves as a key logistics and bomber base (launch point for long-range military operations) in West Asia.
• Its distance from Iran is about 3,800–4,100 km. It was previously considered beyond Iran’s strike capability.