UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 14 March 2026

Paid Menstrual Leave May Hurt Women’s Careers: SC

Context

The Supreme Court expressed apprehensions that a law making paid leave during menstrual pain compulsory may damage the careers of young women and deprive them of equal opportunities.

What is Menstrual Leave?

Menstrual leave refers to paid or unpaid leave granted to women during menstruation when they experience health issues such as:

Dysmenorrhea: painful menstrual cramps

Endometriosis: a disorder where tissue similar to uterine lining grows outside the uterus

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

Context

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.

Major Highlights of the Bill

The Bill aims to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

Definition of Transgender Person: It seeks to narrow the definition of “transgender person” and clarifies that persons with different sexual orientations or self perceived sexual identities will not fall within the definition of transgender persons under the Act.

Push for India’s Services Sector

In Context

India’s services sector has emerged as one of the strongest performers of the economy, playing an increasingly important role in driving growth, productivity, and global integration.

India’s Services Performance

GDP Contribution: According to the World Bank, the share of services in India’s GDP rose to 49.9% in 2024, which is about 1.5 percentage points above the pre-pandemic average, an increase greater than the global average and the majority of developed economies.

Exports: India’s services exports have maintained strong momentum in FY2025-26, supported by sustained global demand for Indian services.

Geodesy and India’s Push for Scientific Self-Reliance

Context

At the first National Conference on Geodesy (GeodCon-26), the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences highlighted the critical role of National Geospatial Policy 2022.

About

India's National Geospatial Policy 2022 seeks to make the country a global leader in geospatial tech by boosting innovation, data access, and infrastructure.

Geospatial technology covers tools like remote sensing, GIS, LiDAR, GPS, and internet mapping (e.g., Google Earth) to collect, analyze, and visualize Earth surface data for societal and analytical needs.

Seafarers Abandonment

Context

As the conflict in West Asia continues and ships remain stranded near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, industry stakeholders are warning of a rising risk of seafarer abandonment.

What is Seafarer Abandonment?

Seafarer abandonment occurs when shipowners fail to pay wages, provide supplies, or arrange repatriation, leaving crews stranded on vessels or in foreign ports.

Under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, abandonment includes failure to:

Pay wages for at least two months,

News In Short 14-03-2026

Context

Recently, U.S. forces struck military targets at Kharg Island in Iran.

About Kharg Island

Often referred to as the “orphan pearl,” Kharg Island is a small island in the northeastern Persian Gulf, approximately 25 kilometres off the coast of Iran's Khuzestan Province.

Despite its modest size, it is the single most important oil export terminal in Iran and one of the most strategically significant energy chokepoints in the world.