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Daily Current Affairs – 18 March, 2026

    West Asia Conflict Takes a Toll on Medical Tourism Industry in India

    Context

  • India’s state-of-the-art healthcare has attracted patients from across the world over the last few decades, but the travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia are creating new challenges.

    • What is Medical Tourism? 

  • Medical tourism refers to the practice of traveling to another country or region for medical treatment, procedures, or health-related services. 
  • Reasons:
  • Individuals seek medical care in countries where the quality of treatment is high, but the costs are significantly lower than in their home country. 
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    Parliamentary Committees as Watchdogs of Fiscal Governance

    Context

  • A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance report has criticized the Ministry of Planning and NITI Aayog for underutilisation of funds and poor financial management, with spending falling below 36% in FY24 and FY25.

    • What are Parliamentary Standing Committees?

  • Parliamentary Standing Committees (PSCs) are permanent committees of Parliament constituted to examine, scrutinise, and oversee the functioning of the executive.
  • These committees continue to function throughout the year, unlike ad hoc committees which are temporary.
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    Protest Rallies in Ladakh over Statehood, Sixth Schedule demands

    Context

  • Protest rallies were held in Ladakh recently for Statehood status and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.

    • Background

  • Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 without a Legislative Assembly after Article 370 of the Constitution was struck down by the Parliament.
  • A year later, the region comprising Buddhist-dominated Leh and Muslim-dominated Kargil districts erupted in protests, demanding constitutional safeguards such as statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to grant it tribal status, job reservation for locals, and separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
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    Uncertainty Around India’s Carbon Credit Plan

    Context

  • The ₹20,000 crore carbon credit programme announced in Union Budget 2026 led to widespread debate, whether the allocation is meant for industrial decarbonisation (CCUS) or farmer-based carbon credit generation through sustainable agriculture.

    • About Carbon Credit Programme

  • Under the Union Budget 2026-27, the Union government announced a Rs 20,000 crore outlay over the next five years through a dedicated scheme for Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation (CCUS). 
  • The scheme will support CCUS initiatives to aid the decarbonisation goals of five industrial sectors of the economy, namely, power, steel, cement, refineries and chemicals.
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    CARA Issues Nationwide Directions to Strengthen Adoption Procedures

    Context

  • The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has issued three important Office Memorandums to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) to reinforce compliance with adoption procedures.

    • CARA Directions

  • Aim: To strengthen transparency, accountability and child protection within the adoption ecosystem.
  • First Memorandum: No orphan or abandoned child can be declared legally free for adoption without the completion of due inquiry.
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    News In Short 18-03-2026

    Context

  • A medieval inscription linked to the Gajapati Dynasty has been discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

    • Key Findings

  • The inscription is engraved on a stone pillar in the temple mandapa. 
  • It mentions Kumaraguru Mahapatra, an officer serving under Purushottama Deva in the 15th century CE. 
  • The record indicates that the idol of Lord Narasimha and the mandapa pillars were relocated from Kondaveedu Fort following invasions in the region.
    • Read More
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