{"id":70012,"date":"2026-03-24T21:38:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T16:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=70012"},"modified":"2026-03-24T21:43:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T16:13:11","slug":"news-in-short-24-03-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/24-03-2026\/news-in-short-24-03-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 24-03-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>World Tuberculosis Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated on<strong> March 24<\/strong> to educate people about tuberculosis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The day is observed to commemorate the<strong> anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch\u2019s discovery of the TB bacteria in 1882.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The theme for 2026 is \u201cYes! We can end TB\u201d,<\/strong> which focuses on hope as well as action.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Tuberculosis?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tuberculosis (TB) is an<strong> infectious disease<\/strong> that most often affects the lungs and is caused by the <strong>bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It spreads through the air when infected people <strong>cough, sneeze or spit.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Symptoms:<\/strong> prolonged cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While TB usually affects the lungs, it also affects the kidneys, brain, spine and skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treatment:<\/strong> It is <strong>preventable and curable <\/strong>with antibiotics.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>TB Vaccine: The Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) vaccine<\/strong> remains the only licensed vaccine against TB; it provides moderate protection against severe forms of TB (TB meningitis) <strong>in infants and young children.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s TB burden and progress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>TB as a global health challenge:<\/strong> India has the <strong>highest TB burden in the world, <\/strong>contributing to<strong> 26% of the global burden and 29% of global TB-related deaths.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is followed by <strong>Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%), and Pakistan (6.3%).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multidrug-Resistant TB:<\/strong> India represents 27% of the world\u2019s multi-drug-resistant TB cases, underscoring the need for specialized treatment approaches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised India&#8217;s progress, with a <strong>17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023<\/strong>, a rate more than double the global decline of<strong> 8.3%.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India aims to eliminate TB through programmes like the <strong>National TB Elimination Programme<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/world-tuberculosis-day-president-murmu-highlights-indias-fight-against-tuberculosis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>National Biodiversity Authority Constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)<\/strong> has constituted an <strong>Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species<\/strong> to address the growing ecological and socio-economic risks posed by such species across the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The decision follows a suo motu proceeding by the National Green Tribunal, which underscored the<strong> serious threats of invasive alien species to native biodiversity.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Committee has been mandated to <strong>prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species<\/strong> based on State-wise inputs.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Committee will function for a period of <strong>two years<\/strong> and will contribute in safeguarding the country\u2019s biodiversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was <strong>established in 2003.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>statutory body<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/national-biodiversity-authority-forms-panel-to-address-invasive-alien-species\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SEBI Revamps Framework on Conflict of Interest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SEBI faced scrutiny after allegations by Hindenburg Research regarding conflict of interest involving former SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In response, SEBI constituted a<strong> High-Level Committee (HLC)<\/strong> in March 2025 to review its conflict-of-interest framework.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Reforms Measures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Uniform Restrictions on Investments: <\/strong>All SEBI employees, including the Chairman and <strong>Whole-Time Members (WTMs), <\/strong>are prohibited from <strong>trading in equity and equity-related instruments.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only investments through mutual funds are permitted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New investments are allowed only in <strong>pooled instruments<\/strong> managed by regulated intermediaries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory Disclosure and Divestment: <\/strong>Senior officials must either liquidate or freeze their holdings in equity instruments and commercial ventures, including unlisted companies.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These restrictions are <strong>extended to family members<\/strong> (with limited exceptions).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insider Trading Norms: <\/strong>Senior officials, including the Chairman and WTMs, are now explicitly classified as \u201cinsiders.\u201d This ensures stricter compliance with insider trading regulations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Asset Disclosure Requirements: <\/strong>Senior officials must publicly disclose immovable assets, similar to Union civil servants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/business\/will-india-buy-iranian-oil-after-us-sanctions-waiver-depends-on-refiners-techno-commercial-feasibility-says\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Modifies of Credit Guarantee Scheme to Support MSME Manufacturers and Exporters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Government has modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in line with the Budget 2025-26.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS- MSME) was launched in <strong>2025.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme provides <strong>60% guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC)<\/strong> to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for credit facility up to <strong>\u20b9 100 crore<\/strong> sanctioned to eligible MSMEs under MCGS-MSME for purchase of equipment\/ machinery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Modifications in the existing \u201cMCGS\u2013MSME\u201d scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Upfront Contribution:<\/strong> 5% Upfront contribution made refundable, 1% each from 4th year onwards, subject to satisfactory performance of loan account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong> Service Sector MSMEs also included in the Scheme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minimum project cost towards Machinery \/ Equipment:<\/strong> Cost of equipment\/ machinery reduced up to <strong>60%<\/strong> of project cost <strong>from earlier 75%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guarantee Tenure:<\/strong> The credit guarantee would expire after <strong>10 years<\/strong>, as compared to the unspecified period in the earlier scheme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Incorporation of Special Provisions for Exporters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Eligible exporters:<\/strong> Profitable units having exported at least 25% of their sales turnover in each of previous 3 financial years and satisfying certain export realisation conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guaranteed Loan Amount:<\/strong> \u20b920 crore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guaranteed Loan Amount:<\/strong> \u20b920 crore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Upfront Contribution:<\/strong>\u00a0 2% of loan amount (Max \u20b940 Lacs); 1% each refundable in 4th and 5th year of the guarantee period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guarantee Coverage:<\/strong> 75% of the amount in default.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2243388&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Minor Planet Centre (MPC)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Minor Planet Center (MPC) has recently announced the discovery of 15 new moons (natural satellites)\u2014four around Jupiter and eleven around Saturn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Minor Planet Centre (MPC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The MPC is the<strong> global repository (central database) for observations of small bodies<\/strong> in the solar system (asteroids, comets, and minor planets).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It operates under the <strong>International Astronomical Union (IAU) <\/strong>at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It plays a key role in tracking, cataloguing, and identifying celestial objects beyond major planets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Functions of MPC<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Data Management:<\/strong> Receives and verifies astronomical observations to calculate orbital paths and assign official scientific identities to new space objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tracking NEOs:<\/strong> Monitors Near-Earth Objects (asteroids\/comets) and collaborates with NASA to assess potential collision threats to Earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Coordination: <\/strong>Publishes scientific updates to inform researchers of new discoveries, enabling worldwide collaboration among observatories for further study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Diego Garcia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Places In News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reports have indicated that Iran attempted a missile strike on the<strong> Diego Garcia base.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dadfdd\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"334\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-7.webp\" alt=\"Diego Garcia\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-70015\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dadfdd; width:225px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-7.webp 334w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-7-230x300.webp 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Diego Garcia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Located in the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), <strong>Diego Garcia<\/strong> is a <strong>strategic island base <\/strong>in the<strong> Indian Ocean. <\/strong>It is a <strong>joint US\u2013UK military facility<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It serves as a <strong>key logistics and bomber base (launch point for long-range military operations)<\/strong> in West Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its distance from Iran is about <strong>3,800\u20134,100 km<\/strong>. It was previously considered <strong>beyond Iran\u2019s strike capability<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated on March 24 to educate people about tuberculosis. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The day is observed to commemorate the anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch\u2019s discovery of the TB bacteria in 1882. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The theme for 2026 is \u201cYes! We can end TB\u201d, which focuses on hope as well as action.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/24-03-2026\/news-in-short-24-03-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70012"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70019,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70012\/revisions\/70019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}