{"id":70342,"date":"2026-03-27T18:55:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=70342"},"modified":"2026-03-27T19:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:30:12","slug":"news-in-short-27-03-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-03-2026\/news-in-short-27-03-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 27-03-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Paternity Leave<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/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 Supreme Court called on the Union government to examine the need for a <strong>formal law<\/strong> recognising<strong> paternity leave for all fathers, adoptive or biological.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Court observed that the duration of the leave must be determined to suit the <strong>needs of both the parents and the child.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/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><strong>Paternity leave<\/strong> is leave granted to a <strong>male employee (father)<\/strong> to take care of his newborn or adopted child and support the mother after childbirth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India <strong>does not <\/strong>have a universal paternity leave law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, under the <strong>Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972<\/strong> male government employees are entitled to <strong>15 days of paternity leave,<\/strong> which they can take <strong>within six months of their child\u2019s birth or adoption.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Supreme Court of India in 2026 urged the government to:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enact a dedicated law on paternity leave.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognize it as a social security benefit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Countries like Sweden, Iceland and Germany<\/strong> provide paid parental leaves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It challenges the stereotype that childcare is solely a mother\u2019s responsibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourages shared parenting roles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduces physical and emotional burden on mothers after childbirth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensures better newborn care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthens parent-child bonding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Makes workplaces more inclusive and progressive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177519\/OPS\/GFDFP1KR5.1+GDDFP653P.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Flexible Inflation Targeting Framework (FITF)<\/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 of India has retained the inflation target of 4% with a tolerance band of \u00b12% for the period April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Inflation Targeting Framework<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India adopted a Flexible Inflation Targeting Framework (FITF) in <strong>2016 on <\/strong>recommendation by an Expert Committee<strong> headed by Dr. Urjit Patel.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As per<strong> Section 45ZA of the RBI Act, 1934<\/strong>, the Central Government, in consultation with the RBI, determines the inflation target once every five years.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> Consumer Price Index (CPI)<\/strong> \u2014 which measures retail inflation \u2014 is the chosen benchmark.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), is mandated to maintain inflation as set by the Government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>What is the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The MPC is a <strong>statutory body<\/strong> established under the <strong>RBI Act, 1934<\/strong> (amended in 2016).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is responsible for <strong>fixing the benchmark interest rate<\/strong> (repo rate) to maintain price stability while keeping growth in mind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It consists of 6 members:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3 from the RBI (including the Governor as Chairperson),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3 external members appointed by the Government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decisions are made by majority, and each member has one vote. In case of a tie, the<strong>RBI Governor has the casting vote.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Economy\/govt-asks-rbi-to-maintain-retail-inflation-at-4-till-mar-2031\/article70785251.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>\u00a0Gold Prices Fall Amid Crisis<\/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>Gold prices have declined sharply despite the outbreak of a major conflict in West Asia in February 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Gold Traditionally Rises During Crises?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Safe Haven Demand: <\/strong>Gold is considered a reliable store of value during periods of uncertainty such as wars, financial crises, and inflationary shocks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low Interest Rate Environment: <\/strong>Gold does not generate interest or dividends.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When interest rates fall, returns on bonds and deposits decline, making gold relatively more attractive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Factors Driving the Current Fall in Gold Prices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rising Oil Prices and Inflation Concerns: <\/strong>The West Asian conflict has disrupted oil supply, pushing crude prices above $100 per barrel. Higher oil prices have increased global inflationary pressures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shift in Monetary Policy Expectations:<\/strong> Markets now expect central banks to maintain higher interest rates for a longer period.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Higher interest rates increase returns on fixed-income instruments such as government bonds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opportunity Cost of Holding Gold:<\/strong> As interest-bearing assets become more attractive, investors shift away from gold, which offers no yield.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Key Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Top Global Producers (2024\u201325):<\/strong> China, Australia, Russia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Position:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Production: <\/strong>Extremely low,\u00a0 less than 1% of global production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consumption:<\/strong> Second largest consumer of gold globally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gold Reserves in India:<\/strong> Bihar, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Mining Areas in India:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Karnataka<\/strong> is the leading gold-producing state in India. Major mining sites include <strong>Hutti Gold Mines and Kolar Gold Fields (closed in 2001).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jharkhand: <\/strong>Gold is found in alluvial form in the Subarnarekha River basin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/markets\/what-is-driving-the-fall-in-gold-prices-explained\/article70788055.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Foreign Institutional Investors (FII)<\/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>According to data from <strong>National Securities Depositories Ltd. (NSDL), Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)<\/strong> sold \u20b91,12,244 crore worth of Indian stocks in a single month.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This sale is the <strong>most aggressive FIIs<\/strong> have ever made in a month.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are crucial participants in global markets, <strong>investing outside their home countries.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FIIs include entities such as <strong>hedge funds, insurance companies, pension funds, and investment banks.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In India, FIIs must register with the<strong> Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) <\/strong>and comply with strict investment rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FIIs can be important sources of <strong>capital in developing economies.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They bring in foreign capital, which can stimulate growth and bolster foreign reserves, thus boosting the overall economy of a nation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Do you Know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The term FII was replaced by FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investor) under SEBI (FPI) Regulations, 2014.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FPIs are classified into three categories based on risk \u2014 Category I (lowest risk, e.g. sovereign funds), Category II (regulated entities), and Category III (highest risk, e.g. hedge funds).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/markets\/fpis-sell-record-11-lakh-crore-in-indian-equities-as-markets-remain-fragile\/article70788528.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Agnikul Tests 3D-Printed \u2018Agnite\u2019 Booster Engine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ S&amp;T<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/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>Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos recently announced the successful test of its 3D-printed booster engine, named \u2018Agnite\u2019.<\/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>Agnite is a single-piece <strong>3D-printed booster engine<\/strong> developed for the booster stage of Agnibaan launch vehicles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>engine is designed to reduce production complexity<\/strong> and turnaround time for space missions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unlike conventional booster engines made of thousands of parts, Agnite is built as a single-piece architecture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can reportedly be fully printed within a week, making manufacturing significantly faster.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>engine is made of Inconel<\/strong>, a high-performance alloy commonly used in high-temperature aerospace applications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TOI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Miscellaneous<\/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 16th annual edition of the<strong> QS World University Rankings by Subject <\/strong>has been recently published.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About QS World University Rankings by Subject<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>QS Quacquarelli Symonds is a <strong>London-based higher education analytics firm<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It ranks universities not overall, but specifically for 55 individual subjects giving a more granular picture of academic excellence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>55 subjects are grouped into five broad areas<\/strong> \u2014 Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IIT-ISM Dhanbad (Indian School of Mines) has ranked<strong> 21st globally in Mineral and Mining Engineering &amp; IIM Ahmedabad<\/strong> has featured as India&#8217;s top-ranked institution in both Business and Management Studies and Marketing.<\/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>IIED Food Security Index<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/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>A new study by the <strong>International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)<\/strong> has found that <strong>India is among the large economies most vulnerable to worsening food insecurity<\/strong> under rising global temperatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Highlights<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>India\u2019s Position:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s baseline score in the new <strong>Food Security Index<\/strong> is <strong>5.31<\/strong>, significantly below the <strong>global average of 6.74<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is behind countries such as <strong>Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia<\/strong>, indicating structural weaknesses in its food system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impact of Rising Temperatures:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s score is projected to decline further to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>4.96 at 1.5\u00b0C warming<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4.52 at 2\u00b0C warming<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This means that <strong>climate change (long-term rise in global temperatures and weather instability)<\/strong> could increasingly reduce access to <strong>adequate food<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"181a17\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-151.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-70343\" style=\"--dominant-color: #181a17; width:471px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-151.png 820w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-151-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-151-768x492.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Supreme Court called on the Union government to examine the need for a formal law recognising paternity leave for all fathers, adoptive or biological. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Paternity leave is leave granted to a male employee (father) to take care of his newborn or adopted child and support the mother after childbirth. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> India does not have a universal paternity leave law. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> However, under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 male government employees are entitled to 15 days of paternity leave, which they can take within six months of their child\u2019s birth or adoption. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-03-2026\/news-in-short-27-03-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"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-70342","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\/70342","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\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70342"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70348,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70342\/revisions\/70348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}