UPSC Current Affairs 16 March 2026 — PIB

• ENERGY TRANSITION AND RENEWABLE CAPACITY
• ECI issues directions for strict implementation of Model Code of Conduct for the general elections in 5 States/UT and bye-elections in 6 States
• The cumulative exports (merchandise & services) during April-February 2025-26 is estimated at US$ 790.86 Billion, as compared to US$ 747.58 Billion in April-February 2024-25, an estimated growth of 5.79%.
• Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of February, 2026 (Base Year: 2011-12)
• NATIONAL MISSION FOR MANUSCRIPTS
• India Submits 1st National Report on Implementation of Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing to Convention on Biological Diversity
• Coordinated Efforts of Government, RBI and NPCI Accelerate Growth in Digital Payments
• Government Strengthens Financial Inclusion Ecosystem Through Flagship Schemes
• POWER GENERATION AND DEMAND-SUPPLY GAP
• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has revised base year of Gross Domestic Product from 2011-12 to 2022-23
• India Submits Seventh National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity
• ECI appoints Special Observer for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Assam, 2026
• Department of Posts to Launch ‘24 Speed Post’ for Next-Day Guaranteed Delivery in Six Major Cities
• Centre Revises Commission Rates for Arthiyas and Societies for Procurement of Wheat and Paddy from RMS 2026-27
• Sahitya Akademi Award 2025
• National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) and Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD)
• STATUS OF STPs, EXPANSION OF RIVER CLEANING, LiDAR MAPPING AND E-FLOW COMPLIANCE
• STATUS OF WATER SUPPLY THROUGH PIPES IN VILLAGES UNDER JJM
• SFURTI scheme benefits more than 3 lakh traditional artisans across the country
• Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia
• PROGRESS ON SUBANSIRI LOWER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
• Approval granted for establishing Quantum teaching facilities/laboratories in 23 academic institutions across India, 100 more under consideration to support advanced research and training in emerging quantum technologies
• UPGRADATION OF ITIs (PM-SETU) SCHEME
• MONTHLY BULLETIN OF PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (PLFS)
• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is in process of revising base year of Index of Industrial Production from 2011-12 to 2022-23
• National Statistics Office has planned to conduct “Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives” from April, 2026
• Ministry monitors the projects through online portal/ web monitoring system "Project Assessment Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-Building (PAIMANA)"
• INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS
• CARA issues nationwide directions to strengthen adoption procedures, safeguard records and protect children’s identity