Daily Current Affairs Quiz
29&30 March, 2026
National Affairs
1. Maternal Mortality in India
Context:
- A recent report published in The Lancet highlights India’s high maternal mortality burden
- India accounts for ~1 in 10 global maternal deaths
- Maternal deaths in India (2023): ~24,700
- Global maternal deaths: ~2.4 lakh
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Declined to 116 per 1 lakh live births
- However, progress has slowed after 2015, raising policy concerns
What is Maternal Mortality?
Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, due to causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy.
Key Causes:
- Pregnancy-related medical complications
- Poor access to timely healthcare
Significance:
- Reflects the quality of healthcare systems, especially maternal care services
What is Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)?
MMR is the number of maternal deaths per 1 lakh live births.
India’s Trend:
- 1990: 508
- 2023: 116
Importance:
- Key indicator of public health performance
- Used to track progress toward global development goals
What are Preventable Causes?
Preventable causes are those that can be avoided with timely and adequate healthcare interventions.
Major Causes in India:
- Haemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
- Hypertensive disorders (e.g., preeclampsia)
- Infections (sepsis)
- Pre-existing medical conditions aggravated by pregnancy
What are Institutional Deliveries?
Institutional deliveries refer to childbirths conducted in healthcare facilities such as hospitals or health centres.
Benefits:
- Availability of skilled healthcare professionals
- Access to emergency obstetric care
- Reduced risk of maternal and neonatal deaths
India’s Progress in Reducing Maternal Mortality
India has achieved a significant decline in MMR since 1990.
Key Drivers:
- Increase in institutional deliveries
- Expansion of antenatal care services
- Government initiatives such as:
- Janani Suraksha Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
Emerging Concern: Slowing Progress
- Rapid improvement observed till 2015
- Post-2015 slowdown indicates structural challenges
Implications:
- Gaps in healthcare infrastructure
- Inefficiencies in last-mile service delivery
- Need for renewed policy focus
Regional Disparities in India
Better-performing states:
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
High-burden states:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Madhya Pradesh
Key Issue:
- Unequal access to quality maternal healthcare services across regions
Important for which Exam?
UPSC & State PCS:
- Important for Prelims (definitions, indicators)
- Relevant for Mains GS Paper 2 & 3 (health, social sector, SDGs)
MCQs
Q1. What does maternal mortality refer to?
[1] Infant deaths
[2] Death during pregnancy/childbirth
[3] Old age deaths
[4] Disease deaths
Q2. How is Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) measured?
[1] Per 1,000 population
[2] Per 10,000 births
[3] Per 1 lakh live births
[4] Per million
Q3. What is India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in 2023?
[1] 508
[2] 200
[3] 116
[4] 70
Q4. Which of the following states has a high maternal mortality burden?
[1] Kerala
[2] Tamil Nadu
[3] Uttar Pradesh
[4] Goa
Q5. What is meant by institutional delivery?
[1] Home birth
[2] Hospital birth
[3] Online care
[4] Self-care
Answers
1 → [2]
2 → [3]
3 → [3]
4 → [3]
2. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2025
Source: PIB
Context:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the PLFS Annual Report 2025, providing crucial data on employment, unemployment, and labour market trends in India.
About PLFS
What is it?
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) was launched in 2017 by the National Statistical Office to estimate labour market indicators.
Measurement Methods
- Usual Status (ps+ss): Activity over the last 365 days
- Current Weekly Status (CWS): Activity over the last 7 days
Key Highlights of PLFS 2025
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
- Overall (15+): 59.3%
- Male: 79.1%
- Female: 40.0% (significant gender gap persists)
Worker Population Ratio (WPR)
- Overall: 57.4%
- Rural female WPR: 44.9% (stable improvement trend)
Unemployment Rate (UR)
- Overall: 3.1%
- Youth (15–29): 9.9% (decline from previous year)
Employment Quality Shift
- Regular wage/salaried: 23.6% (increasing)
- Self-employment: 56.2% (declining)
Sectoral Trends
- Agriculture: 43.0% (declining share)
- Manufacturing: 12.1% (improving)
Education & Employment
- Unemployment among educated persons: 6.5% (declining)
- Average years of schooling (15+): 10 years
Gender Wage Trends
- Female wages rising across sectors
- Highest growth: 8.8% in self-employment
Important for which Exam?
- UPSC Prelims & Mains
- SSC
MCQs
Q1. PLFS is conducted by which Organisation?
[1] RBI
[2] NSO
[3] NITI Aayog
[4] SEBI
[5] Labour Ministry
Q2. LFPR in PLFS 2025 is:
[1] 55.3%
[2] 59.3%
[3] 61.2%
[4] 62.5%
[5] 50.0%
Q3. Current Weekly Status refers to:
[1] 1 day
[2] 7 days
[3] 30 days
[4] 365 days
[5] 15 days
Q4. Youth unemployment rate (15–29) in 2025:
[1] 12%
[2] 10.3%
[3] 9.9%
[4] 8.5%
[5] 7%
Q5. Share of agriculture in employment:
[1] 50%
[2] 47%
[3] 43%
[4] 40%
[5] 35%
Answer Key
1 → [2]
2 → [2]
3 → [2]
4 → [3]
5 → [3]
3. Tunguska Air Defence Missile System (2K22M)
Context:
The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹445 crore contract with JSC Rosoboronexport for the procurement of the Tunguska Air Defence Missile System (2K22M) for the Indian Army.
About Tunguska (2K22M)
Tunguska (NATO name: SA-19 Grison) is a self-propelled, hybrid air defence system combining surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns on a single platform.
Developed By
- Developed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau (Soviet Union)
- Currently exported by Rosoboronexport (Russia)
Objective
- Provide low-altitude air defence to ground forces
- Protect moving infantry and armored units
- Counter modern aerial threats including:
- Attack helicopters
- Cruise missiles
- UAVs and drones
4. Revision of PM E-DRIVE Scheme
Context:
Government revises PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme
- Total outlay: ₹10,900 crore
- Focus: Electric two-wheelers (E2W) and three-wheelers (E3W)
- New deadlines:
- E2W: Eligible till July 31, 2026
- E3W: Eligible till March 31, 2028
- Price caps:
- ₹1.5 lakh (E2W)
- ₹2.5 lakh (E3W)
- Scheme type: Fund-limited incentive scheme
What is PM E-DRIVE Scheme?
A government initiative to promote electric mobility in India.
- Objective:
- Accelerate EV adoption
- Reduce fossil fuel dependence
- Lower carbon emissions
- Focus segments:
- Electric scooters
- E-rickshaws and e-carts
What is an Incentive-Based Scheme?
A scheme where financial benefits are provided to promote adoption.
- Types:
- Subsidies
- Demand incentives
- Purpose:
- Make EVs affordable
- Boost consumer demand
What is Ex-Factory Price?
The price of a vehicle at the factory before adding taxes and dealer margins.
- Importance:
- Determines eligibility for subsidy
- Prevents luxury vehicles from availing benefits
What is a Fund-Limited Scheme?
A scheme with a fixed budget allocation.
- Feature:
- Incentives available until funds are exhausted
- Implication:
- No unlimited subsidy support
MCQs
Q1. What does the PM E-DRIVE scheme primarily promote?
[1] Diesel vehicles
[2] Electric vehicles
[3] Hybrid vehicles only
[4] Petrol vehicles
Q2. What is the total outlay of the PM E-DRIVE scheme?
[1] ₹5,000 crore
[2] ₹10,900 crore
[3] ₹15,000 crore
[4] ₹20,000 crore
Q3. Till when are incentives for electric two-wheelers (E2W) valid under the scheme?
[1] 2025
[2] July 31, 2026
[3] 2027
[4] 2028
Q4. Till when are incentives for electric three-wheelers (E3W) valid under the scheme?
[1] 2026
[2] 2027
[3] March 31, 2028
[4] 2029
Q5. What is the price cap for electric two-wheelers (E2W) under the scheme?
[1] ₹1 lakh
[2] ₹1.5 lakh
[3] ₹2 lakh
[4] ₹2.5 lakh
Answers
1 → [2]
2 → [2]
3 → [2]
4 → [3]
5 → [2]
Banking/Finance
1. RBI’s Dollar Unwind Directive to Stabilize Rupee
Context:
Reserve Bank of India forces banks to cut dollar positions
- Cap on net open forex positions: $100 million
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Objective: Prevent rupee depreciation towards ₹95/$
- Trigger: West Asia conflict and rising crude prices
- Side-effect: Potential losses for banks
What is Net Open Position (NOP)?
Net Open Position refers to the difference between foreign currency assets and liabilities held by banks.
- Types:
- Long position: Holding more dollars (bet on rupee depreciation)
- Short position: Owing dollars
- Risk:
- Currency fluctuations can cause losses
What is Dollar Unwind?
Dollar unwind means reducing existing foreign currency positions.
- In this case:
- Banks must sell dollars
- Buy rupees
- Impact:
- Supports rupee value
What is Rupee Depreciation?
Depreciation means weakening of rupee against the US dollar.
- Example:
- ₹83/$ → ₹95/$ (rupee weakens)
- Causes:
- High oil imports
- FPI outflows
- Global uncertainty
What is Forex Market Intervention?
Central bank action to influence currency value.
- Tools:
- Dollar buying/selling
- Regulations on banks
- Swap operations
ISSUE ANALYSIS
RBI’s Unconventional Policy Move
- Earlier limit:
- 25% of bank’s net worth
- New rule:
- Maximum $100 million exposure
- Nature:
- Direct regulatory intervention
- Not typical market-based action
Objective: Stabilize Rupee
- Forces banks to:
- Sell dollars
- Increase rupee demand
- Outcome:
- Prevent sharp depreciation
Impact on Banks
- Banks had large long dollar positions
- Now forced to unwind quickly
Consequences:
- Booking losses
- Reduced trading flexibility
Important for which exam?
- RBI Grade B
- NABARD Grade A
MCQs
Q1. What does Net Open Position (NOP) refer to?
[1] Total loans
[2] Forex exposure difference
[3] Government debt
[4] Stock holdings
Q2. What is the new cap imposed by the Reserve Bank of India on net open forex positions?
[1] $1 billion
[2] $500 million
[3] $100 million
[4] No limit
Q3. What is meant by dollar unwind in the context of forex markets?
[1] Buying dollars
[2] Selling dollars
[3] Printing currency
[4] Borrowing
Q4. What does rupee depreciation imply?
[1] Rupee strengthens
[2] Rupee weakens
[3] No change
[4] Inflation falls
Q5. What was the major trigger behind RBI’s dollar unwind directive?
[1] Domestic demand
[2] West Asia conflict
[3] Monsoon
[4] Agriculture
Answers
1 → [2]
2 → [3]
3 → [2]
4 → [2]
5 → [2]
2. RBI Imposes Penalties on Banks and Fintech Firm
Context:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on four entities for regulatory non-compliance
- Entities penalised:
- Union Bank of India
- Central Bank of India
- Bank of India
- Pine Labs
- Violations related to:
- KYC norms
- Priority Sector Lending (PSL) rules
- Electronic transaction guidelines
- Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) norms
Penalty Details
- Union Bank of India: ₹95.40 lakh
- Central Bank of India: ₹63.60 lakh
- Bank of India: ₹58.50 lakh
- Pine Labs: ₹3.10 lakh
Key Violations Identified
Union Bank of India
- Failed to credit customer accounts within 10 working days in cases of unauthorised electronic transactions
- Violated RBI norms on customer protection in digital payments
Bank of India
- Non-compliance with Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines
- Issues included:
- Charging unauthorised fees in small-ticket loans (≤ ₹25,000)
- Failure to pay interest on Term Deposit Receipts (TDRs) post maturity
Central Bank of India
- Deficiencies in Know Your Customer (KYC) norms
- Issues in Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA)
- Lapses in financial inclusion guidelines
Pine Labs
- Violated norms related to Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs)
- Issued full-KYC PPIs without proper KYC verification
What is KYC (Know Your Customer)?
- A process to verify identity of customers
- Ensures prevention of fraud, money laundering, and financial crimes
What is Priority Sector Lending (PSL)?
- RBI mandate for banks to lend a portion of credit to key sectors like:
- Agriculture
- MSMEs
- Weaker sections
What are Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs)?
- Instruments that store value for transactions
- Examples: wallets, prepaid cards
What is BSBDA?
- Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account
- Zero-balance account aimed at financial inclusion
MCQs
Q1. What is the primary purpose of KYC norms?
[1] Increase profits
[2] Verify customer identity
[3] Reduce taxes
[4] Increase lending
Q2. What does Priority Sector Lending (PSL) aim to achieve?
[1] Boost luxury consumption
[2] Support key economic sectors
[3] Increase imports
[4] Reduce exports
Q3. What are Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs)?
[1] Loans
[2] Stored-value payment tools
[3] Government bonds
[4] Insurance policies
Q4. What is the purpose of BSBDA accounts?
[1] High-value banking
[2] Financial inclusion
[3] Corporate lending
[4] Export promotion
Answers
1 → [2]
2 → [2]
3 → [2]
4 → [2]
Facts To Remember
1. Fitzpatrick claims his maiden DP World Tour title
The contrast was striking. Alex Fitzpatrick tapped the ball one last time and sank his face in his hands, unable to control his tears even as Eugenio Chacarra stood emotionless on the 18th green, wondering all the what-ifs of a day that saw fortunes swing as wildly as the scores on the board and some of the drives on the course.
2. India’s First Hydrogen Train Completes Successful Oscillation Trials
Ministry of Railways announced successful oscillation trials of India’s first hydrogen-powered train conducted by Research Designs and Standards Organisation, covering 20 km at 70 kmph and set to run between Jind and Sonipat, developed by Integral Coach Factory.
3. MoD Signs ₹858 Crore Defence Contracts to Boost Military Strength
Ministry of Defence signed contracts with JSC Rosoboronexport and Boeing India Defense Private Limited for air defence systems and P-8I aircraft maintenance, enhancing capabilities of Indian Army and Indian Navy.
4. DPIIT Partners with KRAFTON & Repos Energy to Boost Startup Ecosystem
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade signed MoUs with KRAFTON India Private Limited and Repos Energy India Private Limited to support startups in gaming, AI, and deep-tech through innovation programs and funding opportunities.
5. India and EU Sign Aviation Pact to Enhance Manufacturing Standards
Directorate General of Civil Aviation and European Union Aviation Safety Agency signed an agreement to boost aviation manufacturing and safety, including Airbus helicopter assembly in Bengaluru.
6. Meghalaya Signs MoU under JJM 2.0 for Rural Water Reforms
Meghalaya became the 12th state to sign MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, focusing on decentralized water management, sustainability, and rural tap water coverage expansion.
7. APSEZ Launches India’s First Port of Refuge for Maritime Safety
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited operationalised India’s first Port of Refuge at Dighi and Gopalpur ports to provide emergency support and enhance maritime safety along the coastline.
8. NCB and UltraTech Cement Sign MoU for Construction Skill Development
National Council for Cement and Building Materials partnered with UltraTech Cement Limited to train workforce in construction through certification, workshops, and sustainable building practices.
9. Delhi Govt Partners with Prasar Bharati to Build Media Hub
Prasar Bharati and Delhi Government signed MoU to develop a world-class media and entertainment hub with film, TV, and AVGC infrastructure in New Delhi.
10. UN Launches Task Force to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Trade
United Nations formed a task force led by Jorge Moreira da Silva to address trade disruptions and ensure humanitarian and maritime stability in the Strait of Hormuz.
11. RBI Imposes Over ₹2 Crore Penalties on Banks and Pine Labs
Reserve Bank of India imposed penalties on Union Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Bank of India, and Pine Labs Limited for regulatory non-compliance under the Banking Regulation Act.
12. Tech Mahindra and IIT Bombay Collaborate on 3D Digital Twin Project
Tech Mahindra Limited and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay signed MoU to develop a 3D digital twin of the Gymkhana building for smart campus innovation using IoT and BIM technologies.
13. Hockey India Annual Awards 2025 Honour Top Players
Hockey India awarded Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur as Players of the Year, while Zafar Iqbal received Lifetime Achievement Award.
14. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Appointed Chairperson of NCBC
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti assumed charge as Chairperson of National Commission for Backward Classes, succeeding Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.
15. Gurjant Singh Retires from International Hockey
Gurjant Singh announced retirement from international hockey at 31 after Olympic medal wins, continuing participation in domestic leagues.
16. World Piano Day 2026 Observed on March 29
World Piano Day celebrated on the 88th day of the year to honor the piano and promote global musical culture, initiated by Nils Frahm in 2015.
