29.03.2026 Daily Current Affairs Analysis | UPSC | PSC | SSC | Vasuki Vinothini | Kurukshetra IAS

News 1 : March Economic Data Shows Slowing Growth

Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Economic Moderation: The Finance Ministry’s Monthly Economic Review for March 2026, released by the Department of Economic Affairs, reports a “moderation in economic momentum” due to the evolving West Asia conflict .
• Key Indicators:
  • E-way bill generation: Declined by 5.3% month-on-month (up to March 22), though still 9.4% higher year-on-year
  • Flash PMI estimates: Point to “softening in output growth” following the energy price shock
• Demand Resilience: Despite output softening, demand appears “relatively resilient”:
  • Vehicle registrations: Grew 19.1% year-on-year (up to March 24)
  • Digital payment volume: Continued double-digit expansion
• Rural Sentiment: The March 2026 round of the Rural Economic Conditions and Sentiments Survey (conducted late Feb/early March) indicates “some softening in rural sentiment,” though consumption growth strengthened .
• Sectors at Risk: MSMEs and continuous-process industries (glass, ceramics) face production curtailment and temporary shutdowns due to inability to switch fuels or inputs .
• Export Impact: Export-oriented sectors (engineering goods, textiles, leather, gems & jewellery) face reduced competitiveness due to rising logistics costs and weakening demand from Gulf markets .

E-Way Bill (Electronic Way Bill) – UPSC Prelims Notes

E-way bill is an electronic document required for the movement of goods under the GST regime.

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🔹 Definition

• A digitally generated document for tracking movement of goods
• Required when value of consignment exceeds ₹50,000

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🔹 Generated on

• Portal managed by Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)

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🔹 Who generates it?

• Registered person (supplier/recipient)
• Transporter, if not generated by supplier

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🔹 When is it required?

• Movement of goods:
  • For supply (sale)
  • For reasons other than supply (job work, transfer, etc.)
  • For inward supply from unregistered person

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🔹 Components

1. Part A → Details of goods (invoice, value, GSTIN, etc.)
2. Part B → Transport details (vehicle number, transporter ID)

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🔹 Validity

• Depends on distance:
  • 1 day for every 200 km (approx.)
• Can be extended in exceptional cases

• Up to 200 km → 1 day validity
• Every additional 200 km → +1 day
• Even part of 200 km counts as full (important trap)

📌 Example:

• 180 km → 1 day
• 250 km → 2 days
• 401 km → 3 days

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🔹 Exemptions (Important for Prelims)

E-way bill not required for:

• Goods transported by non-motorised conveyance
• Certain exempt goods (like fresh fruits, vegetables)
• Movement within notified areas (in some states)

News 2: Avalanche Toll Hits 7; Zojila Pass Traffic Comes Under Scrutiny

Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Rising Toll: The death toll from the Zojila Pass avalanche has risen to seven, with the body of a missing civilian recovered on Saturday and one critically injured person succumbing to injuries in hospital .
• Casualty Details: Two women were among the deceased. A total of 13 people were impacted; six remain under treatment .
• Rescue Operations: Teams from the civil administration, Indian Army, and Border Road Organisation (BRO) conducted rescue operations. Several vehicles buried under snow were tracked and removed from the Srinagar-Leh highway .
• Traffic Management Scrutiny: The incident has brought traffic regulations on the Ladakh-Kashmir highway under scrutiny. Officials and local leaders have raised concerns about:
  • Timing of traffic: Local knowledge suggests morning hours (before 8 a.m.) are safer; current traffic is allowed after 8 a.m.
  • Mixing of vehicles: Heavy motor vehicles were present alongside light motor vehicles, contrary to advisory norms .
• Avalanche Risk Warning: Authorities issued a warning of medium intensity risk of avalanche above 2400 metres in Ganderbal district, advising people to avoid steep slopes and higher reaches .
• Avalanche Trigger: The avalanche was apparently triggered by a rise in temperature due to the “hot sun at noon” (around 12:30-1 p.m.) .

Prelims 360

Traffic Management Norms in Avalanche-Prone Zojila Pass

Zoji La Pass is one of the most avalanche-prone mountain passes on the Srinagar–Leh highway, managed primarily by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

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🚧 Key Traffic Management Norms

1. Convoy-Based Movement

• Vehicles are allowed in escorted convoys, not freely.
• Fixed timing windows (usually morning hours) to minimize risk.
• No movement during high-risk avalanche periods.

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2. Weather & Avalanche Monitoring

• Continuous monitoring using:
  • Snow accumulation data
  • Weather forecasts
• Inputs often taken from agencies like
  Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE)

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3. Road Closure Protocol

• Immediate closure during:
  • Heavy snowfall
  • Avalanche warnings
• Reopening only after:
  • Snow clearance
  • Safety inspection

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4. Staggered Traffic Release

• One-way regulated movement:
  • Srinagar → Kargil/Leh
  • Then reverse direction
• Prevents congestion in narrow, risky stretches

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5. Mandatory Vehicle Checks

• Only vehicles with:
  • Good braking system
  • Anti-skid chains (in winter)
• Heavy vehicles often restricted during peak risk

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6. No Night Travel

• Movement is strictly prohibited at night due to:
  • Low visibility
  • Higher avalanche probability

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7. Emergency Preparedness

• Deployment of:
  • Snow cutters
  • Rescue teams
  • Medical aid units

Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) – UPSC Notes

🔹 What is SASE?

• Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) is a premier research institute in India focused on:
  • Snow science
  • Avalanche forecasting
  • Risk mitigation in Himalayan regions

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Recent Update (Important for Prelims)

• SASE has been merged into
  Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE)
  under DRDO.

👉 So, SASE is now part of DGRE

News 3 : T.N. Polls: DMK Releases List of Candidates for 164 Assembly Constituencies

Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Candidate Announcement: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday released its list of 164 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election, scheduled for April 23, 2026 .
• Key Leaders’ Constituencies:
  • Chief Minister M.K. Stalin: Will contest from Kolathur for the fourth consecutive time (previously won in 2011, 2016, and 2021)
  • Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin: Will contest from Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni
• New Candidates:
  • Karthik Mohan: Son of DMK’s Anna Nagar MLA M.K. Mohan, fielded from Villivakkam
  • Vinoth Gandhi: Son of Textiles and Handlooms Minister R. Gandhi, fielded from Ranipet
• Notable Exclusions:
  • A. Vetriazhagan: Grandson of former DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan, who won Villivakkam in 2021, has been replaced by Karthik Mohan
  • R. Gandhi: Textiles and Handlooms Minister has not been allotted a constituency

Prelims 360

1. Announcement of Election Schedule

• Done by the Election Commission of India
• Includes:
  • Poll dates
  • Phases (if multiple)
  • Counting date

👉 Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into force immediately

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📜 2. Issue of Notification

• Issued by the Governor of the State (as per Representation of the People Act, 1951)
• Marks formal start of election process

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🧾 3. Filing of Nominations

• Candidates submit nomination papers to the Returning Officer
• Time window: usually 7 days from notification

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🔍 4. Scrutiny of Nominations

• Returning Officer examines:
  • Eligibility
  • Validity of documents

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❌ 5. Withdrawal of Candidature

• Candidates can withdraw within 2 days after scrutiny
• Final list of candidates is published

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📢 6. Election Campaign

• Political parties & candidates campaign
• Must follow:
  • MCC guidelines
  • Spending limits
• Ends 48 hours before polling ends (silence period)

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🗳️ 7. Polling (Voting Day)

• Voting via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with VVPAT
• Conducted in single or multiple phases

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🔐 8. Sealing & Storage of EVMs

• EVMs sealed and stored under security until counting

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📊 9. Counting of Votes

• Conducted under supervision of ECI
• Includes:
  • EVM counting
  • VVPAT verification (random)

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🏆 10. Declaration of Results

• Winning candidates declared
• Party/coalition with majority emerges

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🤝 11. Government Formation

Step 1: Invitation

• Governor invites:
  • Majority party OR
  • Coalition leader

Step 2: Swearing-in

• Chief Minister and Council of Ministers take oath

Step 3: Floor Test (if needed)

• Majority proved in Legislative Assembly

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📅 12. Summoning of Assembly

Speaker elected

Governor summons first session

Pro-tem Speaker appointed

MLAs take oath