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.
🔹 Definition
- A digitally generated document for tracking movement of goods
- Required when value of consignment exceeds ₹50,000
🔹 Generated on
- Portal managed by Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
🔹 Who generates it?
- Registered person (supplier/recipient)
- Transporter, if not generated by supplier
🔹 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
🔹 Components
- Part A → Details of goods (invoice, value, GSTIN, etc.)
- Part B → Transport details (vehicle number, transporter ID)
🔹 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
🔹 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).
🚧 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.
2. Weather & Avalanche Monitoring
- Continuous monitoring using:
- Snow accumulation data
- Weather forecasts
- Inputs often taken from agencies like
Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE)
3. Road Closure Protocol
- Immediate closure during:
- Heavy snowfall
- Avalanche warnings
- Reopening only after:
- Snow clearance
- Safety inspection
4. Staggered Traffic Release
- One-way regulated movement:
- Srinagar → Kargil/Leh
- Then reverse direction
- Prevents congestion in narrow, risky stretches
5. Mandatory Vehicle Checks
- Only vehicles with:
- Good braking system
- Anti-skid chains (in winter)
- Heavy vehicles often restricted during peak risk
6. No Night Travel
- Movement is strictly prohibited at night due to:
- Low visibility
- Higher avalanche probability
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
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
📜 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
🧾 3. Filing of Nominations
- Candidates submit nomination papers to the Returning Officer
- Time window: usually 7 days from notification
🔍 4. Scrutiny of Nominations
- Returning Officer examines:
- Eligibility
- Validity of documents
❌ 5. Withdrawal of Candidature
- Candidates can withdraw within 2 days after scrutiny
- Final list of candidates is published
📢 6. Election Campaign
- Political parties & candidates campaign
- Must follow:
- MCC guidelines
- Spending limits
- Ends 48 hours before polling ends (silence period)
🗳️ 7. Polling (Voting Day)
- Voting via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with VVPAT
- Conducted in single or multiple phases
🔐 8. Sealing & Storage of EVMs
- EVMs sealed and stored under security until counting
📊 9. Counting of Votes
- Conducted under supervision of ECI
- Includes:
- EVM counting
- VVPAT verification (random)
🏆 10. Declaration of Results
- Winning candidates declared
- Party/coalition with majority emerges
🤝 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
📅 12. Summoning of Assembly
Speaker elected
Governor summons first session
Pro-tem Speaker appointed
MLAs take oath
