UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 14-03-2026

One Liners 14-03-2026

History, Art and Culture

Mangal Kavyas in Bengal

Mangal Kavyas – These are folk narrative poems that emerged in Bengal between the 15^th -18^th centuries.
Written in – The vernacular Bengali language, making them accessible to common people.
Historical context – Emerged during the period of Muslim rule in Bengal, when older Buddhist traditions were fading.
Deities Featured – Manasa (goddess of snakes), Chandi (protection & fertility), Dharma Thakur (justice & cosmic order).
Coincided with – Vaishnava movement of Chaitanya in the early 16^th century, the expansion of settled agriculture, and the consolidation of Mughal authority.
Significance – These texts were not merely devotional & not peripheral literature but central to shaping religious identity.
They were acts of cultural negotiation, allowing Hinduism to absorb local religious worlds rather than erase them.

Geography

Western Disturbance

Origin – It is an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain to the north-western parts of the Indian sub-continent.
Precipitation – It is a non-monsoonal rainfall pattern driven by the westerlies.
Atmospheric Features – Extratropical storms carry moisture mainly in the upper atmosphere, unlike tropical storms where moisture is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
Impact on India – Western Disturbances bring moderate to heavy rainfall in plains and snowfall in the Himalayan mountains, especially during winter.

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Social Issues

Purple Fest

The President of India said that ‘Divyangjan are equal partners in the journey of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by the year 2047’.

Organised by – Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Objectives – To celebrate the talent, achievements and aspirations of Divyangjan.
To raise awareness about different disabilities and their impact on people's lives.
To promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of persons with disabilities within society.
Participants – Over 8,000 Divyangjan visited Amrit Udyan, participated in several fun games and learning activities.

Rehabilitation of Beggars under SMILE Scheme

SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
- Sub-scheme – “Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in Begging”.
- Started in – 2023.
Beneficiaries identified & rescued
- 31,055 persons identified as engaged in begging.
- 9,855 rescued and rehabilitated, including 2,480 children.
Implementation
- Carried out by – District Administrations, Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations, and selected NGOs.
- Rehabilitation is voluntary and tailored to individual willingness/interest.
Objectives – To provide Shelter, counselling, skill development, vocational training.
To provide training in trades like carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security services, sanitation, e-rickshaw driving, etc.
To form Self Help Groups (SHGs) and bank linkages for financial assistance.

Polity & Governance

Removal of CEC

Article 324 (5) – It says that the CEC can be removed only in the manner prescribed for the removal of a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4).
Grounds – Either proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Notice – If notices for a motion are submitted in both Houses on the same day, an inquiry committee can only be formed if the motion is admitted in both Houses.
Enquiry committee – Once admitted, the committee is jointly constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Removal – If the CEC is proven guilty, can be removed by the President if both Houses of Parliament pass a motion in the same session.
For the motion to succeed, it must have:
- Support from a majority of the total membership of each House, and
- At least two-thirds of the members present and voting in favour.

International Relations and Issues

Kharg island

Location – It is located 28 km off Bushehr province of Iran in the northern Persian Gulf & northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.
It measures about 8 km long and 5 km wide.
Significance – Often described as Iran's "oil lifeline" or "crown jewel," it serves as the terminal for roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports.
Historical Context – This island contains significant historical sites, including an Achaemenid-era cuneiform inscription, rock-cut tombs, and the ruins of a 7th-century Christian monastery.

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Economy

Silk Samagra scheme

Silk Samagra Scheme – It is a Central Sector Scheme in 2017 to improve the sericulture industry across India.
Objective – To scale up production by improving the quality and productivity and to empower downtrodden, poor & backward families through various activities of sericulture in the country.
Implemented by the – Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of Textiles.
Silk Samagra-2 – It is an extension of this effort for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Aim – To bring overall improvement in silk production, productivity and quality in the country.
These interventions help improve the entire silk production process, from raising silkworms to producing quality silk fabrics.

PM-PRANAM Scheme

PM-PRANAM – Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Scheme.
Launched in – Union Budget 2023–24.
Aim – To promote the balanced use of chemical & alternative fertilisers, generating awareness of regenerative agriculture.
- Regenerative agriculture – A holistic farming focusing on restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon to combat climate change, rather than merely sustaining it.
Objective – To incentivise the States & UTs to promote usage of alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.

Agriculture

GI tagged Joha Rice

Joha rice – It is an indigenous aromatic variety from Assam, which is the largest producer, gaining recognition in premium domestic and international markets.
Recognition in – 2017.
Characteristics – Known for its distinct fragrance, fine grain texture and rich taste.
- It is rich in several antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolics.
Cultivation – About 21,662 hectares with an estimated production of approximately 43,298 metric tonnes during FY 2024–25.
Major producing districts – Nagaon, Baksa, Goalpara, Sivasagar, Majuli, Chirang and Golaghat.
Previous Export Milestones – Vietnam, Middle East (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia).

Miscellaneous

New President of Chile

Prime Minister of India has congratulated him on taking oath as the President of Chile.

38^th president – Jose Antonio Kast, succeeding Gabriel Boric.
Background – Kast, a lawyer by profession and career politician who served in the Chamber of Deputies from 2002 to 2018.
Piocha de O’Higgins – A traditional emblem symbolising the authority of the Chilean presidency, handed over by the outgoing president to his successor.