NATIONAL NEWS

ECI Extends Postal Ballot Facility for Senior Citizens, PwDs and Essential Service Voters

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has expanded the postal ballot facility for voters aged above 85 years and persons with disabilities (PwDs).

• The step has been taken to promote a more inclusive and accessible electoral process.

• This facility also applies to service voters, polling/election duty staff, and people working in essential services on polling day.

• Eligible voters must submit Form 12D to the Returning Officer within five days of the election notification.

• Special polling teams will visit voters’ homes to collect their votes as per an official pre-fixed schedule.

• Essential service workers from sectors like healthcare, fire services, electricity, transport, and aviation are included under this provision.

• Authorised media personnel on election coverage duty have also been added under the absentee voter category.

• Service voters will get ballots electronically via the ETPBS system, and all postal ballots must reach by 8:00 AM on counting day (May 4, 2026) under strict secrecy rules.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Andhra Pradesh Launches ‘Divyang Shakti Yojana’ for Free Bus Travel

• The Andhra Pradesh Government has introduced the ‘Divyang Shakti Yojana’ to support persons with disabilities.

• The scheme was announced during the Ugadi festival celebrations.

• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the initiative in Amaravati.

• Its main aim is to improve transportation access for Divyang citizens across the state.

• Around 12.76 lakh beneficiaries, including their caregivers, are expected to benefit from this scheme.

• Persons with more than 40% disability will be allowed free travel in APSRTC buses.

• Attendants accompanying eligible beneficiaries will receive a 50% concession on ticket fares.

• The State Government will provide nearly ₹207 crore per year to APSRTC for smooth implementation.

• Ugadi marks the Hindu New Year and is widely celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.

RELIEF Scheme Launched to Support Exporters Amid West Asia Disruptions

• The Government has introduced the RELIEF scheme under the Export Promotion Mission to assist exporters.

• RELIEF stands for Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation.

• The scheme targets exporters impacted by West Asia-related maritime disruptions and rising trade route risks.

• Due to security concerns, shipping routes have been diverted, leading to longer transit times and congestion at major transshipment hubs.

• As a result, exporters are facing a sharp rise in freight charges and insurance premiums.

• RELIEF is a temporary support measure designed to reduce the burden of higher logistics costs and enhanced risk coverage.

• ECGC Ltd. is the nodal agency responsible for verification, claim processing, fund disbursement, and monitoring.

• The scheme covers exports to Gulf and West Asian countries, offers support to both insured and uninsured MSMEs (up to ₹50 lakh per exporter), and has a total budget allocation of ₹497 crore, monitored through a real-time dashboard system.

SPORTS

India to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028

• India has been officially chosen to host the World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028, a first for the country.

• The event will take place at the Kalinga Stadium indoor facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• Hosting rights were approved on 19 March during the World Athletics Council meeting in Torun, Poland.

• This selection highlights India’s rising recognition in global athletics.

• The 2026 edition of the championship is currently being held in Torun, Poland.

• The 2026 championship is scheduled from 20 to 22 March, spanning three days of competition.

• The tournament generally features 26 events, with equal participation opportunities for men and women.

• A mixed 4×400m relay has been introduced for the first time in the 2026 edition.

RANKING AND REPORTS

NITI Aayog Report on Boosting India’s Sports Equipment Exports

• NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector.”

• The report aims to provide an evidence-based roadmap to enhance India’s role in the global sports goods market.

• It stresses the need for export-driven growth and employment expansion through MSME-based manufacturing clusters.

• The global sports goods market was valued at nearly $700 billion in 2024 and is expected to cross $1 trillion by 2036.

• India’s current sports equipment exports are around $275 million, contributing only about 0.5% of global exports.

• Major production hubs include Jalandhar and Meerut, largely supported by small and micro enterprises.

• Key challenges include high raw material costs, costly certifications, logistics bottlenecks, and limited modern technology access.

• The report suggests reforms like duty rationalisation, technology upgradation, and new cluster development, proposing ₹7,500 crore investment (2027–2031), which could raise exports to $8.1 billion by 2036 and create around 54 lakh jobs.

DEFENCE

Indian Army Conducts ‘Amogh Jwala’ Mechanised Combat Exercise

• The Indian Army carried out the ‘Amogh Jwala’ exercise at the Babina Field Firing Range.

• The drill was organised under the Southern Command.

• It focused on demonstrating high-speed mechanised warfare operations.

• Various combat platforms were used in a coordinated and integrated manner.

• Attack helicopters and fighter aircraft were deployed to support battlefield operations.

• Drones played a major role, highlighting the use of modern battlefield technologies.

• The exercise also included electronic warfare, air defence systems, and multi-domain combat coordination.

• Army Commander Lt Gen Dheeraj reviewed the drill and stressed the importance of joint operations and troop preparedness.

MISCELLANEOUS

Jasprit Bumrah Becomes UNIQLO Brand Ambassador in India

• Global fashion brand UNIQLO has appointed Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador in India.

• This partnership reflects a blend of sports personality and lifestyle fashion branding.

• The collaboration has been launched through a campaign based on UNIQLO’s LifeWear philosophy.

• LifeWear promotes clothing that focuses on comfort, functionality, and timeless design.

• The association highlights values like simplicity, authenticity, consistency, and effortless performance.

• Bumrah’s calm attitude and accurate performance match UNIQLO’s minimal and practical clothing style.

• The campaign mainly promotes the AIRism collection, especially the AIRism Oversized T-shirt.

• A 30-second promotional film shows Bumrah in casual off-field moments, showcasing ease and comfort in daily life.

India’s Rapidly Expanding Bioeconomy and Future Targets

• India’s bioeconomy has expanded sharply from around $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $195 billion in 2025.

• This growth reflects a strong and steady rise over the last decade.

• The sector achieved an annual growth rate of nearly 17–18% in the previous year.

• Its value increased from about $165 billion to $195 billion during the same period.

• India has set a target of building a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.

• BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) has been crucial in connecting scientific research with industrial development.

• The BioE3 Policy supports sustainable bio-industrial progress in areas like precision therapeutics, smart proteins, climate-resilient farming, bio-chemicals, and carbon capture.

• A ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund has been created to support commercialization, and the bioeconomy now contributes nearly 5% to India’s GDP.