Prelims Current Affairs includes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, Prarambh 2026 Initiative, Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0), Musi River, Terafab Chip Project, National Ai Skilling Initiative, Minor Planet Centre (MPC), Akasha300 3d Printer & Nalwari Fair

Important Day

1. WORLD TUBERCULOSIS (TB) DAY

Observed on 24 March

• Aim : to raise awareness about tuberculosis and its global impact.
• Theme : Yes! We can end TB! Led by countries.
• Historical Event: Discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882.

Important Day

2. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED AND MISSING STAFF MEMBERS

Observed on 25 March by the United Nations

• Aim : to honour detained and missing staff members.
• This date marks the anniversary of the 1985 kidnapping of Alec Collett, a journalist who was abducted by the Abu Nidal Organization while working in Beirut for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Collet was murdered a year later, but his body was not recovered until 2009.

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. PRARAMBH 2026 INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Union Minister for Finance recently launched ‘PRARAMBH 2026’, a nationwide awareness campaign on the new Income Tax Act, 2025.

ABOUT PRARAMBH 2026

• Full Form: Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat
• Launched by: Government of India
• Purpose: To familiarise citizens with provisions of Income Tax Act, 2025
• Effective Date of Act: 1 April 2026
• Nature of Campaign: Multi-channel outreach through print, television, radio, digital platforms, and social media

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Outreach: Guidance notes, brochures, videos, FAQs, MyGov Quiz
• Multilingual Approach: Content available in 10 regional languages along with English and Hindi.
• AI Support: Chatbot “Kar Saathi” for taxpayer assistance
• Digital Platform: Upgraded Income Tax Website 2.0 for better usability and services

Significance:

• Enhances taxpayer awareness and compliance
• Promotes ease of understanding of new tax system

ECONOMY

4. CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME FOR MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0)

Current Context: The Government of India has introduced CGSMFI-2.0 to boost credit flow to microfinance institutions.

ABOUT CGSMFI-2.0

• Implemented by: National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC).
• Purpose: To provide guarantee cover to banks and financial institutions for lending to MFIs.
• Coverage: Guarantees against expected losses on loans given to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs.
• Eligible Beneficiaries: New and existing small borrowers as per RBI microfinance definition.
• Guarantee Coverage:
  • 80% for small MFIs
  • 75% for medium MFIs
  • 70% for large MFIs
• Guarantee Fee: 50% per annum
• Validity: Till 30 June 2026 or ₹20,000 crore limit (whichever earlier)
• Impact:
  • Increases credit flow to microfinance sector
  • Benefits around 36 lakh small borrowers
• Significance:
  • Strengthens financial inclusion
  • Supports small borrowers and rural economy.

GEOGRAPHY

5. MUSI RIVER

Current Context: Telangana Government has formed a Cabinet sub-committee to oversee the Musi River Rejuvenation Project aimed at improving Hyderabad’s urban and environmental conditions.

ABOUT MUSI RIVER

• Type: Tributary of Krishna River
• Origin: Ananthagiri Hills near Vikarabad, Telangana
• Length: Approximately 250 km
• Course:
  • Flows eastward across Telangana
  • Passes through Hyderabad (around 20 km stretch)
  • Joins Krishna River near Wadapally/Wazirabad in Nalgonda district
• Hyderabad Link:
  • Hyderabad city developed on its banks
  • Divides the old city and newer urban areas
  • Important for city’s historical and urban landscape
• Reservoirs:
  • Osman Sagar (1920)
  • Himayat Sagar (1927)
• Built for flood control and drinking water supply to Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

6. TERAFAB CHIP PROJECT

Current Context: Elon Musk announced the Terafab project, a next-generation semiconductor manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas.

ABOUT TERAFAB PROJECT

• Location: Austin, Texas (USA)
• Developed by: Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI
• Objective: To manufacture advanced semiconductor chips for electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, robotics, and space applications
• Key Features:
  • Fully integrated chip production system (design, manufacturing, testing, and improvement under one roof)
  • Target output of nearly 1 terawatt of chip production annually
  • Potential to exceed current global semiconductor production capacity
• Technology Used:
  • Recursive improvement loop enabling continuous refinement of chips
  • Rapid feedback cycles including photomask design, testing, and re-engineering

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

7.  NATIONAL AI SKILLING INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Government of India launched the National AI Skilling Initiative to strengthen AI capabilities in the media and creative sectors.

ABOUT NATIONAL AI SKILLING INITIATIVE

• Launched by: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• Partners: Google and YouTube
• Implementation Agency: Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT)
  • Objective: To build AI skills in animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC), and media technology
  • Target: Training of around 15,000 participants including creators, students, and professionals
• Programme Structure:
• Phase I (Foundational):
  • Google Career Certificates
  • Courses like AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, Generative AI basics
• Phase II (Advanced):
  • Hands-on project-based training
  • Industry-oriented specialization
• Coverage: Training conducted across major cities in India
• Significance:
  • Promotes digital and AI workforce development
  • Strengthens India’s position in creative and media technology sectors

ORGANISATION

8. MINOR PLANET CENTRE (MPC)

Current Context: The Minor Planet Centre recently announced the discovery of 15 new moons around Jupiter and Saturn.

ABOUT MINOR PLANET CENTRE

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA)
• Operated by: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory under International Astronomical Union (IAU)
• Nature: Global repository and clearing house for observations of small bodies in the solar system
• Key Functions:
  • Collection and verification of data on asteroids, comets, and planetary moons
  • Calculation of orbital paths of newly discovered objects
  • Assignment of official designations
• Special Role:
  • Monitoring Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) which may pose potential threats to Earth
  • Maintaining large scientific database for prediction and analysis
• Scientific Role: Publishes electronic circulars to inform global scientific community.

SCIENCE AND TECH

9. AKASHA300 3D PRINTER

Current Context: A Kerala-based start-up delivered the Akasha300 3D printer to ISRO, marking progress in indigenous advanced manufacturing.

ABOUT AKASHA300 3D PRINTER

• Type: High-temperature multi-material extrusion 3D printer
• Supported by: Space Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (IIST) and Kerala Startup Mission
• Key Features:
  • Dual extrusion technology operating up to 350°C (expandable to 500°C)
  • Heated bed up to 110°C (upgradeable to 150°C)
  • Enclosed chamber maintaining temperature up to 80°C
• Technological Capabilities:
  • Modular extruder design allowing integration of multiple systems
  • Enables hybrid additive manufacturing techniques
• Applications:
  • Production of high-performance materials
  • Research, prototyping, and industrial component development
• System Design:
  • Robust motion system
  • Integrated air filtration for precision and safety.

HIMACHAL NEWS

10. NALWARI FAIR

Current Context: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has recently granted national-level status to the 137-year-old Nalwari Fair of Bilaspur during its 2026 closing ceremony.

ABOUT NALWARI FAIR

• Location: Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
• Type: Annual cattle fair and cultural festival
• Duration: 4–5 days (March–April)
• Historical Background:
  • A 137-year-old traditional fair of the region
  • Earlier recognised as a state-level event
• Key Features:
  • Large-scale cattle trading with participation from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab
  • Traders bring decorated cattle for lucrative deals
  • Wrestling competitions and traditional sports
• Cultural Significance:
  • Showcases local arts, culture, and lifestyle
  • Includes music, dance, and entertainment activities
  • Provides platform for local athletes to display physical skills

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