Current Affairs 9 March 2026
PMBJP was launched in 2008 as ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the public.
- It was revamped as PMBJP in 2015.
- Nodal Agency: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
- Implementation Agency: The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India.
Theme for International Women’s Day 2026: “Rights. Justice. Action For ALL Women and Girls.”
- India’s development approach has evolved from development for women to women-led development, recognising women as drivers of economic and social progress.
- Steps taken for Women Led Development in India:
- Gender-responsive public investment: FY26 features India’s highest-ever gender budget at ₹5.01 lakh crore (9.37% of the Union Budget).
- Women building rural economies:
- Lakhpati Didi: Over 3 crore rural women are actively progressing toward building sustainable, high-income livelihoods
- NaMo Drone Didi Yojana: Provides agricultural drones to 15,000 SHGs with an 80% subsidy, integrating women into the tech ecosystem.
Darknet (Deep web)
- The internet depends on three types of web: the surface, the deep, and the dark web.
- Surface web is a part that we can access through a normal browser.
- Deep web and the dark web, are not accessible through search engines like Google.
- It operates on overlay networks, requiring specific software or configurations to access. Ex.Tor (The Onion Router).
- Only about 10% of the internet is the surface web, while the remaining 90% of it constitutes the deep web and the dark web.
Removal of Speaker
- Constitutional Provision:
- Article 94: It deals with vacation, resignation, and removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
- Article 94(c): The Speaker/Deputy Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha.
- Procedure for removal
- Notice: Written notice to Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, supported by at least 50 members.
- Minimum 14 days’ notice is required before the resolution can be moved.
- Discussion stage: Speaker cannot preside, but can participate and vote in the first instance (no casting vote).
Santiniketan
- Established in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore located in West Bengal.
- The site was established as an ashram and given its name in 1863 by Tagore’s father, Debendranath Tagore.
- It was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions.
- In 1921, a ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan, later recognised as ‘Visva Bharati’.
- It was recognized by UNESCO as India’s 41st World Heritage Site in 2023.
- Recent World Heritage Sites in India: Moidams – Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (2024); Maratha Military Landscapes (2025).
THAAD
- Advanced missile defence system designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
- Developer: Lockheed Martin Corporation (USA).
- Technology: Uses “hit-to-kill” kinetic interception, destroying targets inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Components: A THAAD battery includes ~95 personnel, truck-mounted launchers, interceptor missiles, AN/TPY-2 radar and fire-control system.
- Note: India operates the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system procured from Russia.
CSW:
- Established in 1946 and functions under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
- Function: It is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
- It also monitors implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
- Membership: 45 UN Member States elected for 4 year period by ECOSOC on the basis of equitable geographical distribution:
- 13 members from Africa
- 11 from Asia (India is a current member)
- 9 from Latin America and Caribbean
- 8 from Western Europe and other States
4 from Eastern Europe
Dark Oxygen
- Oxygen produced in the deep ocean without sunlight, unlike photosynthesis-based oxygen production.
- Source: Linked to electrochemical reactions involving polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor.
- Significance: Challenges the belief that photosynthesis is the only major natural source of oxygen on Earth.