1. FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

Background

• Introduced on 25 March 2026.
• Aims to regulate foreign funding received by NGOs and other organizations.
• Government argues that foreign donations can sometimes be misused against national security or to influence political processes.

Constitutional Provisions Involved

• Article 14 – Right to Equality.
• Article 19(1)(c) – Freedom to Form Associations.
• Article 25 – Freedom of Religion.
• Article 26 – Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs.
• Article 29 – Protection of Minority Interests.
• Article 30 – Right of Minorities to Establish and Administer Educational Institutions.
• Article 300A – Right to Property.

Key Provisions

• Greater monitoring of foreign contributions.
• Increased transparency regarding the utilization of foreign funds.
• Stricter regulation of NGOs receiving foreign donations.

Earlier FCRA Amendment, 2020

• Mandatory opening of an FCRA account in SBI, New Delhi.
• Administrative expenses capped at 20%.
• Restrictions on sub-granting funds to other NGOs.
• Enhanced government oversight over foreign contributions.

Concerns

• May affect schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages, charitable trusts, mosques, temples, and churches receiving foreign funds.
• Critics argue it may impact civil society organizations and minority institutions.
• Questions have been raised regarding judicial review and implementation mechanisms.

Importance of NGOs

• According to official statistics, civil society organizations generate around 27 lakh jobs and are supported by nearly 34 lakh full-time volunteers.
• A balanced regulatory approach is considered necessary.

2. Shigellosis

What is Shigellosis?

• A bacterial disease caused by Shigella bacteria.
• Also known as Bacillary Dysentery.

Recent Context

• Cases have been reported in Kerala.
• The disease spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation.

Reservoir

• Humans are the primary natural reservoir of Shigella bacteria.

Symptoms

• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Dysentery

Vulnerable Groups

• Children below 5 years.
• Elderly people.
• Malnourished individuals.
• Immunocompromised persons (HIV patients, cancer patients, etc.).

Mode of Transmission

• Fecal-oral route.
• Person-to-person contact.
• Contaminated food and water.

Prevention

• Safe drinking water.
• Proper sanitation.
• Hand hygiene.
• Early treatment with antibiotics when prescribed.

Treatment

• ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution).
• Adequate hydration.
• Proper nutrition.
• Antibiotics when recommended by doctors.

3. Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project

Overview

• A major India–France nuclear cooperation project.
• Located in Maharashtra.

Significance

• Expected to become one of the world's largest nuclear power plants after completion.
• Strengthens India-France strategic partnership.

Benefits

• Increased electricity generation.
• Promotion of clean energy.
• Reduction in carbon emissions.
• Support for India's energy security goals.

4. Rafale Fighter Aircraft Deal

About Rafale

• Manufactured by Dassault Aviation (France).
• Twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft.
• Classified as a 4.5 Generation Fighter Aircraft.

Features

• Multi-combat capability.
• Capable of supercruise.
• Maximum speed around Mach 1.8.
• Combat radius approximately 1,000 km.

India-France Cooperation

• India had earlier purchased 36 Rafale aircraft under the 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement.
• Future procurement plans emphasize technology transfer and indigenous production.

Importance

• Strengthens India's air power.
• Reduces import dependence.
• Creates employment opportunities.
• Supports the Make in India initiative.

5. India-France Cooperation in Nuclear Energy

Areas of Cooperation

• Nuclear power generation.
• Clean energy transition.
• Advanced nuclear technologies.
• Civil nuclear cooperation.

Importance

• Enhances energy security.
• Supports sustainable development.
• Helps India achieve climate commitments.

6. Bemotrizinol

What is Bemotrizinol?

• A new UV filter used in sunscreens.
• Recently approved by the US FDA.

Importance

• Provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Improves effectiveness of sunscreen products.

7. Types of Ultraviolet (UV) Rays

UVA Rays

• Longest wavelength.
• Penetrate deep into the skin.

Effects

• Skin aging.
• Wrinkles.
• Pigmentation.
• Long-term skin damage.

UVB Rays

• Shorter wavelength.
• Affect the outer skin layer.

Effects

• Sunburn.
• Skin damage.
• Increased risk of skin cancer.

UVC Rays

• Most harmful type of UV radiation.
• Mostly absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and ozone layer.
• Normally do not reach the Earth's surface.

8. US FDA

Full Form

Food and Drug Administration

Functions

• Food safety regulation.
• Drug approval.
• Medical device regulation.
• Cosmetic regulation.
• Public health protection.

Recent Development

• Approved a new sunscreen UV filter (Bemotrizinol), the first major approval of its kind in many years.

Quick Revision Points

• FCRA Amendment Bill – Introduced on 25 March 2026.
• Shigellosis – Bacterial disease caused by Shigella.
• Jaitapur Project – India-France nuclear project in Maharashtra.
• Rafale Aircraft – Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, France.
• Bemotrizinol – New sunscreen UV filter.
• UVA – Causes aging and pigmentation.
• UVB – Causes sunburn.
• UVC – Most harmful but absorbed by the atmosphere.
• US FDA – Food and Drug Administration.
• NGOs – Generate around 27 lakh jobs and support about 34 lakh volunteers.