GK One-Liners

What: In a major reform, the Government of India has opened top Public Sector Bank (PSB) leadership positions to private sector professionals. One of the four Managing Director (MD) posts at State Bank of India (SBI) and select Executive Director (ED) roles in nationalised banks are now open to external talent.

How: The reform allows professionals from private banks, NBFCs, and corporates to apply for senior PSB positions through a transparent selection process. This lateral entry aims to bring leadership diversity, modern management practices, and competitive expertise to public sector banking. Candidates must meet eligibility criteria set by the Banks Board Bureau (BBB).

Why: Banking sector reforms are high-priority topics for IBPS, SBI, and RBI exams. This move aligns with recommendations of various banking reform committees (Narasimham Committee, P.J. Nayak Committee). Know PSB hierarchy: Chairman → MDs (up to 4) → EDs. SBI has four MDs handling different verticals—a unique structure among Indian banks.

What: India and Brazil are jointly pushing to expand the limited-line Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and MERCOSUR towards a comprehensive trade pact. Both nations have set a bilateral trade target of $20 billion by 2030, up from approximately $12 billion in 2024.

How: MERCOSUR (Mercado Común del Sur) is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The current India-MERCOSUR PTA covers limited product lines with preferential tariffs. An expanded agreement would include more goods, services, and investment provisions, boosting two-way trade significantly.

Why: Regional trade blocs and India’s FTAs are important for UPSC Economy and IR. MERCOSUR is one of the largest trading blocs in the Americas. India has similar PTAs with Chile and is negotiating with Peru. Link to India’s Trade Agreements strategy and “Look West” approach to Latin America alongside traditional “Look East/Act East” focus.

What: NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World launched ‘We Rise’, an initiative to prepare 100 women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for exports. The programme includes mentorship, compliance training, branding support, and logistics assistance.

How: Selected women entrepreneurs will receive end-to-end export readiness training and will showcase their products at Bharat Mart in Dubai—India’s first permanent trade centre in the UAE. The initiative operates under WEP’s ‘Award to Reward’ framework, which recognises and supports high-potential women-led businesses.

Why: Women entrepreneurship and MSME exports are cross-cutting themes for UPSC GS-II and GS-III. WEP was launched in 2018 under NITI Aayog. Know related initiatives: Stand-Up India, MUDRA loans for women, and Udyam registration. Bharat Mart in Dubai (launched 2024) is a strategic platform for Indian exporters—a useful fact for trade-related questions.

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released FAQs clarifying device-based tokenisation for card transactions. Tokenisation replaces the actual card number (PAN) with device-specific tokens. The feature is opt-in, free for customers, and works across mobiles, wearables, and IoT devices for contactless, QR, and app-based payments.

How: When a customer opts in, the card network (Visa/Mastercard/RuPay) generates a unique token linked to that specific device. The actual card details are never shared with merchants. Security is controlled by card issuers and networks, with customers able to set transaction limits. Tokens can be deactivated if the device is lost.

Why: Tokenisation is a key banking technology topic. RBI mandated Card-on-File (CoF) tokenisation in 2022, prohibiting merchants from storing actual card data. Know the difference: CoF tokenisation (for recurring payments on websites) vs. device-based tokenisation (for NFC/tap payments). This enhances security under the Digital Payments ecosystem.

What: Telangana has emerged as the top state in recovering lost and stolen mobile phones through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. Over 1 lakh phones have been traced as of October 16, 2025, using IMEI-based blocking and unblocking.

How: CEIR is a database that stores International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of all mobile devices. When a phone is reported stolen, its IMEI is blocked across all telecom networks, rendering it unusable. Once recovered and verified, the IMEI is unblocked. The system enables pan-India tracing regardless of SIM card changes.

Why: CEIR is a Digital India initiative under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It was launched in 2020 to curb mobile theft and create a secure device ecosystem. Know related initiatives: TAFCOP (Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection) and Sanchar Saathi portal. Telangana’s success showcases effective state-level implementation.

What: National Solidarity Day is observed on October 20 to honor India’s Armed Forces and remember the 1962 India-China conflict. The day was instituted to salute the service and sacrifice of soldiers who defended the nation during the Chinese aggression.

How: On October 20, 1962, China launched a massive military offensive across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh) and Aksai Chin (Ladakh). The month-long war highlighted the need for military modernisation. The day promotes national unity and support for the armed forces through commemorative events and tributes.

Why: Important Days related to defence are frequently asked in exams. Other key days: Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26), Armed Forces Flag Day (December 7), and Army Day (January 15). The 1962 war’s lessons remain relevant for understanding India-China border dynamics, LAC disputes, and defence preparedness—all important for UPSC Security and IR.