GK One-Liners

What: India hosted the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and launched three major initiatives: SUNRISE (Solar Unified Research Initiative for Resource and Infrastructure Synergy Expansion), OSOWOG (One Sun One World One Grid), and a Global Capability Centre (GCC) to accelerate solar innovation worldwide.

How: SUNRISE focuses on coordinated solar research across ISA member nations. OSOWOG aims to create an interconnected transnational electricity grid powered by solar energy, enabling 24/7 renewable power supply across time zones. The GCC will serve as a hub for technology transfer and capacity building.

Why: India’s leadership in ISA (HQ: Gurugram) is frequently tested in UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS-II: International Relations, GS-III: Environment). Questions on solar initiatives, India’s climate commitments, and multilateral energy cooperation are high-yield topics for competitive exams.

What: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) Census for 2024–25 revealed that the USA and Singapore together account for one-third of India’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The census covered 45,702 entities, of which 41,517 reported Direct Investment (DI).

How: The FLA Census is an annual survey conducted by RBI to collect data on foreign assets and liabilities of Indian companies. It helps track FDI inflows, outflows, and the geographical distribution of foreign investment in India’s economy.

Why: FDI data, top investor countries, and RBI surveys are regularly tested in banking exams (IBPS, SBI PO) and UPSC Prelims. Understanding FDI routes (automatic vs. approval), sectoral caps, and major source countries is essential for Economy sections.

What: Scientists launched the AmazonFACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment) project in Brazil to study how elevated carbon dioxide levels affect tropical rainforest ecosystems. This is the first FACE experiment conducted in a tropical rainforest environment.

How: FACE technology involves releasing controlled amounts of CO₂ around experimental plots using vertical pipes while maintaining ambient conditions. Real-time canopy sensors monitor plant responses, photosynthesis rates, and ecosystem changes without enclosing the forest.

Why: Climate change experiments, carbon cycle studies, and rainforest conservation are important for UPSC Environment sections. Understanding how forests respond to rising CO₂ levels connects to carbon sinks, climate mitigation, and international agreements like the Paris Accord.

What: Russia successfully tested ‘Poseidon’, a nuclear-powered Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) designed as a strategic weapon system. The UUV has a reported range of 10,000 km and can travel at speeds up to 185 km/h, making it extremely difficult to intercept.

How: Poseidon uses a compact nuclear reactor for propulsion, enabling virtually unlimited range without surfacing. It can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and is designed to evade detection by operating at extreme depths while targeting coastal infrastructure and naval assets.

Why: Strategic weapons systems, nuclear doctrines, and emerging military technologies are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations) and defence-related questions. Understanding the changing nature of warfare and deterrence strategies is relevant for Mains essays and interviews.

What: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to domestically produce SJ-100 (Sukhoi Superjet) passenger aircraft in India. This aims to support regional air connectivity under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

How: The partnership involves technology transfer, joint manufacturing, and establishment of maintenance facilities in India. HAL will leverage its aerospace manufacturing expertise while Russia provides aircraft design and systems integration support.

Why: India’s aviation sector development, Make in India initiatives, and strategic partnerships are frequently tested topics. Questions on UDAN scheme, HAL’s projects, and India-Russia defence cooperation appear regularly in UPSC and SSC exams.

What: Visakhapatnam Port Authority signed MoUs worth ₹39,216 crore at India Maritime Week 2025. The agreements include a ₹29,662 crore mega port-cum-shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam, aimed at boosting India’s maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding capacity.

How: The investments will develop integrated port facilities, modern shipyards, and supporting industrial clusters along the eastern coast. This aligns with the Sagarmala Programme’s objective of port-led development and coastal economic zones.

Why: India’s port infrastructure, Sagarmala Programme, and blue economy initiatives are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy, Infrastructure). Questions on major ports, maritime trade, and coastal development projects are common in both Prelims and Mains.