GK One-Liners

What: India has been re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the term 2025-29, reinforcing global trust in its leadership in education, science, culture, and human-centric multilateral development. This continues India’s active participation in UNESCO governance.

How: The UNESCO Executive Board has 58 members elected by the General Conference for four-year terms. It meets twice a year to oversee UNESCO programmes and budget. India’s re-election reflects its contributions to heritage conservation, educational initiatives, and South-South cooperation in science and culture.

Why: India’s role in UN agencies, UNESCO, and multilateral diplomacy are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations). Understanding UNESCO’s structure, India’s World Heritage Sites, and cultural diplomacy helps in international organisation questions.

What: The Indian Navy received INS Taragiri, the fourth stealth frigate under Project 17A (P17A). This delivery boosts indigenous stealth warship capabilities and advances India’s naval modernisation under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

How: Project 17A involves seven Nilgiri-class frigates being built by Mazagon Dock (MDL) Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders (GRSE) Kolkata. These are follow-on vessels to Project 17 (Shivalik-class) with enhanced stealth features, indigenous weapons, and advanced sensors. P17A frigates have 75% indigenous content.

Why: Naval modernisation, indigenous shipbuilding, and Project 17A are important for UPSC GS-III (Security). Understanding India’s warship projects, stealth technology, and defence manufacturing ecosystem helps in defence questions.

What: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chairmanship of International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance), reflecting India’s global leadership in electoral processes and democratic governance.

How: International IDEA, headquartered in Stockholm, is an intergovernmental organisation supporting sustainable democracy through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and electoral assistance. India joined as a member in 2019. India’s Election Commission is globally recognised for conducting the world’s largest democratic exercise with 96+ crore voters.

Why: Election Commission, international organisations, and India’s democratic credentials are important for UPSC GS-II (Polity, International Relations). Understanding ECI’s global recognition, election management expertise, and democracy assistance helps in governance questions.

What: GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is set to evolve into a major Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) centre, attracting firms to register and hold IP domestically and reduce offshore IP migration to jurisdictions like Singapore or Ireland.

How: GIFT City, India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), offers tax benefits, regulatory flexibility, and global standards. The IP hub will provide services for patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Companies can manage IP portfolios from India, reducing tax leakage and strengthening domestic innovation ecosystems.

Why: GIFT City, IPR policy, and financial services are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding IFSC regulations, National IPR Policy 2016, and strategies to reduce IP offshore migration helps in economic governance questions.

What: World AIDS Day 2025 was observed on December 1 with the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” reinforcing awareness and HIV prevention efforts. The day marks global solidarity in fighting HIV/AIDS.

How: World AIDS Day, established in 1988, was the first-ever global health day. UNAIDS coordinates global efforts targeting 95-95-95 goals (95% diagnosed, 95% on treatment, 95% virally suppressed) by 2030. India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has reduced HIV prevalence through prevention, treatment, and awareness campaigns.

Why: Global health days, UNAIDS, and India’s health programmes are relevant for UPSC GS-II (Social Issues). Understanding HIV prevention strategies, NACP phases, and international health cooperation helps in health governance questions.

What: A SEBI High-Level Committee (HLC) recommended public asset-liability disclosure for the Chairperson, Whole-Time Members (WTMs), and CGM-level officials to strengthen transparency and ethics in the securities regulator.

How: The proposal follows governance concerns and aligns SEBI with practices of other constitutional and regulatory bodies where senior officials declare assets publicly. Public disclosure enhances accountability, deters conflicts of interest, and builds investor confidence in regulatory integrity.

Why: SEBI governance, regulatory reforms, and transparency are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding SEBI’s structure, governance challenges, and regulatory accountability mechanisms helps in securities market questions.