GK One-Liners

What: India’s installed power capacity reached 5,05,023 MW, with non-fossil sources (2,59,423 MW) surpassing fossil fuel capacity for the first time. Renewable energy capacity stands at 2,50,643 MW, supporting India’s target of 500 GW renewable energy by 2030.

How: The milestone reflects India’s energy transition through solar parks, wind farms, and hydropower expansion. Key drivers include the National Solar Mission, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for solar manufacturing, green hydrogen initiatives, and favourable policies attracting private investment in clean energy.

Why: Energy sector, renewable energy, and climate commitments are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy, Environment). Understanding India’s power mix, 500 GW renewable target, and Net Zero 2070 pathway helps in energy policy questions.

What: Indian Navy Day is observed on December 4 to honour naval strength and commemorate Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. On this day, Indian Navy missile boats attacked Karachi harbour, sinking Pakistani vessels and achieving a historic maritime victory.

How: Operation Trident (December 4-5, 1971) was the first successful use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the Indian Ocean region. INS Nipat, INS Nirghat, and INS Veer fired Soviet-origin Styx missiles, sinking PNS Khaibar and other vessels. The operation demonstrated India’s offensive naval capability and secured maritime dominance.

Why: Naval history, 1971 war operations, and defence commemorations are important for UPSC GS-I (History) and GS-III (Security). Understanding Operation Trident, Operation Python (Karachi attack), and India’s naval evolution helps in military history questions.

What: DRDO successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test at Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. The test validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and crew recovery for an indigenous fighter escape system developed with ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) and HAL.

How: Fighter escape systems ensure pilot survival during emergencies. The rocket sled simulates high-speed ejection conditions. The indigenous system includes canopy jettison, seat ejection, drogue chute deployment, and main parachute activation. This reduces dependence on imported ejection seats for LCA Tejas and future fighter programmes.

Why: Indigenous defence technology, DRDO programmes, and self-reliance are important for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech, Security). Understanding critical defence systems, DRDO labs, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence helps in technology policy questions.

What: Atal Pension Yojana (APY) enrolments touched 8.34 crore subscribers, with 48% being women. APY strengthens pension and social security coverage for low-income and unorganised sector workers who lack formal retirement benefits.

How: APY, launched in 2015, is administered by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority). Citizens aged 18-40 can join through banks, with guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after age 60 based on contribution. Government co-contributes 50% (up to ₹1,000/year) for eligible subscribers for 5 years.

Why: Social security schemes, pension reforms, and financial inclusion are important for UPSC GS-II (Governance) and GS-III (Economy). Understanding APY, NPS (National Pension System), and unorganised sector welfare schemes helps in social security questions.

What: Indian and Philippine Coast Guards held their first Annual Bilateral Meeting in Manila, enhancing cooperation in Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime law enforcement, pollution response, and capacity building under India’s Act East Policy, SAGAR doctrine, and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

How: The bilateral mechanism establishes regular dialogue for operational coordination, training exchanges, and joint exercises. Philippines is a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, sharing concerns over maritime security. The meeting aligns with India’s broader engagement with ASEAN nations and South China Sea stakeholders.

Why: Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific strategy, and maritime partnerships are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations). Understanding SAGAR doctrine, IPOI pillars, and India’s engagement with Southeast Asian nations helps in foreign policy questions.

What: Oxford University Press (OUP) selected “Rage Bait” as the Word of the Year 2025. The term denotes online content deliberately crafted to trigger anger for engagement, distinct from clickbait. Usage has tripled, reflecting the evolving digital discourse landscape.

How: Rage bait exploits social media algorithms that prioritise engagement, regardless of sentiment. Content creators use controversial or inflammatory material to generate comments, shares, and reactions. This phenomenon impacts political discourse, mental health, and media trust. Previous Oxford words include “brain rot” (2024) and “rizz” (2023).

Why: Digital culture, social media impact, and linguistic trends are relevant for general awareness and essay writing. Understanding media manipulation, algorithm-driven content, and evolving vocabulary helps in communication and society questions.