GK One-Liners

What: India lifted the World Squash Federation (WSF) Squash World Cup 2025 for the first time, defeating Hong Kong 3-0 in the finals held in Chennai. The team was led by veterans Joshna Chinappa and Abhay Singh, with rising star Anahat Singh contributing to the historic victory.

How: The WSF Squash World Cup is a mixed-team event featuring top squash nations. India hosted the tournament for the third consecutive time, leveraging home advantage and strong grassroots development. The victory builds on momentum from recent Asian Games performances and growing investment in squash infrastructure.

Why: Sports achievements, indigenous sports growth, and international tournaments are relevant for UPSC current affairs. Understanding India’s progress in Olympic and non-Olympic sports, sports governance bodies (WSF, IOA), and hosting international events helps in sports-related questions.

What: RBI eased regulations for Cash Credit (CC), Current, and Overdraft (OD) accounts, allowing greater operational flexibility based on exposure thresholds. The changes improve ease of banking and fund-flow transparency, effective from April 2026.

How: The 2021 circular mandated large borrowers to route transactions through lender banks, causing operational challenges. New norms relax these requirements for smaller exposures while maintaining oversight for large borrowers. Banks can now offer more flexible working capital arrangements, benefiting MSMEs and corporates.

Why: RBI regulations, banking operations, and credit facilities are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. Understanding working capital financing, CC/OD products, and regulatory evolution helps in banking sector questions.

What: Pakistan’s Boreendo, a 5,000-year-old terracotta flute from the Indus Valley Civilisation, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Urgent Safeguarding List of Intangible Cultural Heritage due to extinction risk. This highlights the importance of preserving ancient musical traditions.

How: The UNESCO Urgent Safeguarding List differs from the Representative ICH List by focusing on heritage requiring immediate protective measures. Boreendo, traditionally crafted in Sindh province, faces decline due to lack of practitioners and commercial viability. Inscription brings international attention and preservation resources.

Why: UNESCO heritage lists, Indus Valley civilisation, and cultural preservation are important for UPSC GS-I (Art & Culture, History). Understanding different UNESCO lists (World Heritage, ICH Representative, Urgent Safeguarding) and South Asian cultural heritage helps in culture questions.

What: Maharashtra partnered with Microsoft to roll out MahaCrimeOS AI, an Azure-powered platform to modernise and accelerate cybercrime investigations. The system uses artificial intelligence for crime pattern analysis, evidence processing, and case management.

How: MahaCrimeOS integrates data from multiple sources including CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems), social media, and financial systems. AI algorithms identify patterns, predict hotspots, and assist in faster FIR registration and investigation. Cloud infrastructure enables scalability across Maharashtra’s police stations.

Why: AI in policing, cybercrime, and digital governance are important for UPSC GS-III (Security, Science & Tech). Understanding technology adoption in law enforcement, data privacy concerns, and state-level innovations helps in governance questions.

What: RBI granted in-principle approval for JPMorgan’s Pune branch, its first expansion in India in nearly a decade. This strengthens JPMorgan’s corporate banking presence as India’s economy grows and foreign investment increases.

How: Foreign banks require RBI approval for branch expansion under the Banking Regulation Act. JPMorgan operates in India through corporate banking, investment banking, and asset management. Pune’s emergence as an IT and manufacturing hub makes it attractive for corporate clients requiring sophisticated banking services.

Why: Foreign bank operations, RBI regulations, and financial sector liberalisation are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding foreign bank licensing, branch expansion norms, and global banking in India helps in banking sector questions.

What: Germany clinched their 8th FIH Junior Hockey World Cup title in 2025, reinforcing their dominance in youth hockey. India secured the bronze medal with a comeback victory over Argentina in the third-place match, continuing their podium streak in recent editions.

How: The Junior Hockey World Cup, organised by FIH (International Hockey Federation), features U-21 players and serves as a talent pipeline for senior teams. India’s bronze adds to their 2016 and 2001 victories. The tournament helps identify future Olympic-level players and builds international experience.

Why: Hockey achievements, youth sports development, and international tournaments are relevant for UPSC current affairs. Understanding India’s hockey resurgence, FIH structure, and sports talent development programmes helps in sports-related questions.