GK One-Liners

What: India unveiled an ambitious ₹11 lakh crore infrastructure roadmap to expand the national expressway network fivefold, adding 17,000 kilometers of new access-controlled expressways by 2033. These high-speed corridors will allow vehicle speeds up to 120 kilometers per hour, significantly reducing travel time between major economic centers. The plan aims to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs, boost economic connectivity, and support India’s vision of becoming a $10 trillion economy.

How: The massive investment will be mobilized through public-private partnership models including Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Under BOT, private companies invest in construction and recover costs through toll collection over a concession period. HAM combines government and private funding, with the government contributing 40% of project costs during construction and private developers funding the remaining 60%, later recovering their investment through annuity payments. This approach attracts private capital while managing fiscal burden on the government. The expressways will feature multi-lane configurations, intelligent traffic management systems, and dedicated freight corridors.

Why: Infrastructure development and PPP models are critical economic topics. Questions on expressway networks, Bharatmala Pariyojana, BOT and HAM financing models, and logistics infrastructure appear in UPSC Prelims (Economy) and Mains GS3 (Infrastructure Development). This topic connects to the National Infrastructure Pipeline, government efforts to reduce logistics costs from 14% to 8% of GDP, connectivity improvements supporting Make in India, and addressing infrastructure gaps that constrain economic growth. The plan aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated multi-modal connectivity.

What: India’s coal imports declined by 16.4% to 21.08 million tonnes in July 2025 compared to the previous year, primarily due to softened demand during the monsoon season and high domestic coal stockpiles at thermal power plants. However, imports of coking coal (metallurgical coal used in steel production) increased, reflecting continued dependence on imported coal for specialized industrial applications. The reduction in thermal coal imports demonstrates improved domestic coal production and reduced reliance on expensive overseas supplies.

How: Several factors contributed to this decline: Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) ramped up domestic production, achieving record monthly outputs exceeding 70 million tonnes; power plants maintained buffer coal stocks above the mandated 24-day requirement; monsoon season typically sees reduced electricity demand for cooling, lowering thermal coal consumption; and improved coal evacuation infrastructure including dedicated freight corridors enabled better distribution of domestically produced coal. The government’s coal gasification initiatives and allocation reforms under the Shakti policy also optimized coal usage.

Why: Energy security and import dependence are crucial economic and strategic topics. Questions on coal production, Coal India Limited, energy mix, import substitution, and thermal power sector appear in UPSC Prelims (Economy, Geography) and Mains GS3 (Energy Security, Natural Resources). This topic connects to India’s energy transition challenges (balancing coal dependence with renewable energy targets), foreign exchange savings from reduced imports, environmental concerns about coal usage versus Net Zero commitments, and government initiatives like auction of coal blocks to private players and coal linkage policies ensuring power plant fuel security.

What: Bhupender Gupta, a veteran power sector professional, was appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NHPC Limited (formerly National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), India’s largest hydropower generation company. Gupta brings extensive experience in hydropower project execution from his previous role at Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) and will additionally hold leadership charge at SJVN Limited (formerly Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam). NHPC operates hydroelectric projects with an installed capacity exceeding 7,000 megawatts across multiple states.

How: As CMD, Gupta will oversee NHPC’s operational power plants, ongoing construction projects totaling approximately 6,000 MW, expansion plans targeting 15,000 MW capacity by 2030, and the company’s role in India’s renewable energy transition. His responsibilities include project implementation, financial management, coordination with state governments for land and clearances, environmental compliance, rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected families, and exploring pumped storage hydropower projects for grid balancing. NHPC plays a crucial role in peaking power supply and integrating variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Why: Hydropower development and PSU governance are important topics for competitive exams. Questions on NHPC, hydropower potential, renewable energy mix, public sector undertakings, and CMD appointments appear in UPSC Prelims (Economy, Governance) and Mains GS3 (Energy Resources, Infrastructure). This topic connects to India’s 250 GW hydropower potential (only 40% exploited), the National Electricity Policy’s emphasis on hydropower as renewable baseload, concerns about environmental impacts and dam safety, pumped storage projects for energy storage, and India’s commitment to 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 under climate targets.

What: India achieved a historic breakthrough at the World Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, with the men’s compound team of Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge winning the country’s first-ever team gold medal in this category. They defeated France 235-233 in a closely contested final. India also secured a silver medal in the mixed compound team event, marking the nation’s best-ever performance at the World Archery Championships.

How: Compound archery differs from the more traditional recurve archery featured in the Olympics, using mechanical aids like pulleys and cables for greater accuracy and consistency. The Indian team demonstrated exceptional precision and mental strength, maintaining composure in the high-pressure final. This success reflects India’s growing investment in archery infrastructure, scientific training methods, sports science support, and talent identification programs like the Khelo India scheme. The Archery Association of India has established training centers across the country, particularly in tribal areas where archery has traditional roots.

Why: Sports achievements in emerging disciplines demonstrate India’s expanding sporting prowess beyond cricket. Questions on major archery events, India’s Olympic sports performance, and sports development schemes appear in UPSC Prelims (Sports, Current Affairs) and Mains GS1 (Society, Sports Culture). This topic connects to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) providing financial support to elite athletes, National Sports Policy emphasizing multi-sport development, grassroots programs identifying talent from rural and tribal communities, and efforts to diversify India’s medal prospects at international competitions including the Olympics and Asian Games.

What: India will host the 28th International Table Tennis Federation – Asian Table Tennis Union (ITTF-ATTU) Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from October 11-15, 2025. This continental championship serves as a qualifier for the 2026 World Table Tennis Team Championships, with the top 13 teams earning direct qualification. The event brings together Asia’s strongest table tennis nations including China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Singapore.

How: Bhubaneswar has emerged as a preferred destination for international sporting events, leveraging state-of-the-art facilities like the Kalinga Stadium sports complex, proven organizational capabilities from hosting events like the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup and Asian Athletics Championships, supportive state government policies, and excellent connectivity. The Asian Championships feature men’s and women’s team competitions, with each match comprising singles and doubles rubbers. Hosting this event provides Indian players with home advantage, exposure to top international competition, and opportunities to test strategies ahead of major tournaments.

Why: Hosting international sports events enhances India’s soft power and sports infrastructure development. Questions on major sporting events, sports infrastructure in Indian cities, and India’s table tennis development appear in UPSC Prelims (Sports, Geography) and Mains GS1 (Society). This topic connects to India’s Sports Infrastructure Modernization Programme, Khelo India scheme’s focus on grassroots development and elite athlete support, Odisha’s emergence as a sporting hub with government initiatives like the Odisha Sports Development Policy, and India’s strategy to bid for and host major international sporting events including the potential 2036 Olympics bid.

What: Russia’s Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) announced that its colon cancer vaccine has completed preclinical trials and is ready for use. The vaccine demonstrated strong safety profiles and significant tumor reduction in preclinical studies. Russia is also conducting additional trials for vaccines targeting other types of cancer, representing a breakthrough in therapeutic cancer vaccines that train the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

How: Unlike preventive vaccines like those for HPV-related cancers, therapeutic cancer vaccines work by exposing the immune system to cancer-specific antigens (proteins found on tumor cells), enabling T-cells and other immune components to identify and attack cancer cells throughout the body. The colon cancer vaccine likely uses tumor-associated antigens specific to colorectal cancer to stimulate immune response. If approved for clinical use, the vaccine could be administered alongside conventional treatments like chemotherapy and surgery, potentially improving survival rates, reducing recurrence, and offering less toxic alternatives to traditional therapies. Colon cancer ranks among the top three most common cancers globally.

Why: Medical innovations and cancer treatment developments are important science and health topics. Questions on cancer vaccines, immunotherapy, medical research breakthroughs, and public health challenges appear in UPSC Prelims (Science & Tech, Health) and Mains GS3 (Science & Technology). This topic connects to India’s National Cancer Control Programme, increasing cancer burden due to lifestyle changes and aging population, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), government initiatives for affordable cancer care through Ayushman Bharat, and global collaboration in medical research including India’s participation in clinical trials for cutting-edge therapies.