GK One-Liners

What: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is rolling out Bima Sugam in phases starting December 2025. This unified digital platform will allow consumers to compare, purchase, renew, and service insurance policies from multiple insurers in one place, enhancing transparency and accessibility in India’s insurance sector.

How: The platform aggregates policies from life, health, and general insurance companies, enabling side-by-side comparison of premiums, coverage, and terms. It will also facilitate end-to-end digital transactions including claims processing, reducing paperwork and improving customer experience through a single-window system.

Why: This aligns with Digital India and financial inclusion goals frequently tested in UPSC Economics and Governance sections. Questions on insurance penetration, digital financial infrastructure, and regulatory reforms under IRDAI are common in Banking and Economy prelims/mains topics.

What: Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to provide official identity cards to members of women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched the initiative, which also announced ₹3,500 crore in fresh SHG loans. These ID cards will unlock access to concessional government services and schemes.

How: The state government collaborated with rural development departments to map and verify SHG memberships, then issued digital and physical identity cards. The cards integrate with existing welfare delivery systems, enabling priority access to subsidies, training programs, and credit facilities specifically designed for SHG members.

Why: SHGs are central to rural development, women empowerment, and microfinance topics in UPSC GS2 (Social Justice) and GS3 (Inclusive Growth). This innovation can appear in questions on state-level governance models, women’s economic participation, and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).

What: India and Canada have agreed to restart trade negotiations and expand cooperation across defence, critical minerals, civil nuclear energy, security, and technology. Both nations also committed to restoring diplomatic capacity and strengthening people-to-people ties after a period of strained bilateral relations.

How: The agreement follows high-level diplomatic engagements and a mutual understanding to address concerns while focusing on shared economic and strategic interests. Working groups will be established to progress on trade agreements, defence collaborations, and technology partnerships, with regular ministerial-level reviews.

Why: India-Canada relations are important for UPSC International Relations section, especially regarding diaspora diplomacy, bilateral trade (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), and cooperation on critical minerals essential for clean energy transitions. Questions on India’s partnerships with Western democracies appear regularly in Mains GS2.

What: India announced it will host the AI Impact Summit 2026, positioning itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence governance. Simultaneously, the government finalized the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules after extensive stakeholder consultations. Additional plans include expanding GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) infrastructure and establishing 500+ Data and AI Labs across the country.

How: The DPDP rules operationalize the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, establishing frameworks for data processing, user consent, and cross-border data transfer. The AI Summit will bring together global policymakers, tech leaders, and researchers to discuss ethical AI, regulation, and innovation. The GPU expansion and AI labs will support research institutions, startups, and enterprises in developing AI applications.

Why: AI governance and data protection are critical topics in UPSC Science & Technology and Governance sections. Questions on India’s AI policy, personal data protection framework, Digital India initiatives, and India’s role in global tech diplomacy appear regularly in Prelims and Mains (GS3). Understanding GPU infrastructure is relevant for questions on computational capacity and tech self-reliance.

What: Oil India Limited (OIL) and Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore and develop strategic minerals, particularly copper. This partnership directly supports India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, aimed at reducing import dependence and ensuring long-term mineral security for strategic industries.

How: The two public sector undertakings will pool their geological expertise, exploration technology, and financial resources to survey copper-rich regions in India. Joint ventures will be formed for extraction, processing, and refining operations. The collaboration leverages OIL’s exploration capabilities and HCL’s mining and metallurgical experience to accelerate domestic mineral production.

Why: Critical minerals are essential for defense, renewable energy, electronics, and electric vehicles—making this highly relevant for UPSC Economy and Security sections. Questions on mineral security, Atmanirbhar Bharat in strategic sectors, PSU collaborations, and India’s Critical Mineral Mission appear in Prelims current affairs and Mains GS3 (Economic Development and Resource Management).

What: Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to complete 100 wickets in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket, reaching this historic milestone in just 64 matches. The left-arm pacer has established himself as one of India’s most reliable seamers, particularly effective during powerplay and death-overs phases of the game.

How: Arshdeep’s success stems from his ability to bowl yorkers consistently, generate swing with the new ball, and maintain accuracy under pressure in the final overs. His variations include slower deliveries and clever use of angles, making him difficult to score against. He surpassed previous Indian records held by senior bowlers through consistent performance across bilateral series and major tournaments.

Why: Sports achievements, especially cricket milestones, frequently appear in UPSC Prelims current affairs and are useful for personality test discussions. Questions on Indian sports records, emerging athletes, and cricket statistics are common. This achievement can also be referenced in essays on youth empowerment, sports excellence, and India’s global sporting presence.