GK One-Liners

What: Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud’s debut book titled ‘Why the Constitution Matters’ is scheduled for release in 2025 under Penguin Random House. The book aims to connect constitutional reasoning and principles to everyday life experiences, making constitutional law accessible to general readers beyond legal professionals.

How: The book draws from Justice Chandrachud’s extensive judicial experience, including landmark judgments on privacy rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and Ayodhya dispute. It explains constitutional provisions through real-world scenarios, illustrating how fundamental rights, directive principles, and constitutional values shape citizen-state relationships and protect individual freedoms in contemporary India.

Why: Constitutional law and judicial pronouncements are core to UPSC Polity section. Questions on constitutional interpretation, judicial activism, landmark judgments, and the role of judiciary appear regularly in Prelims and Mains GS2 (Constitution and Polity). Understanding judicial perspectives through books by sitting/former judges adds depth to answers on constitutional philosophy and judicial review.

What: At the International Value Summit 2025, the Government of India flagged off hydrogen-fueled trucks on 10 pilot routes across the country. The initiative is supported by ₹600 crore in government grants for hydrogen infrastructure development, with participation from major industry players including automobile manufacturers and logistics companies.

How: The hydrogen trucks use fuel cell technology that converts hydrogen into electricity to power the vehicle, emitting only water vapor. The pilot routes cover diverse terrains and climatic conditions to test vehicle performance, refueling infrastructure, and operational viability. Green hydrogen production facilities and refueling stations are being established along these corridors under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Why: Green hydrogen and clean mobility are critical topics for UPSC Environment and Economy sections. Questions on National Green Hydrogen Mission, alternative fuels, decarbonization of transport, India’s climate commitments, and sustainable development appear in Prelims current affairs and Mains GS3 (Environment, Science & Technology). Understanding hydrogen economy is essential for net-zero transition discussions.

What: In his address at the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bachat Utsav on 21 September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the emergence of a ‘Neo-Middle Class’ comprising approximately 25 crore Indians. This demographic represents individuals who have recently risen out of poverty and are driving increased demand for housing, education, healthcare, and consumer goods.

How: The Neo-Middle Class emerged through poverty alleviation programs, financial inclusion initiatives, skill development schemes, and economic growth over the past decade. This group has benefited from programs like Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra loans, housing schemes, and digital payment infrastructure. Their increased purchasing power is transforming consumption patterns and fueling economic growth across sectors.

Why: Economic transformation, poverty alleviation, and consumption trends are vital for UPSC Economy sections. Questions on poverty estimation methods, inclusive growth, demand-side economics, middle-class expansion, and government welfare schemes appear in Prelims and Mains GS3 (Economic Development). Understanding demographic shifts helps analyze India’s growth trajectory and policy effectiveness.

What: India has secured exclusive exploration rights for Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge in the Indian Ocean. India has become the first nation to hold two PMS exploration contracts from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and now possesses the largest PMS exploration area globally, strengthening its position in deep-sea mineral resources.

How: PMS deposits form at hydrothermal vents on ocean floors, containing valuable minerals like copper, zinc, gold, and silver. India’s exploration will involve deploying underwater vehicles, conducting geological surveys, and developing extraction technologies. The Ministry of Earth Sciences coordinates these efforts through the National Institute of Ocean Technology, supporting India’s blue economy and strategic mineral security objectives.

Why: Deep-sea mining and blue economy are emerging topics in UPSC Science & Technology and Environment sections. Questions on India’s maritime resources, ocean exploration programs, International Seabed Authority regulations, critical mineral security, and sustainable ocean resource management appear in Prelims current affairs and Mains GS3. Understanding PMS is crucial for discussions on resource diversification and strategic autonomy.

What: Dhordo village in Gujarat’s Kutch district has become the state’s fourth fully solar-powered village under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY). The transformation involved solarization of 81 homes with a combined capacity of 177 kilowatts (kW), resulting in average annual household savings of approximately ₹16,000 on electricity bills.

How: The PM-SGMBY scheme provides subsidies for rooftop solar installations, covering up to 60% of system costs for smaller installations. Technical support is provided for site assessment, installation, and grid connectivity. Dhordo’s success involved community mobilization, financial assistance for low-income households, and coordination with Gujarat Energy Development Agency to ensure all homes achieved energy self-sufficiency.

Why: Rural electrification through renewable energy is important for UPSC Governance and Environment sections. Questions on PM-SGMBY, renewable energy targets, decentralized solar power, energy access, and climate-friendly village development appear in Prelims and Mains GS3 (Infrastructure, Energy). Understanding successful implementation models demonstrates practical application of government schemes toward sustainable development goals.

What: The Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 report has introduced Application Programming Interface (API)-enabled real-time speed tracking and corridor performance assessment capabilities. This enhancement aims to create a more efficient and sustainable logistics ecosystem while improving India’s export competitiveness through data-driven infrastructure planning.

How: The real-time tracking system integrates GPS data, toll plaza information, and transportation management systems through APIs. It monitors vehicle speeds, identifies bottlenecks, measures average transit times across corridors, and assesses infrastructure quality. State governments receive performance dashboards showing comparative metrics, enabling targeted interventions to reduce logistics costs and improve supply chain efficiency.

Why: Logistics efficiency and infrastructure performance are crucial for UPSC Economy and Infrastructure sections. Questions on logistics costs, National Logistics Policy, supply chain optimization, state-level reforms, and ease of doing business metrics appear in Prelims and Mains GS3 (Infrastructure, Economic Development). Understanding LEADS framework demonstrates knowledge of comparative state performance and logistics sector reforms essential for trade competitiveness.