GK One-Liners

What: Karnataka announced the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with an allocation of ₹1,000 crore over five years. The initiative aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem beyond Bengaluru by building regional innovation hubs in tier-II and tier-III cities across the state. LEAP targets the creation of approximately five lakh (500,000) new jobs through fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in underserved regions.

How: LEAP will establish incubation centers, provide seed funding and mentorship to early-stage startups, create co-working spaces, facilitate access to venture capital, and offer skill development programs aligned with local economic strengths. The program focuses on sectors like agritech, manufacturing, healthcare technology, and rural innovation. Infrastructure support including high-speed internet connectivity and logistics will be developed in designated innovation zones across districts.

Why: State-level economic policies and startup ecosystem development are important for UPSC Economy and Governance sections. Questions on regional economic disparities, inclusive growth strategies, state innovation policies, job creation initiatives, and balanced development appear in Prelims and Mains GS3. Understanding state-specific programs demonstrates knowledge of federalism in economic policymaking and decentralized development approaches.

What: President Droupadi Murmu presented the 71st National Film Awards at Vigyan Bhawan on 23 September 2025, recognizing outstanding achievements in Indian cinema for films released in 2023. Malayalam legend Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Top honors went to films including ’12th Fail’, with actors Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, and Rani Mukerji receiving recognition for their performances.

How: The National Film Awards are conferred annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A panel of eminent jury members evaluates films across categories including Best Feature Film, Best Direction, Best Actor/Actress, and technical excellence awards. The awards recognize artistic merit, technical innovation, and films that promote national integration and social awareness across multiple Indian languages.

Why: National awards and cultural institutions are regularly tested in UPSC Prelims current affairs. Questions on National Film Awards categories, Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients, film personalities, and cinema’s role in soft power appear in Art & Culture sections. Understanding award mechanisms and recipients demonstrates knowledge of India’s cultural landscape and government support for creative industries.

What: Russia announced that all five S-400 Triumf air defence systems contracted under the 2018 deal worth $5.43 billion will be delivered to India by 2026. Four systems have already been supplied. The S-400 is considered one of the world’s most advanced surface-to-air missile systems, capable of tracking and destroying aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 400 kilometers.

How: The S-400 integrates multiple radar systems, command posts, and different missile types to create a multi-layered air defence shield. Each system can simultaneously track 300 targets and engage 36 targets at various ranges and altitudes. India’s S-400 batteries will be strategically deployed to protect critical installations, metropolitan areas, and forward military bases, significantly enhancing air defence capabilities against aerial threats including stealth aircraft.

Why: Defence procurement and strategic partnerships are crucial for UPSC Security Studies and International Relations sections. Questions on India-Russia defence cooperation, S-400 capabilities, Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) implications, strategic autonomy, and air defence modernization appear in Prelims and Mains GS2/GS3. Understanding this deal demonstrates knowledge of India’s defence diversification strategy and balancing act in geopolitics.

What: The Indian Navy will commission ‘Androth’, its second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Visakhapatnam on 6 October 2025. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) with approximately 80% indigenous content, Androth is specifically designed for coastal defence operations, maritime surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare missions in shallow and littoral waters.

How: ASW-SWCs are compact, highly maneuverable vessels equipped with advanced sonar systems, torpedoes, depth charges, and surveillance equipment. They patrol India’s extensive coastline, detect and neutralize submarine threats in shallow waters where larger warships cannot operate effectively, conduct maritime domain awareness operations, and support coastal security forces. The high indigenous content reflects India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Why: Naval modernization and indigenous defence manufacturing are critical topics for UPSC Security Studies and Economy sections. Questions on Make in India in defence, naval capabilities, coastal security, anti-submarine warfare, shipbuilding industry, GRSE projects, and maritime security architecture appear in Prelims and Mains GS3. Understanding specialized naval platforms demonstrates knowledge of India’s maritime security challenges and self-reliance in defence production.

What: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state’s investment promotion agency, to develop a world-class greenfield shipyard on Tamil Nadu’s east coast. This initiative supports the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, India’s strategic plan to become a global maritime powerhouse, and will significantly expand the country’s shipbuilding and repair capacity.

How: The greenfield shipyard will feature modern infrastructure including large dry docks, advanced fabrication facilities, skilled workforce training centers, and integrated supply chains. It will cater to both commercial and naval shipbuilding requirements, leveraging Tamil Nadu’s coastal location for access to international shipping routes. The project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract ancillary industries, and position India competitively in the global shipbuilding market currently dominated by China, South Korea, and Japan.

Why: Shipbuilding capacity and maritime infrastructure are important for UPSC Economy and Security sections. Questions on Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, shipbuilding industry, public sector undertakings, coastal economic zones, India’s blue economy strategy, and strategic manufacturing appear in Prelims and Mains GS3. Understanding shipyard development demonstrates knowledge of India’s efforts toward maritime self-sufficiency and export competitiveness in high-value manufacturing.

What: World Food India 2025 is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 25-28 September, serving as a mega platform to attract foreign investment in India’s food processing sector and showcase the country’s rich food heritage. The event features 1,700+ exhibitors, 500+ global buyers, and participation from over 100 countries, highlighting India’s position as a major agricultural producer and emerging food processing hub.

How: The summit facilitates business-to-business meetings between Indian food processors and international buyers, showcases innovations in food technology and preservation, demonstrates India’s diverse agricultural products, and enables policy discussions on food security and sustainable practices. Special pavilions highlight state-specific cuisines, organic farming, millets, and export-ready products. Investment opportunities in cold chains, processing units, and agri-infrastructure are presented to attract foreign direct investment and technology partnerships.

Why: Food processing sector and agricultural trade are vital for UPSC Economy and Agriculture sections. Questions on value addition in agriculture, food processing schemes (like PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises), export potential, food security, agri-startups, and India’s role in global food systems appear in Prelims and Mains GS3. Understanding such summits demonstrates knowledge of India’s agricultural transformation and integration into global food value chains.