GK One-Liners

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the 660 Megawatt (MW) Ghatampur Thermal Power Unit to the nation, expanding Uttar Pradesh’s thermal power generation capacity. This coal-based thermal power plant represents a significant addition to the state’s energy infrastructure and contributes to meeting growing electricity demand in northern India. The project is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring 24×7 affordable power supply while balancing the energy transition roadmap.

How: The Ghatampur plant operates using supercritical technology, which offers higher efficiency (around 40-42%) and lower emissions compared to conventional subcritical thermal plants. Located in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, the unit connects to the Northern Regional Grid through high-voltage transmission infrastructure. The plant utilizes domestic coal supply, supporting the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative while reducing import dependency. Modern pollution control equipment including Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems ensures compliance with environmental norms.

Why: Critical for UPSC GS3 (Energy & Infrastructure) as it addresses India’s energy security, thermal vs renewable energy debate, and infrastructure development in power sector. Questions on installed capacity, supercritical technology, energy mix, and regional grid connectivity are common in prelims. For mains, this connects to themes of sustainable development, energy transition challenges, coal sector reforms, and balancing economic growth with environmental concerns—frequently appearing in GS3 essays and 150-word answers on energy policy.

What: Goa achieved an exceptional 99.7% literacy rate under the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) scheme, making it one of India’s most literate states. ULLAS is a centrally-sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Education to promote adult education, basic literacy, critical life skills, and vocational training for non-literates and neo-literates aged 15 years and above. Goa’s achievement demonstrates effective implementation of foundational literacy programs combined with state-level initiatives.

How: The ULLAS scheme operates through a volunteer-based teaching model where trained instructors use digital learning platforms, mobile applications, and community learning centers. The program covers five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Vocational Skills Development, Basic Education (equivalent to Grades 3, 5, 8), and Continuing Education. Goa’s success involved collaboration between education department, local self-governments, NGOs, and volunteer mobilization. The Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS) platform enabled progress tracking and certification.

Why: Highly relevant for UPSC GS2 (Education & Social Justice) as it demonstrates successful implementation of adult education policy and literacy mission outcomes. Questions on National Education Policy 2020, adult literacy schemes, digital education initiatives, and state-wise literacy rankings appear regularly in prelims. For mains, this provides excellent case study material for answers on inclusive education, skill development, demographic dividend utilization, and governance best practices—crucial for GS2 governance answers and ethics case studies on effective program implementation.

What: Chhattisgarh announced the establishment of India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) focused Special Economic Zone (SEZ), marking a strategic initiative to position the state as a technology and innovation hub. This specialized SEZ will provide infrastructure, regulatory benefits, and ecosystem support for AI-driven enterprises, startups, research institutions, and technology companies. The initiative aligns with the National AI Mission and aims to attract domestic and foreign investment in emerging technologies.

How: The AI SEZ will offer fiscal incentives including income tax exemptions, customs duty waivers on imported equipment, GST benefits, and single-window clearance mechanisms. The zone will feature state-of-the-art data centers, high-speed connectivity infrastructure, incubation facilities, and collaboration spaces for industry-academia partnerships. The project involves setting up AI labs, training centers for skill development, and creating an ecosystem for AI applications in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and governance. The SEZ model facilitates technology transfer, R&D collaboration, and startup scaling.

Why: Essential for UPSC GS3 (Science & Technology) and GS3 (Economy) as it combines emerging technology policy with economic zone framework. Questions on SEZ policy reforms, AI governance, National AI Mission, Digital India, and technology infrastructure appear in both prelims and mains. This provides excellent content for mains answers on innovation ecosystems, technology-led growth, regional development strategies, and India’s competitiveness in global technology landscape—particularly relevant for GS3 essays on technology and economic development, and for ethics papers discussing AI governance challenges.

What: Bank of Baroda (BoB) opened its phygital branch in Kolkata, combining physical infrastructure with digital banking capabilities to deliver seamless customer experience. A “phygital” branch represents the convergence of physical and digital banking, where customers can access both traditional banking services through staff assistance and advanced self-service digital options through automated kiosks, video banking, and AI-powered assistance. This model addresses the evolving banking preferences of tech-savvy customers while maintaining human touchpoints for complex transactions.

How: The phygital branch features interactive kiosks for account opening, loan applications, and transaction processing; video banking booths for remote expert consultation; biometric authentication systems; digital queuing mechanisms; and AI chatbots for instant query resolution. Customers can perform 90% of routine banking activities digitally while accessing personalized advisory services from relationship managers for investment planning, loans, or grievance redressal. The branch operates extended hours with minimal human intervention during non-peak times, reducing operational costs while improving accessibility.

Why: Crucial for UPSC GS3 (Economy – Banking) as it demonstrates financial sector innovation, digital transformation in public sector banks, and financial inclusion through technology. Questions on digital banking, PSB reforms, fintech integration, and customer service innovation appear regularly in prelims and mains. This provides excellent content for mains answers on banking sector modernization, cost optimization in PSBs, competing with private banks, and balancing technology adoption with human employment concerns—themes that frequently appear in GS3 economy papers and ethics case studies.

What: Vishwanath Karthikey became the youngest Indian mountaineer to complete the “Seven Summits” challenge, which involves successfully climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents. The Seven Summits include Mount Everest (Asia – 8,849m), Aconcagua (South America – 6,961m), Denali (North America – 6,190m), Kilimanjaro (Africa – 5,895m), Elbrus (Europe – 5,642m), Vinson Massif (Antarctica – 4,892m), and either Kosciuszko (Australia – 2,228m) or Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania – 4,884m). This achievement showcases India’s growing presence in adventure sports and mountaineering excellence.

How: Completing the Seven Summits requires extensive preparation including high-altitude acclimatization, technical climbing skills, physical endurance training, and substantial financial resources for expeditions across multiple continents. Each peak presents unique challenges—Everest demands dealing with extreme altitude and weather, Vinson Massif requires logistics in Antarctica’s remote location, and Carstensz Pyramid involves technical rock climbing. The achievement typically takes several years, requiring meticulous planning, sponsorship support, permit acquisitions, and experienced expedition teams. Karthikey’s success reflects dedication, training regimen, and support from India’s mountaineering community.

Why: Important for UPSC GS1 (Geography – Mountains) and current affairs sections as mountain peak locations, continental highest points, and adventure sports achievements are tested in prelims. For mains, this connects to themes of youth achievement, sports promotion, adventure tourism potential, and India’s soft power through individual excellence. Questions on mountaineering, environmental concerns in high-altitude regions, tourism in Himalayas, and recognition of non-traditional sports provide opportunities to reference such accomplishments. Also relevant for personality test discussions on perseverance and goal setting.

What: Rajiv Memani assumed office as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2025-26, succeeding the previous president. CII is India’s premier business association with over 9,000 member companies from public and private sectors, representing diverse industries and acting as a policy advocacy platform for Indian industry. The CII President position is a prestigious role that involves leading industry-government dialogue, shaping business policy recommendations, and representing Indian industry interests at national and international forums. Memani brings extensive corporate leadership experience to this position.

How: The CII President is elected annually by the organization’s National Council and serves a one-year term, leading the apex industry body’s strategic direction. The president chairs CII’s National Council meetings, represents Indian industry at platforms like the World Economic Forum, leads bilateral business delegations, and coordinates with government ministries on policy reforms. The role involves facilitating public-private partnerships, promoting ease of doing business initiatives, advocating for regulatory simplification, and positioning Indian industry for global competitiveness. CII operates through various sectoral councils, regional offices, and centers of excellence.

Why: Relevant for UPSC GS3 (Economy – Industry) and GS2 (Governance – Industry Bodies) as CII plays a significant role in India’s economic policy formulation and business advocacy. Questions on industry associations, public-private dialogue mechanisms, and institutional frameworks for business support appear in prelims. For mains, this provides context for answers on stakeholder consultation in policymaking, role of industry bodies in economic governance, lobbying vs. constructive engagement debate, and institutional mechanisms for business-government coordination—themes common in GS2 governance papers and GS3 economy answers on investment climate and industrial policy.