GK One-Liners

What: India hosted the third meeting of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Natural and Human-induced Disasters and Climate Action (FG-AINN) in New Delhi. This UN specialized agency forum brings together global experts to develop AI-driven solutions for disaster management, climate resilience, and early warning systems.

How: FG-AINN facilitates technical collaboration among ITU member states, industry stakeholders, and research institutions to standardize AI applications in disaster risk reduction. The meeting focused on developing frameworks for AI-powered predictive models, real-time monitoring systems, and automated response protocols. India’s participation showcases its commitment to leveraging AI for climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, aligning with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) initiatives.

Why: ITU is one of the oldest UN agencies and plays a crucial role in global telecommunications and ICT standards—regularly tested in UPSC GS Paper-2 (International Organizations). Questions on AI governance, disaster management technology, and India’s role in international standard-setting bodies appear in Prelims and Mains. Understanding FG-AINN connects Climate Action (SDG 13), Digital India, and India’s AI Mission objectives.

What: Goan Feni, a traditional spirit distilled from cashew apples or coconut sap in Goa, received its first Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry. GI protection ensures that only authentic products from specific geographical regions can use the designated name, preventing imitation and protecting traditional knowledge.

How: The GI certification process involves establishing proof of origin, demonstrating unique regional characteristics, and documenting traditional production methods. For Feni, this includes specific cashew apple varieties cultivated in Goa’s laterite soil, traditional pot-still distillation techniques passed down through generations, and quality parameters unique to the region. The tag enhances market recognition, export potential, and livelihood security for traditional distillers.

Why: GI protection is covered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, aligned with TRIPS Agreement provisions—a key topic in UPSC GS Paper-3 (IPR & Economy). Questions on GI tags, traditional knowledge protection, and cultural heritage preservation regularly appear in Prelims. Understanding India’s GI portfolio (Darjeeling Tea, Kanchipuram Silk, Alphonso Mango) is essential for both factual recall and Mains essays on rural economy and heritage conservation.

What: Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), a Telangana government public sector undertaking and one of India’s largest coal producers, announced its strategic entry into the critical minerals and Rare Earth Elements (REE) sector. This diversification aims to secure domestic supply of minerals essential for electronics, defense, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

How: SCCL will leverage its mining expertise to explore, extract, and process critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths. The initiative involves partnerships with Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), technology transfer from international agencies, and development of processing facilities. This aligns with the Union Budget 2023 announcement on critical minerals mission and reduces dependence on imports from China, which controls over 70% of global REE supply.

Why: Critical minerals and REE are crucial for India’s energy transition, defense modernization, and electronics manufacturing—frequently tested in UPSC GS Paper-3 (Economy, Internal Security & Environment). Questions on mineral security, strategic autonomy, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and supply chain resilience appear regularly. Understanding India’s Critical Minerals Mission, Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), and REE applications in EV batteries and semiconductors is essential for comprehensive preparation.

What: The Delhi government announced plans to establish India’s first dedicated e-waste eco park for scientific processing, recycling, and disposal of electronic waste. The facility will handle discarded computers, mobile phones, televisions, refrigerators, and other electronic equipment, which contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium requiring specialized treatment.

How: The eco park will implement advanced technologies for dismantling electronics, recovering valuable metals (gold, silver, copper), and safely disposing of toxic components. It will include collection centers, processing units, recycling facilities, and research wings collaborating with IIT Delhi and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The initiative follows E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles where manufacturers finance collection and recycling infrastructure.

Why: India generates over 3 million tonnes of e-waste annually, ranking third globally. E-waste management under circular economy principles is a critical topic in UPSC GS Paper-3 (Environment & Pollution Control). Questions on EPR, Basel Convention, hazardous waste management, and urban environmental challenges regularly appear in Prelims and Mains. Understanding e-waste regulations connects to Swachh Bharat Mission, sustainable cities (SDG 11), and responsible consumption themes.

What: India ranked 131st out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index 2025, which measures gender parity across four dimensions: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. The index uses 0-1 scale where 1 represents complete gender parity.

How: India’s ranking reflects challenges including low female labor force participation (around 24%), wage gaps, underrepresentation in managerial positions, and limited political representation despite constitutional safeguards like 73rd and 74th Amendments mandating one-third reservation for women in local bodies. Positive indicators include narrowing educational gender gaps and initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, MUDRA loans for women entrepreneurs, and maternity benefit extensions.

Why: Gender equality metrics and India’s comparative performance in global indices are high-yield topics for UPSC GS Paper-1 (Social Issues) and GS Paper-2 (Governance & Women Empowerment). Questions on constitutional provisions (Article 14, 15, 16), government schemes for women, and gender budgeting appear regularly. Understanding WEF’s methodology, India’s progress areas, and persistent challenges is essential for Mains essays on women’s rights, economic empowerment, and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

What: According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s social security coverage has risen to 64.3% of the population, marking significant progress toward universal social protection. This represents coverage under various schemes providing old-age pensions, health insurance, maternity benefits, unemployment support, and disability assistance, moving closer to ILO’s Social Protection Floor Recommendation (R202).

How: Expansion is driven by flagship schemes including Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) for unorganized workers, Atal Pension Yojana (APY) for pension coverage, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for health insurance, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme extensions. Digital infrastructure like Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures efficient delivery and reduces leakages.

Why: Social security coverage aligns with SDG Target 1.3 on implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems. UPSC frequently tests welfare schemes, their coverage, implementation challenges, and linkage to social justice in GS Paper-2 (Governance & Social Justice). Understanding the distinction between contributory (EPF, NPS) and non-contributory schemes (NSAP), informal sector coverage, and fiscal sustainability is crucial for both Prelims factual questions and Mains essays on inclusive development.