GK One-Liners

What: International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed annually on 21 June, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The theme for IDY 2025 is “Yoga for Self and Society,” emphasizing yoga’s role in individual wellbeing and collective social harmony. This day recognizes yoga as a holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual health rooted in ancient Indian philosophy.

How: The United Nations General Assembly declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga in December 2014 following India’s proposal under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership at the UN. The resolution received unprecedented support from 177 member states, making it one of the fastest-adopted resolutions. Celebrations include mass yoga demonstrations, seminars, and awareness programs in over 190 countries, with the main event traditionally held in India featuring thousands of participants.

Why: IDY demonstrates India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy on the global stage, making it highly relevant for UPSC Mains GS2 (International Relations) and GS1 (Indian Culture). Questions on India’s UN initiatives, cultural exports, and public diplomacy frequently appear in exams. The theme “Yoga for Self and Society” connects to broader development goals like health awareness and community wellbeing, relevant for essays and ethics papers.

What: In September 2014, during his maiden speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the establishment of International Day of Yoga. Within just three months, in December 2014, the UNGA adopted the resolution with a record 177 co-sponsors, the highest number for any UNGA resolution. This marked a significant diplomatic achievement for India in promoting its cultural heritage globally.

How: India leveraged its diplomatic networks across regions, building consensus through bilateral and multilateral engagements. The proposal emphasized yoga’s universal appeal, health benefits, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The swift adoption reflected India’s growing diplomatic influence and the global recognition of yoga as a non-religious, inclusive practice beneficial to humanity.

Why: This topic is crucial for UPSC Mains GS2 (International Relations, India’s foreign policy) and frequently appears in questions about India’s soft power, cultural diplomacy, and UN engagement. Understanding how India successfully navigated multilateral diplomacy provides excellent case study material for Mains answers on India’s global leadership role. The connection between cultural initiatives and diplomatic outcomes is a recurring theme in both Prelims and Mains examinations.

What: INS Arnala is the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2025, designed specifically for coastal defense operations. Named after an island fort off the coast of Maharashtra, INS Arnala enhances India’s capability to detect and neutralize submarine threats in shallow coastal waters, particularly along the western seaboard. The vessel represents India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

How: Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, INS Arnala is equipped with advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and modern navigation equipment. The ship is designed for low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), coastal surveillance, and anti-piracy missions. It can operate in shallow waters where larger vessels cannot reach, filling a critical gap in India’s coastal defense network that extends over 7,500 km of coastline.

Why: Coastal security is a high-priority topic for UPSC Mains GS3 (Internal Security, Maritime Security) following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks which exposed vulnerabilities. Questions on indigenous defense manufacturing, maritime security architecture, and Make in India initiatives frequently appear. INS Arnala connects multiple exam themes: Atmanirbhar Bharat, coastal security infrastructure, submarine warfare capabilities, and public sector shipyards’ role in defense production—making it ideal for comprehensive Mains answers.

What: India has demonstrated exceptional performance in international shooting competitions during 2025, maintaining its position among the top shooting nations globally. Indian shooters have consistently won medals across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events at World Cups, Asian Championships, and Olympic qualifying tournaments. This sustained excellence reflects the country’s robust talent development pipeline and world-class training infrastructure established over the past decade.

How: The success stems from systematic investments through initiatives like Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provides elite shooters with financial support, foreign exposure, and access to international coaches. The establishment of Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi and regional centers of excellence has provided infrastructure matching global standards. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has implemented scientific training methodologies, sports psychology support, and customized nutrition programs for athletes.

Why: Shooting has become one of India’s most successful Olympic sports disciplines, making it relevant for UPSC Mains GS1 (achievements of Indians in sports) and Current Affairs sections. Questions on sports policy, TOPS scheme, infrastructure development, and India’s Olympic preparations frequently appear. Understanding India’s shooting success provides insights into effective sports governance models—useful for questions on youth development, skill enhancement programs, and performance-based funding mechanisms in competitive examinations.

What: India’s coastal security framework underwent comprehensive restructuring after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, which exposed critical vulnerabilities in maritime surveillance and inter-agency coordination. The enhanced architecture includes dedicated marine police forces in coastal states, deployment of fast interceptor boats, establishment of coastal radar chains, and integration of various security agencies under unified command structures. INS Arnala’s commissioning represents the continued strengthening of this layered defense system.

How: The coastal security apparatus operates through three-tier patrolling: Indian Navy handles areas beyond 200 nautical miles (Exclusive Economic Zone), Coast Guard patrols up to 200 nautical miles, and marine police forces secure coastal areas up to 12 nautical miles. Technology integration includes Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) with 84 coastal radar stations providing continuous monitoring, Automatic Identification System (AIS) for vessel tracking, and National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network (NC3I) linking all stakeholders in real-time.

Why: Coastal security is a recurring theme in UPSC Mains GS3 (Internal Security, Border Management) with specific focus on institutional mechanisms, technology integration, and inter-agency coordination. Questions often examine lessons learned from 26/11 attacks, effectiveness of current frameworks, and remaining gaps. The topic connects to broader maritime security issues including blue economy, EEZ protection, anti-piracy operations, and Island Territory development—making it essential for comprehensive answers on India’s security architecture.

What: Yoga has emerged as one of India’s most effective soft power instruments in global diplomacy, transcending its origins as an ancient spiritual practice to become a universally recognized wellness system. With an estimated 300+ million practitioners worldwide and a global wellness industry worth billions, yoga serves as a cultural bridge that enhances India’s international image without coercive measures. The establishment of International Day of Yoga represents the institutionalization of this soft power at the highest multilateral level.

How: India promotes yoga globally through multiple channels: Ministry of AYUSH coordinates International Day of Yoga celebrations in over 190 countries through Indian missions; Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers yoga scholarships to foreign students; government-supported institutions like Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga provide teacher training programs; and private sector actors (Art of Living, Isha Foundation) amplify India’s yoga diplomacy reach. The practice’s secular presentation makes it acceptable across diverse cultures and political systems.

Why: Soft power is a critical concept in UPSC Mains GS2 (India’s foreign policy, international relations) and frequently appears in essay topics on India’s global role. Understanding yoga diplomacy provides concrete examples for questions on cultural diplomacy, India’s UN engagement, and non-coercive influence mechanisms. The success of International Yoga Day offers case study material for answers on multilateral consensus-building, Track-II diplomacy, and leveraging cultural assets for strategic advantages—themes highly relevant for both Mains papers and personality interviews.