GK One-Liners

What: India’s total installed power generation capacity reached 476 gigawatts (GW) as of June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy infrastructure expansion. Remarkably, nearly 49% of this capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources including solar (80+ GW), wind (50+ GW), hydroelectric (47+ GW), and nuclear (8+ GW), demonstrating substantial progress toward India’s renewable energy targets. Despite the growing renewable share, coal-based thermal power still accounts for over 91% of actual electricity generation due to higher capacity utilization factors, reflecting the base-load reliability of thermal plants versus the intermittent nature of solar and wind power.

How: India achieved this capacity expansion through aggressive deployment of renewable energy infrastructure under the National Solar Mission and wind power policies, supported by production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for solar module manufacturing, competitive reverse auctions driving down renewable electricity costs to record lows (below Rs 2 per kWh in recent bids), and streamlined environmental clearances for renewable projects. The government’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 is now within reach. Per capita electricity consumption rising to 1,395 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2024-25 reflects improved energy access under the Saubhagya scheme (universal household electrification) and economic growth driving industrial and commercial demand, though this remains significantly below the global average of approximately 3,000 kWh per capita.

Why: Energy sector statistics are crucial for UPSC Mains GS3 (Energy, Infrastructure, Economic Development) with frequent questions on renewable energy transition, energy security, and climate commitments. Understanding the distinction between installed capacity and actual generation explains why India continues coal dependence despite high renewable capacity—critical for balanced answers on energy transition challenges. The 476 GW milestone and 49% non-fossil fuel share demonstrate India’s progress toward Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and reducing emissions intensity by 45%. This data supports answers on India’s climate action, renewable energy policies, and the practical challenges of managing intermittent renewable generation requiring grid flexibility through battery storage and smart grid technologies.

What: Tripura achieved the distinction of becoming India’s third fully literate state with a literacy rate of 95.6% under government measurement norms, joining Mizoram and Goa in this elite category. This milestone represents successful implementation of targeted adult literacy programs in a northeastern state with challenging geographical terrain, diverse tribal populations speaking multiple languages and dialects, and historically lower educational infrastructure compared to India’s national average. The achievement demonstrates effective state-level execution of central education initiatives, closing the urban-rural literacy gap, and ensuring inclusive education access across gender and community lines.

How: Tripura’s literacy success was driven by the ULLAS Programme (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society), a comprehensive adult education initiative launched under the Ministry of Education replacing the earlier National Literacy Mission framework. ULLAS employs multiple implementation strategies: volunteer-based teaching using educated youth, retired teachers, and community leaders; technology-enabled learning through mobile applications, digital content in local languages, and online assessment modules; flexible learning centers in villages, community halls, and schools operating evening classes accommodating working adults; and targeted outreach to marginalized communities including tribal populations, women, and senior citizens. The program integrates basic literacy (reading, writing, numeracy) with functional literacy including digital literacy, financial literacy, and health awareness.

Why: Literacy achievements are significant for UPSC Mains GS1 (Social Issues, Regional Development) and GS2 (Education, Governance) with questions examining factors behind inter-state variations, effectiveness of adult education programs, and inclusive development strategies. Tripura’s success provides excellent case study material for answers on how smaller states can achieve development outcomes through focused implementation, community participation, and adapting central schemes to local contexts. The topic connects to broader themes including Education as a Fundamental Right (Article 21A), Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), women’s empowerment through literacy, and digital literacy’s role in inclusive growth. Understanding ULLAS Programme design helps answer questions on innovative education delivery models, public-private partnerships in social sectors, and lifelong learning frameworks relevant for India’s demographic dividend utilization.

What: India launched its first National Rare Blood Donor Registry (RDRI), a centralized database initiative by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR-NIIH) to address critical challenges in locating donors with rare blood groups during medical emergencies. The registry includes individuals with exceptionally rare blood types including the Bombay blood group (found in approximately 1 in 10,000 people in India, predominantly in Maharashtra), Rh-null phenotype, and other rare antigen combinations. This initiative addresses life-threatening situations where standard blood banks cannot provide compatible blood for patients with rare blood groups undergoing surgeries, childbirth complications, accident trauma, or cancer treatments requiring transfusions.

How: The RDRI operates through systematic donor identification, registration, and digital integration mechanisms. ICMR-NIIH collaborates with blood banks, tertiary care hospitals, and diagnostic laboratories conducting immunohematology testing to identify individuals with rare blood groups through routine blood typing, pregnancy screening, or specialized investigations. Once identified, willing donors undergo detailed phenotyping, health screening, and consent procedures before registration in the database with contact information, blood group details, and medical history. The registry integrates with e-Raktakosh, the national digital blood bank management system connecting over 3,000 blood banks across India, enabling real-time matching of rare blood requirements with registered donors. During emergencies, blood banks can query the system, contact matched donors, and arrange collection with logistical support for inter-city donor travel if necessary.

Why: Healthcare infrastructure innovations are important for UPSC Mains GS2 (Health, Governance, Social Justice) and GS3 (Science & Technology Applications) with questions examining digital health platforms, rare disease management, and health equity. The RDRI demonstrates how technology can solve critical healthcare challenges, providing material for answers on e-governance in health sector, public health emergency preparedness, and specialized medical service delivery. The topic connects to broader themes including National Digital Health Mission architecture (ABDM – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), role of ICMR in public health research and policy, voluntary blood donation promotion, and addressing medical needs of rare conditions affecting small patient populations. Understanding such targeted registries illustrates principles of precision medicine and patient-centric healthcare system design—relevant for comprehensive answers on health system strengthening and technology-enabled healthcare transformation.

What: India ranked 99th in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2025, marking the first time the country has been positioned at this level in global sustainable development assessments. Finland topped the index, demonstrating Nordic countries’ continued leadership in achieving the United Nations’ 17 SDGs covering poverty elimination, quality education, gender equality, clean energy, climate action, and partnerships for sustainable development. Globally, only 17% of SDG targets are currently on track, indicating widespread challenges in achieving the 2030 Agenda despite being halfway through the implementation timeline, with particular concerns around Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 13 (Climate Action).

How: The SDG Index assesses 193 UN member states across all 17 goals using over 100 indicators including income levels, educational attainment, healthcare access, gender parity metrics, carbon emissions, renewable energy adoption, institutional quality, and partnership effectiveness. India faces challenges in multiple dimensions: persistent malnutrition affecting child health outcomes (Goal 2); learning poverty with significant proportions of children unable to read at grade-appropriate levels (Goal 4); air pollution exceeding WHO guidelines in major cities (Goals 3 and 11); gender wage gaps and workforce participation disparities (Goal 5); and climate vulnerability despite renewable energy progress (Goal 13). The ranking methodology considers both achievement levels (current status) and trend trajectories (rate of improvement), with India showing mixed performance—strong progress in certain areas like financial inclusion and sanitation but slower movement on nutrition, education quality, and environmental sustainability.

Why: SDG performance is increasingly important for UPSC Mains GS2 (International Relations, Governance) and Essay papers examining India’s development trajectory and global commitments. Questions frequently assess India’s progress toward specific goals, comparative performance with peer nations, and policy effectiveness in achieving targets. Understanding the SDG framework provides comprehensive material for answers on integrated development approaches addressing interconnections between poverty, education, health, environment, and governance—moving beyond single-sector interventions. The 99th ranking offers honest assessment material for balanced answers acknowledging challenges while highlighting progress areas, demonstrating analytical maturity in evaluating development outcomes. The topic connects to India’s Voluntary National Review presentations at the UN High-Level Political Forum, NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index measuring state-level performance, and Budget allocations aligned with SDG priorities—making it essential for questions on evidence-based policymaking and multilateral cooperation frameworks.

What: The Ministry of Defence placed an order for 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions, representing a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Loitering munitions, also called “kamikaze drones” or “suicide drones,” are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to hover over target areas for extended periods before striking with precision when targets are identified—combining surveillance and strike capabilities in a single platform. The Nagastra-1R features over 80% indigenous content, meeting Make in India requirements while reducing import dependence for tactical munitions increasingly critical in modern warfare as demonstrated in recent conflicts including Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh.

How: Developed by Solar Industries and Zen Technologies, the Nagastra-1R operates with man-portable launch systems allowing infantry units to deploy them rapidly without requiring runway infrastructure or complex support equipment. Technical specifications include endurance of 30-60 minutes enabling extended target search and assessment, precision strike capability with an explosive payload effective against personnel, light vehicles, and fortified positions, electric propulsion ensuring minimal acoustic signature for covert operations, and man-in-the-loop control allowing operators to assess targets visually before authorizing strikes, reducing civilian casualty risks. The system provides tactical commanders with responsive fire support without depending on artillery availability or close air support sorties, particularly valuable in challenging terrains like mountainous borders where traditional fire support faces limitations. The indigenous development draws on India’s growing private sector defense ecosystem, drone technology maturity, and electronic warfare capabilities.

Why: Indigenous defense manufacturing is a high-priority topic for UPSC Mains GS3 (Defence, Science & Technology, Internal Security) with questions examining self-reliance progress, technology development, and strategic autonomy. The Nagastra-1R procurement provides concrete evidence for answers on Make in India’s defense sector success, private sector’s growing role complementing traditional Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (now corporatized), and emerging technologies like loitering munitions changing tactical warfare. The 80%+ indigenous content demonstrates supply chain development and component manufacturing ecosystem maturity—addressing historical criticism that defense “Make in India” involved mere assembly of imported components. Understanding loitering munitions’ operational significance illustrates modern battlefield technology’s evolution, relevant for questions on military modernization, border security capabilities, and India’s defense export potential as countries seek alternatives to traditional suppliers. The topic connects defense procurement reforms, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative supporting startups, and strategic need for self-reliance given geopolitical uncertainties affecting defense imports.

What: June 25 is observed as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Killing Day) to commemorate the Emergency imposed in India on this date in 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, lasting 21 months until March 1977. The Emergency represents the darkest period in India’s post-independence democratic history, characterized by suspension of fundamental rights under Article 352 (national emergency), detention of political opposition leaders and activists under preventive detention laws (approximately 1 lakh arrests), censorship of press freedom, forced sterilization campaigns during population control drives, and demolition drives particularly affecting urban poor populations. This period fundamentally tested India’s constitutional democracy and civil liberties protections, leaving lasting impacts on political consciousness and constitutional safeguards against executive overreach.

How: The Emergency was proclaimed citing “internal disturbances” as grounds under Article 352, following political turmoil after the Allahabad High Court judgment declaring Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election void due to electoral malpractices. During the Emergency, fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 (equality before law), 19 (freedom of speech and movement), 21 (life and personal liberty), and 22 (protection against arbitrary arrest) were suspended, Parliament’s oversight function weakened through rump sessions passing controversial amendments, judiciary faced executive pressure with the ADM Jabalpur case (1976) ruling that detainees had no right to challenge detention during Emergency, and a 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) made sweeping changes including adding “socialist” and “secular” to the Preamble, extending parliamentary terms, and reducing judicial review powers. The observance serves as reminder of institutional checks’ importance, media freedom’s value, and vigilance against authoritarianism.

Why: The Emergency period is crucial for UPSC Mains GS2 (Polity, Constitutional History) and GS4 (Ethics, Democracy) with questions examining constitutional provisions’ misuse, checks and balances effectiveness, and lessons for democratic governance. Understanding Emergency-era developments provides essential context for subsequent constitutional amendments (44th Amendment in 1978 restored several safeguards including requiring “armed rebellion” not mere “internal disturbance” for emergency declaration), judicial independence evolution through post-Emergency cases reasserting fundamental rights’ primacy, and political culture shifts emphasizing democratic accountability. The topic connects to broader themes including Article 352’s emergency provisions framework, preventive detention laws’ continued existence (UAPA, NSA) and civil liberties debates, press freedom rankings, and institutional autonomy importance for healthy democracy. Questions often ask candidates to evaluate Emergency’s lessons for contemporary governance challenges, making historical understanding essential for normative analysis about balancing security with liberty, executive power limits, and citizen rights protection mechanisms in constitutional democracies.