GK One-Liners

What: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore incentive plan under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) for fiscal years 2026 to 2031 to scale up the recycling of critical minerals from electronic waste (e-waste) and lithium-ion battery scrap. The scheme offers both capital expenditure (capex) support and sales-linked incentives to build domestic recycling capacity, attract private investment, reduce import dependence, and create employment opportunities in the strategic minerals sector.

How: Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, and graphite are essential for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems, semiconductors, and defense applications. Currently, India imports most of these minerals, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. The incentive scheme will support establishment of recycling facilities, extraction of valuable minerals from discarded electronics and spent batteries, development of urban mining infrastructure, and creation of a circular economy for strategic materials. The government aims to recover minerals domestically while managing hazardous e-waste responsibly.

Why: Critical mineral security is a strategic priority for India’s energy transition and technological sovereignty. Questions on critical minerals, e-waste management, circular economy, battery recycling, and resource security appear in UPSC Prelims (Environment, Economy) and Mains GS3 (Resource Management, Environmental Governance). This topic connects to the Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) initiative, Electric Vehicle policy, Production Linked Incentive schemes, and India’s commitment to Net Zero by 2070.

What: India and Japan signed a Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM) agreement under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to strengthen bilateral climate cooperation through carbon credit trading. The JCM enables both countries to collaboratively implement greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, mobilize green finance, and promote low-carbon technology innovation. This mechanism allows Japan to receive credit toward its emission reduction targets for supporting climate projects in India.

How: Under the JCM framework, Japanese companies and government agencies can invest in emission reduction projects in India—such as renewable energy installations, energy efficiency improvements, clean transportation systems, and sustainable industrial processes. The verified emission reductions are quantified using approved methodologies, and credits are shared between both countries according to agreed proportions. The mechanism facilitates technology transfer, attracts Japanese climate finance to Indian projects, and accelerates India’s transition to a low-carbon economy while helping Japan meet its international climate commitments.

Why: International climate cooperation and carbon markets are critical components of global climate governance. Questions on Paris Agreement Article 6, carbon credit mechanisms, bilateral climate finance, and India-Japan relations appear in UPSC Prelims (International Relations, Environment) and Mains GS2 and GS3 (Foreign Policy, Climate Change). This topic connects to India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), renewable energy targets, Green Climate Fund, and Japan’s role as a key development partner in India’s infrastructure and clean energy sectors.

What: India’s Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)—comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein—will enter into force on October 1, 2025. The agreement is notable for incorporating sustainability-linked commitments covering environmental protection, labour standards, and human rights alongside traditional trade provisions. EFTA nations are known for high-quality manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and financial services.

How: TEPA will reduce or eliminate tariffs on numerous goods traded between India and EFTA countries, facilitate services trade and investment flows, include provisions for intellectual property protection, and establish dispute resolution mechanisms. The sustainability chapter ensures that trade liberalization does not come at the cost of environmental degradation or labour exploitation. EFTA members have committed to significant investments in India, particularly in manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure sectors, while India gains preferential market access for textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and IT services.

Why: Free Trade Agreements and India’s trade policy are important economic topics. Questions on FTAs, EFTA, trade negotiations, sustainability clauses in trade agreements, and India’s export strategy appear in UPSC Prelims (Economy) and Mains GS3 (Trade Policy, Economic Development). This topic connects to India’s pursuit of bilateral and regional trade agreements, concerns about trade deficits with developed nations, and balancing economic openness with protection of domestic industries and labour rights.

What: India recorded USD 18.62 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows during April-June of Financial Year 2026 (Q1 FY26), representing a 15% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Including reinvested earnings, total FDI stood at USD 25.2 billion. The growth was driven by a sharp rise in investments from the United States, with software services, automotive, renewable energy, and pharmaceutical sectors attracting maximum capital. Karnataka and Maharashtra emerged as leading states by FDI destination.

How: FDI inflows are facilitated through automatic and government approval routes across various sectors as per India’s FDI policy. Recent liberalization measures—including 100% FDI in insurance, increased limits in defense manufacturing, and streamlined approval processes—have enhanced India’s attractiveness. The surge in US investments reflects growing confidence in India’s economic fundamentals, demographic dividend, digital infrastructure, and reforms like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. Technology hubs in Bengaluru and industrial clusters in Maharashtra continue to attract global capital.

Why: FDI is a crucial indicator of economic health and investor confidence. Questions on FDI policy, sectoral caps, automatic vs. approval routes, and India’s investment climate appear in UPSC Prelims (Economy) and Mains GS3 (Foreign Investment, Economic Development). This topic connects to Make in India, Ease of Doing Business reforms, the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), and India’s strategy to position itself as a manufacturing alternative to China through the China Plus One policy.

What: The Vision, Language to Graphics (VL2G) research group at IIT Jodhpur is developing advanced artificial intelligence tools for Indian languages and digital heritage preservation. The team is building Bhashini-linked technologies including scene-text recognition systems capable of processing 13 Indian languages, real-time multilingual translation support, and deep-learning applications to digitally restore and preserve ancient manuscripts, inscriptions, and historical documents that are deteriorating or damaged.

How: The research involves training AI models on large datasets of Indian language scripts (Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, etc.) to recognize text in diverse formats—from street signs to handwritten manuscripts. The scene-text recognition technology uses computer vision and optical character recognition (OCR) to identify and extract text from images and videos. For manuscript preservation, deep learning algorithms analyze damaged portions, predict missing text, and reconstruct illegible sections based on linguistic patterns and historical context. These tools integrate with the government’s Bhashini platform for wider accessibility.

Why: AI for Indian languages and digital heritage preservation are important technological and cultural initiatives. Questions on Bhashini, Digital India, language technology, AI applications, and cultural preservation appear in UPSC Prelims (Science & Tech) and Mains GS3 (Technology for Development). This topic connects to the National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on mother-tongue education, efforts to bridge the digital divide for non-English speakers, and India’s commitment to preserving its rich linguistic and manuscript heritage using cutting-edge technology.

What: Teacher’s Day is observed annually on September 5 in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975), a distinguished philosopher, scholar, and India’s second President (1962-1967). The 2025 theme is “Inspiring the Next Generation of Learners,” emphasizing the transformative role of teachers in shaping society. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a proponent of education as the foundation of national development and believed deeply in the dignity of the teaching profession.

How: Teacher’s Day celebrations include award ceremonies honoring outstanding educators through schemes like the National Awards to Teachers, student-organized events recognizing teachers’ contributions, seminars on educational innovation and pedagogy, and policy announcements related to teacher welfare, training, and professional development. The day serves as an occasion to reflect on challenges in the education sector—including teacher shortages, training gaps, and working conditions—and to reaffirm commitment to quality education as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Why: Education policy and the role of teachers are fundamental to India’s human resource development. Questions on Dr. Radhakrishnan’s contributions, teacher training initiatives, Right to Education Act provisions on teacher qualifications, and NEP 2020’s focus on teacher empowerment appear in UPSC Prelims (Social Issues) and Mains GS2 (Education Policy). This topic connects to schemes like PM SHRI Schools, DIKSHA digital platform for teacher training, and efforts to improve pupil-teacher ratios and pedagogical quality across India’s education system.