GK One-Liners

What: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant inaugurated India’s first fully paperless district court in Kalpetta, Kerala. The court features advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, digital signatures, automated case summaries, and complete elimination of physical documentation. This initiative aligns with the e-Courts Mission Mode Project under Digital India, aiming to modernize India’s judicial infrastructure and reduce case pendency through technology integration.

How: The court operates using cloud-based case management systems, AI-powered legal research tools, and digital filing mechanisms accessible to lawyers and litigants remotely. Automated case summaries reduce judicial workload, while digital signatures ensure authentication and security. The infrastructure includes e-filing portals, virtual hearing facilities, and real-time case tracking, enabling 24/7 access to court services and enhancing transparency in judicial proceedings.

Why: This development connects to UPSC GS2 (Governance, E-Governance applications, Judiciary) and GS3 (Science & Technology). Questions on judicial reforms, Digital India initiatives, and AI applications in governance are frequent in Prelims and Mains. The topic ties into themes like transparency, accountability, access to justice, and the National Judicial Data Grid. It exemplifies how technology can address India’s challenge of 4.5 crore pending cases.

What: Tamil Nadu launched India’s first dedicated Deep-Tech Startup Policy with a ₹100 crore corpus fund to support startups in cutting-edge sectors including Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum computing, and space technology. The policy aims to position Tamil Nadu as India’s deep-tech innovation hub, addressing critical technology gaps and promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat in strategic sectors where India currently relies on imports.

How: The policy provides financial assistance through grants, equity investment, and concessional loans to early-stage deep-tech startups. It establishes dedicated incubation centers, R&D labs, and technology parks with advanced infrastructure. The initiative includes patent support, regulatory facilitation, public procurement preferences, and collaboration mechanisms with IITs, research institutions, and global tech firms. Startups receive mentorship, market access support, and connections to venture capital networks for scaling operations.

Why: This topic is crucial for UPSC GS3 (Science & Technology, Innovation, Industrial Policy) and fits into themes like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and technological self-reliance. Questions on state innovation policies, semiconductor mission, and India’s tech startup ecosystem appear in both Prelims and Mains. The policy addresses India’s position in emerging technologies, critical for national security, economic competitiveness, and achieving $5 trillion economy goals. It connects to semiconductor policy, chip manufacturing initiatives, and global supply chain resilience.

What: India has launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra to establish a comprehensive Joint Counter-Drone Grid by 2035, integrating soft-kill systems (jamming, GPS spoofing) and hard-kill systems (kinetic interceptors, directed energy weapons). This tri-service initiative addresses the growing threat of hostile drones used for surveillance, weapons delivery, and attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly along India’s western and northern borders where drone intrusions have increased significantly.

How: The mission involves deployment of multi-layered detection systems using radar, radio frequency sensors, and electro-optical systems to identify drones at various ranges. Soft-kill methods will disrupt drone communication and navigation, while hard-kill systems will physically neutralize threats. The grid integrates Army, Navy, and Air Force capabilities under a unified command structure, sharing real-time threat intelligence. Indigenous development through DRDO and private sector partnerships ensures technological self-reliance and reduces import dependence for counter-drone technologies.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC GS3 (Internal Security, Border Management, Defence Technology) and fits into themes of strategic autonomy, Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, and modern warfare challenges. Questions on asymmetric threats, drone warfare, border security, and tri-service integration appear regularly. The topic connects to recent drone attacks in Jammu region, Pathankot airbase security concerns, and India’s defence modernization roadmap. It exemplifies India’s approach to counter new-age threats and the shift toward indigenous defence production under Aatmanirbhar Bharat policy.

What: The National Statistical Office (NSO) released the First Advance Estimates for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), projecting India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 7.4%. The services sector is projected to lead with 9.1% growth, followed by manufacturing at 5.3% and agriculture at 3.8%. These estimates are released in early January each year to aid government policy planning, budget formulation, and provide clarity to investors on economic trajectory for the upcoming fiscal year.

How: The NSO compiles estimates using data from various sources including tax collections, industrial production indices, agricultural output, corporate filings, and sectoral surveys. The methodology follows System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008 framework with 2011-12 as the base year. Advance estimates use partial data and extrapolation techniques, with subsequent revisions (Provisional and Final Estimates) incorporating more comprehensive information. The 7.4% growth reflects robust domestic consumption, strong services sector performance, and government capital expenditure, despite global headwinds.

Why: This topic is crucial for UPSC GS3 (Indian Economy, National Income Accounting, Economic Indicators) and connects to budget preparation, policy evaluation, and macroeconomic stability. Questions on GDP calculation methodology, sectoral contributions, and economic growth drivers are frequent in Prelims and Mains. The 7.4% projection positions India as the fastest-growing major economy globally, reinforcing themes of resilient growth, demographic dividend, and structural reforms. It also relates to inflation management, employment generation, and India’s $5 trillion economy aspirations, making it relevant for current affairs and essay topics on economic development.

What: Phase-I of the All-India Tiger Estimation 2026 was launched in Tamil Nadu’s Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary, marking the fifth nationwide tiger census since Project Tiger began in 1973. The exercise uses the line transect method to assess not only tiger populations but also prey species (deer, wild boar), bird diversity, and vegetation characteristics. This comprehensive scientific census occurs every four years and provides critical data on tiger habitats, corridors, threats, and conservation effectiveness across India’s 53 tiger reserves.

How: The estimation employs a three-phase methodology. Phase-I involves systematic line transect surveys where trained teams walk predetermined routes recording direct and indirect evidence (pugmarks, scat, camera trap images). Phase-II uses intensive camera trapping to capture individual tiger stripe patterns for identification. Phase-III involves statistical modeling using mark-recapture analysis to estimate population sizes. The exercise covers approximately 3.82 lakh square kilometers of forested landscape, engaging 10,000+ field personnel, state forest departments, Wildlife Institute of India, and NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority).

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC GS3 (Environment & Biodiversity, Conservation) and connects to India’s successful tiger recovery story—from 1,400 tigers in 2006 to over 3,000 in 2022. Questions on wildlife census methods, Project Tiger, tiger corridors, and conservation challenges appear regularly in Prelims and Mains. The topic links to International Tiger Day, CITES regulations, poaching issues, habitat fragmentation, and India’s commitment to doubling tiger populations (St. Petersburg Declaration). It exemplifies India’s leadership in wildlife conservation and the balance between development and ecology, relevant for environmental governance and policy evaluation questions.

What: India launched the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative alongside the Raisina Dialogue 2026, Asia’s premier geopolitical conference. This initiative aims to strengthen global technology governance frameworks and enhance scientific cooperation through multilateral partnerships. It addresses critical issues like AI regulation, climate technology transfer, pandemic preparedness, space collaboration, and cyber security. The initiative positions India as a thought leader in science diplomacy, leveraging its technological capabilities and democratic values to shape international norms in emerging technologies.

How: The initiative operates through multi-track engagement involving government agencies, research institutions, private sector, and civil society. It facilitates knowledge exchange through conferences, joint research projects, technology co-development, and capacity building programs with partner nations. The framework promotes equitable access to emerging technologies, particularly for Global South countries, while establishing regulatory best practices. It complements India’s existing diplomatic mechanisms like QUAD technology partnerships, ISA (International Solar Alliance), CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure), and bilateral S&T cooperation agreements with USA, EU, and Indo-Pacific nations.

Why: This topic is crucial for UPSC GS2 (International Relations, India’s Foreign Policy) and GS3 (Science & Technology in International Context). Questions on science diplomacy, technology transfer, global technology governance, and India’s role in multilateral forums appear in Mains essays and GS papers. The initiative connects to themes of strategic autonomy, multi-alignment, Global South leadership, and India’s rising stature in international affairs. It reflects India’s approach to balancing national interests with global responsibilities, particularly relevant in contexts of US-China tech rivalry, AI regulation debates, and equitable vaccine distribution lessons from COVID-19 pandemic.