GK One-Liners

What: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has recognized four of India’s ritual theatre forms—Kutiyattam, Mudiyettu, Ramman and Ramlila—as Intangible Cultural Heritage. These ancient performance traditions blend music, dance and drama with sacred storytelling, typically performed in temples or village spaces during religious festivals.

How: These heritage practices are preserved through institutional support from the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), which provides training programs, documentation initiatives, and financial backing to ensure these art forms are transmitted to the next generation. The UNESCO listing requires countries to demonstrate active conservation efforts and community participation in keeping these traditions alive.

Why: Questions on India’s UNESCO-listed heritage sites and practices appear regularly in UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams under Art & Culture. Understanding the intangible cultural heritage list helps in answering questions about India’s soft power, cultural diplomacy, and the distinction between tangible and intangible heritage. This topic is also relevant for essay writing on cultural preservation and national identity.

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made two-factor authentication (2FA) mandatory for all digital payment modes including UPI (Unified Payments Interface), net banking, debit/credit cards, and digital wallets starting from 1 April 2026. This security framework goes beyond SMS OTP (One-Time Password) to include biometrics, physical tokens, passphrases, and risk-based authentication checks for high-value or suspicious transactions.

How: The enhanced authentication system will layer multiple verification methods to confirm a user’s identity. For instance, biometric fingerprint or face recognition may be combined with device-specific tokens or behavioural analytics. Small-value transactions might be exempted to maintain user convenience while critical payments will undergo stricter verification to prevent fraud like phishing attacks and SIM swap scams.

Why: Digital payment security is a hot topic in Banking and Economy sections of competitive exams, particularly SSC, IBPS, RBI Grade B, and UPSC Prelims. Questions often test knowledge of RBI’s recent circulars, payment system security features, and fintech regulations. Understanding 2FA implementation timelines and methods helps in current affairs questions about financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and digital banking infrastructure.

What: The Border Security Force (BSF) has launched an AI (Artificial Intelligence) and GIS (Geographic Information System) powered Decision Support System to strengthen surveillance along India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. This integrated command centre combines real-time sensor data, incident reports, and geographical mapping to provide a comprehensive operational picture of border activities.

How: The system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze historical data patterns and predict potential smuggling routes, infiltration hotspots, and vulnerable border segments. Sensors placed along the border feed continuous data into the system, which is processed by AI models to detect anomalies, raise alerts, and suggest optimal resource deployment. The GIS component provides visualization of terrain, patrol routes, and incident locations for better strategic planning.

Why: Questions on border management, internal security architecture, and technology adoption in defence forces are common in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 (Security) and IB ACIO exams. Understanding AI applications in border security, the role of paramilitary forces, and smart border infrastructure is crucial for questions on modernization of security apparatus, challenges in border management, and India’s response to cross-border threats.

What: India and Bhutan have cleared their first railway connectivity proposals, marking a historic step in bilateral infrastructure cooperation. Two cross-border rail projects have been sanctioned: the Kokrajhar–Gelephu link (₹3,456 crore) and the Banarhat–Samtse link (₹577 crore). These railways will provide Bhutan—a landlocked Himalayan nation—with direct access to Indian railways and subsequently to Indian ports for international trade.

How: The projects will connect Bhutanese towns with Indian railway networks in Assam and West Bengal, creating seamless cargo and passenger movement. India is funding and executing these projects as part of its broader ₹10,000 crore assistance package under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes infrastructure development. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized this as a “major step” in deepening people-to-people connectivity and economic integration between the two nations.

Why: India-Bhutan relations are frequently tested in UPSC Mains (especially GS Paper 2: International Relations) and State PSC exams. Questions focus on India’s Neighbourhood First policy, hydropower cooperation, and strategic importance of Bhutan in countering China’s influence. Understanding specific infrastructure projects, their costs, and strategic benefits helps in answering questions on bilateral relations, cross-border connectivity initiatives, and India’s role in South Asian economic development.

What: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the India-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Free Trade Agreement will come into effect from 1 October 2025. EFTA comprises four European nations: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This agreement is expected to boost trade and investment flows between India and these technologically advanced European economies.

How: The FTA will reduce tariff barriers, facilitate market access for Indian goods and services, and create a framework for investment protection. Minister Goyal highlighted India’s ambitious trade strategy, noting that India is simultaneously negotiating agreements with the US, EU, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, and Chile, while Qatar and Bahrain have expressed interest. He emphasized India’s economic trajectory, currently positioned as the 4th largest economy globally and targeting the 3rd spot with a goal of reaching $5 trillion GDP.

Why: Questions on India’s trade agreements, export-import trends, and bilateral/multilateral economic partnerships are common in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 3: Economy), and banking exams like IBPS PO and RBI Grade B. Understanding FTA timelines, member countries, and economic implications helps answer questions on India’s foreign trade policy, preferential trade agreements, and global economic integration. Knowledge of EFTA member states and India’s trade negotiation status with multiple countries is crucial for current affairs.

What: SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) posted its highest-ever net profit of ₹4,811 crore in FY25, representing a 19.5% year-on-year increase. The institution’s balance sheet crossed ₹5.6 lakh crore, with asset growth of 8.7% and loan portfolio expansion of 8.8%. Remarkably, SIDBI maintained exceptional asset quality with Gross NPA (Non-Performing Assets) at just 0.04% and Net NPA at absolute zero.

How: SIDBI’s performance reflects its focused approach to MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) financing, digital lending initiatives, and risk management practices. The bank’s mandate includes supporting small industries through direct lending, refinancing, and capacity building programs. SIDBI has announced a 20% dividend and continues to prioritize MSME credit support, digital transformation, renewable energy financing, and geographical expansion through new branches to deepen its reach in underserved regions.

Why: Questions on developmental financial institutions, MSME financing, and performance of specialized banks appear in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 3), and banking exams. Understanding SIDBI’s role, functions, and recent performance metrics helps answer questions on financial inclusion, MSME sector support, government schemes for small industries, and India’s institutional framework for industrial development. Knowledge of NPA ratios and banking sector health indicators is essential for economy-focused questions across competitive exams.