GK One-Liners

What: Prime Minister Modi visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where multiple bilateral agreements were signed across defence, trade, and technology. India and Malaysia share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was upgraded in 2024, reflecting deepening ties between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

How: The visit builds on the CSP framework by expanding cooperation into new domains including defence technology sharing, enhanced trade corridors, and digital economy partnerships. Malaysia is a key member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the visit reinforces India’s Act East Policy by strengthening bilateral engagement with a strategically located Southeast Asian partner.

Why: India–ASEAN relations and India’s Act East Policy are core UPSC topics under GS-II (International Relations). Students should note that the partnership was upgraded to CSP level in 2024, know the difference between Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and connect this visit to India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy and the Look East-to-Act East evolution. Malaysia’s significance as a major trade partner and host to a large Indian diaspora adds depth for Mains answers.

What: INS Arnala is India’s first indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). The vessel was jointly built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), featuring over 80% indigenous content. The ship is 77.6 metres long and is named after Arnala Fort near Vasai, Maharashtra.

How: The ASW-SWC is designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow coastal waters, littoral zones, and near harbour defence. It is equipped with sonar systems, torpedo tubes, and depth charges optimised for detecting and neutralising submarine threats in India’s coastal waters. The high indigenous content reflects the success of the Make in India initiative in naval defence manufacturing.

Why: Indigenous defence manufacturing is a high-priority UPSC topic under GS-III (Security) and GS-II (Governance—Atmanirbhar Bharat). Key testable facts include the builders (GRSE + L&T), 80% indigenous content, the vessel’s class (ASW-SWC), and its naming origin (Arnala Fort, Vasai). Students should also link this to India’s growing submarine threat perception and the broader naval modernisation programme.

What: The Black Swan Summit India 2026 was held in Bhubaneswar from February 5–6, inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu. The summit brought together 1,700 delegates from 24 countries to discuss emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), and quantum computing. A key highlight was the launch of BharatNetra, a new technology initiative.

How: The summit served as a platform for global leaders, startups, and policymakers to explore disruptive technologies and their applications across sectors. Sessions covered AI-driven governance, quantum-safe encryption, and FinTech innovations for financial inclusion. BharatNetra is positioned as a strategic technology platform aligned with India’s digital transformation goals.

Why: Technology summits hosted by India are frequently tested in competitive exams, particularly for host city, key participants, and flagship announcements. Students should note: Bhubaneswar (host city), President Murmu (inaugurator), 1,700 delegates from 24 countries, and BharatNetra (key launch). The summit’s focus areas connect to UPSC GS-III themes of AI governance, digital economy, and India’s quantum computing ambitions under the National Quantum Mission.

What: The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Milan-Cortina, Italy from February 6 to 22. India has sent 2 athletes to the Games, competing in alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. The host nation Italy has achieved a record haul of 6 medals at these Games.

How: The Milan-Cortina Games are spread across multiple venues in the Lombardy and Veneto regions of northern Italy, utilising both existing and newly built infrastructure. India’s participation, though small, reflects the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) efforts to expand the country’s presence in winter sports through programmes like the Khelo India Winter Games held in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir.

Why: Winter Olympics host cities, India’s participation, and medal tallies are common in competitive exam current affairs sections. Key facts: Milan-Cortina (host), Feb 6–22 (dates), 2 Indian athletes, Italy’s record 6 medals. Also note that the next Winter Olympics will be held in 2030 (French Alps) — a potential follow-up question. Connect India’s winter sports push to the Khelo India programme for a Mains-worthy answer.

What: Indian shooter Meghana Sajjanar won a bronze medal in the 10-metre air rifle event at the Asian Shooting Championships. Her achievement gained widespread attention as she competed and won the medal while being 8 months pregnant, making it a remarkable feat of athletic determination.

How: The 10m air rifle is a precision shooting event where athletes fire at a target 10 metres away using a compressed air rifle. Meghana’s performance demonstrated exceptional focus and composure under the physical demands of advanced pregnancy, earning recognition from the shooting community and sporting bodies worldwide.

Why: Indian achievements in shooting are regularly tested in competitive exams, especially medals at Asian and World Championships. This story also connects to broader themes of women in sports, athlete welfare policies, and India’s strong tradition in shooting events—which have historically been among India’s top Olympic medal prospects. Note the event (10m air rifle) and the championship (Asian Shooting Championships) as key exam facts.

What: World Pulses Day is observed on February 10 every year as designated by the United Nations (UN). The day highlights the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses—including lentils, chickpeas, beans, and dry peas—and their critical role in achieving food security and sustainable agriculture worldwide.

How: The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 73/251 in 2018 to designate February 10 as World Pulses Day, building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (2016). The day promotes awareness of pulses as a protein-rich, affordable food source that also fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers and lowering agriculture’s carbon footprint.

Why: UN-designated days are a staple in competitive exams. India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses, making this topic doubly relevant. Questions may connect World Pulses Day to India’s National Food Security Mission (NFSM), the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime for pulses, and the role of pulses in addressing malnutrition and supporting sustainable farming under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).