GK One-Liners

What: India has added a record 52,537 MW of power generation capacity in FY2025-26, with renewable energy contributing 39,657 MW (75.5% of additions). This takes India’s total installed capacity to approximately 521 GW, with a historic milestone: non-fossil fuel capacity has now surpassed fossil fuel capacity for the first time.

How: The surge in renewable capacity is driven by large-scale solar parks, offshore and onshore wind projects, and policy support through Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for solar manufacturing. Government initiatives like PM-KUSUM, rooftop solar subsidies, and Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) have accelerated the transition alongside declining costs of solar and wind technology.

Why: India’s energy transition is a core UPSC theme spanning GS-III (Environment, Infrastructure) and international commitments. This connects to India’s NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) targets under the Paris Agreement, the Net Zero 2070 pledge, and questions on renewable energy policies, grid integration challenges, and energy security.

What: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gujarat. The pilot operates in four districts—Ahmedabad, Anand, Valsad, and Surat—using e-Rupee (e₹) coupons for beneficiaries to purchase subsidized food grains.

How: Beneficiaries receive digital coupons in their CBDC wallets instead of physical ration cards. These e₹ coupons can be redeemed at designated Fair Price Shops (FPS), ensuring transparency, reducing leakages, and enabling real-time tracking of distribution. The system builds on RBI’s retail CBDC pilot launched in December 2022.

Why: CBDC applications in welfare delivery combine multiple UPSC themes: digital currency, financial inclusion, PDS reforms, and good governance. Questions on e-Rupee features (programmability, offline transactions), comparison with UPI, and blockchain vs CBDC distinctions are increasingly relevant for Prelims and GS-III Economy.

What: The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has announced the first call under the Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund with a corpus of ₹2,000 crore. The fund targets deep-tech sectors including Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, and emerging technologies. Applications are open until March 31, 2026, as part of the larger ₹1 lakh crore RDI initiative.

How: BIRAC, a Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), acts as an interface between academia and industry. The RDI Fund provides grants, equity support, and soft loans to startups, SMEs, and research institutions working on translational research—converting laboratory innovations into market-ready products.

Why: India’s innovation ecosystem and S&T funding mechanisms are important for UPSC. BIRAC’s role, along with other bodies like SERB, DST, and Startup India, connects to questions on R&D expenditure, innovation policy, and Atmanirbhar Bharat in technology. The ₹1 lakh crore RDI corpus announced in Budget signals priority for indigenous capability building.

What: The SING (Singapore-India-Gulf) submarine cable system will connect five nations: UAE, Oman, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. The cable features 16 fibre pairs with a capacity of 18 Terabits per second (Tbps). Being built by SubCom, it is scheduled for Ready for Service (RFS) by 2030.

How: Submarine cables carry over 95% of intercontinental data traffic. The SING cable will have landing points in India, enhancing bandwidth for data centres, cloud services, and internet connectivity. It complements existing cables like SEA-ME-WE and India-Europe-Xpress (IEX), diversifying India’s international connectivity routes.

Why: Digital infrastructure and international connectivity are emerging UPSC themes. Questions on submarine cables, their strategic importance, landing station locations in India, and data sovereignty concerns connect to GS-III (Infrastructure, Science & Tech) and GS-II (International Relations). India’s participation in such projects reflects its growing role in global digital architecture.

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects worth ₹5,450 crore during his Assam visit. Key highlights include the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu—a 6-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra River—along with the Economic and Logistics Facility (ELF), a New Development Centre (NDC), and 225 electric buses for urban transport.

How: The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu enhances trans-Brahmaputra connectivity, reducing travel time and supporting economic integration of regions on both banks. Named after the 7th-century Kamarupa king, it reflects Assam’s historical heritage. The e-bus deployment aligns with FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme goals.

Why: Northeast development features prominently in UPSC syllabi, connecting to Act East Policy, border area development, and infrastructure challenges. Questions on Brahmaputra bridges, NE connectivity initiatives, and state-specific development programs are common. The blend of heritage naming with modern infrastructure reflects India’s approach to development communication.

What: Uday Kotak, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank and recipient of Padma Bhushan 2026, has been appointed Chairman of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City). He replaces Hasmukh Adhia in this role. GIFT City houses India’s first and only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).

How: GIFT City operates as a special economic zone with a distinct regulatory framework enabling international financial transactions in foreign currencies. It hosts entities like international banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges (NSE IFSC, BSE IFSC), and aircraft leasing companies, competing with financial hubs like Singapore and Dubai.

Why: GIFT City and IFSCA are important for UPSC Economy and Governance sections. Questions cover IFSC regulations, their role in financial services exports, aircraft leasing ecosystem, and comparison with SEZs. Kotak’s appointment signals continued focus on positioning India as a global financial hub—relevant for GS-III (Economic Development) and current affairs.