GK One-Liners

What: India and the European Union (EU) held a Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation meeting at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe in New Delhi under the supervision of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. This high-level dialogue focused on strengthening collaborative research programs, technology transfer mechanisms, and joint innovation initiatives across critical sectors including clean energy, digital technologies, and biotechnology.

How: The meeting builds on the India-EU Strategic Partnership established in 2004 and the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) launched in 2021. Cooperation areas include the EU’s Horizon Europe research program (€95.5 billion budget) where Indian researchers can participate, joint projects under the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, quantum computing collaborations, and 5G/6G technology development. The Principal Scientific Adviser’s office coordinates with the Department of Science & Technology and sectoral ministries to implement bilateral agreements.

Why: This is crucial for UPSC GS-II (International Relations) covering India’s bilateral partnerships, science diplomacy, and technology cooperation frameworks. Questions test knowledge of India-EU relations including the Trade and Technology Council, India’s participation in multilateral research programs, technology transfer agreements under WTO TRIPS framework, and India’s efforts to position itself as a global innovation hub. The meeting aligns with India’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020 and international R&D cooperation strategies.

What: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched “Bond Central,” a centralized corporate bond database developed in collaboration with the Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPP) Association and Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) including stock exchanges and depositories. This platform consolidates comprehensive information on corporate bonds, improving transparency and accessibility for investors and market participants.

How: Bond Central integrates data from NSE, BSE, and depositories (NSDL, CDSL) to provide real-time information on bond issuances, credit ratings, interest payment schedules, redemption details, and secondary market trading data. The platform enables retail and institutional investors to access standardized bond information, compare offerings, and make informed investment decisions. It addresses the information asymmetry that has historically limited retail participation in India’s corporate bond market, which is dominated by institutional players with over 95% share.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and Banking exams covering capital market development, corporate financing, and financial sector reforms. Questions test understanding of debt vs. equity markets, bond market infrastructure, SEBI’s regulatory initiatives, differences between government securities (G-Secs) and corporate bonds, credit rating agencies (CRISIL, ICRA, CARE), and measures to deepen India’s bond market as outlined in the Union Budget proposals. The initiative supports India’s goal to develop a robust corporate bond market essential for long-term infrastructure financing.

What: India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue increased 9.1% year-on-year (YoY) to ₹1.84 lakh crore in February 2025, reflecting sustained economic activity and improved tax compliance. This marks consistent monthly collections above the ₹1.7 lakh crore threshold, indicating robust consumption demand and effective revenue administration.

How: The growth in GST collections stems from multiple factors including the continued formalization of the economy post-GST implementation (2017), enhanced digital invoicing through the e-invoice system mandatory for businesses above threshold turnover, stricter anti-evasion measures through data analytics and AI-powered scrutiny, and improved taxpayer compliance due to input tax credit (ITC) mechanisms. The revenue comprises Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Integrated GST (IGST), and compensation cess collected across goods and services transactions.

Why: GST revenue trends are among the most frequently tested economic indicators in UPSC Prelims/Mains and Banking exams. Questions cover GST structure (dual GST model with concurrent taxation powers), revenue sharing between Centre and states (50:50 for CGST-SGST), GST Council composition and decision-making, recent rate rationalization debates, and GST’s impact on fiscal federalism. Strong GST collections reduce government dependence on borrowing, support higher capital expenditure, and indicate consumption-driven economic recovery. The 9.1% growth also reflects inflation-adjusted real economic expansion and increased formalization reducing the shadow economy.

What: Bank of Baroda received ISO 22301:2019 certification for Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) from the British Standards Institution (BSI). This international standard validates the bank’s preparedness to maintain critical operations during disruptions including natural disasters, cyberattacks, pandemics, or system failures, ensuring uninterrupted customer service and operational resilience.

How: ISO 22301:2019 certification requires implementing comprehensive business continuity frameworks including risk assessment protocols, disaster recovery plans, backup infrastructure, alternative operational sites, crisis management procedures, and regular testing through mock drills. Bank of Baroda established resilient systems for core banking operations, payment settlements, customer data protection, and branch network coordination. The certification process involves rigorous third-party audits verifying compliance with international business continuity standards.

Why: This is relevant for Banking exams and UPSC GS-III (Economy) covering banking sector reforms, operational risk management, and service quality standards. Questions test knowledge of ISO certification frameworks, Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines on business continuity planning for banks, cybersecurity preparedness under RBI’s Cyber Security Framework, and banking sector resilience post-COVID-19 which highlighted the importance of digital infrastructure and continuity planning. Bank of Baroda, India’s third-largest public sector bank with global operations across 17 countries, demonstrates leadership in international banking standards.

What: World Hearing Day is observed annually on 3 March under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) initiative to raise awareness about hearing loss prevention and promote ear and hearing care globally. The 2025 theme is “Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!” emphasizing accessibility, early detection, and stigma reduction around hearing impairments.

How: WHO estimates over 1.5 billion people worldwide experience hearing loss, with 430 million having disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. World Hearing Day promotes public health interventions including newborn hearing screening, vaccination against rubella and meningitis (causes of hearing loss), safe listening practices to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, timely treatment of ear infections, and access to affordable hearing aids and assistive devices. India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD) launched in 2006-07 conducts screening camps and distributes hearing aids.

Why: This is relevant for UPSC GS-II (Social Justice – Health) covering WHO observances, public health programs, and disability rights under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. Questions test understanding of National Health Mission components, India’s disease control programs, WHO’s role in global health governance, and accessibility provisions under the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). Hearing impairment affects educational outcomes and employment opportunities, making early detection and intervention crucial for inclusive development aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

What: World Wildlife Day is observed on 3 March following the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution adopted on 20 December 2013, proposed by Thailand. The date commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on 3 March 1973. The 2025 theme is “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” highlighting the economic dimensions of biodiversity conservation.

How: The theme emphasizes innovative financing mechanisms for wildlife protection including payment for ecosystem services (PES), biodiversity offsets, green bonds for conservation, wildlife tourism revenue sharing with local communities, and corporate sustainability investments. It addresses the annual $700+ billion biodiversity finance gap identified in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at COP15. Conservation financing ensures sustainable funding for protected area management, anti-poaching operations, habitat restoration, and community-based conservation programs that provide livelihood alternatives to activities harming wildlife.

Why: This is crucial for UPSC GS-III (Environment) covering biodiversity conservation, CITES implementation, and international environmental agreements. Questions test knowledge of India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amendments, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) with ₹60,000+ crore corpus, India’s protected area network (975 protected areas covering 5% of geographical area), and participation in CITES with 183 parties. The financing theme connects to Biodiversity Finance Initiative, ecosystem services valuation, and India’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Framework to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030 (30×30 target).