GK One-Liners

What: President Droupadi Murmu became the first Indian President to fly in the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) Prachand during a 25-minute sortie over border areas near Jaisalmer. This was her third military aircraft experience after the Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets.

How: The sortie was conducted as part of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026 held at the Pokhran firing range. The LCH Prachand is India’s indigenously developed light combat helicopter, designed by HAL for anti-infantry, counter-insurgency, and high-altitude operations, capable of operating at altitudes above 5,000 metres.

Why: This highlights India’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing capability under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The LCH Prachand is a key platform in UPSC Defence and Science & Technology sections. Questions on indigenous military platforms, HAL’s role, and India’s self-reliance in defence production are frequently tested in Prelims and Mains GS-III.

What: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted its mega firepower demonstration Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026 at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan. The exercise was witnessed by President Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and showcased day-to-night operations near the western border.

How: The exercise deployed a wide array of platforms including Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets, the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Apache attack helicopters, and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. It demonstrated the IAF’s operational readiness, precision strike capabilities, and integrated combat power across multiple domains.

Why: Vayu Shakti is a recurring exercise that tests the IAF’s combat preparedness. For UPSC aspirants, it is important to know major defence exercises, indigenous aircraft programmes (Tejas, LCH), and India’s strategic posture along the western front. This topic links to GS-III (Security) and GS-II (International Relations).

What: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai on 28 February for a four-day visit aimed at resetting India-Canada bilateral ties. The visit focuses on cooperation in trade, clean energy, and digital infrastructure development.

How: The visit comes after a period of diplomatic strain between the two nations. PM Carney’s agenda includes high-level meetings to rebuild trust and explore economic partnerships, particularly in areas of green energy transition, technology cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people linkages through trade and investment dialogues.

Why: India-Canada relations have been a significant topic in recent current affairs, especially in the context of diplomatic disputes and their resolution. This is relevant for UPSC GS-II (International Relations), with potential questions on bilateral ties, diaspora diplomacy, and India’s foreign policy approach to managing strained relationships with democratic allies.

What: Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar on 27 February 2026, marking the first direct military attack on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The strikes were retaliatory in nature and come amid escalating tensions over the Durand Line dispute between the two nations.

How: The military action was triggered by ongoing cross-border security incidents and the unresolved Durand Line boundary issue, a colonial-era demarcation that Afghanistan’s Taliban government has never officially recognised. Pakistan’s strikes targeted areas believed to harbour militant groups operating against Pakistani interests from Afghan soil.

Why: This development significantly alters South Asian geopolitics and has direct implications for India’s neighbourhood security environment. For UPSC, this links to GS-II topics on India’s neighbourhood policy, the Durand Line’s historical context, Taliban governance challenges, and regional stability in South Asia. It may also feature in essay papers on security and diplomacy.

What: National Science Day is celebrated on 28 February every year to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman in 1928. Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for this discovery, becoming the first Asian scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in any field of science.

How: The Raman Effect describes the change in wavelength (inelastic scattering) of light when it passes through a transparent medium. This phenomenon became a powerful tool for molecular analysis in chemistry, physics, and materials science. National Science Day was designated by the Government of India in 1986 to promote scientific temper and awareness across the country.

Why: National Science Day is a perennial favourite in competitive exams, appearing in Prelims factual questions and Science & Technology sections. Key facts to remember include the year of discovery (1928), Nobel Prize year (1930), and that the day promotes scientific temper as enshrined in Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution — a fundamental duty of every citizen.

What: The 4th World Ocean Science Congress (WOSC) 2026 was held at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Panaji, Goa, under the theme ‘Ocean Health & Sustainable Future’. The congress was co-organised by NIO, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), and Goa University.

How: The event was inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and brought together ocean scientists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss marine biodiversity, ocean pollution, blue economy strategies, and sustainable use of ocean resources. It aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Why: Ocean governance and the Blue Economy are increasingly important in UPSC Mains, particularly under GS-III (Environment and Biodiversity). Students should note NIO’s role as India’s premier oceanographic research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the significance of NCPOR in polar and ocean research for India’s maritime interests.