GK One-Liners

What: The RELIEF (Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme is a government initiative under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), with a financial outlay of ₹497 crore. It is part of the broader Export Promotion Mission (EPM) aimed at sustaining India’s export momentum despite global headwinds.

How: The scheme provides financial and logistical support to exporters whose supply chains have been disrupted by the West Asia conflict, particularly those using Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes. It compensates eligible exporters for higher freight costs, rerouting expenses, and related disruptions through a DGFT-administered disbursement mechanism.

Why: This is high-yield for GS-III (Indian Economy — Trade & Export Policy) and GS-II (Government Schemes). UPSC often asks about export promotion bodies (DGFT), mission-mode programmes, and India’s response to external economic shocks. The full-form expansion and ₹497 crore outlay are strong Prelims anchors.

What: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) released the Midterm Review of the 20th Electric Power Survey (EPS) at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, projecting India’s installed electricity capacity to reach 1,121 GW (Gigawatts) by 2035-36, up from approximately 520 GW in January 2026. Peak demand is projected at 459 GW, with total electricity requirement at 3,365 BU (Billion Units).

How: The EPS is a periodic survey mandated to CEA under the Ministry of Power to forecast India’s long-term electricity demand and supply requirements. It factors in GDP growth projections, industrial expansion, urbanisation trends, and the increasing share of renewables in the energy mix.

Why: Critical for GS-III (Energy Security, Infrastructure). UPSC frequently tests knowledge of India’s energy targets, the role of CEA, and the distinction between installed capacity and peak demand. The 1,121 GW figure and the 2035-36 horizon are precise Prelims anchors. This also links to India’s climate commitments under NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions).

What: Finland topped the World Happiness Report 2026 for the 9th consecutive year, followed by other Nordic nations and Iceland. A notable highlight was Costa Rica rising to 4th place — the highest-ever ranking for a Latin American nation. The report, published under the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), also highlighted a new finding linking heavy social media use to increased unhappiness among youth globally.

How: The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on self-reported life evaluations (Cantril ladder), complemented by six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Data is drawn from the Gallup World Poll.

Why: Relevant for GS-II (International Reports, Social Issues) and GS-I (Society). UPSC often asks about the methodology or publishing body of global indices. Finland’s 9-year streak, Costa Rica’s 4th rank, and the social media–youth unhappiness linkage are all strong distractor-level Prelims facts. The SDSN–UN association is a key institutional anchor.

What: The International Day of Forests is observed on 21 March every year, established by UN Resolution A/RES/67/200 (2012). The 2026 theme is “Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption,” emphasising the role of forests in supply chains, livelihoods, and circular economy frameworks. India’s current forest cover stands at 25.17% of its geographical area, as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023.

How: The day is coordinated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Countries are invited to undertake local, national, and international activities related to forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns, policy dialogues, and awareness events. India’s forest governance involves the Forest Conservation Act (1980), the National Forest Policy (1988), and the Van Mahotsav campaign.

Why: Highly relevant for GS-III (Environment & Ecology — Forest Conservation) and GS-II (International Institutions — FAO). UPSC Prelims frequently asks the exact UN resolution numbers for international days, India’s forest cover percentage, and the year of key forest-related legislation. The 25.17% figure from ISFR 2023 is a must-remember Prelims anchor.

What: Krishi Sakhi is a year-long women farmer empowerment programme launched by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) under the Ministry of Finance. The programme aligns with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising women’s central role in food security and agricultural productivity globally.

How: AIC, a public sector company, runs Krishi Sakhi to extend insurance literacy, crop insurance access, and financial inclusion to women engaged in agriculture — particularly small and marginal farmers. It works in convergence with schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and PM Kisan to build a comprehensive support ecosystem for women farmers.

Why: Relevant for GS-II (Welfare Schemes, Women Empowerment) and GS-III (Agriculture, Food Security). UPSC tests the parent ministries of agricultural bodies — AIC under Ministry of Finance (not Agriculture) is a common trap. The FAO’s 2026 designation is also a high-utility Prelims fact. This topic connects to broader themes of gender and development.

What: The ongoing West Asia conflict has escalated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatening to impose a toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil transits. Brent crude prices have surged to approximately USD 115 per barrel. India has invoked the Essential Commodities Act (ECA) for LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) to regulate supply and pricing domestically. A tanker named Aqua Titan carrying 7.7 lakh barrels of Russian-origin crude is en route to New Mangalore Port.

How: The ECA, 1955 empowers the central government to declare a commodity “essential” and regulate its production, supply, and distribution to prevent hoarding, profiteering, and artificial scarcity. Invoking ECA for LPG allows the government to fix prices, restrict exports, and ensure equitable domestic distribution. India also diversifies crude sourcing from Russia, West Asia, and the Americas to hedge against supply shocks.

Why: Highly exam-relevant for GS-II (International Relations — West Asia) and GS-III (Energy Security, ECA). UPSC Mains asks about India’s energy vulnerability, the significance of Hormuz, and government tools for supply management. The ECA invocation angle is a direct Prelims fact. The geopolitical-economic linkage — Hormuz threat → crude price spike → domestic policy response — is a classic Mains analytical thread.