GK One-Liners

What: Mahavir Jayanti 2026 marks the 2,624th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira (born ~599 BCE), the 24th and final Tirthankara (ford-maker/spiritual teacher) of Jainism. He was born in Kundagrama, Vaishali district, Bihar, and attained Moksha (liberation) at Pawapuri (also called Apapapuri or Jalpuri), Nalanda district, Bihar, around 527 BCE at the age of ~72.

How: Mahavira propagated the Panca Mahavrata (Five Great Vows) — Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). The Jal Mandir (water temple), built in the middle of a lotus pond at Pawapuri, marks the exact site of his liberation and is among the most revered Jain pilgrimage destinations in India.

Why: GS-I (Indian Heritage & Culture) regularly features questions on Jain philosophy, Tirthankaras, and sacred sites. The distinction between 23rd Tirthankara (Parshvanatha) and 24th (Mahavira), his birthplace (Vaishali), and liberation site (Nalanda/Pawapuri) are classic Prelims MCQ anchors. The Panca Mahavrata are frequently contrasted with Buddhist Pancasila in comparative religion questions.

What: India launched its first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana (~89 km, Northern Railway). Manufactured by ICF (Integral Coach Factory), Chennai, and tested by RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation), the train has 10 coaches (8 passenger + 2 DPCs — Driving Power Cars) with a total power output of 2,400 kW. It emits zero CO₂; the only byproduct is water vapour. India is now the 5th country in the world to operate hydrogen rail, after Germany, Sweden, Japan, and China.

How: The train runs on green hydrogen produced via electrolysis at a dedicated 1 MW hydrogen plant at Jind station, with 3,000 kg on-site storage. Trial runs achieved speeds of 70 kmph over 20 km; commercial operations are planned at up to 110 kmph. The project supports Indian Railways’ Net Zero 2030 target and the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Why: This is a convergence topic spanning GS-III (Science & Technology + Environment). Key Prelims anchors: ICF Chennai, RDSO, the 5-country list, broad-gauge specification (world’s longest broad-gauge hydrogen train), and hydrogen electrolysis. Mains angles include India’s decarbonisation strategy, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and public transport innovation for net-zero commitments.

What: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts worth Rs 858 crore: (1) Rs 445 crore for the Tunguska Air Defence Missile System for the Indian Army, procured from JSC Rosoboronexport (Russia); (2) Rs 413 crore for a P-8I Depot-Level Inspection (DLI) for the Indian Navy, contracted with Boeing India Defense (BDI), USA. The DAC (Defence Acquisition Council), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, also approved defence capital proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore in the same session.

How: The Tunguska is a Russian self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon system combining 2A38M 30mm automatic guns with SA-19 Grison surface-to-air missiles; it is designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs at short-to-medium range. P-8I (Poseidon-8I) is a long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft operated by the Indian Navy; DLI refers to deep-level maintenance checks conducted at depot facilities.

Why: GS-III (Internal Security & Defence) and GS-II (India’s foreign policy) intersect here — India’s simultaneous procurement from Russia (Tunguska) and the USA (P-8I) illustrates its strategic autonomy and multi-alignment defence posture. Prelims anchors: Tunguska system description, P-8I platform, Rosoboronexport, DAC composition and role, and the significance of Rajnath Singh chairing it.

What: UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the formation of a UN Task Force focused on the Strait of Hormuz, led by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services). The task force brings together UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), IMO (International Maritime Organization), and ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) to develop technical mechanisms addressing humanitarian needs arising from the West Asia conflict.

How: The political management of the task force is handled by Jean Arnault, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy. The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman — is one of the world’s most critical oil and gas chokepoints, through which roughly 20% of global petroleum trade passes. The task force’s mandate is to design practical, technical solutions for ensuring humanitarian cargo access through the strait amid ongoing regional conflict.

Why: GS-II (International Relations + Multilateral Institutions) and GS-III (Energy Security) converge here. Key Prelims anchors: UNOPS and its Executive Director, the three member organisations (UNCTAD, IMO, ICC), and the geography of the Strait of Hormuz. Mains angles include: India’s energy security (India imports significant crude via the Strait), humanitarian corridors in conflict zones, and the role of multilateral bodies in managing geopolitical flashpoints.

What: The NCBC (National Commission for Backward Classes) was originally established as a statutory body under the NCBC Act, 1993. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, elevated it to a constitutional body by inserting Article 338B into the Constitution. NCBC functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) and is headquartered in New Delhi. In March 2026, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti was appointed as the new Chairperson, succeeding Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.

How: As a constitutional body under Article 338B, NCBC now has the mandate to examine complaints and welfare measures relating to socially and educationally backward classes. Its elevation means it can no longer be dissolved by simple legislation — only a constitutional amendment can alter its structure. Article 338 covers the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and Article 338A covers the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).

Why: This is a high-yield Polity topic for both Prelims and Mains GS-II (Indian Constitution — Statutory, Regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies). The trio of Articles 338/338A/338B is a classic MCQ cluster testing the student’s ability to match the Commission with the correct Article. The distinction between statutory and constitutional status, and the specific amendment number (102nd, 2018), are frequently tested anchor facts.

What: From 1 April 2026, the Income Tax Act, 2025 replaces the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961. The new Income Tax Rules, 2026 were notified by CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes). Key changes include: (1) the term “Tax Year” replaces the dual terminology of “Financial Year” and “Assessment Year”; (2) the rebate under Section 87A is raised to Rs 60,000, making income up to Rs 12 lakh effectively tax-free under the New Tax Regime; (3) income tax slabs for FY 2026-27 remain unchanged.

How: CBDT, which functions under the Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance), notified the new rules. The consolidation removes archaic language, restructures the Act into simplified chapters, and introduces the unified “Tax Year” concept to eliminate the confusion caused by the previous year/assessment year distinction. The Rs 12 lakh zero-tax threshold applies to the New Tax Regime introduced in 2020 and made the default regime in 2023.

Why: GS-III (Indian Economy — Taxation, Budget) is directly covered. Prelims anchors: CBDT’s role, Section 87A rebate amount (Rs 60,000), the Rs 12 lakh threshold, and the replacement of the 1961 Act. Mains angles include: tax simplification as a governance reform, the shift from dual-year terminology to “Tax Year,” the New vs. Old Tax Regime debate, and the fiscal significance of FY end (31 March) as a regulatory milestone. The timing — FY2025-26 end — makes this a near-certain question in current affairs rounds.