GK One-Liners

What: World Health Day (WHD) is observed every year on 7 April to mark the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO), established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The 2026 theme is ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, focusing on maternal and newborn health, preventing maternal deaths, and improving quality of childbirth care globally. The WHO Director-General is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia, who has served since 2017.

How: India has made remarkable progress in reducing its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) — from 254 per 1,00,000 live births (2004–06) to 97 per 1,00,000 live births (2018–20), driven by schemes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and institutional delivery push under the National Health Mission (NHM). India’s SDG 3.1 target is to bring MMR below 70 by 2030.

Why: WHD is a high-frequency MCQ anchor in UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains GS-II (Health), Banking awareness, and SSC. Key anchors: WHO founding date (7 April 1948), 2026 theme, India’s current MMR (97), SDG 3.1 target (<70 by 2030), and WHO DG name and nationality. The MMR trajectory is frequently used in Mains answer writing on maternal health outcomes.

What: National Maritime Day (NMD) is observed on 5 April every year, commemorating the historic first voyage of SS Loyalty on 5 April 1919 — the first Indian-flagged ship operated by The Scindia Steam Navigation Company. 2026 marks the 63rd NMD, with the theme ‘Maritime India — Empowering Progress’. The Grand Finale was held at Bharatratnam Auditorium, Andheri, Mumbai. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is headed by Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

How: India’s maritime strength rests on a 7,516 km coastline, and approximately 90% of India’s trade by volume is conducted via sea. However, 75% of transshipped cargo still passes through foreign ports — Colombo (Sri Lanka), Singapore, and Port Klang (Malaysia) — highlighting a key infrastructure gap. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047 sets the goal of making India a top-5 global maritime power by 2047, aligned with Viksit Bharat.

Why: Maritime topics appear in UPSC Prelims (Geography, Economy), Mains GS-III (Infrastructure), CDS/NDA, and State PSCs. Key MCQ anchors: NMD date (5 April), SS Loyalty (1919), coastline length (7,516 km), 90% trade by sea, 75% transshipment dependency, MAKV 2047, and MoPSW minister. The transshipment gap is a Mains-worthy governance issue.

What: Moody’s Investors Service has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY2026–27 downward to 6.0%, from an earlier estimate of 6.8% — a reduction of 80 basis points (bps). The revision was detailed in the ‘Credit Opinion Report on India’ dated 31 March 2026. For comparison, other forecasts include: OECD at 6.1% and ICRA at 6.5%. India’s CY2025 GDP growth was the highest among G-20 nations at 7.5% (up from 7.2% in CY2024).

How: The primary reason cited is India’s high dependence on West Asia (the Middle East) for energy imports — 55% of crude oil and over 90% of LPG imports come from West Asia, making India vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions in the region. Moody’s projects inflation at 4.8% in FY27, significantly higher than 2.4% in FY26. The Current Account Deficit (CAD) narrowed to 0.4% of GDP in CY2025 (from 0.9% in CY2024) but is expected to widen to 1–1.5% in CY26–CY27.

Why: GDP forecast data from multilateral agencies are high-frequency MCQ anchors in UPSC Prelims, RBI Grade B, IBPS PO, and SBI PO exams. Key anchors: the 80 bps cut, West Asia oil dependency (55% crude / 90%+ LPG), FY27 inflation projection (4.8%), CAD figures, and India’s G-20 growth ranking. The geopolitical-economic linkage (West Asia conflict → Indian growth slowdown) is excellent Mains GS-III material.

What: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has notified the new TV Rating Policy 2026, replacing the decade-old 2014 Television Rating Points (TRP) guidelines. The policy mandates a governance overhaul of TV rating agencies, requiring that their boards have more than 50% independent directors — with no links to broadcasters or advertisers — and prohibiting rating agencies from taking on consultancy roles for industry stakeholders.

How: A critical technical reform under the policy is the expansion of the sample panel: the number of metered homes will increase from 50,000 to 80,000 within 18 months of notification, with a long-term target of 1.20 lakh (1,20,000) metered homes for more statistically robust ratings. The policy also excludes landing page viewership from ratings measurement to prevent manipulation. This brings India’s TV measurement framework closer to global standards.

Why: TRP reform is relevant to UPSC Mains GS-II (Media regulation, accountability) and GS-III (regulatory bodies), as well as Banking/SSC awareness questions on MIB and media policy. Key MCQ anchors: replaced 2014 guidelines, notifying ministry (MIB), independent director threshold (>50%), sample size increase (50,000 → 80,000), and long-term target (1.20 lakh homes). The TRP controversy (fake ratings scandal) gives this policy strong Mains writing context.

What: The Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), under Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, launched India’s first-ever administrative capacity-building programme specifically for scientists — conducted under Mission Karmayogi during SADHANA Saptah at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Mission Karmayogi is the national programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB), launched in 2020 to shift from rule-based to role-based governance. The event also saw the launch of UNNATI — an online portal for capacity-building of training institutions.

How: A key institutional development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) — the nodal body under Mission Karmayogi — and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), which functions under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MoU focuses on collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital governance, integrating cutting-edge technology into bureaucratic training frameworks.

Why: Mission Karmayogi is a frequently tested topic in UPSC Prelims (Polity & Governance), Mains GS-II, and RBI/Banking awareness. Key MCQ anchors: NPCSCB (Mission Karmayogi’s full institutional name), launch year (2020), UNNATI portal, CBC as nodal body, MoU with RIS (under MEA), and the first-ever scientist capacity-building programme. The CBC–RIS MoU on AI governance is a high-value Mains pointer on digital transformation of public administration.

What: RISA: Timeless Tribal is an exclusive signature brand launched on 18 March 2026 at the Bharat Tribes Fest (BTF) 2026 by Union Minister Jual Oram and Minister of State Savitri Thakur. It was created under the aegis of TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). The brand aims to integrate tribal textiles into global luxury fashion markets, thereby giving artisans direct access to premium economic value chains.

How: Phase 1 of RISA covers 10 clusters across India, incorporating 5 weaves, 2 embroidery traditions, and 3 craft forms. Textiles included in the brand portfolio are: Eri Silk and Muga Silk (Assam), Kotpad Cotton (Odisha), Changpa Pashmina (Ladakh), Toda Embroidery (Tamil Nadu), and Dongria Embroidery (Odisha). The Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 was held at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, and featured 78 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), 310+ artisans, and achieved Rs 4.5 crore in sales.

Why: Tribal economy, GI-tagged products, and TRIFED are tested in UPSC Prelims (Economy, Art & Culture), Mains GS-I (Society) and GS-III (Inclusive growth), SSC, and State PSCs. Key MCQ anchors: TRIFED’s full form, MoTA as nodal ministry, RISA launch date (18 March 2026), textiles listed (especially Changpa Pashmina — Ladakh, and Muga Silk — Assam), Phase 1 scope (10 clusters), and BTF 2026 venue (Sunder Nursery, New Delhi). Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) — clusters of 15 tribal SHGs each — are a recurring MCQ element.