GK One-Liners

What: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India’s 99th Ramsar Site — a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The site shelters 249 bird species including the Bar-headed Goose and Painted Stork, and serves as a key stopover on the Central Asian Flyway. The designation was announced by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

How: The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. India became a signatory on 1 February 1982. Wetlands are listed based on criteria such as ecological significance, biodiversity, and support to waterbird populations. With this addition, Uttar Pradesh now has 12 Ramsar Sites — the highest tally for any state alongside Tamil Nadu, which leads with 20.

Why: Ramsar Sites are a perennial topic in UPSC Prelims, State PSC exams, and SSC GK sections — expect questions on total count, state-wise tallies, and the Central Asian Flyway. India’s push towards 100 Ramsar Sites marks a significant conservation milestone. The MoEF&CC’s role and the Ramsar Convention’s founding year (1971) are frequently tested facts.

What: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited India from 19–21 April 2026 — the first visit by a Republic of Korea (ROK) President to India in eight years, since President Moon Jae-in’s visit in 2018. The bilateral summit was held at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, where both nations reaffirmed the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership (SSP), which was elevated to this status during Prime Minister Modi’s Seoul visit in 2015.

How: Key outcomes included the launch of a Joint Strategic Vision 2026–30, the establishment of an Industrial Cooperation Committee (ICC), the India-Korea Digital Bridge initiative, an upgrade of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and a bilateral trade target of USD 50 billion by 2030. Over 200 business executives from firms such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and SK Group accompanied the delegation, reflecting the strong economic dimension of the visit. Current bilateral trade stands at approximately USD 26.89 billion (FY 2024-25).

Why: India-ROK relations are relevant for UPSC International Relations and India’s Act East Policy. The upgrade of CEPA, trade targets, and the Digital Bridge align with India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Key facts to remember: SSP elevated in 2015, Lee Jae Myung assumed office June 2025, trade target USD 50 billion by 2030.

What: Pay Point India has become the first private fintech company to join the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Centralised Payment System (CPS). This grants it direct access to Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) systems without needing a sponsor bank as an intermediary. Pay Point India has been assigned its own Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) and holds its own current and settlement accounts with the RBI.

How: Previously, CPS membership was restricted to institutional entities such as the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), and scheduled commercial banks. By granting direct membership to a private fintech, the RBI has opened a new pathway that eliminates the dependency on sponsor banks, reduces transaction costs, and cuts processing delays in high-volume payment flows.

Why: This is a landmark moment in India’s fintech regulation and payments infrastructure. For UPSC, RBI exams (Grade B), and SEBI exams, questions on RTGS, NEFT, NPCI, and payment system intermediaries are common. The significance lies in regulatory inclusion of non-bank entities in core payment infrastructure — a key theme in India’s Digital Finance evolution.

What: The Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme is a new initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with an outlay of Rs 203 crore for the period 2026–31. It is overseen by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. The scheme is implemented through three agencies: the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), the Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE), and the Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL).

How: TDIP focuses on accelerating research, development, and commercialisation of next-generation telecom technologies, specifically 5G Advanced and 6G. A key pillar is supporting India’s participation in global standardisation bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). This ensures India has an active voice in setting international telecom standards rather than merely adopting them.

Why: For UPSC Science & Technology, SSC, and state PSC exams, government telecom schemes and India’s 6G ambitions are frequently featured. The TDIP Scheme connects to the broader Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) and India’s goal of being a telecom product exporter. Remembering the Rs 203 crore outlay, three implementing agencies, and the 2026–31 timeline is exam-essential.

What: Justice Lisa Gill has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh (AP) High Court, becoming the first woman to hold this position since the court’s separate formation in 2019 following the bifurcation of the undivided AP High Court. Her appointment is effective 25 April 2026, succeeding Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur who retired on 24 April 2026. She was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India.

How: The appointment followed a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, on 26 February 2026. Justice Gill enrolled as an advocate in 1990, was elevated to the Punjab and Haryana (P&H) High Court in March 2014, and holds an LL.B. and LL.M. from Panjab University, Chandigarh. The Collegium system — under which the CJI and senior judges recommend High Court and Supreme Court appointments — is itself a significant constitutional convention.

Why: High Court Chief Justice appointments are recurring topics in UPSC Polity, Judiciary, and Current Affairs sections. Key constitutional provisions to link: Article 217(1) governs HC judge appointments; the Collegium system is rooted in the Three Judges Cases. “First woman” milestones in judiciary are high-probability Prelims questions. Also note: AP HC was formed separately in 2019 post-bifurcation — a fact that has appeared in previous exams.

What: The 4th edition of IN-SLN DIVEX (India Navy–Sri Lanka Navy Diving Exercise) 2026 was conducted from 21–27 April 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Indian Navy was represented by INS Nireekshak, a specialised Diving Support and Submarine Rescue vessel. The exercise focused on enhancing bilateral interoperability in underwater diving operations and submarine rescue capabilities — a critical niche in naval warfare preparedness.

How: The exercise involved joint diving drills, submarine rescue simulations, and professional exchanges between Indian and Sri Lankan Navy personnel. It is part of India’s structured bilateral engagement with neighbouring maritime nations. IN-SLN DIVEX is held under the broader framework of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and aligns with MAHASAGAR — India’s vision for Maritime and Holistic Advancement Strengthening Alliances in the Ocean Region — announced in 2025 as a successor to the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) framework.

Why: India-Sri Lanka defence exercises and India’s maritime doctrine are high-yield topics for UPSC, CDS, and NDA exams. MAHASAGAR (the evolved doctrine replacing SAGAR) and its pillars are expected to feature prominently in 2026 exams. INS Nireekshak’s role as a submarine rescue vessel and the “Neighbourhood First” policy linkage add depth for Mains answers on India’s Indian Ocean strategy.