GK One-Liners

What: The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 is the 13th edition of the annual report published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), headquartered in Australia. Pakistan topped the index with the highest terrorism impact score of 8.574, while India ranked 13th with a score of 6.428.

How: The GTI measures the impact of terrorism across countries using indicators such as incidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage. A higher score indicates greater impact of terrorism. Countries are ranked from most to least affected, making it a tool for global policy benchmarking.

Why: GTI rankings are a staple in UPSC Prelims and SSC CGL General Awareness sections under international indices. Key facts to remember: publisher (IEP, Australia), India’s rank (13th), Pakistan’s rank (1st), and edition number (13th). It is also relevant for essays and mains answers on internal security and global terrorism trends.

What: The JEEVAN App (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) under Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar. It is a one-stop digital platform providing senior citizens access to government schemes, welfare services, and emergency assistance. Simultaneously, the SHATAYU Dashboard (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training For Your Utility) was unveiled as a digital caregiving tool offering district- and state-level geriatric caregiver availability information.

How: JEEVAN integrates multiple government welfare schemes into a single mobile interface, enabling elderly users to access benefits without physical visits. SHATAYU was unveiled at the ‘Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy’ workshop organised by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE), and maps caregiver resources at granular administrative levels.

Why: MSJE schemes are frequently tested in UPSC, RBI Grade B, and state PSC exams. Full forms (JEEVAN and SHATAYU), the nodal ministry, and the minister’s name are direct one-liner facts. These initiatives also reflect India’s policy response to its ageing population — relevant for Mains GS-II (social sector) and essay topics on demographic dividend reversal.

What: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) launched its first-ever all-women international mountaineering expedition to Mt. Everest (8,848 m). The 14-member team consisted of 11 climbers and 3 support members, taking the South Col Route from Nepal. The expedition also supports the environmental mission ‘Clean Himalaya — Save Glacier’.

How: The team navigated the South Col Route, which passes through the Death Zone — altitudes above 8,000 m where oxygen levels are critically low. The ITBP, a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is known for high-altitude operations along India’s borders with Tibet (China). The expedition combined military training with ecological awareness.

Why: The ‘first-ever’ tag makes this highly testable in UPSC CAPF, SSC, and state exams. Key facts: ITBP’s parent ministry (MHA), the route (South Col, Nepal), team composition (14 members), and the linked environmental campaign. It also connects to broader themes of women in defence and Himalayan glacier conservation, both relevant for Mains GS-I and GS-III.

What: The World Bank released the 13th edition of ‘State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026’, reporting that 29% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are now covered by carbon pricing instruments. India made its debut as one of the largest new carbon markets through the launch of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2026. Globally, revenues from carbon pricing surpassed USD 107 billion in 2025, more than tripling from under USD 30 billion in 2016.

How: Carbon pricing mechanisms — including carbon taxes and emissions trading systems (ETS) — put a monetary cost on GHG emissions, incentivising industries to reduce their carbon footprint. The CCTS creates a domestic market where entities can earn and trade carbon credits based on emission reductions. The average global carbon price has nearly doubled from USD 10 per tonne of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2016 to approximately USD 21/tCO2e in 2026, with 87 carbon pricing policies now active worldwide.

Why: This topic sits at the intersection of Environment (GS-III) and Economy in UPSC Mains. Key facts for Prelims: edition number (13th), GHG coverage (29%), India’s new scheme (CCTS), and revenue figures. The CCTS also links to India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, making it relevant for international environment questions.

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a 5-nation tour from 15–20 May 2026, covering the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. The tour culminated in Rome, where India and Italy elevated their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership (SSP), supported by a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025–29 and a trade target of EUR 20 billion by 2029. PM Modi also received the prestigious Agricola Medal from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General Qu Dongyu.

How: The visit to Italy (19–20 May) saw the signing of 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas of mutual strategic and economic interest. The year 2027 was designated the Year of Culture and Tourism between India and Italy. The Agricola Medal, awarded by FAO, recognises outstanding contributions to agriculture, food security, and rural development — a recognition of India’s global agricultural standing.

Why: Multi-nation tours and bilateral upgrades are highly testable in UPSC Prelims (international relations), SSC, and banking exams. Memorise: the 5 countries visited, the SSP elevation with Italy, the Agricola Medal, and the FAO DG’s name (Qu Dongyu). The trade target (EUR 20 bn by 2029) and the 10 MoUs are direct factual hooks. This also connects to India’s strategic outreach in Europe under its EU engagement policy.

What: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) selected 10 institutions to establish Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoEs). Each centre will receive funding of up to Rs 25 crore for a maximum duration of 5 years. The selected institutions include premier names such as IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Dharwad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIM Jammu, Chanakya University, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bengaluru, Institute for Human Development (IHD) Delhi, and PSGR College Coimbatore.

How: The ANRF, established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, is the apex body for funding and promoting scientific research in India. Convergence Research CoEs are designed to bring together multidisciplinary expertise across science, technology, social science, and policy. The funding model — up to Rs 25 crore per centre over 5 years — aims to catalyse high-impact, collaborative research outcomes.

Why: ANRF is a relatively new institution and frequently appears in UPSC Science & Technology questions. Key facts: number of centres (10), funding per centre (up to Rs 25 crore), duration (max 5 years), and the diversity of institutions selected (IITs, IIM, and non-IIT institutions). This is also relevant for Mains GS-III (science and technology policy) and reflects India’s push to increase R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP.