GK One-Liners

What: BHAVYA — Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana — is a Central Sector Scheme (100% centrally funded) approved on 18 March 2026 with a total outlay of ₹33,660 crore. It aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres across India.

How: The scheme is administered by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and implemented by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) in partnership with state governments and the private sector. Operational guidelines were released in May 2026.

Why: BHAVYA directly aligns with Make in India and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan — two flagship government initiatives frequently tested in UPSC Prelims and State PCS exams. Key angles: full form, outlay, ministry, implementing agency (NICDC), and scheme type (Central Sector).

What: Suryastra is India’s first indigenously developed 300-km range Universal Rocket Launching System (URLS). It was flagged off at the NIBE Defence Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi, Ahilya Nagar district, Maharashtra — a facility inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 23 May 2026 with an investment of over ₹5,000 crore.

How: Suryastra was developed under the emergency procurement framework and tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The NIBE complex is expected to generate around 4,000 jobs and serves as a hub for advanced defence manufacturing.

Why: This is a landmark indigenisation milestone under Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence. Expect questions on the system’s range, testing location (Chandipur, Odisha), inaugurating minister, and the location of the manufacturing complex. Also relevant for Defence Current Affairs in SSC CGL and CDS exams.

What: The Department of Space (DoS) approved two Common Testing Facilities (CTFs) in May 2026 — one in Khoraj near Ahmedabad, Gujarat (for spacecraft and complex payload systems) and another in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu (₹100 crore; near the upcoming Small Launch Vehicle complex at Kulasekarapatnam).

How: The CTFs are implemented by IN-SPACe — Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre — the single-window commercial facilitation arm of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) under DoS. IN-SPACe is chaired by Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka and handles procurement, installation, and commissioning of CTF infrastructure. Around 10 more states have expressed interest.

Why: IN-SPACe and India’s space privatisation policy are recurring UPSC Science & Technology topics. Key facts to remember: IN-SPACe full form, its role as a single-window facilitator, CTF locations, and the Kulasekarapatnam launch site connection.

What: India’s first geothermal energy project is being developed in Puga Valley, eastern Ladakh (Union Territory), at an altitude of over 14,000 feet above sea level. The target is a 1 MWe (megawatt electric) pilot plant, with commissioning planned in FY2026–27.

How: ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), a Central PSE, holds the MoU for this project — recently extended by 5 years by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinod Saxena. ONGC drilled to a depth of 405 metres in 2025 to assess geothermal potential. Geothermal energy harnesses heat from within the Earth to generate power.

Why: This is significant for India’s clean energy diversification and energy security in remote border regions. Frequently tested in UPSC Environment & Energy sections — note the location (Puga Valley, Ladakh UT), the agency (ONGC), and the project type (India’s first geothermal). Also relevant for Ladakh-specific current affairs in State PCS exams.

What: The AIIB — Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — launched the EFSERF (Energy, Food Security and Economic Resilience Facility) on 20 May 2026. The facility is worth USD 10 billion over two years and is designed to support nations affected by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

How: The AIIB, headquartered in Beijing, was established in 2015 and began operations in January 2016. Its current President is Zou Jiayi. India is the 2nd largest shareholder in the AIIB, giving it significant influence over lending decisions. The EFSERF channels funds toward energy access, food security, and economic stabilisation in vulnerable member economies.

Why: AIIB questions appear regularly in UPSC Prelims under International Organisations. Key data points: HQ (Beijing), establishment year (2015), operations start (Jan 2016), India’s rank (2nd largest shareholder), President (Zou Jiayi), and the EFSERF amount (USD 10 billion). Also useful for Essay and GS-II mains on multilateral finance.

What: At the 79th Cannes Film Festival (12–23 May 2026), Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or — the festival’s top honour — for his film “Fjord.” This is Mungiu’s second Palme d’Or; his first came in 2007 for “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.” The Grand Prix went to Andrey Zvyagintsev for “Minotaur.”

How: The Palme d’Or is awarded by a jury at Cannes, the world’s most prestigious film festival held annually in Cannes, France. Notably, US distributor NEON achieved 7 consecutive Palme d’Or wins for the films it distributed — an industry record.

Why: Awards-based current affairs are standard in SSC, Banking, and UPSC Prelims. Key facts: edition number (79th), winner (Cristian Mungiu), film (“Fjord”), nationality (Romania), Grand Prix film (“Minotaur” — Zvyagintsev), and NEON’s 7-win streak. Mungiu’s double Palme win is a notable “first/unique” angle examiners favour.