GK One-Liners

What: SARTHAK-PDS stands for Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling–Income with Automation in the Public Distribution System (PDS). Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), it merges two earlier programmes: the intra-state foodgrain movement assistance under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 and SMART-PDS (Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in PDS).

How: The scheme carries an outlay of Rs 25,530 crore over five years (up to 31 March 2031) and covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the NFSA. It is implemented by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), bringing automation and technology upgrades to ration transport and Fair Price Shop (FPS) operations.

Why: SARTHAK-PDS is high-yield for UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, and state PSC exams — covering food security, welfare schemes, and centre-state fiscal transfers. Key facts to remember: Rs 25,530 crore outlay, 81.35 crore beneficiaries, and its dual merger nature.

What: The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet programme. The prototype phase has been sanctioned at Rs 15,000 crore to develop five flying prototypes and one structural test aircraft, to be built by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

How: A greenfield 650-acre dedicated facility will be established at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, to manufacture the prototypes. Notably, private sector aerospace firms have been invited to participate — marking the first time the AMCA programme has been opened to private industry, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) excluded from the prototype contract.

Why: AMCA is a flagship self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) defence project, making it relevant for UPSC (Defence, Science & Technology), CDS, NDA, and AFCAT exams. Key tags: ADA, DRDO, stealth aircraft, private sector in defence, Puttaparthi facility.

What: According to the 3rd Advance Estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), India’s total foodgrain production in 2025-26 has reached an all-time high of 376.563 million tonnes (MT), a 5.3% increase over the previous year. Rice output hit a record 154.024 MT and wheat touched a record 120.657 MT (up 2.29%).

How: The record output is attributed to favourable monsoon distribution, expanded irrigation coverage, adoption of high-yielding varieties, and government support under schemes like PM-KISAN. Oilseeds production stood at 43.059 MT and sugarcane at 500.063 MT. The data was released under the oversight of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Why: Foodgrain production statistics are frequently tested in UPSC Prelims (Agriculture, Economy), RBI Grade B, and NABARD exams. Note the exact figure — 376.563 MT — and the record crops: rice and wheat. This also underpins India’s food security narrative.

What: India and the United States signed a Critical Minerals Framework on the sidelines of the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting held in New Delhi. The agreement was formalised between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US is allocating USD 30 billion under this framework, which is also linked to a broader Quad-wide initiative to mobilise USD 20 billion across the Indo-Pacific region.

How: The framework aims to secure supply chains for critical minerals — such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements — essential for clean energy, semiconductors, and defence technologies. By formalising a bilateral arrangement within the Quad structure (comprising India, USA, Australia, and Japan), the deal diversifies sourcing away from China-dominated supply chains.

Why: Critical minerals and Quad diplomacy are recurring themes in UPSC Mains (GS-2: International Relations) and GS-3 (Technology, Economy). Key associations: Quad, Jaishankar, USD 30 billion (US), USD 20 billion (Indo-Pacific), and the strategic context of China’s dominance in rare earth processing.

What: VISTA is India’s first indigenously developed Stratospheric Super Pressure Balloon (SPB), launched under Mission SANA by Red Balloon Aerospace Pvt Ltd. The balloon was launched from Indira Gandhi Stadium, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, and successfully ascended to approximately 25 km altitude in the stratosphere — placing India among an exclusive group of nations with this capability.

How: Unlike conventional weather balloons, a Super Pressure Balloon maintains a near-constant volume at stratospheric altitudes, enabling it to carry payloads for extended durations. This makes SPBs valuable for atmospheric research, scientific experiments, and as low-cost platforms for earth observation and telecommunications relay.

Why: This is a landmark for India’s private space sector and a key milestone under India’s Space Policy 2023, which encourages private participation. It is relevant for UPSC Science & Technology, ISRO-related questions, and state PSC General Science sections. India joins the USA, France, Japan, and China with indigenous SPB capability.

What: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on 29 May each year. In 2026, the theme is “Invest in Peace”, marking the 78th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, which began on 29 May 1948. The day was established by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 57/129 in 2002 and was first observed on 29 May 2003. It is coordinated by the UN Department of Peace Operations (UN-DPO).

How: The first-ever UN peacekeeping mission was the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), deployed on 29 May 1948 to monitor the Arab-Israeli ceasefire in the Middle East. The iconic symbol of UN Peacekeeping is the Blue Helmet (or Blue Beret), worn by military and police personnel deployed under UN mandates globally.

Why: UN Peacekeeping dates and institutions are staple questions in UPSC Prelims (GS-2: International Organisations), SSC, and banking exams. Key facts: 29 May, UNGA Resolution 57/129, UNTSO (first mission), Blue Helmet symbol, UN-DPO, and the 2026 theme “Invest in Peace”.