GK One-Liners

What: On 13 April 1919 — Baisakhi day — Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered troops to fire on a peaceful gathering at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. British records acknowledge 379 killed and over 1,200 wounded; the Indian National Congress (INC) estimated more than 1,000 dead. 2026 marks the 107th anniversary of this massacre.

How: The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act was passed by Parliament in 1951 to preserve the site. The memorial was inaugurated on 13 April 1961 by President Rajendra Prasad; an eternal flame burns there as a symbol of national sacrifice. The site is administered by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust.

Why: This event is a perennial question in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, and state PSC exams under Modern Indian History. Key facts to remember: the date (13 April 1919), the officer (Dyer), casualty figures (British vs INC estimates), the memorial inauguration year (1961), and the Act (1951). It also connects to the Non-Cooperation Movement that followed.

What: Exercise DUSTLIK is a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan. Its 7th edition is being held from 12–25 April 2026 on Uzbek soil, with India deploying 60 personnel primarily from the MAHAR Regiment of the Indian Army along with Air Force personnel. “DUSTLIK” means “friendship” in Uzbek.

How: The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations, combat in semi-urban terrain, and interoperability between the two forces. India’s MAHAR Regiment, a light-infantry unit with origins in the Mahar community of Maharashtra, leads the contingent, building on past editions to deepen strategic cooperation in the Central Asian region.

Why: Bilateral defence exercises are frequently tested in UPSC Prelims and CDS exams. Key facts: 7th edition, hosted by Uzbekistan, MAHAR Regiment involvement, and the “friendship” meaning of DUSTLIK. India’s engagement with Central Asian nations is significant under its Connect Central Asia policy and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) framework.

What: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The test validated the parachute-based deceleration and recovery system for the Crew Module, which weighs approximately 5.7 tonnes, using a deployment of 10 parachutes.

How: The Crew Module was dropped from an aircraft at altitude, after which the parachute system deployed in stages to slow its descent. The Indian Navy recovered the module from the sea after splashdown, simulating the end-to-end sequence that will occur during actual crewed returns. This test supports the Gaganyaan G1 mission — India’s first human spaceflight programme.

Why: Gaganyaan is one of the most tracked ISRO missions in competitive exams (UPSC, ISRO scientist exams, SSC). Key details: IADT-02 (second test), SDSC Sriharikota, parachute recovery for Crew Module, Indian Navy involvement, and the overarching Gaganyaan G1 crewed mission goal. India aims to be the 4th nation to independently send humans to space.

What: NARIT stands for Narcotics Analysis & RAG-based Investigation Tool, launched by Gujarat Police on 10 April 2026. It uses RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) — an AI technique that combines a language model with a live knowledge retrieval system — to assist in narcotics investigations under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act, 1985. It is the first such AI tool deployed by any Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) in India.

How: RAG works by retrieving relevant case documents, legal provisions, and investigation records from a database and feeding them to an AI model that then generates accurate, context-aware analysis and summaries. This allows investigators to query the system in natural language, reducing manual research time and improving case linkage across narcotics networks.

Why: NARIT is significant for UPSC Science & Technology and Governance sections, as well as state PSC exams. It demonstrates the application of Generative AI in law enforcement — a cross-cutting theme between Digital India, AI policy, and internal security. Examiners often test: full form of NARIT, the police force involved, the law it operates under (NDPS Act 1985), and the AI technology used (RAG).

What: RBI Utkarsh 2029 is the Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term strategy for April 2026 to March 2029. It aims to build a future-ready financial ecosystem, strengthen regulation and supervision, promote digital payments, and deepen financial inclusion. It succeeds Utkarsh 2025, which ran from April 2022 to March 2025. RBI is headquartered in Mumbai and was established in 1935.

How: Under the Utkarsh framework, the RBI sets specific goals across pillars such as monetary policy credibility, payment system resilience, consumer protection, and regulatory technology (RegTech). The strategy is reviewed and updated every three years, aligning with India’s broader financial sector development goals under bodies like FSDC (Financial Stability and Development Council).

Why: RBI strategies are tested in UPSC Prelims, RBI Grade B, and NABARD exams. Key facts: Utkarsh 2029 period (Apr 2026–Mar 2029), predecessor Utkarsh 2025 (Apr 2022–Mar 2025), and thematic pillars (digital payments, financial inclusion, regulation). The current RBI Governor is Sanjay Malhotra. These details appear in questions on monetary policy and financial sector governance.

What: In Hungary’s general election held on 12 April 2026, Péter Magyar of the TISZA party won over 53% of the vote, decisively defeating Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, which secured approximately 38%. This ended Orbán’s 16 years of continuous rule in Hungary since 2010. Magyar’s two-thirds parliamentary majority grants the power to amend Hungary’s constitution. Hungary’s capital is Budapest.

How: Péter Magyar, a former Fidesz insider, built a broad coalition opposing Orbán’s consolidation of media, judicial, and electoral institutions. His TISZA (Tisza Party, named after Hungary’s major river) mobilised youth voters and EU-aligned citizens concerned about democratic backsliding and Hungary’s strained relationship with NATO and the European Union during the Orbán years.

Why: European political transitions are tested in UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS-II: International Relations). Key details: Péter Magyar, TISZA party, 53%+ vote share, Fidesz 38%, Orbán’s 16-year tenure (2010–2026), two-thirds majority enabling constitutional changes, and Hungary’s capital Budapest. This also connects to themes of democratic resilience, EU politics, and NATO cohesion — all relevant for essay and IR questions.