GK One-Liners

What: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai will be sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14, 2025, succeeding CJI Sanjiv Khanna who retires on May 13. Justice Gavai will serve until November 23, 2025. He will be the second Dalit Chief Justice of India — the first being Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served from 2007 to 2010. Justice Gavai has been part of landmark Supreme Court benches that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, and ruled against the ‘bulldozer culture’ of demolishing properties without due process.

How: The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India under Article 124(2) of the Constitution, conventionally following the seniority principle — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is recommended by the outgoing CJI. Justice Gavai was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019. His tenure as CJI, though relatively short (approximately six months), coincides with a period of significant constitutional and electoral law adjudication.

Why: CJI appointments are among the most frequently tested facts in UPSC GS-II (judiciary, constitutional appointments) and Banking/SSC current affairs. Key MCQ anchors: Justice Gavai’s ordinal number (52nd CJI), swearing-in date (May 14, 2025), predecessor (CJI Sanjiv Khanna, 51st), retirement date (Nov 23, 2025), historic distinction (2nd Dalit CJI), first Dalit CJI (Justice KG Balakrishnan, 2007–10), landmark benches (Art. 370, Electoral Bonds, bulldozer culture). The Dalit CJI lineage fact is the strongest MCQ trigger.

What: The United States retained its position as India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in FY2024–25, with bilateral trade reaching USD 131.84 billion. India’s exports to the USA stood at USD 86.51 billion (+11.6% year-on-year), while imports from the USA were USD 45.33 billion (+7.44%), giving India a trade surplus of USD 41.18 billion with the US. China ranked 2nd (USD 127.7 billion) and UAE ranked 3rd (USD 100.5 billion) as India’s trading partners by total bilateral trade volume.

How: India’s merchandise exports to the USA are dominated by pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, textiles, and IT services (counted separately under services trade). The consistent trade surplus with the USA — USD 41.18 billion in FY25 — has been a point of contention in trade negotiations, particularly in the context of the Trump administration’s 2025 tariff impositions on Indian goods. Despite this, the USA’s position as top trading partner reflects deep supply-chain integration and the Indian diaspora’s commercial linkages.

Why: India’s trading partner rankings are standard content in Banking economy GK and UPSC GS-III (India’s external sector, balance of payments). Key facts: USA as 1st trading partner (4th consecutive year, FY25), bilateral trade (USD 131.84 bn), India’s exports to USA (USD 86.51 bn, +11.6%), imports (USD 45.33 bn), trade surplus with USA (USD 41.18 bn), China 2nd (USD 127.7 bn), UAE 3rd (USD 100.5 bn). The surplus figure and 4th-year streak are the strongest MCQ anchors.

What: India’s total exports (merchandise plus services) in FY2024–25 reached USD 820.93 billion, a growth of 5.5% over FY2023–24’s USD 778.13 billion. Merchandise exports alone stood at USD 437.42 billion, while merchandise imports were USD 720.24 billion — resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of USD 282.83 billion. Total imports (merchandise + services) were USD 915.19 billion (+6.85%). In March 2025 alone, merchandise exports reached USD 41.97 billion.

How: India’s export growth in FY25 was driven by services exports — particularly IT/ITeS, financial services, and business process management — which have consistently outpaced merchandise export growth. The merchandise trade deficit of USD 282.83 billion reflects India’s import dependence on crude oil, electronic components, and gold. The overall current account deficit is moderated by the services surplus and remittance inflows, which together partially offset the merchandise deficit.

Why: Annual export figures and trade balance data are tested in every Banking exam (IBPS, RBI, SBI) and UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS-III, Economic Survey). Key facts: total exports FY25 (USD 820.93 bn, +5.5%), total imports FY25 (USD 915.19 bn, +6.85%), merchandise exports (USD 437.42 bn), merchandise imports (USD 720.24 bn), merchandise trade deficit (USD 282.83 bn), March 2025 merchandise exports (USD 41.97 bn). Keeping merchandise-only vs total trade figures distinct is the primary exam trap.

What: Chinese company Betavolt (Beijing) unveiled the BV100 — a nuclear betavoltaic battery that uses the Nickel-63 (Ni-63) radioactive isotope. The battery has a 50-year operational lifespan with zero charging or maintenance requirements, delivers 100 microwatts (µW) of power at 3 volts, and has an energy density approximately 10 times greater than conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. It operates across an extreme temperature range of –60°C to +120°C. After 50 years, Ni-63 decays into non-radioactive copper, leaving no hazardous residue.

How: A betavoltaic battery converts the kinetic energy of beta particles (electrons) emitted during radioactive decay of an isotope directly into electricity using a semiconductor converter — similar in principle to how a solar cell converts photons into electricity. Unlike fission-based nuclear reactors, betavoltaic cells produce no gamma radiation, involve no chain reactions, and are inherently safe for use in proximity to humans. Target applications include cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants, aerospace sensors, and remote environmental monitoring equipment.

Why: Nuclear batteries represent a paradigm shift in energy storage for Science & Technology sections of UPSC Prelims and current awareness exams. Key facts: company (Betavolt, Beijing), model (BV100), isotope (Nickel-63), lifespan (50 years), output (100 µW at 3V), energy density advantage (10× Li-ion), temperature range (–60°C to +120°C), decay product (non-radioactive copper), applications (medical, aerospace, remote sensing). The decay-to-copper detail and the betavoltaic vs conventional nuclear distinction are UPSC-level concept differentiators.

What: Sourav Ganguly was reappointed as the Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket Committee, succeeding Anil Kumble who had completed the maximum three three-year terms allowed. The committee also saw VVS Laxman reappointed as a member, alongside Hamid Hassan, Desmond Haynes, Temba Bavuma, and Jonathan Trott. The ICC Women’s Cricket Committee Chairperson is Catherine Campbell of New Zealand, who was also re-appointed.

How: The ICC Cricket Committee plays a key advisory role in recommending changes to playing conditions, reviewing technology (DRS protocols, pitch standards), recommending match officials, and providing guidance on emerging formats. The Men’s Committee, with representation from across cricket-playing nations, feeds recommendations to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and Board for final decisions. The maximum three-term cap ensures rotation of leadership and fresh perspectives in cricket governance.

Why: ICC appointments involving Indian cricket personalities (Ganguly, Laxman) are high-frequency in Banking Sports GK and SSC current affairs. Key facts: Ganguly’s role (ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chair), predecessor (Anil Kumble, 3 terms = max), also reappointed (VVS Laxman), other members (Hamid Hassan, Desmond Haynes, Temba Bavuma, Jonathan Trott), ICC Women’s Committee Chair (Catherine Campbell, New Zealand). Ganguly’s previous role as BCCI President (2019–2022) is a related fact that often appears in the same question cluster.

What: A new frog species, Leptobrachium aryatium, was formally described after a 21-year study at the Garbhanga Reserve Forest near Guwahati, Assam. The species is named in honour of Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati. It is distinguished by its striking fiery orange-and-black eyes, reticulated (net-patterned) throat markings, and a distinctive dusk-time call. It was first observed in 2004 but had been misidentified as the related species Leptobrachium smithi. The findings were published in the international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.

How: The formal description process required two decades of morphological, bioacoustic, and genetic analyses to conclusively establish that this population represented a distinct species rather than a regional variant of L. smithi. The Garbhanga Reserve Forest — a biodiversity hotspot on the outskirts of Guwahati — is a key habitat for amphibians in the Brahmaputra floodplain region. The misidentification highlights how cryptic species (species that look alike but are genetically distinct) often remain undocumented within existing scientific records.

Why: New species discoveries from Indian reserve forests — especially named after local institutions — are tested in UPSC GS-III (biodiversity, endemic species) and Environment GK sections of State PSC exams. Key facts: species name (Leptobrachium aryatium), location (Garbhanga Reserve Forest, Guwahati, Assam), study duration (21 years), named after (Arya Vidyapeeth College), distinguishing features (fiery orange-black eyes, reticulated throat, dusk-time call), misidentified as (L. smithi since 2004), journal (Zootaxa). The 21-year study period and the misidentification history are strong MCQ differentiators.