GK One-Liners

What: The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (700 verses across 18 chapters, from the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata, attributed to Vyasa) and the Natyashastra (36,000 verses, attributed to Bharata Muni — the foundational text on Indian performing arts) were inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Register in 2025. Both manuscripts are preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), Pune. This brings India’s total MoW inscriptions to 14. The 2025 cycle added 74 new collections from 72 countries, taking the global total to 570.

How: The UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, established in 1992, aims to preserve and provide universal access to documentary heritage — manuscripts, archival collections, oral traditions, audiovisual materials — that are of outstanding universal significance. Inscription requires nomination by member states and evaluation by the International Advisory Committee (IAC). The BORI, Pune — established in 1917 — is India’s premier centre for Sanskrit manuscript preservation and critical editions, making it the custodian of both inscribed texts.

Why: UNESCO Memory of the World inscriptions involving Indian texts are highly tested in UPSC GS-I (Indian heritage, ancient literature) and current affairs sections of all exams. Key MCQ anchors: Bhagavad Gita (700 verses, 18 chapters, Bhishma Parva), Natyashastra (36,000 verses, Bharata Muni), custodian institution (BORI, Pune), India’s total MoW count (14), 2025 additions (74 new collections, 72 countries), global total (570), UNESCO DG (Audrey Azoulay). The Natyashastra’s author (Bharata Muni, not to be confused with Valmiki or Kalidasa) is a frequent MCQ trap.

What: India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), a 500 megawatt (MW) facility at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is on track for first criticality in March 2026 and full commercial operation in September 2026. It is being developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), headquartered in Chennai, under the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) permission granted in July 2024. The PFBR uses Plutonium-based mixed oxide (MOX) as fuel and liquid sodium as coolant, and also utilises spent fuel from Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) — completing a fuel cycle link between India’s nuclear stages.

How: The PFBR is the centrepiece of India’s 2nd stage of its three-stage nuclear power programme — conceived by Dr. Homi Bhabha. Stage 1 uses PHWRs fuelled by natural uranium to produce plutonium. Stage 2 uses Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) like the PFBR to use that plutonium as fuel while also generating more fissile material (‘breeding’) — enabling a self-sustaining fuel cycle. Stage 3 will use Thorium (of which India holds the world’s largest reserves) as fuel. India targets 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, with 22.48 GW projected by 2031–32.

Why: India’s three-stage nuclear programme is a cornerstone topic for UPSC GS-III (energy security, nuclear programme, science & technology) and Science sections of competitive exams. Key MCQ anchors: PFBR capacity (500 MW), location (Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu), developer (BHAVINI, Chennai), fuel (Pu-based MOX), coolant (liquid sodium), first criticality (Mar 2026), operational (Sep 2026), programme stage (2nd), AERB permission (Jul 2024), nuclear target (100 GW by 2047). The distinction between Stage 1 (PHWR/uranium) and Stage 2 (FBR/plutonium) is the most critical UPSC concept pair here.

What: The 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Brasilia, Brazil, under the theme ‘Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture.’ It was the first such meeting since BRICS expanded to 11 members (following the induction of new members in 2024). India was represented by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Agriculture & Farmers Welfare). The meeting launched the ‘BRICS Land Restoration Partnership’ and confirmed that India will hold the BRICS Presidency in 2026. BRICS collectively represents 47% of the world’s population and 36% of global GDP.

How: The BRICS agriculture ministerial platform coordinates member countries’ positions on global food security, sustainable land use, climate-resilient agriculture, and trade in agri-commodities. The BRICS Land Restoration Partnership is aligned with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land). India’s upcoming 2026 BRICS Presidency will place New Delhi at the centre of multilateral economic and development diplomacy — building on its successful G20 Presidency in 2023.

Why: BRICS summits, ministerial meetings, and India’s presidency timelines are tested in UPSC GS-II (India’s multilateral diplomacy) and Banking/SSC current affairs. Key facts: meeting number (15th), location (Brasilia, Brazil), theme (‘Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture’), India’s representative (Shivraj Singh Chouhan), BRICS membership (11 members, expanded), new initiative (BRICS Land Restoration Partnership), India’s upcoming BRICS Presidency (2026), BRICS statistics (47% world pop., 36% global GDP), Brazil President (Lula da Silva), currency (BRL).

What: Samar Abu Elouf, a Qatar-based Palestinian photographer, won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year for his image of Mahmoud Ajjour — a 9-year-old Palestinian boy who lost both arms in a Gaza airstrike in March 2024. The photograph was captured for The New York Times. The winning image will tour over 60 locations worldwide. The prize carries a cash award of €10,000. The World Press Photo organisation is headquartered in Amsterdam, was founded in 1955, and is currently led by Executive Director Joumana El Zein Khoury.

How: The World Press Photo of the Year award is considered the most prestigious recognition in photojournalism globally, evaluated by an independent jury of international photography and media professionals. Submissions are assessed on newsworthiness, visual impact, ethical standards, and storytelling quality. The 2025 winner reflects the continuing documentation of the humanitarian impact of the Gaza conflict — a subject that dominated global photojournalism in 2024. Abu Elouf’s image was chosen from tens of thousands of entries from photojournalists worldwide.

Why: World Press Photo of the Year winners are regularly tested in Banking and SSC current affairs, especially when linked to significant geopolitical events. Key facts: winner (Samar Abu Elouf, Palestinian, Qatar-based), subject (Mahmoud Ajjour, 9 yrs, lost both arms, Gaza airstrike, Mar 2024), publication (The New York Times), prize (€10,000), tour (60+ locations), WPP HQ (Amsterdam), founded (1955), Executive Director (Joumana El Zein Khoury). The Qatar–Al Jazeera association trap makes the publication detail especially important for exam accuracy.

What: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, MeitY) inaugurated VVDN Technologies’ Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Line and Mechanical Innovation Park at Manesar, Haryana. The SMT Line handles Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) up to 850×560 mm in size at a throughput of 2,50,000 Components Per Hour (CPH). The Mechanical Innovation Park spans 1,50,000 square feet. The event also showcased India’s first indigenous AI server — branded ‘Adipoli’ — which features 8 GPUs. India’s electronics production has grown 5× (to Rs 11 lakh crore) and exports 6× (to Rs 3.25 lakh crore), creating 3,000+ skilled jobs at this facility.

How: The SMT process is the standard method for assembling electronic components onto PCBs — the backbone of all consumer electronics, defence systems, and computing hardware. By establishing India’s largest SMT line at Manesar, VVDN positions India as a significant electronics manufacturing hub. The ‘Adipoli’ AI server is significant because AI inference and training hardware has been almost entirely dominated by US (NVIDIA) and Chinese manufacturers — an indigenous GPU-based server marks India’s first step toward self-reliance in AI infrastructure under the broader India Semiconductor Mission.

Why: Electronics manufacturing milestones and ‘first in India’ technology achievements are tested in UPSC GS-III (technology policy, Make in India, semiconductors) and Science & Technology current affairs. Key facts: company (VVDN Technologies), location (Manesar, Haryana), inaugurated by (Ashwini Vaishnaw, MeitY), SMT Line specs (850×560 mm PCB, 2,50,000 CPH), Innovation Park size (1,50,000 sq ft), AI server name (‘Adipoli’), GPU count (8), India electronics production (5× growth, Rs 11 lakh cr), exports (6×, Rs 3.25 lakh cr). ‘Adipoli’ as India’s first indigenous AI server is the strongest standalone MCQ trigger.

What: India announced a grant of USD 990,000 (approximately Rs 8.26 crore) to Sierra Leone for the project ‘Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons.’ The funding flows through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, established in June 2017 with a total corpus of USD 150 million, which has supported 86 projects across 65 countries. India and Sierra Leone additionally share a Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 250 million channelled via the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Bank. Over 450 Sierra Leonean students have benefited from India’s e-VBAB (e-Vidya Bharati and Arogya Bharati) digital learning and telemedicine initiative.

How: The India-UN Development Partnership Fund is a South-South cooperation mechanism managed jointly by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). It enables developing countries — particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — to access Indian expertise, technology, and financing for development projects. Sierra Leone’s disability inclusion project reflects India’s focus on inclusive development as a foreign policy soft-power tool, complementing its pharmaceutical, IT, and education exports to Africa.

Why: India’s development partnership programmes — especially the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation), and e-VBAB — are tested in UPSC GS-II (India’s foreign policy, South-South cooperation) and current affairs exams. Key facts: grant amount (USD 990,000 ≈ Rs 8.26 cr), recipient (Sierra Leone), project name (‘Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons’), fund (India-UN Development Partnership Fund, est. Jun 2017, USD 150 mn corpus, 86 projects, 65 countries), LoC (USD 250 mn via ECOWAS Bank), e-VBAB beneficiaries (450+ students). The fund’s corpus (USD 150 mn) and reach (65 countries) are standard Banking/SSC anchor facts.