GK One-Liners

What: Following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced a 5-point action plan. Three key measures announced were: (i) suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan with immediate effect; (ii) closure of the Attari–Wagah integrated check post (valid document holders permitted to return until May 1, 2025); and (iii) expulsion of Pakistani military, naval, and air advisors from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi — declared ‘Persona Non Grata’ with one week to leave.

How: The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, and grants India rights over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and Pakistan over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). Its suspension is a significant diplomatic escalation — the treaty had survived two wars and the Kargil conflict without interruption. The ‘Persona Non Grata’ declaration under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is the formal mechanism for expelling foreign diplomats, requiring the receiving state to demand the individual’s departure within a specified period.

Why: This is among the most significant India–Pakistan diplomatic escalation events in recent years and will be tested in UPSC GS-II (India’s foreign policy, bilateral relations), GS-III (internal security), and current affairs sections of all exams. Key MCQ anchors: attack location (Pahalgam), casualties (26 killed), decision body (CCS, chaired by PM Modi), IWT signed (1960, World Bank brokered), Attari–Wagah closure, expelled category (military/naval/air advisors), legal status (‘Persona Non Grata’), Vienna Convention Article 9, deadline (1 week to leave). The IWT 1960 date and the ‘Persona Non Grata’ Vienna Convention link are the most exam-precise anchors.

What: Neeraj Chopra — India’s two-time Olympic javelin medallist (Gold, Tokyo 2020; Silver, Paris 2024) — opened his 2025 season with a gold medal at the NWU Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa, with a throw of 84.52 metres. This is the Indian season-best, surpassing Sachin Yadav’s earlier 84.39 m. It was Neeraj’s first competition under his new coach Jan Železný — a Czech javelin legend who holds the world record of 98.48 m and won three consecutive Olympic gold medals (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000). Neeraj’s personal best remains 89.94 m (June 2022).

How: Neeraj Chopra’s partnership with Jan Železný represents a strategic coaching upgrade aimed at breaking the 90-metre barrier — a milestone no Indian athlete has achieved. Železný’s coaching philosophy focuses on technical refinement of the release angle and run-up mechanics, areas in which Neeraj has room to improve relative to his biomechanical potential. The Potch Invitational, held in Potchefstroom (home of North-West University), serves as an early-season warm-up competition used by elite track & field athletes to calibrate form before major global events.

Why: Neeraj Chopra is India’s most tested sports figure across all competitive exams. Key MCQ anchors: competition (NWU Potch Invitational, Potchefstroom, South Africa), throw distance (84.52 m), distinction (2025 Indian season-best, surpasses Sachin Yadav’s 84.39 m), new coach (Jan Železný, Czech, 3× Olympic gold, WR 98.48 m), Neeraj’s personal best (89.94 m, June 2022), Neeraj’s Olympic record (Gold Tokyo 2020 + Silver Paris 2024). Jan Železný’s world record (98.48 m) and 3 Olympic gold medals are now connected to Indian sports — a cross-national fact cluster with strong exam potential.

What: India dispatched its second batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines — the first country in the world to import BrahMos. The deal, signed in January 2022, was worth USD 375 million (Rs 3,202 crore) for three batteries. The first batch was delivered in April 2024 via IAF aircraft; this second batch was transported by ship. BrahMos has a range of 290 km, a speed of Mach 2.8, and a payload capacity of 200–300 kg. It is jointly developed by DRDO (India) and Russia’s NPOM, with 83% of components now indigenised. Vietnam is the second Asian buyer (deal worth Rs 5,990 crore).

How: BrahMos (named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers) is a ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile, one of the fastest in the world. The Philippines’ acquisition is for its shore-based anti-ship missile system, enhancing its maritime deterrence in the South China Sea. The shift from air delivery (IAF aircraft, April 2024) to sea delivery (ship) for the second batch reflects the logistical maturation of the export supply chain. The 83% indigenisation level makes BrahMos one of India’s most domestically manufactured defence exports — a key metric under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Defence initiative.

Why: BrahMos export deals are tested in UPSC GS-III (defence indigenisation, exports) and Banking/SSC Defence GK. Key facts: Philippines as 1st BrahMos importer, deal (USD 375 mn / Rs 3,202 cr, Jan 2022, 3 batteries), 1st batch delivery (April 2024, IAF aircraft), 2nd batch (by ship), BrahMos specs (range 290 km, speed Mach 2.8, payload 200–300 kg), developers (DRDO + Russia’s NPOM), indigenisation level (83%), name origin (Brahmaputra + Moskva), Vietnam as 2nd Asian buyer (Rs 5,990 cr). The Philippines President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) and the name etymology are UPSC-level finishing details.

What: HDFC Bank crossed Rs 15 lakh crore in market capitalisation (Rs 15,01,289.37 crore as of March 31, 2025), becoming the third Indian company to achieve this milestone after Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). For Q4 FY25, HDFC Bank reported net profit of Rs 17,616 crore (+6.7% year-on-year), Net Interest Income (NII) of Rs 32,070 crore (+10.3% YoY), and total income of Rs 89,488 crore. HDFC Bank is headquartered in Mumbai and is India’s largest private sector bank by assets.

How: Market capitalisation (mcap) is calculated as the current share price multiplied by total outstanding shares. HDFC Bank’s crossing of the Rs 15 lakh crore threshold reflects sustained investor confidence in India’s private banking sector — driven by strong loan growth, improving asset quality, and digital banking expansion following the merger with its parent HDFC Ltd. (completed July 2023). RIL and TCS had earlier crossed this threshold, reflecting the dominance of energy-telecom and IT services in India’s equity market valuation hierarchy.

Why: Market cap milestones of leading Indian companies are tested in Banking, SSC, and UPSC Economy sections. Key facts: HDFC Bank mcap (Rs 15,01,289.37 cr, March 31, 2025), position (3rd Indian company), companies ahead (RIL 1st, TCS 2nd), Q4 FY25 net profit (Rs 17,616 cr, +6.7%), NII (Rs 32,070 cr, +10.3%), total income (Rs 89,488 cr). The RIL–TCS–HDFC Bank ranking and the Q4 FY25 financial metrics are the primary Banking GK anchors from this item.

What: The World Bank released its ‘South Asia Development Update’ (April 23, 2025), cutting India’s FY2025–26 GDP growth forecast to 6.3% — a downward revision of 0.4 percentage points from its earlier projection of 6.7%. India’s FY25 estimate stands at 6.5% (compared to a strong 9.2% in FY24 — the slowest growth in four years). South Asia’s projected growth for 2025 is 5.8%, rising to 6.1% in 2026. The World Bank is headquartered in Washington DC, was established in 1944, has 189 member countries, and is currently led by President Ajay Banga.

How: The 0.4 percentage point downward revision reflects the compounding impact of US tariff escalation, global trade slowdown, and domestic moderation in capital expenditure growth. The FY24-to-FY25 deceleration from 9.2% to 6.5% represents the steepest single-year growth slowdown in India’s recent history, driven by the post-pandemic normalisation of base effects and tighter monetary conditions. Despite the revision, India remains the fastest-growing major economy and the bright spot in an otherwise slowing global landscape.

Why: World Bank GDP forecasts for India are among the most tested data points in Banking and UPSC Economy GK. Key facts: report name (‘South Asia Development Update’, April 23, 2025), India FY26 GDP forecast (6.3%, ↓0.4 pp from 6.7%), FY25 estimate (6.5%), FY24 comparison (9.2% — slowest in 4 years), South Asia 2025 (5.8%), South Asia 2026 (6.1%), WB President (Ajay Banga), HQ (Washington DC), est. (1944), members (189). The FY24 figure (9.2%) as the base that makes FY25 (6.5%) look like a 4-year low is an important contextual anchor for Mains answers.

What: The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme completed five years since its launch on April 24, 2020 — National Panchayati Raj Day — by Prime Minister Modi. Implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in partnership with the Survey of India (Dehradun) and NICSI (technology partner), the scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) that issues property cards (‘record of rights’) to rural household owners. As of January 18, 2025, over 65 lakh property cards have been distributed across 50,000+ villages in 10 states and 2 Union Territories. The scheme was initially budgeted at Rs 566.23 crore (FY21–22) and has been extended to FY26. The MoPR Minister is Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh).

How: SVAMITVA uses drones to map inhabited (abadi) land in rural villages — land that was previously unmapped and therefore lacked formal ownership records. Property cards (known as ‘Adhikar Patras’) enable rural household owners to use their properties as financial assets for loans, reduce property disputes, and support village-level planning. The Survey of India conducts the drone surveys, which feed into digital maps used to prepare land records integrated with state revenue systems.

Why: SVAMITVA is a flagship scheme tested in UPSC GS-II (Panchayati Raj, land rights, rural governance) and GS-III (digital India, property rights). Key MCQ anchors: full form of SVAMITVA, launch date (April 24, 2020, National Panchayati Raj Day), implementing ministry (MoPR), partners (Survey of India + NICSI), output (property cards / ‘record of rights’), progress (65 lakh cards, 50,000+ villages, 10 states + 2 UTs, as of Jan 18 2025), technology used (drones). The drone-based mapping of abadi land and the financial inclusion angle (property-backed loans) are the most UPSC Mains-relevant dimensions.