GK One-Liners

What: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched the Udyam Sakhi Portal to help women entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain enterprises. The portal maps women-led businesses to key government schemes and finance channels including PMEGP, CGTMSE, MUDRA, and TReDS platforms.

How: Udyam Sakhi serves as a one-stop digital platform connecting women entrepreneurs with credit access (MUDRA loans, CGTMSE guarantees), skill development programmes, marketing support, and mentorship networks. By consolidating information about schemes like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), it reduces information asymmetry for women-owned MSMEs.

Why: Women entrepreneurship initiatives, MSME schemes, and digital platforms for enterprise support are important for UPSC GS-II (Governance) and GS-III (Economy). Understanding CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for MSEs), MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency), and the 3% public procurement mandate for women-owned MSMEs demonstrates awareness of gender-inclusive economic policies.

What: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed adding formal definitions of algorithmic trading and proprietary trading in stock-broker regulations. Alongside, SEBI is enabling broker access to NDS-OM (Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching) and defining Execution Only Platforms (EOPs) for direct mutual fund plan transactions.

How: Algorithmic trading uses computer programmes to execute trades at high speeds based on pre-set parameters. Clear definitions help regulate high-frequency trading, ensure market fairness, and establish accountability. Proprietary trading involves brokers trading their own capital rather than client funds, requiring distinct regulatory treatment to manage conflicts of interest.

Why: Capital market regulation, SEBI’s role, and emerging trading technologies are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. Understanding algo trading’s market impact, the distinction between retail and proprietary trading, and platforms like NDS-OM (for government securities) demonstrates awareness of India’s evolving financial market infrastructure.

What: India’s Deep Ocean Mission, launched in 2021 with a ₹4,077-crore outlay, is advancing blue economy goals by exploring and sustainably using ocean resources across India’s 7,500-km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The mission encompasses deep-sea mining, biodiversity exploration, underwater robotics, and ocean climate studies.

How: The mission’s flagship component is Samudrayaan—sending a manned submersible (MATSYA 6000) to 6,000-metre depth for polymetallic nodule exploration in the Central Indian Ocean, where India has ISA-allocated mining rights. Other components include developing underwater vehicles, establishing desalination plants using ocean thermal energy, and studying deep-sea biodiversity.

Why: The Deep Ocean Mission, Blue Economy initiatives, and India’s EEZ (2.37 million sq km) are highly relevant for UPSC GS-III (Science & Technology, Environment). Understanding UNCLOS provisions on EEZ, the International Seabed Authority’s role, and India’s oceanic research capabilities (including vessels like Sagar Nidhi and Samudra Ratnakar) demonstrates comprehensive maritime awareness.

What: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) named Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as its Vice-Presidential nominee for the election scheduled on 9 September 2025. This follows the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July 2025. Governor Radhakrishnan has previously served as Governor of Jharkhand and Telangana.

How: The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) through a single transferable vote system. The Vice President serves as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha and acts as President in case of vacancy, death, or incapacity of the President (maximum 6 months).

Why: Vice-Presidential election process, qualifications (Article 66), and constitutional role are important for UPSC Polity. Understanding the differences from Presidential election (which includes state legislators), the Vice President’s functions, and recent holders of the office demonstrates awareness of constitutional offices and electoral procedures.

What: India will host the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 for the first time in Dehradun from 20-23 August 2025. This is billed as the country’s biggest international winter-sports event, showcasing India’s growing capability to host diverse sporting competitions beyond traditional cricket and hockey.

How: Short track speed skating is an ice-rink sport where skaters race on a 111-metre oval track. Hosting such events requires specialised infrastructure including ice rinks with precise temperature control. Dehradun’s selection reflects investments in winter sports infrastructure as India aims to develop athletes for Winter Olympics and Asian Winter Games.

Why: India’s sports hosting capabilities, Khelo India Winter Games, and winter sports development are relevant for sports-related current affairs. Understanding India’s push to diversify beyond traditional sports, develop athletes for multiple Olympic disciplines, and build sports infrastructure demonstrates awareness of the country’s evolving sports ecosystem.

What: World Photography Day is observed on 19 August to celebrate photography’s art and science. The 2025 theme is ‘My Favorite Photo’, encouraging people worldwide to share images that hold personal significance and demonstrate photography’s power to capture memories, document events, and express creativity.

How: The date commemorates 19 August 1839, when the French government purchased the patent for the Daguerreotype process—invented by Louis Daguerre—and announced it as a “gift to the world.” This made photography accessible to the public rather than remaining a proprietary technology, revolutionising visual documentation.

Why: Important days and their historical significance are regularly tested in competitive exams. Understanding the Daguerreotype’s role in photography history, the evolution of imaging technology (from film to digital), and photography’s impact on journalism, science, and art provides cultural and technological context for general awareness questions.