GK One-Liners

What: Sikkim has become India’s first state to introduce a sabbatical leave option for government employees, offering long-duration breaks while protecting service continuity. This progressive policy allows eligible permanent and temporary staff to take extended leave ranging from 365 to 1,080 days (approximately 1 to 3 years).

How: Under the scheme, employees on sabbatical receive 50% of their basic pay, retain seniority upon return, and benefit from decentralised approval processes to reduce administrative delays. The policy recognises the need for work-life balance, personal development, caregiving responsibilities, or pursuing higher education while ensuring workforce stability through planned leave management.

Why: Sikkim frequently features in “India’s first” questions—it was the first fully organic state (2016) and first to implement Universal Basic Income pilot. State-level governance innovations, particularly those related to employee welfare and administrative reforms, are relevant for UPSC GS-II (Governance) and State PSC examinations. This policy may inspire similar initiatives in other states.

What: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish India’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in a refinery. The network will enable Industry 4.0 applications including Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), digital twins, and big-data analytics.

How: A 5G Captive Non-Public Network is a dedicated private cellular network that provides secure, high-speed connectivity within a specific industrial facility. Unlike public 5G networks, CNPNs offer enhanced security, ultra-low latency, and customised configurations for critical industrial operations. The project will improve operational efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity, and support predictive maintenance in refinery operations.

Why: This initiative aligns with India’s ‘whole-of-government’ approach to digital self-reliance and promotes innovation, skilling, and employment in the telecom-industrial convergence space. Questions on 5G applications, Industry 4.0 concepts, BSNL’s revival initiatives, and PSU collaborations are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Science & Technology) and banking/SSC examinations covering digital infrastructure.

What: India received the last of the first 16 Airbus C-295MW transport aircraft from Spain under the 2021 contract, completing the initial delivery tranche. The C-295MW features approximately 11 hours of endurance and a payload capacity of 5–10 tonnes, and will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro fleet that has been in service since the 1960s.

How: Under the ₹21,935 crore deal signed in September 2021, 16 aircraft are being delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India at Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. This creates India’s first private-sector military aircraft assembly line and significantly boosts defence indigenisation under Make in India.

Why: The C-295 programme represents a landmark in India’s defence manufacturing evolution, transitioning from imports to domestic production. Questions on defence procurement procedures, Make in India in defence, major aircraft/equipment deals, and public-private partnerships in defence manufacturing are frequently asked in UPSC, CDS, and NDA examinations.

What: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Telangana government signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish India’s first FIFA Girls’ Talent Academy at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium Complex. The agreement was finalised at the Telangana Sports Conclave on 2 August 2025, marking a significant step in developing women’s football in India.

How: Under the partnership, AIFF and FIFA will handle technical operations including scouting, training methodologies, and coaching standards. The Telangana Sports Authority will provide infrastructure, logistics, educational support, financial backing, and athlete welfare facilities. The academy will identify and nurture talented young female footballers through systematic grassroots development programmes.

Why: FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme and India’s efforts to develop football infrastructure are relevant for sports-related current affairs questions. AIFF, founded in 1937 and headquartered in New Delhi, is the governing body for football in India. Understanding sports governance, major academies, and government-federation partnerships is useful for UPSC, SSC, and state-level examinations.

What: At Ramsar COP15, the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) unveiled its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan to strengthen cross-border wetland conservation in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot region. The initiative is supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and backed by Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

How: The strategic plan focuses on halting wetland loss, improving climate resilience of wetland ecosystems, and promoting sustainable management through strong governance frameworks and community participation. It emphasises transboundary cooperation for shared river basins and migratory bird flyways, recognising that wetland conservation requires coordinated regional action.

Why: The Ramsar Convention (1971) on Wetlands of International Importance is a key environmental treaty. India has 85 Ramsar sites (as of 2024). Questions on Ramsar sites, their criteria, regional initiatives, and wetland conservation are frequently asked in UPSC Environment & Ecology sections. The Indo-Burma region is one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, adding to the topic’s exam relevance.

What: After the successful NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, ISRO is preparing to launch AST SpaceMobile’s 6,500-kg ‘BlueBird’ communications satellite on the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) from Sriharikota later in 2025. This mission deepens Indo-US space cooperation and demonstrates ISRO’s capability to launch heavy commercial satellites.

How: AST SpaceMobile is a US-based company building a space-based cellular broadband network to provide connectivity directly to standard mobile phones without requiring specialised equipment. The BlueBird satellite will be among the largest commercial communications satellites, and LVM3’s 4-tonne payload capacity to Geostationary Transfer Orbit makes it suitable for such heavy payloads.

Why: This commercial launch aligns with India’s broader space roadmap including Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035. Questions on ISRO’s launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3), their payload capacities, commercial launches through NSIL, and international space cooperation are essential for UPSC Science & Technology preparation.