GK One-Liners

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Seva Teerth, India’s new integrated Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) complex in New Delhi. The complex operates under the motto ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (Citizen is God) and houses the PMO, National Security Council (NSC), and Cabinet Secretariat under one roof, symbolizing unified governance.

How: The complex consolidates key executive institutions to enhance coordination and decision-making efficiency. The motto emphasizes citizen-centric governance, aligning with Digital India and e-governance initiatives. The first scheme signed at the venue was PM RAHAT, providing cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims.

Why: Questions on institutional frameworks, governance reforms, and flagship schemes appear regularly in UPSC GS-II (Polity & Governance). The ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ philosophy connects to Gandhian values and citizen-centric administration—both mains and interview topics.

What: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France in a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal—India’s largest-ever defence contract. The deal includes 18 fly-away aircraft and 96 jets to be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative, significantly boosting indigenous defence production.

How: The agreement follows the existing Rafale fleet of 36 jets inducted from 2019-2022. Under this deal, 96 aircraft will be assembled domestically, involving technology transfer and creating a robust aerospace ecosystem. This aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat goals and strengthens India’s multi-role combat aircraft capability amid regional security challenges.

Why: Defence procurement, Make in India, and strategic partnerships are core UPSC GS-III (Security) themes. Questions on India-France defence cooperation, indigenization efforts, and DAC’s role frequently appear. The ₹3.25 lakh crore figure is a direct factual anchor for prelims.

What: The government doubled the Lakhpati Didi target from 3 crore to 6 crore women by March 2029, following the original target being achieved a year ahead of schedule. The scheme empowers Self-Help Group (SHG) women to earn annual incomes exceeding ₹1 lakh through skill development, microfinance, and entrepreneurship support.

How: Lakhpati Didi operates under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), providing vocational training, credit linkages, and market access to rural women. The success is attributed to robust SHG networks, digital financial inclusion, and targeted livelihood interventions across sectors like agriculture, handicrafts, and retail.

Why: Women empowerment, financial inclusion, and poverty alleviation are staple UPSC GS-I (Social Issues) and GS-III (Inclusive Growth) topics. The scheme’s quantitative targets (3 crore to 6 crore) and timeline (March 2029) are likely prelims anchors. Mains essays often require examples of grassroots economic transformation.

What: India established its first national biobank dedicated to Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs), spanning 28 institutions across 6 states. LSDs are rare inherited metabolic disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies that lead to harmful buildup of substances in cells. The biobank will collect, store, and distribute biological samples for research and diagnostic purposes.

How: The network integrates premier medical research institutions to create a centralized repository of patient samples, genetic data, and clinical information. This facilitates collaborative research, enables early diagnosis through genetic screening, and supports development of targeted therapies. The biobank follows international protocols for sample preservation and data management.

Why: Healthcare infrastructure, rare disease management, and biomedical research are emerging UPSC GS-III (Science & Technology) themes. Questions on biobanks, genomic databases, and precision medicine reflect India’s growing emphasis on advanced healthcare. The multi-state institutional collaboration model is relevant for governance questions on cooperative federalism in health.

What: The Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF-154) at Manama, Bahrain, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime leadership role. CTF-154 is a multinational naval coalition focused on maritime security training, capacity building, and regional cooperation in the Arabian Sea and Gulf region. The force was established in May 2023.

How: CTF-154 operates under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) framework, bringing together navies from multiple nations for joint exercises, information sharing, and coordinated patrols. India’s command role involves leading training missions, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening maritime domain awareness. This aligns with India’s Act East and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrines.

Why: India’s expanding maritime diplomacy, multilateral naval partnerships, and strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean Region are high-frequency UPSC GS-II (International Relations) and GS-III (Security) topics. CTF-154 command demonstrates India’s growing global security responsibilities—a theme likely in both mains and interviews on India’s strategic autonomy.

What: Aditya Pandya, a 17-year-old from India, became the country’s youngest analogue astronaut after completing an 8-day simulated lunar mission at Dholavira, Gujarat. Analogue astronauts train in Earth-based environments that replicate space conditions, including isolation, resource constraints, and scientific experimentation protocols used on actual space missions.

How: The simulation at Dholavira—a UNESCO World Heritage Harappan site—involved habitat modules mimicking lunar bases, conducting geological surveys, testing space suits, and performing experiments under Mars/Moon-like conditions. Such missions prepare participants for challenges of extra-terrestrial exploration and contribute valuable data to space agencies like ISRO for future manned missions like Gaganyaan.

Why: India’s space program, ISRO milestones, and human spaceflight initiatives are staple UPSC GS-III (Science & Technology) questions. Analogue missions represent public-private collaboration in space education and STEM advancement—themes aligned with National Education Policy 2020 and Atal Innovation Mission. Youth achievements in STEM fields are popular interview and essay topics.