GK One-Liners

What: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (16–20 February), with over 80 nations endorsing the “New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments” (Delhi Declaration). India set a Guinness World Record for “Most AI responsibility pledges in 24 hours” with 250,946 pledges, demonstrating mass public engagement with AI governance.

How: The summit served as a platform for global AI governance dialogue, with PM Modi articulating India’s vision of AI as “fortune and future” rather than fear. Google announced a $15 billion ‘America-India Connect’ initiative for subsea cables, with a new international gateway in Visakhapatnam connecting India to Singapore, South Africa, and Australia.

Why: This summit positions India as a leader in responsible AI governance—a theme increasingly tested in UPSC under Science & Technology and International Relations. The Delhi Declaration, Google’s infrastructure investment, and India’s AI Mission are high-yield topics for Prelims and Mains (GS-III).

What: CMA CGM, a French global shipping major, signed a $360 million contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for construction of 6 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-fuelled container vessels. This marks the first-ever ‘Made in India’ container ship order placed by a global shipping company with an Indian shipyard.

How: The deal has boosted CSL’s order book to Rs 23,000 crore, reflecting India’s growing capabilities in complex shipbuilding. LNG-fuelled vessels align with International Maritime Organization (IMO) decarbonization targets, as LNG reduces sulphur emissions by 99% and CO₂ by up to 25% compared to conventional fuels.

Why: This exemplifies Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence-adjacent manufacturing and aligns with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030. Questions on shipbuilding PSUs, green shipping, and self-reliance in strategic sectors appear frequently in UPSC Economy and Infrastructure sections.

What: ‘Boong’, a Manipuri-language film, won Best Children’s & Family Film at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) 2026 held at Royal Festival Hall, London. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, this represents a historic win for Indian regional cinema on the global stage.

How: The BAFTA ceremony, hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming, saw ‘One Battle After Another’ dominate with 6 wins including Best Film and Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson). Alia Bhatt served as a presenter alongside Cillian Murphy and Bryan Cranston, marking Indian representation at the event.

Why: Regional cinema recognition at international awards highlights India’s diverse film landscape—relevant for Art & Culture sections. BAFTA, established in 1947, is a prestigious British award; questions on major international film awards and Indian winners appear in competitive exams.

What: Three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, including commander Saifullah, were neutralized in Operation Trashi-I conducted in the Passerkut area of Chatroo belt, Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the encounter site, bringing the total JeM terrorists killed in Jammu region in 2026 to seven.

How: The operation was conducted jointly by the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta, J&K Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), with the White Knight Corps (Indian Army) providing strategic support. Such joint operations leverage intelligence sharing and coordinated action between state and central security forces.

Why: Counter-terrorism operations in J&K remain relevant for Internal Security (GS-III). Understanding the roles of different forces (CRPF, BSF, Army), terror organizations operating in India (JeM, LeT), and joint operation frameworks is essential for UPSC Mains and interviews.

What: The Health Minister launched SAHI (Safe and Accountable Healthcare AI), a framework for responsible AI deployment in healthcare. Alongside, BODH, a Health AI benchmarking platform developed by IIT Kanpur and the National Health Authority (NHA), was unveiled to evaluate and standardize AI tools in the health sector.

How: SAHI establishes guidelines for AI safety, accountability, and ethical use in clinical settings, addressing concerns like algorithmic bias and data privacy. BODH provides a standardized benchmarking system to assess AI models’ accuracy, reliability, and clinical utility before deployment in India’s health ecosystem.

Why: AI governance in healthcare connects Digital India with public health policy—a convergence theme in UPSC. Questions on AI ethics, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and technology-enabled healthcare delivery appear in Science & Technology and Governance sections.

What: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for supply of 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice for global hunger relief operations. The rice price has been fixed at Rs 2,800 per quintal until March 2026.

How: FCI, the nodal agency for food grain procurement and distribution in India, will source rice from India’s buffer stocks for WFP’s humanitarian operations in food-insecure regions globally. This partnership leverages India’s status as a major rice producer while supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).

Why: This MoU highlights India’s role in global food security and humanitarian diplomacy. Questions on FCI functions, food security architecture, WFP operations, and India’s contribution to SDGs are frequently tested in Economy (GS-III) and International Relations (GS-II).