GK One-Liners

What: A Maharashtra delegation visited Paris to seek United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage status for 12 Maratha forts collectively termed the “Maratha Military Landscape.” The nomination includes 11 forts in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu — Gingee Fort. These forts were built between the 17th and 19th centuries under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and subsequent Maratha rulers.

How: The nomination covers hill forts (Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Raigad, Rajgad), hill-forest and hill-plateau forts (Pratapgad, Panhala), coastal forts (Vijaydurg), and island forts (Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Khanderi). If approved, this would become Maharashtra’s 6th UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shivneri Fort holds special significance as the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (born 19 February 1630).

Why: UNESCO World Heritage nominations are a recurring topic in UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams. Questions frequently test fort names, their geographic classification (hill, coastal, island), and the total count of India’s World Heritage Sites. This topic also connects to Art & Culture and Indian History segments of the UPSC syllabus.

What: The Ministry of Mines has reclassified Barytes, Feldspar, Mica, and Quartz from minor minerals to major minerals. Major minerals are regulated by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). These minerals contain critical elements such as Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, and Tantalum.

How: Under the MMDR Act, the maximum lease period for major minerals is 50 years (Section 8A). Barytes is used in oil drilling and radiation shielding; Feldspar is essential for ceramics and glass; Mica serves electrical insulation and aerospace applications; and Quartz is critical for semiconductors and optics. The reclassification brings these minerals under stricter central regulation and more systematic exploration frameworks.

Why: The MMDR Act, distinction between major and minor minerals, and critical mineral supply chains are high-yield topics for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. India’s push to secure critical minerals for semiconductor manufacturing and clean energy transitions makes this a frequently tested area.

What: DeepCXR, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic tool, has been recommended for tuberculosis (TB) screening under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP). Developed by the Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, and approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the tool was trained on 54,000 X-ray images and validated using 14,000 images.

How: DeepCXR analyses chest X-rays using deep learning algorithms to identify TB indicators with a claimed accuracy of 96%. It is designed to support mass screening campaigns, especially in resource-limited settings where radiologists may not be available. The tool integrates into the existing NTEP infrastructure managed by the Central TB Division (CTD).

Why: India’s target to eliminate TB by 2025 (ahead of the global 2030 target) is a staple UPSC topic. AI applications in healthcare, ICMR’s regulatory role, and flagship health programmes like NTEP frequently appear in Prelims and Mains (GS-II: Health, GS-III: Science & Technology). The 96% accuracy figure and training dataset size are testable factual data points.

What: The Central Government withheld ₹2,152 crore from Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme due to the state’s non-implementation of the three-language formula. Tamil Nadu has followed a two-language policy (Tamil and English) since 1968, rejecting the inclusion of Hindi in school education.

How: The three-language formula was first introduced in the National Education Policy (NEP) 1968 under PM Indira Gandhi, recommending students learn their mother tongue, Hindi, and English. NEP 2020 further emphasises mother tongue education till Grade 5–8 with flexibility in language choice. Tamil Nadu’s stance creates a Centre-State friction point, as central scheme funding is being linked to compliance with national education policy frameworks.

Why: Centre-State relations, education as a Concurrent List subject, and language policy disputes are core UPSC GS-II topics. The interplay between NEP provisions and state autonomy in education, along with the constitutional provisions on language (Articles 343–351), are frequently tested in both Prelims and Mains.

What: Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a method to enhance the stability of perovskite nanocrystals. Perovskite is a class of compounds with a crystal structure similar to Calcium Titanate (CaTiO₃). Perovskite-based LEDs (PeLEDs) combine the advantages of Organic LEDs (OLEDs) and Quantum Dot LEDs (QLEDs).

How: PeLEDs offer high brightness, energy efficiency, and colour tunability, making them promising for next-generation display technology. The CeNS breakthrough addresses the key challenge of nanocrystal instability, which has limited commercial deployment. However, a significant limitation remains — most perovskite compounds contain lead (Pb), raising environmental and health concerns.

Why: Nanomaterial breakthroughs and emerging display technologies are increasingly featured in UPSC Science & Technology sections. Understanding perovskite applications (solar cells, LEDs) and the role of Indian research institutions like CeNS in frontier materials science is valuable for both Prelims factual questions and Mains analytical answers on India’s R&D ecosystem.

What: Vietnam published an official map defining its baseline claim in the Gulf of Tonkin, extending from Quang Ninh to Quang Tri provinces. The map aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982, and the Vietnam-China Gulf of Tonkin Agreement signed in 2000. The Gulf of Tonkin is located in the northwestern South China Sea.

How: The Gulf of Tonkin is bordered by Vietnam to the west and China to the north and east, with the Red River being the largest river flowing into it. Baseline claims define the starting point from which a country’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are measured. The Gulf is historically significant — the Gulf of Tonkin Incident of 1964 led to direct US military intervention in the Vietnam War.

Why: UNCLOS provisions, maritime boundary disputes, and South China Sea geopolitics are perennial UPSC GS-II (International Relations) topics. Understanding baselines, EEZ calculations, and the strategic significance of contested waters is essential for both Prelims and Mains. The India-Vietnam strategic partnership adds another layer of exam relevance to this development.