GK One-Liners

What: The 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM) was held in New Delhi on January 31, 2026. It was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (represented by Khalifa Al Marar). All 22 Arab League member states participated, and the summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.

How: The IAFMM serves as a strategic diplomatic platform to strengthen India-Arab cooperation across trade, energy, security, and cultural ties. The New Delhi Declaration outlines shared commitments on regional stability, counter-terrorism, and economic partnership. The forum builds on the 1st IAFMM held in Riyadh (2024).

Why: India’s engagement with the Arab League is crucial for UPSC International Relations. Questions may focus on the New Delhi Declaration, member states of Arab League, India’s Look West Policy, and energy security ties with Gulf nations.

What: Indian-origin climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan has been awarded the 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He is recognized for his groundbreaking 1975 discovery that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) trap heat approximately 10,000 times more effectively than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

How: The Crafoord Prize complements the Nobel Prize by recognizing fields not covered by Nobel categories, including geosciences, biosciences, mathematics, and astronomy. It is awarded annually and carries a prize of 6 million Swedish kronor (approx. ₹5 crore). Ramanathan’s research laid the foundation for understanding the greenhouse effect of synthetic gases.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC Science & Technology and Environment sections. Questions may appear on the Crafoord Prize, ozone depletion, Montreal Protocol, and contributions of Indian-origin scientists to climate science.

What: The National Statistical Office (NSO) will conduct a comprehensive Migration Survey from July 2026 to June 2027. The survey will cover rural-urban migration, inter-state migration, and seasonal/circular migration patterns across India. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020-21, India’s migration rate stands at 28.9%.

How: The NSO operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The survey will use multi-stage stratified sampling to capture migration flows, reasons for migration (employment, education, marriage), and remittance patterns. Data will feed into policy planning for urban development and social security portability.

Why: Migration data is crucial for UPSC Mains (GS-I: Society, GS-II: Governance). Expect questions on internal migration trends, One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), e-Shram portal, and the role of NSO in national statistics.

What: Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has signed a 3-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) to strengthen cybersecurity in highway operations. The partnership focuses on protecting critical digital infrastructure systems.

How: The collaboration covers cybersecurity for Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll systems, Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, and digital forensics capabilities. NFSU will provide expertise in vulnerability assessment, incident response, and forensic investigation of cyber threats targeting highway networks.

Why: This is relevant for UPSC topics on digital infrastructure, e-governance, and critical infrastructure protection. Questions may appear on NHAI’s digitization initiatives, FASTag ecosystem, and cybersecurity frameworks for public utilities.

What: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved Miniratna Category-I status for Yantra India Limited (YIL), a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU). This upgrade grants YIL enhanced financial autonomy, allowing it to approve capital expenditure projects up to ₹500 crore without seeking government approval. The company’s sales have grown from ₹956 crore to ₹3,108 crore.

How: Miniratna Category-I status is granted to profit-making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) that have made profits in 3 consecutive years and have a positive net worth. The categorization—Miniratna (I & II), Navratna, and Maharatna—determines the level of financial and operational autonomy for CPSEs.

Why: CPSE categorization is a recurring UPSC topic. Understand the criteria for Miniratna, Navratna, and Maharatna status, the role of DPE (Department of Public Enterprises), and defence indigenization through DPSUs like YIL, BEL, HAL, and BEML.

What: World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The 2026 observance marks the 27th edition, with the theme “United by Unique”—the second year of a three-year campaign (2025-27). The day was established through the Charter of Paris signed in 1999 and is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

How: The UICC, headquartered in Geneva, coordinates global activities including awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and support for cancer control programs. The lavender ribbon serves as the universal symbol. India observes this day through initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).

Why: Important Days are frequently asked in Prelims. Note the connection to Charter of Paris (1999), UICC’s role, the lavender ribbon symbol, and India’s National Cancer Grid and NPCDCS for Mains questions on health governance.