GK One-Liners

What: The 16th Finance Commission has recommended retaining the 41% share of the divisible pool of central taxes to be devolved to the states for the period 2026–31. The report was tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2026. Finance Commissions are constituted under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution every five years.

How: The Commission evaluates the fiscal needs and revenue capacity of each state using criteria such as population, area, forest cover, income distance, and tax effort. Based on this assessment, it recommends both the vertical share (Centre vs states) and horizontal distribution (among states). The 41% figure was first recommended by the 15th Finance Commission and has now been retained for the next cycle.

Why: Finance Commission recommendations are a perennial UPSC favourite, appearing in both Prelims and Mains (GS-II: Centre-State fiscal relations). Students must know the constitutional basis (Articles 280, 270), the distinction between vertical and horizontal devolution, and how the devolution formula impacts cooperative federalism.

What: The second tunnel breakthrough on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor has been achieved with the completion of Tunnel MT-6 in Palghar, Maharashtra. The tunnel is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). Gujarat-side operations are expected by 2027, with full Mumbai connectivity by 2029.

How: NATM is a modern tunnelling approach that uses the surrounding rock mass as part of the support structure. Unlike traditional methods, it involves controlled deformation of the rock, shotcrete lining, and real-time monitoring to ensure stability. This technique is especially suited for the varied geological conditions found in the Western Ghats region of the MAHSR corridor.

Why: The MAHSR (India’s first bullet train project) is important for questions on infrastructure development, India-Japan bilateral cooperation, and engineering techniques like NATM and Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM). It also connects to topics on the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.

What: NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Assago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up India’s first green urea plant at Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh. The facility will have a capacity of 1,000 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) of green urea. India currently imports 8–10 Million Tonnes (MT) of urea annually, making this a significant step toward self-sufficiency.

How: Green urea is produced using green hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources, unlike conventional urea which relies on natural gas. The Pudimadaka hub is planned to scale up to 2.5 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of green chemicals, positioning it as a major clean-energy industrial cluster. NGEL, a subsidiary of NTPC, leads India’s green hydrogen ambitions under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Why: This topic connects to multiple UPSC themes: the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India’s fertiliser subsidy burden, import substitution in agriculture, and the broader energy transition. Questions on green hydrogen, renewable-energy-based manufacturing, and India’s climate commitments are increasingly frequent in both Prelims and Mains.

What: The 13th edition of Exercise KHANJAR, a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan, is being conducted at Misamari, Assam from 4–17 February 2026. The exercise involves personnel from the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyz Army’s Scorpion Brigade.

How: The exercise focuses on urban warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and joint tactical drills in simulated conflict scenarios. Both sides share best practices in special operations, close-quarter battle techniques, and intelligence-based operations. The alternating venue format ensures exposure to diverse terrains and operational environments.

Why: Joint military exercises are a staple in UPSC Prelims, especially the exercise name–country pairing. Key associations to remember: KHANJAR (Kyrgyzstan), KAZIND (Kazakhstan), DUSTLIK (Uzbekistan), and NOMADIC ELEPHANT (Mongolia). This also connects to India’s Central Asia policy and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) framework.

What: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-model ride-hailing platform. Operating on the ‘Sarathi Hi Malik’ (driver is the owner) principle, the platform charges zero commission from drivers and promises surge-free pricing for riders. Over 3 lakh drivers have been onboarded at launch.

How: Unlike commercial aggregators like Ola and Uber that charge 20–25% commission, Bharat Taxi is structured as a cooperative where drivers are stakeholders. Revenue is generated through a minimal subscription model rather than per-ride commissions. The cooperative framework aligns with the government’s push to strengthen the cooperative sector through initiatives like the Ministry of Cooperation (established 2021) and PACS digitalisation.

Why: This topic is relevant for questions on the cooperative movement in India, gig economy regulation, and digital governance. The cooperative model connects to GS-II (governance) and GS-III (economy) themes. Students should also note the broader policy context: the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act 2023 and the push for cooperative-based service delivery.

What: World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed annually during the first week of February (1–7 February). It was proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution A/RES/65/5 in October 2010. The initiative is rooted in the ‘A Common Word’ open letter of 2007 that called for Muslim-Christian dialogue.

How: The week encourages interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and goodwill among followers of all religions and beliefs. Events include interfaith conferences, community service projects, and cultural exchanges organised by religious organisations, civil society groups, and governments worldwide. It serves as a platform to promote peace and counter extremism through dialogue.

Why: Important days linked to UN resolutions are frequently tested in Prelims. Students should note the proposer (King Abdullah II of Jordan), the year of UNGA adoption (2010), and the foundational document (‘A Common Word’ initiative, 2007). This also connects to broader themes of secularism, pluralism, and India’s constitutional values under GS-II.