GK One-Liners

What: The Union Cabinet approved ₹3,985 crore for constructing a third launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This infrastructure will support the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) next-generation missions including crewed spaceflights under the Gaganyaan program and heavy-lift satellite launches.

How: The new launchpad will be designed to handle larger and more complex rockets, including the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and human-rated launch systems. It will feature advanced fueling systems, launch control facilities, and enhanced safety protocols for crewed missions. The project is expected to be completed in phases over the next few years.

Why: Space technology and ISRO missions are frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS III – Science & Technology). Questions on budget allocations for space programs, India’s space infrastructure, and comparisons with global space agencies are common. This also connects to Atmanirbhar Bharat and India’s strategic autonomy in critical technologies.

What: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D institution, signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to develop an indigenous 6G optical transceiver chipset. This collaboration aims to establish India as a leader in next-generation wireless communication technology.

How: The partnership will combine C-DOT’s telecom expertise with IIT Bombay’s cutting-edge research in photonics and semiconductor design. The optical transceiver chipset will enable ultra-high-speed data transmission essential for 6G networks, which promise speeds 100 times faster than 5G. The project aligns with the National Digital Communications Policy 2018 and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom equipment.

Why: Questions on emerging technologies like 6G, indigenous manufacturing under Make in India, and strategic technology partnerships appear regularly in UPSC exams. This topic connects to Digital India, semiconductor mission, and India’s position in the global technology race—relevant for both Prelims (Science & Tech) and Mains (GS III – Technology and Economy).

What: Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, raising the court’s working strength to 33 judges. Previously serving as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice Chandran’s appointment fills one of the two vacancies in the apex court, which has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

How: Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President of India based on recommendations from the collegium system, which includes the CJI and the four senior-most judges. Justice Chandran’s elevation follows the constitutional requirement under Article 124 and maintains judicial representation from different High Courts across India.

Why: The composition of the Supreme Court, collegium system, and judicial appointments are core Polity topics for both UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS II – Governance and Constitution). Questions on Article 124, the appointment process, sanctioned vs. working strength, and recent debates on judicial reforms appear frequently. Understanding the current composition helps in answering factual questions and discussing issues like judicial vacancies and pendency.

What: The PRABHAAV Factbook and Bharat Startup Challenge were launched during Startup India’s 9th Foundation Day celebrations. PRABHAAV (Progress and Road Ahead for Bhartiya Aspirations and Achievements Vision) is a comprehensive documentation of India’s startup ecosystem achievements, tracking the journey from 300 startups in 2016 to over 1.4 lakh recognized startups in 2025.

How: The Startup India initiative, launched on 16 January 2016, provides benefits including tax exemptions, simplified compliance, faster patent examination, and access to funding. The PRABHAAV Factbook compiles data on sector-wise growth, unicorn creation, employment generation, and the impact of government schemes like the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS).

Why: Government schemes for entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem development are important topics in UPSC Mains GS III (Economy). Questions on flagship programs like Startup India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and their quantitative impact (number of startups, unicorns, employment) appear regularly. Understanding these initiatives helps in essay writing and answer writing on economic growth and innovation.

What: The World Bank released its Global Economic Prospects report projecting India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.7% for both FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27. This makes India one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, significantly outpacing advanced economies and most emerging markets despite global headwinds.

How: The projection factors in India’s robust domestic consumption, infrastructure investment push, manufacturing growth under PLI schemes, digital economy expansion, and demographic dividend. The World Bank assessment considers monetary policy transmission, fiscal consolidation targets, private sector investment trends, and external sector stability including foreign exchange reserves and current account balance.

Why: International organization assessments of India’s economy are crucial for UPSC Prelims (Economic Survey, Budget analysis) and Mains GS III (Indian Economy). Comparing projections from different institutions (World Bank, IMF, RBI, FICCI) tests analytical ability. Questions on GDP composition, growth drivers, and India’s position vis-à-vis other emerging economies are common, especially in the context of India becoming the third-largest economy.

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This mega event brings together stakeholders from the automotive, manufacturing, and mobility sectors showcasing India’s progress in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, sustainable transportation, and manufacturing capabilities in the automobile sector.

How: The expo features participation from leading global and domestic automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, technology providers, and startups. It serves as a platform to showcase India’s achievements under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for automobiles, electric mobility push through FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme, and the evolution of India as a global manufacturing hub for vehicles and components.

Why: The automobile sector is significant for Indian economy discussions in UPSC Mains GS III, covering manufacturing policies, Make in India, export competitiveness, and green mobility transition. Questions on PLI schemes, electric vehicle policies, emission norms (BS-VI), and India’s automobile export potential appear in both Prelims and Mains. The expo reflects India’s ambition to become a global mobility hub, relevant for understanding sectoral growth strategies.