GK One-Liners

What: The 16th National Voters’ Day was observed on 25th January 2026 with the theme “My India, My Vote” and tagline “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy.” This day commemorates the foundation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on 25th January 1950, just one day before India became a Republic.

How: The day was first instituted in 2011 to encourage voter participation and spread awareness about electoral rights. Activities include felicitation of new voters, oath-taking ceremonies, and voter registration drives across all states and union territories.

Why: Questions on ECI foundation date, National Voters’ Day themes, and constitutional provisions related to elections (Articles 324-329) frequently appear in UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams. The ECI being a constitutional body makes it a high-priority topic for Polity.

What: The Government launched the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA-India), a comprehensive digital platform marking 15 years of the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) programme. The atlas was developed jointly by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Borlaug Institute.

How: ACASA-India consolidates data on over 2,660 climate-tolerant crop varieties developed under NICRA. It provides region-wise climate vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies, helping farmers and policymakers make informed decisions on crop selection and agricultural practices.

Why: Climate-resilient agriculture is a key topic for UPSC Environment and Agriculture sections. Questions on ICAR initiatives, climate adaptation programmes, and food security measures are common in both Prelims and Mains. The Borlaug Institute connection links to Green Revolution history.

What: The Government notified the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Rules 2026, enabled through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. The rules establish a structured mechanism for collecting and utilizing environmental penalties for pollution control and remediation activities.

How: Under the new framework, 75% of collected penalties go to the respective State government while 25% is retained by the Centre. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will maintain a dedicated portal for tracking fund utilization, with mandatory Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audits. The rules specify 11 permitted uses including pollution control measures.

Why: The Jan Vishwas Act 2023 is a landmark decriminalization legislation frequently asked in exams. Questions on CPCB, environmental governance mechanisms, and Centre-State fund sharing in environmental matters are relevant for both Prelims and Mains GS-III.

What: NITI Aayog released comprehensive decarbonisation roadmaps for three hard-to-abate industrial sectors: cement, aluminium, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). India is the world’s second-largest cement producer, contributing 13% of global cement production.

How: The cement sector roadmap targets emission reduction from the current 0.63 tCO2/tonne to 0.09–0.13 tCO2/tonne by 2070, aligning with India’s net-zero commitment. Strategies include fuel switching, clinker substitution, carbon capture technologies, and energy efficiency improvements across production processes.

Why: Industrial decarbonisation is critical for India’s 2070 net-zero target under the Paris Agreement. Questions on NITI Aayog initiatives, India’s climate commitments, and sector-wise emission profiles are frequently asked in UPSC Environment and Economy sections.

What: A proposed bill seeks to lower the age threshold for transferring juveniles to adult courts from 16 years to 14 years for heinous offences under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) cases constitute only 0.5% of total crimes recorded.

How: Under the current JJ Act, 2015, only juveniles aged 16–18 can be tried as adults for heinous offences after assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board. NCRB 2023 data shows that 79% of apprehended CICL were in the 16–18 age group, raising questions about whether lowering the threshold would significantly impact juvenile crime rates.

Why: The JJ Act, 2015 is a landmark child protection legislation with high exam relevance. Questions on age thresholds, JJB composition, and child rights frameworks appear regularly in UPSC Polity and Social Issues sections. The debate also connects to international conventions like UNCRC.

What: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir, a special library facility at Rashtrapati Bhavan housing 2,300 books and 50 rare manuscripts in 11 classical languages of India. The initiative supports the Gyan Bharatam Mission under the Ministry of Culture.

How: Granth Kutir serves as a repository for preserving and showcasing India’s literary heritage across classical languages including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, and others recognized under the Eighth Schedule. The facility complements digital preservation efforts under the National Mission for Manuscripts.

Why: Questions on classical languages (criteria under Eighth Schedule), cultural preservation initiatives, and Ministry of Culture programmes are common in UPSC Prelims. The Gyan Bharatam Mission connects to India’s knowledge tradition promotion efforts and soft power diplomacy.