GK One-Liners

What: India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26th January 2026 with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa as joint chief guests—the first time two European Union officials attended together. The parade theme commemorated 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, featuring 30 tableaux and Bactrian camels named ‘Galwan’ and ‘Nubra’ from Ladakh.

How: This historic invitation precedes the 16th India-EU Summit on 27th January 2026, where both sides aim to finalise a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a new Security and Defence Partnership. The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade reaching approximately US$136 billion in 2024-25.

Why: Questions on Republic Day chief guests, India-EU relations, and FTA negotiations are common in UPSC Prelims and Mains GS-II. The strategic significance of India-EU ties amid global realignments makes this a high-priority current affairs topic.

What: The Election Commission of India (ECI) concluded the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 with the unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026. This consensus document was adopted by 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the world, outlining shared priorities for strengthening democratic processes globally.

How: The Declaration is built on five pillars: Purity of Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections, Research and Publications, Use of Technology, and Training and Capacity Building. The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) will serve as the hub for training programmes, knowledge exchanges, and best-practice dissemination, with EMBs reconvening in December 2026.

Why: ECI’s international leadership role and electoral reforms are frequently asked in UPSC Polity. Questions on IIIDEM, India’s election management expertise, and constitutional provisions related to ECI (Articles 324-329) are high-yield topics for both Prelims and Mains.

What: India achieved a major public health milestone by reducing malaria cases and deaths by over 80% between 2015 and 2023. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that 160 districts across 23 States and Union Territories maintained zero indigenous malaria cases for three consecutive years (2022-2024). Deaths reached a historic low of 83 in 2023.

How: Key initiatives driving this success include the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030, National Strategic Plan 2023-2027 with its ‘Test, Treat, Track’ strategy, Integrated Vector Management using Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), and MERA India (Malaria Elimination Research Alliance) by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Over 85% of remaining cases are concentrated in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Why: Public health achievements and government health missions are important for UPSC GS-II and GS-III. Questions on malaria elimination targets, ICMR initiatives, and disease burden statistics are relevant for both Prelims and Health-related essay topics.

What: India joined Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative to secure the end-to-end silicon and Artificial Intelligence (AI) supply chain—from critical minerals and energy inputs to semiconductors and logistics. India also participated in G7 critical minerals talks to counter China’s dominance in this strategic sector.

How: India’s critical minerals sector faces challenges: less than 20% of geological potential explored, weak Exploration Licence incentives (only 50% cost reimbursement capped at ₹20 crore versus ~₹150 crore actual exploration cost), long project timelines (16+ years globally), and high effective tax burden (60-65%). Recent reforms include the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2025, removal of six minerals from the ‘atomic minerals’ list for private participation, and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) repositioning.

Why: Critical minerals, semiconductor policy, and supply chain security are increasingly important for UPSC Economy and International Relations. Questions on MMDR Act amendments, mineral exploration policies, and India’s position in global supply chains are high-priority topics.

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its annual ‘State Finances’ report for FY 2025-26, revealing that the consolidated Gross Fiscal Deficit is budgeted at 3.3% of GDP for FY25, up from 3% over the previous three fiscal years. Total outstanding state liabilities stand at 29.2% of GDP, significantly exceeding the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee’s (2017) recommended target of 20%.

How: State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) has emerged as the primary tax source, though growth has slowed. Major concerns include expenditure rigidity (salaries, pensions, interest payments), non-merit subsidies crowding out productive investments, Distribution Company (Discom) stress creating contingent liabilities, and transparency gaps in off-budget borrowings. Demographically divergent needs exist: young states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh require education investment, while ageing states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu face pension and geriatric healthcare pressures.

Why: State finances, fiscal federalism, and FRBM compliance are crucial for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and federal governance questions. RBI reports provide authentic data points frequently used in exam questions on Centre-State fiscal relations.

What: Recent excavations at Lakkundi in Karnataka’s Gadag district have unearthed Neolithic-era artefacts, strengthening the State’s push to include Lakkundi in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-supervised excavation at Kote Veerabhadreshwar Temple uncovered a broken grey clay pot, stone axe, cowrie shells, and a cross-shaped pedestal.

How: Historically known as Lokkigundi, Lakkundi was a major economic, religious, and cultural centre from the 10th to 13th centuries under the Kalyana Chalukyas and Hoysalas. Known as the ‘village of a hundred wells and temples’, it is associated with Queen Attimabbe (11th century), a noted Jain patron. The discoveries confirm continuous human occupation from prehistoric to early medieval periods.

Why: Questions on ASI excavations, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and medieval dynasties (Chalukyas, Hoysalas) are common in UPSC Art and Culture. Lakkundi’s connection to Jain heritage and Deccan temple architecture makes it relevant for both Prelims and Mains.