GK One-Liners

What: India achieved 150.18 million tonnes of rice production, surpassing China’s 145.28 million tonnes to become the world’s largest rice producer. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced this milestone on 4 January 2026 in New Delhi. India is also the world’s largest rice exporter with 20.1 million metric tonnes exported in 2024-25.

How: This achievement results from the release of 184 improved varieties of 25 field crops by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), including 122 cereal varieties. Since 2014, 3,236 high-yielding varieties have been approved—nearly matching the 3,969 varieties approved between 1969-2014. Top producing states include Uttar Pradesh (13.8%), Telangana (11.6%), West Bengal (10.6%), Punjab (9.5%), and Chhattisgarh (7%).

Why: This topic is crucial for UPSC Mains GS3 (Agriculture) and Prelims questions on crop production rankings. It connects to themes of food security, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s transformation from a food-deficit nation to a global agricultural powerhouse. Banking exams frequently test current economic indicators and India’s global rankings.

What: The first mountain tunnel breakthrough was achieved in Mountain Tunnel-5 (MT-5) in Palghar district, between Virar and Boisar stations. This 1.5 km tunnel was completed in 18 months using the drill-and-blast method. The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor includes 27.4 km of tunnels, comprising 21 km underground and 6.4 km on the surface.

How: The corridor spans 352 km in Gujarat and Dadra Nagar Haveli, and 156 km in Maharashtra, connecting nine stations from Sabarmati to Mumbai. The project features eight mountain tunnels (seven in Maharashtra totaling 6.05 km, one in Gujarat measuring 350 m). With 85% of the route on viaducts (465 km), 326 km of viaduct work has been completed, and 17 of 25 river bridges are constructed. Designed for 320 kmph, it will support E10 Shinkansen trains capable of 360 kmph.

Why: Infrastructure development is a recurring theme in UPSC Mains essays and GS3 papers. Questions on high-speed rail technology, Japan-India cooperation, engineering feats, and connectivity modernization appear regularly. This connects to National Infrastructure Pipeline, Make in India, and regional development themes relevant for both Prelims and Mains.

What: India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves increased by $3.293 billion to reach $696.61 billion in the week ended 26 December 2025. The components include Foreign Currency Assets at $559.612 billion (increased by $184 million), Gold Reserves at $113.320 billion (increased by $2.956 billion), Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) at $18.803 billion (increased by $60 million), and India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at $4.875 billion (increased by $93 million).

How: The reserves were supported by the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) $5 billion United States Dollar/Indian Rupee (USD/INR) swap auction conducted on 16 December and settled on 18 December 2025 to inject liquidity into the banking system. The previous week had seen a $4.368 billion increase, indicating consistent growth in forex reserves.

Why: Forex reserves are critical for UPSC Prelims questions on economic indicators and RBI functions. This topic connects to external sector stability, currency management, balance of payments, and India’s economic resilience. Banking exams extensively test RBI operations, liquidity management tools, and components of forex reserves including SDRs and reserve tranche positions.

What: 3 January marks the birth anniversary of Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730-1796), known as “Veeramangai” (Brave Woman), who was India’s first female freedom fighter and the first Indian queen to wage war against the British East India Company. Born in Ramanathapuram as the only child of Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy of Ramnad kingdom, she was trained in weapons, Valari, Silambam, horse riding, and archery, and was proficient in Tamil, English, French, and Urdu.

How: As Queen of Sivaganga estate, she went into an 8-year exile after her husband was killed in the Kalaiyar Koil war in 1772. During this period, she formed a strategic alliance with Hyder Ali of Mysore and planned her comeback. Through strategic warfare and military acumen, she successfully reclaimed her kingdom from British control, demonstrating exceptional leadership and courage.

Why: Her story is significant for UPSC Mains essays on women empowerment, freedom struggle, and regional resistance movements. Prime Minister Modi, Vice President Radhakrishnan, Rahul Gandhi, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan paid tributes in 2026, recognizing her courage and visionary leadership. Questions on early resistance to British colonialism and women warriors appear in both Prelims and Mains GS1 (History) papers.

What: World Braille Day is celebrated on 4 January, commemorating the birthday of Louis Braille (born 4 January 1809 in France), who invented the Braille system. The United Nations proclaimed this day in November 2018, and it has been celebrated since 2019. Braille is a tactile representation using six dots arranged in patterns to represent letters, numbers, and symbols, serving as a universal code adaptable to multiple languages including Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, and Spanish.

How: The National Federation of the Blind organized a function in New Delhi, launching the “More Braille, More Empowerment” campaign. There are different types of Braille: Uncontracted Braille (spells every word), Contracted Braille (uses shorthand abbreviations), and Nemeth Code (for mathematics and science). Currently, 36 million people worldwide are blind, and this number is predicted to rise to 115 million by 2050, making Braille increasingly essential for education and communication.

Why: This topic is relevant for UPSC GS2 (Social Justice) questions on rights of persons with disabilities and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Banking exams test knowledge of important international days and their significance. The theme connects to inclusive development, accessibility, freedom of expression, and social inclusion—all important Mains essay topics.

What: The Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) celebrated its fourth establishment anniversary on 4 January 2026 in New Delhi. This organization promotes exports of traditional medicine and wellness products, representing India’s soft power in the global health sector. AYUSH exports increased by 6.11% from 2023-24 to 2024-25, demonstrating growing international acceptance of traditional Indian medicine systems.

How: AYUSHEXCIL received formal recognition in the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The council anchors the Ayush Quality Mark programme, which was launched at the 2nd World Health Organization (WHO) Summit in December 2025. It engages in capacity building, export facilitation, regulatory compliance, and international outreach in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush and with support from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Why: This connects to multiple UPSC themes: India’s soft power, traditional knowledge systems, export diversification, and bilateral trade agreements. Questions on AYUSH, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, and non-traditional exports appear in both Prelims and Mains GS3 (Economy). Banking exams test knowledge of government initiatives for export promotion and international trade agreements involving India.