GK One-Liners

What: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved an additional Rs 30,000 crore investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), doubling the Government of India’s total commitment to Rs 60,000 crore. This will finance NIIF’s second fund, called Infrastructure Fund II.

How: NIIF is India’s quasi-sovereign wealth fund set up to attract domestic and foreign investment into infrastructure. Infrastructure Fund II will channel capital into long-gestation projects such as roads, ports, railways, and logistics, where private capital alone is insufficient. The fund operates on a public-private partnership model, leveraging government money to attract institutional co-investors.

Why: NIIF frequently appears in questions on infrastructure financing, sovereign wealth funds, and fiscal policy. For UPSC and banking exams, know NIIF’s mandate, its distinction from development banks like NaBFID, and the government’s push to crowd in private investment for Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.

What: The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is set to come into force on 15 July 2026. It is accompanied by a companion Double Contribution Convention (DCC), which addresses social security contributions for workers posted between the two countries. Union Minister Piyush Goyal (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) visited London (25–27 June 2026) to finalise implementation arrangements.

How: During the London visit, Goyal met UK Secretary of State Peter Kyle and launched the UK-India CETA Business Utilisation Manual, a practical guide to help businesses claim tariff concessions and navigate rules of origin. The DCC prevents double social security deductions for Indian professionals working in the UK and vice versa.

Why: India-UK trade agreements are high-priority topics for UPSC GS-II (bilateral relations) and GS-III (trade policy). Key facts to remember: implementation date 15 July 2026, companion DCC, and Goyal’s role as Commerce Minister. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the UK were among India’s longest-running, making the CETA a landmark deal.

What: The SUMAN (Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan) Roadmap 2030 was launched at the 16th Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) meeting, chaired by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Its headline target is to reduce India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 per one lakh live births by 2030, while also lowering neonatal and infant mortality rates.

How: The roadmap builds on the existing SUMAN scheme, which guarantees free, respectful, and quality healthcare for pregnant women and newborns at public facilities. Alongside SUMAN Roadmap 2030, the government also launched the SSBSK (Surakshit Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram) for child care from birth to 5 years, and revamped Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) guidelines to address nutritional deficiencies in mothers and children.

Why: MMR-related targets appear regularly in UPSC Prelims (Health & Social Sector) and State PSC exams. Remember: SUMAN full form, MMR target of <70 per lakh live births, the ministry (MoHFW), and the companion launches — SSBSK and revised AMB guidelines. India’s current MMR trajectory and SDG-3 goals are linked context.

What: The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 is the 30th edition of the world’s largest international maritime exercise, hosted by the US Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Hawaii. Running from 24 June to 31 July 2026 (approximately 5 weeks), it involves 30+ surface warships, 5 submarines, 206+ aircraft, and around 30,000 personnel from multiple nations. The theme is ‘Partners: Integrated and Prepared’.

How: The Indian Navy (IN) participated in key operational domains including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Air Defence (AD), and tactical missile exercises. RIMPAC is designed to foster partnerships, improve interoperability, and enhance readiness among allied and partner navies for complex maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Why: RIMPAC is a recurring topic in Defence & International Relations questions for UPSC, CDS, and AFCAT. Note the edition number (30th), host (US Pacific Fleet, Hawaii), India’s participation, and the operational themes. India’s growing engagement in multilateral naval exercises reflects its Indo-Pacific strategy and QUAD commitments.

What: The India Women’s Cricket team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, has secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles (LA) 2028 Olympics as Asia’s automatic berth. The qualification was achieved through the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup group stage held in England, where India finished ahead of Sri Lanka on better Net Run Rate (NRR). Cricket returns to the Olympics after 128 years — it was last played at Paris 1900.

How: The LA 2028 cricket event will be played in T20 format, featuring 6 teams per gender from 12–29 July 2028 at Pomona, California, USA. The qualification pathway for Asian teams ran through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with the top Asian finisher earning the direct berth. India’s consistent performance across group-stage matches gave it the edge over Sri Lanka.

Why: This is high-yield for sports GK: cricket at the Olympics, the 128-year gap, T20 format, venue (Pomona, California), captain (Harmanpreet Kaur), and the qualification route. Also useful context: the men’s T20 tournament at LA 2028 will similarly feature 6 teams, reflecting cricket’s gradual reintegration into the Olympic calendar.

What: International Asteroid Day is observed on 30 June every year, marking the anniversary of the Tunguska asteroid impact on 30 June 1908 in Siberia, Russia — the largest recorded asteroid impact in modern history. It was established by UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) Resolution A/RES/71/90 on 6 December 2016, and first observed on 30 June 2017. The United Nations has also declared 2029 the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence.

How: The day was proposed by the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) and endorsed by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) before receiving UNGA approval. A major 2029 milestone is the close flyby of asteroid 99942 Apophis on 13 April 2029, which will pass closer to Earth than many satellites — making it a rare, closely monitored near-Earth event of global scientific interest.

Why: For UPSC Science & Technology and Environment sections, remember: 30 June = Asteroid Day, Tunguska 1908, UNGA resolution number (A/RES/71/90), COPUOS (the UN body for space affairs), Apophis flyby date (13 April 2029), and 2029 as the International Year of Planetary Defence. Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and planetary defence are emerging UPSC topics.