GK One-Liners

What: President Droupadi Murmu nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha on July 12, 2025 under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution: Ujjwal Nikam (prominent public prosecutor known for 26/11 Mumbai attacks and 1993 Mumbai blasts cases), C. Sadanandan Master (renowned Malayalam litterateur and social activist), Harsh Vardhan Shringla (former Foreign Secretary with expertise in diplomacy and international relations), and Dr. Meenakshi Jain (eminent historian specializing in Indian culture and temple architecture). These nominations exemplify the constitutional provision enabling the President to nominate 12 members to the Council of States bringing specialized knowledge in literature, science, art, and social service that may be underrepresented through electoral processes.

How: Article 80 prescribes Rajya Sabha composition: maximum 250 members comprising 238 elected by state/UT legislative assemblies through proportional representation using Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, and 12 nominated by the President based on Cabinet’s advice recognizing exceptional achievements in specified fields. The nomination process involves Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs identifying individuals with distinguished records, Cabinet approval of recommendations, and President issuing formal nomination warrants. Nominated members enjoy full parliamentary privileges including voting rights, committee participation, legislative debate, except inability to vote in presidential elections (requiring elected MP status). The diverse expertise enriches parliamentary deliberations—legal acumen aids legislative drafting, diplomatic experience informs foreign policy debates, cultural scholarship contributes to heritage protection discussions.

Why: Critical for UPSC Polity (GS2) covering constitutional provisions and parliamentary system. Prelims questions test Article 80 provisions, Rajya Sabha composition (states’ representation based on population, maximum 250 members), nomination criteria, and differences between Lok Sabha (directly elected, 543 members) vs Rajya Sabha (indirectly elected, permanent body with 1/3 members retiring every 2 years). For Mains, this connects to themes of ensuring expertise in lawmaking beyond electoral politics, balancing representative democracy with meritocratic elements, bicameralism’s role in federal systems providing states’ voice and legislative review, and challenges in nomination politicization (governments favoring loyalists over genuine experts), ensuring diversity (gender, regional, professional representation), and preventing misuse as sinecures for party workers. Public Administration questions analyze expert vs elected representative tensions in policymaking. Current affairs tracks Rajya Sabha nominations and notable members’ parliamentary contributions.

What: India rolled out the world’s first Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) leveraging Artificial Intelligence to comprehensively document indigenous knowledge systems including Ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine system), Unani (Greco-Arabic medicine), Yoga, Siddha (Tamil traditional medicine), and traditional agricultural practices. The initiative, welcomed by the World Health Organization (WHO), addresses biopiracy where multinational corporations patent traditional formulations (like turmeric’s wound-healing properties, neem’s pesticidal uses) originally developed by Indian communities, denying recognition and benefit-sharing. TKDL contains 2.5+ lakh formulations transcribed from ancient Sanskrit, Tamil, Arabic, Persian texts into patent classification languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese) enabling patent examiners globally to verify prior art preventing wrongful grants.

How: TKDL employs AI-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR) digitizing palm leaf manuscripts, ancient texts, AI-driven translation converting classical languages into modern languages while maintaining technical accuracy, Natural Language Processing (NLP) extracting formulations, ingredients, preparation methods, therapeutic applications, and machine learning algorithms categorizing knowledge under International Patent Classification (IPC) and Traditional Knowledge Resource Classification (TKRC) systems. The database integrates with patent offices in USA, Europe, Japan, enabling examiners to search Indian traditional knowledge during patent application reviews. Access is restricted to authorized patent examiners under non-disclosure agreements protecting against misuse while preventing biopiracy. India has successfully challenged 200+ wrongful patent applications (including basmati rice, yoga asanas, ayurvedic formulations) saving potential royalty payments estimated at $2 billion.

Why: Essential for UPSC Science & Technology (GS3) and Intellectual Property Rights. Prelims questions test knowledge of biopiracy cases (turmeric patent by University of Mississippi 1995 revoked after Indian challenge, neem patent to W.R. Grace), TKDL initiative (launched 2001 by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), WHO recognition of traditional medicine systems, and India’s biodiversity protection frameworks (Biological Diversity Act 2002). For Mains, this connects to themes of protecting indigenous knowledge from commercial exploitation, balancing open access for global health benefits vs proprietary control preventing misappropriation, technology enabling heritage preservation through digitization preventing knowledge loss as traditional practitioners dwindle, and challenges in ensuring equitable benefit-sharing when traditional knowledge commercializes, addressing knowledge commons vs individual patent rights philosophical tensions, and integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation. Ethics questions explore biopiracy’s colonial continuities and intellectual property justice. Current affairs tracks patent disputes and traditional knowledge protection initiatives.

What: India signed a five-year agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Maaden (Saudi Arabian Mining Company) to secure 3.1 million metric tonnes of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer annually from 2025-26 through 2029-30, strengthening long-term supply assurance for agriculture sector. DAP contains 46% phosphorus and 18% nitrogen, making it critical for Indian farming (applied to 60+ crops including wheat, rice, cotton, pulses) where phosphorus deficiency limits yields. India imports 95% DAP requirements (consuming 10+ million tonnes annually) with traditional suppliers including Morocco (phosphoric acid), China, Jordan, Saudi Arabia. This agreement covers 30% annual DAP needs, reducing supply volatility risks experienced during global disruptions (Russia-Ukraine war 2022 caused fertilizer prices to triple).

How: The deal operates through long-term offtake contract where Maaden commits specified DAP volumes at prices benchmarked to international indices (with negotiated discounts reflecting bulk purchase), guaranteed delivery schedules aligned with Indian crop seasons (Kharif sowing April-June, Rabi sowing October-November), quality specifications meeting Fertilizer Control Order standards, and payment terms using letters of credit from Indian banks. Logistics involve shipping from Saudi ports (Ras Al Khair) to Indian ports (Kandla, Mundra, Visakhapatnam), rail/road distribution to warehouses operated by cooperative societies, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), and government allocations to states based on cropping patterns. The government provides subsidies (₹70,000+ crore annually) ensuring farmers pay ₹1,350/50kg bag regardless of ₹2,500+ import cost, containing food inflation through affordable inputs.

Why: Important for UPSC Economy (GS3) covering agriculture, trade, and food security. Prelims questions test fertilizer types (urea, DAP, MOP – Muriate of Potash), subsidy mechanisms (Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme replacing product-specific subsidies), import dependence challenges, and India-Saudi economic cooperation. For Mains, this connects to themes of fertilizer security critical for food self-sufficiency (India feeding 18% world population from 2% land area), strategic partnerships diversifying import sources reducing geopolitical vulnerabilities, fiscal sustainability of subsidies (consuming 10% agricultural budget, distorting cropping patterns favoring subsidy-heavy crops), and challenges in promoting balanced fertilizer use (farmers overuse nitrogen, underuse phosphorus causing soil degradation), developing indigenous phosphate rock mining (Rajasthan deposits underutilized), and transitioning to organic farming reducing chemical dependence. Economics questions analyze subsidy rationalization and agricultural input pricing policies. Current affairs tracks fertilizer import contracts and subsidy budgets.

What: India participated in Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 for the first time, joining a major multinational military drill involving 35,000+ troops from 15+ nations including USA, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, and ASEAN countries. Talisman Sabre, conducted biennially since 1985 as US-Australia bilateral exercise (expanded to multilateral format 2023), is the Indo-Pacific region’s largest combined arms training event testing interoperability across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains through realistic combat scenarios. India’s participation reflects deepening Quad cooperation (India, USA, Australia, Japan), shared concerns about Indo-Pacific security amid China’s assertiveness, and commitment to rules-based international order.

How: India deployed Indian Navy frigate, P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, special forces contingent, and military observers participating in amphibious assault exercises simulating island recapture operations, anti-submarine warfare drills tracking underwater threats, air defense coordination integrating fighter aircraft from multiple nations, cyber defense scenarios countering digital attacks, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) operations. The exercise tested combined task force command structures, communication interoperability (NATO standards vs indigenous systems), joint logistics support, and complex operational planning coordinating naval blockades, airstrikes, ground maneuvers simultaneously. Training locations spanned Australian territories including Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Northern Territory’s Bradshaw Field Training Area, and maritime zones in Coral Sea enabling large-scale force deployment.

Why: Critical for UPSC Defence (GS3) and International Relations (GS2) covering military cooperation and strategic partnerships. Prelims questions test knowledge of Quad grouping, India’s defense exercises (Malabar naval exercise with USA-Japan-Australia, Yudh Abhyas with USA, Garuda with France), Indo-Pacific concept, and maritime security challenges. For Mains, this connects to themes of multi-alignment foreign policy engaging diverse partners, interoperability building enabling coalition operations during crises, deterrence signaling to China through combined military capabilities, and challenges in balancing strategic autonomy with alliance commitments (India maintains non-alignment policy while deepening partnerships), technology transfer restrictions limiting equipment sharing during exercises, and managing domestic political sensitivities regarding foreign military presence. Strategic studies questions analyze Quad’s military dimension and India’s role in Indo-Pacific security architecture. Current affairs tracks India’s military exercises and Quad summits.

What: Sonali Mishra became the first woman Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), with her tenure notified until October 31, 2026. RPF is a specialized security force (70,000+ personnel) mandated under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966 and Railway Act 1989 to protect railway property (tracks, stations, rolling stock), ensure passenger security (preventing crimes, trafficking, smuggling), maintain order in railway premises, and coordinate with Government Railway Police (GRP) which handles crimes on trains under state jurisdiction. This appointment breaks a significant gender barrier in India’s uniformed forces where women constitute only 10% personnel despite recent progressive policies enabling combat roles.

How: As DG, Mishra commands RPF nationwide operations including deployment planning across 68,000+ km rail network covering 8,000+ stations, crime prevention strategies addressing ticket-less travel (causing ₹500+ crore annual revenue loss), passenger security particularly women safety (Operation Nanhe Farishte rescuing runaway children, Operation Smile against child trafficking), anti-sabotage measures preventing rail accidents through track patrolling, CCTV surveillance integration (1,000+ stations equipped with facial recognition cameras), and coordination with intelligence agencies on terrorism threats. She oversees force modernization including drone deployment for track monitoring, GPS-enabled patrol tracking, and capacity building through specialized training in crowd management, cybercrime investigation, disaster response. The appointment involved selection from IPS (Indian Police Service) officers with railways posting experience, Cabinet approval, and Presidential assent.

Why: Important for UPSC Governance (GS2) covering women in leadership and police reforms. Prelims questions test RPF vs GRP jurisdictions (RPF under Railway Ministry for property/premises, GRP under states for crimes on trains), Railway Protection Force Act provisions, women in uniformed services policies, and Indian Police Service structure. For Mains, this connects to themes of gender equality in professional hierarchies challenging male-dominated institutions, symbolic importance of women leadership inspiring future generations, operational effectiveness questions whether gender affects command capabilities (research shows no correlation), and challenges in ensuring supportive work environments preventing harassment, providing infrastructure (separate facilities, maternity provisions), addressing societal biases doubting women’s authority in law enforcement, and balancing tokenism vs substantive empowerment beyond ceremonial appointments. Public Administration questions analyze gender mainstreaming in government organizations. Current affairs tracks women’s appointments to senior positions and gender diversity metrics in services.

What: A Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) analysis ranked Byrnihat (Meghalaya-Assam border town) and Delhi as India’s most polluted cities in first half of 2025 based on PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤2.5 micrometers) levels, while Aizawl (Mizoram capital) emerged as the cleanest. PM2.5, the most hazardous air pollutant, penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream causing respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, premature deaths (estimated 1.7 million annually in India). Byrnihat’s pollution stems from cement factories, stone crushing, vehicular emissions on NH-6 (major highway), while Delhi’s remains perennially high from vehicular pollution, construction dust, stubble burning in neighboring states, industrial emissions despite interventions like odd-even vehicle schemes, construction bans.

How: CREA analyzed data from 400+ air quality monitoring stations under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) networks measuring PM2.5 concentrations hourly, calculating average exposure levels, comparing against National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) prescribed limits (60 μg/m³ annual average, 100 μg/m³ 24-hour average). Byrnihat recorded 120+ μg/m³ average (double permissible limits), Delhi 85 μg/m³, while Aizawl maintained 15 μg/m³ (below WHO guidelines of 15 μg/m³) owing to minimal industrialization, low vehicle density, abundant green cover, favorable meteorological conditions (wind dispersion). The report assessed pollution trends, seasonal variations (winter months worse due to atmospheric inversion trapping pollutants), and policy effectiveness in curbing emissions.

Why: Critical for UPSC Environment (GS3) covering air pollution and public health. Prelims questions test knowledge of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targeting 40% pollution reduction by 2026, Air Quality Index (AQI) categories (good, moderate, poor, severe), pollution sources, and CPCB’s regulatory role. For Mains, this connects to themes of urbanization’s environmental costs requiring sustainable city planning, health impacts particularly on vulnerable populations (children, elderly, low-income groups lacking healthcare access), policy failures despite awareness indicating implementation gaps (pollution control boards underfunded, industries violating norms, weak enforcement), and challenges in addressing diffused pollution sources (millions of vehicles, household cooking fuels, agricultural burning) requiring behavior change beyond regulatory mandates, balancing economic development with environmental protection (cement industry employs thousands in Byrnihat), and ensuring environmental justice preventing pollution concentration in low-income neighborhoods. Essays may explore whether technological solutions suffice without consumption pattern changes. Current affairs tracks NCAP implementation and seasonal pollution crises.