GK One-Liners

What: ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) successfully tested SOLVE — Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments — at the Static Test Facility, SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The test validates the solid-propellant motor that powers the Gaganyaan Crew Module’s parachute deployment system at altitudes of 10–17 km.

How: SOLVE uses a modified PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) strap-on motor fitted with SITVC (Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control) to replicate abort-scenario conditions. A 10-stage parachute system decelerates the Crew Module from high velocity, and SOLVE is a reusable platform, enabling repeated tests without building a new vehicle each time.

Why: Gaganyaan is India’s first crewed spaceflight mission — a 3-member crew will spend 3 days in LEO (Low Earth Orbit). The parachute system is a critical safety element; its successful validation is a major milestone. Questions on Gaganyaan sub-systems, ISRO missions, and India’s human spaceflight roadmap appear regularly in UPSC Prelims Science & Technology sections and SSC CGL GK.

What: The 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NaCeG) 2026 was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan on July 1–2, 2026, with the theme “Viksit Bharat 2047: AI-enabled, Data-driven & Secure Digital Governance.” It adopted the Jaipur Declaration on e-Governance 2026, which lays out a roadmap for integrating AI and data analytics into citizen-facing government services.

How: NaCeG is organised jointly every year by DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances), MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), and the host state government. The 2026 edition was inaugurated by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. The conference has been held annually since 1995, bringing together policymakers, technologists, and administrators.

Why: NaCeG declarations directly feed into India’s Digital India and Viksit Bharat policy frameworks. UPSC GS-2 (Governance, e-Governance) and State PSC exams frequently test on the organising bodies (DARPG, MeitY), conference themes, and declarations. The “2047” vision and AI-in-governance angle also connect to GS-3 Technology topics.

What: The DAC (Defence Acquisition Council) granted an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) worth Rs 52,000 crore for multiple weapons systems, including AKASH TARANG — an Advanced Anti-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Electronic Warfare System intended for the Indian Army. The clearance signals India’s urgent focus on counter-drone capabilities in the face of modern battlefield threats.

How: DAC, chaired by the Defence Minister, is the apex defence procurement decision-making body established in 2001. AoN is the first formal approval stage — it clears the requirement and budget for procurement. The broader package also includes MPATGM (Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile), MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile), V-SHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System), Active Protection Systems for tanks, Kamikaze Drones, and Navy/IAF systems.

Why: Counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare are among the fastest-growing defence themes globally. UPSC Prelims and CDS exams test on DAC, procurement processes, and named systems. The Rs 52,000 crore package is also relevant for GS-3 (Defence Industry, indigenisation), and AKASH TARANG’s name is easy to test in one-word-answer formats.

What: Delhi launched “Clean Air, Healthy Delhi,” a Rs 8,300 crore project backed by World Bank funding, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The project accelerates implementation of NCAP — National Clean Air Programme — launched in 2019 under MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) to achieve a 20–30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter concentrations by 2024, using 2017 as the base year.

How: NCAP targets 131 non-attainment cities across India — cities that consistently fail to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards. In Delhi specifically, the project is implemented across 8 agencies including DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee), MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), DDA (Delhi Development Authority), and NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council), covering source apportionment, green buffers, dust suppression, and industrial emissions control.

Why: Air quality policy is a recurring UPSC GS-3 topic (Environment, Pollution Control). Key facts to remember: NCAP launched 2019, 131 non-attainment cities, PM2.5/PM10 targets, MoEFCC as the nodal ministry, and World Bank’s role in the Delhi project. The “Clean Air, Healthy Delhi” branding and the Rs 8,300 crore outlay are likely to feature in state PSC and banking exams.

What: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest ever international cricketer when he made his T20I (Twenty20 International) debut against England at Old Trafford at the age of 15 years and 99 days. He broke two records simultaneously — Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record (16 yr 205 days) and Shafali Verma’s record (15 yr 239 days) for India’s youngest international debutant across all formats.

How: Born in 2011 in Tajpur, Bihar, Sooryavanshi rose to national attention through domestic age-group cricket and IPL 2026, where he scored 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals (RR) at a staggering strike rate of 237.30, with 72 sixes — a record. He also scored 439 runs at an average of 62.71 in the U-19 World Cup 2026. His selection for the senior T20I squad reflects India’s policy of fast-tracking exceptional talent.

Why: Sports records involving Indian cricketers — especially those touching Sachin Tendulkar’s records — are perennial favourites in SSC CGL, IBPS PO, State PSC, and RRB GK sections. Key memorables: age at debut (15 yr 99 days), Old Trafford venue, previous record holder (Tendulkar, 16 yr 205 days), IPL team (Rajasthan Royals), and home state (Bihar).

What: SBI (State Bank of India) is acquiring a 10% stake in RDCL — RMBS Development Company Limited — from NHB (National Housing Bank), reducing NHB’s holding from 39% to 29%. RDCL is a middle-layer NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) established in 2024 with a paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore. Its core purpose is to develop the RMBS — Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — market in India.

How: RMBS is a financial instrument where home loans (mortgages) originated by banks and housing finance companies are pooled together and converted into tradable securities sold to investors. RDCL acts as the intermediary — it aggregates mortgage pools, structures the RMBS, and facilitates their issuance in capital markets. Other shareholders in RDCL include LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) at 10%, and HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Bajaj Finance at 7% each.

Why: RMBS and mortgage securitisation are important for expanding housing finance by allowing banks to free up capital and lend more. This topic connects GS-3 (Economy, Banking, Capital Markets) with the government’s housing-for-all agenda. UPSC and RBI Grade-B exams test on NBFCs, NHB’s role in housing finance, and capital market instruments. The RDCL–SBI–NHB triangle is a clean factual set for MCQ testing.