GK One-Liners

What: The Ministry of Ayush launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal as a regulatory mechanism to address misleading advertisements and monitor Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) in traditional medicine systems including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. This digital platform enables public reporting of false claims and tracks safety concerns in AYUSH medicines.

How: The portal functions through a centralized complaint registration system where consumers and healthcare practitioners can report misleading advertisements or adverse reactions. The system connects with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act enforcement machinery and AYUSH regulatory bodies to initiate action against violators. It maintains a database of reported cases for pattern analysis and preventive action.

Why: This initiative is crucial for UPSC GS2 (Governance) and GS3 (Science & Technology) as it exemplifies digital governance in healthcare regulation. Questions on consumer protection mechanisms, AYUSH sector reforms, and government’s approach to regulating traditional medicine are increasingly common. It also connects to the broader Digital India mission and government accountability themes in mains essays.

What: The government granted Miniratna Category-I status to three Public Sector Undertakings: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MIL), Airports Authority of India’s subsidiary AVNL (Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company), and Indian Oil Corporation’s subsidiary IOL. This classification provides enhanced operational and financial autonomy to these enterprises.

How: Miniratna Category-I status grants these PSUs powers to incur capital expenditure up to ₹500 crore without central government approval, enter into joint ventures and establish subsidiaries, and take strategic decisions with greater board autonomy. The eligibility criteria include consistent profitability, positive net worth, and strong operational performance over multiple years.

Why: Critical for UPSC GS3 (Economy) questions on PSU reforms, disinvestment policy, and operational autonomy frameworks. The classification system (Maharatna, Navratna, Miniratna) is a staple prelims topic. This also connects to themes of corporate governance, defence production (shipbuilding), and infrastructure development (airports) relevant for mains answers on government’s economic policy approach.

What: The Odisha government launched ANKUR (likely an acronym for urban development initiative), a comprehensive smart urban development program aimed at transforming urban infrastructure through technology integration, citizen services digitization, and sustainable planning frameworks. This aligns with the state’s broader urban transformation agenda.

How: ANKUR operates through integrated smart city frameworks combining IoT-based infrastructure monitoring, digital citizen service delivery, GIS-based urban planning tools, and data-driven governance mechanisms. The program likely coordinates with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to implement smart solutions for water management, waste processing, traffic systems, and public service delivery across Odisha’s urban centers.

Why: Important for UPSC GS2 (Urbanization) and GS3 (Infrastructure) as it represents state-level innovation in urban governance. Questions on Smart Cities Mission, urban challenges, and technology in governance frequently appear in prelims and mains. This also connects to federalism themes, showing how states implement national missions with local adaptations—a key concept for both GS2 governance answers and mains essays on cooperative federalism.

What: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal introduced the Code Emergency mobile application, a digital emergency response system designed to streamline critical medical care delivery within the hospital campus. The app enables rapid communication between emergency responders, coordinates multi-departmental response, and reduces response time during medical emergencies.

How: The application functions as a real-time alert system that triggers notifications to relevant medical teams—including trauma specialists, anesthesiologists, and support staff—simultaneously when an emergency is registered. It provides instant access to patient data, location tracking within the hospital, resource availability status, and enables video consultation capabilities. The system integrates with the hospital’s existing Health Management Information System (HMIS) for seamless coordination.

Why: Highly relevant for UPSC GS3 (Science & Technology) and GS2 (Health) as it demonstrates healthcare digitization and emergency management innovation. Questions on e-health initiatives, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and technology in healthcare delivery are common in both prelims and mains. This also connects to broader themes of institutional innovation and quality healthcare access—important for ethics papers and mains essays on healthcare reforms.

What: The Government of India conferred the Florence Nightingale Awards 2025 to 15 distinguished nurses in recognition of their exceptional service to the nursing profession and meritorious contribution to healthcare delivery. This prestigious national award, named after the founder of modern nursing, celebrates outstanding nursing professionals who have demonstrated exemplary dedication, innovation, and compassion in patient care.

How: The awards are presented annually by the President of India on the occasion of International Nurses Day (May 12). Nominees are evaluated by an expert committee based on criteria including years of service, innovations in nursing practice, contributions to nursing education, community health initiatives, and demonstration of professional ethics. The award includes a medal, certificate, and cash prize, recognizing nurses from diverse healthcare settings—government hospitals, community health centers, and specialized medical institutions.

Why: Important for UPSC prelims as awards questions are standard, and for GS2 (Health) mains answers on healthcare workforce and nursing sector reforms. This connects to broader themes of healthcare infrastructure strengthening, recognition of frontline workers (highlighted during COVID-19), and women’s contribution to professional sectors. Questions on International Nurses Day, WHO’s Year of the Nurse designation, and nursing education reforms can reference this award system.

What: India and Mongolia commenced their bilateral joint military exercise “Nomadic Elephant,” reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. This exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations, mountain warfare tactics, and United Nations peacekeeping operations training. The exercise strengthens India’s defence diplomacy in the landlocked Central Asian region and demonstrates commitment to comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2015.

How: The exercise involves tactical-level joint training between the Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces, featuring live-fire drills, counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude warfare techniques, and UN peacekeeping scenario simulations. Personnel from both nations share best practices in modern warfare technologies, intelligence sharing protocols, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The exercise alternates between host countries, promoting people-to-people military ties and interoperability.

Why: Critical for UPSC GS3 (Internal Security & Defence) and GS2 (International Relations) as it exemplifies India’s Look North Policy and expanding defence partnerships beyond immediate neighbors. Questions on bilateral military exercises, India’s Central Asia policy, and strategic partnerships with non-aligned nations are common in prelims and mains. This also connects to themes of strategic autonomy, multi-alignment foreign policy, and India’s role in regional security architecture—excellent for mains essays on India’s global strategic posture.