GK One-Liners

What: World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) is observed every year on 12 June. The 2026 theme is ‘Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults’. This year also marks the 27th anniversary of ILO (International Labour Organization) Convention No. 182 (1999), which targets the worst forms of child labour.

How: The day was established by the ILO in 2002, with the first observance on 12 June 2002. It is supported by two key ILO conventions: Convention No. 138 (minimum age for employment) and Convention No. 182 (worst forms of child labour). Governments, civil society, and international bodies use the occasion to mobilise action and highlight progress toward eliminating child labour globally.

Why: ILO conventions are high-frequency topics in UPSC Prelims and SSC exams—candidates are expected to link themes to relevant conventions and years. The sports-themed 2026 message (‘Red card’) is likely to feature in match-the-following or theme-based questions. Remember: WDACL = 12 June, est. by ILO 2002.

What: Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) completed 10 years on 9 June 2026. Launched on 9 June 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme provides free comprehensive antenatal care to pregnant women on the 9th of every month. To mark the milestone, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) released a Rs 75 Commemorative Coin and a Rs 5 Postal Stamp.

How: Under PMSMA, government health facilities offer free check-ups—including blood tests, ultrasounds, and specialist consultations—on a fixed date (9th of each month) to ensure quality antenatal care reaches even rural women. The scheme is implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) network.

Why: Government health schemes with their launch dates, ministries, and key features are staple questions in all competitive exams. The 10-year anniversary makes PMSMA particularly high-yield in 2026. Key data to retain: launched 9 June 2016; free care on the 9th of every month; administered by MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).

What: The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles has completed Round-3 approvals, with 96 companies approved for participation. The committed investment stands at Rs 12,822.67 crore, projected turnover at Rs 58,294.18 crore, and an estimated 36,217 jobs to be created. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Textiles.

How: The PLI scheme offers financial incentives to manufacturers who achieve minimum production thresholds in targeted segments. Round-3 focuses on MMF (Man-Made Fibre) apparel, MMF fabrics, and technical textiles—sectors identified as high-growth areas where India aims to build global competitiveness and reduce import dependence.

Why: PLI schemes across sectors are very frequently tested in UPSC, IBPS, and state PSC exams. Questions typically test the ministry, investment figures, employment potential, and focus product categories. For Textiles PLI: ministry = Ministry of Textiles; focus = MMF + technical textiles; Round-3 investment = Rs 12,822.67 crore.

What: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with ASSPL (Astra Systems Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru) worth Rs 449 crore for the supply of 20 ECGNSS (Electronic Combat Global Navigation Satellite System) Jammers to the Indian Navy. The deal is categorised under Buy Indian–IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured), with 75% indigenous content.

How: ECGNSS jammers disrupt enemy GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals through spoofing—broadcasting false GPS/navigation signals to mislead or disable adversary guidance systems. The Buy Indian–IDDM category is the highest tier of indigenisation under India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), prioritising domestic R&D and manufacturing.

Why: Defence procurement deals with indigenous content ratios and procurement categories (IDDM, Buy Indian, Make in India) are common in UPSC, CDS, and AFCAT exams. The 75% indigenisation target ties directly to Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence. Remember: ASSPL est. 1991; 20 jammers; Rs 449 crore; Indian Navy.

What: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and IIT Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance next-generation telecom technologies. The three core focus areas are: Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting, indigenous 4G development, and advanced spectrum research—all aimed at strengthening India’s digital self-reliance.

How: D2M technology allows broadcast content (TV channels, emergency alerts, video) to be received directly on mobile phones without internet connectivity, using the unused spectrum between FM radio and cellular bands. BSNL’s 4G rollout uses a fully indigenous tech stack developed with TCS and C-DoT (Centre for Development of Telematics), making this MoU a further step in that indigenisation effort.

Why: D2M is an emerging topic in science & technology sections of UPSC and state PSC exams. The BSNL–IIT Kanpur MoU is a clear signal of India’s push for telecom self-reliance under the Digital India programme. Key link: D2M → no internet needed → useful for rural and disaster connectivity → Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Telecom.

What: NASA announced the crew for Artemis III: Commander Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio (all NASA/USA) alongside Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency, Italy). Notably, this makes Parmitano the first ESA astronaut and only the second non-American astronaut to participate in an Artemis mission. The mission is slated for late-2027 but is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission—not a Moon landing.

How: Artemis III will test critical docking mechanisms between NASA’s Orion spacecraft, SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS), and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander—systems required for future crewed lunar surface missions. The crew will be launched atop NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System). Frank Rubio holds the record for the longest single US spaceflight on the ISS (International Space Station) at 371 days.

Why: Artemis programme missions, their launch vehicles, and crew milestones are tested in UPSC (Science & Tech), ISRO examinations, and current affairs rounds. Key facts: Artemis III = late-2027 LEO test; launch vehicle = SLS; landers tested = SpaceX Starship + Blue Moon; ESA first = Luca Parmitano; Frank Rubio = 371-day ISS record.