GK One-Liners

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three naval vessels — INS Dunagiri (a Guided Missile Frigate), INS Sanshodhak (a Survey Vessel–Large), and INS Agray (an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, or ASW-SWC) — at Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, West Bengal on 21 June 2026. All three ships were built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and carry over 75% indigenous content.

How: The ships were constructed under India’s indigenous warship-building programme. GRSE, a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) headquartered in Kolkata, designed and built these vessels as part of the Indian Navy’s fleet modernisation effort. The commissioning at Kolkata’s major port underlines the Eastern Naval Command’s strategic importance.

Why: Defence indigenisation and “Make in India” in shipbuilding are recurring themes in UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS-III: Defence & Security). Know ship classifications (frigate, survey vessel, ASW craft), GRSE’s role, and the significance of indigenous content percentages — these details are frequently tested.

What: Exercise Khaan Quest 2026 is the 23rd edition of the multinational peacekeeping exercise hosted by Mongolia, held at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar from 20 June to 3 July 2026. India deployed a 40-member contingent from the JAT Regiment, and the exercise saw participation from 18 countries with over 1,000 personnel.

How: The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability among participating nations for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. India’s JAT Regiment contingent trains alongside other armies in scenarios simulating humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peace enforcement missions.

Why: Bilateral and multilateral military exercises appear regularly in UPSC Prelims Current Affairs. Key facts to retain: edition number (23rd), host nation (Mongolia), India’s regiment (JAT), and the peacekeeping mandate. India’s consistent participation underscores its commitment to global peace and its growing strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia.

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new Kisan Credit Card (KCC) directions for 2026, raising the collateral-free agricultural loan limit to ₹2 lakh per borrower — up from the earlier ₹1.6 lakh threshold. These directions will be applicable from 1 January 2027 for new loans and cover Commercial Banks (CBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Rural Co-operative Banks.

How: KCC is a revolving credit facility that provides farmers with timely access to funds for crop cultivation, post-harvest expenses, and allied activities. The collateral waiver reduces the burden on small and marginal farmers who lack sufficient assets to pledge. The RBI also revised Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) guidelines alongside these directions to strengthen rural credit delivery.

Why: KCC reforms are important for UPSC (GS-III: Agriculture, Economy) and banking exams like IBPS/SBI PO. Understand the collateral threshold change (₹2 lakh), effective date (1 Jan 2027), and the types of banks covered. The RBI’s focus on rural credit and financial inclusion is a high-priority policy theme.

What: India’s first private-sector Second-Generation (2G) ethanol biorefinery has been approved for Wave Sugar at Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh, under the PM Jaiव Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awaSheshan Nivaran (PM JI-VAN) Yojana. The plant has a capacity of 91 Kilolitres Per Day (KLPD) using a hybrid 2G technology and was approved via the Centre for High Technology (CHT) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

How: Unlike First-Generation (1G) ethanol that uses sugarcane juice or molasses, 2G ethanol is produced from agricultural residue (crop waste such as rice straw and bagasse), reducing stubble burning. The PM JI-VAN Yojana provides financial support to commercial 2G ethanol projects in India, promoting advanced biofuel technology under the National Biofuel Policy 2018.

Why: Biofuels and India’s Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) — targeting E20 by 2025 — are high-priority topics in UPSC GS-III (Environment, Energy, Agriculture) and GATE/ESE. This plant’s “first private-sector” status and the 2G technology angle make it exam-worthy. Connect with India’s commitments under COP climate goals and air pollution reduction efforts.

What: Tushar Mehta has been reappointed as the Solicitor General of India (SGI) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a further three years, effective 1 July 2026. The SGI is the second-highest law officer of the Government of India, ranking just below the Attorney General for India (AGI). Five Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) were also reappointed simultaneously.

How: Tushar Mehta first joined as an Additional Solicitor General (ASG) in 2014 and was elevated to Solicitor General in October 2018. The ACC, chaired by the Prime Minister, is the apex body for appointments to key constitutional and statutory posts. Law officers are appointed under Article 76 (AGI) and Article 88 (rights in Parliament) provisions, while the SGI is a statutory post.

Why: The hierarchy of law officers — AGI → SGI → ASG — is a standard UPSC Polity question. Key facts: SGI is appointed by the ACC (not by the President directly), serves a fixed term, and represents the Union in the Supreme Court. This reappointment is also relevant for understanding the continuity of India’s legal representation in ongoing constitutional matters.

What: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) organised the inaugural (1st edition) Indian Athletics Awards 2025, recognising excellence across multiple categories. Neeraj Chopra (javelin, two-time Olympic medallist) won Best Male Athlete and Parul Chaudhary (3000m Steeplechase, national record-holder) won Best Female Athlete, each receiving a cash prize of ₹10 lakh. The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Anju Bobby George, PT Usha (President, Indian Olympic Association), and Garbacha Singh Randhawa & Bahadur Singh Randhawa.

How: The awards were presented by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and cover categories including Best Male/Female Athlete, Emerging Athlete (Shanavaz Khan & Pooja Singh; ₹2.5 lakh each), and Lifetime Achievement (₹5 lakh each). The AFI established these awards to institutionalise recognition of athletic achievement in India.

Why: Sports awards and their prize money details are frequently asked in State PCS and SSC exams. The “first edition” tag makes this particularly exam-relevant. Connecting Neeraj Chopra (Olympic gold Tokyo 2020, silver Paris 2024) and PT Usha (IOA President since 2022) to their broader significance adds value in Mains answers on sports governance and India’s athletic achievements.