GK One-Liners

What: The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system received its Full Operational Clearance (FOC) from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in June 2026. It was developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a DRDO lab, and is mounted on a modified Brazilian Embraer EMB-145I airframe. The system can detect aerial targets at a range of 240–300 km using Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology.

How: The project was initiated in 2003 and sanctioned by the Government of India in 2004. Netra achieved Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2017, with FOC coming nearly a decade later. Unlike the larger Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), Netra has a smaller footprint, making it more versatile and cost-effective for deployment.

Why: This is significant for UPSC Science & Technology and Defence sections. Questions on indigenous defence platforms, DRDO achievements, and AWACS vs. AEW&C distinction are commonly asked in CDS, AFCAT, and NDA exams. Netra signals India’s self-reliance in critical surveillance technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

What: Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) is observed on 25 June each year to mark the day the Emergency was declared in India in 1975. The 2026 observance marks the 51st anniversary of that declaration and the 3rd annual observance of this commemorative day. The day was designated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, in 2024.

How: On 25 June 1975, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi invoked Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to declare a national Emergency on grounds of armed rebellion or external aggression. During the 21-month Emergency (1975–77), fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was curtailed, and political opponents were imprisoned.

Why: This topic is highly relevant for UPSC Prelims and Mains (Polity GS-II). Key areas to remember: Article 352 (National Emergency), its conditions for proclamation, the 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) which introduced safeguards post-Emergency, and the role of the Janata Party government in restoring democratic norms. It also features in State PCS exams.

What: The 2nd Pax Silica Summit was held in Washington D.C. on 25–26 June 2026, where 35 nations signed a joint Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance statement. India was represented by S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). New signatories included Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands, Chile, and the European Union (EU).

How: The summit was hosted by Jacob Helberg of the United States Department of State (US DoS). It brought together democracies to coordinate on responsible AI development, counter authoritarian misuse of AI, and establish shared norms for AI in defence, critical infrastructure, and public services.

Why: AI governance is an emerging theme in UPSC GS-II (International Relations) and GS-III (Technology). India’s active participation signals its growing role in shaping global digital standards. Questions on AI summits, India’s digital diplomacy, and multilateral tech frameworks are increasingly featured in Prelims as well as Mains answer writing.

What: Air Suvidha 2.0 is a health screening portal jointly launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Ebola (Bundibugyo virus strain) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. The Self-Declaration Form (SDF) on the portal captures 21-day travel history, exposure history, and symptoms from incoming international passengers.

How: The portal was developed in coordination with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and is integrated with Airport Port Health Officers (APHOs), the Bureau of Immigration (BoI), and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) for real-time contact tracing and escalation.

Why: Air Suvidha was first used during COVID-19; this 2.0 version shows India’s institutional preparedness for health emergencies. Relevant for UPSC GS-II (Health Governance, International Bodies) and GS-III (Disaster Management). Key terms: PHEIC, IHR 2005, IDSP, Bundibugyo virus — all potential Prelims MCQ hooks.

What: Mahesh Dixit, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for a period of two years by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He succeeds Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, who had served as IB Director since July 2022. Notably, Dixit is a qualified medical doctor who later joined the IPS.

How: The IB Director is appointed by the ACC, chaired by the Prime Minister, under the Central Staffing Scheme for senior IPS appointments. Dixit has received three policing honours: the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2016), the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2009), and the Police Antrik Suraksha Seva Padak (2004).

Why: Appointments to key intelligence and security posts are standard Prelims GK. Important facts: IB is India’s domestic intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); it is not a statutory body (unlike CBI or NIA). The ACC appointment process and the distinction between IB, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing — external intelligence), and NIA are common exam topics.

What: Chess legend Viswanathan Anand has become the 6th recipient of the Sports Journalists’ Federation of India (SJFI) Gold Medal, the highest honour given by India’s sports media fraternity. The medal was presented by former Indian cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth at the Madras Cricket Club in Chennai. Anand is India’s first Grandmaster (GM) in chess and currently serves as Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE — Fédération Internationale des Échecs).

How: The SJFI Gold Medal was instituted in 2019 to recognise extraordinary contributions to Indian sport. Previous recipients include Sunil Gavaskar (cricket), Vijay Amritraj (tennis), Prakash Padukone (badminton), P.T. Usha (athletics), and Milkha Singh (athletics, posthumous).

Why: Awards and honours feature consistently in all competitive exams. Key data points: medal instituted in 2019; Anand = 6th recipient and India’s first chess GM; FIDE role as Deputy President. The previous five recipients span cricket, tennis, badminton, and athletics — useful for pattern-based questions comparing sports awards across disciplines.