GK One-Liners

What: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in June 2026. Their two-year term runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028. Notably, this is Kyrgyzstan’s first-ever term on the UNSC since joining the UN in 1992.

How: The UNSC comprises 15 members in total — 5 permanent members (P5: USA, UK, France, Russia, and China) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected by the UNGA. Each year, UNGA elects 5 new non-permanent members for staggered two-year terms, ensuring regional representation across global blocs.

Why: UNSC composition and election processes are frequently tested in UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams under International Relations. Kyrgyzstan’s historic first term is a high-probability MCQ trigger. Remembering the P5 and the total membership of 15 is essential for all competitive exams.

What: The government announced a Rs 10,000 crore one-time support fund to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to stabilise Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for scheduled Indian airlines. ATF is the specialised fuel used in aircraft engines, and its price directly affects airline operating costs. The fund is valid for up to 36 months (3 years).

How: The support is structured as an interest-free advance to OMCs, which in turn stabilise ATF supply prices for domestic and international flight operations. A recovery mechanism is built in: when global ATF prices fall below a threshold, the advance is clawed back from OMCs. The scheme is designed to shield Indian carriers from volatility driven by the West Asia conflict.

Why: This scheme sits at the intersection of Economy, Energy Policy, and Aviation — all high-yield UPSC and banking exam themes. Understanding OMCs, the role of ATF in airline economics, and government price-stabilisation tools is key. Candidates should link this to fuel subsidy mechanisms and fiscal policy instruments.

What: The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) Vehicle Replacement Scheme is a two-year, Rs 9,585 crore initiative to replace 2.07 lakh Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) and older trucks and buses with BS-VI compliant vehicles or Electric Vehicles (EVs). It is funded through the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) also involved.

How: Eligible vehicle owners receive a 5% interest subvention on loans for 5 years, reducing the cost of upgrading to cleaner vehicles. The NCRPB channels funds to state-level agencies, which identify and process the replacement of polluting heavy vehicles. BS-VI norms align with Euro-6 emission standards, significantly cutting particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

Why: Delhi’s air quality crisis is a recurring theme in UPSC Environment and Governance questions. This scheme tests knowledge of BS emission norms, the NCRPB’s mandate, and inter-ministerial coordination. Aspirants should note the ministries involved — MoHUA, MoRTH, and MoPNG — as multi-ministry schemes are MCQ favourites.

What: Navachar Mantra is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to identify, mentor, and scale grassroots innovators across India. It was launched by Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and is implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) in partnership with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi. Registrations are open on the SIDH portal until 5 July 2026.

How: The programme provides a structured pipeline — from identifying innovators at the grassroots level to mentoring them through institutional support at IIT Delhi, and finally helping them scale their ideas into viable enterprises or products. NIESBUD, under MSDE, serves as the nodal implementation agency, while FITT IIT Delhi provides technology incubation expertise.

Why: Innovation ecosystems, government skilling schemes, and MSDE initiatives are important for UPSC GS-II (Governance) and GS-III (Economy/Technology). Candidates should remember the key acronyms: NIESBUD and FITT. The linkage between IIT incubation and government skilling programmes is a recurring exam theme for both Prelims and Mains.

What: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27) upward by 20 basis points (bps) to 6.3%, from an earlier estimate of 6.1%. This was published in the report titled ‘OECD Economic Outlook Under Pressure: June 2026’. India’s FY26 GDP growth was recorded at 7.6%, and inflation for FY27 is projected at 4.8%.

How: The upward revision reflects India’s resilient domestic consumption, strong services sector performance, and government capital expenditure. The global growth outlook, however, was trimmed — OECD projects global growth at 2.8% for Calendar Year 2026 (CY26), reflecting pressures from geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and monetary tightening in advanced economies.

Why: GDP forecasts by international bodies (OECD, IMF, World Bank) are high-frequency MCQ sources in UPSC Prelims, RBI Grade B, and SEBI exams. Aspirants must remember: FY27 forecast = 6.3% (revised up from 6.1%), FY26 actual = 7.6%, inflation FY27 = 4.8%, and global CY26 growth = 2.8%. The report name ‘OECD Economic Outlook Under Pressure’ is a likely fill-in-the-blank question.

What: D.K. Shivakumar was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka, succeeding Siddaramaiah on the directions of the Indian National Congress (INC) high command. The oath of office was administered by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru, under Article 164 of the Indian Constitution. Shivakumar represents the Kanakapura constituency in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

How: Article 164 empowers the Governor to appoint the Chief Minister and, on the latter’s advice, the Council of Ministers. The swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan is a constitutional formality that marks the transfer of executive power. Shivakumar had previously served as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, playing a key role in the INC’s return to power in the state.

Why: Polity questions on the appointment of Chief Ministers, the role of Governors, and relevant constitutional articles (especially Article 164 vs Article 75 for Union Ministers) are standard in UPSC Prelims and state PCS exams. Shivakumar being the 25th CM, the constitutional article invoked, and the Governor’s name are all direct MCQ data points. This also illustrates intra-party coalition dynamics — a Mains-relevant theme.