GK One-Liners

What: Observed annually on 25 March, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade was established by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/RES/62/122 in December 2007, with first observance on 25 March 2008. The 2026 theme is ‘Justice in Action’. The date commemorates the Slave Trade Act passed by the United Kingdom on 25 March 1807, which abolished the transatlantic slave trade. Over 15 million Africans were trafficked over 400 years in what UNGA has called the worst violation of human rights in history.

How: The UN runs an Outreach Programme (established 2007) to educate on the legacies of slavery. A permanent UN memorial called the Ark of Return — unveiled on 25 March 2015 at UN Headquarters, New York — invites visitors to reflect on the slave trade’s legacy. The day is linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Why: Questions on UN observances, UNGA resolutions, and SDG linkages appear in UPSC Prelims General Studies Paper I (History and IR). The Ark of Return and UNGA resolution number are factual anchors worth memorising. The SDG mapping is relevant for Mains GS-II (International Relations and Governance).

What: Delhi’s Budget 2026-27, with a total outlay of Rs 1,03,700 crore, was presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also holds the Finance Minister portfolio. The budget’s vision statement is ‘Viksit Delhi, Harit Delhi’ (Developed Delhi, Green Delhi), with 21% of spending earmarked for green initiatives. Delhi’s per capita income stands at Rs 5,31,610 (Advance Estimate), reflecting 7.92% growth — the 3rd highest per capita income in India. Tax revenue is projected at Rs 74,000 crore with a revenue surplus of Rs 9,092 crore.

How: Top sector allocations: Health (Rs 12,645 cr), Municipal Corporation of Delhi — MCD (Rs 11,666 cr), Delhi Jal Board — DJB (Rs 9,000 cr), Urban Development (Rs 7,887 cr), and Women & Child Development (Rs 7,406 cr). The flagship Mahila Samriddhi Yojana receives Rs 5,100 crore. Infrastructure highlights include Rs 1,352 crore for dust-free roads (750 km recarpeting) and Rs 475 crore for the Chandrawal water treatment plant.

Why: State budgets — especially for major metros — are tested in UPSC Prelims and State PCS exams for quantitative anchors (total outlay, per capita income, sector allocations). The CM-as-Finance-Minister role and the 21% green allocation are distinctive features. Mains GS-II can feature questions on urban governance, fiscal federalism, and women-centric schemes.

What: Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank, revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 downward in two stages: from 7.0% (pre-Iran war baseline) → 6.5% (13 March 2026) → 5.9% (24 March 2026). The trigger was the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran conflict, which caused a surge in crude oil prices (Brent crude: $105–$115/barrel) and a 4% depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar.

How: The downgrade flows through multiple channels: higher import costs for crude oil (India imports ~85% of its oil needs) inflate the Current Account Deficit (CAD), now projected at 2% of GDP (up from 1.3% in Q3 FY26). Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation is revised upward to 4.6% from 3.9%. Goldman Sachs also projects a 50 basis points (bps) repo rate hike from the current 5.25% by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to counter inflationary pressure.

Why: This is a high-yield item for UPSC Mains GS-III (Indian Economy, External Sector). Key concepts tested: GDP forecast methodology, CAD, CPI, repo rate transmission, and energy security. The two-step downgrade mechanism and specific figures (5.9%, 50 bps hike, Brent at $105–$115) are strong Prelims anchors. Links to Strait of Hormuz (Geography/IR) make this a cross-paper question.

What: The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage between Iran (to the north) and Oman (to the south), connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Approximately 20% of the world’s total oil supply passes through this strait daily, making it the world’s most strategically critical energy chokepoint. Its effective closure due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict in early 2026 triggered a global crude oil price surge, with Brent crude reaching $105–$115 per barrel.

How: The strait is approximately 54 km wide at its narrowest point. Tankers typically use two 3.2 km-wide shipping lanes (inbound and outbound). Any military blockade or threat perception causes insurance costs for tankers to spike and rerouting to longer Cape routes, dramatically increasing freight costs. India, which imports ~85% of its crude oil needs, is especially vulnerable to disruptions here, as reflected in the Rupee depreciating 4% and the Current Account Deficit (CAD) widening to 2% of GDP.

Why: The Strait of Hormuz is a recurring topic in UPSC Geography (important straits), GS-II International Relations (energy security, West Asia policy), and GS-III Economy (crude oil prices, CAD, inflation). Questions often ask: which countries border it, what percentage of global oil it carries, and why India is affected by its closure. Linking it to Goldman Sachs’ GDP downgrade makes it a multi-dimensional Mains answer point.

What: Anahat Singh, an 18-year-old Indian squash player, won the JSW Indian Open 2026 Women’s title on 25 March 2026, defeating Egypt’s Hana Moataz 3-1 at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. This was her 2nd consecutive Indian Open title and her 16th Professional Squash Association (PSA) title overall. At World No. 20, she is the youngest Asian player ever to enter the PSA top 20, surpassing the record of Malaysian legend Nicol David.

How: Anahat has risen through the PSA World Tour, accumulating titles across Bronze, Silver, and Gold events. Her February 2026 win at the Squash on Fire Open in Washington D.C. (a PSA Bronze event) preceded the Indian Open title. The JSW Indian Open is a significant PSA event held in Mumbai, drawing top international players. The men’s final was an all-Indian affair: Abhay Singh defeated Veer Chotrani 3-0.

Why: UPSC Prelims and State PCS exams regularly test winners of major Indian sporting events, especially when the achievement carries a historic record (youngest Asian, PSA milestone). The Nicol David comparison — a well-known squash name in competitive exam preparation circles — helps as a memory anchor. Squash’s Olympic debut is scheduled at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, making this a forward-looking factual point as well.

What: The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 is a multi-sport event organised under the Khelo India programme by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), running from 25 March to 3 April 2026. It is hosted by Chhattisgarh across three cities: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja. Over 6,000 participants are taking part, including approximately 2,300 athletes. Chhattisgarh was selected as the host state because more than 32% of its population belongs to tribal communities — one of the highest tribal concentrations among Indian states.

How: The games feature both mainstream competitive sports and two demonstrative disciplines: Mallakhamb (traditional Indian pole gymnastics) and Kabaddi, chosen to highlight India’s indigenous sporting traditions. The Khelo India umbrella programme — which also includes Khelo India Youth Games, University Games, and Para Games — aims to identify grassroots sporting talent and build a competitive sports culture across India, with a special focus on underrepresented communities.

Why: Khelo India events are regularly tested in UPSC Prelims for host state/city, year, and associated ministry. The Tribal Games edition is particularly relevant for GS-II (welfare of vulnerable sections, tribal affairs, Ministry of Tribal Affairs linkages) and GS-I (tribal communities in India). The demonstrative sports — Mallakhamb and Kabaddi — are additional factual hooks. Questions pairing Chhattisgarh’s tribal demography with this event have appeared in State PCS papers.