GK One-Liners

What: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation for India’s first four riverine lighthouses on the Brahmaputra River in Assam, at sites in Bogibeel, Pandu, Silghat, and Biswanath Ghat — all located on National Waterway-2 (NW-2). The project is budgeted at Rs 84 crore.

How: Each lighthouse will stand 20 metres tall with a range of 14 nautical miles and will be solar-powered for sustainable operation. Tourism facilities will also be developed at each site, integrating navigation infrastructure with economic development along the waterway.

Why: NW-2 (Brahmaputra) is India’s second-longest national waterway and a key focus of the Sagarmala Programme for inland water transport. This project tests knowledge of waterway infrastructure, NE India development, and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways — all frequently tested in UPSC and SSC exams.

What: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have officially verified Chile as the first country in the Americas to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem. Chile is the 61st country globally and the 2nd after Jordan to achieve this milestone.

How: Elimination is defined by WHO as achieving fewer than 1 case per 10,000 population at the national level. Chile’s success came under the PAHO Disease Elimination Initiative, which targets the elimination of over 30 diseases and conditions in the Americas by 2030.

Why: Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) elimination milestones are routinely tested in UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams under Public Health and International Organisations. Key facts: WHO/PAHO verification authority, the threshold figure (<1 per 10,000), and Jordan’s prior achievement are all high-yield data points.

What: President Droupadi Murmu effected a major reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors (LGs) across 9 States and Union Territories (UTs) on 6 March 2026. Key appointments include: Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah alias Hasnain to Bihar, Jishnu Dev Varma to Maharashtra, Shiv Pratap Shukla to Telangana, R.N. Ravi to West Bengal, and Taranjit Singh Sandhu as LG of Delhi.

How: Governors are appointed by the President under Article 155 of the Constitution and hold office during the President’s pleasure (Article 156). The appointment of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts is governed by Article 217(1), relevant to the concurrent Madras HC appointment. LGs are appointed for UTs that have legislatures (Delhi, Puducherry, J&K) or are directly administered.

Why: Governor appointments and reshuffles are a staple of UPSC Prelims current affairs. Candidates must know both the constitutional provisions (Articles 153–162) and the current incumbents by state, as these feature in match-the-column and assertion-reason questions in SSC and Banking exams as well.

What: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bellatrix Aerospace — an Indian private space startup — to jointly develop Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite systems operating between 150 and 450 km altitude. The MoU was signed by Rashmi Kathuria (BEL) and Rohan Ganapathy (Bellatrix).

How: VLEO satellites orbit significantly closer to Earth than conventional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, enabling higher resolution imaging, lower signal latency, and reduced power requirements for ground communication. The collaboration brings together BEL’s defence electronics expertise and Bellatrix’s propulsion and satellite technology to support both military surveillance and civilian space missions.

Why: This MoU exemplifies India’s push for public-private partnerships (PPP) in the space sector following the liberalisation of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) norms. UPSC and defence exam aspirants should note BEL’s expanding space portfolio, the significance of VLEO for next-generation surveillance, and the policy context of India’s Space Sector Reforms (2020).

What: Dr. Krishnamurthy Venkata (K.V.) Subramanian received the University of Chicago Alumni Award for Professional Achievement, becoming the first Indian economist to receive this honour since the award was instituted in 1941. He served as Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to the Government of India (GoI) from 2018 to 2021 and as Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

How: The award recognises alumni who have achieved distinction in their professional fields. Dr. Subramanian is currently a Professor at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, and is the author of the book India@100, which outlines a vision for India’s economic trajectory by its centenary of independence.

Why: Awards received by former senior government economists carry dual relevance — they test both current affairs awareness and knowledge of key economic advisory institutions. The CEA heads the Economic Division of the Ministry of Finance and authors the Economic Survey, making the role highly significant for UPSC Economy preparation.

What: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the logo of the Cycling League of India (CLI), announced as the world’s first franchise-based road cycling league. The league will feature 8 city or region-based franchises, each comprising 10 cyclists — including 2 international riders and 2 junior cyclists — competing across three phases culminating in a grand finale.

How: CLI will incorporate multiple race formats including criterium (short circuit races), team time trials, and mass start events — formats used in international road cycling competitions. The franchise-based model mirrors the structure of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket and aims to professionalise and popularise cycling at the national level.

Why: Sports league launches backed by government ministries are tested in SSC CGL, Banking, and State PSC exams. The CLI is notable for its international first status and its youth-inclusion design (junior cyclists per franchise). Questions may also link to India’s fitness and sports infrastructure initiatives under the Khelo India programme.