GK One-Liners

What: ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle mission PSLV-C61, carrying the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 (also designated RISAT-1B, weighing 1,696 kg), failed on May 18, 2025 — marking ISRO’s 101st space mission overall. The failure was caused by a drop in chamber pressure in the PS3 stage (the third stage, a solid-propellant motor), which led to the loss of the satellite. This is only the 3rd failure in PSLV’s 63-launch history — previous failures occurred in 1993 (PSLV-D1, the maiden flight) and 2017 (PSLV-C39). It is also the 2nd ISRO mission failure in 2025, after the NVS-02 navigation satellite mission.

How: PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a four-stage vehicle alternating between solid (S) and liquid (L) propulsion: PS1 (solid) → PS2 (liquid) → PS3 (solid) → PS4 (liquid). The PS3 stage is the second solid stage, typically responsible for injection into the transfer orbit. A chamber pressure drop in a solid motor indicates a structural or combustion anomaly — leading to inadequate thrust and orbital insertion failure. EOS-09 was intended to be a radar imaging satellite (Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR) for all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation — a strategic asset with applications in border surveillance, disaster monitoring, and agricultural assessment.

Why: ISRO mission successes and failures are standard UPSC Prelims and SSC questions. Key facts: mission — PSLV-C61; satellite — EOS-09 (RISAT-1B, 1,696 kg); failure cause — PS3 stage chamber pressure drop; PSLV failure count — 3rd in 63 launches (1993, 2017, 2025); ISRO’s 101st mission; 2nd failure in 2025 (after NVS-02). The RISAT series (Radar Imaging Satellite) designation and its SAR capability for all-weather surveillance are important exam anchors. PSLV’s overall reliability record (60 successes in 63 attempts) should also be retained.

What: The Himachal Pradesh government declared the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve in Spiti Valley as India’s largest conservation reserve, covering 1,585 square kilometres. It is the 5th Conservation Reserve in Himachal Pradesh and is bounded by the Ladakh Union Territory to the north. The area is characterised by high snow leopard density — making it a critical habitat for one of India’s most endangered apex predators — and is managed by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee (CRMC), as mandated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

How: A Conservation Reserve (CR) is a category of protected area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Section 36A–36D), introduced through the 2002 amendment. Unlike National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries — which are declared by state governments over government land — Conservation Reserves can include community and private lands where local communities retain rights and participate in management through the CRMC. This makes the CR model particularly suited to high-altitude landscapes like Spiti Valley, where pastoralist communities coexist with wildlife. Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Why: Conservation Reserve declarations, protected area categories, and snow leopard conservation are high-frequency UPSC Prelims (Environment) topics. Key facts: Tsarap Chu CR — 1,585 sq km; location — Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh; boundary — Ladakh (north); rank — India’s largest CR; 5th HP CR; key species — snow leopard; legal basis — Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Section 36A); managed by CRMC. Distinguish CR from Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park — a classic MCQ trap. CR allows community land and retains community rights, unlike NPs where rights are extinguished.

What: The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2025, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, reported that 295.3 million people across 53 countries faced acute food insecurity (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above — Crisis level or worse) in 2024 — an increase of 13.7 million compared to 2023. This is the 6th consecutive year that the figure has risen. Most alarmingly, 1.9 million people were classified in IPC/CH Phase 5 — the Catastrophic level — the highest number ever recorded on the scale. Over 90% of those in Phase 5 were located in Gaza and Sudan.

How: The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) are the globally standardised frameworks for measuring acute food insecurity, ranging from Phase 1 (Minimal) to Phase 5 (Catastrophic/Famine). GRFC is a joint publication led by the FAO-chaired Food Security Information Network (FSIN). The 2024 data reflects the compounding impact of ongoing conflicts (Gaza, Sudan, DRC, Haiti), climate shocks (El Niño-linked droughts and floods), and economic instability (inflation, debt crises) on food systems in fragile states.

Why: GRFC data, FAO, and IPC classifications are tested in UPSC Prelims GS-II (International Organisations) and GS-III (Food Security). Key facts: 295.3 million acutely food insecure; 53 countries; 6th consecutive year of increase; 1.9 million in Phase 5 (Catastrophic) — highest ever; >90% in Gaza and Sudan; published by FAO. The IPC 5-phase scale is a likely MCQ anchor. The 6-year consecutive increase narrative is strong Mains GS-III essay material on global food security, climate change, and conflict nexus.

What: Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa won his maiden Grand Chess Tour (GCT) title at the Superbet Classic Romania 2025 held in Bucharest, Romania. He won via a blitz playoff, defeating Alireza Firouzja (France) and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (MVL, France). The victory earned him USD 77,667 in prize money and 10 GCT points. At the time of the win, Praggnanandhaa holds a FIDE rating of 2758 and is ranked World No. 7. This follows his earlier victory at the Tata Steel Masters in January 2025, making 2025 a breakthrough year for the 19-year-old.

How: The Grand Chess Tour (GCT) is a prestigious annual series of classical and rapid/blitz chess tournaments featuring the world’s top-ranked players, including the reigning World Champion. A blitz playoff is a rapid tiebreak format — both players play at very fast time controls (typically 3+2 minutes) to determine the winner when scores are level after classical rounds. Praggnanandhaa’s win over higher-rated opponents Firouzja and MVL in blitz highlights his sharpness in faster time controls, a hallmark skill increasingly valued in modern competitive chess.

Why: Indian chess achievements, player ratings, and tournament names are regularly tested in SSC CGL, Banking, and State PSC GK sections. Key facts: tournament — Superbet Classic Romania 2025, Bucharest; winner — R Praggnanandhaa; method — blitz playoff over Firouzja and MVL; prize — USD 77,667 + 10 GCT points; FIDE rating — 2758; world ranking — No. 7; earlier 2025 title — Tata Steel Masters (January 2025). In 2025, India’s chess triumvirate of Gukesh (World Champion), Arjun Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa are all consistently ranked in the global top 10 — a Mains interview-worthy fact.

What: India signed 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Maldives under Phase III of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), accompanied by an Indian grant of MVR 100 million (approximately ₹55.3 crore). The MoUs were signed in Malé and focus primarily on ferry services and maritime connectivity between the islands of the Maldives. The completion timeline for Phase III projects has been advanced from 2027 to end-2025, reflecting India’s commitment to accelerating development cooperation with its key Indian Ocean neighbour.

How: The HICDP is a flagship Indian development assistance programme for the Maldives, providing grants for community-level infrastructure projects — including hospitals, schools, water supply, and transport connectivity across the Maldives’ dispersed island geography. Ferry and maritime services are especially critical for the Maldives, an archipelago nation of over 1,200 islands where inter-island connectivity directly determines access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. India’s development cooperation with the Maldives operates under its broader ‘Neighbourhood First’ foreign policy, where the Indian Ocean Island States receive priority attention.

Why: India-Maldives relations are a recurring UPSC Prelims GS-II (International Relations) topic. Key facts: 13 MoUs signed under HICDP Phase III; Indian grant — MVR 100 million (~₹55.3 crore); signed in Malé; focus — ferry services and maritime connectivity; Phase III completion advanced from 2027 to end-2025. HICDP as India’s community development instrument in the Maldives, and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy context, are strong Mains GS-II anchors. The Maldives’ strategic importance (Indian Ocean, SAARC, IORA) and the India-China competition for influence there add further analytical depth.

What: India topped the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list with 94 honourees — the highest from any single country — followed by Australia (32), China (30), Japan (25), and South Korea (23). The list recognises 300 achievers across 10 categories including Healthcare, Technology, Finance, Media, and Sports. Notable Indian honourees include World Chess Champion D. Gukesh (age 18), actor Ananya Pandey (age 26), and actor Ishaan Khatter (age 29). The list reflects India’s growing youth talent pipeline across entrepreneurship, arts, and professional domains.

How: Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia is an annual list compiled by Forbes Media, selecting individuals under 30 years of age who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and impact across industry sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Selection is based on criteria including innovation, leadership, business impact, and social contribution, assessed by a panel of expert judges. India’s dominance of the list — 94 out of 300 honourees, nearly one-third of the total — reflects the country’s demographic dividend, its booming startup ecosystem, and the international visibility of Indian talent in entertainment, sports, and technology.

Why: Forbes rankings and India-specific recognitions are tested in SSC, Banking, and State PSC awards GK sections. Key facts: India — 94 honourees (1st); Australia — 32 (2nd); China — 30 (3rd); total — 300 across 10 categories; notable Indians — D. Gukesh (18), Ananya Pandey (26), Ishaan Khatter (29). D. Gukesh’s inclusion as the youngest World Chess Champion in history at age 18 is independently a high-yield fact. India’s leadership (94 of 300) is a data point signalling demographic and soft-power relevance — a Mains GS-I (Indian Society) thread.