GK One-Liners

What: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has been awarded the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Goddard Astronautics Award 2026, one of the most prestigious honours in space exploration. The award was received by Vinay Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to the USA, on behalf of ISRO at the ASCEND 2026 Conference in Washington D.C.

How: Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023, making India the first country in the world to accomplish this feat. The mission deployed the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, which conducted in-situ experiments on the lunar surface for approximately 14 Earth days.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC, SSC, and state PCS exams under Science & Technology and Current Affairs. Key facts to remember: India is the 4th country to soft-land on the Moon (after Russia, USA, China), and the only nation to land near the lunar south pole. The date 23 August is now observed as National Space Day in India.

What: The Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) Programme has been expanded into Phase-II under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology. The phase adds 25 new National Inherited Diseases Administration (NIDAN) Kendras across 13 states and 1 Union Territory, building on the original launch on 23 September 2019.

How: NIDAN Kendras provide advanced genetic diagnostics, genetic counselling, and community outreach in underserved regions. Phase-II also establishes 3 dedicated training centres at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and UT Chandigarh. A digital UMMID Dashboard enables real-time monitoring of programme outcomes across all Kendras.

Why: This scheme is relevant for UPSC Prelims (Science & Tech, Government Schemes) and Mains GS-II (health policy, welfare). Focus on the ministry (DBT under MoST), the full form of NIDAN, and the digital monitoring angle, which ties to broader e-governance themes examined in competitive exams.

What: Two Indian scientists have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2026: Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Kanpur, known for the AKS primality test and recipient of Padma Shri 2013; and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation (WHO), recognised for her work in tuberculosis (TB) research and child health.

How: The Fellowship of the Royal Society, founded in 1660 in the UK, is one of the world’s most prestigious scientific honours. Dr Swaminathan’s election makes her only the 2nd Indian woman ever to be elected FRS, after botanist Janaki Ammal who was elected in 1945 — a gap of over 80 years.

Why: This item is relevant for both Static GK (Royal Society history) and Current Affairs sections in UPSC, Bank, and Railway exams. The historic “2nd Indian woman FRS” angle is a strong one-liner for MCQs. Also connects to themes of women in science and India’s global scientific standing.

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Norway on May 18–19, 2026 — the first official visit by an Indian PM in over 40 years, the last being PM Indira Gandhi in 1983. During the visit, India-Norway bilateral relations were formally elevated to a Green Strategic Partnership, 12 MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) were signed, and the 3rd India-Nordic Summit was held in Oslo. King Harald V conferred PM Modi with the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit Grand Cross, his 32nd global honour.

How: Key outcomes of the visit include Norway joining India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), the launch of the India-Norway Digital Development Partnership, and India’s agreement to participate at Nor Shipping 2027. The Green Strategic Partnership focuses on clean energy, maritime cooperation, and sustainable development between the two nations.

Why: Relevant for UPSC Prelims (India’s bilateral relations, IPOI) and Mains GS-II (India’s foreign policy, India-Europe ties). The “40+ year gap” is a strong MCQ fact. The IPOI context connects to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, a recurring theme in recent exams. Note that this was also the 3rd India-Nordic Summit.

What: Vayu Astra-1 is an indigenously developed loitering munition (also called a “kamikaze drone”) with a 100 km operational range, developed by NIBE Limited in collaboration with Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. A loitering munition is an unmanned aerial system that can orbit a target area and strike on command, combining the functions of a drone and a precision missile.

How: The system was tested under a No Cost No Commitment (NCNC) trial model, which allows the Indian Army to evaluate equipment without financial obligation. Trials were conducted at two sites: desert and night conditions at Pokhran, Rajasthan (April 18–19), and high-altitude performance at Joshimath (Malari), Uttarakhand (April 26–27). The Indian Army is the evaluating authority.

Why: Loitering munitions have become strategically critical following their use in recent global conflicts. This item is relevant for UPSC, CDS (Combined Defence Services), and AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) under Defence Technology and Indigenisation. Key themes: Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, India-Israel defence ties, and the NCNC procurement model used by Indian armed forces.

What: Maharashtra witnessed the signing of major nuclear energy MoUs worth a total of Rs 6.5 lakh crore, targeting 25,400 MW of nuclear power capacity. Four companies are involved: NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation), Adani Power Limited (APL), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), and LPGCL (Lalpir Power Group, Bajaj Group). This marks a significant step towards private sector participation in India’s nuclear energy landscape.

How: RIL plans to invest Rs 2 lakh crore for 7,200 MW at Purnagad using Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — a newer, compact nuclear technology. APL will invest Rs 1.5 lakh crore for 6,000 MW at Barsu, NTPC Rs 1 lakh crore for 7,200 MW, and LPGCL Rs 2 lakh crore for 5,000 MW. SMRs are modular, factory-built reactors seen as the future of clean baseload power.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC Mains GS-III (energy security, infrastructure) and Prelims (current affairs). Key angles: India’s clean energy transition, the role of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) in future energy policy, and the amendment to the Atomic Energy Act that enables private sector entry. Also connects to India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.