GK One-Liners

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved a record surplus transfer (dividend) of Rs 2,86,588.46 crore — approximately Rs 2.87 lakh crore — to the Government of India (GoI) for the financial year 2025–26. This decision was taken at the 623rd meeting of the Central Board of Directors (CBoDs), chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The amount surpasses the previous record of Rs 2.69 lakh crore transferred in FY25.

How: The RBI’s balance sheet expanded by 20.61% to Rs 91.97 lakh crore as of 31 March 2026. The Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB) — a reserve maintained by RBI to absorb unexpected systemic shocks — was kept at 6.5% of the balance sheet, amounting to Rs 1,09,379.64 crore transferred to it. As per the Economic Capital Buffer (ECB) framework, the RBI must maintain the CRB within a band of 4.5%–7.5% of its balance sheet; the current 6.5% falls comfortably within this range, enabling the large dividend payout.

Why: RBI’s surplus transfer to the government is a recurring topic in UPSC Prelims (Economy) and banking exams such as RBI Grade B and NABARD. Key facts to retain: dividend amount (Rs 2.87 lakh crore), meeting number (623rd CBoDs), governor (Sanjay Malhotra), CRB percentage (6.5%), and the ECB band (4.5%–7.5%). This also has Mains relevance under GS-III fiscal policy — a large dividend boosts GoI’s non-tax revenue and helps manage the fiscal deficit.

What: Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army was awarded the United Nations (UN) Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2025, making her the 3rd Indian recipient of this honour. She is the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army, commissioned into the Army Aviation Corps in 2022 after training at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), Nashik. She is qualified to co-pilot the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) weaponised variant.

How: At the time of the award, Major Barak was serving as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) in INDBATT-XXVI — the 26th Indian Battalion deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In this role, she led outreach activities with women and girls in conflict-affected areas and conducted gender sensitisation programmes for UN peacekeepers, directly embodying the UN’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Why: This item is a triple-threat for exams — it covers defence (Indian Army Aviation), international organisations (UNIFIL, UN peacekeeping), and women empowerment. Key facts: award name, year (2025), her rank (Major), distinction (3rd Indian, first woman combat helicopter pilot), mission (UNIFIL/INDBATT-XXVI), and aircraft (Dhruv ALH). Relevant for UPSC CAPF, CDS, SSC CGL, and state PSC General Awareness sections.

What: Agni-1 is a single-stage, solid-fuelled, road-mobile Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). It has a range of 700–900 km (extendable to 1,200 km), can carry a payload of up to 1,000 kg in both conventional and nuclear configurations, and was inducted into service in 2004. It is operated by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and has been tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.

How: The IGMDP was launched in 1983 by DRDO to achieve self-reliance in guided missile technology. It produced five key missiles: Agni (surface-to-surface ballistic), Prithvi (surface-to-surface tactical), Akash (surface-to-air), Trishul (surface-to-air short-range), and Nag (anti-tank guided missile). The Agni series has since expanded to Agni-V (intercontinental range, 5,000+ km), with Agni-1 forming the tactical short-range backbone of India’s deterrence posture.

Why: Missile systems and IGMDP are core topics in UPSC Prelims Science & Technology, UPSC CAPF, and CDS exams. The Agni series is frequently tested — memorise: Agni-1 range (700–900 km), induction year (2004), fuel type (solid), test range (ITR Chandipur), and governing body (SFC under Dept. of Defence). IGMDP’s five missiles and launch year (1983) are classic static GK one-liners.

What: Africa Day, also called African Liberation Day, is observed every year on 25 May. It marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — a landmark moment in the pan-African independence movement. The OAU was later transformed into the African Union (AU) in 2002, with its headquarters remaining in Addis Ababa.

How: The OAU was established by 32 newly independent African nations with the primary goals of ending colonialism, promoting unity, and defending the sovereignty of African states. Over decades, as the nature of African challenges shifted from liberation to economic integration and governance, the OAU was restructured and relaunched as the AU in 2002, modelled partly on the European Union. The AU today has 55 member states and addresses conflict resolution, economic development, and human rights across the continent.

Why: Africa Day and AU-related facts appear regularly in UPSC Prelims (international organisations), SSC, and banking exams. Key static facts: date (25 May), founding year of OAU (1963), city (Addis Ababa), transformation to AU (2002), AU headquarters (Addis Ababa), and number of member states (55). The AU is also relevant for India–Africa relations questions in Mains GS-II.

What: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the tenure extension of Anurag Garg as Director General (DG) of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) until 31 July 2027. Garg is a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh (HP) cadre and succeeded S.N. Pradhan, who served as DG from July 2021 to August 2024. The NCB is India’s apex anti-narcotics law enforcement and intelligence agency, established in 1986 under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and governed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

How: The ACC is the apex body for senior government appointments in India and functions under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). NCB appointments at the DG level require ACC approval. The NCB coordinates with state police, customs, CBI, and international agencies like INTERPOL and UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) to combat drug trafficking and enforce the NDPS Act across India.

Why: Institutional appointments — especially ACC-approved ones — are direct one-liner questions in UPSC, SSC, and state PSC exams. Key facts: NCB established (1986), parent ministry (MHA), governing act (NDPS Act, 1985), current DG (Anurag Garg), IPS batch (1993), cadre (HP), tenure extended till (31 July 2027). The NDPS Act year (1985) versus NCB establishment year (1986) is a classic confusion point in exams.

What: Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (P.N. Panicker) is celebrated as the Father of the Library Movement in Kerala. Under his leadership, the Kerala Granthashala Sangham (Kerala Library Council) grew from a small organisation into a network of over 6,000 public libraries across the state. His famous literacy slogan ‘Vayichu Valaruka’ — meaning ‘Read and Grow’ — became synonymous with Kerala’s remarkable literacy achievements. National Reading Day is observed on 19 June every year, the anniversary of his death.

How: Panicker worked to make libraries accessible at the grassroots level, establishing them in rural and semi-urban areas as centres of lifelong learning. His efforts contributed significantly to Kerala achieving the highest literacy rate in India. A biography titled ‘The Library Man of India: The Story of P.N. Panicker’, authored by P. P. Sathyan and published by Rupa Publications, was recently released by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Why: P.N. Panicker and National Reading Day appear in Kerala PSC, UPSC Prelims (Art & Culture/Miscellaneous), and SSC exams. Key facts: title (‘Father of Library Movement in Kerala’), slogan (‘Vayichu Valaruka’ = Read and Grow), National Reading Day (19 June), biography title, publisher (Rupa Publications), and who released it (VP C. P. Radhakrishnan). Kerala’s library movement also ties to broader Mains themes on social reform and education policy.