GK One-Liners

What: Bangladesh became the first South Asian country to join the UN Water Convention (formally known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, Helsinki, 1992). India remains outside the convention, which governs transboundary water cooperation.

How: The convention, adopted under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), was opened to all UN member states in 2016. It establishes principles for equitable water use, pollution prevention, and joint monitoring of shared water resources. Bangladesh’s accession may influence future negotiations on shared rivers like the Ganges and Teesta.

Why: Transboundary water disputes, international conventions, and India-Bangladesh relations are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations). Understanding water-sharing agreements (Indus Waters Treaty, Ganges Treaty), India’s position on international water law, and regional cooperation is essential for Mains.

What: India hosted the first BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) Conference in Kochi. The conference promotes Blue Economy cooperation among BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) nations through research grants and split-site PhD programmes.

How: BIMReN aims to create a collaborative marine research ecosystem linking India with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. The network facilitates joint research on marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, ocean pollution, and climate change impacts on coastal communities.

Why: BIMSTEC, Blue Economy, and regional cooperation frameworks are frequently tested in UPSC GS-II (International Relations). Understanding India’s Act East Policy, maritime cooperation initiatives, and comparison between BIMSTEC and SAARC is relevant for current affairs and Mains essays.

What: The 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference held in Gurugram focused on the theme “Urban Development and Mobility Nexus”. A major announcement included the deployment of 10,000 electric buses under PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, with 100 buses allocated to Gurugram.

How: PM e-Bus Sewa, launched under the National Electric Bus Programme, aims to deploy e-buses in cities with populations over 3 lakh. The scheme operates on a Gross Cost Contract model where private operators procure and maintain buses while cities pay per kilometre, ensuring sustainable urban mobility.

Why: Urban transport, electric mobility, and smart city initiatives are important for UPSC GS-III (Infrastructure). Understanding schemes like PM e-Bus Sewa, FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles), and sustainable urban development helps in policy-related questions.

What: The Pharmacology Laboratory at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, earned triple ISO certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

How: These certifications validate that AIIA’s research practices meet international standards for quality assurance, environmental responsibility, and workplace safety. The lab conducts pharmacological studies on Ayurvedic formulations to establish their efficacy and safety through modern scientific methods.

Why: Integration of traditional medicine with modern standards, AYUSH initiatives, and BIS certifications are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding efforts to validate Ayurveda scientifically, National AYUSH Mission, and quality standards in traditional medicine is useful for current affairs.

What: Sheetal Devi created history by becoming the first Indian para-athlete to be selected for an able-bodied national archery team. She will compete in the Asia Cup 2025 after scoring 703 points at national trials, demonstrating exceptional skill that transcends disability categories.

How: Sheetal Devi, born without arms, uses her feet to draw the bow and compete in compound archery. Her selection was based purely on merit, competing against able-bodied archers at national trials. This inclusion marks a significant step towards mainstreaming para-athletes in competitive sports.

Why: Para-sports achievements, inclusive sports policies, and inspiring sportspersons are frequently asked in competitive exams. Understanding India’s para-sports ecosystem, Paralympic achievements, and efforts towards disability inclusion in mainstream sports helps in current affairs and personality-based questions.

What: World Science Day for Peace and Development is observed annually on November 10. The 2025 theme, set by UNESCO, is “Trust, transformation, and tomorrow: The science we need for 2050”, emphasising the role of science in building a sustainable and peaceful future.

How: The day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001 to highlight the significant role of science in society and engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It promotes scientific literacy, international cooperation in research, and the ethical use of scientific knowledge for global development.

Why: UN-designated days, UNESCO initiatives, and science policy are relevant for UPSC Prelims and GS-III. Understanding international frameworks for scientific cooperation, science diplomacy, and themes of annual observances helps in current affairs and factual questions.