GK One-Liners

What: The Union Cabinet approved the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE) with a corpus of ₹20,000 crore. The scheme provides collateral-free credit to exporters with full guarantee from NCGTC (National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited) to boost export liquidity and competitiveness.

How: Under CGSE, banks can extend working capital loans to exporters without demanding collateral, as NCGTC provides 100% credit guarantee. This reduces risk for lenders and improves credit access for small and medium exporters who often lack adequate collateral. The scheme complements existing export promotion initiatives like RoDTEP and Interest Equalisation Scheme.

Why: Export promotion schemes, credit guarantee mechanisms, and trade facilitation are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. Understanding ECGC, RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products), and export financing helps in trade-related questions.

What: IIT Bombay unveiled India’s first Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM), a cutting-edge imaging device that uses nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre diamonds to map three-dimensional magnetic fields with unprecedented precision for advanced materials research and quantum science applications.

How: NV centres are atomic defects in diamond crystals where a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon atom adjacent to a vacant lattice site. These defects act as quantum sensors, responding to magnetic fields with fluorescence changes. The QDM detects these changes to create high-resolution magnetic field maps at room temperature.

Why: Quantum technology, advanced research infrastructure, and IIT innovations are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding India’s National Quantum Mission (₹6,000 crore), quantum sensing applications, and research capabilities helps in technology policy questions.

What: Punjab became the first state to fully implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme, providing broadband internet connectivity to almost all villages including remote shadow areas. This achievement advances the Digital India vision of universal internet access.

How: Bharat Net (originally National Optical Fibre Network) aims to connect all 2.5+ lakh Gram Panchayats through optical fibre. The amended scheme allows multiple service delivery models including satellite connectivity for difficult terrains. Punjab utilized a combination of fibre optic cables and wireless solutions to cover shadow areas previously unreached.

Why: Digital infrastructure, Bharat Net, and rural connectivity are important for UPSC GS-II (Governance) and GS-III (Infrastructure). Understanding the Digital India programme, BharatNet phases, and challenges in last-mile connectivity helps in governance and technology questions.

What: India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been linked with Bahrain’s Fawri+ real-time payment system, enabling instant, low-cost cross-border transactions between the two countries. This benefits the large Indian diaspora in Bahrain and enhances bilateral financial connectivity.

How: The linkage allows users to make payments directly from Indian UPI apps to Bahraini merchants and vice versa. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) facilitates such integrations, which have expanded UPI’s reach to countries like Singapore (PayNow), UAE, France, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius.

Why: UPI internationalisation, digital payment infrastructure, and fintech diplomacy are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding NPCI’s role, cross-border payment mechanisms, and India’s digital payment ecosystem expansion helps in financial sector questions.

What: The RUDRA Brigade of the Indian Army conducted Operation Akhand Prahar in Jaisalmer, showcasing multi-domain desert warfare capabilities. The exercise demonstrated integration of drones, AI-powered surveillance systems, and indigenous defence technologies for modern battlefield scenarios.

How: The operation tested combined arms operations in desert terrain, including unmanned aerial systems for reconnaissance, AI-based threat detection, armoured manoeuvres, and coordinated artillery strikes. Indigenous systems developed under iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and DRDO were validated in realistic conditions.

Why: Military exercises, indigenous defence technology, and multi-domain warfare are important for UPSC GS-III (Security). Understanding India’s desert warfare capabilities, iDEX start-ups, and integration of emerging technologies in defence operations helps in security-related questions.

What: Children’s Day 2025 was observed on November 14 with the theme “For Every Child, Every Right”, honouring Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision for children’s welfare and development. The day celebrates India’s first Prime Minister’s birth anniversary, known for his love for children who called him ‘Chacha Nehru’.

How: Children’s Day in India was originally observed on November 20 (Universal Children’s Day). After Nehru’s death in 1964, it was shifted to November 14 to commemorate his legacy. Schools organise cultural programmes, while government bodies highlight child welfare schemes and policies.

Why: Important days, their themes, and associated personalities are frequently asked in competitive exams. Understanding child rights under the Constitution (Article 21A – Right to Education, Article 24 – prohibition of child labour), POCSO Act, and child welfare schemes helps in social justice questions.