GK One-Liners

What: Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is observed on November 15 to honour the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda (1875-1900). The 2025 celebration marks his 150th birth anniversary, highlighting the role of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle through museums, cultural programmes, and heritage initiatives.

How: First observed in 2021, the day commemorates tribal heroes like Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu (Santhal Rebellion), Tantia Bhil, and Alluri Sitarama Raju. Government initiatives include Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums in tribal-dominated districts, documentation of oral histories, and promotion of tribal art and culture.

Why: Tribal movements, freedom fighters, and related observances are important for UPSC GS-I (History) and GS-II (Social Justice). Understanding the Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan), tribal rights under PESA Act (1996), Forest Rights Act (2006), and Fifth/Sixth Schedule provisions is essential.

What: Godrej Aerospace delivered the human-rated Vikas engine to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) for the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) rocket, advancing India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission readiness. Human-rating ensures the engine meets stringent safety standards for crewed missions.

How: The Vikas engine is a liquid-fuelled rocket engine powering the L110 core stage of LVM-3. Human-rating involves extensive testing for reliability, redundancy, and abort scenarios. Godrej Aerospace, as a key ISRO supplier, upgraded manufacturing processes to meet human spaceflight certification requirements.

Why: Gaganyaan mission, ISRO’s launch vehicles, and space technology are high-frequency topics for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding rocket stages, engine types (solid, liquid, cryogenic), and private sector participation in space helps in space-related questions.

What: The Indian Air Force (IAF) inaugurated the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The high-altitude airbase features a new 2.7-km runway, boosting air combat readiness and rapid deployment capabilities in the strategically sensitive eastern Ladakh sector.

How: Nyoma ALG, located at approximately 13,700 feet altitude, can now handle fighter aircraft operations including Su-30MKI and MiG-29. The upgraded runway, taxiways, and aviation infrastructure enable combat air patrols, reconnaissance missions, and emergency troop deployments near the LAC.

Why: Border infrastructure, LAC developments, and air force modernisation are important for UPSC GS-III (Security). Understanding BRO’s (Border Roads Organisation) role, strategic airfields in Ladakh (Daulat Beg Oldie, Thoise, Fukche), and India’s air power projection helps in defence questions.

What: The Defence Ministry signed a ₹2,095 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for INVAR anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). These missiles will enhance the precision strike capability of T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks operated by the Indian Army.

How: INVAR is a laser-guided, tube-launched ATGM that can be fired from the main gun of T-90 tanks. It has a range of 4-5 km and can engage armoured vehicles, bunkers, and fortifications. BDL, a DPSU (Defence Public Sector Undertaking), manufactures the missiles under technology transfer from Russia with progressive indigenisation.

Why: Defence procurement, ATGMs, and tank warfare capabilities are important for UPSC GS-III (Security). Understanding different missile systems (Nag, Helina, MPATGM), BDL’s role, and indigenisation efforts under Make in India helps in defence-related questions.

What: Moody’s Ratings projected India as the fastest-growing G-20 economy through 2027, driven by strong domestic consumption, infrastructure investment push, and a stable policy outlook. This positions India ahead of China and other major economies in terms of GDP growth rates.

How: India’s growth is supported by multiple factors: rising middle-class consumption, government capital expenditure (especially in infrastructure), manufacturing incentives through PLI schemes, digital economy expansion, and demographic dividend. Stable inflation and fiscal consolidation add to positive macroeconomic fundamentals.

Why: Rating agency assessments, GDP growth projections, and India’s economic outlook are frequently asked in banking exams and UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding factors driving growth, comparison with peer economies, and rating methodology helps in economic analysis questions.

What: India recorded a 21% decline in tuberculosis (TB) incidence, reflecting significant progress under the TB Mukt Bharat (TB-Free India) initiative. This achievement was strengthened by AI-based diagnosis systems, expansion of molecular testing laboratories, and community-based active case finding.

How: TB Mukt Bharat employs a multi-pronged strategy: Ni-kshay portal for case notification, Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support to patients, CBNAAT/TrueNat molecular testing for rapid diagnosis, and private sector engagement. AI tools help analyse chest X-rays for early TB detection in remote areas.

Why: Health programmes, TB elimination target (2025), and disease control initiatives are relevant for UPSC GS-II (Social Justice). Understanding India’s TB burden, NSP (National Strategic Plan) for TB Elimination, and comparison with global targets (SDG 3.3 – end TB by 2030) helps in health policy questions.