GK One-Liners

What: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will expand to cover wild animal crop damage and paddy inundation as localised risks from Kharif 2026. This extension benefits forest-edge farmers affected by wildlife depredation and flood-prone areas experiencing waterlogging.

How: PMFBY, launched in 2016, provides comprehensive crop insurance against natural calamities, pests, and diseases. Localised risks (hailstorms, landslides, inundation) are now being expanded to include wildlife damage. Claims will be processed through satellite imagery, drone surveys, and ground verification by insurance companies and state agriculture departments.

Why: Crop insurance schemes, agricultural reforms, and farmer welfare are important for UPSC GS-III (Agriculture). Understanding PMFBY features, premium structure, claim settlement process, and comparison with earlier schemes (NAIS, MNAIS, WBCIS) helps in agriculture policy questions.

What: India launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0 to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant infections. The plan emphasises multi-sector coordination following the One Health approach and promotes responsible antibiotic use across human health, veterinary, and agricultural sectors.

How: AMR 2.0 builds on the first NAP-AMR (2017-21) with enhanced surveillance networks, antimicrobial stewardship programmes in hospitals, regulation of antibiotic sales, infection prevention protocols, and public awareness campaigns. The plan aligns with WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR and involves coordination between health, agriculture, environment, and animal husbandry ministries.

Why: AMR, public health challenges, and One Health approach are important for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech) and GS-II (Health). Understanding the causes of AMR, India’s antibiotic consumption patterns, and policy interventions helps in health governance questions.

What: India will host the Global Big Cats Summit under the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), focusing on conservation of seven major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. The summit will bring together range countries to strengthen transboundary conservation efforts.

How: IBCA, launched by India in 2023, is a multi-country alliance to protect big cats through habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and community engagement. India hosts about 75% of global wild tigers and has successfully reintroduced cheetahs under Project Cheetah. The summit will facilitate knowledge sharing and funding mechanisms.

Why: Wildlife conservation, international environmental initiatives, and India’s conservation leadership are important for UPSC GS-III (Environment). Understanding Project Tiger, Project Lion, IBCA membership, and India’s role in global biodiversity governance helps in environment questions.

What: The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) launched two significant innovations: ColoNoX, India’s first nitric-oxide wound dressing for enhanced healing, and BARC B140, India’s first rare-earth Certified Reference Material (CRM) developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

How: ColoNoX uses controlled nitric-oxide release to promote wound healing, particularly for diabetic ulcers and chronic wounds. CRMs are standardised materials used to calibrate analytical instruments; BARC B140 provides reference standards for rare earth element analysis, crucial for quality control in electronics, defence, and clean energy industries.

Why: DAE innovations, rare earth elements, and indigenous technology development are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding India’s rare earth strategy, BARC’s role beyond nuclear energy, and medical technology innovations helps in science and self-reliance questions.

What: India dropped to 23rd place in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026, down from previous rankings. The decline is attributed to the absence of a coal phase-out plan and continued coal capacity expansion, despite progress in renewable energy deployment.

How: CCPI, published annually by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network, evaluates countries on GHG emissions, renewable energy share, energy use, and climate policy. India scored well on renewables but poorly on climate policy due to reliance on coal for energy security and economic growth.

Why: Global climate indices, India’s energy transition, and climate commitments are important for UPSC GS-III (Environment). Understanding India’s Net Zero 2070 target, coal-renewable balance, and international climate assessments helps in environment and energy policy questions.

What: The government launched YUVA AI for ALL, a free 4.5-hour AI literacy course under the IndiaAI Mission aiming to train 1 crore citizens. The programme democratises artificial intelligence knowledge, making foundational AI concepts accessible to students, professionals, and general public.

How: The course is available online through government portals and covers basics of AI, machine learning, and their applications. IndiaAI Mission, with ₹10,372 crore allocation, focuses on AI compute infrastructure, datasets, application development, and skilling. YUVA AI complements other initiatives like AI for Youth and Responsible AI programmes.

Why: AI policy, digital skilling, and technology missions are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding IndiaAI Mission pillars, National AI Strategy, and comparison with global AI initiatives helps in technology governance questions.