GK One-Liners

What: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) jointly built India’s first commercially manufactured PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), ready to launch Oceansat satellite. This marks a major milestone in India’s NewSpace manufacturing capability and private sector participation in space.

How: Under ISRO’s technology transfer initiative, HAL-L&T consortium received PSLV manufacturing know-how to produce launch vehicles commercially. This transfers production responsibility to industry, allowing ISRO to focus on R&D. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) manages commercial launches, with private manufacturers building rockets to ISRO specifications.

Why: Space sector reforms, private participation, and PSLV programme are important for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding ISRO’s vehicle types (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3), IN-SPACe role, and public-private partnership models in space helps in technology policy questions.

What: Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th term after NDA secured 202 seats in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly. The BJP-JD(U) alliance led the coalition government formation following the state assembly elections.

How: Government formation in states follows constitutional provisions under Articles 163-164. The Governor invites the leader of the majority coalition to form government. Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) partnered with BJP, forming the ruling NDA coalition with a comfortable majority to govern Bihar for another term.

Why: State politics, coalition governments, and constitutional processes are relevant for UPSC GS-II (Polity). Understanding government formation procedures, anti-defection law, Chief Minister’s role, and state political dynamics helps in governance questions.

What: India faced a setback in protecting Basmati rice’s Geographical Indication (GI) globally as New Zealand and Kenya rejected India’s GI claim. Both countries stated that the TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) is not self-executing, risking brand dilution in international markets.

How: While India granted Basmati GI status domestically in 2016, international protection requires recognition by each country’s IP regime. TRIPS mandates minimum IP standards but doesn’t automatically enforce GI protection. Countries like Pakistan also claim Basmati origin, creating disputes. India exports Basmati worth $4+ billion annually.

Why: GI protection, international trade law, and TRIPS Agreement are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding the difference between domestic and international GI protection, WTO provisions, and India’s agricultural exports helps in trade policy questions.

What: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India launched a Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit in Hyderabad. The centre employs AI-driven full-dataset analysis and ESG-aligned (Environmental, Social, Governance) audit standards to enhance audit quality and efficiency.

How: Traditional audit methods rely on sampling, but AI enables analysis of entire datasets to detect anomalies, fraud patterns, and compliance gaps. ESG-aligned audits evaluate organisations’ environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices alongside financial performance, reflecting evolving accountability standards.

Why: CAG’s role, audit reforms, and technology in governance are important for UPSC GS-II (Polity, Governance). Understanding CAG’s constitutional position (Article 148-151), types of audits (compliance, performance, financial), and modernisation initiatives helps in accountability questions.

What: India crossed 21 crore demat (dematerialised) accounts, reflecting surging retail participation in equity markets. Record IPO (Initial Public Offering) activity and increasing investment by Gen Z and Millennial investors drove this growth, indicating financialisation of household savings.

How: Demat accounts hold securities in electronic form, managed by depositories NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) and CDSL (Central Depository Services Limited). Low-cost brokerages, digital KYC, UPI-linked trading, and financial literacy campaigns have democratised stock market access, especially among younger investors.

Why: Capital markets, financial inclusion, and investor protection are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. Understanding SEBI’s role, depository system, IPO process, and household savings patterns helps in financial sector questions.

What: The United States granted Saudi Arabia Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, enabling access to advanced military equipment including F-35 stealth jets and 300 tanks. The designation also deepens cooperation in nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals sectors.

How: MNNA status is a US foreign policy designation that provides allies with benefits in defence trade, including priority delivery of defence material, loan guarantees for arms purchases, and participation in defence research. Current MNNAs include countries like Israel, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, and Australia.

Why: US foreign policy, Middle East geopolitics, and defence partnerships are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations). Understanding MNNA significance, US-Saudi relations, Abraham Accords context, and implications for regional security helps in foreign policy questions.