GK One-Liners

What: Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He is known for landmark constitutional rulings including those on Article 370 (abrogation of J&K’s special status) and the Pegasus spyware case. His priorities include judicial reforms and reducing case pendency.

How: The CJI is appointed by the President under Article 124, based on the recommendation of the outgoing CJI through the Collegium system. The CJI heads the Supreme Court, is the Master of the Roster (assigns cases to benches), and plays a key role in judicial appointments to higher courts.

Why: CJI appointments, judicial reforms, and Supreme Court functioning are high-frequency topics for UPSC GS-II (Polity). Understanding the Collegium system, Memorandum of Procedure, and recent judicial decisions helps in constitutional and governance questions.

What: The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill proposes shifting Chandigarh’s governance framework to Presidential regulation under Article 240. This aligns Chandigarh with Union Territories without legislatures like Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh.

How: Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for certain UTs having the same force as parliamentary laws. Currently, Chandigarh is governed under Article 239, with the Administrator acting on behalf of the President. The amendment would formalise direct Presidential governance without legislative assembly provisions.

Why: UT governance, constitutional amendments, and Articles 239-240 are important for UPSC GS-II (Polity). Understanding the difference between UTs with and without legislatures, Administrator’s role, and Centre-UT relations helps in federal structure questions.

What: India, Australia, and Canada launched the ACITI (Australia-Canada-India Technology Initiative) Partnership, a trilateral initiative to advance green technology, critical minerals cooperation, and ethical AI development to achieve net-zero goals collectively.

How: ACITI leverages Australia and Canada’s critical mineral reserves (lithium, cobalt, rare earths), India’s manufacturing capacity, and collective technological capabilities. The partnership focuses on supply chain resilience, technology transfer, and joint research in clean energy technologies to reduce dependence on single-source suppliers.

Why: Trilateral partnerships, critical minerals, and green technology are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations) and GS-III (Economy). Understanding India’s critical mineral strategy, KABIL, and minilateral groupings helps in foreign policy and resource security questions.

What: India achieved its best-ever performance at the World Boxing Cup Finals with 9 gold medals, including a historic 7-gold sweep by women boxers. This dominance reflects India’s emergence as a major force in international boxing.

How: India’s boxing success is built on systematic investments through Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres, TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) support for elite boxers, and exposure to international competitions. Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) grassroots programmes and state academies have created a strong talent pipeline.

Why: Sports achievements, Olympic preparations, and government schemes are relevant for UPSC current affairs. Understanding India’s sports ecosystem, TOPS beneficiaries, and performances at international championships helps in personality and achievement-based questions.

What: Lachit Divas, observed on November 24, celebrates Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan’s decisive victory at the Battle of Saraighat (1671) against Mughal forces led by Ram Singh I. The day symbolises bravery, patriotism, and Assam’s resistance against external aggression.

How: The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought on the Brahmaputra River near Guwahati. Despite illness, Lachit Borphukan led the Ahom army to repel the Mughal invasion, effectively ending Mughal attempts to conquer Assam. The NDA instituted the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal at NDA for best cadet.

Why: Regional history, freedom fighters, and commemorative days are important for UPSC GS-I (History) and general awareness. Understanding Ahom kingdom’s resistance, northeastern history, and government initiatives to honour regional heroes helps in history and culture questions.

What: At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, India advocated for climate justice, fair climate finance distribution, and rejection of unilateral carbon tariffs (like EU’s CBAM). India supported a just transition for vulnerable nations and emphasised the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

How: India’s position balances development needs with climate commitments. India opposes carbon border taxes as protectionism disguised as climate action, advocates for developed nations to meet the $100 billion climate finance pledge, and pushes for technology transfer to developing countries without IP barriers.

Why: Climate negotiations, India’s COP positions, and climate finance are important for UPSC GS-III (Environment). Understanding CBDR, Loss and Damage Fund, CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), and India’s NDCs helps in environment and international relations questions.