GK One-Liners

What: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) to design an SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Alignment Framework. This framework integrates ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and sustainability metrics aligned with the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) vision.

How: The framework will help corporates and policymakers measure and report contributions towards India’s SDG targets. IICA, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, will provide research and training support, while MoSPI will ensure statistical alignment with national and global SDG indicators.

Why: SDGs, ESG reporting, and CSR provisions (Section 135 of Companies Act) are frequently tested in UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. Understanding India’s SDG progress, voluntary national reviews, and corporate sustainability is essential for current affairs preparation.

What: Sanjay Garg, a 1994-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). With over 30 years of policy experience, he will lead India’s national standards body to strengthen the country’s standardisation leadership globally.

How: BIS, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, formulates Indian Standards, operates conformity assessment schemes, and grants the ISI (Indian Standards Institution) mark. The DG oversees standard-setting across sectors including food, electronics, construction materials, and consumer goods.

Why: BIS, quality standards, and ISI certification are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and consumer affairs questions. Understanding BIS’s role in Quality Control Orders (QCOs), mandatory certification, and India’s participation in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is useful for competitive exams.

What: The Indian Navy led Exercise ‘Trishul’, a joint tri-services drill involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force under the Western Naval Command. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and coordination across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.

How: Tri-services exercises test integrated warfare capabilities, joint command structures, and real-time communication between different service branches. ‘Trishul’ focused on multi-domain operations, amphibious warfare scenarios, and coordinated responses to hybrid threats in the western maritime theatre.

Why: Joint military exercises, theaterisation, and integrated warfare are important topics for UPSC GS-III (Security). Understanding India’s tri-services integration efforts, Integrated Theatre Commands, and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) mandate helps in defence-related questions.

What: India formally ended operations at Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan, concluding its defence presence in Central Asia after the bilateral pact expired post-2022. The airbase, located near Dushanbe, had been renovated and used by India for strategic purposes in the region.

How: India had invested in upgrading Ayni Airbase’s infrastructure, including extending the runway to accommodate fighter aircraft. The facility provided India strategic depth, potential forward deployment capability, and enhanced connectivity with Central Asian nations under the ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy.

Why: India’s Central Asia policy, strategic partnerships with CAR (Central Asian Republics), and overseas military facilities are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations). Understanding the geopolitical implications of India’s regional presence, especially vis-à-vis China and Pakistan, is crucial for Mains essays.

What: Veteran Indian doubles player Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from professional tennis after a career spanning over 20 years. He is a two-time Grand Slam champion and holds the distinction of being the oldest player to achieve World No. 1 ranking in doubles at age 43.

How: Bopanna’s career highlights include winning the 2017 French Open Mixed Doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski and the 2024 Australian Open Men’s Doubles with Matthew Ebden. He represented India in multiple Davis Cup ties and Olympic Games, becoming one of the country’s most decorated tennis players.

Why: Sports personalities, their achievements, and records are frequently asked in competitive exams. Knowing key Indian sportspersons, their Grand Slam victories, and career milestones helps in current affairs and general knowledge sections.

What: Kiran Desai’s novel ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’ has been shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. The novel explores themes of love, family, and cultural identity across India and the USA, presenting a powerful narrative of belonging and displacement in the diaspora experience.

How: Kiran Desai previously won the 2006 Man Booker Prize for ‘The Inheritance of Loss’, becoming the youngest woman to win the award at that time. She is the daughter of acclaimed author Anita Desai, making them the first mother-daughter duo to be shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Why: Literary awards, Indian authors, and Booker Prize winners are relevant for UPSC GS-I (Art & Culture) and general awareness. Understanding India’s literary contributions, diaspora literature, and major international awards helps in essay writing and interviews.