GK One-Liners

What: Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) and IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) ranked 1st and 2nd respectively in the ICA (International Cooperative Alliance) World Cooperative Monitor 2025. This showcases India’s cooperative sector strength and its role in rural empowerment.

How: The ICA World Cooperative Monitor ranks cooperatives based on turnover-to-GDP ratio, measuring their economic impact relative to national economies. Amul’s dairy cooperative model and IFFCO’s fertiliser distribution network represent successful examples of producer-owned businesses serving millions of farmers.

Why: Cooperative movement, Amul model (Operation Flood), and agricultural cooperatives are high-yield topics for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and GS-I (Indian Society). Understanding cooperative laws, PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), and UN International Year of Cooperatives is essential for Mains.

What: The Government plans to rebrand the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) as the Infrastructure Development Bank (IDB) with an expanded global mandate. The renamed institution will focus on long-term infrastructure financing and private capital mobilisation.

How: NaBFID was established in 2021 under the NaBFID Act as a Development Finance Institution (DFI) to address India’s infrastructure funding gap. The rebranding to IDB will enable it to participate in international infrastructure projects, attract foreign capital, and serve as a catalyst for public-private partnerships globally.

Why: DFIs, infrastructure financing, and NaBFID are important for UPSC GS-III (Economy) and banking exams. Understanding the role of development banks, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), and capital mobilisation strategies is crucial for economic development questions.

What: At the 17th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in Tel Aviv, India and Israel signed a long-term MoU for defence cooperation covering co-development of weapons systems, technology exchange, and counter-terrorism collaboration. This deepens strategic defence ties between the two nations.

How: The India-Israel defence partnership involves joint development projects, procurement of advanced systems (drones, missiles, radars), technology transfer, and military training exchanges. Israel is among India’s top defence suppliers, with collaborations including Barak-8 missile system and Heron drones.

Why: India-Israel relations, defence cooperation, and strategic partnerships are important for UPSC GS-II (International Relations) and GS-III (Security). Understanding bilateral defence agreements, joint production initiatives, and India’s diversified defence procurement policy is essential for current affairs.

What: Under Project Cheetah, India will bring 8 new cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno-Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh by December 2025. This is part of India’s ambitious effort to reintroduce the species and restore grassland ecosystems that support diverse wildlife.

How: Project Cheetah, launched in 2022, involves intercontinental translocation of African cheetahs to India, where the Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in 1952. Cheetahs are first acclimatised in quarantine enclosures before being released into larger bomas and eventually into the wild habitat.

Why: Wildlife conservation, reintroduction programmes, and Project Cheetah are important for UPSC GS-III (Environment). Understanding ex-situ and in-situ conservation, IUCN guidelines for translocation, and grassland ecosystem restoration is essential for environment-related questions.

What: APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) facilitated India’s first export of 12 metric tonnes of fortified rice kernel from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica. This milestone aligns with the Kuposhan Mukt Bharat (Malnutrition-Free India) mission and showcases India’s food processing capabilities.

How: Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) are rice-shaped grains made by blending rice flour with micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. These kernels are mixed with regular rice in a 1:100 ratio to address micronutrient deficiencies. The export was processed under FSSAI standards.

Why: Food fortification, APEDA’s role in agricultural exports, and nutrition programmes are relevant for UPSC GS-III (Economy, Food Security). Understanding Poshan Abhiyaan, fortified food distribution through PDS, and India’s agricultural export strategy helps in current affairs preparation.

What: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will host the International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2025 in New Delhi. The event aims to strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem and export potential under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

How: The NGHM, launched in 2023 with ₹19,744 crore outlay, targets 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) green hydrogen production by 2030. The conference will bring together global stakeholders to discuss electrolyser technology, storage solutions, infrastructure development, and international partnerships.

Why: Green hydrogen, renewable energy missions, and India’s climate commitments are high-frequency topics for UPSC GS-III (Environment, Science & Tech). Understanding hydrogen production methods (green, grey, blue), electrolyser technology, and India’s energy transition roadmap is essential for competitive exams.