GK One-Liners

What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched NexCAR19, India’s first indigenously developed CAR T-cell (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy for treating blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The therapy was developed by ImmunoACT in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

How: CAR T-cell therapy involves extracting a patient’s T-cells (immune cells), genetically modifying them in a laboratory to recognise cancer cells, and reinfusing them into the patient. NexCAR19 targets the CD19 protein found on cancerous B-cells, enabling the modified T-cells to identify and destroy cancer.

Why: Biotechnology, cancer treatment innovations, and indigenous medical breakthroughs are important for UPSC GS-III (Science & Tech). Understanding gene therapy, immunotherapy, and India’s pharma/biotech capabilities is essential for both Prelims and Mains preparation.

What: India is preparing to conduct the 2026 All India Tiger Estimation, the world’s largest wildlife survey. The census will deploy Artificial Intelligence, satellite imagery, and over 40,000 camera traps across 20+ states to estimate tiger populations and monitor habitat health.

How: Conducted every four years under Project Tiger (launched 1973), the census uses a three-phase methodology: pugmark collection and sign surveys, camera trap sampling in tiger habitats, and statistical analysis using capture-recapture models. AI now helps in automatic identification of individual tigers from stripe patterns.

Why: Tiger conservation, Project Tiger, and wildlife censuses are high-frequency topics for UPSC Environment sections. India hosts about 75% of the world’s wild tigers; understanding census methodology, tiger reserves, and conservation challenges is essential for GS-III and Essay papers.

What: State Bank of India (SBI) became the first Indian bank to achieve a market capitalisation of $100 billion and cross ₹100 trillion in total business (deposits plus advances). This milestone was backed by robust growth in Q2 FY26, reflecting strong retail and corporate lending performance.

How: SBI’s growth has been driven by digital transformation, improved asset quality (reduced NPAs), expansion of retail loans, and government support through recapitalisation. The bank’s YONO (You Only Need One) digital platform has significantly boosted customer acquisition and transaction volumes.

Why: Banking sector performance, PSB reforms, and SBI’s role in the economy are important for banking exams and UPSC GS-III (Economy). Understanding market capitalisation, banking metrics (NIM, NPA, CAR), and digital banking initiatives helps in financial sector questions.

What: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a $1 billion deal with General Electric (GE) for 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines to power 97 LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas Mk 1A fighter jets. This agreement reinforces India-US defence collaboration and advances the Make in India initiative in aerospace.

How: The F404 is a low-bypass afterburning turbofan engine providing thrust for single-engine fighters. The deal includes technology support, maintenance provisions, and potential for future indigenous engine development collaboration. HAL is the lead integrator for Tejas production at its Bengaluru facility.

Why: Indigenous fighter aircraft programmes, defence procurement, and India-US defence ties are important for UPSC GS-III (Security) and GS-II (International Relations). Understanding LCA variants (Mk 1, Mk 1A, Mk 2), engine programmes (Kaveri), and defence manufacturing ecosystem helps in current affairs.

What: COP30 (30th Conference of Parties to UNFCCC) held in Belém, Brazil, focused on climate adaptation with 35 nations endorsing the Baku-Belém Roadmap. The roadmap commits $1.3 trillion for climate resilience and adaptation finance, marking a shift from mitigation-only approaches.

How: The roadmap establishes mechanisms for climate adaptation funding, loss and damage compensation, and technology transfer to vulnerable nations. It builds on COP28’s Loss and Damage Fund and COP29 (Baku) outcomes, creating a continuous framework linking successive climate summits.

Why: Climate conferences, UNFCCC processes, and climate finance are high-frequency topics for UPSC GS-III (Environment). Understanding the difference between mitigation and adaptation, NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), and climate justice principles is essential for Mains and Essay papers.

What: Karnataka became India’s first state to introduce 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually for women employees across all sectors, including government and private establishments. This progressive policy aims to promote dignity, equality, and workplace inclusion for women.

How: The policy allows women to avail one day of leave per month during menstruation without requiring medical certification. It applies to all women employees regardless of age, and the leave does not affect other leave entitlements like casual leave or earned leave.

Why: Women’s welfare policies, workplace reforms, and gender equity measures are relevant for UPSC GS-I (Indian Society), GS-II (Governance), and Ethics papers. Understanding the debate around menstrual leave (productivity vs. inclusion), global precedents, and India’s labour law reforms helps in analytical questions.