GK One-Liners

What: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the establishment of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across 17 States and Union Territories. For the first time, these schools will include Balvatika pre-primary sections for 3-year-old children, implementing a key provision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The expansion targets 20 zero-KV districts, 14 aspirational districts, 4 LWE (Left Wing Extremism) affected districts, and 5 locations in North-East and hilly regions.

How: The new KVs will benefit approximately 86,640 students and create 4,617 direct jobs, along with construction-linked employment opportunities. This expansion brings India’s total KV network to 1,288 functional schools (including 3 abroad) serving about 13.62 lakh students as of June 2025. Additionally, 913 KVs have been designated as PM Shri (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) Schools, emphasizing quality education and inclusivity. The Balvatika component aligns with NEP 2020’s focus on foundational literacy and numeracy by introducing early childhood care and education (ECCE) within the formal schooling system.

Why: Questions on Kendriya Vidyalayas, NEP 2020 provisions, educational initiatives for underserved regions, and government school schemes appear regularly in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 2: Governance & Social Justice), State PSC, and teaching recruitment exams like CTET and TET. Understanding the Balvatika concept (3+6+3+4 curriculum structure under NEP 2020), PM Shri Schools initiative, targeted expansion in aspirational and LWE districts, and the mandate of KVs (primarily for children of transferable Central Government employees) helps answer questions on education policy, inclusive development, and structural reforms in the Indian education system.

What: The Union Cabinet approved increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2026-27 season. Wheat MSP was fixed at ₹2,585 per quintal, representing a ₹160 increase. Safflower received the highest absolute hike of ₹600 per quintal, followed by Masur (lentil) at ₹300 per quintal. Other crops including mustard, gram (chickpea), and barley also received MSP increases. The revision continues the policy framework of ensuring MSP at least 1.5 times the cost of production, announced in Union Budget 2018-19.

How: The MSP is determined by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which considers multiple factors including cost of production (A2+FL method), demand-supply dynamics, market prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture sectors, and overall impact on the economy. The government procures crops at MSP through agencies like FCI (Food Corporation of India) for wheat and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) for pulses and oilseeds, providing a safety net to farmers against market fluctuations.

Why: MSP-related questions are extremely common in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 3: Agriculture), Banking exams, State PSC, and SSC exams. Candidates must understand the calculation methodology (A2+FL means Actual Cost plus Family Labour), difference between MSP and market price, crops covered under MSP (currently 23 crops including 7 cereals, 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds, and 4 commercial crops), procurement mechanisms, and recent debates around MSP legalization. Knowledge of specific MSP figures for major crops (wheat, paddy, pulses), the 1.5x cost formula, and the role of CACP helps answer questions on agricultural price policy, farm income support, and food security architecture in India.

What: The Union Cabinet approved a 3 percentage point increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from 1 July 2025. This raises the existing rate from 55% to 58% of basic pay, as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) norms. The hike will benefit over 1.17 crore people—approximately 49.19 lakh employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners—with an estimated annual financial implication of ₹10,083.96 crore to the exchequer.

How: DA is calculated using the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) published by the Labour Bureau. The formula is: DA% = [(Average of AICPI-IW for the last 12 months – 115.76)/115.76] × 100. The government typically revises DA twice a year—in January (based on July-December AICPI data) and July (based on January-June AICPI data). DA compensates for inflation by adjusting employee salaries, while DR does the same for pension amounts. The 7th CPC, implemented from 1 January 2016, set the baseline at 115.76 index points.

Why: Questions on DA/DR, Pay Commissions, calculation methodology, and financial implications appear in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 3: Economy), Banking exams (especially IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B), State PSC, and SSC CGL exams. Understanding the difference between DA (for employees) and DR (for pensioners), the AICPI-IW index, Pay Commission recommendations (the 7th CPC was chaired by Justice A.K. Mathur), fitment factor (2.57 under 7th CPC), and fiscal impact on government finances helps answer questions on government expenditure, wage policy, inflation adjustment mechanisms, and recommendations of various Pay Commissions including pending 8th Pay Commission discussions.

What: The Union Cabinet cleared a comprehensive ₹11,440 crore Pulses Self-Reliance Mission spanning six years (2025-26 to 2030-31) to reduce India’s import dependency and boost domestic production. Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, India still imports 15-20% of its annual demand, primarily tur (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), and yellow peas from countries like Myanmar, Canada, and East Africa. The mission targets improving seed systems, expanding cultivation areas, strengthening procurement infrastructure, and ensuring price stability mechanisms.

How: The mission will work on multiple fronts including development and distribution of high-yielding, disease-resistant pulse varieties; expansion of area under pulse cultivation through intercropping and fallow land utilization; strengthening the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement framework through agencies like NAFED; creation of strategic reserves (buffer stocks) to control price volatility; promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for better market linkages; and investment in post-harvest infrastructure including warehousing and processing facilities. The initiative aligns with broader Atmanirbhar Bharat goals and addresses nutritional security as pulses are primary protein sources for India’s large vegetarian population.

Why: Questions on pulses production, import dependency, self-sufficiency missions, agricultural diversification, and crop-specific challenges appear in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 3: Agriculture), State PSC, and Banking exams. Understanding India’s pulses scenario—major producing states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan), consumption patterns, price volatility issues, government interventions like PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan), and technological initiatives under ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)—helps answer questions on food security, agricultural policy, crop diversification strategies, and India’s progress toward reducing import bills while ensuring protein availability for vulnerable populations. Knowledge of specific pulses (tur, moong, urad, masur, gram) and their cultivation cycles is essential for comprehensive answers.

What: India secured re-election to Part II of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council at the 42nd ICAO Assembly held in Montreal, Canada. This marks 81 years of India’s continuous presence in ICAO since its founding in 1944 under the Chicago Convention. India improved its vote tally compared to the 2022 elections, reflecting growing recognition of its aviation sector growth and contribution to global aviation standards. For the 2025-28 term, India has committed to strengthening aviation safety, security, sustainability, innovation, and supporting ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative.

How: The ICAO Council consists of 36 member states elected by the Assembly for three-year terms. The Council is divided into three parts: Part I includes states of chief importance to air transport (typically USA, UK, France, Germany, China, etc.), Part II covers states making the largest contribution to air navigation facilities and services (where India is placed), and Part III ensures geographical representation. India’s strong position reflects its rapidly growing aviation market (third-largest domestic market globally), expanding airport infrastructure (over 150 operational airports), flagship carriers (Air India, IndiGo), and contributions to regional connectivity through schemes like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik). India also plays a key role in regional aviation bodies like ICAO’s Asia-Pacific Regional Office.

Why: Questions on ICAO, international aviation bodies, Chicago Convention (1944), freedoms of the air, bilateral air service agreements, and India’s aviation sector growth appear in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 2: International Relations), State PSC, and current affairs sections. Understanding ICAO’s role (standard-setting body for international civil aviation, headquarters in Montreal), distinction between ICAO and IATA (International Air Transport Association—a trade body for airlines), India’s civil aviation initiatives (UDAN scheme, airport privatization, National Air Sports Policy), and safety/security standards helps answer questions on international organizations, global governance, and India’s engagement in multilateral forums. Knowledge of recent developments like CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements), DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) regulations, and air traffic rights is valuable for comprehensive answers.

What: The BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, achieved 60 ratifications required for entry into force and will become legally binding from 17 January 2026. This landmark treaty covers approximately two-thirds of the ocean—areas beyond national Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ, typically 200 nautical miles from coastline). The treaty supports the global target of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030, established under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15 in December 2022.

How: The treaty, adopted at the UN on 19 June 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations, establishes a framework for creating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in international waters, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for activities in high seas, sharing marine genetic resources and associated benefits equitably, and building capacity for developing nations to participate in ocean conservation. High seas, also called Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), have historically faced governance gaps as no single nation has authority, leading to overexploitation through overfishing, deep-sea mining proposals, pollution, and climate change impacts. The treaty fills this legal vacuum by creating mechanisms for collective action.

Why: Questions on ocean governance, UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982), EEZ, territorial waters, high seas freedoms, marine biodiversity conservation, and international environmental agreements appear in UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS Paper 3: Environment), State PSC, and Forest Service exams. Understanding the difference between territorial waters (12 nautical miles), contiguous zone (24 nm), EEZ (200 nm), and high seas (beyond EEZ), India’s maritime zones, coastal regulation, and participation in ocean governance helps answer questions on environmental law, sustainable development, blue economy, and global commons management. Knowledge of related topics like ISA (International Seabed Authority), deep-sea mining debates, plastic pollution (Marine Plastic Pollution Treaty negotiations), and India’s coastal and marine biodiversity (Coastal Regulation Zone, marine protected areas, coral reefs) enriches responses on ocean-related themes.