GK One-Liners

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repatriated 64 tonnes of gold from overseas vaults between March and September 2025. India’s total gold holdings reached 880.8 tonnes, with gold now constituting 13.9% of the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

How: RBI stores gold both domestically (in Mumbai and Nagpur vaults) and overseas (Bank of England, Bank for International Settlements). Repatriation involves transporting gold via secure logistics and storing it in Indian vaults. This reduces custodial fees and enhances sovereign control over strategic reserves during geopolitical uncertainties.

Why: Gold reserves and forex management are core banking exam topics. India is among the top 10 gold-holding countries globally. Know the forex components: Foreign Currency Assets (largest), Gold, SDRs (Special Drawing Rights), and Reserve Tranche Position with IMF. Gold serves as a hedge against currency depreciation and provides financial stability during crises.

What: The Government announced reform in Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) classification with the introduction of two new ‘Ratna’ categories. A 10-member panel led by Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan will review the framework to align CPSEs with India’s Vision 2047 goals.

How: Currently, CPSEs are classified as Maharatna (14), Navratna (14), and Miniratna (Category I and II). The reform may introduce performance-based criteria, governance standards, and strategic importance metrics. Changes could affect autonomy levels, board composition, and investment powers granted to PSU managements.

Why: PSU classifications are important for Economy and Governance. Current criteria: Maharatna requires Navratna status, ₹5,000 crore net profit (3-year average), ₹25,000 crore turnover, and significant global presence. Know key Maharatnas: ONGC, IOC, Coal India, NTPC, SAIL, BHEL, GAIL, etc. Link to disinvestment policy, strategic disinvestment, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

What: The 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, reaffirming commitments to peace, cooperation, and regional security dialogue in East Asia. The summit addressed Indo-Pacific dynamics, maritime security, and economic integration among member nations.

How: EAS is a strategic forum of 18 members: 10 ASEAN countries plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. It serves as a leaders-led platform for dialogue on political, security, and economic issues. ASEAN maintains “centrality” in the EAS framework.

Why: EAS and Indo-Pacific architecture are important for UPSC IR. India is a founding member (since 2005). Know the difference: EAS (strategic, 18 members), ASEAN (core bloc, 11 members now), ARF (security, 27 members). Link to ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP), QUAD, and India’s Act East Policy. EAS Summits are held annually alongside ASEAN Summits.

What: The Indian Army signed a deal for indigenous Software Defined Radios (SDRs) developed jointly by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited). The deal also introduced IRSA 1.0 (Indian Radio System Architecture) for secure, interoperable military communication.

How: SDRs are radio communication systems where components traditionally implemented in hardware are instead handled by software. This allows a single radio to support multiple frequencies, waveforms, and protocols through software updates. IRSA 1.0 standardises radio protocols across the three services for seamless joint operations.

Why: Indigenous defence production and DRDO projects are important for Security. SDRs replace legacy radio systems, enhancing battlefield communication security. Know DRDO-BEL partnerships: AKASH missile, QRSAM, electronic warfare systems. Link to positive indigenisation lists and the goal of reducing import dependency. Secure communication is critical for network-centric warfare.

What: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) unveiled the logo for the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The complex will showcase India’s 5,000-year maritime legacy and is being developed as a world-class heritage and tourist destination.

How: NMHC will feature museums, theme parks, maritime institutes, and a recreation of ancient Lothal dock. Lothal, an Indus Valley Civilisation site, had the world’s earliest known tidal dock (2400 BCE). The complex will highlight India’s ancient trade routes, shipbuilding traditions, and naval heritage from Harappan times to the present.

Why: Heritage projects and Indus Valley sites are important for History and Culture. Lothal facts: located in Ahmedabad district, excavated by S.R. Rao (1955-1962), known for bead-making, shell work, and bronze casting. Link to Dholavira (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Maritime India Vision 2030, and Sagarmala’s coastal tourism component. NMHC is India’s answer to maritime heritage museums globally.

What: The Uttar Pradesh Government created Kalyan Singh Nagar as the state’s 76th district, carved from tehsils of Aligarh and Bulandshahr districts. The district is named after former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh to honour his legacy and improve administrative efficiency in the region.

How: New district creation involves state government notification, reallocation of administrative units (tehsils, blocks), establishment of district headquarters, and appointment of a District Collector. UP previously had 75 districts; Kalyan Singh Nagar adds to this count. Such reorganisation aims to bring governance closer to citizens.

Why: District creation and administrative divisions are relevant for Polity and Geography. UP is India’s most populous state with maximum districts (now 76). Know other recent district creations and bifurcations across states. Kalyan Singh (1932-2021) served as UP CM twice and was Rajasthan Governor. District counts of major states: UP (76), MP (55), Maharashtra (36), etc.