GK One-Liners

What: Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for India’s first joint venture nuclear power project named ASHVINI (a collaboration between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)). The project will feature four Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 700 MW each, to be built in two phases with a total investment of ₹42,000 crore in Rajasthan’s Banswara district.

How: The ASHVINI model represents a paradigm shift by bringing together India’s premier nuclear and thermal power corporations. Each 700 MW PHWR unit will use indigenous technology developed by NPCIL, utilizing natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as both moderator and coolant. The phased implementation ensures systematic capacity addition while maintaining safety protocols, with commercial operations expected to commence progressively over the next decade.

Why: Nuclear energy and public sector enterprises are critical topics for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure Energy, Economic Development). Questions frequently appear on India’s three-stage nuclear program, indigenous nuclear technology, public sector collaboration models, and the role of clean energy in achieving net-zero targets. Understanding PHWRs versus Light Water Reactors and India’s nuclear strategic autonomy is essential for both Prelims and Mains.

What: On September 26, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) officially decommissioned its final MiG-21 squadrons in Chandigarh, ending a 62-year operational era that began in 1963. The retirement reduces IAF strength to 29 fighter squadrons against the authorized strength of 42 squadrons. The farewell ceremony featured a special flypast led by Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, symbolizing the transition to modern indigenous platforms.

How: The MiG-21 retirement is being compensated through aggressive induction of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A variants, with 180 units on order. The IAF’s modernization roadmap includes the development of Tejas Mk2 with enhanced capabilities and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This transition reflects India’s commitment to reducing import dependency and building domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Why: Defence modernization and indigenous defence production are high-priority areas in UPSC GS Paper 3 (Internal Security and Defence). Questions regularly appear on military capability gaps, the Make in India initiative in defence, technology transfer challenges, and strategic autonomy. The MiG-21’s retirement marks a historic shift that examinees should understand in the context of India’s evolving security architecture and defence industrial base.

What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the ‘Scheme for Facilitating Accelerated Payout – Inoperative Accounts & Unclaimed Deposits,’ a one-year special drive running from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The initiative aims to reactivate dormant bank accounts and settle unclaimed deposits, preventing fresh additions to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. Banks must submit quarterly progress reports to ensure accountability.

How: Under current regulations, savings/current accounts inactive for 10 years and term deposits unclaimed for 10 years from maturity are classified as inoperative and transferred to the DEA Fund. This scheme mandates banks to proactively trace depositors through updated contact information, use technology for customer outreach, simplify claim processes, and conduct awareness campaigns. The quarterly reporting mechanism ensures continuous monitoring and course correction.

Why: Banking sector reforms and financial inclusion are cornerstone topics for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Economy). Questions on RBI initiatives, dormant accounts, consumer protection measures, and banking system efficiency appear regularly. Understanding the DEA Fund, unclaimed deposits issue, and regulatory measures to protect depositor interests is crucial for analytical questions in both Prelims fact-based MCQs and Mains essay-type answers on financial sector governance.

What: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) at Nhava Sheva flagged off India’s first fleet of electric heavy-duty trucks equipped with swappable battery technology. This pioneering initiative at India’s largest container port includes the commissioning of a dedicated battery swapping station with an ambitious target to electrify 90% of the port’s approximately 600 trucks by December 2026. A memorandum of understanding was also signed with Ashoka University’s ICPP for developing optimal tariff frameworks.

How: The swappable battery system addresses the primary challenge of electric truck adoption—long charging times that reduce operational efficiency. Trucks can exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in minutes at dedicated swapping stations, maintaining high utilization rates comparable to diesel trucks. This model eliminates range anxiety, reduces upfront vehicle costs (as batteries can be leased), and creates a sustainable ecosystem where batteries are centrally maintained and optimized for longevity. The tariff study will ensure commercial viability for operators.

Why: Green logistics and sustainable transportation are increasingly important topics for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Environment and Infrastructure). Questions on electric vehicle adoption, battery technology, port modernization, emission reduction strategies, and public-private partnerships in green infrastructure appear regularly. Understanding the economics of battery swapping versus fixed charging, infrastructure requirements, and policy incentives for commercial vehicle electrification is crucial for both factual and analytical questions in examinations.

What: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that India and China will resume direct flight operations between designated cities starting late October 2025, as part of the Winter Schedule 2025. This marks the restoration of aviation connectivity that was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained frozen due to subsequent bilateral tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The decision aims to restore people-to-people contact in trade, tourism, education, and diplomatic exchanges.

How: The resumption follows gradual normalization of bilateral relations through multiple rounds of diplomatic and military-level talks. Both countries have agreed to implement reciprocal arrangements allowing designated carriers to operate on mutually agreed routes connecting major cities. Airlines will need to obtain necessary permissions and slots, with capacity likely to be ramped up progressively based on demand. The move complements recent progress on border disengagement and economic engagement frameworks under bilateral and multilateral platforms like BRICS and SCO.

Why: India-China relations are a perennial focus area in UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and Paper 3 (Security). Questions frequently explore bilateral disputes, border management, economic interdependence, and confidence-building measures. Aviation connectivity serves as a barometer of bilateral ties and facilitates economic diplomacy. Understanding the timeline of tensions (Galwan clash 2020, subsequent disengagement), economic implications of connectivity disruption, and strategic considerations in managing ties with a larger neighbor is essential for comprehensive answers in examinations.

What: Bank of Baroda became the first Indian bank to launch peer-to-peer (P2P) eRUPI vouchers through its bob इ Pay UPI application. This innovative feature allows users to send digital gift vouchers ranging from ₹1 to ₹10,000, which are purpose-specific, non-transferable, and auto-refundable upon expiry. Unlike traditional eRUPI vouchers issued by government for scheme benefits, this marks the first commercial P2P application of the technology for personal gifting.

How: The P2P eRUPI system operates on the existing eRUPI infrastructure developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Users generate vouchers through the bob इ Pay app by selecting the amount and beneficiary details. The voucher is delivered to the recipient’s mobile number as a QR code or SMS string, redeemable at any UPI-enabled merchant without requiring a bank account or card. The non-transferable nature prevents misuse, while auto-refund protects sender’s money if unused. There’s no cap on the number of vouchers, though standard UPI daily transaction limits apply.

Why: Digital payment innovations and fintech developments are high-yield topics for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Economy and Technology). Questions on UPI ecosystem evolution, digital financial inclusion, government payment platforms, and cashless economy initiatives appear frequently. Understanding eRUPI’s architecture (one-time payment mechanism), its distinction from UPI (voucher vs. instant transfer), government vs. commercial applications, and its role in targeted benefit delivery helps answer questions on digital public infrastructure and financial technology in India.