GK One-Liners

What: AdFalciVax is India’s first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It is a recombinant vaccine designed to block both infection and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite. The vaccine has been approved for production by five Indian pharmaceutical companies.

How: The vaccine uses recombinant technology to target multiple stages of the malaria parasite’s life cycle, preventing infection in humans and blocking transmission through mosquitoes. ICMR developed this through years of indigenous research, and technology transfer to five manufacturers ensures scalable production. This multi-stage approach makes it more comprehensive than traditional single-stage vaccines.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC Prelims (Science & Technology) and Mains (GS3 – Science & Tech achievements). Questions on Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare, vaccine development, and ICMR’s role are common. India accounts for a significant share of global malaria cases, making this breakthrough vital for public health discussions in essays and ethics papers.

What: Former Indian diplomat Preeti Saran has been elected as the Chair of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). CESCR monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which covers rights to work, education, health, and adequate standard of living.

How: CESCR consists of 18 independent experts elected by UN member states. As Chair, Saran will lead committee sessions, coordinate with governments on compliance reports, and guide the interpretation of ICESCR provisions. India’s diplomatic experience and commitment to socio-economic rights strengthened her candidacy.

Why: This highlights India’s growing influence in multilateral institutions and global governance. For UPSC Mains GS2 (International Relations), this connects to India’s role in UN bodies, human rights mechanisms, and soft power. Prelims questions often test awareness of Indian officials in international organizations and UN treaty bodies.

What: Samudra Pradakshina is India’s first all-women tri-service sailing expedition around the globe. Ten women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will sail IASV (Indian Army Sailing Vessel) Triveni covering 26,000 nautical miles over nine months. The voyage, flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Mumbai, will cross the Equator twice and round three major capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin, Horn), concluding in May 2026.

How: The expedition demonstrates tri-service synergy and showcases women’s participation in challenging maritime operations. The crew will navigate diverse ocean conditions, conduct maritime research, and promote India’s maritime interests globally. IASV Triveni is specially equipped for long-duration oceanic sailing with advanced navigation and safety systems.

Why: This is excellent material for UPSC Mains GS3 (Defence & Security) and essays on women empowerment and gender mainstreaming in armed forces. It connects to themes of Nari Shakti, operational capabilities of Indian armed forces, and India’s maritime ambitions under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy. Prelims may test facts like vessel name, duration, and distance.

What: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated India’s first annual Green Hydrogen Research & Development Conference and announced a ₹100 crore innovation fund for hydrogen technology. The fund will provide up to ₹5 crore per project for pilot initiatives across the entire green hydrogen value chain, from production to storage and distribution.

How: The innovation fund supports research institutions, startups, and companies developing breakthrough technologies in hydrogen production (electrolysis), storage (compression, liquefaction), fuel cells, and end-use applications. Projects will be selected based on technical feasibility, scalability, and potential to reduce costs. This complements the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s target of 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) annual production by 2030.

Why: This is critical for UPSC Mains GS3 (Environment, Energy, Science & Tech) covering India’s energy transition strategy, alternative fuels, and climate commitments. Green hydrogen connects to topics like National Hydrogen Mission, renewable energy integration, export potential, and India’s net-zero target by 2070. Prelims questions may test policy names, funding amounts, and production targets.

What: India is hosting the 89th General Meeting of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from September 15-19, 2025. Over 2,000 experts from more than 100 countries are participating to develop and harmonize international standards for electrical and electronic technologies. The theme focuses on creating standards for a connected, sustainable, and all-electric world.

How: IEC develops voluntary international standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies covering everything from power generation and semiconductors to IoT devices and smart grids. The General Meeting brings together national committees, technical committees, and industry representatives to review ongoing standardization work, approve new standards, and set future priorities. India’s hosting showcases its growing manufacturing capabilities under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Why: This is relevant for UPSC Mains GS3 (Science & Technology, Industrial Policy) and GS2 (International Organizations). Questions on international standards, quality certification, trade facilitation, and India’s role in global technology governance are increasingly common. The event connects to themes of ease of doing business, technical barriers to trade, and India’s semiconductor mission.

What: PhonePe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to enable digital-first Udyam Assist registration for informal micro-enterprises. The partnership leverages the Udyam Assist Platform to provide seamless access to government schemes, credit facilities, and digital payment infrastructure for unregistered small businesses.

How: Udyam Assist is a simplified registration system for micro-enterprises without GST or formal documentation. PhonePe’s fintech platform will integrate this registration process, allowing entrepreneurs to complete formalities digitally and immediately access benefits like MSME schemes, mudra loans, credit guarantees, and payment solutions. SIDBI provides the institutional framework and credit linkages while PhonePe handles technology and user interface.

Why: This is highly relevant for UPSC Mains GS3 (Economy – MSMEs, Financial Inclusion, Digital India) covering formalization of informal sector, ease of doing business, and fintech’s role in economic development. Questions on Udyam Registration, SIDBI’s functions, and digital public infrastructure are common. The partnership exemplifies public-private collaboration for MSME growth, a key theme in economic policy discussions.