UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 29-11-2025

One Liners 29-11-2025

History, Art and Culture

Brahma Kumaris

President of India, graced the launch ceremony of the Brahma Kumaris' annual theme for 2025-26.

• It is a worldwide spiritual movement led by women, dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal through Rajyoga Meditation.
• Founded in India in – 1937.
• Spread to – Over 110 countries on all continents and has had an extensive impact in many sectors as an international NGO.
• Annual theme for 2025-26 – ‘Meditation for World Unity and Trust’.

Geography

Mars Craters - 7 Indian Names

IAU approved 7 Indian names for Martian geological features.

• 7 Named Features:
  1. Krishnan Palaes – Named after renowned geologist M.S. Krishnan (1^st Indian to become director of Geological Survey, 1961).
  2. Varkala – Kerala's famous tourist beach; geologically significant (jarosite remains offer Martian evolutionary clues).
  3. Valliamala – Home of Indian Institute of Space Technology (IIST).
  4. Thumba – ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre birthplace.
  5. Periyar – Kerala's longest river (300km) represents significant geographical feature mapping.
  6. Bekal – Mid-17th century fort in northern Kerala, strategic historical site and now tourist destination.
  7. Gangas – Geographical feature (not a separate crater).

International Astronomical Union (IAU)

• Founded in – 1919.
• Headquarters in – Paris.
• Aim – To promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation.

Social Issues

Global Guidelines to Combat Infertility

• Issued by – World Health Organisation (WHO).
• Aim – To improve the prevention, detection and treatment of infertility, which affects millions across the globe.
• Guidelines – WHO sets out 40 recommendations and calls for the integration of fertility in national health funding, services and strategies.

Infertility

• According to WHO – Infertility is a condition of the male and female reproductive system, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual relations.
• Data – One in six people worldwide experience infertility during their lifetime.
• Situation led to – Major distress, stigmatisation and financial difficulties.
• In several countries, cost of infertility tests and treatment is borne by patients, which often leads to “catastrophic financial expenditures”.
• Consequences – Major distress, stigmatisation and financial difficulties.  

Femicide

Italy becomes latest nation to legally recognise ‘femicide’.

• Femicide which refers to the sex/gender-related killings of women and girls is recognized as the most extreme form of violence on a continuum of male violence and discrimination against women and girls.
• Data – UN Women (2024) reports that nearly 50,000 women/girls killed by intimate partners annually.
• Italy's Action:
  • Parliament approved law recognising femicide mandates life imprisonment as punishment.
  • Joins Mexico, Chile, others in specific criminalisation.

International Relations and Issues

India Re-elected to IMO Council for 2026–27

• Re-elected in – Category B, comprising 10 countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
• Secured highest number – 154 out of 169 valid votes cast at the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly.
• IMO Council consists of 40 elected members across 3 categories and functions as the executive body of the IMO between sessions of the Assembly.
• Significance – It reaffirms the nation’s commitment to the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047.

Economy

Suspension/Ban of Fertiliser Distributor Licences

• Conducted by – Department of Fertilisers with Ministry of Agriculture.
• Executed under – Essential Commodities Act and the Fertiliser Control Order, ensuring strict compliance and accountability.
• Objectives – To protect farmer interests and secure the national fertiliser supply chain.
• To enforce action on an unprecedented scale including raids, inspections, and legal measures to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilisers.

Security

Operation Sagar Bandhu

India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to aid Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, which has claimed at least 80 lives.

• 1^st relief consignments by – Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline warship INS Udaigiri, which arrived in Colombo.
• C-130J aircraft – It carried around 12 tonnes of humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment under the operation.
• Significance – The support was guided by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.

Science

Lightning on Mars

The Perseverance rover picked up audio evidence of electric discharges in the red planet’s atmosphere.

• Static discharge – Not high-voltage lightning like Earth, similar to static electricity from scuffing feet on carpet.
• Caused by – Dust particles rubbing together in Martian atmosphere (especially during dust storms).
• Detected by – NASA's Perseverance rover's microphone records electrical discharge sound, not visual observation.
• Implications –
  • Electrical discharges could disrupt spacesuits and devices.
  • It helps to reveal Martian atmospheric complexity.