GK Express of 05/01/2026

GK Express 🚂

🚨 Welcome to GK Express Blog — Daily Current Affairs | UPSC | SSC | RRB | 🚨

🌟 “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” 🌟

🚀 Focus on the process, and the results will follow. 🚀

📚 Current Affairs Coach

1. 16th Finance Commission Constituted

The Government of India has constituted the 16th Finance Commission with Dr. Arvind Panagariya as its Chairman. The Commission will define the distribution of tax proceeds between the Centre and States for the period beginning April 1, 2026. This is a crucial body for India's fiscal federalism.

2. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas

The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This includes the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Keshava Temple at Somanathapura, celebrated for their intricate stone carvings and star-shaped architecture.

3. India's First AI City

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is set to become India's first AI City. The project aims to create a hub for artificial intelligence, integrating cutting-edge technology into urban living and governance. This initiative is expected to boost the IT ecosystem in the state significantly.

📖 Know Your English

Word: Tenacious

Meaning: Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely; not readily relinquishing a position or principle.

Synonyms: Persistent, determined, resolute, unshakeable.

Example: The tenacious athlete continued to train despite her injury and eventually won the gold medal.

🚆 ECONOMY COACH

👆 Click a question to see the answer

1. What is 'Disguised Unemployment'?

➡️ It is a situation where more people are employed in a job than are actually needed. It is most common in the agricultural sector in India, where the marginal productivity of the extra labor is zero.

2. What does the 'Gini Coefficient' measure?

➡️ It measures income inequality within a population. A value of 0 represents perfect equality, while a value of 1 represents maximum inequality.

3. Which body regulates the insurance sector in India?

➡️ IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India). It is an autonomous statutory body tasked with regulating and promoting the insurance and re-insurance industries in India.

🚆 GOVERNANCE COACH

👆 Click a question to see the answer

1. Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the 'Anti-Defection Law'?

➡️ The 10th Schedule. It was added by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 to disqualify members of Parliament or State Legislatures who defect to another political party.

2. Who has the power to summon a Joint Sitting of both houses of Parliament?

➡️ The President of India (Article 108). However, the Joint Sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

3. What is a 'Zero Hour' in the Indian Parliamentary system?

➡️ It is an informal device available to members of Parliament to raise matters of urgent public importance without prior notice. It starts immediately after the Question Hour.

🚆 INDIAN ART AND CULTURE COACH

👆 Click a question to see the answer

1. The famous 'Hornbill Festival' is celebrated in which Indian state?

➡️ Nagaland. Known as the 'Festival of Festivals', it is held every year from December 1 to 10 to encourage inter-tribal interaction and promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland.

2. Which temple is popularly known as the 'Black Pagoda'?

➡️ The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha. It was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. 'Madhubani' painting is a traditional art form of which state?

➡️ Bihar. Originating from the Mithila region, these paintings are done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments.

💡 Did You Know?

🇮🇳 Largest masonry dam in India

The largest masonry dam in India, and globally, is the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, located on the Krishna River between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, known for its immense stone masonry structure, significant irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation, standing as a major engineering feat.

🌍 The Widest Waterfall in the World

The widest waterfall in the world is Khone Phapheng Falls (or Khone Falls) in Laos, part of the Mekong River, stretching over 10,783 meters (35,376 feet) across as a series of rapids and cascades during the rainy season, making it the largest by width.

❓ Question of the Day

Which Fundamental Rights cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency?

Answer: Articles 20 and 21. The 44th Amendment Act (1978) ensures that the protection in respect of conviction for offences (Art 20) and protection of life and personal liberty (Art 21) remain enforceable even during emergencies.

✍️ Answer These Questions

1. Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?

2. Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Nandyal'?

➡️ Submit your answers using the form below:

GK Express @ Juniors Hostel

Created by Nikhil Dasari & Mahesh Telugu