Nigeria has been admitted as "partner country" of BRICS grouping.

• It is the 9th BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

About BRICS

• Total members: 10 
  • Informal grouping formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, with South Africa added in 2010.
  • Other Full Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia. 
    • Saudi Arabia was offered membership to the grouping in 2023, but the invitation remains unanswered till date.
• Three pillars of Cooperation: Political and Security; Economic and financial; Cultural and people to people exchanges.
• Represents ~40% of global population and an estimated 37.3% of global GDP.
• India hosted 4^th (2012), 8th (2016) and 13th (2021) BRICS Summit.

After the Supreme Court scrapped electoral bonds last year, political donations through electoral trusts surged.

About Electoral Trusts

• Electoral Trusts is governed by the Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013 and Rule 17CA of the Income-Tax Rules 1962. 
• Trusts are set up by companies to distribute donations from individuals and firms to political parties. 
• Unlike electoral bonds, trusts must report donor and recipient details annually to the Election Commission. 
• Trusts must renew registration every three years.

Dark oxygen is believed to reshape human understanding of how life might be sustained on other planets without direct sunlight. 

About Dark Oxygen 

• In July 2024, scientists discovered "dark" oxygen 13,100 feet deep in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
• Metallic nodules on the seafloor, rich in manganese and iron, were found to generate oxygen by splitting seawater (H₂O) without sunlight.
• This challenges the belief that photosynthesis is the sole source of oxygen and suggests oxygen-rich environments could exist on other planets, potentially supporting life. 
• It also hints that oxygen production on Earth may have occurred before photosynthesis, reshaping our understanding of life’s origins.

Prime Minister distributed over 65 lakh property cards under SVAMITVA Scheme to property owners 

SVAMITVA scheme

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj 
• Purpose: To enhance the economic progress of rural India by providing ‘Record of Rights’ to households owning houses in inhabited areas in villages 
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Technology Implementation Agency: Survey of India
• Key Activities 
  • Large Scale mapping using Drones
  • SVAMITVA Dashboard for real-time progress monitoring
  • Establishment of Continuous Operating Reference Station (CORS)

Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, has set up the District Mineral Foundation Exhibition at Sun Temple, Konark in Odisha. 

About the Temple 

• Built by: Narasimha Deva I (1238–1264) of the Ganga dynasty. 
• Architecture: Kalingan temple architecture showcases
  • Vimana: Once topped by a magnificent shikhara (collapsed in 19th century)
  • Jagamohana - Pyramidal audience hall
  • Natmandir - Elevated, roofless dance platform
• Symbolic Design: Symbolizes Surya's chariot, featuring 24 intricately carved wheels and 7 horses. 
• Heritage Status: Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

NDRF has celebrated its 20th Raising Day.

About NDRF

• It was established in 2006 under Disaster Management Act, 2005 aimed at specialized response to natural and man-made disasters.
• General superintendence, direction and control of NDRF is vested and exercised by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• Function: In charge of carrying out rescue operations during calamities like landslides, floods etc.
• Composition: Comprises 16 Battalions drawn from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), i.e., Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles.

Navies of nine Indo-Pacific countries, including India, are taking part in a multilateral exercise, La Perouse.

About La Perouse

• It is hosted by France in strategic straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok, between Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.
• Participating countries: Australia, Canada, USA, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Singapore.
• Aim: Develop common Maritime Situational Awareness by enhancing cooperation in field of maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations and air operations.

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has launched IGICB Scheme.

• Set up in 2003, NIXI is a not-for- profit company under MeitY.
• NIXI is tasked with increasing internet penetration and adoption in India.

About Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme

• Ministry: MeitY.
• Aim: To build awareness and develop expertise in Internet Governance (IG) among Indian citizens.
• Participants can engage in global IG processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers etc.
  • I-star organizations used to describe organizations that share responsibilities for coordinating the Internet technical infrastructure.
• Offers bi-annual internship (six and three-month program).