Centre issued Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, replacing the 1966 order to modernise sugar sector regulations.

Key Highlights of the Order

• Real-time Data Sharing: API integration between sugar mills and the Food Department portal.
• Covers More Products: Includes khandsari (traditional unrefined sugar) and raw sugar to match global standards and ensure fair prices to farmers.
• By-products Covered: Includes molasses and ethanol to ensure domestic sugar availability.
• Standard Definitions: Adopts FSSAI definitions for sugar products, for uniformity across the industry.

United States has approved a military hardware and logistic support package for India to support IPMDA.

About IPMDA

• IPMDA is a technology and training initiative to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and to bring increased transparency to its critical waterways.
• It was announced by the QUAD (comprising India, Australia, Japan and U.S.)  at Tokyo summit in 2022.
• It harnesses innovative technology to provide partners across Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean region and the Pacific with near real-time information on activities occurring in their maritime zones.

The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) launched VoTAN, a global network to support victims and survivors of terrorism.

About VoTAN

• Background: The Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, chaired by Spain and Iraq, was established nearly six years ago to uphold the need to protect victims’ rights. 
• Genesis: The network is a key outcome of the 2022 UN Global Congress on Victims of Terrorism.
• Goal: To provide a safe space for victims and survivors to support each other, build resilience and engage as advocates, educators, and peacebuilders.
• Financial Support: Received from Spain

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.

• The badminton pair reached the No. 1 rank in Badminton World Federation rankings in 2023 & clinched the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou.

About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

• Genesis: Established in 1991–92 as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, it was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
  • It is considered India’s highest sporting honour. 
• Objective: To recognize the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson over the preceding 4 years.
• Eligibility: Only performances in recognized international events are considered.
• Award: ₹25 lakh cash prize, Medal and a certificate of honour.
  • Number of Awards: Typically one award per year. 

CBI launched Operation Hawk to crack down on global cybercrime networks involved in online child sexual exploitation.

• The operation follows Operation CARBON (2021) and Operation Megh Chakra (2022) to track suspects and dismantle such networks with international links.

Lakkundi temples set to be finalised for UNESCO tentative listing as World Heritage Sites. 

About Lakkundi Temples

• Located in the Gadag district of Karnataka, Lakkundi is referred to as ‘Lokki Gundi’ in ancient inscriptions.
• Built during the period of the Kalyana Chalukyas or Western Chalukyas.
• There are more than 50 ancient temples scattered throughout the village and house 101 stepped wells, which are also called Kalyani.
  • Kasi Vishwanatha Temple is the most ornate and elaborately furnished.
• It is also an important Jain center. 
  • It houses a significant Jain temple dedicated to Mahavira, which is among the largest and oldest Jain shrines at Lakkundi.

The US signed a deal with Ukraine for preferential access to its mineral and energy reserves, including new oil and gas projects.

Ukraine’s Mineral Reserves

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs): There are 17 such elements. They are found in abundance but are difficult to extract.
• Critical Minerals:  These are rare to find, and their classification varies from country to country. 
  • Ukraine holds 22 of the 50 strategic materials identified by the US as critical, including graphite and lithium.
  • India has identified 30 minerals as critical. 

The Government of India has appointed a new chairman along with 7 new members in the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).

About NSAB

• It was first constituted in December 1998, as an advisory body of eminent persons outside the government, including industry, media and civil society, among others. 
  • It is assisted by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
• Functions: To undertake long term analysis and to provide perspectives on the national security issues to the National Security Council (NSC).
  • It also recommends measures and policy options on the issues referred to it by the NSC.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and UNDP are collaborating under wastepickers component of National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme. 

• UNDP is funding State Project Management Units (PMUs) to help implement the scheme effectively.
• NAMASTE scheme was jointly launched by MoSJE and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2023  to ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers.

About NAMASTE Scheme’s wastepicker component

• Genesis: launched in 2024
• Aim: 
  • To Digitally profile and register 2.5 lakh wastepickers across India, 
  • To offer health insurance coverage under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, skill upgradation training, etc. 
• Collectivisation: Facilitate wastepicker collectives, enabling them to manage Decentralized Waste Collection Centers (DWCCs) and improve their livelihoods.