Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully tests K-4 submarine-launched Ballistic Missile from INS Arighat.

• INS Arighat is second Arihant-Class submarine, which are indigenously nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). 

About K-4

• K-4 or Kalam-4 is a nuclear-capable intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile.
• Range: 3,500 km.
• It is a crucial component of India’s nuclear triad, providing the country with a credible second-strike capability from beneath the sea.
• The missile has been designed specifically for Arihant-class submarines, like the INS Arihant and INS Arighat.

The Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary has selected India to assume the chairpersonship of the KP from 1 January 2026. 

About Kimberley Process 

• It is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry and civil society, aimed at preventing the trade in “conflict diamonds”.
  • Conflict Diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
• Members: 60 participants including India and European Union, accounting for over 99% of global rough diamond trade.
• By enforcing rigorous certification protocols and compliance assessments, it ensures that all participating countries maintain high standards that keep conflict diamonds out of the international market.

Ministry of Law and Justice published for the first time the translation of the Constitution of India in the Santhali language.

• This was published on the occasion marking Birth Centenary year of the Ol Chiki Script (used for Santhali Language) developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925.

About Santhali 

• Origin: Belongs to Munda family of language which is a part of Austric (Austo-Asiatic) language family.
• Included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (consists of the 22 languages) through the 92^nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. 
• People speaking Santhali are called Santhals and are majorly located in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar.

QCI Announces Next-Generation Quality Reforms to Strengthen India’s Quality Ecosystem

Next-Generation Quality Reforms

• Q Mark – Desh ka Haq: A new QR-coded quality mark to check if a hospital, lab, or small business is genuine, helping to eliminate fake certificates.
• Quality Setu: A new online help-desk system where people and businesses can submit complaints or feedback and get them resolved within a set timeframe
• Quality Passport: It will be launched for Indian products for enabling better market access

About Quality Council of India

• Supported jointly by the Government of India and Indian industry.
• Registered as a non-profit organisation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Nodal Ministry: Department for promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Appointment of Chairman: by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the industry to the government. 

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has invited industries to participate in PM-SETU Scheme

About PM-SETU

• It stands for Pradhan Mantri Skilling And Employability Transformation Through Upgraded ITIs
• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
• The scheme is structured in two components:
  • Component I – Upgradation of 1,000 ITIs in Hub-and-Spoke clusters
  • Component II – Capacity Augmentation of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and the setting up of five National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) therein.
• Management of upgraded ITI: by Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) partnership {51%(industry leaders) & 49% (government).
• Funding Support: The scheme has co-financing to the extent of 50% of Central share by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank

FSSAI warns food businesses against labeling herbal infusions as ‘tea’

About Camellia sinensis(Tea)

• Common name: Assam Tea, Tea Camellia, Tea Plant.
• Agro-Climatic Conditions for Tea:
  • Grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates endowed with deep and fertile well-drained soil rich in humus and organic matter
  • Tea bushes require a warm and moist frost-free climate most of the year.
  • Rainfall: well-distributed rainfall of 2000–4000 mm annually
  • Temperature: ~13 to 32 °C
  • pH range: 4.5 - 5.5
  • Undulating topography and slightly acidic soils of the region suit tea plants
  • Major Producers: Assam, West Bengal

India’s largest circular labyrinth has been discovered in Boramani grassland in Sholapur, Maharashtra. 

• The structure is nearly 2,000 years old, dating from around the 1st to 3rd century CE (Satavahana period)
• It consists of 15 concentric stone circuits, the highest number documented so far in any circular labyrinth found in India.
• Significance: can be connected to ancient Indo-Roman trade