Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated regulatory action against the unauthorized online sale and advertisement of hazardous chemicals, explosive substances on digital platforms.

• The action aims to strengthen consumer safety, public security, and responsible e-commerce practices.

About CCPA:

• Established: under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• Functions: 
  • Protect, promote, and enforce the rights of consumers as a class
  • Prevent violation of consumer rights
  • Prevent unfair trade practices, etc

Indian Railways has approved introduction of Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based trainset on Jind-Sonipat section.

About Hydrogen fuel cell

• Definition: It is an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen.
• Mechanism: Unlike traditional internal combustion engines, fuel cells generate power without burning fuel, resulting in zero harmful emissions. The only by products are water and heat.
  • Overall Reaction: H₂ + ½O₂ → H₂O + Electricity + Heat.
• Major Types of Fuel Cells:  Proton Exchange Membrane (PEMFCs), Solid Oxide fuel cell (SOFCs), Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs), etc.

Hungary’s Parliament approves continued membership in International Criminal Court

About International Criminal Court (ICC)

• Headquarter: Hague, Netherlands
• Origin: Founded by Rome Statute (Adopted in 1998 and entered in force in 2002) as the world's first permanent international criminal court.
• Jurisdiction: investigate, prosecute, and try individuals (not groups or States) accused of committing serious crimes
  • Crimes under ICC’s jurisdiction: Genocide, Crimes against humanity, War crimes, crime of aggression.
• Membership: 125 member countries
  • India, Israel, US, Russia and China are not parties to the Rome Statute.
• Funding: mainly by States Parties
• Enforcement: ICC's decisions are binding

FAC has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of over 3,000 hectares of forest land across several states for key infrastructure projects.

About FAC:

• Overview: Statutory body constituted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. 
• Chairman: Director General of Forests.
• Function: It plays a crucial role in evaluating proposals for the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes like mining, dam construction, and road building.

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of five persons as Judges of the Supreme Court (SC).

About Collegium System

• President appoints the judges of Supreme Court and High Court (HC) under Article 124 and 217 of the Constitution respectively.
• The judges are recommended for appointment by the collegium consisting of:
  • Chief Justice of India and four other senior-most SC judges for recommending appointments in SC.

Chief Justice of HC and two other senior judges of the concerned HC for recommending appointments in HC

Supreme Court upheld the GST authorities' decision to levy 28% GST retrospectively on online gaming platforms as constitutionally valid.

• Ruling: Online gaming activities, including fantasy sports and other digital games involving stakes on uncertain outcomes, constitute betting and gambling under GST framework.

About Online Gaming

• Indian online gaming market generated INR 232 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to INR 316 billion by 2027.
• Government enacted Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025 and notified corresponding rules for online gaming governance. 
  • These establish a strong legal framework to curb harmful online money gaming and protect users from the financial, psychological, and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms.

Long-Tailed Duskhawker (Gynacantha khasiaca), a dragonfly, was recorded from the Namdapha National Park.

• Dragonflies belong to the order Odonata, rank among the world’s fastest flying insects and have nearly 360-degree field of view.
• The are crucial components of freshwater ecosystems and are instrumental in controlling mosquito population. 

About Namdapha National Park

• Location: Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh at the tri-junction point of India, Myanmar and China.
• It comprises catchment of Noa-Dihing River, a tributary of Brahmaputra River. 
• Highest point in park is Dapha Bum.  
• Bordered by Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Patkai Hill Ranges, and international border with Myanmar. 
• Fauna: All four big cats i.e., Tiger, Leopard, Clouded leopard and Snow leopard in a single Protected Area.

Supreme Court constituted a committee under Union Home Secretary to prepare a comprehensive plan to clean up the river Yamuna.

About Yamuna River

• Longest tributary of the Ganga and one of India's most sacred rivers.
  • It was once a tributary of River Ghaggar (most likely the Saraswati River referred to in the Veda).
• Origin: Rises from the Yamunotri Glacier on the slopes of the Bandarpunch Massif in the Great Himalayas, Uttarakhand.
• Course: Flows through Uttarkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Joins the Ganga River at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam).
  • Longest river in India which does not directly flow to the sea.
• Major Tributaries: Tons (largest), Chambal (longest), Sindh, Betwa and Ken.

Mission Queen Pineapple launched for promoting GI-tagged Queen Pineapple.

• Pineapple declared State Fruit of Tripura.

Mission Queen Pineapple

• Ministry: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) with Tripura Government.
• Timeline: Three-year roadmap (Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028)
• Objective: To integrate farmers across the entire pineapple value chain from production to exports.

Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

• Origin: Native to tropical and subtropical America.
• Distribution: Introduced globally by Portuguese during the 16th century.
• Major producers: Costa Rica, Brazil, China, India and Thailand.
• Fruit Type: Botanically classified as a Multiple Fruit (Composite Fruit).