CCPA Action Against Misleading “100%” Claims
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh each on Storia Foods and Bectors (English Oven) for misleading “100%” claims.
- CCPA established under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- Functions under Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Can take suo motu cognizance. Headed by Chief Commissioner
- Can order:
- Recall of goods
- Withdrawal of services
- Discontinuation of misleading advertisements
- Imposition of penalties
- Sections to Remember
- Section 2(9) → Consumer Rights
- Section 2(28) → Misleading Advertisement Includes: False description + False guarantee + Misrepresentation of quality, quantity, composition
- Section 2(47) → Unfair Trade Practice: False representation regarding: – Standard + Quality + Quantity + Composition
- Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, issued by CCPA
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
- India’s highest civilian award for children.
- Instituted in present form: 2019.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD).
- Conferred by: President of India.
- Presented on: Veer Bal Diwas (26 December).
- Age Eligibility: 5–18 years.
- Components: Medal + Certificate + Citation.
- Award Category: Bravery + Social Service +Environment +Sports +Art & Culture + Science & Technology
- Eligibility:- Indian Citizen + Resident of India + Achievement within preceding 2 years + Self-nomination permitted + Previous recipients not eligible in same category + Generally not awarded posthumously (exception possible).
- Award Committee: Constituted by Union Minister, MWCD + Chaired by Secretary, MWCD + Includes domain experts.
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
- INCOIS has released first specialised El Nino bulletin on 22nd
- INCOIS is an autonomous organisation under Earth Sciences.
- Headquarters: Hyderabad.
- Released India’s first Specialised El Niño Bulletin for maritime sectors.
- El Niño likely to peak during Nov 2026–Jan 2027.
- Indian Ocean SST likely to remain above normal till Apr/May 2027.
- Impacts: Increased Coral Bleaching + Marine Heat Waves + Thermal Stress on marine ecosystems
- INCOIS hosts Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC).
Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority
- IEPFA organised a panel discussion on “Aapki Poonji Aapka Adhikaar” and launched the book “Claiming the Unclaimed: Unlocking the Potential of Idle Financial Assets in India”.
- Established under Companies Act, 2013 + Functions under Corporate Affairs (MCA)
- Nodal body for:
- Investor education
- Investor protection
- Refund of unclaimed financial assets
- Administers Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) created under Section 125 of Companies Act, 2013.
- Functions of IEPFA
- Refund of shares transferred to IEPF.
- Refund of unclaimed dividends.
- Investor awareness programmes.
- Promotion of financial literacy.
- Protection of investor interests.
Critical Mineral Auctions and Explration Licence Blocks
- The Mines has successfully auctioned 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks and 11 Exploration Licence blocks.
- The auctions strengthen India’s critical mineral security, domestic supply chains, exploration ecosystem and National Critical Mineral Mission.
- Critical mineral blocks were auctioned for the first time in Gujrat, Uttarakhand and Telangana by Central Government.
- Minerals mentioned: Graphite, REE, Vanadium, Titanium, Glauconite and Rock Phosphate.
- Law: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
- Rules: Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015
- Exploration Licence (EL) introduced through MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- EL allows exploration of deep-seated and critical minerals by private and public players.
- Rare Earth Elements (REEs) comprise 17 elements = 15 Lanthanides + Scandium + Yttrium.
- Graphite is a key component of Lithium-ion batteries.
- Vanadium is used in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries and high-strength steel alloys.
- Glauconite is a potassium-rich green mineral used as a potassic fertilizer, while Rock Phosphate is the raw material for phosphatic fertilizers.
