INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Maldives' Historic Generational Tobacco Ban
• From 1 November 2025, Maldives introduced the world’s first generational tobacco ban, preventing anyone born after 1 January 2007 from buying or using tobacco.
• The rule is applicable to both citizens and tourists, making it one of the strictest tobacco laws globally.
• The law bans vaping and e-cigarettes for all age groups, extending restrictions beyond traditional tobacco.
• This landmark reform was passed through the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act.
• Retailers must verify age before selling tobacco, with penalties up to 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa for violations.
• Individuals caught using vaping devices can be fined 5,000 rufiyaa.
• The Health Ministry stated the reform aims to build a tobacco-free generation, in line with global health concerns—tobacco kills over 7 million people annually, including 1.6 million from second-hand smoke; New Zealand had once proposed but later withdrew a similar plan in 2024.
India–US Defence Partnership: 10-Year Framework (2025)
• India and the US have adopted a decade-long defence cooperation framework aimed at strengthening long-term strategic stability.
• The agreement was concluded after a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur.
• This new roadmap extends commitments announced earlier in February 2025, following talks between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
• The framework aligns with earlier defence agreements, including the 2013 Joint Declaration and the 2015 Defence Relationship Framework.
• It also builds on major foundational pacts signed from 2016–2020, such as LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA, strengthening logistics, communication security, and geospatial cooperation.
• Recent cooperation includes the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) finalized in August 2024, ensuring reliable access to critical defence supplies.
• The joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025, conducted in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, further demonstrated growing interoperability between the two forces.
STATE NEWS
PM Modi at Chhattisgarh’s 25th Statehood Day Celebrations
• PM Narendra Modi visited Raipur to join Chhattisgarh’s Silver Jubilee Statehood Day event, marking 25 years since the state was created in 2000.
• He launched and laid foundations for multiple development projects worth over ₹14,000 crore.
• As part of the Dil Ki Baat initiative at Shri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, he met around 2,500 children who had recovered from congenital heart diseases.
• The Prime Minister inaugurated the Shanti Shikhar centre of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris.
• He formally opened the new Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly building and unveiled a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on its premises.
• Modi also dedicated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial and the Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museum in Nava Raipur.
• Chhattisgarh, earlier part of Madhya Pradesh, became a state on 1 November 2000; its capital is Raipur, and it has a unicameral legislature.
NATIONAL NEWS
Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada – Key Highlights
• The nationwide Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada started on 1 November, marking 150 years of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
• Tribal Research Institutes, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and major tribal organisations like TRIFED and NSTFDC are participating in the observance.
• The fortnight-long event will highlight progress made under initiatives such as PM JANMAN, Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, and the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission.
• Various livelihood, skill development, and entrepreneurship schemes for tribal communities will also be showcased during the Pakhwada.
• The celebrations conclude on 15 November, observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, honouring Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary.
• The year 2025 has been designated as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to honour the legacy of Birsa Munda.
• Birsa Munda, revered as Bhagwan by many tribal groups, led powerful tribal uprisings like Ulgulan, fighting British oppression and defending tribal rights.
APPOINTMENTS
Sanjay Garg Takes Over as DG of BIS
• Sanjay Garg (IAS, 1994 batch) has officially taken charge as the Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards from 1 November.
• BIS, India’s national standards authority, will now function under his leadership.
• He brings over 30 years of administrative experience across development, industry, and governance.
• Garg earlier served as Additional Secretary in DARE and also held the position of Secretary, ICAR.
• He played a key role in driving digital upgrades in agricultural research, including expanding the Kisan Sarathi Portal for farmer–expert interaction.
• His career also includes contributions to World Bank projects, defence manufacturing, and industrial reforms.
• As BIS chief, he will additionally head India’s national committee at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
AWARDS
Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2025 Announced
• A total of 1,466 personnel from states, UTs, CAPFs, and CPOs have been selected for the 2025 Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak.
• The honour aims to reward exceptional professionalism and motivate high standards in policing and security services.
• It recognises contributions in special operations, investigations, intelligence work, and forensic science.
• Instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs in February 2024, the medal is announced every 31 October, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.
• The award covers a wide range of roles, including police officers, intelligence operatives, security staff, and forensic experts.
• The J&K Police team behind “Operation Mahadev”—a major counter-terror mission near Dachigam National Park after the Pahalgam attack—was specially honoured.
• Key awardees include IGP Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi, DIG Pande Rajiv Omprakash, SSP G.V. Sundeep Chakraborty, SPs Tanweer Ahmed Dar, Zoheb Tanveer, and multiple DSPs for their courageous service.
SPORTS
FIDE Chess World Cup 2025
• The 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup officially opened at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao, Goa.
• India is hosting this major chess tournament after a gap of 23 years, marking a significant return.
• The event, running from 31 October to 27 November, has drawn 206 players from 82 countries.
• The championship carries a prize pool of USD 2 million, making it one of the most lucrative chess events.
• Renowned players such as Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Wesley So, and Anish Giri are part of the lineup.
• PM Modi highlighted India’s legacy as the birthplace of chess, while the Sports Minister praised the nation’s growing chess culture.
• Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya noted India’s progress, with the number of Grandmasters rising from 10 to 88 since the previous World Cup in 2002.
