LEGAL NEWS

FSSAI Bans Use of ‘ORS’ on Food Labels and Advertisements

• The FSSAI has barred food companies from using the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on labels or ads, calling it misleading for consumers.

• This move enforces the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with the regulator ordering immediate compliance from all food business operators.

• The decision revokes earlier permissions granted in July 2022 and February 2024, which had allowed limited use of the term with disclaimers.

• FSSAI’s review found that using ‘ORS’ on food products amounts to misbranding, a punishable offence under the Act.

• The authority stressed that no food item should display ‘ORS’, even with added words or variations, to prevent confusion with the medical formulation.

• The FSSAI, operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, regulates food quality, safety, and labelling across India.

• Unlike food beverages, ORS is a scientifically balanced medical solution recommended by the WHO for treating dehydration, especially during diarrhoeal illnesses.

RANKING AND INDEX

India’s Position in the Global Hunger Index 2025

• India ranks 102nd out of 123 nations in the 2025 Global Hunger Index, scoring 25.8, which places it in the “serious” hunger category.

• The country has improved slightly from 2024, when it ranked 105th with a score of 27.3, and performed better than its 2016 score of 29.3.

• The GHI score evaluates hunger levels based on factors like undernourishment, child wasting, and child stunting.

• At the top, nations such as Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Chile, China, and Bosnia & Herzegovina scored below 5, indicating very low hunger levels.

• Somalia remains at the bottom (123rd), followed by South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reflecting extreme hunger conditions.

• Globally, the 2025 GHI score is 18.3, only slightly better than 19.0 in 2016, showing slow progress in reducing hunger worldwide.

• The GHI, launched in 2006, was initially published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), now co-published by Welthungerhilfe (Germany) and Concern Worldwide (Ireland) after IFPRI (USA) withdrew in 2018.

State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and Rankings Released by Ministry of Mines

• The Ministry of Mines has unveiled the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and corresponding state rankings, fulfilling the Union Budget 2025–26 announcement.

• The index is designed to promote reforms and enhance efficiency in the mining sector across Indian states.

• SMRI evaluates states on factors like auction success, early mine operations, exploration focus, and sustainable mining practices for non-coal minerals.

• States are classified into three categories based on their mineral resource potential.

• In Category A, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat secured the top three positions.

• Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam emerged as leaders in Category B.

• Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tripura ranked highest in Category C.

• The initiative aims to foster healthy competition among states and drive innovation and sustainability in India’s mining sector.

APPOINTMENTS

Justice Prathiba M. Singh Appointed Chair of WIPO Advisory Board of Judges (2025–2027)

• Justice Prathiba M. Singh of the Delhi High Court has been appointed as Chairperson of WIPO’s Advisory Board of Judges for the 2025–2027 term.

• India’s UN Mission in Geneva hailed this as a notable global recognition of India’s judicial excellence.

• In her new role, she will lead an international panel of judges advising WIPO on intellectual property (IP)–related judicial issues.

• The Advisory Board comprises ten members, representing diverse global judicial expertise.

• Justice Singh also serves as Co-Chair of the WHO Working Group on AI-related regulatory issues in healthcare.

• She earlier headed the first Intellectual Property Division of the Delhi High Court in 2021–2022.

• Her contributions have strengthened India’s role in shaping global IP jurisprudence.

• Justice Singh was listed among the Top 50 most influential figures in intellectual property worldwide in both 2021 and 2022.

Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister

• Sanae Takaichi has created history by becoming Japan’s first female Prime Minister, a breakthrough moment for women in Japanese politics.

• Her election signifies Japan’s growing focus on gender equality and inclusivity in top leadership roles.

• Takaichi’s leadership is being closely watched for her plans to tackle Japan’s economic and policy challenges.

• She entered politics in 1993 after winning a seat in the Lower House as an independent candidate.

• Before her political debut, she worked as a television anchor, gaining public visibility and communication experience.

• In 1996, she joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), aligning herself with Japan’s dominant political establishment.

• Her journey from journalism to the nation’s highest office symbolizes perseverance, progress, and political evolution in Japan.

SPORTS

Neeraj Chopra Honoured as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army

• Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.

• The title was formally presented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

• Chopra began his Army career in 2016 when he joined as a Naib Subedar, marking his entry into military service.

• Over the years, he has earned several honours, including the Arjuna Award (2018) and the Khel Ratna Award (2021).

• Following his Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold, he received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022) — the Army’s highest peacetime honour.

• In the same year, he was promoted to Subedar Major, acknowledging both his sporting and service excellence.

• Chopra is also a Padma Shri awardee, one of India’s most prestigious civilian honours.

• His elevation reflects a blend of sporting glory and patriotic service, inspiring youth across the nation.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

Election Commission Hosts Conference of Chief Electoral Officers in New Delhi

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a two-day Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in New Delhi.

• The event took place at the India International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Management.

• Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar presided over the sessions, alongside Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.

• The conference aimed to assess the performance of CEO offices across States and Union Territories.

• A key agenda was to review the execution of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls nationwide.

• The ECI also analysed how effectively electorate data was mapped and compared with previous SIR records.

• The discussions focused on enhancing electoral management and ensuring accuracy in voter registration processes.

ECONOMY NEWS

India’s Core Sector Growth Slows to 3% in September 2025

• India’s core sector output grew by 3% in September 2025, down from 6.5% growth in August, marking the slowest pace in three months.

• Data from the Commerce and Industry Ministry showed positive growth in steel, cement, electricity, and fertilizer production.

• The eight key infrastructure industries, which make up 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), together recorded slower expansion.

• The decline was mainly driven by weaker output of coal, crude oil, natural gas, and refinery products.

• Steel production surged 14.1% year-on-year, while cement grew 5.3% and electricity output rose 2.1%.

• Fertilizer production increased modestly by 1.6%, indicating easing momentum in the sector.

• For the April–September 2025 period, core industries grew 2.9%, compared to 4.3% growth during the same period last fiscal year.