Current Context : Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 to promote e-sports and ban harmful money games.

ABOUT ONLINE GAMING BILL 2025

• Purpose: To regulate India’s fast-growing online gaming sector.
• Three Categories of Games:
  1. E-sports: Skill-based, professional gaming (promoted).
  2. Online Social Games: Recreational, no money involved (promoted).
  3. Online Money Games: Betting/gambling games (banned).
• Regulation:
  1. Establishes an Online Gaming Authority for oversight and policy.
  2. Provides developer support and gaming infrastructure.
• Ban on Money Games:
  1. Bans games like Rummy, Poker, and other stake-based apps.
  2. Reason: Associated with fraud, addiction, financial distress, suicides.
• Penalties:
  1. First offence: 3 years jail or ₹1 crore fine.
  2. Repeat offence: 3–5 years jail or ₹2 crore fine.

Current Context : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved renaming Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, to Parashurampuri.

ABOUT PARASHURAMPURI NAME CHANGE

• Location: Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh
• Reason: Town is considered the mythological birthplace of Lord Parashuram.
• Cultural Significance:
  • Lord Parashuram is a revered figure in Sanatan Dharma.
  • The renaming reflects regional traditions and identity.
  • Replaces a name seen as a symbol of slavery/“ghulami”.
• Impact: Boosts cultural pride, preserves local heritage identity.

Current Context : The first ever zero-waste tribal fair of Himachal Pradesh was celebrated at Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district.

ABOUT THE ZERO-WASTE TRIBAL FAIR

• Location: Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti district
• Duration: 14–16 August 2025 (three days)
• Inauguration: By Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (virtually)
• Development Initiatives: Foundation laid for projects worth ₹36 crore to boost local agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and connectivity

Zero-Waste Features

• Complete ban on single-use plastic
• Use of biodegradable utensils (leaf plates, eco-cups)
• Refillable water stations provided
• Waste segregation through support from NGOs like Healing Himalayas and Saahas

Current Context : WHO has declared Nepal rubella-free, eliminating it as a public health problem.

ABOUT RUBELLA

• Also called German Measles or Three-Day Measles.
• Cause: Rubella virus (single-stranded RNA virus).
• Nature: Highly contagious but less severe than measles.
• Transmission : Spread via coughing, sneezing, or contaminated surfaces, Can pass from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

Current Context : A group of 34 students from Indian government schools will visit Japan under the Sakura Science Programme 2025.

ABOUT SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAMME

• Launched by: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in 2014
• India joined: 2016
• Objective: To expand scientific curiosity, foster innovation, and strengthen international collaboration.
• Nature: Japan–Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science.
• 2025 Participation : Students from India, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia will join.

Current Context : The UNHCR has temporarily suspended the process of facilitating the repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

ABOUT UNHCR

• Establishment: 1950 by the UN General Assembly, after the Second World War.
• Nature: United Nations agency dedicated to refugees, stateless persons, and internally displaced populations.
• Mandate: To protect rights, provide assistance, and support voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement of displaced populations.
• Legal Framework: Guardian of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Recognition: Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1954 & 1981).

Current Context : The Quarterly PLFS (April–June 2025) and Monthly PLFS (July 2025) have been released.

ABOUT PLFS

• Conducted by: National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Objective: To provide data on:
  • Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
  • Worker Population Ratio (WPR)
  • Unemployment Rate (UR)
  • Distribution of workers by employment status and industry of work.

Coverage & Frequency

• Monthly Estimates: For rural and urban areas under Current Weekly Status (CWS).
• Annual Estimates: For both rural and urban areas under Usual Status (US) and CWS.
• Reference Periods:
  • CWS: 7 days

US: 365 days

Current Context : Opposition parties are considering moving a motion for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

ABOUT REMOVAL OF CEC

• Constitutional Provision: Article 324(5) of the Indian Constitution.
• Grounds & Manner: CEC can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court (Article 124(4)).

Process of Removal:

1. A motion alleging misbehaviour or incapacity is introduced in either House of Parliament.
2. Once admitted, a committee of inquiry examines the validity of charges.
3. Motion must be passed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament.
4. After this, the President of India issues an order removing the CEC.

Current Context: Indian Oil’s Panipat Refinery received ICAO certification for production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from used cooking oil.

ABOUT SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL

• Definition: Jet biofuel/aviation bio-kerosene resembling conventional jet fuel but produced from renewable biomass sources.
• Feedstock Sources:
  • Oil seed plants, energy grasses
  • Municipal solid waste
  • Industrial carbon monoxide waste gas
  • Agricultural and forestry residue
  • Fats, oils, greases from cooking and meat production
• Benefits: Compatible with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure (when blended), Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, Offers energy flexibility.

Current Context : Chandrarekha Dhadwal, renowned litterateur and educationist from Dharamsala, has been honoured with the Himachal Gaurav Award by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Introduced By: Government of Himachal Pradesh
• Nature: One of the highest civilian honours of the state
• Purpose: To recognise individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields such as literature, art, culture, social service, education, science, sports, and public life.
• Occasion of Presentation: Usually conferred during State-level Independence Day or Republic Day celebrations.

ABOUT CHANDRAREKHA DHADWAL

• Profession: Litterateur and Educationist
• Residence: Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
• Teaching Career: Over 30 years in the field of education
• Literary Contribution: Over four decades; works include poetry, ghazals, short stories, novels, and folk literature
• Prominent Themes: Contemporary Hindi and Himachali literature; focus on women’s struggles, empowerment, and folk traditions

Notable Published Works

• Poetry: Zaroorat Bhar Suvidha (2018)
• Novels: Samay Mere Anuroop Hua (2019), Aag (2022)
• Story Collections: Seevane Updati Hui (2019), Roshni Ke Baabjood (2023), Pachchis Kahaniyan (2025)
• Himachali Works: Akkhar-Akkhar Jugnu, Akkharan De Diye