State PCS - Haryana (HCS)

• 27 Dec 2025

NIFTEM‑K to Implement PM VIKAS Scheme for Minority Youth

Why in News? 

The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management‑Kundli (NIFTEM‑K) has been selected as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA) under the Pradhan Mantri VIKAS (PM VIKAS) scheme. 

Key Points 

• MoU Signing: NIFTEM‑Kundli has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Minority Affairs. 
• NIFTEM‑Kundli: It is a deemed-to-be university under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India. 
  • Location: Kundli, Sonipat district, Haryana. 
• Objective of PM VIKAS: The scheme focuses on the socio‑economic empowerment of minority communities through skill training, Entrepreneurship development, Employment linkages and market access.  
• Target Beneficiaries: Youth from six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis (Zoroastrians)), including women and persons with disabilities. 
• Implementation Plan: NIFTEM‑K will conduct training programs, provide industry connections for placements, and support market access for trained youth. 

India to Chair the Kimberley Process from 2026

Why in News?

India has been selected to assume the Chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process (KP) from 1 January 2026. 

Key Points 

• Kimberley Process (KP): An international multilateral initiative aimed at preventing the trade in conflict diamonds. 
  • Conflict Diamonds: These are rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments. 
• Tripartite Structure: The KP is a joint initiative of governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society organisations. 
• Headquarters: Not a formal organisation; operates through member states and rotating chairs 
• Certification Scheme: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into effect on 1 January 2003 under a UN Security Council mandate. 
• Global Coverage: The KP has 60 participants, including the European Union and its Member States. 
• India’s Role: This will be the third time (2008, 2019, and 2026) India has been entrusted with this leadership responsibility.

Veer Bal Diwas

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Women and Child Development announced that Veer Bal Diwas will be observed nationally on 26 December to honour the bravery and values of young heroes. 

Key Points 

• Veer Bal Diwas: This day honours the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas — the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who attained martyrdom in 1705 resisting forced conversion. 
• Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will present this award to children for exceptional achievements in bravery, arts, science, social service, environment, and sports. 
• Awardees: This year, 20 children from 18 States and Union Territories have been selected for the award. 
• Ceremony Details: The award ceremony is held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

New BIS Standard for Incense Sticks

Why in News? 

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, released a new BIS standard for incense sticks, to enhance consumer safety and product quality, on National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Key Points 

• Standard Title: IS 19412:2025 – Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) is an Indian Standard developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 
• BIS: It is India’s national standards body, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, responsible for setting and certifying quality and safety standards. 
• Consumer Confidence: Products complying with IS 19412:2025 are eligible to carry the BIS Standard Mark, enabling consumers to identify safe, tested, and quality-assured incense sticks.  
• Prohibited Substances: The standard restricts the use of insecticidal chemicals such as alethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and fipronil. 
• Product Coverage: It applies to machine-made, hand-made, and traditional masala agarbattis, prescribing norms for raw materials, burning quality, fragrance performance, and permissible chemical limits.