News In Short 13-01-2026

Bhadrakali Inscription

Syllabus: GS1/Culture

In News

• Recently, it has been highlighted that Prabhas Patan has a rich historical and spiritual heritage, with inscriptions like Bhadrakali, copper plates, and memorial stones showcasing its prosperity, valor, and devotion. 

Bhadrakali Inscription

• It was carved in 1169 CE (Valabhi Samvat 850 and Vikram Samvat 1255) and currently protected by the State Department of Archaeology.
• It is located near the museum in Prabhas Patan, beside the old Ram Temple in Bhadrakali lane.
  • Prabhas Patan, home to the historic Somnath Temple,  and it is housed in the ancient Sun Temple.
• It is a eulogistic inscription of Param Pashupata Acharya Shriman Bhavabrihaspati, the spiritual preceptor of Maharajadhiraj Kumarapala of Anhilwad Patan.

Features 

• It  records the ancient and medieval history of the Somnath Temple. 
• It mentions the construction of Somnath Mahadev in all four yugas.
  • Accordingly, in the Satya Yuga, Chandra (Soma) built it of gold; in the Treta Yuga, Ravana built it of silver; in the Dvapara Yuga, Shri Krishna built it of wood; and in the Kali Yuga, King Bhimdev Solanki constructed a beautifully artistic stone temple.
    • History confirms that Bhimdev Solanki built the fourth temple on the earlier remains, followed by the fifth temple constructed by Kumarapala in 1169 CE at the same site

Importance 

• Prabhas Patan embodies the spiritual pride of Sanatan Dharma. 
• The Bhadrakali inscription highlights the devotion of Solanki rulers and scholars like Bhavabrihaspati, and its rich artistic, architectural, and literary legacy continues to inspire, affirming that devotion and self-respect remain timeless.

Source :PIB

Pax Silica

Syllabus: GS2/IR, GS3/Economy

Context

• The US Ambassador announced that India would be invited next month to join Pax Silica.

Pax Silica

• Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals.
• The inaugural Pax Silica Summit was held in December 2025 and the signatories include Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, the Netherlands, and the UAE.
  • Together, these countries are home to the most important companies and investors powering the global AI supply chain.
  • Qatar became the latest signatory to Pax Silica.
• Its objective is to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence, and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale. 
• Countries will partner on securing strategic stacks of the global technology supply chain, including, but not limited to, software applications and platforms.

Significance for India

• Joining Pax Silica might help India diversify away from China to more secure suppliers like Australia for critical minerals. 
• It is likely to facilitate investments and technology transfer via partnerships with Japan and the Netherlands.
• It might boost India’s capabilities for advanced extraction and processing of rare earth minerals from its vast monazite and thorium resources.

Source: DD

Centre Notifies National Sports Governance Rules, 2026

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

In News

• The Union Government has notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Objectives of the Rules

• To professionalise and standardise the functioning of National Sports Bodies (NSBs).
• To ensure meaningful participation of athletes in sports administration.

About the Rules

• Inclusion of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs): Minimum 4 SOMs must be included in the General Body of every National Sports Body.
  • Gender representation mandate is 50% of the SOMs must be women sportspersons.
• SOM Eligibility Tiers: In the Tiered criteria, 10 Tiers have been prescribed, starting from sportspersons who have won a gold, silver or bronze medal in the Summer Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or Winter Olympic Games, to sportspersons who have won a gold, silver or bronze medal in the National Games or a National Championship.
• Disqualification Criteria: Convicted individuals facing imprisonment are barred from General Body membership, Executive Committee elections, or Athletes Committees.
• Governance Framework: The National Sports Board oversees recognition, affiliate registration, and inquiries into governance or fund misuse. 
• Election Framework: The National Sports Election Panel shall maintain a minimum strength of 20 members at all times to oversee the conduct of elections for National Sports Bodies.

Source: TH

EU Countries Approved the Mercosur Agreement

Syllabus: GS2/IR

In News

• The European Union has approved a long-delayed trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc, despite strong opposition led by France and concerns from farmers across Europe. 

What is Mercosur?

• Mercosur is a South American trade bloc formed in 1991, with Brazil as its largest member, alongside Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, with Bolivia as the newest full member, aiming for free trade and economic integration.
  • Venezuela, once a member, has been suspended indefinitely.

EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement 

• It is the EU’s largest ever in terms of tariff reductions, eliminating over €4 billion in duties on EU exports. 
• Trade between the two blocs stands at €111 billion, with the EU exporting machinery, chemicals and transport equipment, and importing mainly agricultural products and minerals. 
• Under the deal, Mercosur will remove duties on 91% of EU exports over 15 years, while the EU will eliminate duties on 92% of Mercosur exports within 10 years.
• Both sides retain quotas on sensitive agricultural goods, though the EU will increase beef import quotas and Mercosur will allow duty-free cheese imports.
• The agreement also protects about 350 EU food and drink products through geographic indications.
  • To address concerns over agriculture, the EU has introduced safeguards, a crisis fund, farmer support measures, reduced fertiliser duties and stricter import controls.

Criticisms 

• Opposition to the EU–Mercosur trade deal comes mainly from concerns over agriculture and the environment.
• Countries such as France, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Ireland fear that cheaper South American farm products—especially beef—will undercut European farmers and reduce their market share. 
• They also argue that imports may not meet the EU’s strict environmental standards and warn that the deal lacks enforceable safeguards against deforestation and biodiversity loss, particularly in regions like the Amazon.
• It could harm European farmers by allowing cheaper agricultural imports from South America.

Source :TH

DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests Third-Generation MPATGM

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight-tested the third-generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, or MPATGM, with top attack capability against a moving target. 

About

• The fire-and-forget missile was developed indigenously by DRDO.
  • The ‘Fire and forget’ type of missile refers to a weapon system that locks onto a target before launch and does not require further guidance from the operator after firing. 
• It is equipped with state-of-the-art indigenous technologies, including an Imaging Infrared homing seeker, tandem warhead, all-electric control actuation system, fire control system, propulsion system and a high-performance sighting system.
• The missile is capable of day and night combat operations and can effectively defeat modern main battle tanks. 
• It can be launched from a tripod as well as a military vehicle launcher.

Source: AIR