Data Privacy Day 2025

Context:

The world observes Data Privacy Day annually on January 28th to raise awareness about data protection and privacy.

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• The theme for Data Privacy Day 2025 is "Take Control of Your Data".

Data Privacy Day 

• It was first recognised in 2006 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe as Data Protection Day to mark the anniversary of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty on data protection signed in 1981.
• In 2008, it was extended to the US and Canada, where it began to be observed as Data Privacy Day. 

India’s Initiative on Data Privacy

• The Ministry of Electronics & IT has released the draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 for citizens' right to protect their personal data. 
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act focuses on digital personal data, mandating organisations to disclose the nature, purpose, retention period, and accessibility of the data they collect.

Uttar Pradesh wins Best Tableau Award

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The State of Uttar Pradesh has won the Best Tableau Award in the States/UTs category at the Republic Day Parade 2025.

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• Uttar Pradesh's tableau, showcasing the ongoing Mahakumbh festival has been adjudged the winner while the tableau from Tripura won the 2^nd place. 
• In the Central Ministries/Departments categories, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was awarded the Best Tableau for its inspiring and culturally rich tableau based on "Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh", commemorating the 150th birth anniversary year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. 
• For marching contingents, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Contingent has been adjudged as the Best Marching Contingent among Services while Delhi Police Marching Contingent was adjudged as the Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces. 

Result for the best Marching Contingents & Tableaux

Top three tableaux (States/UTs):

• 1st - Uttar Pradesh (Mahakumbh 2025 - Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas)
• 2nd - Tripura (Eternal Reverence: The worship of 14 Deities in Tripura - Kharchi Puja)
• 3rd - Andhra Pradesh (Etikoppaka Bommalu - Eco-Friendly Wooden Toys) 

Best Tableau from Central Ministries/Departments - Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh) 

Best Marching Contingent among Services - Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Contingent 

Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces - Delhi Police Marching Contingent

Special Prize:

• Central Public Works Department (75 years of Constitution of India)
• ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’ Dance Group. 

38^th National Games

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Uttarakhand is hosting the 38th National Games from 28th January to 14th February.

38^th National Games

• 6 states and one union territory will participate in these Games.
• Monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, has been accepted as the mascot for the 38th National Games.
• Around 10,000 athletes competing in 35 sports disciplines. Among these, medals will be awarded for 33 sports, while two will be exhibition sports.
• Yoga and Mallakhamb have been included in the National Games for the first time. 
• With a focus on sustainability, the theme for the National Games this year is “Green Games”.  

About National Games

• The inaugural Indian Olympic Games took place in February 1924 in Delhi.
• The Indian Olympic Games were later renamed as National Games during the 9th Games in Bombay in 1940.
• The National Games are a collaborative effort between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the respective state governments. Each edition of the games is hosted by a different Indian state.