UPSC Current Affairs 05 August 2026

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India's first fully annotated Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) reference genome of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan).
• The 'Asha' pigeonpea variety has been approved as the global reference genome, marking a major breakthrough in pulse genomics and climate-resilient agriculture.

• Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) sequencing is an advanced genome sequencing technology that produces a complete, gap-free DNA sequence from one end of a chromosome (telomere) to the other.
• Unlike conventional genome assemblies, T2T sequencing accurately captures highly repetitive and previously inaccessible genomic regions, including centromeres and telomeres.
• The technology provides the most comprehensive genetic blueprint of an organism, enabling precise identification of genes controlling important agronomic traits.

• First in India: India's first fully annotated T2T reference genome for pigeonpea.
• Global Recognition: The 'Asha' variety has been accepted as the global reference genome for pigeonpea research.
• Developed by: ICAR through the National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (NIPB).
• Scientific Progress: Builds upon the world's first draft genome of a pulse crop (2011) and its improved version released in 2017.

• Enables rapid identification of genes associated with higher yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, nutritional quality, and climate resilience.
• Accelerates marker-assisted breeding and genome-assisted crop improvement, reducing the time required to develop superior varieties.
• Supports India's objective of achieving self-reliance in pulses and improving national food and nutritional security.
• Strengthens genomic research under climate-smart agriculture and precision breeding initiatives.

• Scientific Name: Cajanus cajan.
• Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae).
• It is India's second most important pulse crop after chickpea.
• A rich source of protein, dietary fibre, minerals, and essential amino acids.
• Being a leguminous crop, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria, thereby improving soil fertility.

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India's first indigenous MA-104 cell line-based Live Attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine for pigs.
• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently dedicated the vaccine to the nation during ICAR's Foundation Day celebrations, marking a major milestone in India's veterinary biotechnology and livestock biosecurity.

• African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV).
• It belongs to the Asfarviridae family and is the only known DNA arbovirus (arthropod-borne DNA virus).
• The disease has an extremely high mortality rate (up to 100%) in pigs.
• There is no risk to humans, as ASF does not infect people and is not a food safety concern.
• India reported its first ASF outbreak in 2020, mainly affecting the North-Eastern States, causing major economic losses to pig farmers.

• Developed by: ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal.
• Vaccine Type: MA-104 Cell Line-Based Live Attenuated Vaccine.
• Innovation: Developed using an Indian field isolate of ASF Virus (Genotype II).
• Administration: A 1 mL intramuscular dose for pigs above 8 weeks of age, followed by a booster after 14 days.
• Protection: Provides immunity for up to six months.
• Production Advantage: The MA-104 cell line enables cost-effective, scalable, and commercial manufacturing.
• Laboratory studies confirmed high safety, genetic stability, strong immune response, and no reversion to virulence.

• Provides India with an indigenous solution for controlling one of the most devastating diseases affecting pig farming.
• Reduces dependence on imported veterinary vaccines and strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat in animal health.
• Enhances national biosecurity by enabling quicker containment of ASF outbreaks.
• Protects the livelihoods of small and marginal pig farmers, especially in the North-Eastern Region, where pig rearing is an important source of income.
• Supports the growth of India's livestock sector and improves food and nutritional security.

• ASF spreads rapidly through infected pigs, contaminated feed, pork products, equipment, and soft ticks.
• The virus survives for long periods in the environment and processed pork products, making eradication difficult.
• Effective disease control still requires strict biosecurity, surveillance, rapid diagnosis, movement restrictions, and vaccination.

• Dipka Open Cast Project (OCP) of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) was recently in the news after achieving a record coal production of 37.5 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2025–26.
• The project has also received enhanced Environmental Clearance (EC) of 40 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) and is progressing towards an expansion target of 60 MTPA, making it one of India's largest coal mining projects.

• Location: Korba district, Chhattisgarh.
• Owned by: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) under the Ministry of Coal.
• Type: Opencast coal mine.
• It is among the largest and most productive opencast coal mines in India, supplying coal primarily to thermal power plants.

• Record Production: Produced 37.5 MT of coal and dispatched 39.43 MT during FY 2025–26.
• Current Performance: By 25 July 2026, the mine had produced 12.66 MT of coal, achieving 104% of its production target with 30.5% year-on-year growth.
• Coal Dispatch: Reached 13.87 MT, achieving 109% of the dispatch target, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to power plants.
• Expansion Plan: Environmental Clearance has been increased to 40 MTPA, with a long-term roadmap to 60 MTPA.
• Profitability: Earned ₹3,230.91 crore profit during FY 2025–26, making it one of SECL's highest profit-generating mines.

• Uses 42-cubic metre electric rope shovels, high-capacity surface miners, and in-pit belt conveyor systems.
• Employs drone-based mine monitoring, digital mine management platforms, and advanced silo loading facilities.
• Equipped with First Mile Connectivity (FMC) silos and Merry-Go-Round (MGR) railway systems for efficient coal evacuation.

• Operates Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) and fog cannons for dust suppression.
• Implements wheel-washing systems, large-scale plantation drives, electric vehicles, and plastic waste recycling.
• Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) programmes are underway, including development of modern townships with roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and public utilities for project-affected families.

• Strengthens India's energy security by ensuring a reliable coal supply to thermal power stations.
• Supports the country's growing electricity demand while contributing significantly to Coal India Limited's production targets.
• Generates employment and promotes economic development in the coal-bearing region of Chhattisgarh.
• Demonstrates the integration of technology, productivity, and sustainable mining practices.

• Land acquisition and rehabilitation of affected communities remain major implementation challenges.
• Large-scale opencast mining has environmental impacts such as land degradation, dust pollution, and biodiversity loss.
• India must balance increased coal production with its commitments towards clean energy transition and net-zero goals.

• The PM-eBus Sewa scheme has witnessed rapid implementation across the country, with electric bus operations crossing 1 crore passenger trips since February 2026. As of 2 August 2026, 10,000 e-buses have been sanctioned across 116 cities in 26 States/UTs, with funds continuing to be released for charging and depot infrastructure.

• The PM-eBus Sewa – Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 11 September 2024.
• It aims to facilitate procurement and operation of electric buses by Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) through a Payment Security Mechanism, thereby reducing payment risks for private operators.
• The scheme complements the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme (2023) by addressing financial risks associated with long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts.

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Financial Outlay: ₹3,435.33 crore.
• Implementation Period: FY 2024–25 to FY 2028–29.
• Coverage: Supports deployment of more than 38,000 electric buses.
• Operational Support: Provides payment security for bus operations for up to 12 years from deployment.
• Implementation Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP), where private operators procure, operate, and maintain buses while PTAs pay service charges.

• Accelerates India's transition towards clean and sustainable urban mobility.
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and dependence on fossil fuels.
• Improves the financial viability of electric bus projects by ensuring timely payments to private operators.
• Promotes domestic manufacturing of electric buses under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Generates employment in electric vehicle manufacturing, charging infrastructure, maintenance, and allied sectors.

• Delays in land acquisition and construction of charging depots.
• High initial capital costs for electric mobility infrastructure.
• Need for reliable electricity supply and grid upgrades.
• Capacity constraints among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in managing PPP contracts.

• Accelerate development of charging and depot infrastructure through coordinated Centre–State efforts.
• Strengthen the financial capacity of Urban Local Bodies to ensure timely payments.
• Promote indigenous battery manufacturing and battery recycling.
• Integrate e-buses with metro, rail, and other public transport systems to create seamless multimodal mobility.

• Magnetorheological Fluid (MR Fluid) has recently been highlighted in India's advanced manufacturing and strategic materials ecosystem due to growing indigenous research on rare-earth permanent magnets and smart material technologies for defence, robotics, automotive, and industrial applications. The technology is gaining importance alongside India's push for self-reliance in advanced materials and precision engineering.

• Magnetorheological (MR) Fluid is a smart fluid consisting of micron-sized ferromagnetic particles (usually iron) suspended in a carrier liquid such as mineral oil or silicone oil.
• In the absence of a magnetic field, it behaves like a normal liquid.
• When a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic particles align into chain-like structures within milliseconds, causing the fluid to become highly viscous or nearly solid.
• The process is fully reversible, allowing the fluid to switch repeatedly between liquid-like and solid-like states.

• An external magnetic field magnetizes the suspended particles.
• The particles rapidly align along magnetic field lines, increasing the fluid's resistance to flow (yield stress).
• Removing the magnetic field breaks these particle chains, restoring the fluid to its original liquid state.
• The change occurs in less than 10 milliseconds, enabling real-time control of mechanical systems.

• Smart Material: Changes mechanical properties in response to a magnetic field.
• Rapid Response: Reacts within milliseconds.
• Reversible Process: Returns to liquid form when the magnetic field is removed.
• Electronically Controllable: Viscosity can be precisely adjusted by varying magnetic field strength.
• High Reliability: Performs effectively under repeated loading cycles.

• Automotive: Adaptive shock absorbers, suspension systems, clutches, and brakes.
• Defence: Recoil control systems, vibration damping, military vehicle suspension, and precision equipment.
• Robotics: Variable stiffness actuators and precision motion control.
• Civil Engineering: Earthquake-resistant dampers for buildings and bridges.
• Medical Devices: Prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation equipment, and haptic systems.
• Industrial Machinery: Precision vibration isolation, machine tools, and aerospace components.

• Enables real-time adaptive control without complex mechanical systems.
• Improves ride comfort, stability, and energy efficiency.
• Reduces wear and maintenance compared to conventional hydraulic systems.
• Enhances precision in high-performance engineering applications.

• High cost due to specialised magnetic particles and additives.
• Particle sedimentation over long periods can affect performance.
• Limited operating temperature range for some formulations.
• Requires continuous magnetic field control for sustained operation.

• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in advanced materials, defence technologies, and smart manufacturing.
• Can strengthen indigenous development of automotive, aerospace, robotics, and defence systems.
• Complements India's efforts to build a domestic ecosystem for rare-earth magnets and next-generation engineering materials.

• Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, has been awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal – 2026 at the COSPAR Scientific Assembly held in Florence, Italy.
• She has become the first Indian woman scientist and fourth Indian overall to receive this prestigious international honour for her outstanding contributions to space research.

• The Vikram Sarabhai Medal is an international award jointly instituted by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• It was instituted in 1990 in honour of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the Father of the Indian Space Programme.
• The medal recognizes outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries.
• It is presented during the COSPAR Scientific Assembly, held every two years.

• She was recognized for her pioneering research in stellar populations and galaxy evolution.
• She has made significant contributions to space astronomy, particularly through India's AstroSat mission and the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT).
• Her work has strengthened India's global standing in astrophysics and space science.

• Recipient (2026): Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam.
• Current Position: Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru.
• Historic Achievement: First Indian woman scientist to receive the medal.
• Indian Recipients So Far:
  • Prof. U. R. Rao (1996)
  • Prof. Gurbax Singh Lakhina (2014)
  • Prof. Anil Bhardwaj (2024)
  • Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam (2026)

• Full Form: Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).
• Established: 1958.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Parent Body: International Science Council (ISC).
• Objective: Promote international cooperation in space research and facilitate the free exchange of scientific knowledge.

• Recognizes excellence in space science and astronomy among researchers from developing countries.
• Enhances India's reputation in planetary science, astrophysics, and space exploration.
• Encourages international collaboration in peaceful uses of outer space.
• Highlights India's growing contribution to global space research beyond launch capabilities.

• Russia's new S8000 "Banderol" cruise missile has been in the news after reports that it has entered serial (mass) production and is being increasingly deployed in strikes against Ukraine, particularly targeting Black Sea port infrastructure in Odesa.
• Recent reports also indicate that Russia is exploring mobile ground-based launchers, in addition to aerial launch platforms, expanding the missile's operational flexibility.

• Banderol (S8000) is a lightweight cruise missile developed by Russia's Kronshtadt Group.
• The name "Banderol" translates to "small parcel" or "package" in Russian.
• It is designed as a low-cost precision strike weapon, bridging the gap between inexpensive drones and expensive long-range cruise missiles such as the Kh-101 and Kalibr.

• Type: Lightweight subsonic cruise missile.
• Developer: Kronshtadt Group (Russia).
• Propulsion: Turbojet engine.
• Guidance: Satellite navigation (GLONASS/GPS), Inertial Navigation System (INS), with terminal guidance for precision strikes.
• Speed: Around 560–600 km/h.
• Design Philosophy: Uses commercially available components to reduce manufacturing cost and enable large-scale production.
• Primary Targets: Military infrastructure, logistics hubs, ammunition depots, ports, and critical infrastructure.

• Russia has reportedly completed operational testing and begun mass production of the missile.
• Intelligence assessments suggest the missile is increasingly used against Ukraine's Black Sea coastal infrastructure, especially Odesa ports.
• Reports also indicate development of a mobile ground-based launcher, which could increase deployment flexibility and complicate Ukrainian air defence operations.

• Provides Russia with a cost-effective precision strike capability for sustained military operations.
• Reduces dependence on expensive long-range cruise missiles.
• Challenges conventional air-defence systems because intercepting a relatively inexpensive missile often requires costly interceptor missiles.
• Demonstrates the growing emphasis on affordable precision-guided munitions in modern warfare.

• Being subsonic, it is slower than supersonic cruise missiles and may be vulnerable to layered air-defence systems.
• Its effectiveness depends on maintaining uninterrupted navigation and guidance systems.
• The increasing use of low-cost cruise missiles is driving demand for cheaper and more scalable air-defence solutions.

• The Union Government has recently introduced the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha to replace the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891, a colonial-era law.
• The Bill aims to grant legal recognition to digital, electronic, and cloud-based banking records as admissible evidence in courts, in line with the digital transformation of India's banking sector.

• The Bill seeks to replace the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891, which was enacted when banking records were maintained only in physical ledgers.
• It modernizes the legal framework by recognizing electronic, digital, and virtual banking records as valid documentary evidence.
• The legislation aligns banking evidence laws with the Digital India initiative and the rapid adoption of core banking systems, internet banking, mobile banking, and cloud computing.

• Digital Records as Evidence: Electronic, digital, and cloud-based bank records will have the same evidentiary value as traditional physical records.
• Expanded Definition of Bankers' Books: Includes records maintained in servers, cloud storage, databases, and other digital repositories.
• Certified Electronic Copies: Courts may accept certified digital copies without requiring production of original physical documents.
• Technology-Neutral Framework: Covers present and future forms of digital record-keeping.
• Possible Wider Coverage: The Government has indicated that the framework may later be extended to other regulated financial entities beyond banks.

• The 1891 Act was designed for an era of paper-based banking and is inadequate for today's digital financial ecosystem.
• India has witnessed rapid growth in digital payments, UPI, internet banking, fintech services, and cloud-based banking operations.
• Modern courts increasingly rely on electronic evidence in cases involving bank fraud, cybercrime, insolvency, money laundering, and commercial disputes.
• The Bill removes legal ambiguities relating to the admissibility of digital banking records.

• Strengthens the legal framework for digital banking and electronic governance.
• Reduces procedural delays by eliminating the need to produce original physical ledgers.
• Improves efficiency in judicial proceedings involving banking transactions.
• Enhances legal certainty for banks, regulators, businesses, and customers.
• Supports India's transition towards a paperless, technology-driven financial system.

• Ensuring the authenticity and integrity of digital records.
• Strengthening cybersecurity to prevent tampering or unauthorized access.
• Balancing easier access to evidence with customer privacy and data protection.
• Harmonizing implementation with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

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