UPSC Current Affairs 13 August 2026

• Diagnostic imaging (e.g., PET, SPECT scans)
• Targeted cancer therapy (radioligand therapy, brachytherapy)
• Treatment of thyroid disorders, bone metastases and other conditions.

• Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) – derived from Mo-99; the most widely used isotope for diagnostic imaging.
• Iodine-131 (I-131) – used for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism.
• Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) – used in targeted therapy for neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer.
• Fluorine-18 (F-18) – used in PET scans for oncology, cardiology and neurology.
• Actinium-225 (Ac-225) and Radium-226 (Ra-226) – emerging isotopes for targeted alpha therapy in advanced cancers.

• Lutetium-177 (Lu-177):
  • Domestic production: 1,000–1,200 Curie.
  • The Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) meets about 85–90% of national demand; a 10–15% gap remains.
• Iodine-131 (I-131):
  • Domestic production: 1,000–1,200 Curie.
  • Still insufficient to meet total national demand.
• Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99):
  • Domestic production does not fully meet demand; India relies partly on imports.
• Fluorine-18 (F-18):
  • Production: 300–400 Curie, mainly at cyclotron facilities (e.g., Mumbai Cyclotron).
  • Supply is localised and not sufficient for nationwide needs.

• Global supply disruptions:
  • Shutdowns or outages of major research reactors (e.g., in Canada, the Netherlands) that produce Mo-99 have historically triggered global shortages.
• Aging infrastructure:
  • Many global producers rely on aging research reactors and legacy processing facilities.
• Rising demand:
  • Rapid expansion of nuclear medicine, PET-CT centres and radioligand therapies has increased demand faster than supply capacity.
• Logistical constraints:
  • Radioisotopes have short half-lives; transport delays and limited regional production centres affect availability, especially in smaller cities.

• The government has indicated plans to expand domestic production of isotopes like Mo-99 and Lu-177 through:
  • Upgradation of existing facilities (e.g., CIRUS, Dhruva reactors; cyclotrons).
  • Strengthening BRIT and Radiopharmaceuticals Programme under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Emphasis on self-reliance in critical isotopes to reduce import dependence.

• Health impact: Shortages directly affect cancer staging, treatment planning and timely therapy, potentially worsening outcomes.
• Strategic importance: Reliable domestic production of critical isotopes is vital for health security and reducing dependence on geopolitically sensitive supply chains.
• Scientific and industrial growth: Expansion of isotope production supports growth in nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
• Equity: Ensuring availability beyond metro cities is crucial for equitable access to advanced diagnostics and therapy.

• South Africa
• Botswana
• Namibia
• Lesotho
• Eswatini

• Trade in goods and market access.
• Rules of origin and origin procedures.
• Customs procedures and trade facilitation.
• Trade remedies, including a bilateral safeguard mechanism.
• Sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
• Technical barriers to trade.
• Dispute settlement.
• Legal and horizontal provisions.

• Automobiles and auto components.
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Engineering goods and industrial machinery.
• Electrical equipment.
• Chemicals.
• Textiles.
• Agriculture and agri-processing.

• India and SACU had initiated discussions for a trade agreement earlier, but negotiations remained stalled because of differences over tariff concessions, sensitive products, rules of origin and market access. Discussions were revived in 2025 between India, the SACU Secretariat and Namibia, the bloc’s coordinator.
• The latest move is also significant because South Africa was reportedly considering an increase in import duties on automobiles from India and China from 25% to 50%, which could affect Indian vehicle exports. A trade agreement could provide greater predictability for Indian exporters.

• Market diversification: Provides Indian exporters access to a regional market of approximately 65 million people and reduces dependence on traditional markets.
• Africa outreach: Strengthens India’s engagement with Africa under the Global South and India–Africa partnership frameworks.
• Export promotion: Lower tariffs can improve the competitiveness of Indian automobiles, medicines, machinery and textiles.
• Critical minerals: SACU countries, especially South Africa and Namibia, offer opportunities for cooperation in minerals essential for renewable energy, batteries and advanced technologies.
• Manufacturing linkages: Collaboration in pharmaceuticals, automobiles and engineering can support investment and value-chain integration.
• Strategic relevance: Greater economic engagement complements India’s diplomatic engagement through BRICS, the India–Africa Forum Summit and other South–South cooperation platforms.

• SACU operates with a common external tariff, so individual members may have limited flexibility in negotiating separately with India.
• South Africa may seek protection for domestic automobile and manufacturing industries.
• Differences in economic size and development levels may complicate the distribution of benefits among SACU members.
• Rules of origin must prevent trade diversion and trans-shipment through the lowest-tariff member.
• India must balance export ambitions with concerns of domestic industries and its existing trade deficit in some African markets.
• Negotiations must address non-tariff barriers, standards, customs delays and logistics costs—not merely tariff reduction.

• IFFCO.
• KRIBHCO.
• NAFED.
• National Dairy Development Board.
• National Cooperative Development Corporation.

• Produce, procure, process, store and distribute quality seeds.
• Supply foundation and certified seeds under the single “Bharat Beej” brand.
• Increase the seed replacement rate and varietal replacement rate.
• Promote indigenous and traditional seed varieties.
• Reduce farmers’ dependence on poor-quality or imported seeds.
• Use PACS, FPOs and other cooperatives for last-mile distribution.
• Improve farmers’ participation in certified seed production.
• Promote seed exports and strengthen India’s seed economy.

• BBSSL has connected with 38,665 cooperative societies, including nearly 38,000 PACS, for seed production, processing, storage, certification and distribution.
• It has supplied more than 6.4 lakh quintals of graded and certified seeds under the Bharat Beej brand.
• An umbrella MoU between BBSSL and ICAR is aimed at improving seed research, technology dissemination, capacity building and the distribution of climate-resilient varieties through cooperatives.
• BBSSL has also been associated with research institutions such as IARI, Punjab Agricultural University, ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research and ICRISAT for high-yielding, disease-resistant and climate-resilient seeds.

• NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base Programme, marking a major expansion of India–US cooperation in lunar exploration. The invitation was discussed during the 9th India–US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) meeting held at ISRO headquarters, Bengaluru, on 5–6 August 2026.
• The cooperation builds on the Artemis Accords, which India joined in 2023, and the broader India–US TRUST initiative.

• Objective: Establish humanity’s first long-term lunar outpost near the Moon’s South Pole, enabling astronauts to live, work, conduct scientific research and test technologies for future deep-space missions.
• Phased Approach: NASA plans to begin with robotic missions and technology demonstrations, followed by deployment of power, communications, cargo and habitation infrastructure and eventually a sustained human presence.
• South Pole Advantage: The region contains permanently shadowed areas believed to harbour water ice, while some elevated locations receive relatively prolonged sunlight, making them attractive for resource utilisation and solar power.
• Technology Focus: Lunar habitats, autonomous robots, lunar rovers, communications, navigation, reliable power systems, cargo transportation and In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) are central to the programme.

• Strategic Space Partnership: Participation can take India–US cooperation from satellite applications and human spaceflight towards deep-space exploration and lunar infrastructure.
• ISRO’s Lunar Expertise: India’s Chandrayaan-3 demonstrated successful soft landing and rover operations in the lunar south-polar region, providing valuable experience relevant to future lunar missions.
• Technology Development: Collaboration could accelerate India's capabilities in life-support systems, lunar robotics, navigation, communications and resource utilisation.
• Scientific Diplomacy: Joint scientific missions and open scientific-data sharing can strengthen international cooperation in peaceful lunar exploration.

• Extreme Environment: Large temperature variations, radiation, vacuum and abrasive lunar dust create serious engineering challenges.
• Resource Utilisation: Extracting and processing lunar water ice economically remains technologically demanding.
• High Cost & Logistics: Establishing continuous power, transportation, communication and life-support systems requires sustained investment.
• Space Governance: Increasing lunar activity raises questions concerning resource utilisation, planetary protection, safety zones and equitable access.

• Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., Kolkata.
• Type: Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel.
• Displacement: Approximately 3,000 tonnes.
• Length: Around 113 metres.
• Maximum speed: Approximately 23 knots.
• Status: Second of four NGOPVs being constructed by GRSE.
• Design: Indigenously designed and built.

• Maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.
• Coastal and seaward defence.
• Protection of offshore assets and energy installations.
• Anti-piracy operations.
• Counter-infiltration and maritime interdiction.
• Search and rescue.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
• Evacuation and other emergency missions.

• The Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) is in the news on 12–13 August 2026 following renewed focus on India’s strategy to build a domestic container-manufacturing ecosystem and reduce dependence on imported shipping containers. The proposed scheme has an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years.

• Announced in: Union Budget 2026–27.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Objective: To establish a globally competitive domestic container manufacturing industry through financial assistance, infrastructure development, technology support and skill development.
• The scheme targets annual domestic manufacturing capacity of approximately 7.5 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), around 10 times the existing capacity.

• Greenfield Support: Capital assistance will encourage establishment of new container manufacturing facilities.
• Brownfield Expansion: Existing manufacturing units will receive support for capacity expansion and modernisation.
• Operational Assistance: Assistance will improve the cost competitiveness and operational efficiency of Indian manufacturers.
• Testing & Certification: Development of testing infrastructure will help Indian containers meet international standards.
• Skilling & Technology: Capacity building, technology development and skilled manpower will strengthen the domestic value chain.
• Ancillary Industries: Demand is expected to benefit producers of Corten steel, corner castings, wooden flooring and other container components.

• India currently depends significantly on imported containers, including nearly 2 million empty containers annually, creating vulnerability to global supply-chain disruptions and freight-market fluctuations.
• Domestic production will improve container availability, logistics resilience and export competitiveness while reducing import dependence.
• The initiative is expected to create around 3,000 direct and more than 50,000 indirect jobs across manufacturing and allied industries.

• Atmanirbhar Bharat: Promotes domestic manufacturing in a strategically important maritime sector.
• Supply-Chain Resilience: Reduces India's exposure to global container shortages and geopolitical disruptions.
• Manufacturing Ecosystem: Can stimulate steel, engineering, components, logistics and MSME industries.
• Maritime Security: Domestic container availability complements India's broader effort to build an integrated maritime ecosystem, including the proposed Bharat Container Shipping Line.
• Trade Competitiveness: Reliable access to containers is essential for India's growing merchandise exports and integration with global value chains.

• Colletes bhutanicus, a rare solitary Himalayan bee, has been recorded in India for the first time by scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) during surveys in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery was reported on 12 August 2026.
• The finding extends the known distribution of the species, previously recorded from Bhutan and China, including the Xizang region.

• Scientific name: Colletes bhutanicus Kuhlmann, 2003; it belongs to the bee family Colletidae, commonly known as plasterer or cellophane bees.
• Nature: It is a solitary bee, meaning individual females generally construct and occupy their own nests rather than forming large eusocial colonies like honeybees.
• Habitat: The species was recorded at elevations of approximately 1,500–3,800 metres in the Eastern Himalayas.
• Pollination: Researchers observed it visiting 25 flowering plant species belonging to 10 botanical families, including mustard, buckwheat, coriander, beans, chilli and eggplant.

• Pollinator Diversity: The discovery highlights the rich but relatively under-documented diversity of native Himalayan pollinators.
• Agricultural Importance: By transferring pollen between flowers, solitary bees contribute to the reproduction of wild plants and potentially support mountain agriculture and crop productivity.
• Biodiversity Indicator: Pollinators are sensitive to changes in habitat, climate and land-use patterns; documenting their distribution can therefore help understand ecosystem health.
• Eastern Himalayas: Arunachal Pradesh's varied altitude, climate and vegetation create diverse habitats, but many remote areas remain insufficiently surveyed.

• Public hospitals.
• Public–private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
• In-house dialysis centres operated by government institutions.

• The programme is operational in all 36 States and Union Territories.
• It covers 751 districts, including 44 linked districts.
• There are 1,856 haemodialysis centres.
• These centres have 13,535 haemodialysis machines.

• Haemodialysis remains concentrated in urban and better-equipped districts.
• Patients face difficulties related to transport, loss of wages and the continuous need for repeated sessions.
• Shortage of nephrologists, trained technicians, nurses and maintenance personnel affects service quality.
• Machine downtime and shortages of consumables can interrupt treatment.
• PPP contracts require strong monitoring to ensure quality, affordability and patient safety.
• The programme has focused more on haemodialysis, while peritoneal dialysis and home-based care remain underutilised.
• Early screening for CKD is inadequate, resulting in diagnosis at an advanced stage.
• Availability of safe water and reliable electricity is essential for dialysis centres.

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