UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 2: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024)
• PM’s visit to Ukraine
PM’s visit to Ukraine
GS Paper 3:
• Cabinet Approves Scheme to Boost Biotech Manufacturing
Cabinet Approves Scheme to Boost Biotech Manufacturing
• Microplastics found in Human Brain Tissue
Microplastics found in Human Brain Tissue
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
• All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE)
All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE)
• Lung cancer vaccine
Lung cancer vaccine
• India celebrates its first-ever National Space Day
India celebrates its first-ever National Space Day
• RHUMI-1
RHUMI-1
• Tanager-1
Tanager-1
• Blueberries
Blueberries
Mapping:
• Botswana
Botswana
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024
#### GS Paper 2:
PM’s visit to Ukraine
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: TH
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine on August 23, 2024, was largely seen as a diplomatic balancing act rather than a significant peace effort.
Key Highlights of the Visit
• Cooperation in agriculture and food industry.
• Humanitarian grant assistance for community development projects.
• Cultural cooperation and agreement on medicines and drugs.
• Provided four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes containing medicines and equipment for first-line care.
India-Ukraine Relations:
Area | Details
Diplomatic Relations | India recognized Ukraine as an independent country in December 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Warm and friendly relations, cooperation in education, legal assistance, and outer space.
Defence Relations | Ukraine has supplied military technology to India since its independence. India uses Ukraine-made R-27 air-to-air missiles for SU-30MKI fighters. India has started supplying weapons to Ukraine to enhance defence cooperation.
Trade | India is Ukraine’s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific region and fifth largest overall. Pharmaceuticals are India’s main export to Ukraine.
Culture | Over 30 Ukrainian cultural associations promote Indian dance across Ukraine. Approximately 18,000 Indian students, primarily in medical fields, study in Ukraine. Indian professionals work in pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, and more.
Agriculture | Pre-war Ukraine was one of the biggest sources of sunflower oil for India.
Post-war Recovery | Both countries are exploring Indian companies’ involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Other | Opportunities in medical education and other sectors.
India’s Stand on the Ukraine-Russia Conflict:
• Advocates peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
• Asserted that India is not neutral, choosing the side of peace.
• Expressed concern without openly condemning Russia.
• Emphasised the importance of the UN Charter and territorial sovereignty.
• Highlighted the economic impact of the war on the Global South.
• Strongly favours a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
Why is India regarded as the best mediator?
• Neutral player: As India has walked the diplomatic tightrope, it has won credibility on both sides as a mediator between them.
• Successful diplomatic involvement earlier: Preventing the attack on the nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine. During the Black Sea grain shipment, discussions to intervene with Russia.
• Preventing the attack on the nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine.
• During the Black Sea grain shipment, discussions to intervene with Russia.
• Leader of Global South: Mexico had suggested that the PM of India, Pope Francis and the UN Secretary-General should mediate the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
• Good relations with Moscow and the West: India can use this unique leverage to put pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
• Geopolitical aspirations: Peace-making might help India gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Challenges ahead for India to be a mediator:
• Understanding the dynamics: Between Russia and Ukraine, Russia and the European players, Ukraine and European partners and move ahead accordingly.
• Experience: India has effectively negotiated in bilateral and multilateral formats, but negotiating in a crisis is a different question.
• Risk-taking ability: While India has shown risk-taking abilities in its immediate region (surgical strikes in Pakistan), entering a geopolitical crisis of this size is different.
• Credibility: The West sees India as closer to Russia, as India keeps buying Russian oil at discounted prices despite the West’s criticism.
• Cannot afford a slide in relations with Russia: Both India and Russia have strategic ties in nuclear, space, defence, energy, and connectivity – sectors. Russia does not transfer to any other country the military technologies shared with India. Also, India cannot afford a closer strategic relationship between Russia and China.
• Both India and Russia have strategic ties in nuclear, space, defence, energy, and connectivity – sectors.
• Russia does not transfer to any other country the military technologies shared with India.
• Also, India cannot afford a closer strategic relationship between Russia and China.
Conclusion:
The Russia-Ukraine crisis has entered a new phase, in which Indian diplomacy could aid in a range of realistic ways to address the stated challenges.
Insta Links:
Globe-changing reverberations of the Ukraine war
Mains Link:
• The Ukraine conflict seems to have reached a deadlock. How can Indian diplomacy participate and contribute to the peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war? Examine. (15M)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024 – GS Paper 3:
Cabinet Approves Scheme to Boost Biotech Manufacturing
Syllabus: Science and Technology
Source: Th
Context: The Union Cabinet approved the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) to drive a biotech manufacturing revolution, akin to the IT sector’s transformation in the 1990s.
The BioE3 Policy aims to revolutionize biotechnology in India by boosting sustainable bio-manufacturing across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation. It fosters innovation, supports national priorities, and enhances employment through advanced biotechnological processes.
Features of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy:
It focuses on promoting biotechnology-based manufacturing in India, aiming to catalyze a technological revolution. Here are the important features:
• High-Performance Biomanufacturing: Focuses on manufacturing products through advanced biotechnological processes, including medicines, materials, and bio-based products for agriculture and industry.
• Strategic Thematic Sectors: The policy covers six thematic areas:
• Bio-based chemicals, biopolymers, and enzymes. Smart proteins and functional foods. Precision biotherapeutics. Climate-resilient agriculture. Carbon capture and utilization. Marine and space research.
• Bio-based chemicals, biopolymers, and enzymes.
• Smart proteins and functional foods.
• Precision biotherapeutics.
• Climate-resilient agriculture.
• Carbon capture and utilization.
• Marine and space research.
• Fostering Innovation: Encourages the development of bio-based products that can address environmental, agricultural, and industrial challenges.
• Capacity Building: Supports the creation of internships for students in grades 11th and 12th, as well as fellowships for graduate and post-graduate research.
• Focus on National Priorities: Addresses critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and biotechnology innovation to meet national needs.
• Government Backing: Merged various schemes into a single initiative called “Vigyan Dhara,” which allocates significant resources for science, technology, research, and innovation.
What is Biotechnology?
It is a technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products. Genomic technologies are defined as technologies used to manipulate and analyze genomic information.
Examples of Biotechnology
• Medical Biotechnology
• Genetic engineering
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Environmental Biotechnology
Potential of Biotechnology in Healthcare and Agriculture:
Potential of Biotechnology | Details
Gene Therapy | Replaces/modifies defective genes with healthy ones. Cures diseases like Parkinson’s, cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anaemia.
Pharmacogenomics | Studies genetic response to drugs, optimizing therapy with fewer adverse effects. Helps develop better vaccines, powerful medicines.
Stem Cell Therapy | Uses stem cells to repair diseased or injured tissues. Treats cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s).
Molecular Diagnostics | Techniques like Recombinant DNA, PCR, and ELISA enable early diagnosis for better treatment.
Edible Vaccines | Uses transgenic plants to produce vaccines. Treats diseases like cholera, hepatitis B, and foot and mouth disease.
GM Crops | Enhances pest resistance, tolerance to abiotic stresses (cold, drought), and nutritional value (golden rice). Increases photosynthesis efficiency.
Increase in Crop Production | Improves crop yield through better disease control and stress tolerance. Reduces losses for farmers.
Biofortification | Enhances micronutrient content in crops through genetic modification or enriched fertilizers.
Tissue Culture | Regenerates disease-free plants in labs, providing high-quality planting materials.
Fresher Produce/Increased Shelf-Life | Extends the shelf life of food, reducing waste and ensuring access to fresher produce.
Aesthetic Flowers | Improves flowers’ smell, size, and ornamental qualities of shrubs and trees.
Breeding of Animals | Uses artificial insemination for enhanced breeding in livestock like sheep and cattle.
Other Applications | Hybrid seeds, biofertilizers, biopesticides, stress-resistant crops, and improved animal production through better growth, nutrition, and health.
Few challenges associated with Biotechnology
• Biotechnology can threaten the survival of certain species by interfering with natural ways of breeding
• As biotechnology allows crops to intake more nutrients from the soil, this will result in loss of soil fertility
• Biotechnology can lead to biological weapons that terrorists could use for destruction(Bio wars)
• Altering DNA in humans can result in the commercialization of these techniques thus it can turn human life into a commodity.
• Protecting patient privacy is becoming an increasing concern due to the latest advances in technology that are making it possible to decipher the human genome.
• The development in genomics and techniques for creating artificial genes present serious threats to humans and the environment in general
• Lack of public awareness of the modern tools of biotechnology
Conclusion
Biotechnology has numerous advantages but it also has some disadvantages. Biotechnology could be utilised in solving future problems like food and water insecurity, hereditary diseases, etc but its ethical, and social issues need to be taken into account while its usage
Insta Links:
• Applications of Biotechnology in various fields
Microplastics found in Human Brain Tissue
Syllabus: Environment
Source: The Guardian
Context: Studies reveal alarming levels of microplastics in human brain tissue, underscoring the urgent need to address plastic pollution.
About Microplastics:
• Microplastics are defined as synthetic solid particles sized ranging from 1 micrometre to 5 millimetres (mm), which are insoluble in water.
• They are particularly harmful to the oceans as they don’t readily break down into harmless molecules and adversely affect the health of marine organisms, which mistake plastic for food.
Key findings:
• Microplastics in Brain Tissue: Detected in brain samples at higher concentrations than other organs.
• Health Risks: Linked to oxidative stress, cardiovascular issues, and potential cognitive impairments.
• Environmental Ubiquity: Found in various human organs including lungs, placentas, and reproductive organs.
• Regulatory Gaps: No current standards for microplastics in food or water in the US.
• Rising Levels: The concentration of microplastics in the brain has increased over time.
• Animal Studies: Show links to fertility issues, cancer, and endocrine disruption.
• The concentration of plastic particles including microplastics in the ocean has skyrocketed in the oceans since the mid-2000s, and it continues to increase.
• If the world fails to take any drastic action about the issue, there will be a 2.6-fold increase in plastic flowing into aquatic environments by 2040.
Microplastics Impact
• On Humans: Cancer, endocrine and immune system disruption, brain cell damage, impaired learning, negative maternal and fetal health effects.
• On Aquatic Ecosystems: Bioaccumulation, immune and digestive system compromise, altered gene expression, growth inhibition.
• On Benthic Organisms: Disrupts trophic energy transfer and nutrient remineralization.
• On Environment: Enters food chains, and accelerates soil water evaporation.
Mechanisms:
• Mechanical: Lacerations and blockages in organisms.
• Chemical: Leaching of absorbed chemicals like DDT and PCBs; disruption of the ocean carbon cycle.
Initiatives Taken to tackle microplastics:
Global Initiatives:
• Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML)
• GloLitter Partnerships Project
• London Convention, 1972
India-Specific Initiatives:
• Elimination of single-use plastic
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
• Un-Plastic Collective
Insta Links:
• Scientists detect ‘microplastics’ in the human heart for the first time: Report
• Microplastics in Ganga
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE)
Source: Financial Express
Context: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) launched the All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE) to harness the potential of India’s $30 billion creative economy, as reported in the 2023 Global Innovation Report.
• The initiative aims to support local artisans, handloom workers, and MSMEs.
• With 8% of India’s workforce employed in creative occupations, the initiative seeks to elevate craftsworkers from poverty and promote policy changes for their benefit.
The Creative Economy refers to the sector of the economy that involves the creation, production, and distribution of goods and services that are rooted in creativity, culture, and the arts. This includes industries such as film, music, design, fashion, and other creative sectors.
Lung cancer vaccine
Source: The Guardian
Context: The world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine, BNT116, has begun clinical trials across seven countries, including the UK, the US, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Turkey.
• This vaccine targets non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of the disease, by instructing the body to attack cancer cells and prevent their recurrence.
• The vaccine uses messenger RNA technology, similar to COVID-19 vaccines, to prompt the immune system to recognize and fight NSCLC cells.
India celebrates its first-ever National Space Day
Source: ANI
Context: National Space Day, celebrated on August 23, was officially designated by the Indian government to honor the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a historic landing on the Moon’s surface.
• The theme for 2024, “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” emphasizes the broader societal impact of space exploration.
• The Chandrayaan-3 mission made India the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to do so in the southern polar region.
Tags: GS3, Science, Space, India celebrates its first-ever National Space Day
RHUMI-1
Source: HT
Context: India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1, was successfully launched by the Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India.
• The rocket is designed to advance research on climate change and atmospheric conditions.
• It carried three CUBE satellites and 50 Pico satellites to collect data on cosmic radiation, UV radiation, air quality, and other environmental factors.
• The rocket, which reached an altitude of about 35 kilometres, features a hybrid motor and an electrically triggered parachute deployer.
• This initiative aims to make space missions more sustainable and cost-effective, reflecting India’s growing role in space innovation.
Tanager-1
Source: IE
Context: NASA, in collaboration with various organizations, has launched the Tanager-1 satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• Tanager-1 is designed to track methane and carbon dioxide emissions using imaging spectrometer technology developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
• This technology can identify and quantify greenhouse gases by measuring the unique spectral “fingerprints” left by different compounds in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing significantly to global warming, is particularly targeted due to its role in forming ground-level ozone, which poses health risks and is linked to premature deaths. Reducing methane emissions is critical, especially since fossil fuel operations are responsible for a large share of human-caused methane emissions.
Blueberries
Source: LM
Context: India has implemented strict measures for importing pest-free blueberries from Poland, reflecting the growing demand for the fruit among health-conscious consumers.
• The Indian government now requires blueberries to be sourced from Polish orchards registered with the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) and accompanied by phytosanitary certificates confirming they are free from specific pests and diseases.
About Blueberries:
Blueberries are small, round, and typically blue or purple fruits that are known for their sweet taste and nutritional benefits. They belong to the *Vaccinium* genus and are often classified as a superfood due to their high antioxidant content.
Nutritional Value | – Rich in vitamins C and K. – Good source of dietary fibre. – High in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which can help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Health Benefits | – May improve heart health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. – Can support brain health and cognitive function. – Potential to lower the risk of certain cancers and diabetes. – Aid in digestion due to high fibre content.
Growing | – Blueberries are typically grown in temperate climates. – They prefer acidic, well-drained soil and need regular watering.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024 Mapping:
Botswana
Source: BBC
Context: A massive 2,492-carat diamond, the second-largest ever found, has been unearthed at the Karowe mine in Botswana.
• This find is second only to the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905.
About Botswana:
It is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, predominantly inhabited by the Tswana ethnic group. It borders South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, and is connected to Zambia via the Kazungula Bridge.
Its landscape is defined by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, which becomes a lush animal habitat during the seasonal floods. The massive Central Kalahari Game Reserve, with its fossilized river valleys and undulating grasslands, is home to numerous animals including giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024 [PDF]
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