UPSC Current Affairs
India Approves First Dengue Vaccine, MP Passes UCC, and EPFO 3.0 Reforms Proposed
10 stories · about 5 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
India Approves Its First Dengue Vaccine QDENGA
QDENGA has received official approval for use in India, marking a major milestone in public health and disease prevention. The vaccine is designed to protect against all four serotypes of the dengue virus, which is endemic across the country. This approval is expected to significantly reduce the hospitalization and severity burden of dengue cases during monsoon seasons.
Centre Releases Revised Index of Core Industries Series
The Central Government has released a revised series of the Index of Core Industries (ICI), updating its base year, sectoral coverage, and weights. Driven by this new and improved statistical framework, the eight core sectors registered a five-month high growth rate of 5% in June 2026. This overhaul is designed to reflect the changing structural composition of India's industrial sector more accurately.
EPFO 3.0 Proposals Seek Universal Social Security
The Union Government has proposed the EPFO 3.0 framework, aiming to expand social security coverage across India. The major reforms include providing pension cover for all workers and integrating social security benefits specifically for gig and platform workers. This move addresses long-standing vulnerabilities in the informal and tech-enabled labor markets.
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill
The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties. This development follows Uttarakhand's previous legislative moves to implement a common code governing personal laws like marriage, divorce, and inheritance. The bill aims to replace diverse religious personal laws with a uniform set of rules for all citizens in the state.
India and United Kingdom Push for Win-Win CETA Trade Deal
Negotiations and assessments of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) highlight it as a transformative pact for both nations. The treaty aims to reshape bilateral trade and investment, create high-quality jobs, and facilitate India's transition to a highly competitive, innovation-driven economy. Concurrently, the UK's newly formed cabinet under Prime Minister Andy Burnham has designated key figures to bolster technology and trade relations, including appointing India-born Kanishka Narayan in charge of Artificial Intelligence.
Study Tracks Heat Stress Health Impacts in South India
A new scientific study has been launched across select sites in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to evaluate the exact impact of heat stress on human health. Participants across 1,200 households in sites such as Perungudi and Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu, and Sirwar and Chalakarre in Karnataka, will wear digital watches to track continuous body temperature changes. This empirical data will help policymakers formulate robust public health guidelines and climate adaptation strategies.
Reserve Bank of India Steps Closer to Polymer Banknotes
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is actively evaluating and moving toward the introduction of polymer (plastic) banknotes to replace traditional paper currency. Polymer notes offer significant advantages, including a much longer lifespan, better resistance to counterfeiting, and enhanced cleanliness. This transition is expected to lower the long-term cost of currency management and curb fake currency operations.
Allahabad High Court Delivers Split Verdict on Safeguards Against Demolitions
The Allahabad High Court has delivered a split verdict regarding the institutional safeguards required against punitive executive demolitions, popularly known as "bulldozer justice". While one judge emphasized the absolute primacy of the rule of law and due process before destroying properties, the other judge highlighted municipal procedures and statutory authorities. The split highlights the ongoing judicial debate surrounding executive overreach and property rights under the Indian Constitution.
US-Iran Geopolitical Conflict Casts Shadow Over Chabahar Port
Escalating military tensions and exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran have thrown India's strategic investment plans for Iran's Chabahar Port into deep uncertainty. Recent hostile actions in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding West Asian waters have disrupted regional maritime security. For India, Chabahar remains a critical gateway to landlocked Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypasses Pakistan, and integrates with the International North-South Transport Corridor.
End-of-Life Care Must Adapt to Digital Asset Legacies
Modern healthcare systems and legal frameworks are being urged to integrate digital asset management into standard end-of-life care protocols. As individuals generate vast trails of personal, financial, and emotional data, these digital legacies remain locked and unmanaged after death. Experts advocate for clear legal pathways that allow individuals to decide whether their digital footprints should be permanently deleted, memorialized, or legally transferred.
Daily News Quiz
Test your knowledge about today's current affairs with 15 questions.