Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 27th August 2024

Importing Pest-Free Blueberries:

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.
• 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.
• May improve heart health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Blueberries are typically grown in temperate climates.
• They prefer acidic, well-drained soil and need regular watering.

Tanager-1 Satellite:

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.

RHUMI-1 : First Reusable Hybrid Rocket

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.

Lung Cancer Vaccine:

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.

BioE3 Policy : Biotechnology For Economy, Environment, And Employment

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.
• 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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit To Ukraine:

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.

Sanjeev Raina Appointed ITBP Additional Director General:

Sanjeev Raina, a 1987-batch ITBP officer, has been appointed Additional Director General (ADG) in the India-China LAC guarding force. It is only the second time in the ITBP when a cadre officer has been elevated to the ADG post, the second highest rank in the force after the Director General.

Asian U-15 Junior Badminton Championships 2024:

14-year-old Tanvi Patri from Odisha, India, has etched her name in the annals of badminton history. Patri clinched the women’s singles title at the prestigious Asian U-15 Junior Championships 2024, held in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, from August 20-25, 2024

Nasscom Appoints Sindhu Gangadharan as New Chairperson:

The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), India’s premier IT industry body, has announced a significant change in its leadership. Sindhu Gangadharan, the Managing Director of SAP Labs India, has been appointed as the new chairperson of Nasscom.

Asian Surfing Championships 2024:

The national team secured a silver medal at the prestigious Maruhaba Cup, a team event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024. The competition, held in Thulusdhoo, Maldives, concluded on Sunday, marking a new chapter in India’s surfing history

Maharashtra Adopts Unified Pension Scheme Ahead of Assembly Polls:

Maharashtra has become the first state to adopt the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees, just hours after the central government introduced the scheme. This decision is poised to benefit approximately 13.5 lakh state employees across various sectors

Tata AIA Life Launches ‘Sampoorna Raksha Promise’:

Tata AIA Life Insurance has recently unveiled its latest offering in the term insurance segment – Sampoorna Raksha Promise. This innovative product is designed to provide enhanced financial security to policyholders and their families, addressing various aspects of life insurance needs.