UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 04-07-2026

One Liners 04-07-2026

History, Art and Culture

Amarnath Yatra

Over 12,000 devotees offered prayers at the Amarnath shrine on the first day of the yatra, allowed from July 3 to August 28, 2026.

• It is a sacred annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Key routes –

  • Baltal Route – 14 km trek, begins from the Baltal base camp (near Sonamarg), about 95 km from Srinagar.

  • Pahalgam Route – l32 km long, begins from the Nunwan base camp (near Pahalgam), about 90 km from Srinagar.

• Permit – Pilgrims must obtain a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) from authorized doctors/hospitals before applying.

Polity & Governance

National Water Awards (NWA)

Recently launched 7th National Water Awards currently accepting online applications.

• Instituted in – 2018.

• Organized by – Ministry of Jal Shakti.

• Application Portal – Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

• Eligible beneficiaries – Any State, District, Urban Local Body, Dam Own Agencies, & Industry.

• Objectives –

  • To recognize classic work in water conservation and management across India.

  • To advance the government's vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’ (Water Prosperous India).

  • To encourage the stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach toward water resource management.

MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline portal

• Nodal ministry – Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Objectives –

  • To establish a user-friendly platform to conveniently report drug-related matters 24x7.

  • To raise awareness and establish a comprehensive platform for seeking assistance.

• Significance – It stands as a beacon for citizens to come forward, contributing collectively to curb drug-related activities.

Agriculture

Matcha tea

Assam tea estate recently sold India’s first commercially-produced matcha tea.

• A premium green tea powder traditionally produced in Japan, China, and Vietnam.

  • Distinctive traits – Vibrant green colour and rich flavour.

  • Nutritional benefits – It provides higher levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and natural caffeine, compared to conventional tea.

• Production Process

  • Shade-grown Camellia sinensis leaves (Covered for 3–4 weeks before harvest).

    • Shading boosts chlorophyll and amino acid content.

  • Method – Whole tea leaves are finely ground into powder.

• Significance – India has expanded its tea portfolio beyond traditional exports.

• India is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing global demand for matcha.

Totapuri mango

Recently a high level has been formed to address challenges faced by Totapuri mango farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

• Scientific name – Mangifera indica.

• It is an indigenous variety cultivated in South India.

• It extensively cultivated in Andhra Pradesh.

• Native names –

  • Ginimoothi (parrot face) in Kannada.

  • Kili Mooku in Tamil.

• Recognized for – Distinct, elongated shape with a prominent, pointed tip.

• Features – Mild sweetness layered with a sharp, tangy flavor.

• Importance – It serves as a vital commercial workhorse for India's fruit processing sector.

Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas (PYA)

Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas (PYA) drill is successfully conducted recently.

• It is the 3rd national-level mock drill under the National One Health Mission.

• Organized by – Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD)

• Nodal ministry – Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

• Mimicking – Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.

• Mechanisms – It assessed the entire response framework, including

  • Field surveillance.

  • Rapid lab diagnosis.

  • Biosecurity containment.

  • Movement control.

  • Risk communication.

• Objective – To test and strengthen emergency response capabilities against animal-origin (zoonotic) disease outbreaks.

Environment

Banyan Tree

Oldest accurately dated Banyan found in Munger, Bihar recently.

• The Banyan Tree is the national tree of India.

• It is one of the largest trees in the world by canopy coverage.

• Scientific name – “Ficus benghalensis”.

• Belonging to – Fig and mulberry family (Moraceae).

• Features –

  • Massive canopy

  • Aerial prop roots – upper branches that hang down to the ground.

• Usage – Its bark, leaves, and milky latex, are utilized in Ayurvedic medicine

Science

Exosomes

Advanced imaging technology unlocks exosome potential for disease diagnosis.

• Exosomes – It is nano-sized, membrane-bound extracellular vesicles.

• Size – 30 to 150 nanometres in diameter

• Type – Naturally secreted by almost all types of eukaryotic cells.

• New observation – Once considered cellular waste, they are now recognized as key cellular messengers.

• Functions –

  • Cell-to-cell communication.

  • Immune response modulation.

  • Transfer of genetic materials.

Index

Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global

A report titled "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global" is recently released.

• Released by – NITI Aayog in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

• 3 core pillars –

  • Availability – Globalized workforce, trade, and education.

  • Acceptability – Global collaboration, localization.

  • Propagation – Global branding, visibility, medical travel.

• Objective – To elevate Ayurveda from a "wellness product" into evidence-based global healthcare system.

• Significance – The roadmap outlines a phased strategy extending to 2047, aligned with Viksit Bharat.

Miscellaneous

Foundation Day of Organiser (Weekly Magazine)

Recently, vice president has addressed “80th Foundation Day of Organiser Weekly”.

• It is India’s oldest nationalist English weekly, acting as a voice for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

• Launched on – 3rd July 1947 by the Bharat Prakashan Trust.

• Focuses on –

  • Traditional Indian civilization.

  • Coverage of public policy.

  • National security.

• Historical significance – 1^st magazine banned during the 1975 Emergency.