UPSC Daily Current Affairs | One Liners 19-08-2026

One Liners 19-08-2026

History, Art and Culture

Digitization of Medical Manuscripts

CCRAS‑NIIMH Signs MoU with Sevadhi Museum and Indological Research Institute (SEMIRI) for Digitization of Medical Manuscripts.

• Event – MoU signed between NIIMH (Hyderabad) under CCRAS, Ministry of Ayush and SEMIRI, Kerala.
• Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS); National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH)
• SEMIRI – Located in Kumaranalloor, Kottayam.
• It is a heritage and research facility dedicated to preserving the cultural, social and administrative history of Central Travancore.
• Collection – Over 30,000 manuscripts, including rare works on Ayurveda and allied knowledge.
• Process – Systematic digitization and descriptive catalogue documenting bibliographic details.
• Aim – Preserve Kerala’s medical heritage, reduce handling of fragile manuscripts.

Polity & Governance

Rural Tap Coverage in 2026

Jal Jeevan Mission clocks seven years; rural drinking water tap coverage surges from 16.7% to over 82%.

• Launch – Started on 15 Aug 2019.
• Progress – Coverage rose from 3.23 cr (16.7%) to 15.91 cr (82.24%) households.
• Milestone – 188 districts, 1.01 lakh GPs, 2.04 lakh villages certified Har Ghar Jal.
• Impact – 12.68 cr new households with tap water; improved health, hygiene, dignity.
• JJM 2.0 – Focus on service delivery, source sustainability, community ownership.
• Extension – Mission continued till Dec 2028; promotes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water security

International Relations and Issues

12^th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting

BRICS condemns EU carbon tax, calls for more adaptation finance for developing nations.

• Stand – BRICS opposes EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAMs) as punitive, discriminatory, protectionist.
• Concern – CBAMs may undermine developing countries’ climate efforts; India’s steel exports most exposed.
• Demand – Urges tripling adaptation finance by 2035; support must be new, predictable, concessional.
• Context – Meeting held in New Delhi under India’s chairship; ahead of COP31 in Turkey.
• Significance – Stresses climate resilience, easier access to funds, and equity for developing nations.

7^th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting

7^th BRICS ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Working Group Meeting continues in Pune with focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Governance.

• Focus – DPI discussions on affordable, inclusive, reliable, secure, sustainable, citizen‑centric digital services guided by openness, interoperability, sovereignty, privacy, trust.
• India’s Role – Presented India’s DPI, concept note on BRICS DPI Repository and Pilot Projects.
• Reports – Updates on capacity building, submarine cable cooperation, digital ecosystem webinars.
• Task Force – Draft Terms of Reference for Digital Applications Expert Group and Digital Governance Expert Group.

Economy

8^th Tranche of Critical and Strategic Mineral Block Auctions

Ministry of Mines to organise Roadshow on 8^th tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions in Patna.

• Blocks – 20 mineral blocks (3 Mining Lease, 17 Composite Licence) including Graphite, REE, Rare Metals, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Molybdenum, Tungsten, Potash, Phosphorite, Glauconite.
• Purpose – Showcase mineral potential, auction framework, bidding process, investor opportunities.
• Significance – Promotes exploration, private participation, mineral security, Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Security

IN–USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)Exercise 2026

8^th  Edition – IN–USN EOD Exercise 2026 concludes at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, enhancing interoperability and specialised maritime cooperation.

• Stand – Bilateral engagement between Indian Navy and US Navy on EOD operations.
• Focus – Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) covered real-time threats from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), mine neutralisation, unmanned underwater systems.
• Training – Cross‑training in diving, wreck salvage, specialist equipment, slithering operations.
• Outcome – Improved professional competence, skill‑sets, mutual understanding.
• Significance – Strengthens operational synergy and cooperation in specialised maritime operations.

Science

Sea Urchin‑Inspired Bone Implants

Recently, IIT Mandi develops hydroxyapatite surface to fight infection and aid bone integration.

• Innovation – Bio‑inspired coating with hydroxyapatite needle clusters resembling sea urchins.
• Process – Two‑stage: alkaline activation of 3D-printed PLA scaffold + hydrothermal treatment at 90°C.
• Benefits – Mechanically disrupts bacteria, prevents biofilms.
• Enhances bone bonding with biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds.
• Applications – Useful for orthopaedic, dental implants, biomedical devices.
• Significance – Combines 3D printing + biomimicry for advanced, infection‑resistant implants.

Miscellaneous

Aparajita – Parang La 

Recently, Defence Minister flags off All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ in New Delhi.

• Event – A flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps, in New Delhi.
• Trek – Spans 250 km Parang La Pass, connecting Spiti Valley (HP) to Changthang (Ladakh) over 30 days.
• Team – 28 Girl Cadets led by 3 women officers representing the 3 services.

World Humanitarian Day 2026

World Humanitarian Day 2026 observed on 19 August to honour humanitarian workers.

• Theme – “Honouring fallen humanitarians and calling for greater protection of health care.”
• Focus – Tribute to humanitarian & health workers who lost lives in crises.
• Need – Greater protection for health workers, patients, facilities, medical transport.
• Campaign – Calls to end attacks, respect International Humanitarian Law, and #ActForHumanity.
• History – Date marks 2003 Baghdad Canal Hotel bombing; UNGA designated day in 2008.