Centre Bans 16 Irrational FDCs Under Section 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 After SC Directive

SC Applies Section 498A to Live-in Relationships; NOTTO Launches Real-Time Organ Transplant Portal with Aadhaar Pledges

The Indian Express UPSC Key for August 4, 2026, covers multiple crucial topics: the Supreme Court's ruling extending Section 498A cruelty protection to live-in relationships, the launch of a real-time organ transplant portal by NOTTO, the Vikram Sarabhai Medal awarded to Annapurni Subramaniam, India's resilient fertiliser supply amid the Iran war, the science behind Europe's wildfires, and the Ceuta migrant crisis. These topics span Polity, Health, Science, Environment, and International Relations, offering direct material for UPSC Prelims and Mains.

Govt Restricts FDCs with Chlorpheniramine & Phenylephrine for Children Below 4 Years under Section 26A

The government has extended restrictions on all fixed dose combinations (FDCs) containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, mandating a warning that these medicines shall not be used in children below four years. This decision under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, follows expert committee and DTAB recommendations to safeguard young children from potential risks.

Drugs & Cosmetics Act Overhaul Bill Opposed by Medical Device Sector Over No Consultation, Criminal Provisions

A bill to overhaul the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 faces stiff opposition from the medical device and pharma sectors for being drafted without stakeholder consultation and for criminalizing minor technical errors, contrary to the government's own Jan Vishwas Bill that decriminalized such offences. This highlights tensions between regulatory reform and ease of doing business.

Nine-Judge SC Bench Set to Define 'Industry' under ID Act; NMC Proposes Single Nationwide Doctor Licence

Today's digest packs multiple high-yield facts: NMC proposes a UID-based single licence for doctors valid across India, a nine-judge Supreme Court Bench is set to pronounce its verdict on the meaning of 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, and Bangladesh holds its first presidential election in 35 years. For aspirants, the NMC draft regulation and the SC verdict are direct Prelims and Mains material for healthcare policy, labour law, and constitutional interpretation.

IIT Kharagpur Applies for MD, IIT Madras Plans MBBS: IITs, IISc Redefine Medical Education

India's premier engineering institutes (IITs, IISc) are entering medical education, signaling a paradigm shift under NEP 2020. IIT Kharagpur applied for MD (March 2026), IIT Madras plans MBBS, and IISc's Tata Medical School will offer MD-PhD from 2027. This convergence aims to create 'physician-scientists' and reduce medical device imports, but faces regulatory and capital challenges.

SC Upholds EC's SIR, Citizenship Under MHA; 13 Crore Deletions, Aadhaar Alternative Proposed

The Supreme Court upheld the EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which deleted over 13 crore names, but clarified that citizenship determination is solely under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This raises critical debates on voter rights, due process, and the viability of Aadhaar-based verification as a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to house-to-house surveys.

India Gets First Disease-Modifying Alzheimer's Drug Leqembi After CDSCO Nod

Eisai's Leqembi (lecanemab), India's first disease-modifying therapy for early Alzheimer's, has been launched after CDSCO approval. This marks a shift from symptomatic to disease-modifying treatment, but challenges of early diagnosis, biomarker infrastructure, and affordability remain significant.

Parliamentary Panel Demands Meta Apology Over PM Video Removal, Threatens Revocation of Safe Harbour Under IT Act Section 79

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, has demanded Meta apologize for erroneously blocking PM Modi's video, or face revocation of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act. Similar action is threatened against Google India for financial frauds. This highlights the government's push to enforce intermediary accountability and the conditional nature of safe harbour immunity.