Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Exposes Vaccine Gap for NTDs; WHO Declares PHEIC; 25-90% Mortality Rate

WHO's IARC Classifies Hydrochlorothiazide, Voriconazole, Tacrolimus as Group 1 Carcinogens

Three widely used medicines for hypertension, fungal infections, and transplant rejection have been classified as Group 1 carcinogens by WHO's IARC. Patients are warned not to discontinue treatment without consulting doctors, as the classification identifies hazard, not real-world risk at prescribed doses.

Meta Trial: $567 Mn Penalty for Child Addiction, 29-State Probe on Social Media Design

A US trial against Meta over addictive social media design for children could reshape Big Tech accountability. With penalties of $567 million and a $6 million jury verdict, this case highlights the growing scrutiny of platform design and its impact on youth mental health, a key issue for GS2 (Social Justice) and GS3 (Technology).

RK-251: India's ROS-Activated Smart Cancer Drug Could Transform Chemotherapy

RK-251 is a novel 'smart' cancer drug developed by Indian researchers that activates only inside cancer cells using high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, potentially reducing chemotherapy side effects. This marks a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy and is a key topic for UPSC Science & Technology.

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.

China Launches 4 Orbital Rockets in 45 Hours; Targets 28,000 Satellites via Qianfan & SatNet

China launched four rockets in 45 hours from three launch sites, deploying satellites for its Qianfan (15,000 satellites) and SatNet (13,000 satellites) broadband megaconstellations. This highlights the rapid expansion of China's space sector, combining state and private players, and the strategic push for low Earth orbit satellite networks.

ISRO & ESA Extend Cooperation Until 2032; Add Human & Robotic Exploration, Space Weather

ISRO and ESA have extended their cooperation agreement by five years until January 8, 2032, and broadened it to include human and robotic exploration and space weather. This signals deepening international space collaboration and has implications for India's Gaganyaan mission and future lunar/Venus exploration.

ISRO-ESA Renew Space Cooperation Till 2032; Focus on Space Weather & Robotic Exploration

India (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have renewed their space cooperation agreement until 2032, focusing on space weather monitoring and human/robotic exploration. This strengthens India's Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan missions and ensures long-term collaboration in critical areas like satellite safety and deep-space exploration.

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.