Current Affairs 01 July 2026

Researchers Develop BDIM Additive for More Durable Zinc Batteries.

Scientists at INST Mohali developed BDIM electrolyte additive for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries (AZIBs).
BDIM improves battery safety, stability, and lifespan.
Works by regulating the Inner Helmholtz Plane (IHP) and reducing water-related side reactions.
Suppresses hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and zinc dendrite growth.
Developed using advanced techniques like Ultramicroelectrode (UME) and Fast-scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV).
Research led by Dr. Ramendra Sundar Dey and published in ACS Electrochemistry.
Applications: Grid-scale energy storage and sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.

DIKSHA designated as India’s One Nation, One Digital Platform for school education.
Provides curriculum-based digital learning resources nationwide.
Implemented by NCERT with CIET-NCERT.
Uses QR-coded Energised Textbooks linking books with digital content.
Offers DAISY format, text-to-speech tools, ISL videos, virtual labs, and 3D animations.
Supports NISHTHA teacher training programmes.
Works on a federated model, allowing states/UTs to add regional content.
Launched in 2017 as India’s national digital education resource platform.

India Pavilion inaugurated at the Summer Fancy Food Show 2026 in New York, marking India's largest-ever participation.
Organized jointly by APEDA and ITPO.
Over 70 Indian exhibitors showcased spices, organic foods, basmati rice, mangoes, and value-added agri-products.
Featured Indian Mango Showcase (6 premium export varieties) and Basmati Culinary Showcase.
Daily tasting menu curated by Hemant Mathur.
Inaugurated by Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and Vikas Khanna.

Launched by Jagat Prakash Nadda on 29 June 2026.
Creates a unified digital platform for standardized medicine identification.
Developed under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Completes the fourth pillar of ABDM digital ecosystem along with ABHA Registry, HPR, and HFR.
Developed with Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and NRCeS Pune.
Uses SNOMED CT standards for global interoperability of health records.
Aims to reduce errors caused by different names for the same medicine.

Harshavardhan GB became India’s 97th Chess Grandmaster (GM).
Achieved his third and final GM norm at the 2nd Chola Chess GM Norm Round Robin Tournament, Chennai.
Finished second with 6.5/9 points.
Earned International Master (IM) title in 2020.
Won FIDE World Youth Online Under-18 gold (2021) and Asian Juniors gold (2022).
GM Title: Awarded by FIDE; requires 2500 rating and three GM norms.
Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988.