UniFocus IAS ( UNIFOCUS UNIVERSAL )

India achieved a significant milestone in international food standard-setting with the adoption of three Codex standards for large cardamom, coriander and vanilla at the Forty-Ninth Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 6 to 10 July 2026. The Commission also accepted India's request to serve as Co-Chair of a newly constituted Electronic Working Group (EWG) on risk analysis for new food products, reflecting the country's growing leadership in the development of international food standards. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is the international body responsible for developing science-based food safety and quality standards to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade. India plays a key role in Codex activities by hosting the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), one of the fi...

Factual Background:  According to the Prison Statistics India Report, 2022 published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), as on 31st December, 2022, there were a total of 1,33,415 convicted prisoners in India. Out of this population, 27,690 convicts, constituting approximately 20.8%, were aged 50 years and above. While the report does not specifically disaggregate data for convicts beyond the age of 70 years, it is evident that a non-trivial proportion of the prison population comprises elderly individuals, many of whom are likely to be afflicted with age-related morbidities and chronic medical conditions. The NCRB data further reveals that a significant number of custodial deaths are attributable to illnesses, with medical causes emerging as one of the predominant factors leading to mortality within prisons. Aging-related complications also account for a substantial portion of such fatalities. These figures underscore the heightened vulnerability of elderly and termin...

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora .  People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.  This illness is not usually spread directly from person to person.  Case counts typically rise during spring and summer months, and CDC considers May 1-August 31 the annual cyclosporiasis season. Previous outbreaks have been linked to consuming contaminated fresh produce. Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis. This is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year. Of the 1,645 case-patients with available information, 141 (9%) were hospitalized, and none have died.  Symptoms: Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin about 1 week after exposure. Onset of sympt...

  Indian Railways is set to flag off India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset, a train that generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, the cleanest fuel known. It produces near-zero emissions at the point of use. This milestone marks the latest chapter in the evolution of how Indian Railways has powered its trains, reflecting India's broader journey from coal and steam to cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy. Over the past 12 years, rapid electrification has significantly reduced dependence on imported diesel, paving the way for the next leap in clean rail mobility. Today, with over 99% of Broad Gauge routes electrified, Indian Railways is taking that journey a step further. Unlike conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead lines, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapour as its only by-product. In a sense, the train once again carries its own source...