Daily Current Affairs: Science, Sports & Heritage

📅 Date: 8 January 2026 (Thursday)

Welcome to your detailed daily analysis. Today's update brings a mix of technological advancements in road infrastructure, major developments in India's space missions, cultural recognition for Rajasthani herbs, and administrative updates regarding land measurement. Let's dive deep into these stories.

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1. Sports: SAI Launches Sports Sciences Workshop

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) continues its push to modernize Indian athletics. Recently, SAI launched a comprehensive four-day Sports Sciences Workshop specifically designed for combat sports coaches. This event is being held at its Sports Science Division in New Delhi.

This initiative underscores the growing importance of scientific training methods in sports like wrestling, boxing, and judo, where India has shown immense potential on the global stage.

About Sports Authority of India (SAI)

SAI is the backbone of India's sporting ecosystem. Here is what you need to know for your exams:

• Establishment: It was set up in 1984. Its creation was a direct result of the IXth Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982, with the aim of maintaining and utilizing the massive infrastructure built for the games.
• Status: It operates as a registered society and is fully funded by the Government of India.
• Parent Ministry: It functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Mandate: SAI has a dual objective:
  1. Promoting sports across the country to encourage participation.
  2. Achieving sporting excellence at national and international levels by identifying talent early.

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2. Technology: The Era of 'Bio-Bitumen'

In a groundbreaking move for infrastructure, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology declared that India has entered the era of "Clean, Green Highways." This follows the successful technology transfer of "Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis: From Farm Residue to Roads".

What is Bio-Bitumen?

Traditional bitumen is a petroleum byproduct used to bind stones together in road construction. Bio-bitumen is its eco-friendly cousin.

• Manufacturing: It is created using renewable organic materials. This includes plant-based oils, agricultural waste (stubble), or biomass.
• Process (Pyrolysis): These organic materials undergo a process called pyrolysis (heating in the absence of oxygen) to create a high-quality binder that mimics the properties of traditional bitumen.
• Why it matters:
  • Import Reduction: India imports a vast amount of petroleum; using bio-bitumen reduces this dependency.
  • Carbon Footprint: It significantly lowers carbon emissions compared to fossil-fuel-based bitumen.
  • Waste Management: It provides a productive use for farm residue, potentially reducing stubble burning.

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3. Heritage: GI Tag for Nagauri Ashwagandha

Rajasthan has added another feather to its cap. The Centre has officially granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) Tag to 'Nagauri Ashwagandha'. This certification recognizes the unique qualities of the herb grown in this specific region.

Key Characteristics

• Appearance: It features longer, thicker, and brittle starchy roots compared to other varieties.
• Potency: The roots are exceptionally rich in medicinal compounds, particularly alkaloids, making it highly sought after in Ayurveda.
• Identification: The berries of this variety are known for their dark, bright red color, which farmers use as an indicator of superior quality.
• Status: It is often considered the supreme variety among all Ashwagandha grown in arid regions.

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4. Health: National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS)

Quality healthcare is a fundamental right. Recently, a significant milestone was reached with a total of 50,373 public health facilities across all States and Union Territories achieving certification under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS).

• Objective: The primary goal is to ensure that services provided in public health facilities (PHCs, CHCs, District Hospitals) meet specific quality benchmarks.
• Implementation: It is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Significance: Certification implies that a hospital maintains high standards in hygiene, patient care, infection control, and drug availability.

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5. Space: ISRO's Dust Experiment (DEX) & PSLV-C62

It is a big week for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with findings from past missions and preparations for future ones.

The Dust Experiment (DEX)

ISRO has confirmed findings from its first-ever Dust Experiment (DEX). The data reveals that an interplanetary dust particle (IDP) enters Earth’s atmosphere approximately every 1,000 seconds.

• The Instrument: DEX is the first Indian-made instrument designed specifically to hunt for high-speed Interplanetary Dust Particles.
• Developer: It was developed by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
• Mission: It was flown on the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) during the PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission on January 1, 2024.

Upcoming Mission: PSLV-C62

Looking ahead, ISRO is prepping for its first launch of 2026. The PSLV-C62 rocket is scheduled to lift off from Sriharikota.

• Payloads: It is a multi-payload mission carrying one primary satellite and 18 secondary payloads.
• Primary Satellite: The Earth observation satellite EOS-N1 (codenamed ‘Anvesha’).
• Strategic Importance: 'Anvesha' is a hyperspectral imaging satellite developed primarily for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), enhancing India's strategic surveillance capabilities.

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6. Land Administration: Understanding 'Bigha'

The term 'Bigha' was in the news recently as the Assam government completed a massive eviction drive to clear encroachment from nearly 6,200 bighas (approx. 830 hectares) of land in the Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary.

What is Bigha?

Bigha is a traditional unit of land measurement that is deeply rooted in the agricultural history of South Asia. It is still the go-to unit for farmers in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

• Etymology: It originates from the Sanskrit term ‘Vigraha’, which means division.
• Usage: While modern records use hectares or acres, local buying, selling, and farming discussions primarily happen in Bighas.
• The Standardization Problem: Unlike an acre (which is always 43,560 sq. ft), a Bigha varies significantly from state to state.
  • In West Bengal/Assam: ~14,400 sq. ft.
  • In Punjab: ~9,070 sq. ft.
  • Generally, it is smaller than an acre.
• Sub-units: A Bigha is often divided into smaller units like Katha, Biswa, or Nalli depending on the region.

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That wraps up today's comprehensive analysis. From space dust to green highways, staying informed is the key to cracking competitive exams. Keep revising!