News in Shorts 21 July 2026: IBO 2026, Qdenga Vaccine, Dyslipidemia & More

21 Jul 2026

37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2026

Context: India won 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals at the 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2026 held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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About International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

The IBO is an annual international competition for exceptionally talented secondary-school students in biology.
It promotes scientific excellence, advanced problem-solving and international cooperation among young students.
Organised By: The competition is hosted by a different country each year.
Key Areas Covered
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Genetics and Evolution
- Plant and Animal Sciences
- Ecology and Ethology
- Biosystematics
Practical examinations test laboratory and experimental skills.

IBO 2026

307 students from 78 countries participated at IBO 2026; India made its 26th appearance at the IBO.
- In all 31 gold, 61 silver, and 91 bronze medals were awarded.
Host: Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre, Lithuania.
Medal Winners
- Bhavyaa Gunwal (Haryana): Gold Medal.
- Soumil Maity (West Bengal): Silver Medal.
- Nishit Kalani (Rajasthan): Silver Medal.
- Anmol Kumar (Punjab): Silver Medal.
India’s Overall Performance: Out of 104 Indian students who have participated so far, India has won 17 Gold, 69 Silver and 17 Bronze medals, along with 1 Honourable Mention.

About International Science Olympiads

International Science Olympiads are prestigious annual competitions that test exceptional school students through advanced theoretical and practical challenges.
They promote scientific aptitude, creativity, conceptual understanding and global academic exchange.
Organisation: There is no single permanent headquarters or physical centre for all Olympiads.
- Host countries rotate annually for individual competitions.
- In India, the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE-TIFR) serves as the nodal centre for selection, training and participation.
Key Categories
- International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): Mathematics; established in 1959.
- International Physics Olympiad (IPhO): Physics; established in 1967.
- International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO): Chemistry; established in 1968.
- International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI): Informatics/Computer Science; established in 1989.
- International Biology Olympiad (IBO): Biology; established in 1990.
- International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA): Astronomy and Astrophysics.
- International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO): Earth Sciences.
- International Economics Olympiad (IEO): Economics..
Other competitions include Astronomy, Earth Science and Economics Olympiads.

QDENGA: India’s First Dengue Vaccine Approved

Context: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved Qdenga®, India’s first dengue vaccine, for the prevention of dengue.

About Qdenga® (Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine)

Qdenga® is a live, attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine developed using recombinant DNA technology with a dengue virus type-2 backbone and contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- It is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes.
Form: Freeze-dried powder for reconstitution.
Route of Administration: Subcutaneous injection.
Dosage Schedule: Two doses (0.5 ml each) administered at 0 and 3 months.
Eligible Age Group: 4–60 years.
Developer: Takeda GmbH, Germany.
Basis for Approval: Approved after evaluation under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945.
- Supported by Phase III safety and immunogenicity study in the Indian population (4–60 years).

Global Status

Global Regulatory Approvals: Approved in 42 countries, including the EU, UK, Switzerland, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
WHO Recognition: Received WHO prequalification.
Global Deployment: Over 24 million doses distributed worldwide.
Safety Profile: Post-marketing surveillance indicates a favourable safety profile with no significant safety concerns.

About Dengue

Cause: Dengue virus (DENV), a Flavivirus with four serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4).
Transmission: Bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito (also Aedes albopictus).
Peak Biting Time: Primarily during the daytime.
Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash; severe cases may progress to dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.
Prevention: Vector control, elimination of mosquito breeding sites, personal protection, and vaccination where recommended.

FIFA World Cup 2026

Context: Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final.

About FIFA World Cup 2026 Winners

Champion: Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final.
- The victory secured Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title.
Third Place: England secured third place by defeating France 6–4 in a high-scoring third-place playoff.
- England’s finish was its best in a World Cup since winning the tournament in 1966.

FIFA World Cup Awards 2026

Golden Boot Winner: Kylian Mbappé scored 10 goals in the 2026 tournament and finished as the Golden Boot winner, taking his career World Cup tally to 22 goals.
- He became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot in consecutive editions.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) finished with 8 goals and won the Silver Boot, while Jude Bellingham (England) scored 7 goals to claim the Bronze Boot.
Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain) won the Golden Ball for his outstanding midfield performances during Spain’s title-winning campaign.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) was awarded the Silver Ball.
- Kylian Mbappé (France) received the Bronze Ball.
Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain) won the Golden Glove after keeping seven clean sheets.
FIFA Best Young Player Award: Pau Cubarsí (Spain) won the award for his outstanding performances as a young defender.
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: The Netherlands received the Fair Play Trophy for exemplary discipline and sportsmanship.

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FIFA 2030

The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
Additionally, to commemorate the tournament’s 100-year anniversary, special centenary opening matches will be hosted in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay

Dyslipidemia

Context: A nationwide ICMR study found that 87.3% of Indian adults have at least one abnormal lipid level, highlighting dyslipidemia as a major public health concern.

Key Findings of ICMR Study

High Prevalence: The study analysed lipid profiles of 23,665 adults from the nationally representative ICMR-INDIAB survey covering all States and Union Territories.
- Nearly 9 in 10 adults had at least one abnormal lipid parameter.
Early and Widespread Risk: Dyslipidemia was found to peak among adults aged 30–39 years, indicating that cardiovascular risk begins relatively early in life.
- An estimated 355 million Indians had abnormal lipid levels despite having normal blood sugar, blood pressure and body weight.
Higher Burden Among Women: Women showed a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia than men, while urban populations were more affected than rural populations.

About Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia refers to an unhealthy imbalance of fats in the blood, including high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol or elevated total cholesterol.
- A lipid profile is a blood test that measures key fats associated with cardiovascular health.
- It primarily assesses High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- Maintaining healthy levels helps reduce plaque buildup in arteries (atherosclerosis) and lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Factors Contributing to Dyslipidemia
- Unhealthy Diet: Excessive carbohydrates, ultra-processed foods and trans fats can adversely affect lipid levels.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behaviour increase metabolic risk.
- Metabolic Conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and insulin resistance are associated with higher dyslipidemia risk.
- Genetic Factors: South Asians, including Indians, may have a genetic predisposition to adverse lipid profiles and premature cardiovascular disease.
Impact
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Dyslipidemia can promote the accumulation of fatty deposits in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
- Silent Health Risk: Since dyslipidemia often has no visible symptoms, apparently healthy, young or normal-weight individuals may remain unaware of their cardiovascular risk.
Measures to Prevent Dyslipidemia
- Early Screening: Expand lipid screening beyond people with diabetes, hypertension or obesity.
- Healthy Diet: Increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fibre while reducing ultra-processed foods and trans fats.
- Regular Exercise: Promote regular physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.
- Healthy Weight: Maintain appropriate body weight and manage diabetes and hypertension effectively.
- Medical Care: Follow prescribed medicines and seek timely medical advice for abnormal lipid levels.

“Operation Vajra”

Context: Under Operation Vajra, the Central Bureau of Narcotics seized 12 crore Tramadol tablets linked to an alleged international diversion network.

About “Operation Vajra”

Operation Vajra was an intelligence-led anti-narcotics operation that prevented the diversion of 120 million high-strength Tramadol Hydrochloride (250 mg) tablets, weighing nearly 30 metric tonnes.
Conducted By: The operation was conducted by preventive teams of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Gwalior.
Legal Framework: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

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About Tramadol Hydrochloride

Tramadol Hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic used medically to manage moderate to severe pain.
It acts partly through μ-opioid receptors and also affects the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
“Fighter Drug” or “ISIS Drug”: Tramadol is popularly called the “fighter drug” or “ISIS drug” because of its reported misuse by militant and terror groups.
- High-dose consumption can reduce the perception of pain and fatigue and produce euphoria, potentially enabling combatants to sustain prolonged physical activity.
- Its illicit trafficking has also been associated with organised crime and terror-financing networks in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
Key Features
- Medical Use: Tramadol is legally used as a prescription painkiller for the treatment of moderate to severe pain.
- Abuse Potential: Excessive or non-medical use can lead to dependence, addiction and adverse health effects, making its illicit diversion a major public health and security concern.
- Terror Financing: Apart from consumption by militants, illicit trafficking and taxation of Tramadol supply routes can generate revenue for terrorist and organised criminal groups.
- Regulatory Status in India: Tramadol was notified as a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, in 2018.
  - Its manufacture, possession, sale and export are therefore subject to strict regulatory controls under India’s narcotics-control framework.

About Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)

The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) is a specialised regulatory and enforcement agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
- It is headed by the Narcotics Commissioner of India.
Establishment: The CBN originated as the Opium Department in November 1950.