Current Affairs for 20 July 2026

India Approves First Dengue Vaccine (QDENGA): DCGI Clears TAK-003 for Individuals Aged 4–60 Years

Why in News?

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorization to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India's QDENGA (TAK-003), making it the first dengue vaccine approved in India.

About QDENGA (TAK-003)

How Was QDENGA Developed?

Developing a dengue vaccine has been scientifically challenging because protection is required against all four serotypes simultaneously.

Takeda developed TAK-003 using a live attenuated DENV-2 virus as the genetic backbone. Genetic components from the remaining three serotypes were incorporated to create a tetravalent vaccine capable of inducing immunity against all four dengue viruses.

The vaccine's development involved:

• 19 Phase I, II and III clinical trials
• More than 28,000 participants
• Trials conducted in both dengue-endemic and non-endemic countries
• A pivotal Phase III TIDES (DEN-301) study involving over 20,000 participants across eight dengue-endemic countries

What is a Vaccine?

A vaccine is a biological preparation that trains the body's immune system to recognize and fight a specific disease-causing pathogen (virus or bacteria) before a person becomes infected. Instead of causing the disease, a vaccine safely exposes the immune system to a weakened, inactivated, or harmless part of the pathogen, enabling the body to develop immunity.

How Does a Vaccine Work?

1. The vaccine introduces a weakened or harmless form of the pathogen (or its antigen) into the body. 
2. The immune system recognizes it as a foreign substance. 
3. White blood cells produce antibodies and activate memory cells. 
4. If the real pathogen infects the body later, the immune system quickly recognizes and destroys it, preventing severe illness.

What is Dengue?

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), which belongs to the Flavivirus family.

It spreads through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are active during the daytime.

There are four distinct serotypes:

• DENV-1: Commonly causes classic dengue fever and generally provides lifelong immunity only against the DENV-1 serotype after infection. 
• DENV-2: Frequently associated with more severe forms of dengue, including Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), especially during secondary infections. 
• DENV-3: Responsible for several major dengue outbreaks worldwide and is often linked to high transmission rates and severe clinical manifestations. 
• DENV-4: Comparatively less prevalent than the other serotypes but is capable of causing both mild and severe dengue disease and contributes to recurring outbreaks.

Infection with one serotype provides lifelong immunity only against that serotype. Subsequent infection with another serotype increases the risk of developing Severe Dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome).

Dengue Burden in India

Why Does India Need a Dengue Vaccine?

India carries nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, and reported cases have increased almost eleven-fold over the past two decades.

Major reasons include:

• Rapid urbanization
• Climate change
• Poor water management
• Expansion of mosquito breeding habitats
• Increasing frequency of outbreaks
• High hospitalization burden
• Significant economic losses

Clinical Trial Results

Challenges

• Large-scale vaccine procurement and supply.
• High implementation cost.
• Integration into India's immunization strategy.
• Vaccine hesitancy and public awareness.
• Cold-chain maintenance.
• Equitable access in rural and remote areas.
• Continued need for mosquito control measures.

Way Forward

• Introduce the vaccine initially in high-burden districts.
• Integrate vaccination with the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).
• Strengthen disease surveillance and early warning systems.
• Continue mosquito control through source reduction and community participation.
• Conduct nationwide awareness campaigns.
• Ensure affordable pricing and equitable access.
• Promote indigenous vaccine research and manufacturing.

Importance for India

The approval of QDENGA marks a significant milestone in India's public health system. As dengue cases continue to rise due to climate change, rapid urbanization, and changing mosquito habitats, vaccination can become an important preventive tool. However, vaccination should complement—not replace—vector control, environmental sanitation, surveillance, and public awareness initiatives.

Quick Fact for Exam

• First dengue vaccine approved in India.
• Protects against all four dengue virus serotypes.
• Can be administered without prior dengue screening.
• Suitable for children, adolescents, and adults (4–60 years).
• Two-dose schedule with a three-month interval.
• WHO Prequalified and recommended for high-transmission settings.
• Already approved in over 43 countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ‘Boss Scam’? SEBI Warns Companies Against AI-Driven Executive Impersonation Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently cautioned regulated entities and listed companies against an emerging cyber fraud known as the ‘Boss Scam’, where fraudsters impersonate Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Managing Directors (MDs), and other senior executives to trick finance teams into transferring funds to fraudulent bank accounts.

As cybercriminals increasingly leverage artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake technology, and social engineering, Boss Scam has emerged as a significant threat to corporate financial security.

What is Boss Scam ?

Boss Scam is an advanced form of cyber fraud in which attackers impersonate senior company executives—such as CEOs, Managing Directors (MDs), or Chief Financial Officers (CFOs)—to deceive finance and accounts personnel into making unauthorized fund transfers.

The fraud relies on creating a sense of urgency and confidentiality, convincing employees that the payment is genuine and must be executed immediately.

How Does Boss Scam Work?

Cybercriminals primarily use two methods to carry out the scam.

1. AI, Deepfake and Executive Impersonation

In the first method, fraudsters exploit advanced AI-powered deepfake technology to convincingly impersonate senior executives.

They use:

• AI-generated voice cloning to mimic the CEO’s voice. 
• Deepfake video calls that appear to show the executive. 
• Fake WhatsApp groups, Microsoft Teams chats, emails, or social media accounts. 

The finance department is then instructed to transfer money to a specified bank account.

In several cases, employees are also told not to disclose the transaction, with fraudsters claiming that it concerns Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI) or another confidential corporate matter.

2. Malicious ZIP Files and WhatsApp Hijacking

The second method involves sending compressed ZIP files containing malicious executable programs.

When the recipient opens the file:

• The malware compromises the computer system. 
• It hijacks the user's active WhatsApp Web session. 
• Fraudsters gain access to the finance officer’s WhatsApp account. 
• Using the compromised account, they send payment instructions to accounts or finance staff, directing them to transfer money to fraudulent bank accounts. 

In some instances, attackers also modify contact lists by saving their own phone numbers under the names of the CEO or MD, making fraudulent messages appear authentic.

SEBI's Warning

SEBI has advised all regulated entities and listed companies to remain vigilant against Boss Scam.

According to the regulator, fraudsters are using communication platforms such as:

• Email 
• WhatsApp 
• Microsoft Teams 
• Other social media platforms 

to impersonate senior executives and instruct employees or counterparts to execute urgent financial transactions that ultimately result in funds being transferred to criminals.

How to Protect Against Boss Scam

Organizations can reduce the risk of Boss Scam by adopting the following cybersecurity measures:

• Verify all high-value payment requests through an independent communication channel. 
• Never rely solely on WhatsApp, email, or video calls for payment authorization. 
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across corporate systems. 
• Avoid opening ZIP files or attachments received from unknown or suspicious sources. 
• Regularly review active WhatsApp Web and other login sessions. 
• Train employees to identify AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering attacks. 
• Establish strict approval workflows for financial transactions. 
• Immediately report suspicious communications to the IT and cybersecurity team. 

Why is Boss Scam Significant?

• It represents a new generation of AI-enabled cyber fraud. 
• The use of deepfake technology and voice cloning makes the scam highly convincing. 
• Listed companies, banks, financial institutions, and large corporations are particularly vulnerable. 
• The scam highlights the growing need for stronger cybersecurity practices, executive verification protocols, and employee awareness programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Gujarat Tops NITI Aayog’s First Investment Friendliness Index 2026

Why in News?

• NITI Aayog has released the first-ever Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026.
• Gujarat ranked first among 17 major States with a score of 56.6, followed by Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3).
• The index assesses states on their ability to attract and sustain investments across the complete investment lifecycle.

Top Three States

What is the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI)?

• Released by NITI Aayog. 
• The Investment Friendliness Index 2026 evaluated 17 major Indian States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Based on 84 indicators grouped under 8 pillars covering the investment lifecycle. 

Eight Assessment Pillars

• Policy & Governance 
• Infrastructure 
• Business Facilitation 
• Fiscal Management 
• Land & Utilities 
• Regulatory Environment 
• Labour & Skills 
• Innovation & Industrial Ecosystem 

Objectives

• Promote Competitive Federalism.
• Improve Ease of Doing Business.
• Encourage policy reforms.
• Identify best governance practices.
• Help investors compare state-level business environments.

Why is this Index Significant?

• Encourages healthy competition among states.
• Guides policy reforms based on measurable outcomes.
• Helps investors identify attractive investment destinations.
• Supports India's manufacturing and economic growth ambitions.
• Strengthens the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through state-led development.

Why Gujarat Ranked First

Policy Stability

• Predictable and investor-friendly policy environment.
• Strong governance with long-term policy consistency.

Single-Window Clearance

• Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb) provides end-to-end investor support.
• Time-bound statutory approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Industrial Peace

• Restrictions on strikes in essential services.
• Minimal labour disruptions ensuring uninterrupted industrial operations.

Strong Industrial Infrastructure

Major industrial hubs include:

• Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR)
• GIFT City
• Sanand
• Dahej
• Jhagadia
• Saykha

Key Features

• Plug-and-play industrial infrastructure
• Faster project implementation
• Lower setup costs
• World-class industrial ecosystems

Role of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

• Attracts large domestic and foreign investments.
• Strengthens Gujarat's image as a global investment destination.
• Facilitates government-industry partnerships.

Logistics & Connectivity

• Accounts for nearly 10% of India's State Highway network.
• Has the highest estimated expressway length (635 km) among states.
• Nearly 7% of India's railway network passes through Gujarat.
• Efficient logistics reduce supply-chain costs and turnaround time.

Competitive Power Sector

• Industrial electricity tariffs are around 29% lower than the national average.
• Industries receive 23.8 hours of daily power supply, above the average of major states.

Economic Performance

• Contributes 31% of India's merchandise exports.
• Recorded the third-highest GSDP growth during 2019–24.
• Per capita GSDP: ₹2,64,232, about 67% higher than the average of major states.

Strong MSME Ecosystem

• Large base of micro and small enterprises.
• Supports employment geeration, exports and industrial diversification.

Fiscal Management

Innovation Ecosystem

• 614 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) established by FY2025.
• 1.24 ATLs per one lakh population.
• Nearly 19% above the average of major states.

FAQs