Social Issues MAINS

Drishti IAS Presents...
S ocial I ssues (January 2021 — March 2022)
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Contents
z Recognition of Transgender Persons in Indian Prisons........................................................................................... 1
z NEAT Initiative ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
z Chakmas and Hajongs Communities....................................................................................................................... 2
z SC on Inheritance of Daughters............................................................................................................................... 3
z Oxfam Report: Inequality Kills................................................................................................................................. 5
z Special Marriage Act 1954....................................................................................................................................... 6
z PM-POSHAN Scheme............................................................................................................................................... 6
z World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.................................................................................................................. 7
z Anaemia Mukt Bharat............................................................................................................................................. 8
z Expanding Scope of NCW........................................................................................................................................ 8
z Rice Fortification . ................................................................................................................................................... 9
z SAMRIDH Initiative................................................................................................................................................ 10
z Operation AAHT . .................................................................................................................................................. 11
z PM CARES Scheme for Children............................................................................................................................ 11
z Leprosy ................................................................................................................................................................. 13
z Bonafide Plea of Juvenility.................................................................................................................................... 14
z International Day of Persons with Disabilities....................................................................................................... 15
z SMILE Scheme....................................................................................................................................................... 16
z Main Bhi Digital 3.0 Campaign.............................................................................................................................. 17
z Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Pension Scheme................................................................................... 18
z Fourth Edition of State Health Index..................................................................................................................... 18
z Raising Legal Age of Marriage for Women............................................................................................................ 19
z Nutrition Smart Village Initiative........................................................................................................................... 21
z HPV Vaccine Reducing Cervical Cancer................................................................................................................. 21
z Protocol to Prevent Human Trafficking: SCO......................................................................................................... 22
z Issue of Mental health........................................................................................................................................... 23
z Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle......................................................................................................... 24
z Impact of Stubble Burning on Respiratory Health................................................................................................. 26
z Global Drug Policy Index 2021............................................................................................................................... 27
z National Multidimensional Poverty Index: NITI Ayog............................................................................................ 28
z Global Nutrition Report, 2021............................................................................................................................... 29
z Report on ‘Health Care Equity in Urban India’...................................................................................................... 30
z Campaign on SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge........................................................................................................ 31
z Women Participation in STEM . ............................................................................................................................ 32
z Women Related Data: NFHS 5............................................................................................................................... 33
z India’s Declining Total Fertility Rate...................................................................................................................... 34
z Internal Displacement........................................................................................................................................... 35
z Global Girlhood Report 2021: Girls Right in Crisis................................................................................................. 37
z Antimalarial Drug Resistance................................................................................................................................. 38
z Ecological Threat Report 2021.............................................................................................................................. 39
z 2021 State of the Education Report for India: UNESCO........................................................................................ 40
z Nationwide Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Drive............................................................................................ 41
z Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India Report 2020 : NCRB................................................................................... 42
z Dearth of Funds in MGNREGA .............................................................................................................................. 43
z Global Food Security Index 2021........................................................................................................................... 44
z Global Hunger Index 2021..................................................................................................................................... 45
z Assistance to Disabled Persons Scheme................................................................................................................ 46
z Tuberculosis........................................................................................................................................................... 47
z Poshan 2.0............................................................................................................................................................. 48
z PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme....................................................................................................................... 48
z Forest Rights Act.................................................................................................................................................... 50
z Quality of Life for Elderly Index............................................................................................................................. 51
z Minority Institutions and RTE: NCPCR Survey....................................................................................................... 52
z Marburg Virus........................................................................................................................................................ 54
z Continuation of Scheme for Fast Track Courts...................................................................................................... 54
z Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0................................................................................................................................ 55
z Adoption (First Amendment) Regulations, 2021................................................................................................... 56
z Polio....................................................................................................................................................................... 57
z SAMVAD Initiative................................................................................................................................................. 58
z Drop in Open Defecation: Wash Report................................................................................................................ 59
z Gender Self Identification . ................................................................................................................................... 59
z Trafficking in Persons Report................................................................................................................................. 61
z Child Soldier Recruiter List.................................................................................................................................... 61
z World Population Day........................................................................................................................................... 62
z Kapu Community Reservation............................................................................................................................... 64
z Severe Acute Malnutrition in India........................................................................................................................ 64
z Operation Blue Freedom: Team CLAW . ............................................................................................................... 65
z Social Audit of Social Sector Schemes................................................................................................................... 66
z Kendu Leaf............................................................................................................................................................. 67
z National Health Mission........................................................................................................................................ 67
z Fit for 55 Package: EU............................................................................................................................................ 68
z China Relaxes Two Child Policy: Lessons for India................................................................................................. 69
z Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine Initiative............................................................................................................ 70
z Overcrowding of Prison......................................................................................................................................... 71
z Maratha Reservation Struck Down: SC.................................................................................................................. 73
z Unique Disability Identification Portal................................................................................................................... 74
z National Rare Disease Policy 2021........................................................................................................................ 74
z Anamaya: Tribal Health Collaborative .................................................................................................................. 75
z MANAS Mobile App............................................................................................................................................... 76
z Global Diabetes Compact: WHO........................................................................................................................... 77
z Immunisation Agenda 2030 . ................................................................................................................................ 77
z Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi . .......................................................................................................... 78
z Revising National Food Security Act, 2013: NITI Aayog......................................................................................... 79
z Hunter Syndrome: MPS II...................................................................................................................................... 79
w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om PT SPRINT (2022) SOCIAL ISSUES 1
Major Initiatives Related to Transgender
Recognition of Transgender ¾ Transgender Persons Act, 2019:
Persons in Indian Prisons The Act defines a transgender person as one whose
gender does not match the gender assigned at
Why in News birth. It includes transmen and trans-women,
persons with intersex variations, gender-queers,
Recently, the Union Home Ministry sent an advisory
and persons with socio-cultural identities, such
to Heads of Prisons in the States/UTs to ensure privacy,
as kinnar and hijra.
dignity of the third gender inmates.
¾ Judgements of the Supreme Court:
¾ According to a National Crime Records Bureau,
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v.
there were 70 transgender prisoners in jails across
the country in 2020. Union of India, 2014: The SC declared transgender
people to be a ‘third gender’.
¾ The advisory was issued in light of the Transgender
Read down the Provisions of Section 377 of the
Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which came
into effect from January 2020. Indian Penal Code (2018): The SC decriminalised
same-sex relationships.
Key Points ¾ Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020:
¾ Infrastructure in Prisons: The Central Government made the rules under
Separate enclosures or wards and separate toilets

the powers conferred by the Transgender Persons
and shower facilities for transmen and transwomen (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
to preserve the right to privacy and dignity of the National Portal for Transgender Persons was
inmates. launched under in consonance with the Transgender

¾ Respect Self-identity:
Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020.
¾ Scheme of ‘Shelter Home for Transgender Persons:
The self-identity of transgender persons must be
respected at all times while conducting admission To provide safe and secure shelter to transgender
procedures, medical examination, frisking, clothing, persons in need, the Ministry of Social Justice and
requisitioning of a police escort, treatment and Empowerment is setting up ‘Garima Greh’ shelter
care inside prisons. homes for them.
Prisons to facilitate the process of acquiring
the transgender identity certificate under the NEAT Initiative
transgender persons law if such a request is made.
¾ Search Protocol: Why in News
Searches should be carried out by a person of
Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource
their preferred gender or by a trained medical
Development (MHRD) has announced a new National
professional or a paramedic trained in conducting
Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT 3.0) to use
searches.
technology for better learning outcomes in Higher
The person conducting the search must ensure Education.
the safety, privacy and dignity of the person being
searched. Key Points
¾ Admission in Prison: ¾ Model of NEAT Scheme: It is based on a Public-Private
The prison admission register may be suitably Partnership model between the Government and the
revised to include “transgender” as a category Education Technology (Ed-Tech) companies of India.
other than male and female gender. ¾ Objective: The objectives of NEAT are to bring the best
A similar provision may be made in the Prison technological solutions in education pedagogy on a
Management System in maintaining electronic single platform for the convenience of Economically
records. and Socially weaker sections of society.
Note:
2 PT SPRINT (2022) SOCIAL ISSUES www.d rish t i I A S. c o m
¾ Target Areas: Technology solutions using Artificial (NETF), to spearhead efforts towards providing
Intelligence for customised learning or e-content in a strategic thrust to the deployment and use of
niche areas having highly employable skills are being technology.
identified for showcasing on the portal. ¾ Related Initiatives:
¾ Modus Operandi: Under this, the government plans Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing
to distribute free coupons for an array of courses (DIKSHA).
offered by ed-tech companies. PM eVidya.
¾ Implementing Agency: All India Council for Technical Swayam Prabha TV Channel
Education (AICTE).
SWAYAM portal
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

¾ It was set up in November 1945 as a national-level Chakmas and
apex advisory body.
¾ Its purpose was to conduct a survey on the facilities
Hajongs Communities
available for technical education and to promote
development in the country in a coordinated and Why in News
integrated manner. Recently, the National Human Rights Commission
¾ According to the National Policy of Education (NHRC) in its order directed Ministry of Home Affairs and
(1986), AICTE is vested with: Arunachal Pradesh to submit action taken report within
Statutory authority for planning, formulation, six weeks against alledged racial profiling and relocation
and maintenance of norms & standards, of the Chakmas and Hajongs from the State.
Quality assurance through accreditation, ¾ Also both the authorities were directed to “ensure
Funding in priority areas, monitoring, and that human rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs are
evaluation, protected by all the ways”.
Maintaining parity of certification & awards, ¾ Members of the two communities have allegedly been
The management of technical education in the

victims of hate crime, police atrocities and denial of
country. rights and beneficiary programmes.
Ed-Tech Key Points

¾ Background:
¾ About: Edtech is the practice of introducing IT tools
into the classroom to create a more engaging, inclusive In 2015, the Supreme Court directed the State to
and individualized learning experience. grant them citizenship, but this had not yet been
implemented.
¾ Intended Benefits of Ed-Tech: Technology holds
promise and has incredible potential. It can help in: z In a judgment in 1996, the Court had stated that
the “life and personal liberty of every Chakma
Enabling greater personalisation of education
residing within the State shall be protected”.
Enhancing educational productivity by improving
In light of these orders and given that most of the
rates of learning,
Chakma/Hajong community members were born
Reducing costs of instructional material and service
in the State and have been living peacefully, the
delivery at scale Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s announcement,
Better utilisation of teacher/instructor time. in August 2021, that they would be relocated
¾ National Education Policy 2020: India’s new National outside the State and that steps would be taken
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is responsive to the for a “census” of the communities was clearly
clarion call to integrate technology at every level of unwarranted.
instruction. After that Chakma Development Foundation of
It envisions the establishment of an autonomous India (CDFI) requested urgent intervention of the
body, the National Education Technology Forum NHRC against racial profiling of 65,000 Chakma
Note:
and Hajong tribals of Arunachal Pradesh through
illegal census which was scheduled to commence
from 31st December, 2021 (later plan of census
was dropped) for their deportation / expulsion/
relocation from the State.
z Racial profiling is government or police activity
that involves using people’s racial and cultural
characteristics to identify people to investigate.
¾ Issues with the Special Census:
Chakma organisations said the census was nothing
but racial profiling of the two communities
because of their ethnic origin and violated Article
14 of the Constitution of India and Article 1 of
the International Convention on Elimination of
Racial Discrimination ratified by India.
z Article 14 says that no person shall be denied
treatment of equality before the law or the
equal protection of the laws within the territory
of India. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019, which
z The United Nation General Assembly in October
amended two sections of the 1955 Act, has nothing
1966 proclaimed 21st March as the International to do with the Chakma-Hajongs since they were
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, permanently settled by the Union of India in the
to be commemorated annually. 1960s.
¾ Chakmas and Hajongs: And since 95% of the migrants were born in the
North-East Frontier Agency or Arunachal Pradesh,
Mizoram and Tripura have a sizeable population of
the Inner Line Permit mandatory under the Bengal
the Buddhist Chakmas while the Hindu Hajongs
Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873 for outsiders
mostly inhabit the Garo Hills of Meghalaya and
seeking to visit the State, also does not apply to
adjoining areas of Assam.
them.
The Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh
are migrants from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of
erstwhile East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. SC on Inheritance of Daughters
Displaced by the Kaptai dam on the Karnaphuli
River in the 1960s, they sought asylum in India Why in News
and were settled in relief camps in the southern Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that
and south-eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh daughters will have equal rights to their father’s property
from 1964 to 1969. even prior to the enactment of the Hindu Succession Act
z A majority of them live in the Changlang district (HSA) of 1956.
of the State (Arunachal Pradesh) today. ¾ The case involved a dispute over the property of a
¾ Citizenship Status: person who died in 1949 leaving behind a daughter
Out of the 65,000 Chakmas and Hajongs, about who also died issueless in 1967.
60,500 are citizens by birth under Section 3 of ¾ Earlier, the trial court held that since the person
the Citizenship Act, 1955, after having been born had died prior to the enforcement of HSA, 1956
before 1st July 1987, or as descendants of those therefore the petitioner and her other sisters were
who were born before this date. not the heirs as on the date of his death and was not
z The applications of the remaining 4,500 surviving entitled to partition of share in the suit properties.
migrants following the 1996 Supreme Court Later, the High Court, too, dismissed the appeal
order have not been processed to date. against the trial court.
Note:
Key Points In case a female Hindu dies leaving behind her

¾ Daughters Inheritance: It ruled that the property of husband or any issue, then Section 15(1)(a) of
a man who had died without executing a will and is the HSA 1956 will come into operation and the
survived only by a daughter will devolve upon the properties left behind including the properties
daughter and not others such as his brother. which she inherited from her parents would devolve
simultaneously upon her husband and her issues.
Earlier in 2020, the SC has already expanded the
Hindu women’s right to be the coparcener (joint Land Rights and Women in India
legal heir) and inherit ancestral property on terms
equal to male heirs. ¾ Related Data: Property in India is largely inclined to be
passed on to male heirs. This in turn deprives women of
¾ Ancient Texts & Judicial Pronouncements: The SC
agency, financial independence and entrepreneurship.
referred to ancient texts (smritis), commentaries by
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 , 43%
various renowned learned persons and even judicial
of women respondents reported owning house/land
pronouncements which have recognised the rights
alone or jointly, but doubts remain about women’s
of several female heirs, the wives and the daughter’s
ability to actually access and control property.
being the foremost of them.
In fact, a 2020 University of Manchester working
Tracing the sources of customary Hindu law on
paper found barely 16% of women in rural
inheritance, the SC discussed Mitakshara law.
landowning households own land.
SC also looked into Vyavastha Chandrika, a digest
¾ Patriarchy: In deep patriarchal mores and rural-
of Hindu Law by Shyama Charan Sarkar Vidya
agrarian settings, property, which is seen as a primary
Bhushan which quoted ‘Vrihaspati’ as saying ‘the
source of wealth, is largely inclined to be passed on
wife is pronounced successor to the wealth of her
to male heirs.
husband; in her default, the daughter. As a son,
so does the daughter of a man proceed from his ¾ State Laws: Inheritance laws for agricultural land
several limbs. remain a minefield with conflicting central personal
laws and state laws.
The SC also noted that the book quoted Manu as
saying “the son of a man is even as himself, and In this regard, states such as Punjab, Haryana,Uttar
the daughter is equal to the son. How then can Pradesh (UP) and even Delhi have regressive
any other inherit his property, notwithstanding inheritance provisions.
the survival of her, who is, as it were, himself ”. In fact, Haryana twice tried to take away the
¾ Old Law: Right of a widow or daughter to inherit the progressive rights given to women through
self-acquired property or share received in partition HSA1956, while in UP since 2016 married daughters
of a coparcenary property of a Hindu male dying aren’t considered primary heirs.
intestate is well recognised not only under the old ¾ Ground-level Resistance: There is also a lot of ground-
customary Hindu Law. level resistance to registering land for women in several
If a property of a male Hindu dying intestate is a north Indian states. Thus, women’s empowerment
self-acquired property or obtained in partition of a and property rights remain an unfinished project.
coparcenary or a family property, the same would
Hindu Succession Act, 1956
devolve by inheritance and not by survivorship,
¾ About:
and a daughter of such a male Hindu would be
The Mitakshara school of Hindu law codified
entitled to inherit such property in preference to
other collaterals”. as the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 governed
succession and inheritance of property but only
¾ Property After Woman’s Death: The court also said
recognised males as legal heirs.
that if a female Hindu dies intestate without leaving
It applied to everyone who is not a Muslim,
any issue, then the property inherited by her from her
father or mother would go to the heirs of her father Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion. Buddhists,
whereas the property inherited from her husband or Sikhs, Jains and followers of Arya Samaj, Brahmo
father-in-law would go to the heirs of the husband. Samaj, are also considered Hindus for this law.
Note:
In a Hindu Undivided Family, several legal heirs Unequal Access to Healthcare: Healthcare of good
through generations can exist jointly. quality is a human right, but is too often treated
as a luxury for rich people.
Traditionally, only male descendants of a common
ancestor along with their mothers, wives and Gender-Based Violence: It is rooted in patriarchy
unmarried daughters are considered a joint and sexist economic systems. For example, sex-
Hindu family. The legal heirs hold the family selective abortions.
property jointly. Poverty-Induced Hunger: Hunger is one of the ways
¾ Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005: in which poverty kills, and it is faced by billions of
The 1956 Act was amended in September 2005
ordinary people all over the world each day.
and women were recognised as coparceners for Inequality of Climate Change Crisis: The emissions
property partitions arising from 2005. of the richest people are driving this Climate Change
Section 6 of the Act was amended to make a crisis, with the CO2 emissions of 20 of the richest
daughter of a coparcener also a coparcener by billionaires estimated on average to be 8,000 times
birth “in her own right in the same manner as that of the billion poorest people.
the son”. ¾ Vaccine Apartheid: Rich countries may back their
It also gave the daughter the same rights and pharmaceutical monopoly billionaires and hoard
liabilities “in the coparcenary property as she vaccines to protect their populations, but in so doing
would have had if she had been a son”. they push their own people toward risk from the
The law applies to ancestral property and mutations that vaccine apartheid is creating.
to intestate succession in personal property, Vaccine apartheid as a concept calls attention to the
where succession happens as per law and not effects of inequitable vaccine distribution policies
through a will. on historically subordinated peoples.
Indian Scenario
Oxfam Report: Inequality Kills
¾ Decline in Social Security Expenditure:
A Covid continued to ravage India, the country’s
Why in News
healthcare budget saw a 10% decline from RE
Recently, the Oxfam report titled “Inequality Kills’’ (Revised Estimates) of 2020-21.
was released, the report pointed out a stark income divide
There was a 6% cut in allocation for education.
worsened by the Covid pandemic, globally and in India.
The budgetary allocation for social security
Key Points schemes declined from 1.5% of the total Union

budget to 0.6%.
¾ Magnitude of Growing Inequities: Widening eco-
nomic, gender, and racial inequalities—as well as the ¾ Growing Inequalities: According to the report, the
inequality that exists between countries—are tearing income of 84% of households in the country declined
our world apart. in 2021, but at the same time, the number of Indian
The wealth of the world’s 10 richest men has
billionaires grew from 102 to 142.
doubled since the pandemic began. Growing Rich: During the pandemic, the wealth
The incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off

of Indian billionaires increased from Rs 23.14 lakh
because of Covid-19. crore to Rs 53.16 lakh crore.
z India has the third-highest number of billionaires
Inequality contributes to the death of at least
one person every four seconds. in the world, just behind China and the United
States.
¾ Economic Violence: A kind of economic violence is
perpetrated when structural policy choices are made z There is a 39% increase in the number of
for the richest and most powerful people. This affects billionaires in India in 2021.
the poorest people, women and girls, and racialized Growing Poor: More than 4.6 crore Indians are
groups most. estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in
Note:
2020. This is nearly half of the global new poor ¾ Section 6(2) says it should be affixed at a conspicuous
according to the United Nations. place at the office of the marriage officer.
z Also, in the same year, the share of the bottom
¾ Section 7(1) allows any person to object to the
50% of the population in national wealth was marriage within 30 days of the publication of the
a mere 6%. notice, failing which a marriage can be solemnised
z The unemployment in India has also increased. under Section 7(2).
¾ Blow to Gender Parity: Women collectively lost Rs ¾ Due to these provisions breaching personal liberties,
59.11 lakh crore in earnings in 2020, with 1.3 crores several inter-faith couples approached the Court,
fewer women in work now than in 2019. challenging Sections 6 and 7 of the Act.
¾ Increasing Fiscal Deficit: Lowering corporate
taxes from 30% to 22% to attract investment last Key Points
year (2020) resulted in a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, ¾ About Interfaith Marriages:
which contributed to the increase in India’s fiscal
The matrimonial relationship developed between
deficit.
two individuals having different religious faiths.
¾ Unequal Federalism: Despite the country’s federal
Although marrying into a different religion is a
structure, the revenue resources remained concentrated
in the Centre’s hands. matter of choice for an adult, there are certain
issues regarding the same.
However, the management of the pandemic was
left to the states – who were not equipped to ¾ Issues with Interfaith Marriages:
handle it with its financial or human resources. Interfaith marriages are believed to be a forced
conversion of one of the spouses (mostly women).
As per the Muslim Personal law, in order to get
Special Marriage Act 1954 married to a non-Muslim, conversion of religion
is the only way.
Why in News
Hindu religion allows only monogamy and those
Recently, the law that governs inter-faith marriages who want to marry a second time take another
in the country, the Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954, is course.
being challenged in the Supreme Court. There is no provision regarding caste determination
¾ In 2021, petitions were filed to strike down several of children born out of such marriages.
of its provisions.
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is not compatible
The Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954 with backwardness of the society.
¾ It is the legislation made to validate and register There is debate over the validity of Article 226 in
interreligious and inter-caste marriages in India. the context of annulling the interfaith marriage
¾ It allows two individuals to solemnise their marriage by the high court.
through a civil contract. z Article 226: Power of high courts to issue
¾ No religious formalities are needed to be carried certain writs.

out under the Act.
¾ This Act includes Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, PM-POSHAN Scheme
Jains, and Buddhists marriages.
¾ This Act applies not only to Indian citizens who
Why in News?
belong to different castes and religions but also to
Indian nationals who live abroad. Recently, the central government requested state
governments/union territory administrations to explore
About the Current Petition
the possibility of introducing millets under the PM
¾ Section 5 of the SMA requires a person marrying
POSHAN Scheme preferably in the districts where eating
under this law to give a notice of intended marriage. millets is a culturally accepted food habit.
Note:
¾ NITI Aayog has also been advocating the need to Organizations (FPO) and Women Self Help Groups
introduce millets in the mid-day meal programme in the implementation of the scheme.
(now PM POSHAN Scheme), moving away from rice ¾ Supplementary Nutrition:
and wheat. The scheme has a provision for supplementary
What are the Benefits of Millets? nutrition for children in aspirational districts and
those with high prevalence of anaemia.
¾ Millets or nutri-cereals, which include Jowar, Bajra,
z It does away with the restriction on the part
and Ragi, are rich in minerals and B-complex vitamins,
as well as proteins and antioxidants, making them an of the Centre to provide funds only for wheat,
ideal choice for improving the nutritional outcome rice, pulses and vegetables.
of children. z Currently, if a state decides to add any component
¾ Multidimensional benefits associated with like milk or eggs to the menu, the Centre does
millets can address the issues related to nutrition not bear the additional cost. Now that restriction
security, food systems security, and farmers’ has been lifted.
welfare. ¾ Tithi Bhojan Concept:
¾ Further, many unique features linked with millets TithiBhojan is a community participation programme
makes them a suitable crop which is resilient to in which people provide special food to children
India’s varied agro-climatic conditions. on special occasions/festivals.
¾ India pushed a resolution to declare 2023 as the ¾ Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
international year of millets which has been adopted The Centre has directed the states and the UTs to
by the United Nations General Assembly. switch to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for
providing compensation to the cooks and helpers
What is the PM Poshan Scheme? working under the scheme.
¾ In September 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the This is to ensure no leakages at the level of district
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman or PM-POSHAN administration and other authorities.
for providing one hot cooked meal in Government ¾ Nutrition Expert:
and Government-aided schools with the financial A nutrition expert is to be appointed in each school
outlay of Rs 1.31 trillion. whose responsibility is to ensure that health
¾ The scheme replaced the national programme for aspects such as Body Mass Index (BMI), weight
mid-day meal in schools or Mid-day Meal Scheme. and haemoglobin levels are addressed.
¾ It has been launched for an initial period of five years ¾ Social Audit of the Scheme:
(2021-22 to 2025-26). A social audit of the scheme has also been
mandated for each school in each state to study
What are the Features the implementation of the scheme, which was so
of the PM Poshan Scheme? far not being done by all states.
¾ Coverage:
Primary (1-5) and upper primary (6-8) schoolchildren World Neglected
are currently entitled to 100 grams and 150 grams
of food grains per working day each, to ensure a Tropical Diseases Day
minimum of 700 calories.
It also covers students of balvatikas (children in Why in News?
the 3-5 year age group) from pre-primary classes. Neglected tropical disease day is observed every year
¾ Nutritional Gardens: on 30th January. It was declared in the 74th World Health
Use of locally-grown nutritional food items will Assembly (2021).
be encouraged from “school nutrition gardens” ¾ The proposal to recognise the day was floated by the
for boosting the local economic growth, and will United Arab Emirates. It was adopted unanimously
also include involvement of Farmers Producer by the delegates.
Note:
¾ The World Health Assembly is the decision-making ¾ In its severe form, it is associated with fatigue,
body of the World Health Organization (WHO). weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. Pregnant women
and children are particularly vulnerable.
What are Neglected ¾ According to the National Family Health Survey
Tropical Diseases (NTDs)? 2019-20, Indian women and children are overwhelmingly
¾ NTDs are a group of infections that are most common anaemic.
among marginalized communities in the developing Under phase I, 22 states and UTs were surveyed
regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. and in a majority of these states and UTs, more
¾ They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as than half the children and women were found to
viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms. be anaemic.
NTDs are especially common in tropical areas ¾ According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
where people do not have access to clean water women in the reproductive age group and having
or safe ways to dispose of human waste. haemoglobin levels lower than 12 grams per decilitre
¾ These diseases generally receive less funding for (g / dL), as well as children under five with haemoglobin
research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, levels lower than 11.0 g / dL are considered anaemic.
HIV-AIDS and malaria.
What are the Highlights of AMB Strategy?
¾ Examples of NTDs are: snakebite envenomation,
scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas
disease etc.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat

Why in the News?
Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and
Family Welfare provided information on Anaemia Mukt
Bharat (AMB) strategy.
¾ In 2018, the Government of India launched the AMB
strategy with the target to reduce anaemia in the
vulnerable age groups such as women, children and
adolescents.
¾ AMB is based on a life cycle approach, providing
preventive and curative mechanisms through a
6X6X6 strategy including six target beneficiaries, six
interventions and six institutional mechanisms for
all stakeholders to implement the strategy.
What is Anaemia?
¾ It is a condition in which the number of red blood
cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient
to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex,
altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status.
Expanding Scope of NCW
¾ Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia,
although other conditions, such as folate, vitamin B12 Why in News?
and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation, Recently, the 30th Foundation Day (31st January)
parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can all of the National Commission for Women (NCW) was
cause anaemia. celebrated.
Note:
¾ According to the Prime Minister, given the evolving What is the Scheme?
needs of women in the country, the scope of NCW
¾ About:
must be broadened.
To address anemia and micro-nutrient deficiency
What is the need to in the country, the Government of India approved

expand the scope of the NCW? this scheme for a period of 3 years in 2019-20.
Under the Scheme, FCI (Food Corporation of India)
¾ Development of New India:
has been asked to come up with a comprehensive
The Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign
plan for procurement and distribution of fortified
has shown the link between the ability of women rice in all the Districts of the country under
with the development of the country. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
z This change is visible as about 70% beneficiaries & Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme from 2021-2022.
of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana are women. z The mid-day meal scheme is now known as
z The country has seen a threefold increase in PM POSHAN.
the number of women self-help groups in the Special focus remains on supplying fortified rice to
last 6-7 years. the 112 specially identified Aspirational Districts
z Similarly, in more than 60 thousand startups of the country.
that have emerged after 2016, 45% have at ¾ Objectives the Scheme:
least one woman director.
Distribution of Fortified Rice through Public
¾ Old Thinking in Society: Distribution System, to cater 15 Districts in the
Industries from textile to dairy have progressed country - preferably one district per State in the
due to women’s skills and power. initial phase of Implementation.
z India’s economy relies on Micro, Small and Coverage of NFSA (National Food Security Act)
Medium Enterprises and there is a need to beneficiaries under PDS with Fortified Rice in the
promote women entrepreneurs in the country. selected Districts.
However, people with old thinking are of the Facilitate cross learning and sharing of best practices
view that the women’s roles are restricted to among States/UTs and DoF&PD (Department of
domestic work. Food and Public Distribution).
¾ Increasing Crime Against Women: To evaluate the provision, coverage and Utilization
In 2021, the NCW had informed that there was of Fortified Rice by the target population as well as
a rise of 46% in complaints of crimes against the efficiency/effectiveness of the consumption of
women in the first eight months of 2021 over the fortified rice in reducing the targeted micronutrient
corresponding period of preceding year. deficiencies in different age and gender groups.
Crimes that women were subjected to: Domestic
violence, Harassment of, married women or dowry What is Food Fortification and its Need?
harassment, Sexual harasment at workplace, Rape ¾ Fortification:
and attempt to rape, Cyber crimes. Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and
minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A &
Rice Fortification D to staple foods such as rice, milk and salt to
improve their nutritional content.
Why in News? These nutrients may or may not have been originally
The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public present in the food before processing.
Distribution informed the Rajya Sabha that the government ¾ Fortification of Rice:
approved the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on According to the Food Ministry, fortification of rice
“Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public is a cost-effective and complementary strategy
Distribution System” for a period of 3 years beginning to increase vitamin and mineral content in
in 2019-20 with total outlay of Rs. 174.64 Cr. diets.
Note:
zAccording to FSSAI norms, 1 kg fortified rice What is the SAMRIDH Initiative?

will contain iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid
¾ About:
(75-125 microgram) and Vitamin B-12 (0.75-
In 2020 the Indian government, academia, and
1.25 microgram).
the private sector developed the innovative
In addition, rice may also be fortified with
SAMRIDH blended finance facility to combine
micronutrients, singly or in combination, with
public and philanthropic funds with commercial
zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin
capital to create and rapidly scale market-based
B3 and Vitamin B6.
health solutions.
¾ Need of Fortification:
z Blended finance is an approach towards
India has very high levels of malnutrition among
financing where catalytic funding (e.g grants
women and children. According to the Food
and concessional capital) from public and
Ministry, every second woman in the country is
philanthropic sources is utilized to mobilize
anemic and every third child is stunted.
additional private sector investment to realize
India has slipped to 101st position in the Global
social goals and outcomes.
Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 of 116 countries, from
It will improve access to affordable and quality
its 2020 position of 94th.
healthcare for vulnerable populations in tier-2 and
The deficiency of micronutrients or micronutrient
tier-3 cities, and rural and tribal regions.
malnutrition, also known as “hidden hunger”, is
This initiative is implemented by a Technical
a serious health risk.
Support Unit managed by IPE Global (a company).
Rice is one of India’s staple foods, consumed by
about two-thirds of the population. Per capita rice ¾ Objectives:
consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month. Therefore, Bridge supply-side gaps in healthcare facilities to
fortifying rice with micronutrients is an option to respond to health emergencies in the immediate,
supplement the diet of the poor. medium, and long term.
Accelerate scale-up and adoption of innovative
SAMRIDH Initiative and market-based health solutions.

Mobilize resources to support high impact health
solutions and build sustainable healthcare systems.
Why in News?
Promote local and comprehensive solutions at
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the the community and facility level for vulnerable
US Agency for International Development (USAID)
populations.
announced a new partnership under the Sustainable
¾ Significance:
Access to Markets and Resources for Innovative Delivery
of Healthcare (SAMRIDH) initiative. AIM and SAMRIDH will leverage philanthropic
¾ The collaboration will focus on innovations across capital, and public sector resources to offset
the healthcare landscape with the common goal to barriers for commercial investments in small and
mount an effective response to the ongoing third wave medium health enterprises to invest in and scale
of Covid-19 and build health system preparedness healthcare solutions.
for future infectious disease outbreaks and health
How is it different from the SAMRIDH Programme?
emergencies.
¾ The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
¾ The Planning Commission was replaced by a new Think
(MeitY) launched the ‘Start-up Accelerators of
Tank – NITI Aayog on 1st January, 2015 with emphasis
MeitY for Product Innovation, Development and
on ‘Bottom – Up’ approach to envisage the vision
growth (SAMRIDH)’ programme in August 2021.
of Maximum Governance, Minimum Government,
echoing the spirit of ‘Cooperative Federalism’. ¾ It was launched to create a conducive platform
to Indian Software Product start-ups to enhance
¾ AIM is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to
their products and secure investments for scaling
promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
their business.
in the country.
Note:
The new partnership announced will enhance
SAMRIDH’s efforts to reach vulnerable populations,
leveraging AIM’s expertise in innovation and
entrepreneurship.
Operation AAHT
Why in News?
Recently, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has
launched a nationwide operation to curb human
trafficking.
¾ As part of “Operation AAHT”, special teams will be
deployed on all long-distance trains/routes with a
focus on rescuing victims, particularly women and
children, from the clutches of traffickers.
¾ The National Crime Records Bureau registers about
2,200 cases of Human Trafficking cases on an average
each year.
What is Operation AAHT?

¾ The Indian Railways, which transported over 23 million
passengers each day (pre-pandemic), is the largest,
fastest and most reliable carrier for suspects who
trafficked scores of women and children.
¾ Under Operation AAHT, the infrastructure and
intelligence network of the force could be utilised to
collect, collate and analyse clues on victims, source,
route, destination, popular trains used by suspects,
the identity of carriers/agents, kingpins etc and
shared with other law-enforcing agencies. PM CARES Scheme for Children
¾ Under this, the RPF could act as a bridge cutting
across States to assist the local police in the mission Why in News?
to curb the menace. Recently, the Centre has extended the PM Cares for
¾ Also, cyber cells would start patrolling the web/ Children Scheme till 28th February 2022, which was earlier
social media to look for digital footprints of Human valid till 31st December 2021.
Trafficking and the focus would be more on trains
originating from districts bordering Nepal, Bangladesh What is the ‘PM-CARES for Children’ Scheme?
and Myanmar. ¾ About:
Note:
z These children are also supported during their

higher education through either a scholarship
equivalent to the tuition fees or educational
loans where the interest on the loan will be
paid by the PM-CARES fund.
Health Insurance:
z All children will be enrolled as a beneficiary
under Ayushman Bharat Scheme with a health
insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh.
z The premium amount will be paid by PM-CARES
till a child turns 18.
What is the PM-CARES Fund?

¾ The government has set up the Prime Minister’s
Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations
Fund (PM-CARES Fund) to deal with any kind of
emergency or distress situation like posed by the
The scheme was launched on 29th May, 2021 Covid-19 pandemic.
with the aim to support children who lost both
¾ The Fund is a public charitable trust with the Prime
or surviving parent(s), legal guardian/adoptive
parents or single adoptive parent to Covid-19. Minister as its Chairman. Other Members include
Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.
z The status of children in need of care and
protection included orphans (10,094), lost either ¾ The Fund enables micro-donations as a result of which
parent (1,36,910) and abandoned (488) taking a large number of people will be able to contribute
the total to 1,47,492. with the smallest of denominations.
z In the gender-wise break-up, out of the 1,47,492 ¾ It will strengthen disaster management capacities
children, there are 76,508 boys, 70,980 girls and encourage research on protecting citizens.
and four transgender. ¾ Contribution to PM - CARES Fund Qualifies as CSR
The objective is to ensure comprehensive care (Corporate Social Responsibility) Expenditure.
and protection of children in a sustained manner,
enable their wellbeing through health insurance, What are the other Children Related Initiatives
empower them through education and equip them Taken by the Government During Covid?
for self-sufficient existence with financial support
¾ Bal Swaraj Covid-Care:
on reaching 23 years of age.
The National Commission for Protection of Child
¾ Features of the Scheme:
Rights (NCPCR) has devised an online tracking
Corpus of Rs. 10 Lakh:
portal “Bal Swaraj (Covid-Care)” for children in
z The scheme offers a corpus of Rs. 10 lakh to
need of care and protection.
each of these children from the PM CARES fund.
This has been created with a purpose for online
z This corpus will be used to give a monthly
tracking and digital real time monitoring
stipend from 18 years of their age, for the next
five years and on reaching the age of 23 years, mechanism of children who are in need of care
he or she will get the corpus amount as one and protection.
lump-sum for personal and professional use. ¾ PM e-VIDYA:
Education to the Children: On 17th May, 2020, a comprehensive initiative
z The education expenses of younger children called PM e-VIDYA was initiated as part of Atma
are supported by way of admission to Kendriya Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan which unifies all efforts
Vidyalayas and private schools up to higher related to digital/online/on-air education to enable
secondary level. multi-mode access to education.
Note:
It was launched under the One Nation One Digital
¾ Mode of Transmission: Mainly by breathing airborne
Platform with the objective of protecting the edu- droplets from the affected individuals. It can be
cation of children during the Covid-19 pandemic. contacted at any age.
¾ Manodarpan: ¾ Symptoms:
It is aimed to provide psychosocial support to Red patches on the skin.
students, family members and teachers for their Skin Lesion
mental health and well-being during the times Numbness in arms, hands, and legs.
of Covid-19.
Ulcers on the soles of feet.
Muscle Weakness and excessive weight loss.

Leprosy ¾ Long Incubation Period: It usually takes about 3-5
years for symptoms to appear after coming into
Why in News? contact with Leprosy causing bacteria.
According to the latest report by the Leprosy Mission The long incubation period makes it difficult for
Trust India, the Covid-19 pandemic and its ensuing doctors to determine when and where the person
recommendations on social distancing and lockdowns got infected.
caused a fall of 62.5% in the detection of active leprosy ¾ Cure: Leprosy is curable with the combination of
cases between April and September 2020 in four States drugs known as Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).
— Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
¾ The second wave has put brakes on the Leprosy What are Steps
Case Detection Campaign and the scope for getting Taken by India for its Eradication?
healthcare and disability management services in ¾ The Government of India started the National Leprosy
institutional setup reduced. Control Programme in 1955. It was only in the 1970s
¾ Further, the pandemic highlighted that the ‘vulnerable that a definite cure was identified in the form of
population’ is not a homogenous entity. Their MultiDrug Therapy.
vulnerability is sometimes a complex intersection of ¾ The 1st Phase of the World Bank supported National
different social variables: poverty, disability, stigma, Leprosy Elimination Project started from 1993-94.
exclusion, etc.
¾ The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is
being continued with Government of India funds
What is Leprosy?
from January 2005 onwards.
¾ Bacterial Infection: Leprosy is a chronic, progressive
¾ The National Health Policy 2002, Government of
bacterial infection. It is caused by a bacterium called
India had set the goal of elimination of leprosy i.e.
Mycobacterium Leprae, which is an acid-fast rod-
to reduce the no. of cases to < 1/10,000 population
shaped bacillus.
by the year 2005.
It is also known as Hansen’s Disease.
¾ The National Leprosy Eradication Programme achieved
¾ One of Oldest Disease: It is one of the oldest diseases the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health
in recorded history, afflicting humanity since time problem, defined as less than 1 case per 10,000
immemorial. Population, at the National Level in the month of
A written account of Leprosy dates as far back December, 2005.
as 600 B.C. World Health Organisation Global Leprosy strategy
It was well recognized in the oldest civilizations document for 2016–2020 calls for promoting inter-
of China, Egypt and India thousands of years ago. sectoral collaboration within countries.
¾ Areas of Infection: Skin, Peripheral nerves, Upper ¾ In 2017, SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign was
respiratory tract and Lining of the nose. launched to promote awareness and address the
It is a disease that leaves a terrifying image in issues of stigma and discrimination.
its wake of mutilation, rejection, and exclusion The measures included in the campaign like
from society. contact tracing, examination, treatment, and
Note:
chemoprophylaxis are expected to bring down In India, a person below the age of 18 years is
the number of Leprosy cases. considered a juvenile.
The special emphasis on women, children and Minor is a person who has not attained the age of
those with disabilities are expected to flush out full legal responsibility and the juvenile is a minor
more hidden cases. who has committed some offence or needs care
In addition to continuing to administer MDT to and protection.
patients, new preventive approaches such as In India, any child below the age of 7 years can not
Chemoprophylaxis and immunoprophylaxis are be convicted of any crime because of the doctrine
being considered to break the chain of transmission of Doli incapax which means incapable of forming
and reach zero disease status. intent to commit a crime.
¾ In 2018 the Supreme Court directed states and the ¾ Main Objective of the Juvenile Justice System: To
Central government to roll out awareness programmes rehabilitate young offenders and give them a second
about leprosy. chance.
The court said campaigns should utilise positive The main reason for this protection is that children’s
images and stories of those who had been cured. brains are not fully developed and they do not
¾ In 2019, Lok Sabha passed a bill seeking to remove have a complete sense of wrong and right.
Leprosy as a ground for divorce. When parents have poor parenting skills, abusive
¾ In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary home, violence in the home, a single parent who
of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2019, the NLEP left their children for a long time unsupervised.
has prepared the comprehensive plan to reduce the The influence of news, movies, web series, social
grade of disability to less than one case per million media, and lack of education are also reasons why
people by October 2019. children indulge in criminal activities.
¾ After the independence of India, the constitution
provided some provisions under the fundamental
Bonafide Plea of Juvenility rights and Directive principles of state policy to
protect and develop children.
Why in News? ¾ Children Act, 1960: This act prohibited the imprisonment
Recently, the Supreme Court, while dismissing an of children in any circumstances and provided care,
appeal challenging the decision of the Punjab and Haryana welfare, training, education, maintenance, protection,
High Court, held that a plea of juvenility has to be raised and rehabilitation.
in a bonafide and truthful manner. ¾ Juvenile Justice Act, 1986: The Juvenile justice act 1986
¾ The Court said that if a document of dubious nature came into force to provide uniformity of the Children
is relied on to seek juvenility, the accused cannot be Act and set the standard for protection of juveniles as
treated to be juvenile keeping in view that the law per the 1959 United Nations declaration of the child.
is a beneficial legislation. In 1959, the United Nations General Assembly
¾ Juvenile offenders (age below 18 years) are given adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
protection under the Juvenile Justice (Care and ¾ Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children)
Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act). Act, 2000: The Government of India repealed the
¾ Under Section 7 A of the JJ Act, an accused person Juvenile Justice Act (JJA) and came up with a new
can raise the ‘claim of juvenility’ before “any court, at Act, the Juvenile Justice (care and protection of
any stage, even after the final disposal of the case”. children) Act, 2000.
It had much better terminology such as ‘conflict
How the Juvenile with the law’ and ‘need care and protection’.
Justice System Evolved in India? Juveniles who have a conflict with law are handled
¾ Definition of Juvenile Justice System: The juvenile by the juvenile justice board and juveniles who
justice system concerns children who have conflicted need care and protection are handled by the child
with the law and need care and protection. welfare committee.
Note:
In 2006 Amendment was made in the Juvenile Act

Disability
to make clear that juvenility is considered from
¾ A disability is a condition or function judged to be
the date when a crime is committed.
significantly impaired relative to the usual standard
¾ Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act, of an individual of their group.
2015: It replaced the Juvenile Act 2000. ¾ The term is often used to refer to individual
This act was passed by the parliament after much functioning, including physical impairment, sensory
controversy and protest. It has introduced many impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual
changes in existing law. impairment, mental illness, and various types of
This act allows juveniles involved in the heinous chronic disease.
crimes age group between 16-18 are treated as ¾ This usage has been described by some disabled
adults. people as being associated with a medical model
Making the juvenile justice system more responsive of disability.
and according to the changing circumstances of
In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons
society.
with Disabilities (CRPD) was also adopted.
The Act gives a clear definition of orphaned,
It aims at working towards creating equal oppor-
abandoned, surrendered children and provides tunities for persons with disabilities through the
an organized system for them. implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable
¾ Juvenile Justice (care and Protection) Amendment development.
Act 2021: Recently, Parliament passed the Juvenile ¾ About:
Justice (care and Protection) Amendment Act
The day is observed to promote the rights and
2021.
well-being of people with disabilities at every
The amendment provides strength to the provision
level of society and development.
of protection and adoption of children.
It also aims to raise awareness of the situations of
There are many adoption cases pending before
persons with disabilities in all aspects of political,
the court and to make proceedings of the court social, economic and cultural life.
faster now the power is transferred to the district
¾ Data related to Persons with Disabilities:
magistrate.
According to the World Health Organization
Amendment provides that the district magistrate
(WHO), more than 1 billion people experience
has the authority to issue such adoption orders.
disability, and this figure is predicted to rise, due
in part to population ageing and an increase in
International Day the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
As per the National Statistics Office report on
of Persons with Disabilities disability released last year (2020), about 2.2% of
India’s population lives with some kind of physical
Why in News or mental disability.
Every year on 3rd December, International Day of ¾ Theme for 2021:
Persons with Disabilities is observed. ‘Leadership and participation of persons with
¾ Earlier, the draft norms for ensuring accessibility for disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible, and
the differently abled at airports has been released by sustainable post-Covid-19 world’.
the Ministry of Civil Aviation. ¾ Related Initiatives:
Global:
Key Points
z World Programme of Action (WPA): It is a global
¾ Background: strategy to enhance disability prevention,
The annual observance of this day began in 1992 rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities,
after it was proclaimed by the United Nations which pertains to full participation of persons
General Assembly resolution 47/3. with disabilities in social life and national
Note:
development. The WPA also emphasizes the It is estimated that an approximate 60,000 poorest
need to approach disability from a human persons would be benefited under this scheme
rights perspective. for leading a life of dignity.
India’s: ¾ Implementation:
z Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Portal It will be implemented with the support of State/
z Accessible India Campaign UT Governments/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary
z DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme Organizations, Community Based Organizations
z Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ (CBOs) , institutions and others.
fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) ¾ Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars:
It will be a comprehensive scheme for persons
Related Observances
engaged in the act of begging.
¾ 4th January: World Braille Day
The scheme has been implemented in the selected
¾ 21st March: World Down Syndrome Day
cities on pilot basis having large concentrations
¾ 2nd April: World Autism Day of the Beggar community.
¾ 23rd September: International Day of Sign Languages During the year 2019-20, this Ministry had released
¾ 10th December: Human Rights Day an amount of Rs. 1 Crore to National Institute of
Social Defence (NISD) and Rs. 70 Lakh to National
SMILE Scheme Backward Classes Finance & Development
Corporation (NBCFDC) for skill development
Why in News programmes for beggars.
¾ Status of Beggars in India:
Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empower-
According to the Census 2011 ,the total number
ment has formulated a scheme SMILE - Support for
Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. of beggars in India is 4,13,670 (including 2,21,673
¾ It includes a sub-scheme - ‘Central Sector Scheme for
males and 1,91,997 females) and the number has
Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in increased from the last census.
the act of Begging. West Bengal tops the chart followed by Uttar
¾ Currently, a pilot project of it is ongoing in 7 cities Pradesh and Bihar at number two and three
namely Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, respectively. Lakshadweep merely has two vagrants
Nagpur and Patna. according to the 2011 census.
Recently, the Supreme Court has agreed to examine
Key Points a plea for decriminalising begging which has been
¾ About: made an offense in various states under Prevention
It is a new Scheme after the merger of existing of Begging Act.
Schemes for Beggars and Transgenders.
National Backward Classes
Scheme provides for the use of the existing shelter
Finance & Development Corporation
homes available with the State/UT Governments
¾ It is a Government of India Undertaking under
and Urban local bodies for rehabilitation of the
persons engaged in the act of Begging. the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empower-
ment.
z In case of non-availability of existing shelter
¾ It was incorporated under Section 25 of the Com-
homes, new dedicated shelter homes are to
be set up by the implementing agencies. panies Act 1956 on 13th January 1992 as a Company
not for profit.
¾ Focus:
¾ Its objective is to promote economic and develop-
The focus of the scheme is extensively on rehabili-
mental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes
tation, provision of medical facilities, counseling,
and to assist the poorer section of these classes in
basic documentation, education, skill development,
skill development and self-employment ventures.
economic linkages and so on.
Note:
National Institute of Social Defence z It has been implemented since 1st June 2020, for
providing affordable working capital loans to
¾ The NISD is an Autonomous Body and is registered
street vendors to resume their livelihoods that
under Societies Act XXI of 1860 with the Government
have been adversely affected due to Covid-19
of National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi.
lockdowns, with a sanctioned budget of Rs.
¾ It is a central advisory body for the Ministry of 700 crore.
Social Justice and Empowerment.
Aims:
¾ It is the nodal training and research institute in
z To benefit over 50 lakh street vendors who had
the field of social defence.
been vending on or before 24th March 2020, in
¾ The institute currently focuses on human resource urban areas including those from surrounding
development in the areas of drug abuse prevention, peri-urban/rural areas.
welfare of senior citizens, beggary prevention, z To promote digital transactions through cash-
transgender and other social defence issues. back incentives up to an amount of Rs. 1,200
¾ The mandate of the institute is to provide inputs for per annum.
the social defence programmes of the Government As of 31st January 2021, the PM SVANidhi
of India through training, research & documentation. scheme has disbursed loans to 13.82 Lakh
beneficiaries amounting to Rs 1,363.88 Crores.
Main Bhi Digital 3.0 Campaign Features:
z The vendors can avail a working capital loan of
Why in News up to Rs. 10,000, which is repayable in monthly

installments in the tenure of one year.
Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
z On timely/early repayment of the loan, an
(MoHUA) and Ministry of Electronics & Information
interest subsidy of 7% per annum will be credited
Technology (MeitY) launched ‘Main Bhi Digital 3.0’ to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through
Campaign under PM SVANidhi ( Prime Minister Street Direct Benefit Transfer on a quarterly basis.
Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) Scheme.
z There will be no penalty on early repayment
Key Points of the loan. The vendors can avail the facility
of the enhanced credit limit on timely/early
¾ About: repayment of the loan.
It is a special Campaign for Digital Onboarding and Challenges:
Training (DOaT) for Street Vendors (SVs). z Several banks are seeking applications on stamp
It is aimed at digital onboarding of SVs who have papers worth between Rs. 100 and Rs. 500.
already been provided loans under PM SVANidhi z There have also been instances of banks seeking
Scheme. PAN cards and even checking the CIBIL or Credit
Lending Institutions (LIs) have been instructed score of applicants or state authorities asking
to issue a durable QR Code & Unified Payments for voter ID cards, which many migrant vendors
Interface (UPI) ID at the time of disbursement do not carry with them.
and train the beneficiaries in conduct of digital CIBIL score is an evaluation of one’s credit
transactions. history and determines their eligibility for
An Integrated IT Platform has been developed for a loan.
implementation of this Scheme. SVs can apply for z There have also been complaints of harassment
loans directly through PM SVANidhi Portal. by police and municipal officials.
¾ PM SVANidhi Scheme:
Other Initiatives for Street Vendors:
About:
¾ Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
z It was announced as a part of the Economic
¾ Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Stimulus-II under the Atmanirbhar Bharat
Abhiyan. ¾ Jan-Dhan Yojana.
Note:
¾ Building and Other Construction Workers Act 1996. Should not be an income tax payer.
¾ Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana. ¾ Salient Features:
Minimum Assured Pension:
¾ Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
z Each subscriber shall receive a minimum assured
pension of Rs 3000/- per month after attaining
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi the age of 60 years.
Maan-Dhan Pension Scheme Family Pension:
z During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber
Why in News dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be

entitled to receive 50% of the pension received
According to the Ministry of Labour & Employ- by the beneficiary as family pension. Family
ment, nearly 46 lakh Unorganised Workers (UW) have pension is applicable only to spouses.
been registered under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi
z If a beneficiary has given regular contribution
Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme. and died due to any cause (before age of 60
Unorganised Workers years), his/her spouse will be entitled to join and
continue the scheme subsequently by payment
¾ UWs are mostly engaged as rickshaw pullers, street
of regular contribution or exit the scheme as
vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders,
per provisions of exit and withdrawal.
brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic
Contribution:
workers, washer men, home-based workers, own
account workers, agricultural workers, construction z The subscriber’s contributions shall be made
workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her savings
workers, audio- visual workers or in similar other bank account/Jan-Dhan account.
occupations. z PM-SYM functions on a 50:50 basis where
¾ There are estimated 45 crore such unorganised prescribed age-specific contribution shall be
workers in the country. made by the beneficiary and the matching
contribution by the Central Government.
Key Points
¾ About: Fourth Edition
PM-SYM is a Central Sector Scheme administered
by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and
of State Health Index
implemented through Life Insurance Corporation
of India and Community Service Centers (CSCs). Why in News
z LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) is the Pension NITI Aayog has released the fourth edition of the
Fund Manager and responsible for Pension State Health Index for 2019–20.
pay out. ¾ The report, titled “Healthy States, Progressive India”,
¾ Eligibility: ranks states and Union Territories on their year-on-
year incremental performance in health outcomes
Should be an Unorganised Worker (UW).
as well as their overall status.
Monthly Income Rs 15000 or below.
¾ Earlier, the Global Health Security (GHS) Index 2021,
Entry age between 18 and 40 years.
developed in partnership by the Nuclear Threat
Should possess a mobile phone, savings bank Initiative (NTI) and the Johns Hopkins Center was
account and Aadhaar number. released. India, with a score of 42.8 (out of 100) has
Should not be covered under New Pension Scheme slipped by 0.8 points since 2019.
(NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
(ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Key Points
Organisation (EPFO). ¾ About:
Note:
The State Health Index is an annual tool to assess
and Tripura among the ‘Smaller States’, and
the performance of states and UTs, which has Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
been compiled and published since 2017. (DH&DD) and Chandigarh among the UTs.
It is a weighted composite index based on 24
indicators grouped under the domains of ‘Health
Outcomes’, ‘Governance and Information’, and
‘Key Inputs/Processes’.
z Health Outcomes:
It includes parameters such as neonatal

mortality rate, under-5 mortality rate, sex
ratio at birth.
z Governance and Information:
It includes parameters such as institutional

deliveries, average occupancy of senior
officers in key posts earmarked for health.
z Key Inputs/Processes:
It consists of proportion of shortfall in health

¾ Significance of the Index:
care providers to what is recommended,
Policymaking:
functional medical facilities, birth and death
registration and tuberculosis treatment z States use it in their policy making and resource
success rate. allocation.

¾ Developed By: This report is an example of both competitive
NITI Aayog, with technical assistance from the and cooperative federalism.
World Bank, and in close consultation with the Healthy Competition:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). z The index encourages healthy competition and
¾ Focus of the Fourth Edition: cross-learning among States and UTs.
Round IV of the report focuses on measuring The aim is to nudge states/UTs towards
and highlighting the overall performance and building robust health systems and improving
incremental improvement of states and UTs over service delivery.
the period 2018–19 to 2019–20. Helpful in Achieving SDGs:
¾ Ranking of States:
z The exercise is expected to help drive state and
To ensure comparison among similar entities, the
union territories’ efforts towards the achievement
ranking is categorized as: of health-related Sustainable Development Goals
z Larger States: (SDGs) including those related to Universal Health
In terms of annual incremental performance, Coverage (UHC) and other health outcomes.
Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Telangana are the Role in National Health Mission:
top three ranking states.
z The importance of this annual tool is reemphasized
z Smaller States:
by MoHFW’s decision to link the index to
Mizoram and Meghalaya registered the incentives under the National Health Mission.
maximum annual incremental progress.
z Union Territories:
Raising Legal Age
Delhi, followed by Jammu and Kashmir,
showed the best incremental performance. of Marriage for Women
z Overall:
The top-ranking states were Kerala and Tamil

Why in News
Nadu among the ‘Larger States’, Mizoram Recently, the Union Cabinet cleared a proposal to
Note:
bring uniformity in the marriageable age of men and zAn early age of marriage, and consequent early
women. pregnancies, also have impacts on nutritional
¾ By amending the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act levels of mothers and their children, and their
(PCMA), 2006 and other personal law, the legal age of overall health and mental wellbeing
marriage of women will be raised rom 18 to 21 years. Women’s Empowerment And Gender Parity: The
¾ The decision is based on the recommendation of a mother’s age at childbearing affects educational
four-member task force led by former Samata Party level, living conditions, health conditions, decision-
chief Jaya Jaitly. making power of women.
Tackling Child Marriage: India is home to the
Note: largest number of underage marriages in the
¾ The task force was set up to re-examine the age of world. The law will help to curb the menace of
marriage and its correlation to health and social Child Marriage.
indices such as infant mortality, maternal mortality,
¾ Cons of raising Minimum Age for Marriage For
and nutrition levels among mothers and children.
Women
Key Points Difficulty in Fighting Child Marriage: The imple-
mentation of the child marriage law is difficult.
¾ About Legal Framework of Minimum Age for Marriage:
z The evidence suggests that when the law is
Background:
used, it is mostly to penalise young adults for
z In India, the minimum age of marriage was
self-arranged marriages.
prescribed for the first time by the law known
z The law to prevent child marriage does not
as the Sarda Act, 1929. It was later renamed as
work very well.
the Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA), 1929.
z While child marriage has declined, it has been
z In 1978, the law was amended to raise the
marginal: from 27% in 2015-16 to 23% in 2019-
minimum age of marriage to 18 years for girls
20, according to National Family Health Survey
and 21 years for boys.
(NFHS) 5.
z This position remains the same even in the new
z 70% of early marriages take place in deprived
law called the Prohibition of Child Marriages Act
communities such as Scheduled Castes and
(PCMA), 2006, which replaced the CMRA, 1929.
Scheduled Tribes, and the law will simply
Marriage Minimum Age For Different Religion:
push these marriages underground instead of
z For Hindus, The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 sets
preventing them.
18 years as the minimum age for the bride and
Criminalisation of a Large Number of Marriages:
21 years as the minimum age for the groom.
The change will leave the vast majority of Indian
z In Islam, the marriage of a minor who has
women who marry before they are 21 without the
attained puberty is considered valid. legal protections that the institution of marriage
z The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the otherwise provides, and make their families
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 also criminalisable.
prescribe 18 and 21 years as the minimum age Lack of Education is a Bigger Problem: According
of consent for marriage for women and men, to the State of the World Report 2020 by UNFPA,
respectively. in India, 51% of young women with no education
z For the new age of marriage to be implemented, and 47% of those with only a primary education
these laws are expected to be amended. had married by age 18.
¾ Pros of Raising Minimum Age for Marriage For Women: z Further, a study by the International Centre for
Women and Child Welfare: The poverty of the Research on Women has found that girls out of
mother plays the greatest role of all by far — both school are 3.4 times more likely to be married
in relation to her undernourishment and that of or have their marriage already fixed than girls
her child. who are still in school.
Note:
¾ Scenario of Malnutrition in India:
Nutrition Smart Despite decades of investment to tackle this
Village Initiative malaise, India’s child malnutrition rates are still

one of the most alarming in the world.
z The Global Hunger Index (2021) — which is
Why in News
calculated on the basis of total undernourishment
A programme on “Nutrition Smart Village” will be of the population, child stunting, wasting and
initiated to strengthen the Poshan Abhiyan. child mortality — places India at the 101st spot
¾ It will be part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, to among 116 countries.
commemorate the 75th year of Independence of India. The bane of child and maternal malnutrition is
responsible for 15% of India’s total disease burden.
Key Points
According to the data from the fifth round of
¾ About: National Family Health Survey (NFHS) (2019-2021)
The initiative is in line with the Prime Minister’s from the 22 states surveyed so far, only 9 showed
call to adopt and transform 75 villages. a decline in the number of stunted children, 10 in
A total of 75 villages will be adopted by All India wasted children and six in underweight children.
Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) centres and Research suggests that USD 1 spent on nutritional
Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Central interventions in India could generate USD (34.1 to
Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA). 38.6) in public economic returns three times more
¾ Objective: than the global average.
To promote nutritional awareness, education and Studies reveal that India loses up to 4% of its
behavioural change in rural areas involving farm Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and up to 8% of
women and school children. its productivity due to child malnutrition.
Harnessing traditional knowledge through the
local recipe to overcome malnutrition. HPV Vaccine
Implementing nutrition-sensitive agriculture
through homestead agriculture and Nutri-garden. Reducing Cervical Cancer
¾ Poshan Abhiyan:
About:
Why in News
z Also called National Nutrition Mission, was Recently, new research has found that the Human
launched on the occasion of the International papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Cervarix) reduces the risk
Women’s Day on 8th March, 2018. of Cervical Cancer significantly in women.
z The Abhiyan targets to reduce Stunting, ¾ The results are important because the vaccine was
undernutrition, Anemia (among young children, introduced in the 2000s and studies confirming that it
women and adolescent girls) and reduce low is effective against cancer have come up only recently.
birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum
respectively.
Key Points
z It also targets to bring down stunting among ¾ Findings:
children in the age group 0-6 years from 38.4% The Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine reduced
to 25% by 2022. cervical cancer cases by 87% among women in
Poshan 2.0: the U.K. who received the vaccine when they
z Recently, the Ministry for Women and Child
were 12 or 13 years old.
Development inaugurated Poshan 2.0 and It reduced the risk by 34% in women who were
urged all Aspirational Districts to establish aged 16-18 years when they were offered the jab.
a Poshan Vatika (nutrition garden) during Over a period of 11 years (since 2006), the vaccine
the Nutrition Month (Poshan Mah) (from 1st prevented around 450 cervical cancers and around
September, 2021). 17,200 cases of precancerous conditions.
Note:
¾ Cervical Cancer: Cancer

It is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the
¾ It is a large group of diseases that can start in almost
cervix - the lower part of the uterus that connects any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal
to the vagina. cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual
Various strains of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body
play a role in causing most cervical cancer. and/or spread to other organs. The latter process
When exposed to HPV, the body’s immune system is called metastasizing and is a major cause of
typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In death from cancer.
a small percentage of people, however, the virus ¾ A neoplasm and malignant tumor are other common
survives for years, contributing to the process that names for cancer.
causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells. ¾ Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer
The HPV vaccine (Cervarix) protects against two are the most common types of cancer in men, while
of the cancer-causing strains, which are HPV 16 breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer
and 18. are the most common among women.
¾ Human papillomavirus: ¾ World Cancer Day is organized by the Union for
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common International Cancer Control (UICC) and celebrated
viral infection of the reproductive tract. each year on 4th February.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. ¾ Related Indian Initiatives:
z More than 40 types of HPV are spread through National Programme for Prevention and Control
direct sexual contact. of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases
z Out of these 40, two cause genital warts, while and Stroke (NPCDCS).
about a dozen of HPV cause different types of National Cancer Grid (NCG).
cancer including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal,
penile, vulvar and vaginal.
¾ Types of HPV Vaccines:
Protocol to Prevent
Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil): It protects against Human Trafficking: SCO
four types of HPV (HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11). The
latter two strains cause genital warts. Why in News
Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix): It protects against
Recently, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
HPV 16 and 18 only. (SCO), in its 19th meet (of Prosecutors General) held in
Non valent vaccine (Gardasil 9): It protects against New Delhi, adopted a protocol to strengthen cooperation
nine strains of HPV. in preventing and combating growing menace of human
z These vaccines prevent cervical cancer in women trafficking, especially women and children.
and girls who have not yet been exposed to ¾ The current chair of SCO is Tajikistan.
the virus.
¾ Indian Scenario: SCO
India is home to 16-17% of the world’s population,
¾ It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001
globally 27% of total cervical cancer cases are by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz
from here. Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Further, in India about 77% cases of cervical cancer
¾ Presently, it comprises nine member states namely
are caused by HPV 16 and 18. India, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Paki-
stan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
In India, bivalent and quadrivalent HPV vaccines
and Iran.
were licensed in 2008 and a non valent vaccine
was licensed in 2018. India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005.
Officially, the HPV vaccine has not been recom- India and Pakistan became its permanent
mended for boys and males in India. members in 2017.
Note:
¾ It is headquartered in Beijing, China. Convention) which among others has a Protocol
to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in
¾ RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) is a
Persons, especially Women and Children.
permanent organ of the SCO, headquartered in
Tashkent, Uzbekistan. India has ratified the SAARC Convention on Pre-
venting and Combating Trafficking in Women and
¾ The summit is held annually and chairmanship goes
Children for Prostitution.
to the member states for a year on rotation basis.
Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell was set up in the Ministry
Key Points of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2006 to act as a focal point
¾ Human Trafficking: for communicating various decisions and follow
up on action taken by the State Governments to
Human trafficking involves recruitment, transpor-
combat the crime of Human Trafficking.
tation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons,
by means of the threat or use of force or other Judicial Colloquium: In order to train and sensitize
forms of coercion, for the purpose of exploitation. the trial court judicial officers, Judicial Colloquium
on human trafficking are held at the High court
Exploitation include, at a minimum, the exploitation
level.
of the prostitution of others or other forms of
sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, Ministry of Home Affairs under a Comprehensive
slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude, Scheme ‘Strengthening Law Enforcement Response
or the removal of organs. in India against Trafficking in Persons’ through
Training and Capacity Building, has released fund
¾ About the Protocol:
for establishment of Anti Human Trafficking Units
Calls for continuation of exchange of national
for 270 districts of the country.
legislation to combat the menace of trafficking
in persons. The Ujjawala scheme was launched in 2007 to put
an end to the trafficking of children and women.
Seeks to provide protection and assistance to
The objective of the scheme is to prevent, rescue,
victims of trafficking within their competence.
rehabilitate, reintegrate, and repatriate victims
Calls for developing cooperation between the ed-
trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.
ucational organisations of the SCO member states
Various initiatives such as “SwadharGreh Scheme”,
in the field of advanced training of prosecutors,
“Sakhi”, “Universalization of Women Helpline”,
whose competence include combating trafficking
provide for a supportive institutional framework
in persons especially, women and children.
and mechanism for addressing concerns of women
¾ Relevant Laws in India:
affected by violence.
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956 is the
premier legislation to deal with this issue.
Article 23 and 24 (Right Against Exploitation) of
Issue of Mental health
the Constitution of India.
25 sections in IPC such as 366A, 366B, 370 and 374. Why in News
The Juvenile Justice Act and the Information Recently, the Supreme Court has said the judiciary
Technology (IT) Act and also the Prevention of should not treat the mental health of a person with a
Child Labour Act, the Bonded Labour (Abolition) one-size-fits-all approach, upholding the need for judges
Act, among others. to be sensitive to the gravity of mental health issues.
¾ India’s Efforts in Combating Human Trafficking: ¾ SC noted that an individual copes with a threat —
In July 2021, the Ministry of Women and Child both physical and emotional, expressing (or refraining
Development released Draft anti-trafficking Bill, to express) love, loss, sorrow and happiness, varies
the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and greatly in view of the multi-faceted nature of the
Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021. human mind and emotions.
India has ratified the United Nations Convention ¾ World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October
on Transnational Organised Crime (the Palermo every year.
Note:
Key Points Rise in Severity: Mental health problems tend to

increase during economic downturns, therefore
¾ About:
special attention is needed during times of
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
economic distress.
mental health is ‘a state of well-being in which
¾ Steps Taken by the Government:
the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can
cope with the normal stresses of life, can work Constitutional Provision: SC has held healthcare
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a to be a fundamental right under Article 21 of the
contribution to his or her community.’ Constitution.
Like Physical health, Mental health is also National Mental Health Program (NMHP): To
important at every stage of life, from childhood address the huge burden of mental disorders
and adolescence through adulthood. and shortage of qualified professionals in the
field of mental health, the government has been
implementing the National Mental Health Program
(NMHP) since 1982.
z The Program was re-strategize in 2003 to include
two schemes, viz. Modernization of State Mental
Hospitals and Up-gradation of Psychiatric Wings
of Medical Colleges/General Hospitals.
Mental Health Care Act 2017: It guarantees every
affected person access to mental healthcare and
treatment from services run or funded by the
government.
¾ Challenges:
z It has significantly reduced the scope for the
High Public Health Burden: An estimated 150
use of Section 309 IPC and made the attempt to
million people across India are in need of mental
commit suicide punishable only as an exception.
health care interventions, according to India’s
Kiran Helpline: In 2020, the Ministry of Social
latest National Mental Health Survey 2015-16.
Justice and Empowerment launched a 24/7 toll-
Lack of Resources: Low proportion of the
free helpline ‘Kiran’ to provide support to people
mental health workforce in India (per 100,000
facing anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts
population) include psychiatrists (0.3), nurses (0.12),
and other mental health concerns.
psychologists (0.07) and social workers (0.07).
z Low financial resource allocation of just over a
percent of Gross Domestic Product on healthcare Health Insurance for
has created impediments in public access to India’s Missing Middle
affordable mental healthcare.
Other Challenges: Poor awareness about the
Why in News
symptoms of mental illness, social stigma and
abandonment of mentally ill, especially old and Recently, NITI Aayog has released a comprehensive
destitute, leads to social isolation and reluctance report titled Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle.
on part of family members to seek treatment for ¾ The report brings out the gaps in the health insurance
the patient. coverage across the Indian population and offers
z This has resulted in a massive treatment gap, solutions to address the situation.
which further worsens the present mental
illness of a person. Key Points
Post-Treatment gap: There is need for proper ¾ Importance of Health Insurance:
rehabilitation of the mentally ill persons post Health insurance is a mechanism of pooling the
his/her treatment which is currently not present. high level of Out of Pocket expenditure (OOPE)
Note:
in India to provide greater financial protection health insurance, and private voluntary health
against health shocks. insurance.
Pre-payment through health insurance emerges as Existing Health Insurance, But not Suitable For
an important tool for risk-pooling and safeguarding The Missing Middle:
against catastrophic (and often impoverishing) z In the absence of a low-cost health insurance
expenditure from health shocks. product, the missing middle remains uncovered
Moreover, pre-paid pooled funds can also improve despite the ability to pay nominal premiums.
the efficiency of healthcare provision. z Affordable contributory products such as Em-
¾ Health Insurance: Need And Landscape: ployees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC),
Achieving Universal Health Coverage: Expansion and Government subsidized insurance including
of health insurance coverage is a vital step, and AB-PMJAY are closed products.
a pathway in India’s effort to achieve Universal They are not available to the general
Health Coverage (UHC). population due to the risk of adverse selection.
z Low Government expenditure on health has ¾ Recommended Insurance Models: The report has
constrained the capacity and quality of healthcare recommended three models for increasing the health
services in the public sector. insurance coverage in the country:
z It diverts the majority of individuals – about Creation of a Large and Diversified Risk Pool: The
two-thirds – to seek treatment in the costlier success of a private voluntary contributory health
private sector. insurance product requires creation of a large and
High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: India’s health diversified risk pool.
sector is characterized by low Government expen- z For this to happen the Government should
diture on health, high out-of-pocket expenditure build consumer awareness of health insurance
(OOPE), and low financial protection for adverse through Information Education Communication
health events. campaigns.
z The private sector is characterized by high OOPE,
Developing a Modified, Standardized Health
leading to low financial protection.
Insurance Product: The cost of health insurance
Missing Middle: According to the report, at least
i.e., the premium needs to come down, in line with
30% of the population, or 40 crore individuals the affordability of the missing middle.
(referred as the missing middle in this report)
z For example, Aarogya Sanjeevani can be made
are devoid of any financial protection for health.
affordable.
z The Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan
z Aarogya Sanjeevani is a standardised health
Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and various State
insurance product launched by the Insurance
Government extension schemes, provide
Regulatory Development Authority of India
comprehensive hospitalization cover to the
(IRDAI) in April 2020.
bottom 50% of the population.
Government Subsidized Health Insurance: This
model can be utilized for segments of the missing
middle which remain uncovered, due to limited
ability to pay for the voluntary contributory models
outlined above.
z In the medium-term, once the supply-side
and utilization of PMJAY is strengthened, their
infrastructure can be leveraged to allow voluntary
contributions to the missing middle.
z Government can provide public data and infra-
z Around the top 20% of the population – 25 structure as a public good to reduce operational
crore individuals – are covered through social and distribution costs of insurers.
Note:
There was decline in lung function with an increase

Impact of Stubble Burning in PM2.5 concentration.
on Respiratory Health z A 10-14% decline in lung function in men and
nearly 15-18% decline in women across all age
categories was noted.
Why in News
A study was conducted in Punjab that showed Stubble Burning
pollution from stubble burning significantly reduced lung ¾ About:
function and was particularly harmful to women in rural
Stubble (parali) burning is the act of setting fire
Punjab.
to crop residue to remove them from the field
¾ The study was conducted in two phases: The first was
to sow the next crop.
in October 2018 and again the following summer
In order to plant the next winter crop (Rabi crop),
from March to April 2019.
farmers in Haryana and Punjab have to move in a
Key Points very short interval and if they are late, due to short
winters these days, they might face considerable
¾ High PM2.5 levels:
losses. Therefore, burning is the cheapest and
The concentration of PM2.5 (Particulate Matter-2.5)
fastest way to get rid of the stubble.
was found to increase more than twice between
It begins around October and peaks in November,
the two phases, from 100 g/m3 to 250 g/m3.
coinciding with the withdrawal of southwest
z PM2.5 refers to particles that have a diameter
monsoon.
less than 2.5 micrometres (more than 100
times thinner than a human hair) and remain ¾ Effects of Stubble Burning:
suspended for longer. Pollution:
z It causes respiratory problems and also reduces z Emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the
visibility. It is an endocrine disruptor that can atmosphere which contain harmful gases like
affect insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, methane (CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile
thus contributing to diabetes. Organic Compound (VOC) and carcinogenic
Incidentally these are around 10-15 times the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
WHO (World Health Organisation) prescribed air z These pollutants disperse in the surroundings, may
quality standards though the permissible standards undergo a physical and chemical transformation
by India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and eventually adversely affect human health
are higher. by causing a thick blanket of smog.
z WHO: The annual average concentrations of Soil Fertility:
PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3, while 24- z Burning husk on the ground destroys the
hour average exposures should not exceed 15 nutrients in the soil, making it less fertile.
µg/m3 more than 3 - 4 days per year.
Heat Penetration:
z CPCB: The annual average concentrations of
z Heat generated by stubble burning penetrates
PM2.5 should not exceed 40 µg/m3, while 24-
into the soil, leading to the loss of moisture
hour average exposures should not exceed 60
µg/m3 more than 3 - 4 days per year. and useful microbes.
¾ Alternatives to Stubble Burning:
¾ Impact:
In-Situ Treatment of Stubble: For example crop
A two to three-fold increase was noted in most
of the respiratory symptoms including wheezing, residue management by zero-tiller machine and
breathlessness on exertion, skin rashes, itchiness Use of bio-decomposers.
of eyes etc. across all age groups (10-60 years). Ex-Situ (off site) Treatment: For example use of
z The highest number of respiratory complaints rice straw as cattle fodder.

were reported by the elderly population Use of Technology- For example Turbo Happy Seeder
(>40-60). (THS) machine, which can uproot the stubble and
Note:
also sow seeds in the area cleared. The stubble ¾ The Harm Reduction Con-
can then be used as mulch for the field. sortium is a global consor-
Changing Cropping Pattern: It is the deeper and tium of networks aiming
more fundamental solution. to challenge the global
Bio Enzyme-PUSA: The Indian Agriculture Research
“war on drugs”, scale up
Institute has devised a radical solution for stubble access to harm reduction
burning in the form of a bio-enzyme called PUSA. services, and advocate for
increased resources for
z It leads to an increase in organic carbon and soil
harm reduction.
health while significantly reducing the fertiliser
expense for the next cropping cycle. Key Points
¾ Other Action Plan:
¾ About the Index: It is a
The State Governments of Punjab, National Capital unique tool that documents,
Region (NCR) States and Government of National measures and compares
Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have developed national-level drug policies.
detailed monitorable action plans based on the It provides each country with a score and ranking
framework by the Commission for Air Quality that shows how much their drug policies and their
Management (CAQM) to tackle the problem of implementation align with the United Nations prin-
air pollution. ciples of human rights, health and development.
The Index provides an essential accountability and
evaluation mechanism in the field of drug policy.
It evaluates the performance of 30 countries
covering all regions of the world.
¾ Major Findings:
The global dominance of drug policies based on
repression and punishment has led to low scores
overall, with a median score of just 48/100, and
Global Drug Policy Index 2021 the top-ranking country (Norway) only reaching
74/100.
Why in News Standards and expectations from civil society
Recently, the inaugural Global Drug Policy Index was experts on drug policy implementation vary from
released by the Harm Reduction Consortium. country to country.
¾ It is a data-driven global analysis of drug policies and Inequality is deeply seated in global drug policies,
their implementation which comes at a time when with the top-ranking 5 countries scoring 3 times
the Indian government is reviewing the provisions as much as the lowest-ranking 5 countries.
of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic substances z This is in part due to the colonial legacy of the
act 1985. ‘war on drugs’ approach.
Note:
Drug policies disproportionately affect people ¾ Earlier, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021
marginalised on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, was released by the United Nations Development
sexual orientation and socio-economic status. Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty & Human
There are wide disparities between state policies Development Initiative (OPHI).
and how they are implemented on the ground.
With a few exceptions, the meaningful participation
Key Points
of civil society and affected communities in drug ¾ About:
policy processes remains severely limited. The MPI seeks to measure poverty across its
¾ India’s Performance: multiple dimensions and in effect complements
Ranking: existing poverty statistics based on per capita
z India’s rank is 18 out of 30 countries. It has an consumption expenditure.
overall score of 46/100. According to Global MPI 2021, India’s rank is 66
Scores: out of 109 countries. The National MPI is aimed

z Using extreme sentencing and responses, it has
at deconstructing the Global MPI and creating a
a score of 63/100. globally aligned and yet customised India MPI for
drawing up comprehensive Reform Action Plans
z Health and harm reduction, 49/100.
with the larger goal of improving India’s position
z Proportionality of criminal justice response,
in the Global MPI rankings.
38/100.
It has three equally weighted dimensions – health,
z Availability and access of internationally
education, and standard of living.
controlled substances for the relief of pain and
z These three dimensions are represented by 12
suffering, 33/100.
indicators such as nutrition, school attendance,
years of schooling, drinking water, sanitation,
National Multidimensional housing, bank accounts among others.
Poverty Index: NITI Ayog ¾ Methodology & Data:
The national MPI measure uses the globally
Why in News accepted and robust methodology developed

by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development
Recently, NITI Aayog has released the Multi-dimen-
Initiative (OPHI) and the UNDP.
sional Poverty Index (MPI).
This baseline report of the national MPI measure
is based on the reference period of 2015-16 of the
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4).
z NFHS-4 data has been used to derive an idea
of baseline multidimensional poverty to know
the situation on ground before the full rollout
of various central government schemes.
z NFHS-4 precedes the full roll out of (central
government’s) flagship schemes on housing,
drinking water, sanitation, electricity, cooking
fuel, financial inclusion, and other major efforts
towards improving school attendance, nutrition,
mother and child health, etc.
z However, it has to be noted here that the NFHS-5
data suggests improvement in access to clean
cooking fuel, sanitation, and electricity which
translates to reduction in deprivation.
Note:
¾ Findings of the Index: Report (GNR, 2021), India has made no progress on
Poverty Levels: anaemia and childhood wasting.
z Bihar has the highest proportion of people of
Global Nutrition Targets
the state’s population followed by Jharkhand and
¾ In 2012, the World Health Assembly (the decision-
Uttar Pradesh who are multidimensionally poor.
making body of the World Health Organisation)
z Kerala registered the lowest population poverty
identified six nutrition targets to be met by 2025.
levels, followed by Puducherry, Lakshadweep, These are:
Goa and Sikkim.
Reduce stunting by 40% in children under 5.
Malnourished People:
Reduce the prevalence of anaemia by 50%
z Bihar also has the highest number of malnour-
among women in the age group of 19-49 years.
ished people followed by Jharkhand, Madhya
Ensure 30% reduction in low-birth weight.
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
Ensure no increase in childhood overweight.
Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in

the first six months up to at least 50%
Reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less
than 5%.
Key Points
¾ Major Findings:
Global Nutrition Targets:
¾ Significance of the Index:
z At the current rate of progress, the global
Contribution towards Instituting Public Policy Tool:
nutrition targets will not be achieved by 2025
z The development of the Index is an important globally and in most countries worldwide.
contribution towards instituting a public policy
Variation in Data Availability:
tool which monitors multidimensional poverty,
z There is substantial variation in data availability
informs evidence-based and focused interventions,
and progress towards the global nutrition
thereby ensuring that no one is left behind.
targets across 194 countries.
Presents Overall Picture of Poverty:
Only seven countries are on track to meet
z This presents an overall picture of poverty in
four of the six maternal, infant and young
the country, while also enabling closer and
child nutrition targets by 2025, while no
more in-depth analyses of areas of interest
country is ‘on track’ to halt the rise in adult
such as regions – state or districts, and specific
obesity or achieve a 30% relative reduction
sectors and complements the existing monetary
in salt/sodium intake.
poverty statistics.
Impact of Covid-19:
Help Achieving SDGs Goals:
z The Covid-19 pandemic is impeding progress
z It is a contribution towards measuring progress
towards achieving the global nutrition targets.
towards target 1.2 of the Sustainable Development
An estimated additional 155 million people
Goals (SDGs) which aims at reducing “at least by
half the proportion of men, women and children have been pushed into extreme poverty
of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions. globally, while people with diet-related
chronic diseases experience worse Covid-19
outcomes.
Global Nutrition Report, 2021 Little Progress in Improving Diets:
z The previous decade has seen little progress

Why in News in improving diets, and a quarter of all deaths
According to the recently released Global Nutrition among adults are attributable to poor diets.
Note:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Globally: Holistic Approach:

z Food production currently generates more z Poor diets and malnutrition should be addressed
than a third of all greenhouse gas emissions holistically and sustainably to create a healthy
globally, and uses substantial and rising amounts future for all.
of environmental resources. Accountability and Monitoring:
Sustainable Development Goals: z Better data, greater accountability and sys-
z No region is on track to meet the Sustainable tematic monitoring are key to identify the
Development Goals aimed at limiting health progress needed.
and environmental burdens related to diets
and the food system.
¾ India Specific Data:
Anaemic Indian Women:
z Over half of Indian women in the age group

15-49 years are anaemic.
z There has been a rise in anaemic Indian women
since 2016 from 52.6% to 53% in 2020.
Childhood Wasting:
z Over 17% of Indian children under 5 years of

age are affected.
z India is also among 23 countries that have
made no progress or are worsening on reducing
‘childhood wasting’. Global Nutrition Report
Wasting refers to children whose weight is
¾ It was conceived following the first Nutrition for
low-for-their height. Growth Initiative Summit (N4G) in 2013.
Child Stunting:
¾ The first report was published in 2014.
z Over 34% of children under 5 years of age are

¾ It acts as a report card on the world’s nutrition—
still affected. globally, regionally, and country by country—and
on efforts to improve it.
z India is among 53 countries ‘on course’ to meet
¾ It is a multi-stakeholder initiative, consisting of a
the target for stunting.
Stakeholder Group, Independent Expert Group and
Stunting is defined as low height-for-age.
Report Secretariat.
Childhood Overweight:
z The country is among 105 countries that are

‘on course’ to meet the target for ‘childhood Report on ‘Health
overweight’. Care Equity in Urban India’
India Meeting Targets:
z India is meeting 7 of the 13 global nutrition Why in News

targets which include sodium intake, raised According to a recent report, life expectancy among
blood pressure (both men and women), obesity the poorest is lower by 9.1 years and 6.2 years among
(both men and women) and diabetes (both men and women, respectively, compared to the richest
men and women). in urban areas.
¾ Suggestions:
Increase Finance:
Key Points
z There needs to be a step-change in efforts ¾ About the Report:
and financial investments to end poor diets The report explores health vulnerabilities and
and malnutrition. inequalities in cities in India.
Note:
The Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) states
that the delivery of primary health care is provided
to the rural population through sub-centre, pri-
mary health centre (PHC), and community health
centre (CHC), while secondary care is delivered
through district and sub-district hospitals.
On the other hand, tertiary care is extended
at regional/central level institutions or super
specialty hospitals.
¾ While there is an urgency to focus on all the three
levels of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare,
it is imperative that the government look towards
improving primary health care as a public good.
It also looks at the availability, accessibility and

Initiatives for Public Health Sector
cost of healthcare facilities, and possibilities in ¾ Emergency Response and Health Systems Pre-
future-proofing services in the next decade. paredness Package:
It was released recently by Azim Premji University Under the National Health Mission (NHM),
in collaboration with 17 regional NGOs across India. technical and financial support is provided to the
¾ Findings of the Report: States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare
system at public healthcare facilities.
Number of Urban People:
¾ Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
z A third of India’s people now live in urban areas,
Yojana (AB PM-JAY):
with this segment seeing a rapid growth from
Launched on 23rd September 2018, Ayushman
about 18% (1960) to 34% (in 2019).
Bharat PM-JAY is the largest Government funded
z Close to 30% of people living in urban areas
health assurance/insurance scheme in the world.
are poor.
PM-JAY is a centrally sponsored scheme.
Chaotic Urban Health Governance:
¾ Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY):
z The report, besides finding disproportionate
PMSSY was announced in 2003 with objectives of
disease burden on the poor, also pointed to
a chaotic urban health governance, where correcting regional imbalances in the availability
the multiplicity of healthcare providers both of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services
within and outside the government without and also to augment facilities for quality medical
coordination are challenges to urban health education in the country.
governance.
Heavy Financial Burden on the Poor: Campaign on SafaiMitra
z A heavy financial burden on the poor, and less
investment in healthcare by urban local bodies
Suraksha Challenge
is also a major challenge.
Why in News
Status of India’s Healthcare
Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
¾ India’s healthcare system has been battling various (MoHUA) has launched a week-long awareness campaign
issues, including the low number of institutions on SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge (SSC) as part of the
and less-than-adequate human resources for quite ‘World Toilet Day’ (19th November) celebrations, to run
a while now. up to the ‘Swachh Amrit Diwas’.
¾ Essentially, a three-tier structure defined the Indian ¾ The Swachh Amrit Diwas is an award ceremony to
healthcare system — primary, secondary and tertiary recognize the role and efforts of the states, cities,
care services. ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) and Cantonment Board
Note:
in Swachh Survekshan 2021, and Garbage Free Star Skill development training of Safaimitras have
Rating certification on 20th November 2021. also been conducted through the support of the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment via
World Toilet Day NSKFDC in 115 cities.
¾ In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly
Call Centre and Helpline number have been
officially designated 19th November as World Toilet operationalized in 345 cities for safe cleaning of
Day. It is coordinated by UN-Water in collaboration septic tanks/sewers and registering complaints on
with governments and partners. hazardous cleaning.
¾ It aims to break the stigma around sanitation as
31 states/UTs have established a Responsible
the silence around the issue of toilets and sanitation Sanitation Authority (RSA) and 210 cities are having
has deadly consequences. the Sanitation Response Units (SRU).
¾ The theme for the year 2021 is about valuing toilets.
All 246 participating cities have already notified a
ban on single-use plastic (SUP).
Key Points
¾ About:
A total of 246 cities are participating in SSC which
Women Participation in STEM
is being conducted across the country. The state
capitals, urban local bodies and smart cities will Why in News
be eligible to participate. Recently, India-Israel Women in Science, Technology,
Cities will be awarded in three sub-categories Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) conference was
– with a population of more than 10 lakhs, 3-10 held.
lakhs and upto 3 lakhs, with a total prize money ¾ The need for introducing flexible work times and
of Rs. 52 crore. gender-neutral pays to enhance women participation
It is one of the government efforts to combat in STEM was highlighted.
manual scavenging.
¾ SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge (SSC): Key Points
SSC was launched on 19th November 2020 on the ¾ Participation of Women in STEM:
occasion of World Toilet Day. About 43% of STEM graduates in India are women,
SSC is aimed to encourage cities to mechanise which is the highest in the world, but their share
their sewer and septic tank cleaning operations in in STEM jobs in India is a mere 14%.
order to prevent deaths and fatalities of sanitation In Indian STEM, the primary concern has never
workers from ‘hazardous entry’. been with the number of women graduates, but
z The Government launched this “challenge” for with the proportion of those who ultimately land
all states to make sewer-cleaning mechanised STEM jobs.
by April 2021 — if any human needs to enter a S&T has translated into the economic sphere and
sewer line in case of unavoidable emergency, institutions are structured so, Science & Technology
proper gear and oxygen tanks, etc., are to be (S&T) could become a changemaker in society by
provided. introducing flexible work times, and gender-neutral
¾ Initiatives Taken: pays to enhance women participation in STEM.
Under SSC, National Safai Karamcharis Finance Greater women’s participation in the tech sector
& Development Corporation (NSKFDC), Ministry will make women more strong and influential,
of Social Justice and Empowerment, supported by giving a boost to their socio-economic situation
MoHUA are organizing Loan Melas across the country. in the society.
z The aim is to help Safaimitras avail loans un- ¾ Reasons for the Low Participation:
der the Swachhata Udyami Yojana (SUY) for Stereotypes: The paucity of women in STEM is not
procurement of sewer / septic tank cleaning merely due to skill inadequacy, but also a result
machine / equipment for mechanized cleaning. of assigned stereotypical gender roles.
Note:
Patriarchy: There are patriarchal attitudes in hiring 2019-20 was released by the Ministry of Health and
practices or awarding fellowships and grants etc. Family Welfare, which provided data on various issues
Society: Lack of role models, pressures to conform related to women in india.
to societal norms and trappings of domesticity.
Stress: Stressors related to marriage, childbirth etc.
Household Responsibility: Responsibility related

to running of households and elder care.
Physical Safety: Physical safety during the commute
to work.
Harassment: Sexual and other types of harassment
in workplaces, etc.
¾ Initiatives to Promote Women Participation:
Vigyan Jyoti Scheme:
z It is launched by the Department of Science &

Technology (DST).
z It is intended to create a level-playing field
for the meritorious girls in high school to
pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) in their higher education.
z It also offers exposure for girl students from Key Points
the rural background to help to plan their
¾ Prevalence of Child Marriage:
journey from school to a job of their choice in
The share of women aged 20-24 who married
the field of science.
before turning 18 has declined from 27% to 23%
GATI Scheme:
in the last five years.
z The Gender Advancement for Transforming
z Child marriage is a key determinant of high
Institutions (GATI) will develop a comprehensive
fertility, poor maternal and child health, and
Charter and a framework for assessing Gender
lower social status of women.
Equality in STEM.
West Bengal and Bihar, with around 41% such
Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement
women each, had the highest prevalence of girl
through Nurturing (KIRAN):
child marriage.
z Launched in 2014-15, the scheme provides
The maximum reduction in the proportion of
opportunities for women scientists in moving
underage marriages was observed in Rajasthan,
up the academic and administrative ladder.
Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.
z One of the programmes under the KIRAN
¾ Rampant Anaemia:
scheme — ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ —
As many as 57% women aged 15-49 were anaemic
provides career opportunities to unemployed
women scientists and technologists, especially in 2019-21, compared to 53% in 2015-16, while
those who had a break in their career. the same for men rose from 22.7% to 25%.
The most formidable increase—8.5% was observed
for children aged 6-59 months (67.1%).
Women Related Data: NFHS 5 Among larger states, West Bengal and Kerala
reported the highest and lowest prevalence,
Why in News respectively, of anaemic women.
Recently, the latest data from the National Family Child anaemia rates worsened the most in Assam,
Health Survey (NFHS 2019-21) has been released. Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
¾ Earlier in 2020, the first-phase data of the NFHS-5 ¾ Improving Amenities:
Note:
All states, except Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam and z Stunting: Meghalaya had the prevalence,
Jharkhand, had over 90% population with access followed by Bihar while Rajasthan, Madhya
to improved drinking water sources. Pradesh, Jharkhand recorded declines of 5-7%
Bihar, Jharkhand etc states had almost doubled since 2015-16.
the access since 2015-16, but most fell below z Wasting: Bihar had the highest prevalence of
the 75% mark. underweight children, followed closely by Gujarat.
¾ Women who own House: National Family Health Survey (NFHS)
The number of women who own a house or land ¾ The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a
in Delhi, either alone or jointly, has significantly large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in a
dipped over the past five years. representative sample of households throughout India.
While the percentage of women who had a house ¾ The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW),
or land registered in their name in 2015-16 was Government of India has designated the International
around 35%, it dipped to 22.7% in 2020-21. Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) Mumbai, as
¾ Women who have a Bank Account: the nodal agency for providing coordination and
It has gone up 8% and women who have a mobile technical guidance for the survey.
phone that they use is up by 7%. IIPS collaborates with a number of Field
¾ Access to Internet: Organizations (FO) for survey implementation.

The percentage of women who have ever used ¾ Each successive round of the NFHS has had two
the internet was around 64% as compared to specific goals:
85% men. This data was not available in the To provide essential data on health and family
previous survey. welfare needed by the Ministry of Health and
¾ Participation in the Household Participation: Family Welfare and other agencies for policy
It has gone up from around 74% in 2015-16 to
and programme purposes.
92% now. The participation of married women in To provide information on important emerging
household decisions includes health care for self, health and family welfare issues.
making major household purchases, and visits to ¾ The funding for different rounds of NFHS has
her family or relatives, etc. been provided by USAID, the Bill and Melinda
¾ Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: Gates Foundation, UNICEF, UNFPA, and MoHFW
It went from Rs 8,518 to Rs 2,548 in five years.
(Government of India).
Average out-of-pocket expenditure has seen a
significant improvement in the per delivery in a India’s Declining
public health facility.
¾ Rise in Obesity: Total Fertility Rate
Obesity among both men and women has risen.
While 41.3% of women are now overweight or Why in News
obese, this figure is 38% for men. Recently, the latest data from the National Family
The rise in the percentage of men who are Health Survey (NFHS 2019-21) has been released.
overweight or obese, however, has been faster ¾ The data shows a declining trend regarding Total
in men than in women. Fertility Rate (TFR: the average number of children
¾ High Malnutrition: per woman).
The share of under-five children who were stunted
(too short for age), wasted (low weight for height), Key Points
or underweight has declined. ¾ About TFR:
However, every third child still suffers from chronic Total fertility rate (TFR) in simple terms refers
undernourishment, and every fifth child is acutely to the total number of children born or likely to
malnourished. be born to a woman in her lifetime if she were
Note:
subject to the prevailing rate of age-specific fertility ¾ National Family Planning Indemnity Scheme
in the population. (NFPIS): This scheme was launched in the year
TFR of about 2.1 children per woman is called 2005 under this scheme clients are insured in the
Replacement-level fertility. TFR lower than 2.1 eventualities of death, complication and failure
children per woman — indicates that a generation following sterilization.
is not producing enough children to replace itself, ¾ Compensation scheme for Sterilization Acceptors:
eventually leading to an outright reduction in Under the scheme, the Ministry of Health and
population. Family Welfare provides compensation for loss of
This value represents the average number of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service
children a woman would need to have to reproduce provider (& team) for conducting sterilizations from
herself by bearing a daughter who survives to the year 2014.
childbearing age.
¾ Significance of Declining TFR:
Population Stabilisation: TFR of 2 is a “definite
indicator” of stability of population in the long
term in the country. A TFR of 2.1 is something a
country wants to achieve.
z A fall to 2 means India has achieved the goal
of population stabilisation.
z It essentially means that India need not worry
too much about a very large population being
a challenge to our development.
Accelerated Economic Growth: The younger
population profile for the next 2-3 decades will
provide an opportunity for accelerated economic
growth.
¾ Declining Trend of TFR:
z However, in order to leverage this great
Due to the sustained family planning programme
opportunity for accelerated development, India
spanning decades, the TFR), has declined further should invest in public health and education
from 2.2 reported in 2015-16 to 2.0 at the all- with skills.
India level.
Delayed Peak Population: This also means we will
z The TFR is at 1.6 in urban areas and 2.1 in
possibly still become the most populous country in
rural India. the world — it was expected somewhere between
z The total fertility rate, was as high as 6 or more 2024-2028 — but it will now be delayed.
in 1950s
It is a very huge development because of maternal
and child health improvement.
Internal Displacement
Related Government Initiatives Why in News
¾ Prime Minister’s Appeal: During his Independence According to a report (Mid-Year Trends 2021 Report)
Day Speech in 2019, the Prime Minister appealed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
to the country that population control was a form (UNHCR), nearly 51 million people were internally dis-
of patriotism. placed across 33 countries due to conflict and violence
¾ Mission Parivar Vikas: The Government has launched in the first six months of 2021.
Mission Parivar Vikas in 2017 for substantially ¾ The combination of conflict, Covid-19, Poverty, Food
increasing access to contraceptives and family insecurity and the Climate emergency has compounded
planning services in146 high fertility districts with the humanitarian plight of the displaced, most of
TFR of 3 and above in seven high focus states. whom are hosted in developing regions.
Note:
¾ Africa is the region that is most vulnerable in terms Challenges Faced by Internally Displacement
of the numbers of displaced persons. Persons (IDPs): IDPs can live under threat of physical
attack, sexual- or gender-based violence, and run
the risk of being separated from family members.
z They are frequently deprived of adequate shelter,
food and health services, and often lose their
property, land or their access to livelihoods.
¾ Internal Displacement in India:
Extent: Estimating the number of IDPs in India is
problematic, as regular monitoring is not possible in
such a huge country which lacks a central authority
responsible for coordinating data from central and
state governments.
Key Points z Nearly five million people were displaced in
¾ Internal Displacement (Meaning): India in 2019 - the highest in the world so far
- according to ‘The Global Report on Internal
Internal displacement describes the situation
Displacement (GRID 2020)’.
of people who have been forced to leave their
Policy Framework: India has no national policy
homes but have not left their country.
and legal institutional framework to deal with
Factors of Displacement: Millions of people are
either refugees or IDPs.
uprooted from their homes or places of habitual
z India has not ratified the 1951 Convention and
residence each year in the context of conflict,
1967 Protocol and does not permit UNHCR
violence, development projects, disasters and
access to most refugee groups.
climate change and remain displaced within their
z In the absence of a permanent institutional
countries’ borders.
structure to oversee refugee issues, the granting
Components: Internal displacement is based on
of refugee status has been at the discretion of
two components:
the political authorities.
z The person’s movement is coerced or involuntary
Factors of Internal Displacement in India:
(to distinguish them from economic and other
z Secessionist Movements: Since independence,
voluntary migrants);
north-east India has witnessed two major armed
z The person stays within internationally
conflicts – the Naga movement and Assam
recognised state borders (to distinguish them
movement.
from refugees).
Jammu & Kashmir’s war between state forces
Difference from Refugee: According to the 1951
and militants, had led to mass exodus of the
Refugee Convention, a “refugee” is a person Kashmiri Pandits.
who has been persecuted and forced to leave his
z Identity-based Autonomy Movements: Iden-
native country.
tity-based autonomy movements, such as in
z A precondition of being considered a refugee is
Bodoland, Punjab, Gorkhaland and Ladakh,
that a person crosses an international border. have also led to violence and displacement.
z Unlike refugees, internally displaced people are
z Localized Violence: Internal displacement has
not the subject of any international convention. also arisen from caste disputes (as in Bihar and
z At the international level, no single agency or Uttar Pradesh), religious fundamentalism and
organisation has been designated as the global the ‘son-of-the soil policy (aggressive denial
lead on protection and assistance of internally of residency and employment rights to non-
displaced persons. indigenous groups).
z However, there are United Nations Guiding z Environmental and Development-induced
Principles on Internal Displacement. Displacement: In order to achieve rapid economic
Note:
growth, India has invested in industrial projects, z A further 10 million girls are now expected
dams, roads, mines, power plants and new cities to marry by 2030, leaving more girls at risk
which have been made possible only through of dying.
massive acquisition of land and subsequent z Earlier, according to a report published by
displacement of people. ChildLine India the pandemic and the subsequent
lockdown have proved to be new drivers of
Global Girlhood Report child marriages in rural Madhya Pradesh.
2021: Girls Right in Crisis z Also some activists and organisations of

Karnataka have raised the issue of increased
child marriages in Lockdown with the Ministry
Why in News
of Women and Child Development.
Recently, an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO),
¾ Suggestions: The report called on the governments to:
Save the Children released the Global Girlhood Report
2021: Girls Right in Crisis. Help Girls Raising Voices:
z Raise girls’ voices by supporting their right to
International Day of the Girl Child safe and meaningful participation in all public
¾ About: decision-making.
It is observed annually on 11th October. It was
Focus on Gender Equality:
declared by the United Nations(UN), which was
z Address immediate and ongoing risks of gender-
first observed in 2012.
based violence, including child marriage, by
z A resolution to declare 11 th October as
putting girls’ rights and gender equality at the
the International Day of the Girl Child was
center of Covid-19 and humanitarian responses,
adopted by the UN General Assembly on 19th
development policy, and broader efforts to build
December 2011.
forward better.
The day is dedicated to raising awareness
Guarantee Girls Their Rights:
on gender equality while assuring rights and
improving opportunities for girls. z Guarantee the rights of all girls, including those
¾ Theme for 2021: impacted by different forms of inequality and
discrimination by developing inclusive policies
Digital generation. Our generation.
and programs. Safe and ethical data collection
Key Points must also be improved to better understand
¾ Rate of Child Marriage: and respond in real-time to Covid-19’s impact
on existing economic, climate, and conflict-
West and Central Africa has the highest rate of
related crises.
child marriage in the world.
¾ Death Due to Child Marriage:
Ensure Participation of Female Staffs:
Child marriage kills more than 60 girls a day
z Ensure the safe and unrestricted participation
globally, 26 girls a day in West and Central Africa of female humanitarian staff in all humanitarian
and six girls a day in South Asia. response efforts, including needs assessments
z South Asia is followed by East Asia and the
and the design, implementation, and monitoring,
Pacific and Latin American and the Caribbean. and evaluation of all humanitarian services at
The deaths are majorly caused from pregnancy
every level.
and childbirth resulting from child marriage. Join the Generation Equality Movement:
¾ Effect of Covid on Child Marriage: z The movement is working to deliver on the
With school closures, health services under strain Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality
or closed, and more families being pushed into (launched by Generation Equality Forum),
poverty, women and girls face an increased risk which set a target to prevent nine million child
of violence during lengthy lockdowns. marriages in five years.
Note:
Child Marriages India Specific Data cited by the report as major contributory factors
causing resistance against these drugs.
¾ United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates
z These failures lead to increased exposure of
suggest that each year, at least 1.5 million girls
under 18 get married in India, which makes it the malaria parasites to drugs, increasing the
home to the largest number of child brides in the risk of drug resistance
world - accounting for a third of the global total. ¾ Concern:
Nearly 16% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 are Chloroquine (CQ) is the most commonly pre-
currently married. scribed drug for P Vivax parasite. A World Health

¾ While the prevalence of girls getting married before Organisation (WHO) report said P vivax resistance
age 18 has declined from 47% to 27% between to chloroquine had been reported from all WHO
2005-2006 and 2015-2016. regions.
z Twenty-eight countries, including India, showed
the CQ resistance.
Antimalarial Drug Resistance A widespread resistance scenario could result in
a yearly excess of 22 million treatment failures,
Why in News 116,000 deaths and costs including an estimated
In recent years there is increasing evidence of the USD 130 million to change treatment policy.
Antimalarial Drugs Resistance (AMR) against Malaria. Malaria
¾ It has been noticed while treating with the Drugs ¾ About:
(Artemisinin or Chloroquine), either alone or with
It is a life threatening mosquito borne blood
partner drugs.
disease caused by plasmodium parasites,
predominantly found in the tropical and
Key Points
subtropical areas of Africa, South America as
¾ Drug Resistance: well as Asia.
It is simply defined as the ability of disease-causing z The parasites spread through the bites of
germs (e.g., bacteria or viruses) to continue infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
multiplying despite the presence of drugs that z When an infected mosquito bites a person,
usually kill them. the parasite is released into the bloodstream,
Drug resistance is the reduction in effectiveness it then travels to the liver where it matures.
of a medication to cure a disease or condition.
z For example: With HIV (Human immunodeficiency
virus), drug resistance is caused by mutations in
the virus’s genetic structure. These mutations
lead to changes in certain HIV proteins and
enzymes (e.g., protease enzyme) which helps
HIV to replicate.
¾ Factors Causing AMR:
Mutations:
z The mutations in the malarial parasite have been

responsible for artemisinin partial resistance.
z As many as 1,044 studies conducted globally
from 2010-2019 confirmed the PfK13 mutation.
Inadequate Coverage:
¾ Symptoms:
z Imperfect coverage of antimalarial drugs,
Sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting and
improper diagnosis, misuse of drugs and not-
so-good mosquito control programmes were abdominal pain etc are cited as the symptoms.
Note:
¾ Types: Ecological degradation and conflict work in a vicious
circle, whereby one degradation of resources leads
Four types of Parasites can infect humans:
to conflict and vice versa.
Plasmodium Vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P.
Climate change will have an amplifying effect,
falciparum.
causing further ecological degradation and pushing
¾ Indian Scenario:
some countries through violent tipping points
India carries 2% of the global malaria case burden
¾ Food Risk:
and 2% of global malaria deaths.
Global food insecurity has increased by 44% since
z India also bears 85.2% of the malaria burden
2014, affecting 30.4 % of the world’s population
in South East Asia.
in 2020, and is likely to rise further.
India carries 47% of the global P. vivax malaria
As a region, south Asia is the worst-placed, with
burden, making the country strategically important
water and food risks driving the average ETR score
for global malaria elimination, particularly in
in the region.
the South-East Asian region, on the other hand
Covid-19 has amplified food insecurity further and
India is the only high endemic country which
has reported a decline of 17.6% in 2019 as will likely have a long-lasting negative impact on
compared to 2018. world hunger due to stagnant economic growth.
¾ Water Risk:
By 2040 over 5.4 billion people will live in countries
Ecological facing extreme water stress.
Threat Report 2021 z Lebanon and Jordan are the countries most
at risk.
Why in News Sub-Saharan Africa has the most countries with
the lowest levels of social resilience combined
Recently, the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP),
with the highest population growth.
an international think tank released the Ecological Threat
Report (ETR) 2021: Understanding ecological threats, z 70% of its population suffer from inadequate
resilience and peace. access to safely managed water, which will be

¾ This is the second edition of the ETR, which covers
compounded by high population growth.
178 independent states and territories. ¾ Rapid Population Growth:
¾ The ETR includes the most recent and respected Eleven countries are projected to double their
scientific research on population growth, water population between 2021 and 2050. They are all
stress, food insecurity, droughts, floods, cyclones, in sub-Saharan Africa.
and rising temperature. The three countries with the largest projected
increases in population are Niger, Angola and
Key Points Somalia, where the populations will increase by
¾ Conflict and Ecological Threats: 161, 128 and 113% respectively.
Around 1.26 billion people across 30 countries ¾ Temperature Anomalies and Natural Disasters:
are suffering from both extreme ecological risk From 1990 to 2020, a total of 10,320 natural
and low levels of resilience. disasters occurred globally. Flooding has been
z These countries are least likely to be able to the most common natural disaster, accounting
mitigate and adapt to new ecological threats, for 42 % of the total disaster count.
leading to mass displacement. In 2020, 177 countries and territories recorded a
As many as 13 countries faced extremely high and warmer average temperature compared to their
34 others faced high ecological threats. historical average temperatures.
The most vulnerable countries are clustered in ¾ Recommendations:
the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan The report recommended a policy to combine
Africa and South Asia. health, food, water, refugee relief, finance,
Note:
agricultural and business development into one It aims to serve as a reference for enhancing
integrated agency in high-risk areas and empowering the implementation of the National Education
local communities. Policy (NEP) and towards the realization of the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (target
Internal Displacement in India 4c on teachers).
According to report titled The ‘Lost at Home’ published z Target 4c: By 2030, substantially increase the
last year by the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), supply of qualified teachers, including through
more than five million people were internally displaced international cooperation for teacher training in
in India due to natural disasters, conflict and violence developing countries, especially least developed
in 2019, constituting the highest number of new internal countries and small island developing States.
displacements in the world during the period followed
¾ Findings of the Report:
by the Philippines, Bangladesh and China.
Lack of Teachers:
¾ Almost 33 million new displacements were recorded
z There are nearly 1.2 lakh single-teacher schools
in 2019 - around 25 million were due to natural
disasters and 8.5 million as consequence of conflict in the country of which an overwhelming 89%
and violence. are in rural areas.
z The report projects that India needs 11.16 lakh
additional teachers to meet the current shortfall.
2021 State of the Education Performance of States (Women Teachers):
Report for India: UNESCO z Tripura has the least number of women teachers,
followed by Assam, Jharkhand and Rajasthan.
Why in News z Chandigarh leads the chart followed by Goa,
Delhi, Kerala.
On the Occasion of the World Teachers’ Day (5th
October), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Increase in Number of Teachers in Private Sector:
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched its 2021 State z The proportion of teachers employed in the
of the Education Report (SOER) for India: “No Teacher, private sector grew from 21% in 2013-14 to
No Class”. 35% in 2018-19.
The Right to Education Act stipulates that
Key Points the Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) should be
¾ About: 30:1 in classes 1-5 and 35:1 in higher grades.
The findings are largely based on analysis of Periodic Lack of Digital Infrastructure:
Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the Unified District z The overall availability of computing devices
Information System for Education (UDISE) data (desktops or laptops) in schools is 22% for
(2018-19). all India, with rural areas seeing much lower
provisioning (18%) than urban areas (43%).
z Access to the internet in schools is 19% all
over India - only 14% in rural areas compared
to 42% in urban areas.
Increment in Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER):
z For elementary schools, it has increased from

81.6 in 2001 to 93.03 in 2018-19 and stands at
102.1 in 2019-2020.
GER is the number of students enrolled in a
given level of education, regardless of age,
expressed as a percentage of the official
school-age population corresponding to the
same level of education.
Note:
Overall retention is 74.6% for elementary
z Symptoms: These bacteria can cause many types

education and 59.6% for secondary education of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an
in 2019-20. infection of the lungs. Pneumococcal bacteria are
¾ Recommendations: one of the most common causes of pneumonia.
Increase the number of teachers and improve Vulnerable Population: Children under 2 years
working conditions in North Eastern states, rural of age, people with certain medical conditions,
areas and ‘aspirational districts’. adults 65 years or older, and cigarette smokers
are at the highest risk.
Increase the number of physical education, music,
Status in India: In India, around 16% of deaths
art, vocational education, early childhood and
special education teachers. among children occur due to pneumonia.
z Pneumonia is contagious and can be spread
Value the professional autonomy of teachers.
through coughing or sneezing. It can also be
Build teachers’ career pathways.
spread through fluids, like blood during childbirth,
Provide teachers with meaningful Information or from contaminated surfaces.
and Communication Technology (ICT) training. ¾ Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP):
Develop teaching governance through consultative
Launch:
processes, based on mutual accountability.
z The Immunization Programme in India was
introduced in 1978 as ‘Expanded Programme
Nationwide Pneumococcal of Immunization (EPI) by the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare.
Conjugate Vaccine Drive z In 1985, the Programme was modified as
‘Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)’.
Why in News Objectives of the Programme:
Recently, the Union Health Minister has launched a z Rapidly increasing immunization coverage,
nationwide expansion of Pneumococcal 13-valent z Improving the quality of services,
Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) with an aim to reduce under 5
z Establishing a reliable cold chain system to the
mortalities caused due to pneumonia.
health facility level,
¾ It was launched under the Universal Immunisation
z Introducing a district-wise system for monitoring
Programme (UIP) as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit of performance, and
Mahotsav’.
z Achieving self-sufficiency in vaccine production.
¾ It was for the first time in the country that PCV would
Features:
be available for universal use.
z UIP prevents mortality and morbidity in children
Key Points and pregnant women against 12 vaccine-pre-

ventable diseases. But in the past, it was seen
¾ Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV):
that the increase in immunization coverage had
A Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine containing 13
slowed down and it increased at the rate of 1%
different strains of the bacterium Streptococcus per year between 2009 and 2013.
pneumoniae, used in children and studied in
Nationally against 10 diseases - Diphtheria,
patients with impaird immune system for the
Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella,
prevention of pneumococcal disease.
severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis,
z Conjugate vaccines are made using a combination
Rotavirus diarrhea, Hepatitis B and Meningitis
of two different components. & Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus
¾ Pneumococcal Disease: Influenzae type B.
About: It is a bacterial infection caused by Sub-nationally against 2 diseases - Pneumo-
Streptococcus pneumoniae, sometimes known coccal Pneumonia and Japanese Encephalitis;
as pneumococcus. of which Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine has
Note:
been nationally expanded, while JE vaccine 2020, followed by ‘housewives’, self-employed

is provided only in endemic districts. persons, farmers/cultivators and retired persons.
z To accelerate the coverage, Mission Indradhanush z The professional/salaried persons group
was envisaged and implemented since 2015 to registered an increase in suicides.
rapidly increase the full immunization coverage z The unemployed persons group saw an increase
to 90%. in suicides and their proportion went up slightly
z Recently, the Intensified Mission Indradhanush from 2019.
(IMI) 3.0 scheme has been rolled out to cover z Deaths caused by accidents came down
children and pregnant women who missed from 2019 and the number is the lowest since
routine immunisation during the Covid-19
2010.
pandemic.
z The share of students in the total suicides has
been rising steadily over the years and has now
Accidental Deaths & Suicides reached the highest level since 1995.
in India Report 2020 : NCRB ¾ State-Wise Analysis:
The worst among States continues to be Maha-
Why in News rashtra, with 4,006 suicides in the farm sector,

including a 15% increase in farm worker suicides.
Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
Other States with a poor record include Karnataka,
released the Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India Report
Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
2020.
¾ Cause-Wise Analysis:
Among causes of suicide that make up at least a
percent of such deaths:
z Poverty and unemployment registered the
biggest increase.
z Drug abuse or alcohol addiction, illness, and
family problems come next.
z Although students have registered an increase
in deaths by suicide it was likely related to
relatively longer-term prospects (perhaps
inability to continue education) than exams.
Key Points ¾ Related Initiatives:
¾ Suicide Categories: Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: It aims to provide
The report divides suicides into nine categories — mental healthcare services for persons with
apart from daily wagers, housewives and people mental illness.
working in the farm sector, the deaths are listed KIRAN: The Ministry of Social Justice and
under ‘professionals/salaried persons’, ‘students’, Empowerment has launched a 24/7 toll-free
‘self-employed persons’, ‘retired persons’, and helpline to provide support to people facing
‘others’. anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts and
z NCRB started categorizing daily wagers in its other mental health concerns.
‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides’ data only in 2014. Manodarpan Initiative: It is an initiative of the
¾ Number of Suicides: Ministry of Education under Atmanirbhar Bharat
Suicides in India rose 10% from 2019 to an all-time Abhiyan. It is aimed to provide psychosocial
high of 1,53,052 in the pandemic year of 2020. support to students, family members and teachers
The share of daily wage earners among those who for their mental health and well-being during the
died by suicide has doubled between 2014 and times of Covid-19.
Note:
National Crime Records Bureau to augment employment generation and social
security in India.
¾ NCRB, headquartered in New Delhi, was set-up in
The scheme is a demand-driven wage employment
1986 under the Ministry of Home Affairs to function
as a repository of information on crime and criminals scheme, which functions under the Ministry of
so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to Rural Development.
the perpetrators. Every adult member of a household in a rural
¾ It was set up based on the recommendations of area with a job card is eligible for a job under the
the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and scheme.
the MHA’s Task Force (1985). The scheme envisages providing 100 days of
¾ NCRB brings out the annual comprehensive guaranteed wage employment in a financial
statistics of crime across the country (‘Crime in year to adult member volunteers for unskilled
India’ report). manual work.
Having been published since 1953, the report It covers all districts of India except the ones with
serves as a crucial tool in understanding the law 100% urban population.

and order situation across the country. There is also a provision for additional 50 days of
¾ The inaugural function of the 2nd CCTNS Hackathon unskilled wage employment in drought/natural
and Cyber Challenge 2020-21 of NCRB was held in calamity notified rural areas.
New Delhi. As per Section 3(4) of the MGNREGA, the States
may make provisions for providing additional days
beyond the period guaranteed under the Act from
Dearth of Funds in MGNREGA their own funds.
¾ Issues with MGNREGA:
Why in News
Ridiculously Low Wage Rate:
The Centre’s flagship rural employment scheme z Currently, the MNREGA wage rates of at least
(MGNREGA) has run out of funds halfway through the
17 of the 21 major states are even lower
financial year. This means that payments for MGNREGA
than the state minimum wage for agriculture.
workers as well as material costs will be delayed, unless
The shortfall is in the range of 2-33% of the
the States dip into their own funds.
minimum wage.
¾ Earlier, the government introduced the category-
z The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO),
wise wage payment system for SC, ST and others,
2017 data shows that the average daily wage
as made applicable from this current financial year
for general agricultural labourers is Rs. 264.05
(2021-22), to accurately reflect on the ground flow
for men, and Rs. 205.32 for women.
of funds to various population groups.
The ridiculously low wage rates have
resulted in lack of interest among workers
in working for MGNREGA schemes, making
way for contractors and middle men to take
control locally.
Inadequate Financing:
z Due to lack of funds, state governments find it

difficult to meet the demand for employment
under MGNREGA.
Key Points Delay in Payment of Wages:
¾ MGNREGA Scheme: z Most states have failed to disburse wages
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment within 15 days as mandated by MGNREGA. In
Guarantee Act, earlier known as the National Rural addition, workers are not compensated for a
Employment Guarantee Act was passed in 2005 delay in payment of wages.
Note:
This has turned the scheme into a supply- Affordability

based programme and subsequently, workers Availability
had begun to lose interest in working under it. Quality and Safety
z A 2016 judgement of the Supreme Court Natural Resources and Resilience
described pending wage payments under
z It considers 58 unique food security indicators
MGNREGA as “a clear constitutional breach
including income and economic inequality -
committed by the State” and “a modern form calling attention to systemic gaps and actions
of begar”. needed to accelerate progress toward United
Ineffective Role of PRI: Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Zero
z With very little autonomy, gram panchayats are Hunger by 2030.
not able to implement this act in an effective ¾ Findings of the Report (India and World):
and efficient manner. Top Rankers:
Large Number of Incomplete works: z Ireland, Austria, the UK, Finland, Switzerland,
z There has been a delay in the completion of the Netherlands, Canada, Japan, France and
works under MGNREGA and inspection of the US shared the top rank with the overall
projects has been irregular. Also, there is an GFS score in the range of 77.8 and 80 points
issue of quality of work and asset creation on the index.
under MGNREGA. India’s Rank:
Fabrication of Job cards: z Overall Position: India held 71st position with
z There are several issues related to the existence an overall score of 57.2 points on the GFS Index
of fake job cards, the inclusion of fictitious 2021 of 113 countries
names, missing entries and delays in making z In Comparison to Neighbouring Countries: It
entries in job cards. fared better than Pakistan (75th position), Sri
Lanka (77th Position), Nepal (79th position) and
Global Food Bangladesh (84th position). But the country was
way behind China (34th position).
Security Index 2021 However, over the past 10 years, India’s
incremental gains in overall food security
Why in News score were lagging behind that of Pakistan,
Nepal and Bangladesh.
India is ranked at 71st position in the Global Food
� India’s score improved only by 2.7 points
Security (GFS) Index 2021 of 113 countries.
to 57.2 in 2021 from 54.5 in 2012 when
¾ Earlier, India was ranked 101st position in the Global
compared with Pakistan by 9 points (to
Hunger Index (GHI) 2021.
54.7 in 2021 from 45.7 in 2012).
Key Points Pakistan scored better than India in the
food affordability category and Sri Lanka
¾ About the Index:
was even better. On the remaining 3 factors,
Developed by:
India scored better than Pakistan, Nepal,
z The GFS Index was designed and constructed Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
by London-based Economist Impact and is ¾ Concerns:
sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.
Global food security has decreased for the second
z The 2021 GFSI is the tenth edition of the index. year in a row after seven years of progress towards
It is published every year. the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving
Calculation: zero hunger by 2030.
z It measures the underlying drivers of food While countries have made significant strides toward
security based on the following factors: addressing food insecurity in the past ten years,
Note:
food systems remain vulnerable to economic, z Child Stunting: Share of children under age five
climatic, and geopolitical shocks. who have low height for their age, reflecting
¾ Suggestions: chronic undernutrition.
Action is imperative at all levels–local, national, z Child Mortality: The mortality rate of children
and global–to end hunger and malnourishment under the age of five.
and ensure food security for all. Scoring:
To meet these present and emerging future z Based on the values of the four indicators, the
challenges requires that investments in food security GHI determines hunger on a 100-point scale
are sustained – from innovation in climate-resilient where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger)
crop yields to investing in programs to assist the and 100 is the worst.
most vulnerable.
z Each country’s GHI score is classified by severity,
from low to extremely alarming.
Global Data Collection:
Hunger Index 2021 z Undernourishment data are provided by the
Food and Agriculture Organisation and child
Why in News mortality data are sourced from the UN Inter-
agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation
India has slipped to 101st position in the Global
(UN IGME).
Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 of 116 countries, from its 2020
position of 94th. z Child wasting and stunting data are drawn
from the joint database of UNICEF, the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the World
Bank, among others.
¾ Government of India Stand:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has
criticised the report claiming that the methodology
used by FAO is unscientific.
According to the Government, the Global Hunger
Index Report 2021 and FAO report on ‘The State
of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021’
Key Points have completely ignored the following facts:
¾ About the Global Hunger Index: z They have based their assessment on the results
Annual Report: Jointly published by Concern of a ‘four question’ opinion poll, which was
Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. conducted telephonically by Gallup.
z It was first produced in 2006. It is published The scientific measurement of undernour-
every October. The 2021 edition marks the 16th ishment would require measurement of
edition of the GHI. weight and Height, whereas the method-
Aim: To comprehensively measure and track hunger ology involved here is based on a Gallup
at the global, regional, and country levels. poll, based on a pure telephonic estimate
Calculation: It is calculated on the basis of four of the population.
indicators: z The report completely disregards Government’s
z Undernourishment: Share of the population massive effort to ensure food security of the
with insufficient caloric intake. entire population during the Covid period such
z Child Wasting: Share of children under age five as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna
who have low weight for their height, reflecting (PMGKAY) and Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme
acute undernutrition. (ANBS).
Note:
Some Related Initiatives by India (someone with non-functional body parts) instead
they will be referred to as Divyangjan or Divyang (one
¾ Eat Right India Movement: An outreach activity
with a divine body).
organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority
of India (FSSAI) for citizens to nudge them towards Key Points
eating right.
¾ About:
¾ POSHAN Abhiyan: Launched by the Ministry of
Ministry:
Women and Child Development in 2018, it targets
to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anemia (among z Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
young children, women and adolescent girls). is the Nodal ministry

¾ Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: A centrally z It has been in operation since 1981.
sponsored scheme executed by the Ministry of Definition:

Women and Child Development, is a maternity z The scheme follows the definitions of various
benefit programme being implemented in all districts types of disabilities as given in the Persons with
of the country with effect from 1st January, 2017. Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of
¾ Food Fortification: Food Fortification or Food Rights and Full Participation) (PWD) Act 1995.
Enrichment is the addition of key vitamins and The PWD Act was replaced by the Right of
minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A & D to Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
staple foods such as rice, milk and salt to improve Objective:
their nutritional content.
z To assist the needy disabled persons in pro-
¾ National Food Security Act, 2013: It legally entitled curing durable, sophisticated and scientifically
up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the manufactured, modern, standard aids and ap-
urban population to receive subsidized food grains pliances that can promote their physical, social
under the Targeted Public Distribution System. and psychological rehabilitation by reducing
¾ Mission Indradhanush: It targets children under 2 the effects of disabilities and enhancing their
years of age and pregnant women for immunization economic potential.
against 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD). Grants:
¾ Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) z Grants-in-aid are released to various imple-
Scheme: Launched on 2 nd October, 1975, the menting agencies (Artificial Limbs Manufac-
ICDS Scheme offers a package of six services turing Corporation of India, National Institutes,
(Supplementary Nutrition, Pre-school non- Composite Regional Centres, District Disability
formal education, Nutrition & health education, Rehabilitation Centres, State Handicapped De-
Immunization, Health check-up and Referral services) velopment Corporations, Non-governmental
to children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant Organizations (NGOs) , etc.) for purchase and
women and lactating mothers. distribution of aids and assistive devices.
Assistance:
Assistance to z Aids/appliances which do not cost more than

Rs. 10,000 are covered under the Scheme for
Disabled Persons Scheme single disability.
z However, in some cases the limit would be raised
Why in News to Rs. 12,000. In the case of multiple disabilities,
Recently, a Samajik Adhikarita Shivir(social empow- the limit will apply to individual items separately
erment camp) for distribution of aids and assistive devices in case more than one aid/appliance is required.
to Divyangjan under the ADIP (Assistance to Disabled z Full cost of aid/appliance is provided if the
Persons) Scheme was organised in Punjab. income is up to Rs. 15,000 per month and 50%
¾ Divyangjan or Divyang: Earlier, in 2015 the Prime of the cost of aid/appliance is provided if the
Minister decided that persons with disabilities should income is between Rs. 15,001 to Rs. 20,000
no longer be referred to as disabled persons or viklang per month.
Note:
two most powerful first-line treatment anti-TB
Tuberculosis drugs. Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
(XDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that
Why in News are resistant to several of the most effective
Centenary celebration is being observed for the Bacille anti-TB drugs.
Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is presently the ¾ BCG Vaccine:
sole vaccine available for the prevention of Tuberculosis BCG was developed by two Frenchmen, Albert
(TB). Calmette and Camille Guerin, by modifying a strain
of Mycobacterium bovis (that causes TB in cattle).
Key Points It was first used in humans in 1921.
¾ About: In India, BCG was first introduced in a limited
TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium scale in 1948 and became a part of the National
tuberculosis, belonging to the Mycobacteriaceae TB Control Programme in 1962.
family consisting of about 200 members. In addition to its primary use as a vaccine against
z Some of Mycobacteria cause diseases like TB TB, it protects against respiratory and bacterial
and Leprosy in humans and others infect a wide infections of the newborns, and other mycobacterial
range of animals. diseases like Leprosy and Buruli’s ulcer.
In humans, TB most commonly affects the lungs It is also used as an immunotherapy agent in cancer
(pulmonary TB), but it can also affect other organs of the urinary bladder and malignant melanoma.
(extra-pulmonary TB). One intriguing fact about BCG is that it works well
TB is a very ancient disease and has been in some geographic locations and not so well in
documented to have existed in Egypt as early others. Generally, the farther a country is from
as 3000 BC. the equator, the higher is the efficiency.
TB is a treatable and curable disease.
z It has a high efficacy in the UK, Norway, Sweden
¾ Transmission: and Denmark; and little or no efficacy in countries
TB is spread from person to person through the on or near the equator like India, Kenya and
air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or Malawi, where the burden of TB is higher.
spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. ¾ Related Initiatives:
¾ Symptoms: Global Efforts:
Common symptoms of active lung TB are cough z The WHO (World Health Organisation) has
with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, launched a joint initiative “Find. Treat. All.
weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. #EndTB” with the Global Fund and Stop TB
¾ Global Impact of TB: Partnership.
In 2019, 87% of new TB cases occurred in the 30 z WHO also releases the Global Tuberculosis
high TB burden countries. Report.
Eight countries accounted for two thirds of the India’s Efforts:
new TB cases: z National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis
z India, Indonesia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Elimination (2017-2025), The Nikshay Ecosystem
Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa. (National TB information system), Nikshay
z India reported 1.8 million TB cases between Poshan Yojana (NPY- financial support), TB
January and December 2020 as compared to Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign.
2.4 million the year before. z Currently, two vaccines VPM (Vaccine Projekt
In 2019, MDR-TB remained a public health crisis Management) 1002 and MIP (Mycobacterium
and a health security threat. Indicus Pranii) have been developed and
z MultiDrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is identified for TB, and are under Phase-3 clinical
a strain of TB that cannot be treated with the trial.
Note:
fruits simultaneously ensuring that the soil must

Poshan 2.0 also remain healthy.
Plantation drives for Poshan Vatikas would be
Why in News taken up by all the stakeholders in the space
Recently, the Ministry for Women and Child Develop- available at anganwadis, school premises and
ment inaugurated Poshan 2.0 and urged all Aspirational gram panchayats.
Districts to establish a Poshan Vatika (nutrition ¾ POSHAN Abhiyaan:
garden) during the Nutrition Month (Poshan Mah) Also called National Nutrition Mission, was
from 1st September. launched by the government on the occasion of the

¾ A month-long celebration of the POSHAN Abhiyan International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2018.
mission places special attention on Severe Acute The Abhiyaan targets to reduce Stunting, under-
Malnourished (SAM) children. nutrition, Anemia (among young children, women

and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight
Key Points by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively.
¾ About: It also targets to bring down stunting among
It is an umbrella scheme covering the Integrated

children in the age group 0-6 years from 38.4%
Child Development Services (ICDS) (Anganwadi to 25% by 2022.
Services, Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme For Adolescent ¾ Scenario of Malnutrition in India:
Girls, National Creche Scheme). According to a 2010 World Bank report, India
It was announced in Union Budget 2021-22 by suffered an economic loss of Rs 24,000 crore due
merging supplementary nutrition programmes to lack of toilets. And that the health impact on
and the POSHAN Abhiyaan. the economy was 38 million dollars.
It was launched to strengthen nutritional content, According to an Assocham study of the year 2018,
delivery, outreach and outcome, with renewed the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) suffered a
focus on developing practices that nurture health, decline of 4% due to malnutrition.
wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition z The report also found that children suffering
in the country. from malnutrition after growing up earn 20%
¾ Poshan Maah: less than those who have had healthy childhoods.
Month of September is celebrated as POSHAN The number of SAM children in the country was
Maah since 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes earlier 80 lakh, which has now come down to
for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, 10 lakh.
and lactating mothers.
It includes a month-long activities focussed on PM Poshan
antenatal care, optimal breastfeeding, Anaemia,
growth monitoring, girls education, diet, right age Shakti Nirman Scheme
of marriage, hygiene and sanitation and eating
healthy (Food Fortification). Why in News
The activities focus on Social and Behavioural Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the Prime
Change Communication (SBCC) and are based on Minister POSHAN scheme or PM-POSHAN for providing
Jan Andolan Guidelines. one hot cooked meal in Government and Government-
z SBCC is the strategic use of communication aided schools.
approaches to promote changes in knowledge, ¾ The scheme will replace the existing national
attitudes, norms, beliefs and behaviours. programme for mid-day meal in schools or Mid-day
¾ Poshan Vatika: Meal Scheme.
It’s main objective is to ensure supply of nutrition ¾ It has been launched for an initial period of five years
through organically home grown vegetables and (2021-22 to 2025-26).
Note:
Mid-day Meal Scheme Currently, if a state decides to add any com-
ponent like milk or eggs to the menu, the
¾ The Mid-day Meal Scheme (under the Ministry of
Centre does not bear the additional cost.
Education) is a centrally sponsored scheme which
Now that restriction has been lifted.
was launched in 1995.
Tithi Bhojan Concept:
¾ It is considered as the world’s largest school
z The concept of TithiBhojan will be encouraged
meal programme aimed to attain the goal of
universalization of primary education. extensively.
z TithiBhojan is a community participation prog-
¾ Provides cooked meals to every child within the age
group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I ramme in which people provide special food to
to VIII who enrolls and attends the school. children on special occasions/festivals.
¾ If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
any school day due to non-availability of food z The central government will ensure Direct
grains or any other reason, the State Government Benefit Transfer (DBT) from states to schools,
shall pay food security allowance by 15th of the which will use it to cover cooking costs.
succeeding month. Earlier money was allocated to the states,
which then included their share of the money
Key Points before sending it to a nodal midday meal
¾ PM POSHAN: scheme authority at district and tehsil levels.
Coverage: z This is to ensure no leakages at the level of
z The scheme will cover 11.8 crore students

district administration and other authorities.
enrolled in classes 1 to 8 in over 11.2 lakh Nutrition Expert:
schools across the country. z A nutrition expert is to be appointed in each
Primary (1-5) and upper primary (6-8) school whose responsibility is to ensure that
schoolchildren are currently entitled to health aspects such as Body Mass Index (BMI),
100 grams and 150 grams of food grains per weight and haemoglobin levels are addressed.
working day each, to ensure a minimum of Social Audit of the Scheme:
700 calories. z A social audit of the scheme has also been
z The scheme will be extended to students mandated for each school in each state to study
studying in pre-primary or Balvatikas running the implementation of the scheme, which was
in government and government aided primary so far not being done by all states.
schools. z The Ministry of Education will also engage
Balvatika is the pre-school that was started college and university students to monitor the
in government schools last year to include scheme at a local level.
children aged younger than six years in the Fund Sharing:
formal education system. z The Centre will bear Rs. 54,061 crore of the
Nutritional Gardens: total estimated cost of Rs 1.3 lakh crore, with
z The government will promote nutritional gardens the states paying Rs 31,733 crore (Rs 45,000
in schools. The gardens are being provided to crore will be released by the Centre as subsidies
offer additional micro-nutrients to students. for food grains).
Supplementary Nutrition: Vocal for Local for Atmanirbhar Bharat:
z The new scheme has a provision for supplementary z Involvement of Farmers Producer Organizations
nutrition for children in aspirational districts (FPO) and Women Self Help Groups in imple-
and those with high prevalence of anaemia. mentation of the scheme will be encouraged.
It does away with the restriction on the z Use of locally grown traditional food items
part of the Centre to provide funds only for for a fillip to local economic growth will be
wheat, rice, pulses and vegetables. encouraged.
Note:
Forest management rights:

Forest Rights Act z It includes the right to protect, regenerate or
conserve or manage any community forest
Why in News resource which they have been traditionally
Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir government has protecting and conserving for sustainable use.
decided to implement the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, ¾ Significance:
which will elevate the socio-economic status of a sizable Constitutional Provision Expansion:
section of the 14-lakh-strong population of tribals and z It expands the mandate of the Fifth and the
nomadic communities. Sixth Schedules of the Constitution that protect
the claims of indigenous communities over
Key Points tracts of land or forests they inhabit.
¾ About: Security Concerns:
FRA enacted in 2006 recognises the rights of
z The alienation of tribes was one of the factors
forest-dwelling tribal communities and other behind the Naxal Movement, which affected
traditional forest dwellers to forest resources on states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
which these communities were dependent for a
Forest Governance:
variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation
z It has the potential to democratise forest
and other sociocultural needs.
governance by recognising community forest
It recognizes and vest the forest rights and
resource rights.
occupation in Forest land in Forest Dwelling
z It will ensure that people get to manage
Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional
Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing their forest on their own, which will regulate
in such forests for generations. exploitation of forest resources by officials,
It strengthens the conservation regime of the
improve forest governance and better
forests while ensuring livelihood and food security management of tribal rights.
of the FDST and OTFD. ¾ Challenges:
The Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the Administrative Apathy:
process for determining the nature and extent z As tribals are not a big vote bank in most states,
of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community governments find it convenient to subvert
Forest Rights (CFR) or both that may be given to FRA or not bother about it at all in favour of
FDST and OTFD. monetary gains.
¾ Rights Under the Forest Rights Act: z The forest bureaucracy has misinterpreted the
Title rights: FRA as an instrument to regularise encroach-

z It gives FDST and OTFD the right to ownership ment instead of a welfare measure for tribals.
to land farmed by tribals or forest dwellers z Corporates fear they may lose the cheap access
subject to a maximum of 4 hectares. to valuable natural resources.
z Ownership is only for land that is actually being Dilution of Act:
cultivated by the concerned family and no new z Certain sections of environmentalists raise the
lands will be granted. concern that FRA bends more in the favour
Use rights: of individual rights, giving lesser scope for
z The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting community rights.
Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas etc. Institutional Roadblock:
Relief and development rights: z Rough maps of community and individual claims
z To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or are prepared by Gram Sabha which at times
forced displacement and to basic amenities, often lack technical knowhow and suffers from
subject to restrictions for forest protection. educational incapacity.
Note:
Misuse of FRA: through fair rankings and highlights the pillars and
z The FRA has been misused and communities indicators they can improve.
have rushed to file claims. Politicians across party ¾ Pillars & Sub-Pillars of the Index:
lines have interpreted FRA as a land distribution Four Pillars:
exercise and have fixed targets for districts. z Financial Well-being, Social Well-being, Health
System and Income Security
Quality of Life for Elderly Index Eight Sub-Pillars:
z Economic Empowerment, Educational Attainment
Why in News & Employment, Social Status, Physical Security,

Basic Health, Psychological Well being, Social
Recently, the Economic Advisory Council to the Security and Enabling Environment.
Prime Minister (EAC-PM) released the Quality of Life ¾ Major Findings:
for Elderly Index.
State-wise Rankings:
¾ The share of elders, as a percentage of the total
z Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are top-
population in the country, is expected to increase
scoring regions in Aged and Relatively Aged
from around 7.5% in 2001 to almost 12.5% by 2026,
States, respectively.
and surpass 19.5% by 2050.
The Aged States refer to States with an elderly
¾ EAC-PM is a non-constitutional, non-statutory,
population of more than 5 million, whereas
independent body constituted to give advice on Relatively Aged States refer to States with
economic and related issues to the Government of an Elderly population of less than 5 million.
India, specifically to the Prime Minister.
z Chandigarh and Mizoram are top-scoring
Key Points regions in Union Territory and North-East

States category.
¾ About:
Pillar-wise Performance:
The Index has been created by the Institute for
z The Health System pillar observes the highest
Competitiveness at the request of EAC-PM and national average, 66.97 at an all-India level,
it sheds light on an issue often not mentioned- followed by 62.34 in Social Well-being.
problems faced by the elderly.
z Financial Well-being observes a score of 44.7,
z Institute for Competitiveness, India is an inter-
which is lowered by the low performance of
national initiative centered in India, dedicated 21 States across the Education Attainment &
to enlarging and purposeful disseminating of Employment pillar, which showcases scope for
the body of research and knowledge on com- improvement.
petition and strategy. z States have performed particularly worse in
It identifies the regional patterns of ageing across the Income Security pillar because over half
Indian States and assesses the overall ageing of the States have a score below the national
situation in India. average in Income Security, which is the lowest
z Ageing is a continuous, irreversible, universal across all pillars.
process, which starts from conception till the ¾ Challenges:
death of an individual. Feminization of Ageing:
z However, the age at which one’s productive z One of the emerging issues of population ageing
contribution declines and one tends to be is the “Feminization of Ageing”, that is many
economically dependent can probably be more women than men reaching older ages.
treated as the onset of the aged stage of life. Income security:
z National Elderly Policy defines people in the z India has one of the weakest social security
60+ age group as elderly. mechanisms globally as it only spends 1% of
It will promote healthy competition among States its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on pensions.
Note:
Integration of elderly in Economy: Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior

z There is a need to cater to the present older Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007: To ensure need-based
person’s unique needs, motivations, and maintenance for Parents and Senior Citizens and
preferences, and to give them a chance to their welfare.
contribute to society until they promote active ¾ Global Initiatives:
ageing. Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030): The Decade
Health care and services: of Healthy Ageing was endorsed by the 73rd World
z Good health lies at the core of society to ensure Health Assembly (decision making body of the
healthy ageing. As the life expectancy of older World Health Organisation) in 2020.
people increases in India, we need to ensure The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
that people, while living longer, live healthier calls for leaving no one behind and for ensuring
lives, which will translate into more significant that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
opportunities and lower costs to older persons, are met for all segments of society, at all ages,
their families and society. with a particular focus on the most vulnerable—
¾ Related Initiatives: including older persons.
SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine): It is a
“one-stop access” of elderly care products and
services by credible start-ups.
Minority Institutions
Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP): and RTE: NCPCR Survey
To improve the quality of life of older persons
by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, Why in News
medical care and entertainment opportunities, etc.
Recently, the National Commission for the Protection
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Aids and assistive
of the Rights of the Child (NCPCR) conducted a Nationwide
living devices are provided to senior citizens Assessment of Minority Schools. The report was titled
belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category “Impact of Exemption under Article 15 (5) with regards
who suffer from age-related disabilities such as to Article 21A of the Constitution of India on Education
low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and of Minority Communities”.
locomotor disabilities.
¾ The aim was to assess how the 93rd Amendment
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
to Indian Constitution, which exempts minority
(IGNOAPS): Financial assistance is provided to institutions from otherwise mandatory provisions of
persons of 60 years and above and belonging to
the Right to Education, affected children belonging
families living BPL as per the criteria prescribed
to minority communities.
by Government of India. Central assistance of Rs
¾ The report highlights the disproportionate number of
200 per month is provided to persons in the age
minority institutions or dominance of non-minority
group of 60-79 years and Rs 500 per month to
persons of 80 years and above. category in Minority institutions.
The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana: It is
Key Points
a pension scheme for senior citizens that comes
with guaranteed returns on monthly, quarterly, ¾ Highlights of the Report:
half-yearly or on an annual basis for a period of Minority Schools Catering to the Non-Minorities:
10 years. It is exclusively available to those who Overall, 62.5% of the students in these schools
are 60 years of age and above. belonged to non-minority communities.
Vayoshreshtha Samman: Conferred as a National z Only 8.76% of the students in minority schools
award, and given to eminent senior citizens & belong to socially and economically disadvan-
institutions under various categories for their taged backgrounds.
contributions on International day of older persons Disproportionate Numbers: In West Bengal,
on 1st october. 92.47% of the minority population is of Muslims
Note:
and 2.47% are Christians. On the contrary, there that “being left ignorant of the world around
are 114 Christian minority schools and only two them”.
schools with Muslim minority status. Many students develop an inferiority complex,
being alienated from the rest of society and
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
unable to adjust with the environment.
¾ NCPCR is a statutory body set up in March 2007
It also says that madrasas do not have any
under the Commissions for Protection of Child
teachers training programmes.
Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
¾ It is under the administrative control of the Ministry Article 15(5), 30, 21A Linkage
of Women & Child Development. ¾ Minority Institutions: Minority institutions have
¾ The Commission’s mandate is to ensure that all the fundamental right under Article 30 of the
laws, policies, programmes, and administrative Constitution to establish and administer their
mechanisms are in consonance with the child educational institutions according to their choice.
rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution However, they cannot ignore the regulations
of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights recommended by the state.
of the Child. Further, the Supreme Court in the TMA Pai
¾ It inquires into complaints relating to a child’s right Foundation case, 2002 said that Article 30(1)
to free and compulsory education under the Right was neither absolute nor above the law.
to Education Act, 2009.
Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain and
¾ It monitors the implementation of Protection of Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been notified as
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the
z Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, though the Christian National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
population is less than 1% there are 197 Christian ¾ Article 15 (5) ( 93rd Amendment to Indian Constitu-
minority schools in the state. tion): It empowers the state to make special provi-
z This disproportion takes away the core objective sions for the socially and educationally backward
of establishing minority educational institutions. classes or the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled
Non-Uniformity in Madarsas: It found that the Tribes in educational institutions including private
largest number of out-of-school children – at educational institutions (whether aided or unaided
1.1 crore – belonged to the Muslim community. by the state), except the minority educational
institutions.
z According to the report, there are three kinds
¾ Right to Education (RTE): In order to implement Right
of madrasas in the country:
to Education under Article 21A. The Act mandates
Recognised Madrasas: These are registered
25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of the
and impart both religious as well as secular
society where disadvantaged groups include:
education;
SCs and STs
Unrecognised Madrasas: These have been
Socially Backward Class
found deficient for registration by state
governments as secular education is not Differently abled
imparted. ¾ Using Article 30 to Bypassing RTE: Minority

Unmapped Madrasas: These have never schools are outside the purview of the RTE Act.
applied for registration. Further, in 2014, the Supreme Court in Pramati
z According to the NCPCR, the Sachar Committee
judgment made the whole RTE Act inapplicable
report 2005, which says 4% of Muslim children to minority schools.
(15.3 lakh) attend madrasas, has only taken into The NCPCR survey highlighted that as many
account the registered madrasas. schools and institutions have registered as

z Further, the syllabi of madrasas, that have
minority institutions, simply because they don’t
evolved over centuries, are not uniform, and have to implement RTE.
Note:
There have been 12 major Marburg outbreaks

Marburg Virus since 1967, mostly in southern and eastern Africa.
¾ Human-Infection:
Why in News Human infection with Marburg virus disease initially
Recently, West Africa’s first case of the extremely results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves
contagious and deadly Marburg virus was confirmed in inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies.
Guinea. z Rousettus is a genus of Old World fruit bats or
megabats. They are sometimes referred to as
¾ Its first case was first identified just two months after
dog-faced fruit bats, or flying foxes.
the country was declared free of Ebola.
¾ Transmission:
¾ Both the Marburg case and this year’s Ebola cases
Once an individual is infected with the virus,
were detected in Guinea’s Gueckedou district.
Marburg can spread through human-to-human
¾ The first cases of the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, the
transmission via direct contact (through broken skin
largest in history, also were from the same region in
or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions,
Southeastern Guinea’s forest region.
organs or other bodily fluids of infected people,
and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding,
clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
¾ Symptoms:
Headache, vomiting blood, muscle pains and
bleeding through various orifices.
Symptoms become increasingly severe and can
include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas,
severe weight loss, liver failure, massive hemor-
rhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.
¾ Diagnosis:
Since many of the disease’s symptoms are similar
to those of malaria and typhoid fever, making a
diagnosis is difficult.
However, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Key Points testing can be used to confirm a case.
¾ About: ¾ Treatment:
Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease There is no specific treatment or approved vaccine
that causes haemorrhagic fever, it is carried by for Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Supportive hospital
bats with a fatality ratio of up to 88%. therapy should be utilized.
It is in the same family as the virus that causes Supportive hospital therapy includes balancing
Ebola virus disease. the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, maintaining

Two large outbreaks that occurred simultaneously
oxygen status and blood pressure, replacing lost
in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and blood and clotting factors, and treatment for any
in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1967, led to the initial complicating infections.
recognition of the disease.
z The outbreak was associated with laboratory Continuation of
work using African green monkeys (Cercopithecus
aethiops) imported from Uganda.
Scheme for Fast Track Courts
Subsequently, outbreaks and sporadic cases have
been reported in Angola, Democratic Republic of Why in News
the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. Recently, the Union Government approved the
Note:
continuation of more than 1000 Fast Track Special Court FTSCs are dedicated courts expected to ensure
(FTSCs) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for two swift dispensation of justice. They have a better
years (April 2021-March 2023). clearance rate as compared to the regular courts
¾ It includes 389 exclusive POCSO (Protection of Children and hold speedy trials.
from Sexual Offences) Courts. It also strengthens the deterrence framework for
¾ The Central share will be provided from the Nirbhaya sexual offenders.
Fund. ¾ Performance of Fast Track Courts So Far:
The Performance has been below par.
Key Points
According to NCRB (National Crime Records
¾ Background:
Bureau), at the end of 2019, rape cases had a
Fast track courts (FTCs) were first recommended
pendency rate--pending cases at the end of the
by the Eleventh Finance Commission in 2000 year as a percentage of total cases for trial--of
“to substantially bring down, if not eliminate, 89.5% and the conviction rate of 27.8%.
pendency in the district and subordinate courts
For POCSO cases, 88.8% cases were pending at the
over the next five years”.
end of the year, and of those disposed of, 34.9%
Following the Finance Commission’s report, Rs
ended in a conviction.
502.90 crore was granted by the Centre to create
1,734 additional courts in different states for a
period of five years. Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0
In 2011, the central government stopped funding
fast-track courts. Why in News
z The decision was challenged in the Supreme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has
Court (SC) in 2012, but the apex court said it was approved the school education programme Samagra
up to the states to continue or shut down these
Shiksha Scheme 2.0 till the 2025-26 financial year.
courts depending on their financial situation.
¾ It has been upgraded to align it with the Sustainable
Three states–Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala–
Development Goal for Education and the new National
continued running these courts while Delhi, West
Education Policy launched in 2020.
Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka had said
they would continue till 2013. Key Points
Following the December 2012 Gangrape and
¾ About Samagra Shiksha Scheme:
murder, the Union Covernment set up a ‘Nirbhaya
It is an integrated scheme for school education
Fund’, amended the Juvenile Justice Act and set
up fast-track Mahila Courts. covering the entire gamut from pre-school to
class XII.
z Some other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jammu
and Kashmir, Bihar etc. also set up FTCs for rape It aims to deliver inclusive, equitable, and affordable
cases thereafter. school education.

¾ Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts: It subsumes the three Schemes of Sarva Shiksha
More recently, in 2019, the government approved

Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
a scheme for setting up 1,023 fast-track special Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
courts (FTSCs) across the country for expeditious The scheme covers 1.16 million schools, over 156
disposal of pending rape cases under the Indian million students and 5.7 million Teachers of Govt.
penal Code (IPC) and crimes under the POCSO Act. and Aided schools (from pre-primary to senior
z In July 2019, the SC also directed setting up of
secondary level).
a centrally funded special court in each district It is being implemented as a centrally sponsored
where more than 100 FIRs are registered under scheme. It involves a 60:40 split in funding between
the POCSO Act in order to deal exclusively with the Centre and most States. It was launched by
these cases. the Ministry of Education in 2018.
Note:
¾ About Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0:

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Adoption (First Amendment)
z In order to enhance the direct outreach of the Regulations, 2021
scheme, all child-centric interventions will be
provided directly to the students through DBT
Why in News
mode on an IT-based platform over a period
of time. According to a new clause in the adoption regulations,
z This DBT would include RTE (Right to Education)
Indian diplomatic missions abroad will now be in charge
entitlements such as textbooks, uniforms and of safeguarding adopted children whose parents move
overseas with the child within two years of adoption.
transport allowance.
¾ So far, Indian missions have had a role in inter-country
On NEP Recommendations:
adoption of Indian children limited to kids adopted
z Encouraging Indian languages:
by Non Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens
It has a new component for appointment of of India or foreign parents.
language teachers, which includes salaries,
and training costs as well as bilingual books Key Points
and teaching learning material as recom-
¾ Adoption (First Amendment) Regulations, 2021:
mended in NEP.
It amends the Adoption Regulations, 2017.
z Pre-primary Education:
The amendment has been notified in accordance
It will now include funding to support pre-pri-
with the relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice
mary sections at government schools, i.e. for (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (2 of
teaching and learning materials, indigenous 2016) and it amends Adoption Regulations, 2017.
toys and games and play-based activities.
z Recently passed Juvenile Justice (Care and
Master trainers for pre-primary teachers
Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021,
and anganwadi workers will be supported seeks to strengthen and streamline the provi-
under the scheme. sions for protection and adoption of children.
z NIPUN Bharat Initiative:
z It provides that instead of the court, the District
Under this initiative, an annual provision of Magistrate (including Additional District
Rs. 500 per child for learning materials, Rs. Magistrate) will issue such adoption orders.
150 per teacher for manuals and resources It has been made by the Central Adoption Resource
and Rs. 10-20 lakh per district will be given Authority and has been notified by the Woman
for assessment for foundational literacy and Child Development Ministry.
and numeracy.
z CARA is a statutory body of the Ministry of
z On Digital Initiatives:
Women & Child Development. It functions as
There is a provision for ICT labs and smart the nodal body for adoption of Indian children
classrooms, including support for digital and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-
boards, virtual classrooms and DTH channels country and inter-country adoptions.
which have become more important in the ¾ Need:
wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some cases came to the attention of the authorities
z For out-of-school children: recently when Indian children were adopted by
It includes a provision to support out of parents in India and who ended up moving abroad
school children from age 16 to 19 with later, hence going out of the purview of Indian
funding of Rs. 2000 per grade to complete authorities and also not falling under purview of
their education via open schooling. Indian Missions abroad.
There will also be a greater focus on skills z Such childrens are vulnerable as they can be
and vocational education, both for students neglected, exploited, maltreated or abuse of
in school and dropouts. these children can happen.
Note:
¾ Current Responsibility of Indian Missions: Key Points
The Indian diplomatic missions presently send ¾ About:
progress reports of an adopted child on quarterly Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly viral
basis in the first year and on six-monthly basis in infectious disease that affects the nervous system.
the second year, from the date of arrival of the
There are three individual and immunologically
child in the receiving country.
distinct wild poliovirus strains:
The Missions are also expected to contact the
z Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)
central authority or other authorities in the
z Wild Poliovirus type 2 (WPV2)
receiving countries to ensure safeguards of children
of Indian origin adopted by Non-Resident Indian z Wild Poliovirus type 3 (WPV3)
or Overseas Citizens of India or foreign parents. Symptomatically, all three strains are identical,
In case of disruption of adoption, the foreign in that they cause irreversible paralysis or even
missions shall send a report in this regard at the death. However, there are genetic and virological
earliest, and render necessary help and facilitate differences, which make these three strains
the repatriation of the child in case required. separate viruses which must each be eradicated
individually.
¾ Persons Eligible to Adopt Child under Adoption
Regulations, 2017: ¾ Spread:
The virus is transmitted by person-to-person
The Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAP) “should
be physically, mentally and emotionally stable, mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less
financially capable and shall not have any life- frequently, by a common vehicle (for example,
threatening medical condition.” through contaminated water or food).
It largely affects children under 5 years of age.
A person can adopt irrespective of their marital
status and whether or not he or she has a biological The virus multiplies in the intestine, from where
son or daughter. it can invade the nervous system and can cause
paralysis.
A single female can adopt a child of any gender
¾ Symptoms:
but a single male shall not be eligible to adopt
Most people with polio do not feel sick. Some
a girl child. In the case of a married couple, both
spouses should give their consent for adoption. people have only minor symptoms, such as fever,
tiredness, nausea, headache, pain in the arms
“No child shall be given in adoption to a couple
and legs, etc.
unless they have at least two years of stable
In rare cases, polio infection causes permanent
marital relationship”.
loss of muscle function (paralysis).
Couples with three or more children shall not
Polio can be fatal if the muscles used for breathing
be considered for adoption “except in case of
special need children”, “hard to place children” are paralysed or if there is an infection of the brain.
and in case of “relative adoption and adoption ¾ Prevention and Cure:
by step-parent”. There is no cure, but it can be prevented through
Immunisation.
Vaccines:
Polio ¾
Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): It is given orally as a
birth dose for institutional deliveries, then primary
Why in News three doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and one booster
Recently, India has decided to vaccinate Afghanistan dose at 16-24 months of age.
returnees against Polio for free as a preventive measure Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV): It is introduced as
against the Wild Polio Virus. an additional dose along with the 3rd dose of DPT
¾ Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries (Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus) under the
in the world where polio is still Endemic. Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Note:
¾ Recent Outbreaks: Universal Immunization Programme (UIP):

In 2019, polio outbreaks were recorded in the
z It was launched in 1985 with the modification to
Philippines, Malaysia, Ghana, Myanmar, China, ‘Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI).
Cameroon, Indonesia and Iran, which were mostly
z The objectives of the Programme include:
vaccine-derived in which a rare strain of the
Rapidly increasing immunization coverage,
virus genetically mutated from the strain in the
Improving the quality of services, Establishing a
vaccine.
reliable cold chain system to the health facility
z According to the WHO (World Health Organ-
level, Introducing a district-wise system for
isation), if the oral vaccine-virus is excreted monitoring of performance, Achieving self-
and allowed to circulate in an unimmunised sufficiency in vaccine production.
or under-immunised population for at least
12 months, it can mutate to cause infections.
¾ India & Polio:
SAMVAD Initiative
India received polio-free certification by the WHO
in 2014, after three years of zero cases. Why in News
z This achievement has been spurred by the Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Develop-
successful Pulse Polio Campaign in which all ment has launched the 2nd phase of the SAMVAD pro-
children were administered polio drops. gramme. The second phase was launched on the com-
z The last case due to wild poliovirus in the country
pletion of one year of programme.
was detected on 13th January 2011. ¾ The programme is aimed at mental health outreach
for children who are abandoned and orphaned, child
Polio Eradication Measures survivors of trafficking, or in conflict with law.
¾ Global: ¾ Earlier, the government had announced a special “PM-
Global Polio Eradication Initiative: CARES for Children” scheme for all those orphaned
z It was launched in 1988 by the Global Polio due to Covid-19.
Eradication Initiative (GPEI), by national
governments and WHO. Presently, 80% of the Key Points
world’s population is now living in certified ¾ Stands for: Support, Advocacy & Mental health
polio-free regions. interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances
An estimated 1.5 million childhood deaths and Distress (SAMVAD).
have been prevented, through the systemic ¾ Funded By: The initiative is funded by the Ministry
administration of vitamin A during polio of Women and Child Development.
immunization activities. ¾ Implementing Body: It is led by the National Institute
World Polio Day: of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS).
z It is observed every year on 24th October in The NIMHANS is the apex centre of mental health
order to call on countries to stay vigilant in and neuroscience education. It operates autono-
their fight against the disease. mously under the Ministry of Health and Family
¾ Indian:
Welfare.
Recently, on the request of the Ministry of Home
Pulse Polio Programme:
Affairs, NIMHANS, issued a set of guidelines on
z It was started with an objective of achieving
the management of mental health issues of the
hundred percent coverage under Oral Polio
prisoners and prison staff.
Vaccine.
¾ Purpose:
Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0:
It is a national initiative and integrated resource
z It was a nationwide immunisation drive to
that works in child protection, mental health
mark the 25 years of Pulse polio programme and psychosocial care of children in difficult
(2019-20). circumstances.
Note:
It encompasses a specialized training curriculum WASH
on childhood trauma, interventions for children
¾ WASH is an acronym that stands for the interrelated
in conflict with the law, forensics in child and
areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
adolescent psychiatry and mental health.
¾ The World Health Organisation (WHO) WASH
Education and mental health support to children
Strategy 2018-25 has been developed in response
with special needs, protection and care in the
to Member State Resolution (WHA 64.4) and the
context of adoption.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 3:
The initiative is providing coping mechanisms
Good Health and Well Being, SDG 6: Clean Water
for children in distress by training close to 1 And Sanitation).
lakh stakeholders comprising Child Protection
¾ It is a component of WHO’s 13th General Programme
Functionaries, tele-counsellors, educators, law
of Work 2019–2023 which aims to contribute to the
professionals among others.
health of three billion through multisectoral actions
¾ Integration with Local Bodies: The initiative aims like better emergency preparedness and response;
to foster care and integration of child protection and one billion with Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
and mental health in the Panchayati Raj systems in
¾ It also takes on board the need for progressive
aspirational districts across the country to facilitate
realization of the human rights to safe drinking-
awareness generation and improve service delivery
water and sanitation, adopted by the UN General
at the grassroot level.
Assembly in July 2010.
Drop in Open z There is an improvement in at-source water

resources and onsite sanitation systems.
Defecation: Wash Report At-source water resources include piped
water, boreholes or tubewells, protected
Why in News dug wells, protected springs, rainwater and
According to a new report by the Wash Institute (a packaged or delivered water.
global non-profit organisation), India was responsible Onsite sanitation system is a system in which
for the largest drop in open defecation since 2015, in excreta and wastewater are collected, stored
terms of absolute numbers. and/or treated on the plot where they are
¾ Universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene generated.
(WASH) to achieve the United Nations-mandated z There was an increase in safely managed
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 was also sanitation services to 54%, from 47% between
emphasised. 2016 and 2020.
Key Points
¾ Findings of the Report: Gender Self Identification
On Open Defecation:
z Within India, open defecation had been highly Why in News

variable regionally since at least 2006 but by Recently, the Spanish government approved a draft
2016 open defecation had decreased in all bill that would allow anyone over the age of 14 to legally
states, with the largest drops seen in Himachal change gender without a medical diagnosis or hormone
Pradesh and Haryana. therapy.
z Progress in curbing open defecation in sub- ¾ Currently, for someone to change their gender in
Saharan Africa was slow. official records, the law first requires two years of
On SDG 6: hormone therapy and a psychological evaluation.
z Between 2016 and 2020, the global population ¾ ‘Self-Identification’ has been a long held demand of
with access to safely managed drinking water trans-right groups around the world, including in India,
at home increased to 74%, from 70%. as prejudice against trans people remains rampant.
Note:
Key Points z Under the Rules, an application to declare

gender is to be made to the District Magistrate.
¾ Gender Self-Identification (Concept):
Parents can also make an application on behalf
A person should be allowed to legally identify with
of their child.
the gender of their choice by simply declaring so,
z There will be no medical or physical examination
and without facing any medical tests. for procedures for issue of certificate of identity/
Arguments in Favour: change of gender.
z The current processes for declaring one’s desired In National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v.
gender are lengthy, expensive and degrading. Union of India, 2014 case, the Supreme Court
z Trans people face daily discrimination and it is declared transgender people to be a ‘third gender’.
vital that steps are taken to tackle discrimination z The Court interpreted ‘dignity’ under Article
and provide the services and support people 21 of the Constitution to include diversity in
need. self-expression, which allowed a person to lead
z Gender identity is considered to be an inherent
a dignified life. It placed one’s gender identity
part of a person which may or may not need within the framework of the fundamental right
surgical or hormonal treatment or therapy and to dignity under Article 21.
all persons must be empowered to make their z Further, it noted that the right to equality
decisions affecting their own bodily integrity (Article 14 of the Constitution) and freedom
and physical autonomy. of expression (Article 19(1)(a)) was framed in
gender-neutral terms (“all persons”).
Arguments Against:
In 2018, the SC also decriminalised same-sex
z Gender self-identification goes far beyond
relationships (Read down the Provisions of Section
respecting people’s right to believe what they 377 of the Indian Penal Code).
want; to dress or act or express their identity
as they want. Features of Transgender Persons Act, 2019
z This is a political and social demand that affects ¾ Definition of a Transgender Person: The Act defines
everybody, but in particular women, gay people a transgender person as one whose gender does
and transsexuals. not match the gender assigned at birth. It includes
transmen and trans-women, persons with intersex
z The medicalization of gender identity has
variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-
allowed for vital legal recognition and transition-
cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra.
related healthcare for some members of the
¾ Certificate of Identity: The Act states that a trans-
trans community.
gender person shall have the right to self-perceived
¾ Countries where Self-ID is Legal: gender identity.
15 countries around the world recognise self- A certificate of identity can be obtained at the
ID, including Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Malta, District Magistrate’s office and a revised certificate
Argentina, Ireland, Luxembourg, Greece, Costa is to be obtained if sex is changed.
Rica, Mexico (only in Mexico City), Brazil, Colombia, ¾ The Act has a provision that provides transgender
Ecuador and Uruguay. the right of residence with parents and immediate
In Hungary, a newly adopted law effectively bans all family members.
content about homosexuality and gender change ¾ The Act prohibits discrimination against a trans-
from school curriculum and television shows for gender person in various sectors such as education,
children under the age of 18. employment, and healthcare etc.
¾ Rules in India: ¾ Seeks to establish Natonal Council for Transgender
In India, the rights of transgender persons are
persons.
governed by the Transgender Persons (Protection ¾ Punishment: It states that the offences against trans-
of Rights) Act, 2019 and the Transgender Persons gender persons will attract imprisonment between
(Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020. six months and two years, in addition to a fine.
Note:
z Tier 2 countries are those countries whose
Trafficking in Persons Report governments do not fully comply with TVPA’s
minimum standards but are making significant
Why in News efforts to bring themselves into compliance with
those standards.
According to the Trafficking in Persons report 2021,
Tier 2 watchlist countries are those where the
released by the US State Department, the Covid-19
absolute number of victims of severe forms
pandemic has resulted in an increase in vulnerability to
of trafficking is significant or is significantly
human trafficking and interrupted existing anti-traffic
increasing.
efforts.
India is placed in Tier 2 category.
¾ Human trafficking, also called trafficking in persons,
form of modern-day slavery involving the illegal z Tier 3 countries whose governments do not
fully comply with the minimum standards and
transport of individuals by force or deception for the
are not making significant efforts to do so.
purpose of labour, sexual exploitation, or activities
Afghanistan, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea,
in which others benefit financially.
North Korea, Iran, Russia, South Sudan, Syria
Key Points and Turkmenistan are under this tier.
¾ Findings of the Report: z There are also a few “Special Cases” such as
Yemen, where the civil conflict and humanitarian
While India did not meet the minimum standards to
crisis make gaining information difficult.
eliminate trafficking, the government was making
significant efforts, although these were inadequate,
especially when it came to bonded labour. Child Soldier Recruiter List
Chinese government engaged in widespread
forced labour, including through the continued Why in News
mass arbitrary detention of more than one million The US has added Pakistan and 14 other countries
Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, ethnic Kyrgyz, and other to a Child Soldier Recruiter List that identifies foreign
Muslims. governments having government-supported armed
¾ Reasons for Increased Trafficking: groups that recruit or use child soldiers.
The concurrence of the increased number of
¾ Child Soldier refers to any person below 18 years of
individuals at risk, traffickers’ ability to capitalise age who has been, recruited or used by an armed
on competing crises, and the diversion of resources force or armed group in any capacity.
to pandemic response efforts has resulted in an It includes but is not limited to children, boys
ideal environment for human trafficking to flourish and girls who are used as fighters, cooks, porters,
and evolve. spies or for sexual purposes (Paris Principles on the
Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict 2007).
¾ Categorisation of Countries:
The categorisation is based not on the magnitude Key Points
of a country’s trafficking problem but on efforts ¾ About Child Soldier Recruiter List:
to meet minimum standards for the elimination
The US Child Soldiers Prevention Act -2008 (CSPA)
of human trafficking.
requires the publication in the annual Trafficking in
The countries are designated on the three-tier Persons (TIP) report a list of foreign governments
system: that have recruited or used child soldiers.
z Tier 1 countries are those countries whose Some of the countries which have been added to
governments fully comply with the Trafficking the list are Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Myanmar,
Victims Protection Act (TVPA - US’s law on Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Yemen etc.
human trafficking) minimum standards. z The United Nations (UN) verified that over
USA, UK, Australia, Bahrain and South Korea 7,000 children had been recruited and used
are some of the countries in tier 1. as soldiers in 2019 alone.
Note:
The CSPA prohibits the US government from Also, they are hired in maoist affected areas of
providing military assistance, including money, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka,
military education and training, or direct sales of Maharashtra.
military equipment, to countries that recruit and Some global human rights organisations allege
use child soldiers. Indian security forces of using children as spies
¾ Related Global Conventions: and messengers, although the Indian government
The recruitment or use of children below the age denies this allegation.
of 15 as soldiers is prohibited by both the UN National Cadet Corps (NCC) which is run by the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Ministry of Defence, aims to motivate youth from
additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions. age 13 to take up a career in the armed forces
z The CRC says childhood is separate from adult- (Army, Navy and Air Force) and Territorial Army.
hood, and lasts until 18; it is a special, protected z They can not be equated with the child soldiers.
time, in which children must be allowed to grow, Steps Taken by Indian Government:
learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity. z India is party to the Convention on the Rights
z The Geneva Conventions and their Additional of the Child (CRC) and acceded to Optional
Protocols form the core of international Protocol in November 2005.
humanitarian law, which regulates the conduct The Constitution encompasses most rights
of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects. included in the CRC as Fundamental Rights
They protect people not taking part in hostilities and Directive Principles of State Policy.
and those who are no longer doing so. Article39 (f) states that children are given
The Optional Protocol to the CRC on the involvement opportunities and facilities to develop in a
of children in armed conflict further prohibits healthy manner and in conditions of freedom
kids under the age 18 from being compulsorily and dignity and that childhood and youth are
recruited into state or non-state armed forces or protected against exploitation and against
directly engaging in hostilities. moral and material abandonment.
z Optional Protocols to human rights treaties z The Indian Penal Code criminalises the
are treaties in their own right, and are open to recruitment or use in hostilities of persons
signature, accession or ratification by countries under-18 years by state armed forces or non-
who are party to the main treaty. state armed groups.
Recruiting Child Soldiers is also considered a war z Adults of age over 18 years are recruited in the
crime under the Rome Statute of the International Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
Criminal Court (ICC).
Also, the United Nations has identified the re-
cruitment and use of child soldiers as among six
World Population Day
“grave violations”. Other Five violations are:
z Killing and maiming of children;
Why in News
z Sexual violence against children;
Recently, Uttar Pradesh (UP) unveiled its New
Population Policy 2021-30, on the occasion of World
z Abduction of children;
Population Day (11th July).
z Attacks against schools or hospitals;
z Denial of humanitarian access for children. Key Points

¾ Indian Scenario: ¾ About:
Though not very common in India, child soldiers In 1989, the United Nations Development Pro-
are seen among non-state forces such as insurgent gramme (UNDP) recommended that 11th July
organizations in the NorthEast region (mainly in be observed by the international community as
Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) and militant factions World Population Day, a day to focus attention on
in the Kashmir region. the urgency and importance of population issues.
Note:
UNDP was inspired by the public interest and
z India has just 2% of the world’s landmass and
awareness that was created by “Five Billion Day” 16% of the global population.
on 11th July 1987 when the world’s population z It has been reported that India will soon
reached 5 billion. surpass China’s population (Country with
A resolution to the effect was passed, and the day largest population).
was first marked on 11th July, 1990. Fast Growth:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was
z Mismatch in birth and death rate resulted in
created in 1969, the same year the United Nations faster growth of population in the past few
General Assembly declared “parents have the
decades.
exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly
However, India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is
the number and spacing of their children.
declining. It is now 2.2 per woman, nearing
Theme 2021: Rights and Choices are the Answer:
the replacement rate of 2.1, according to the
Whether baby boom or bust, the solution to
latest government data.
shifting fertility rates lies in prioritising all people’s
reproductive health and rights. TFR indicates the average number of children
¾ U.P’s New Population Policy:

expected to be born to a woman during her
reproductive span of 15-49 years.
The policy proposes five key targets: population
control; ending curable maternal mortality and Education and Population Growth:
illnesses; ending curable infant mortality and z Poverty and illiteracy contribute immensely
ensuring betterment in their nutrition status; to the population explosion.

betterment of sexual and reproductive health- Recent data shows that the overall literacy
related information and facilities among the youth; rate in the country is about 77.7%.
and care of elders. At the all-India level, the male literacy rate is
The UP government’s law commission has also higher at 84.7% compared to 70.3% among
prepared a population control bill, under which a women.
two-child norm will be implemented and promoted.
z Children in rural areas are considered as assets,
As per the draft, violation of the policy is penalised
who will take care of parents at old age, also
with measures such as barring for elections and more children mean more earnings.
abidance is rewarded with measures such as
z The level of female education has a direct
promotion in jobs, subsidy etc.
impact on fertility, as it is evidenced that the
fertility rate of illiterate women tends to be
higher than those who are literate.
z Lack of education prevents women from having
full knowledge about the use of contraceptives,
of the consequences of frequent childbirth.
Unemployment:
z High youth unemployment in India is turning
demographic dividend into a demographic
disaster for India.
z This youth potential is often referred to as the
‘demographic dividend’ which means that if the
youth available in the country are equipped
with quality education and skills training, then
Population Trends & Issues they will not only get suitable employment
¾ India’s Population Related Issues: but can also contribute effectively towards the
Large Size: economic development of the country.
Note:
¾ Guidelines for EWS Reservation:

Kapu Community Reservation Persons who are not covered under the existing
scheme of reservations for SCs, STs and Socially and
Why in News Educationally Backward Classes and whose gross
annual family income is below Rs 8 lakh are to be
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government has an-
nounced 10% reservation for the Kapu community and identified as EWS for the benefit of reservation.
other Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) for appoint- The income includes income from all sources i.e.
ments in the initial posts and services in the State salary, agriculture, business, profession etc. for
government. the financial year prior to the year of application.
¾ This reservation is extended in accordance with the The term family for this purpose will include the
Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019. person who seeks benefit of reservation, his or
her parents and siblings below the age of 18 years
Key Points as also his or her spouse and children below the
¾ About Kapu Community: age of 18 years.
¾ 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act:
The Kapus are primarily an agrarian community
based in the Andhra-Telangana region. It introduced an economic reservation (10% quota)
It is believed that they migrated from the Gangetic

in jobs and admissions in education institutes for
plains, probably from Kampilya (near Ayodhya) Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) by amending
thousands of years ago. Articles 15 and 16.
z It inserted Article 15 (6) and Article 16 (6).
They entered what is present-day Telangana and,
after clearing the forests along the banks of the It was enacted to promote the welfare of the poor
Godavari, settled down to farming. not covered by the 50% reservation policy for
The Kapu community is demanding inclusion in
SCs, STs and Socially and Educationally Backward
the ‘Backward Castes’ category “like they were Classes (SEBC).
before independence”. It enables both Centre and the states to provide
The first major protest for the inclusion of the

reservation to the EWS of society.
Kapus in the ‘Backward Castes’ was held in 1993.
z A government order was then issued for their Severe Acute
inclusion in ‘Backward Castes’. However, it was
not honoured.
Malnutrition in India
Other Backward Classes Why in News
¾ Other Backward Classes (OBC) is a collective term
According to the Women and Child Development
used by the Government of India to classify castes
Ministry, more than 9.2 lakh children (from six months
which are educationally or socially disadvantaged.
to six years) in India were ‘severely acute malnourished’
¾ It is one of several official classifications of the
till November, 2020.
population of India, along with General Class,
¾ It underscores concerns that the Covid-19 pandemic
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs).
could exacerbate the health and nutrition crisis among
¾ The OBCs were found to comprise 52% of the coun-
the poorest of the poor.
try’s population by the Mandal Commission report
of 1980, and were determined to be 41% in 2006 Key Points
when the National Sample Survey Organisation ¾ About Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM):
took place.
WHO’s Definition: The World Health Organisation
¾ National Commission for Backward Classes is
(WHO) defines ‘severe acute malnutrition’ (SAM)
a constitutional body under Article 338B of the by very low weight-for-height or a mid-upper
Constitution under the Ministry of Social Justice arm circumference less than 115 mm, or by the
and Empowerment. presence of nutritional oedema.
Note:
Children suffering from SAM are nine times
z
Siachen Glacier
more likely to die in case of diseases due to
¾ The Siachen Glacier is located in the Eastern
their weakened immune system.
Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just northeast
z Nutritional oedema: Abnormal fluid retention
of Point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between
in the tissues (oedema) resulting especially India and Pakistan ends.
from lack of protein in states of starvation or
¾ It is the Second-Longest glacier in the World’s
malnutrition.
Non-Polar areas.
Oedema can, however, occur in starvation
Fedchenko Glacier, located in Yazgulem Range,
even if the blood levels of albumin are not
Tajikistan is the Longest glacier in the World’s
lowered.
Non-Polar areas.
¾ Related Findings:
¾ The Siachen Glacier lies immediately south of the
Number of SAM Children (National scenario): An
great drainage divide that separates the Eurasian
estimated 9,27,606 ‘severely acute malnourished’
Plate from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively
children from six months to six years were identified
glaciated portion of the Karakoram sometimes called
across the country till November 2020.
the “Third Pole”.
States with SAM Children:
¾ The Siachen Glacier is part of Ladakh which has now
z The most in Uttar Pradesh (3,98,359 ) followed
been converted into a Union Territory.
by Bihar (2,79,427).
¾ The Siachen Glacier is the world’s highest battlefield.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also home to the
¾ The entire Siachen Glacier has been under the
highest number of children in the country.
administration of India since 1984 (Operation
z Maharashtra (70,665) > Gujarat (45,749) >
Meghdoot).
Chhattisgarh (37,249) > Odisha (15,595) >
Tamil Nadu (12,489) > Jharkhand (12,059) >
Andhra Pradesh (11,201) > Telangana (9,045)
> Assam (7,218) > Karnataka (6,899) > Kerala
(6,188) > Rajasthan (5,732).
States with No Severely Malnourished Children:
Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Manipur and
Madhya Pradesh reported no severely malnourished
children.
Operation Blue
Freedom: Team CLAW
Why in News
Recently, the Government of India has accorded Key Points
sanction to Team CLAW to lead a team of people with
disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier and create a new world ¾ About the Expedition:
record for the largest team of people with disabilities. Initially, a team of 20 people with disabilities would
¾ This is the land world record expedition, part of be selected to undergo training, after which the
‘Operation Blue Freedom Triple World Records’ final expedition team shall be selected.
being undertaken. z Final expedition team (including a minimum of
¾ Triple Elemental World Records is a series of world 6 people with disabilities), who will trek from
records being attempted by the team in 2021 of the Siachen Base Camp to Kumar Post.
collectives of people with disabilities achieving great z Kumar post is located at an altitude of about
feats on land, in air and underwater. 15,632 feet.
Note:
¾ Team CLAW and Operation Blue Freedom: These social audits are done through Social Audit

Team CLAW: Team CLAW (Conquer Land Air Water) Units (SAU) of the States and National Institute
is a team of ex-Indian Special Forces commandos. for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
z Generally, all are either from Indian Army Para ¾ Important Schemes of the Ministry of Social Justice
Commandos or the Naval Marine Commandos, and Empowerment:
also known as the MARCOS. Schemes for Economic Development:
z These veterans have multiple specialisations - z Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for the
not just in combat but also in other elite skills Scheduled Castes (SCs)
such as skydiving, scuba diving, mountaineering, z National Safai Karamcharis Finance and
emergency medical response and all-terrain Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
survival amongst others.
z National Scheduled Castes Finance and
z The initiative was taken by Major Vivek Jacob,
Development Corporation (NSFDC)
a Para (Special Forces) officer.
z Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste
Operation Blue Freedom: Operation Blue Freedom
Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
is a social impact venture aimed at rehabilitating
z Scheme of Assistance to Scheduled Castes
people with disabilities through adaptive adventure
sports. Development Corporations (SCDCs)
Self Employment:
z It aims to shatter the common perception
of pity, charity and inability associated with z Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
people with disabilities and recreate it to one (SRMS)

of dignity, freedom and ability. z Venture Capital Fund For Scheduled Castes
z Further, their focus is to ‘design and implement Schemes for Social Empowerment:
sustainable large-scale employment solutions’ z Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation
for people with disabilities, especially in the of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and
‘Environment conservation and Sustainability’ the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
space.
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
z It was launched in 2019 by Team CLAW..
z Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
CLAW Global: Team CLAW is in the process of setting
up centres across the globe where-in Special Forces Social Audit
Veterans and People with Disabilities are merging in
¾ About:
action for creating a better life experience, for not only
Meaning: Social Audit is the audit of a scheme
persons with disability but the non-disabled as well.
jointly by the Government and the people,
especially by those who are affected by the scheme
Social Audit of or its beneficiaries.
Social Sector Schemes Benefits: It is a powerful tool to promote trans-
parency, accountability and people’s participation
Why in News in the schemes meant for them.
z A social audit helps to narrow gaps between
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
has formulated a scheme, namely Information-Monitoring, vision/goal and reality, between efficiency
Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA) in FY 2021-22. and effectiveness.
Status:
Key Points z Mahatma Gandhi National National Rural
¾ About the I-MESA Scheme: Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was
Under this scheme, Social Audits are to be conducted the first Act to mandate Social Audit by the
for all the schemes of the Department starting FY Gram Sabha of all the projects taken up in the
2021-22. Gram Panchayat.
Note:
z Most States have set up an independent Social IV as per the specification of color, texture, size
Audit Unit (SAU) and some have even begun and body condition of the leaf and packets will
to facilitate Social Audit in other programmes, be done by taking Five Kilograms as a Bundle.
including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, National
Social Assistance Programme, Midday Meal
Scheme and Public Distribution System.
National Health Mission
Why in News
Kendu Leaf
Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and
Why in News Family Welfare informed the Rajya Sabha that National
Health Mission (NHM) supported health system reforms
Recently, several children were seen collecting kendu
have resulted in development of resilient health systems.
(Tendu) leaves in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.
Key Points
¾ About:
NHM was launched by the government of India in
2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission
(Launched in 2005) and the National Urban Health
Mission (Launched in 2013).
The main programmatic components include
Health System Strengthening in rural and urban
areas for - Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-
Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and
Key Points Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
¾ About: The NHM envisages achievement of universal
Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha. It is

access to equitable, affordable & quality health
a nationalised product like bamboo and sal seed. care services that are accountable and responsive
It is one of the most important non-wood forest to people’s needs.
products in Odisha.
z Botanical name of the Tendu (Kendu) leaf is
Diospyros Melanoxylon.
The leaves are used to wrap bidis, a popular smoke
among the locals.
¾ States Producing Kendu Leaves:
The states producing bidi leaves in India comprises
mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha,
Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and
Maharashtra.
z Odisha is the third-largest producer of kendu
leaf, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
¾ Uniqueness:
The Uniqueness of Odisha’s Tendu (kendu) leaf is ¾ Support to States & Union Territories (UT):
in processed form whereas the rest of the states Health Facilities:
in India produce in Phal Form. z NHM support is provided to States/ UTs for
z In processed form the Kendu leafs are graded setting up of new facilities as per norms and
into different qualities that are Grade I to Grade upgradation of existing facilities for bridging the
Note:
infrastructure gaps based on the requirement

posed by them.
Health Services:
z NHM support is also provided for provision of

a range of free services related to maternal
health, child health, adolescent health, family
planning, universal immunisation programme,
and for major diseases such as Tuberculosis,
vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue
and Kala Azar, Leprosy etc.
¾ Major Initiatives Supported Under NHM:
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
Implementation of Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics

Service Initiatives. It claims to achieve a balance between “regulatory

PM National Dialysis Programme. policies” and market-based carbon pricing to

Implementation of National Quality Assurance
avoid the pitfalls of each.
Framework in all public health facilities. ¾ Major Proposals:
Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) & Tele-consultation Renewable Sources:
services are also being implemented to improve z It proposes to increase the binding target of
access to healthcare particularly in rural areas. renewable sources in the EU’s energy mix to
Ayushman Bharat. 40%(from 32% earlier) and improve energy
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
efficiency by 36% (from 32.5% earlier) by 2030.
Vehicular Carbon Emissions:
z It must be cut by 55% by 2030 and by 100% by

Fit for 55 Package: EU 2035, which means a phaseout of petrol and
diesel vehicles by 2035.
Why in News z It also includes some provisions that benefit
Recently, the European Union (EU) released a new the auto industry. Public funds will be used to
climate proposal, the Fit for 55 package. help build charging stations every 60 kilometers,
¾ The EU in December 2020 submitted a revised
on major highways, a move that will encourage
Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under sales of electric cars.
the Paris Agreement. z It will also help finance a network of hydrogen
fueling stations.
Key Points Emissions Trading System:
¾ Aim: z It calls for the creation of an Emissions Trading
The new package attempts to deliver the NDC System (ETS) for buildings and road transport,
and carbon neutrality goal through proposed separate from the EU’s current ETS, to become
changes that would impact the economy, society operational from 2026.
and industry, as well as ensure a fair, competitive ETS are market-based instruments that create
and green transition by 2030 and beyond. incentives to reduce emissions where these
z Climate neutrality is achieved when a country’s
are most cost-effective.
emissions are balanced by absorptions and Social Climate Fund:
removal of greenhouse gases from the z To help low-income citizens and small businesses
atmosphere. It is also expressed as a state of adjust to the new ETS, the EU proposes the
net-zero emissions. creation of a Social Climate Fund, which will
Note:
take various forms ranging from funding for Key Points
renovation of buildings, and access to low ¾ China’s Population Policies:
carbon transport, to direct income support.
One Child Policy:
z They expect to build up this fund using 25% of
z China embarked upon its one-child policy in
revenues from the new ETS. The current ETS
1980, when its government was concerned
is proposed to extend to the maritime sector
that the country’s growing population, which
between 2023 and 2025.
at the time was approaching one billion, would
Carbon-Border Adjustment Mechanism: impede economic progress.
z Among other market-based mechanisms, the
Chinese authorities have long hailed the
EU is proposing a carbon-border adjustment policy as a success, claiming that it helped
mechanism, which will put a price on imports the country avert severe food and water
from places that have carbon-intensive shortages by preventing up to 40 crore
production processes. people from being born.
z This instrument has been deemed to have a small
z It was a source of discontent, as the state used
impact on global carbon dioxide emissions by brutal tactics such as forced abortions and
the United Nations Conference on Trade and sterilisations.
Development, and could instead have negative
z It also met criticism and remained controversial
impacts on developing countries.
for violating human rights, and for being unfair
Enhance Sink Capacity: to the poor.
z It has set a target to enhance the EU’s sink
Two Child Policy:
capacity to 310 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent,
z From 2016, the Chinese government finally
which it hopes will be achieved through specific
allowed two children per couple – a policy
national targets by member countries.
change that did little to arrest the rapid fall in
India’s INDC, to be achieved primarily, by 2030 population growth.
¾ To reduce the emissions intensity of the Gross Three Child Policy:
Domestic Product by about a third. z It was announced after China’s 2020 census data
¾ A total of 40% of the installed capacity for electricity showed that the country’s rate of population
will be from non-fossil fuel sources. growth is falling rapidly despite the 2016
¾ India also promised an additional carbon sink relaxation.
(a means to absorb carbon dioxide from the z The country’s fertility rate has dropped to 1.3,
atmosphere) of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon far below the replacement level of 2.1 required
dioxide equivalent through additional forest and for a generation to have enough children to
tree cover by the year 2030. replace it.
The United Nations expects China’s population
to begin declining after 2030, but some
China Relaxes Two experts say this could happen as early as in
Child Policy: Lessons for India the next one or two years.
¾ Lessons For India:
Why in News Avoid Stringent Measures:
Recently, China relaxed its two child policy and z Stringent population control measures have
announced it will now allow three children per married landed China in a human crisis that was inevitable.
couple. If coercive measures like a two-child limit are
¾ It also announced that it would increase the retirement enforced, India’s situation could be worse.
age by a few months every year. For the past four Women Empowerment:
decades, the retirement age in China has been 60 z The proven ways to lower the fertility rate are
for men and 55 for women. to give women the control over their fertility
Note:
and ensure their greater empowerment through Silver Economy

increased access to education, economic
¾ Silver economy is the system of production,
opportunities and healthcare.
distribution and consumption of goods and services
As a matter of fact, China’s fertility reduction
aimed at using the purchasing potential of older
is only partly attributable to coercive policies, and ageing people and satisfying their consumption,
and is largely because of the sustained
living and health needs.
investments the country had made in
¾ The silver economy is analyzed in the field of social
education, health and job opportunities
gerontology (study of aging) not as an existing
for women.
economic system but as an instrument of ageing
Need to Stabilize Population:
policy and the political idea of forming a potential,
India has done very well with its family planning needs-oriented economic system for an aging
measures and now it is at replacement level population.
fertility of 2.1, which is desirable.
¾ Its main element is gerontechnology (Technology
It needs to sustain population stabilisation because pertaining to aged people) as a new scientific,
in some States like Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi,
research and implementation paradigm.
Kerala and Karnataka, the total fertility rate is
way below replacement level, which means ¾ About:
it can experience in 30-40 years what China is The SAGE portal will be a “one-stop access” of
experiencing now. elderly care products and services by credible
start-ups.
India’s Case It has been launched with a view to help such
¾ India’s Population Growth: persons who are interested in entrepreneurship
India’s population is estimated to be over 1.36 in the field of providing services for elderly
billion as of March 2021, indicating an estimated care.
12.4% growth over the last decade. The SAGE project aims to identify, evaluate,
z That is lower than the 17.7% between 2001 verify, aggregate, and deliver products, solutions
and 2011. and services directly to the stakeholders. The
However, a 2019 United Nations report had Ministry will act as a facilitator, enabling the
projected India to overtake China as the most elderly to access the products through identified
populous country by 2027. start-ups.
z India is expected to add nearly 273 million ¾ Features:
people between 2019 and 2050. Start-ups can apply for being a part of SAGE through
a dedicated portal.
Seniorcare Aging The start-ups selected under SAGE will be those
which will provide new innovative products and
Growth Engine Initiative services to elderly persons in various areas like
health, travel, finance, legal, housing, food among
Why in News others.
An allocation of Rs. 25 crores has been made for
Recently, the MInistry of Social Justice and Empower-
ment virtually launched the SAGE (Seniorcare Aging the SAGE project in the current financial year i.e
Growth Engine) initiative and SAGE portal for elderly 2021-22.
persons. ¾ Need for the Initiative:
¾ An amount of Rs. 100 crore has been assigned for The share of elders, as a percentage of the total
the promotion of the silver economy. population in the country, is expected to increase
from around 7.5% in 2001 to almost 12.5% by
Key Points 2026, and surpass 19.5% by 2050.
Note:
determine the class of prisoners who could be
released on bail or parole for a specified period.
¾ Status of Indian Prisons:
Indian prisons face three long-standing structural
constraints:
z Overcrowding,
z Understaffing and underfunding and
z Violent clashes.
The Prison Statistics India 2016, published by the

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2019
highlights the plight of prisoners in India.
z Under-trial Population: India’s under-trial
population remains among the highest in the
Overcrowding of Prison world and more than half of all undertrials
were detained for less than six months in 2016.
Why in News The report highlights that at the end of 2016,
The Supreme Court (SC) of India has ordered the there were 4,33,033 people in prison, of
interim release of eligible prisoners in view of the whom 68% were undertrials.
uncontrolled second surge in the raging Covid-19 pandemic. This suggests that the high proportion of
¾ The Court’s order aims to decongest jails and a undertrials in the overall prison population
measure that protects the right to life and health may be the result of unnecessary arrests and
of the prisoners. ineffective legal aid during remand hearings.
z People Held Under Preventive Detention: There
Key Points is the rise in the number of people held under
¾ Important Points of Supreme Court Order: administrative (or ‘prevention’) detention laws
Emphasised the need to adhere to the norms it in Jammu and Kashmir.
had laid down in Arnesh Kumar vs State of Bihar A 300% increase, with 431 detainees in 2016,
(2014) case. compared to 90 in 2015.
z Under this case, the police were asked not to Administrative, or ‘preventive’, detention is
effect unnecessary arrests, especially in cases used by authorities to detain persons without
that involve jail terms less than seven years. charge or trial and circumvent regular criminal
Authorities in all districts in the country to give justice procedures.
effect to Section 436A of the Code of Criminal z Unawareness about Section 436A of C.R.P.C.:
Procedure (Cr.P.C). There is a gap between the number of prisoners
z Under the Section 436A of the Cr.P.C, the eligible to be released and actually released,
undertrials who have completed half of the under Section 436A of the Code of Criminal
maximum prison term prescribed for the offence Procedure.
may be released on personal bond. In 2016, out of 1,557 undertrials found
Suggested the legislature to consider the idea eligible for release under Section 436A, only
of placing convicts under house arrest to avoid 929 were released.
overcrowding of prisons. Also, research by Amnesty India has found
z The occupancy rate in prisons climbed to 118.5% that prison officials are frequently unaware
in 2019. Moreover, a very large sum of the of this section and unwilling to apply it.
budget is used for the maintenance of prisons. z Unnatural Deaths in Prison: The number of
Ordered all States to take preventive steps as “unnatural” deaths in prisons has doubled
well as constitute high-powered committees to between 2015 and 2016, from 115 to 231.
Note:
The rate of suicide among prisoners also in which the accused admits guilt for a lesser
increased by 28%, from 77 suicides in 2015 sentence, should be promoted.
to 102 in 2016. For Prisoners:
The National Human Rights Commission z Accommodative Transition: Every new prisoner
(NHRC) in 2014 had stated that on average, should be allowed a free phone call a day to
a person is one-and-a-half times more likely his family members to see him through his first
to commit suicide in prison than outside. This week in jail.
is a possible indicator of the magnitude of z Legal Aid: Providing effective legal aid to prisoners
mental health concerns within Indian prisons. and taking steps to provide vocational skills and
z Lack of Mental Health Professional: There was education to prisoners.
only one mental health professional for every z Use of ICT: Use of video-conferencing for trial.
21,650 prisoners in 2016, with only six States
z Alternatives: The courts may be asked to use
and one Union Territory having psychologists
their “discretionary powers” and award sentences
/psychiatrists.
like “fine and admonition” if possible instead
Also, the NCRB had said that about 6,013
of sending the offenders to jails.
individuals with mental illness were in jail
Further, courts may be encouraged to release
in 2016.
offenders on probation at pre-trial stage or
As per the Prison Act, 1894 and Prisoner
after trial in deserving cases.
Act, 1900, there should be a welfare officer
Filling Vacancies:
and a law officer in each jail but recruitment
z The Supreme Court should pass directions asking
of these officers is still pending. This state
explains the low political and budgetary authorities to start the recruitment process
priority which prisons have received during against permanent vacancies within three months
the preceding century. and the process should be completed in a year.
z For Food: Modern cooking facilities and canteens
Recommendation for Prison Reforms to buy essential items.

¾ The Supreme Court appointed Justice Amitava Roy ¾ In 2017, the Law Commission of India had recommended
(retd.) Committee has given the following recom- that undertrials who have completed a third of their
mendations to reform prisons. maximum sentence for offences attracting up to seven
years of imprisonment be released on bail.
For Overcrowding:
z Speedy Trial: Speedy trial remains one of the best Constitutional Provisions
ways to remedy the unwarranted phenomenon ¾ State Subject: ‘Prisons/persons detained therein’ is a
of overcrowding. State subject under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh
z Lawyer to Prisoner Ratio: There should be at Schedule to the Constitution of India.
least one lawyer for every 30 prisoners, which ¾ Administration and management of prisons is the
is not the case at present. responsibility of respective State Governments.
z Special Courts: Special fast-track courts should ¾ However, the Ministry of Home Affairs provides
be set up to deal exclusively with petty offences regular guidance and advice to States and UTs on
which have been pending for more than five years. various issues concerning prisons and prison inmates.
Further, accused persons who are charged ¾ Article 39A: Article 39A of the Constitution directs
with petty offences and those granted bail, the State to ensure that the operation of the
but who are unable to arrange surety should legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal
be released on a Personal Recognizance opportunity and shall, in particular, provide free
(PR) Bond. legal aid by suitable legislation or schemes or in
z Avoid Adjournment: An adjournment should any other way, to ensure that opportunities for
not be granted in cases where witnesses are securing justice are not denied to any citizen by
present and the concept of plea bargaining, reason of economic or other disabilities.
Note:
Right to free legal aid or free legal service is to the Maratha community, taking the quota limit in the
an essential fundamental right guaranteed by State in excess of 50%, as unconstitutional.
the Constitution. Key Points
It forms the basis of reasonable, fair and just
¾ Background:
liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of
2017: A 11-member commission headed by Retired
India, which says, “No person shall be deprived
Justice N G Gaikwad recommended Marathas
of his life or personal liberty except according
should be given reservation under Socially and
to procedure established by law”.
Educationally Backward Class (SEBC).
Key Terms 2018: Maharashtra Assembly passed a Bill proposing
¾ Undertrials: These are the people who are yet to be 16% reservation for Maratha community.
found guilty of the crimes they have been accused of. 2018: The Bombay High Court while upholding
¾ Preventive Detention: The imprisonment of a person the reservation pointed out that instead of 16%
with the aim of preventing them from committing it should be reduced to 12% in education and
further offences or of maintaining public order. 13%in jobs.
Article 22 (3) (b) of the Constitution allows for 2020: The SC stayed its implementation and
preventive detention and restriction on personal referred the case to Chief Justice of India for a
liberty for reasons of state security and public larger bench.
order. ¾ Current Ruling:
Further, Article 22 (4) states that no law providing Violation of Fundamental Rights:
for preventive detention shall authorise the z A separate reservation for the Maratha
detention of a person for a longer period than community violates Articles 14 (right to equality)
three months unless: and 21 (due process of law).
An Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for z Reservation breaching the 50% limit will create
extended detention. a society based on “caste rule”.

Such a person is detained in accordance with the The Maratha reservation of 12% and 13%
provisions of any law made by the Parliament. (in education and jobs) had increased the
¾ Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: It is also known overall reservation ceiling to 64% and 65%,
as Own Recognizance (OR) bond, and sometimes respectively.
referred to as “no cost bail”. With this type of In the Indira Sawhney judgment 1992, SC
bond, a person is released from custody and is not had categorically said 50% shall be the rule,
required to post bail. only in certain exceptional and extraordinary
situations for bringing far-flung and remote
They are, however, responsible for showing up
areas’ population into mainstream said 50%
on their specified court date, and must sign a
rule can be relaxed.
release form stating this promise in writing.
No Further Benefits:
The person is then released from custody based
z Appointments made under the Maratha quota
on their promise to appear in court and abide
following the Bombay High Court judgment
by any conditions of release set by the court.
endorsing the State law would hold, but they
would get no further benefits.
Maratha Deprived States of the Power to Identify SEBCs:
Reservation Struck Down: SC z There will only be a single list of SEBC with
respect to each State and Union Territory
notified by the President of India, and that
Why in News States can only make recommendations for
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) declared a inclusion or exclusion, with any subsequent
Maharashtra law which provides reservation benefits change to be made only by Parliament.
Note:
z The Bench unanimously upheld the constitutional implementation – from village level, block level,
validity of the 102nd Constitution Amendment District level, State level and National level.
but differed on the question whether it affected ¾ Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016:
the power of states to identify SEBCs. Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 replaces
Direction to NCBC: the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
z Asked the National Commission for Backward Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
Classes (NCBC) to expedite the recommendation Disability has been defined based on an evolving
of SEBCs so that the President can publish the and dynamic concept.
notification containing the list of SEBCs in relation It increases the quantum of reservation for
to States and Union Territories expeditiously. people suffering from disabilities from 3% to 4%
102ndAmendment Act of 2018 in government jobs and from 3% to 5% in higher
education institutes.
¾ It introduced Articles 338B and 342A in the
This Act brings our law in line with the United
Constitution.
National Convention on the Rights of Persons with
¾ Article 338B deals with the newly established
Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory.
National Commission for Backward Classes.
¾ Other Programmes/Initiatives for Disableds:
¾ Article 342A empowers the President to specify the
Accessible India Campaign: Creation of Accessible
socially and educationally backward communities
in a State. Environment for PwDs.
DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme:
It says that it is for the Parliament to include a
community in the Central List for socially and Financial assistance is provided to NGOs for providing
backward classes for grant of reservation benefits. various services to Persons with Disabilities.
Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase /
fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP): It aims at
Unique Disability helping the disabled persons by bringing suitable,
Identification Portal durable, scientifically-manufactured, modern,
standard aids and appliances within their reach.
Why in News National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities:
It aims to increase opportunities to students with
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has
disabilities for pursuing higher education.
issued a notification making it mandatory for all States/
UTs to grant certificate of disability through online mode
only using UDID (Unique Disability ID) portal w.e.f. National Rare
01.06.2021.
Disease Policy 2021
Key Points
¾ Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Portal: Why in News
The project is being implemented with a view of Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
creating a National Database for persons with has approved the National Rare Disease Policy 2021.
disabilities (PwDs), and to issue a Unique Disability ¾ Earlier, the Delhi High Court had directed the Centre
Identity Card to each PwDs. to set up a Rare Diseases Committee, a Rare Diseases
The project will not only encourage transparency, Fund and to finalise and notify the National Health
efficiency and ease of delivering the government Policy for Rare Diseases on or before 31st March, 2021.
benefits to the person with disabilities, but also
ensure uniformity. Key Points
The project will also help in stream-lining the ¾ Aim:
tracking of physical and financial progress To increase focus on indigenous research and
of beneficiaries at all levels of hierarchy of local production of medicines.
Note:
To lower the cost of treatment of rare diseases.
National Registry:
To screen and detect rare diseases early at early
z A national hospital-based registry of rare
stages, which will in turn help in their prevention. diseases will be created to ensure adequate
¾ Major Provisions of the Policy: data and comprehensive definitions of such
Categorization:
diseases are available for those interested in
research and development.
z The policy has categorised rare diseases in
three groups: Rare Diseases
Group 1: Disorders amenable to one-time ¾ There are 6,000-8,000 classified rare diseases, but
curative treatment. less than 5% have therapies available to treat them.
Group 2: Those requiring long term or Example: Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD),
lifelong treatment. Pompe disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy,

Group 3: Diseases for which definitive spina bifida, haemophilia etc.
treatment is available but challenges are to ¾ About 95% rare diseases have no approved
make optimal patient selection for benefit, treatment and less than 1 in 10 patients receive
very high cost and lifelong therapy. disease-specific treatment.
Financial Support:
z Those who are suffering from rare diseases listed

under Group 1 will have the financial support
of up to Rs. 20 lakh under the umbrella scheme
of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi.
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi: The Scheme provides
for financial assistance to patients, living
below poverty line (BPL) and who are suffering
from major life threatening diseases, to ¾ These diseases have differing definitions in various
receive medical treatment at any of the super countries and range from those that are prevalent
specialty Government hospitals / institutes. in 1 in 10,000 of the population to 6 per 10,000.
z Beneficiaries for such financial assistance would
¾ However broadly, a ‘rare disease’ is defined as a
not be limited to BPL families, but extended to health condition of low prevalence that affects a
about 40% of the population, who are eligible small number of people when compared with other
as per norms of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya prevalent diseases in the general population. Many
Yojana, for their treatment in Government cases of rare diseases may be serious, chronic and
tertiary hospitals only. life-threatening.
Alternate Funding: ¾ India has close to 50-100 million people affected
by rare diseases or disorders, the policy report
z This includes voluntary crowdfunding treatment
said almost 80% of these rare condition patients
by setting up a digital platform for voluntary
are children and a leading cause for most of
individual contribution and corporate donors
them not reaching adulthood is due to the
to voluntarily contribute to the treatment cost
high morbidity and mortality rates of these life-
of patients of rare diseases.
threatening diseases.
Centres of Excellence:
z The policy aims to strengthen tertiary health

care facilities for prevention and treatment Anamaya:
of rare diseases through designating eight Tribal Health Collaborative
health facilities as ‘Centres of Excellence’ and
these will also be provided one-time financial
support of up to Rs. 5 crore for upgradation of Why in News
diagnostics facilities. Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched
Note:
Tribal Health Collaborative (THC) ‘Anamaya’ through a mobile app, MANAS (Mental Health and Normalcy
video conference. Augmentation System) to promote mental wellbeing
¾ In 2018, an expert committee released a comprehensive across age groups.
report on tribal health in India which highlighted the ¾ MANAS was endorsed as a national program by the
issues and concerns of tribal health. Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation
Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
Key Points PM-STIAC: It is an overarching Council that facilitates
¾ About: the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office to assess
It is an initiative bringing together governments, the status in specific science and technology do-
philanthropists, national and international mains, comprehend challenges in hand, formulate
foundations, Non-Governmental Organizations specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap
(NGOs)/Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.
to end all preventable deaths among the tribal
communities of India. Key Points
It will converge efforts of various Government ¾ About:
agencies and organisations to enhance the health It is a comprehensive, scalable, and national
and nutrition status of the tribal communities of
digital wellbeing platform and an app deve-
India.
loped to augment mental well-being of Indian
¾ Aim: citizens.
To build a sustainable, high-performing health
It integrates the health and wellness efforts of
ecosystem to address the key health challenges
various government ministries, scientifically val-
faced by the tribal population of India.
idated indigenous tools with gamified interfaces
¾ Stakeholders: developed/researched by various national bodies
It is a multi-stakeholder initiative of the Ministry and research institutions.
of Tribal Affairs supported by Piramal Foundation It is based on life skills and core psychological
and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
processes, with universal accessibility, delivering
z Piramal Foundation is the philanthropic arm
age-appropriate methods and promoting positive
of Piramal Group. The foundation undertakes attitude focusing on wellness.
projects under the four broad areas – healthcare,
¾ Developed By:
education, livelihood creation and youth
empowerment. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro
Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, Armed Forces
¾ Operation:
Medical College (AFMC) Pune and Centre for
It will begin its operations with 50 tribal,
Development of Advanced Computing(C-DAC)
Aspirational Districts (with more than 20%
Bengaluru.
Scheduled Tribe population) across 6 high tribal
population states. ¾ Beneficiaries:
Over a 10-year period, the work of the THC will Catering to the overall wellbeing of people of all
be extended to 177 tribal Districts as recognised age groups, the initial version of MANAS focuses
by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. on promoting positive mental health in the age
group of 15-35 years.
Aim:
MANAS ¾
To build a healthier and happier community, to
Mobile App empower it to nurture its innate potential for
building a Swasth and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Why in News ¾ Motto of MANAS:
Recently, the government of India launched a Uttam Mann, Saksham Jan.
Note:
Mental Health in India blood sugar, or glucose), or when the body cannot
effectively use the insulin it produces.
It is classified into two types:
z Type 1 Diabetes: It occurs when the pancreas
fails to produce sufficient insulin.
z Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is the most
common type of diabetes. In this condition
the body does not use insulin properly. This is
called insulin resistance.The main reason for the
occurrence of type 2 diabetes is due to obesity
and lack of exercise.
Immunisation Agenda 2030
Global Why in News

Recently, the United Nations and other agencies have
Diabetes Compact: WHO launched the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) during
the World Immunisation Week.
Why in News
¾ It will contribute to achieving the UN-mandated
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 3
Global Diabetes Compact to better fight the disease while i.e. Good Health and Well being.
marking the centenary of the discovery of insulin. ¾ Covid-19 pandemic has affected routine immunization
¾ The programme was launched at the Global Diabetes globally.
Summit co-hosted by the Government of Canada.
Key Points
Key Points
¾ About the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030):
¾ Global Diabetes Compact: It sets an ambitious, overarching global vision and
The Global Diabetes Compact has the vision of strategy for vaccines and immunization for the
reducing the risk of diabetes, and ensuring that decade 2021–2030.
all people who are diagnosed with diabetes have The IA2030 is based on learnings from Global
access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). It aims to address
and quality treatment and care. the unmet targets of the GVAP that were initially
It will also support the prevention of type 2 diabetes to be fulfilled as part of the global immunisation
from obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. strategy of the ‘Decade of vaccines’ (2011–2020).
It will set standards for tackling the diseases in the z GVAP was developed to help realize the vision
form of ‘global coverage targets’ for ensuring a of the Decade of Vaccines, that all individuals
wider reach of diabetes care. and communities enjoy lives free from vaccine
A key aim of the program is to unite key stakeholders preventable diseases.
from the public and private sectors, and, critically, It is based on a conceptual framework of seven
people who live with diabetes, around a common strategic priorities, to ensure that immunization
agenda, to generate new momentum and co-create fully contributes to stronger primary health care
solutions. and attainment of universal health coverage.
¾ Diabetes: It is underpinned by four core principles: it
Diabetes is a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) puts people in the centre, is led by countries,
that occurs either when the pancreas does not implemented through broad partnerships, and
produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates driven by data.
Note:
Proceeds of share of health in the Health and

Education Cess will be credited into PMSSN.
Accruals into the PMSSN will be utilized for the
flagship schemes of the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare namely,
z Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
z Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres
(AB-HWCs).
z National Health Mission.
¾ Targets of IA2030:
z Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana
As part of this new immunisation programme,
(PMSSY).
global agencies like the World Health Organization
z Emergency & disaster preparedness and
(WHO), UNICEF and others have set a target of
responses during health emergencies.
avoiding 50 million vaccine-preventable infections
z Any future programme/scheme that targets
in this decade.
to achieve progress towards Sustainable
It also intends to reduce the number of zero-dose
Development Goals (SDGs) and the targets set
children by 50%. out in the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017.
z Zero-dose children are those who have received
Administration and maintenance of the PMSSN
no vaccines through immunisation programmes. is entrusted to the Ministry of Health & Family
To achieve 90% coverage for essential vaccines Welfare (MoHFW).
given in childhood and adolescence. z In any financial year, the expenditure on such
To complete 500 national or subnational intro- schemes of the MoHFW would be initially
ductions of new or under-utilized vaccines - such incurred from the PMSSN and thereafter, from
as those for Covid-19, rotavirus, or human pap- Gross Budgetary Support (GBS).
illomavirus (HPV). ¾ Benefits of PMSSN:
The UN agencies aim to ensure through IA2030 Enhanced access to universal & affordable health
that the benefits of immunisation are shared care through availability of earmarked resources,
equitably among and within countries. while ensuring that the amount does not lapse at
the end of financial year.
¾ Significance of Spending on Healthcare:
Pradhan Mantri Improved Developmental Outcomes: From an
Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi economic standpoint, better health improves
productivity, and reduces losses due to premature
Why in News death, prolonged disability and early retirement.
Enhance Opportunities: One extra year of popu-
The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri lation life expectancy raises GDP per capita by 4%,
Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) as a single non-lapsa- investment in health creates millions of jobs, largely
ble reserve fund for share of Health from the proceeds for women, through a much needed expansion of
of Health and Education Cess. the health workforce.
¾ The proceeds of Health and Education Cess are levied ¾ Health and Education Cess:
under Section 136-b of Finance Act, 2007. In the Budget speech 2018, the Finance Minister
Key Points while announcing Ayushman Bharat Scheme, also

announced replacement of existing 3% Education
¾ Salient Features of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Cess by 4% Health and Education Cess.
Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN): z It is collected with the aim of addressing the
It is a non-lapsable reserve fund for Health in the educational and healthcare needs of rural
Public Account. families in India.
Note:
Revising National Food Security Hunter Syndrome: MPS II

Act, 2013: NITI Aayog
Why in News
Why in News Two brothers suffering from Mucopolysaccharidosis
II or MPS II (Hunter Syndrome, Attenuated Type) have
NITI Aayog, through a discussion paper, has recom-
approached the Delhi High Court seeking direction to the
mended reducing the rural and urban coverage under
Centre and AIIMS to provide them free treatment.
the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, to 60% and
40%, respectively. ¾ MPS II is a rare disease that is passed on in families.
¾ It has also proposed a revision of beneficiaries as

Key Points
per the latest population which is currently being
done through Census- 2011. ¾ About: MPS II mostly affects boys and their bodies
cannot break down a kind of sugar that builds bones,
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 skin, tendons and other tissues.
¾ Notified on: 10th September, 2013. ¾ Cause: It is caused by changes (mutations) of the IDS
¾ Objective: To provide for food and nutritional security gene that regulates the production of the iduronate
in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access 2-sulfatase (I2S) enzyme.
to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable This enzyme is needed to break-down complex
prices to people to live a life with dignity. sugars, known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),
¾ Coverage: 75% of the rural population and upto 50% produced in the body.
of the urban population for receiving subsidized ¾ Impact: Lack of I2S enzyme activity leads to the
foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution accumulation of GAGs within cells, specifically inside
System (TPDS).
the lysosomes.
Overall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total population.
Lysosomes are compartments in the cell that digest
¾ Eligibility: and recycle different types of molecules.
Priority Households to be covered under TPDS,
Conditions that cause molecules to build up
according to guidelines by the State government. inside the lysosomes, including MPS II, are called
Households covered under existing Antyodaya lysosomal storage disorders.
Anna Yojana.
The accumulation of GAGs increases the size of
¾ Provisions: the lysosomes, which is why many tissues and
5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at organs are enlarged in this disorder.
Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. ¾ Symptoms: It is characterized by distinctive facial
The existing AAY household will continue to receive features, a large head, enlargement of the liver
35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month. and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), hearing loss, etc.
Meal and maternity benefit of not less than ¾ Inheritance:
Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating
MPS II is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern,
mothers during pregnancy and six months after
which means that this condition occurs almost
the child birth.
exclusively in males. Females are generally
Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
unaffected carriers of this condition.
Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case
In a family with more than one affected individual,
of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
the mother of the affected males must be a carrier.
Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms
When a carrier female has a child, there is a 25%
at the district and state level. (1 in 4) chance that she will have an affected son.
nnn
Note:
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Drishti IAS Presents...

S ocial I ssues (January 2021 — March 2022)

¾ Infrastructure in Prisons:  The Central Government made the rules under

 Separate enclosures or wards and separate toilets

inmates. launched under in consonance with the Transgender

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

 The management of technical education in the

Ed-Tech Key Points

Key Points  In case a female Hindu dies leaving behind her

Key Points schemes declined from 1.5% of the total Union

 The incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off

¾ No religious formalities are needed to be carried certain writs.

Anaemia Mukt Bharat

What is the need to in the country, the Government of India approved

zAccording to FSSAI norms, 1 kg fortified rice What is the SAMRIDH Initiative?

SAMRIDH Initiative and market-based health solutions.

What is Operation AAHT?

z These children are also supported during their

What is the PM-CARES Fund?

 Muscle Weakness and excessive weight loss.

Why in News up to Rs. 10,000, which is repayable in monthly

z During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber

Why in News dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be

 It includes parameters such as neonatal

 It includes parameters such as institutional

 It consists of proportion of shortfall in health

success rate. allocation.

 The top-ranking states were Kerala and Tamil

Village Initiative malaise, India’s child malnutrition rates are still

¾ Cervical Cancer: Cancer

mended for boys and males in India. members in 2017.

Key Points Rise in Severity: Mental health problems tend to

 There was decline in lung function with an increase

z The highest number of respiratory complaints rice straw as cattle fodder.

 Scores: out of 109 countries. The National MPI is aimed

Why in News accepted and robust methodology developed

 Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in

z The previous decade has seen little progress

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Globally:  Holistic Approach:

z Over half of Indian women in the age group

z Over 17% of Indian children under 5 years of

z Over 34% of children under 5 years of age are

z The country is among 105 countries that are

z India is meeting 7 of the 13 global nutrition Why in News

It also looks at the availability, accessibility and

 Household Responsibility: Responsibility related

z It is launched by the Department of Science &

¾ Access to Internet: Organizations (FO) for survey implementation.

2021: Girls Right in Crisis z Also some activists and organisations of

currently married. scribed drug for P Vivax parasite. A World Health

z The mutations in the malarial parasite have been

resilience and peace. access to safely managed water, which will be

z For elementary schools, it has increased from

Key Points and pregnant women against 12 vaccine-pre-

been nationally expanded, while JE vaccine 2020, followed by ‘housewives’, self-employed

Why in News rashtra, with 4,006 suicides in the farm sector,

serves as a crucial tool in understanding the law 100% urban population.

z Due to lack of funds, state governments find it

 This has turned the scheme into a supply-  Affordability

young children, women and adolescent girls). is the Nodal ministry

¾ Infrastructure in Prisons: The Central Government made the rules under

Separate enclosures or wards and separate toilets

The management of technical education in the

Key Points In case a female Hindu dies leaving behind her

The incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off

Muscle Weakness and excessive weight loss.

It includes parameters such as neonatal

It includes parameters such as institutional

It consists of proportion of shortfall in health

The top-ranking states were Kerala and Tamil

Key Points Rise in Severity: Mental health problems tend to

There was decline in lung function with an increase

Scores: out of 109 countries. The National MPI is aimed

Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Globally: Holistic Approach:

Household Responsibility: Responsibility related

This has turned the scheme into a supply- Affordability

sponsored scheme executed by the Ministry of Definition:

It is an umbrella scheme covering the Integrated

Forest management rights:

Title rights: FRA as an instrument to regularise encroach-

Integration of elderly in Economy: Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior

There have been 12 major Marburg outbreaks

More recently, in 2019, the government approved

¾ Recent Outbreaks: Universal Immunization Programme (UIP):

It is believed that they migrated from the Gangetic

The first major protest for the inclusion of the

Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha. It is

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).

Implementation of Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics

PM National Dialysis Programme. policies” and market-based carbon pricing to

The Prison Statistics India 2016, published by the

Proceeds of share of health in the Health and