PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2021] Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.
Linkage: This highlights the importance of a primary health structure, which is crucial for delivering preventive healthcare services, including screening and early detection of diseases. |
Mentor’s Comment: India is aiming to become a $5 trillion economy and a major global power. But there’s a growing problem that often goes unnoticed — non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These diseases now cause about two out of every three deaths in the country and pose a serious threat to our progress. To build a healthy and successful future, India must focus more on preventing illness, rather than only treating it after people fall sick.
Today’s editorial discusses the issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India. This analysis will be useful for GS Paper 2 and Paper 3 in the UPSC Mains examination.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
India is seeing a rapid rise in non-communicable diseases, so people need to be aware that staying healthy is possible by taking care of themselves early before any illness starts.
What are the major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affecting India’s population?
- Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): The Leading cause of NCD-related deaths in India. Eg: Heart attacks and hypertension are increasingly seen in people as young as 30–40 years.
- Diabetes and Its Complications: Rapidly rising due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets. Eg: Many young adults require dialysis due to diabetic kidney complications.
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Cancers: Included chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, and oral cancer. Eg: Air pollution has led to increased COPD and lung cancer cases, especially in urban areas.
How do they impact the country’s economy?
- Loss of Productivity: NCDs reduce the ability of working-age individuals to remain productive. Eg: A 35-year-old with heart disease may take frequent leaves or drop out of the workforce, affecting economic output.
- Increased Healthcare Expenditure: Families spend more on long-term treatment and medications, leading to out-of-pocket expenditure and pushing many into poverty. Eg: The cost of dialysis for kidney failure due to diabetes can be ₹20,000–₹30,000 per month, unaffordable for many.
- Strain on Public Health Infrastructure: Public hospitals and health schemes get overburdened by rising cases of NCDs. Eg: Increased cases of cancer and diabetes require long-term care and monitoring, diverting resources from other healthcare needs.
- Reduction in Demographic Dividend: India’s youthful population, considered an asset for economic growth, becomes a liability if affected by chronic illnesses early. Eg: Young professionals in IT or manufacturing sectors becoming diabetic or hypertensive by their mid-30s reduces long-term economic contribution.
- Macroeconomic Losses: NCDs collectively reduce national income due to loss of labor force and healthcare costs. Eg: A World Economic Forum study estimated India may lose $3.5–$4 trillion between 2012–2030 due to NCD-related economic impacts.
Why is preventive healthcare considered a crucial strategy for India’s sustainable development?
- Reduces Disease Burden and Healthcare Costs: Preventive care helps in early detection and control of diseases, reducing the need for expensive treatments and hospitalizations. Eg: Widespread vaccination against polio eliminated the disease from India, saving billions in treatment costs.
- Improves Productivity and Economic Growth: A healthier population means fewer sick days and a more productive workforce, which boosts economic development. Eg: Regular health screenings in workplaces reduce absenteeism and increase employee efficiency.
- Strengthens Public Health Infrastructure: Focusing on prevention encourages investment in primary healthcare and rural health systems, making care more accessible. Eg: Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres promote lifestyle changes and early diagnosis at the grassroots level.
- Mitigates Impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Preventive measures like health education and lifestyle changes are key to tackling rising NCDs such as diabetes and hypertension. Eg: National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
- Supports Environmental and Social Sustainability: Preventive healthcare includes sanitation, nutrition, and pollution control—contributing to better environmental and community health. Eg: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan improved sanitation, reducing waterborne diseases and promoting healthy living conditions.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS): A flagship initiative aimed at early diagnosis, treatment, and management of NCDs at various levels of healthcare. Eg: Screening camps are organized at district and sub-district levels to detect hypertension and diabetes.
- Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): Over 1.6 lakh HWCs are being set up to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, with a focus on preventive care and NCD screening. Eg: Regular health check-ups for people over 30 years to catch NCDs early at the grassroots level.
- Fit India Movement and Eat Right India Campaign: Aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits to reduce lifestyle-related NCDs. Eg: Schools and workplaces are encouraged to adopt fitness routines and healthier cafeteria menus.
- Tobacco and Alcohol Control Measures: Implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and awareness campaigns to curb use of tobacco and alcohol — key NCD risk factors. Eg: Graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and bans on public smoking areas.
- Integration of Digital Health and Telemedicine: Leveraging platforms like eSanjeevani and CoWIN to deliver health advice, track NCD risk, and facilitate remote consultations. Eg: Teleconsultation for diabetic patients in rural areas via mobile apps and village-level health workers.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Preventive and Community-Based Healthcare: Expand health education in schools, workplaces, and rural communities to promote healthy lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, no tobacco/alcohol).Eg: Launch campaigns like “Healthy India, Fit India 2.0” with a focus on local dietary habits, mental health, and physical fitness, integrated into school curricula and rural outreach.
- Enhance Multi-sectoral Collaboration and Policy Integration: Coordinate between health, education, urban development, food processing, and environment ministries to tackle NCD risk factors comprehensively. Eg: Enforce stricter urban pollution controls, promote cycling/walking infrastructure, regulate trans fats/sugars in processed foods, and incentivize healthy food production through farm policies.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to judiciary;
Why in the News?
Out of 769 judges serving in 25 High Courts, only 95 (12.35%) have disclosed their assets publicly. Courts like Kerala (93.18%) and Himachal Pradesh (91.66%) lead in transparency, while Madras (5 of 65) and Chhattisgarh (1 of 16) lag significantly.
Why is judicial asset disclosure vital for accountability and transparency in India?
- Promotes Public Trust in the Judiciary: Transparency about judges’ financial status builds confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary. Eg: The Kerala High Court, where 93.18% of judges disclosed their assets, is often cited for maintaining high standards of judicial transparency.
- Acts as a Deterrent Against Corruption: Mandatory and public asset declarations reduce the scope for corrupt practices by subjecting judges to public scrutiny. Eg: The recent discovery of partially burnt currency notes at a High Court judge’s residence intensified concerns over hidden wealth and lack of oversight.
- Ensures Accountability of Public Office Holders: Judges are public servants paid from taxpayer money, and like elected representatives, must be held financially accountable. Eg: The Supreme Court’s past judgment requiring MPs/MLAs to declare assets reflects this principle — the same logic applies to the judiciary.
- Reduces Risk of Conflict of Interest: Regular disclosures help identify any undue financial interest that could influence judicial decisions. Eg: A judge ruling on a corporate dispute may be biased if they own shares in one of the companies involved — disclosures would reveal this.
- Strengthens Institutional Transparency and Ethics: It sets an ethical benchmark for the judiciary and other branches of government, promoting clean and transparent governance. Eg: The Supreme Court’s recent Full Court resolution (April 2025) to make all judges’ assets public reflects a significant move toward institutional integrity.
How can the Supreme Court’s asset disclosure push drive wider judicial reforms?
- Sets a Precedent for High Courts: The Supreme Court’s collective decision encourages other High Courts to adopt similar transparency measures, creating a ripple effect across the judiciary. Eg: After the Supreme Court’s Full Court resolution (April 2025), pressure has increased on High Courts like Madras and Chhattisgarh, where disclosure rates remain low.
- Catalyzes Legislative and Policy Reforms: The move strengthens the case for mandatory annual disclosures through legislation, as recommended by parliamentary committees. Eg: The 2023 Parliamentary Standing Committee Report called for laws requiring asset declarations by all judges — the Supreme Court’s step gives it momentum.
- Promotes a Culture of Judicial Accountability and Ethics: Voluntary public disclosures help build a culture of openness, paving the way for broader reforms like transparent appointments, performance reviews, and grievance redressal. Eg: Similar transparency efforts contributed to the creation of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) debate and ongoing calls for reforming the collegium system.
Who are the key institutions responsible for enforcing judges’ asset disclosure?
- The Supreme Court of India: As the apex judicial authority, the Supreme Court plays a norm-setting role, influencing High Courts through its own practices and resolutions. Eg: The Full Court resolution of April 2025, where all 33 Supreme Court judges agreed to make their asset declarations public, sets a national benchmark for judicial transparency.
- High Courts and Their Chief Justices: Each High Court is responsible for framing internal guidelines and encouraging or mandating its judges to disclose assets. Eg: The Kerala High Court, where 41 out of 44 judges have declared their assets, demonstrates effective internal leadership and commitment to transparency.
- Parliament and Parliamentary Standing Committees: Through legislative oversight and recommendations, Parliament can initiate legal mandates for asset disclosures and hold the judiciary accountable in the public interest. Eg: The 2023 Standing Committee Report on Judicial Reforms recommended that the government make annual property disclosures by all judges a statutory requirement.
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Way forward:
- Enact a Statutory Framework for Mandatory Annual Disclosures: The government should introduce legislation making annual asset and liability declarations mandatory for all judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. This would ensure uniformity, legal backing, and prevent selective or voluntary compliance.
- Establish an Independent Oversight Mechanism for Verification and Monitoring: Set up an independent judicial accountability commission or ethics body to verify disclosures, monitor compliance, and address grievances related to judicial integrity.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2021] “An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate
Linkage: Disclosure of assets is important to ensure that judges act responsibly and ethically. It helps build trust among the people and also supports the authority of the Constitution.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Health-related issues;
Why in the News?
A healthy and nutritious diet costs much more than just eating enough to fill the stomach. Because of this, around three billion people worldwide cannot afford to eat healthy diet.
What is the primary difference between a calorie-sufficient diet and a healthy diet?
| Aspect |
Calorie-Sufficient Diet |
Healthy Diet |
Example (Eg) |
| Purpose |
Provides minimum energy to survive |
Provides energy + essential nutrients for overall health |
Eating only rice vs. eating rice with dal, vegetables, and curd |
| Nutrient Content |
Lacks micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins) |
Rich in macro and micronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins) |
Rice alone vs. balanced meal with fruits, vegetables, proteins |
| Food Variety |
Limited to cheap staples like rice, maize, or flour |
Includes diverse food groups (grains, fruits, dairy, protein, etc.) |
Maize flour daily vs. varied diet with pulses, greens, dairy |
| Health Impact |
May cause “hidden hunger” and nutritional deficiencies |
Promotes growth, immunity, and good physical and mental health |
Feeling full but weak vs. feeling full and energized |
| Affordability |
Very cheap (less than $1/day) |
Expensive (around $3.67/day globally) |
Affordable for poor families vs. out of reach for billions |
Why are the three billion people unable to afford a healthy diet globally?
- High Cost of Nutritious Foods: Healthy diets with fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy are much more expensive than basic staples. Eg: A meal with rice, lentils, vegetables, and milk costs much more than a plain rice or maize meal.
- Low Incomes in Poor Countries: In many low-income countries, the median income is lower than the daily cost of a healthy diet. Eg: In parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, people would need to spend over 100% of their income just to afford healthy food.
- Most Income Spent on Non-Food Essentials: People also need to spend on housing, transport, education, etc., leaving less money for nutritious food. Eg: A poor family may prioritize rent and school fees, and manage meals with only the cheapest staples.
- Dependence on Starchy Staples: Many rely heavily on calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods like rice, maize, or wheat due to affordability. Eg: A person eats only maize porridge daily, missing out on proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
- Limited Production by Small Farmers: Even subsistence farmers may not produce enough variety to meet dietary needs, and cannot afford to buy it either. Eg: A farmer growing only rice and vegetables may lack access to milk, eggs, or fruits, leading to an unbalanced diet.
Where is the affordability of a healthy diet the lowest, affecting over 80% of the population?
- Sub-Saharan Africa: This region has the highest percentage of people who cannot afford a healthy diet. Eg: In countries like Chad, Burundi, or Niger, more than 80% of the population cannot afford fruits, dairy, or protein-rich foods regularly.
- South Asia: Countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh have large populations with low incomes, making even basic healthy foods costly. Eg: In rural India, a balanced diet might cost nearly an entire day’s wage.
How do subsistence farmers fit into the statistics on food affordability according to the FAO report?
- Included in Affordability Calculations: The FAO includes the value of food produced for self-consumption when calculating affordability. Eg: A farmer growing their own rice and vegetables is considered as having partial income from that food production.
- Still Unable to Afford or Produce a Healthy Diet: Even with homegrown food, many subsistence farmers cannot meet the dietary diversity needed for good health. Eg: A small farmer in rural Nepal may grow millet but can’t access milk, eggs, or leafy greens.
- Dependence on Staple Crops: Most subsistence farmers rely on calorie-rich but nutrient-poor staples like maize or cassava. Eg: A family in Malawi surviving mostly on maize lacks essential proteins and vitamins.
- Limited Market Access and Income: They often have little surplus to sell and low access to markets, limiting their purchasing power for other foods. Eg: A farmer in northern Nigeria may produce yams but can’t reach a market to sell or buy fruits.
- Vulnerable to Shocks and Seasonal Gaps: Crop failures, poor rainfall, or pests can wipe out their food supply and worsen affordability. Eg: In drought-prone Kenya, crop failure forces families to skip meals or rely on relief aid.
What are the steps taken by the Indian government?
- Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): Launched to reduce malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through better monitoring, awareness, and convergence of nutrition schemes. Eg: Promotion of locally sourced nutritious food and growth monitoring of children.
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN): Provides free nutritious meals to school children to improve school attendance and address childhood hunger and malnutrition. Eg: Meals include rice, dal, vegetables, and sometimes eggs or milk.
- Fortification of Staples: The government promotes adding essential micronutrients (like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12) to staples such as rice, wheat, and edible oils. Eg: Distribution of fortified rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
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Way forward:
- Invest in Local Production and Diversification of Nutritious Foods: Governments and NGOs should support smallholder farmers to grow a wider range of nutritious crops (e.g., pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy, poultry). Eg: Promoting kitchen gardens, poultry, and millet farming in rural India to diversify diets.
- Make Healthy Foods Affordable Through Policy and Subsidies: Implement targeted subsidies or cash transfers for poor households to afford healthy food groups. Eg: Expanding India’s mid-day meal and ICDS schemes with eggs, fruits, and vegetables for children.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle?
Linkage: Poverty and malnutrition which are key reasons why three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. The inability to afford nutritious food leads to malnutrition, which in turn perpetuates poverty by hindering human capital development.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ottawa Convention
Why in the News?
NATO members including Poland, Finland, and the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) have recently expressed intentions to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention.
About the Ottawa Convention
- The Ottawa Convention is an international treaty adopted in 1997 aimed at banning the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
- It is also known as the ‘Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.’
- It specifically targets anti-personnel mines and EXCLUDES anti-vehicle mines, remote-controlled mines, and other types of munitions.
- Signatories: 165 countries had joined by March 2025.
- But major powers like the United States, China, Russia, India, and Israel have not signed.
- Key Features: Signatories must destroy all stockpiled anti-personnel mines within 4 years of ratification, with some allowances for mines retained for training.
Objectives of the Treaty
- End Human Suffering: The primary goal is to end the human suffering caused by landmines.
- Prevent Civilian Casualties: It seeks to prevent civilian casualties, especially long after conflicts have ended.
- Rehabilitation and Restoration: The treaty also aims to assist in the rehabilitation of victims and the restoration of land previously mined for civilian use.
Significance of the Convention
- Victims’ Profile: According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), more than 80% of mine victims are civilians.
- Convention Provisions: The convention includes provisions to assist victims, many of whom suffer permanent disabilities such as loss of limbs.
| [UPSC 2015] Which among the following are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
Why in the News?
PM Narendra Modi recently visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
About the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
- The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree is considered the oldest living cultivated plant globally.
- It is believed to have grown from a branch of the original Bodhi Vruksha in Bodhgaya under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.
- This branch was carried to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitra, eldest daughter of Emperor Ashoka and his first wife, Queen Devi.
- The original tree under which Buddha meditated was reportedly destroyed, possibly by Ashoka’s wife Tishyarakshita in some legends.
- Sanghamitra’s arrival in Sri Lanka with the tree is commemorated during the Uduvapa Poya, a festival observed annually on a full moon night in December.
Legend of Sanghamitra’s Journey to Sri Lanka
- Sanghamitra, originally named Ayapali, lived from 282 BC to 203 BC.
- Following the Third Buddhist Council (held in 250 BC in Pataliputra) during Ashoka’s reign, it was decided to send missionaries to various regions, including Sri Lanka, to spread Buddhism.
- The mission to Sri Lanka was led by Mahinda (Mahendra), Ashoka’s son, who converted King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura to Buddhism.
- After several royal ladies expressed interest in joining the Buddhist monastic order, Mahinda sent for his sister, Sanghamitra, to initiate them.
- Both siblings lived in Anuradhapura for the rest of their lives.
- She played a pivotal role in establishing the Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sangha or Meheini Sasna) in Sri Lanka, which later spread to other Theravada Buddhist countries like Burma, China, and Thailand.
| [UPSC 2020] With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pamban Bridge
Why in the News?
The newly constructed Pamban Bridge was inaugurated by PM Modi to replace a 110-year-old structure that connected Rameswaram to the Indian mainland.
About the Pamban Bridge
- The Pamban Bridge, completed in 1914, was India’s first sea bridge, connecting Rameswaram on Pamban Island to the mainland.
- It featured a double-leaf bascule span, allowing ships to pass through when the bridge lifted.
- Standing 12.5 meters above sea level and spanning 145 piers, the bridge faced challenges, including cyclones and workforce issues.
- The old bridge had become unsafe due to severe corrosion and structural weaknesses, highlighted by vibrations detected in 2022.
- The new bridge features a vertical lift span that can raise in just 5 minutes, with a 22-meter clearance to allow larger vessels to pass, compared to the old bridge’s 1.5 meters.
- Trains can now travel at speeds up to 75 km/h, a significant improvement from the previous 10 km/h limit.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CAPTCHA
Why in the News?
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu.
What is CAPTCHA?
- CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.
- It is a security measure used to differentiate humans from automated bots on websites.
- It helps protect websites against spam and misuse by ensuring that the user performing actions is a human.
- It was developed in the early 2000s by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper, and John Langford as a response to the proliferation of automated bots on the internet that created fake accounts, spammed websites, and stole data.
- The first patent for CAPTCHA was filed in 2003.
How Does CAPTCHA Work?
- CAPTCHA presents tasks that are easy for humans to solve but hard for machines.
- These tasks typically involve recognizing distorted text, images, or sounds that machines cannot interpret as reliably as humans.
- It operates on the principle of the Turing test, designed by British mathematician Alan Turing in the 1950s.
- This assesses a machine’s ability to exhibit human-like behaviour.
- Over the years, CAPTCHA has evolved from simple text recognition to more complex tests:
- Image Recognition CAPTCHA: Users are asked to identify specific objects within images, such as cars, traffic lights, or storefronts.
- reCAPTCHA: Launched by Google in 2009, this system not only serves as a CAPTCHA but also helps digitize text from scanned documents. Users transcribe words that OCR software has been unable to recognize.
- Invisible reCAPTCHA: Introduced by Google in 2014, this version analyzes the user’s interaction with the website, such as mouse movements, to determine if they are human without needing them to complete a specific challenge.
Limitations of CAPTCHA
- Accessibility Issues: CAPTCHA can be challenging for people with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments.
- User Inconvenience: The need to solve CAPTCHAs can be cumbersome, particularly on mobile devices, and may detract from user experience.
- Advancing Bot Technology: As bots become more sophisticated with AI, they are increasingly capable of bypassing CAPTCHA systems, necessitating more complex solutions.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements: A digital signature is
1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it
2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access information or server on Internet.
3. an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchanged
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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