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  • Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

    [pib] India shines in QS Asia University Rankings

    IOCR | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News?

    India made impressive gains, with 2 institutions in the top 50 and 7 in the top 100 of the QS Asia Rankings 2025.

    About QS University Rankings:

    Details
    Overview Annual ranking of global universities, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
    Criteria – Academic Reputation: 40%
    – Employer Reputation: 10%
    – Faculty/Student Ratio: 20%
    – International Ratios: 5%
    – Citations per Faculty: 20%
    Coverage Ranks over 1,300 institutions across 100+ countries.
    Key Indicators – Academic Reputation (survey of academic experts)
    – Employer Reputation (survey of employers)
    – Citations per Faculty (research influence)
    Regional Rankings Includes regional rankings for Asia, Latin America, Europe, etc.
    Annual Release Published annually, typically in June.

    Key Insights from QS Asia Rankings 2025

    The 2025 rankings cover 984 institutions across 25 countries in Eastern, Southern, South-Eastern, and Central Asia, offering a detailed comparison of institutional performance in the region.

    • India made impressive gains, with 2 institutions in the top 50 and seven in the top 100 of the QS Asia Rankings 2025.
    • India has the highest number of ranked institutions, dominating the top 10 universities in Southern Asia with seven Indian institutions.
    • Top Rankings for India:
      • Top 50: IIT Delhi (44th) and IIT Bombay (48th).
      • Top 100: Includes IIT Madras (56), IIT Kharagpur (60), Indian Institute of Science (62), IIT Kanpur (67), and University of Delhi (81).
      • Top 150: Features IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, JNU, Chandigarh University (120), UPES (148), and Vellore Institute of Technology (150).
    • IIT Delhi achieved India’s highest rank at 44th with a 99% employer reputation score, while IIT Bombay follows with 99.5% employer reputation and 96.6% academic reputation.
    • University of Delhi improved its ranking from 94th to 81st, with a high score of 96.4% in the International Research Network indicator.
    • Anna University scored a perfect 100 in Papers per Faculty, highlighting its strong research output.
    • 15 universities scored over 99% in the Staff with PhD indicator, reflecting India’s focus on qualified faculty and teaching quality.
    • North Eastern Hill University and University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, both scored 100 in faculty-student ratio, indicating top-tier academic credibility.

    PYQ:

    [2014] Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges.

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  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    Can India get rich before growing old?

    Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues

    Why in the News?

    Since liberalization opened up new opportunities, there has been a lot of excitement about India’s demographic dividend, which is the advantage of having a large working-age population but there are major challenges like the middle-income trap.

    Can India leverage its sustained economic growth?

    • Harnessing the Demographic Dividend: With a large working-age population, India has a potential advantage, but it must ensure that this workforce is employed in productive sectors, particularly by shifting labor from low-productivity agriculture to higher-productivity manufacturing and services.
    • Strengthening the Manufacturing Sector: The manufacturing sector, especially labor-intensive industries like textiles, has the potential to create millions of jobs. By addressing barriers such as complex regulations, high tariffs, and infrastructure constraints, India can boost manufacturing growth, empower women, and drive economic mobility.
    • Reforming Infrastructure and Business Environment: Improving ease of doing business, simplifying trade and labor regulations, and increasing investment in infrastructure are critical for unlocking India’s potential for sustained growth. These reforms will enable large-scale job creation and enhance India’s global competitiveness.

    Challenges arising due to the middle-income trap

    • Declining Demographic Dividend: The proportion of working-age individuals in India’s population is set to decline in the coming decade, marking the potential end of the demographic dividend. Fertility rates have dropped across various states, which means India may face an aging population sooner than expected.
    • Stagnation in Key Sectors: India has struggled to reduce its agricultural workforce in the same way China did after liberalisation, making it harder to transition people to higher-productivity industries. Despite some growth in the services sector, manufacturing has stagnated and failed to generate the necessary number of jobs, especially in labor-intensive industries.
    • Limited Economic Mobility: High levels of youth unemployment and the lack of opportunities for individuals to move up the economic ladder have hindered India’s economic progress. The country’s labor force participation rate (LFPR) remains low, particularly among women, and urban job creation has not been sufficient to absorb the growing population.
    • Infrastructure and Regulatory Bottlenecks: The business environment is constrained by complex regulations, high tariffs, cumbersome licensing procedures, and a lack of access to land, all of which prevent the manufacturing sector from thriving. India’s slow regulatory reforms have stifled growth in manufacturing, which is essential for absorbing the workforce.

    How the Manufacturing sector can help India grow?

    • Job Creation: Manufacturing, especially in labour-intensive sectors like textiles and apparel, can create large numbers of jobs. This is vital for absorbing the surplus labour from agriculture and providing employment opportunities for the youth.
      • For example, the textile and apparel industry employs 45 million people compared to just 5.5 million in IT-BPM, highlighting its potential for mass employment.
    • Women’s Empowerment: Manufacturing, particularly industries like textiles, offers significant employment to women (60-70% of factory workers), helping reduce gender disparities in the labour force.
    • Economic Mobility: By creating better job opportunities, manufacturing helps people transition from low-productivity agricultural jobs to higher-wage, more stable positions in the industrial and service sectors. This transition is key to achieving sustained economic growth and avoiding the middle-income trap.
    • Global Competitiveness: Reducing barriers to manufacturing — such as simplifying business licensing, lowering tariffs on inputs, improving access to land, and streamlining trade regulations — can help India increase its competitiveness globally. Expanding market access through free trade agreements and making the business environment more conducive to manufacturing can unlock the potential of this sector.

    Steps taken by the government: 

    • “Make in India” Initiative: Launched in 2014, this initiative aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by promoting domestic production, reducing regulatory hurdles, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in key manufacturing sectors such as electronics, textiles, and automobiles.
    • Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India): This program focuses on reducing dependence on imports by boosting local manufacturing, especially in strategic sectors like defense, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
      • It includes initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which offers incentives for manufacturing and exporting specific products like electronics, textiles, and solar panels.

    Way forward: 

    • Enhance Skill Development and Workforce Transition: India must invest in targeted skill development programs to equip its labor force, particularly those transitioning from agriculture, with the necessary skills for higher-productivity manufacturing and services sectors.
    • Accelerate Regulatory and Infrastructure Reforms: To unlock the full potential of the manufacturing sector, India should expedite regulatory reforms, simplify land acquisition processes, and enhance infrastructure.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Can the strategy of regional-resource-based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India? (UPSC IAS/2019)

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    What are the costs of population decline?

    Explained | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News?

    The Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have recently voiced concerns over the low fertility rates in their states.

    What is the current demographic situation, especially in the southern States?

    • Falling Fertility Rates: Southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1.
      • For instance, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal recorded fertility rates of 1.4 (2019-21), and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala at 1.5.
    • Ageing Population: These states face an advanced demographic transition with an increasingly ageing population. The share of elderly in Kerala is expected to rise to 22.8% by 2036, in Tamil Nadu to 20.8%, and in Andhra Pradesh to 19%.
    • End of Demographic Dividend: With a rising old age dependency ratio — Kerala (26.1), Tamil Nadu (20.5), and Andhra Pradesh (18.5) in 2021 — the demographic window for leveraging a young workforce is closing or has already closed in these states.

    What is the likely economic impact?

    • Rising Healthcare Costs: The elderly demographic is likely to increase healthcare costs. Southern states, comprising one-fifth of India’s population, accounted for 32% of out-of-pocket cardiovascular healthcare expenditure in 2017-18.
    • Reduced Economic Growth Potential: A declining working-age population means a lower potential to reap economic benefits from a young labor force. This demographic shift may impact productivity and economic growth.
    • Impact on Women’s Labor Force Participation: Pro-natalist policies to increase fertility may lead to a reduction in women’s participation in the labor force, hindering economic growth further.

    What are the political implications?

    • Federal Representation Changes: With the 2026 delimitation, seats in Parliament are expected to be adjusted based on population. Southern states could lose representation due to slower population growth, with Tamil Nadu potentially losing nine seats, Kerala six, and Andhra Pradesh five, while northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan may gain seats.
    • Resource Allocation: Slower-growing southern states contribute more tax revenue yet may receive a smaller share of resources from the central pool, as allocation formulas often consider population.

    What are the solutions being considered? (Way forward)

    • Pro-natalist Incentives: Some southern leaders advocate incentivizing families to have more children. However, international experiences show limited success with pro-natalist incentives.
    • Gender Equity and Family Policies: Policies such as paid maternity/paternity leave, accessible childcare, and employment protections can support sustainable fertility rates without economically disadvantaging women.
    • Increasing Working Age and Migrant Inclusion: Extending working lifespans and better integrating economic migrants in social security and political representation can help mitigate the impact of an ageing population.
    • Balancing Migration Needs: Southern states, which attract many economic migrants, face challenges as these migrants are still counted in their home states, impacting political representation and resource distribution in the host states.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India. (UPSC IAS/2015)

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  • Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

    Calling out exploitative labour dynamics on platforms 

    Explained | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary Sector Industries In Various Parts Of The World

    Why in the News?

    Amid the ongoing evolution of the “gig worker” concept, India recently witnessed a groundbreaking movement a nationwide digital strike organized by women gig workers this Deepavali.

    What are the specific exploitative practices faced by gig workers?

    • Wage Theft and High Commissions: Many gig workers receive only a fraction of their earnings after substantial deductions for company commissions, which can range from 10% to 35% of their total income. This often leaves them with minimal take-home pay, insufficient to meet basic living expenses.
    • Forced Purchases and Costs: Workers are often required to buy product kits at full retail prices from their employers, which further erodes their earnings. This practice restricts their ability to purchase necessary supplies at more affordable wholesale rates.
    • Job Insecurity and Rating Systems: Gig workers are subjected to biased rating systems that can lead to job insecurity. If they refuse “auto-assigned” jobs or fail to meet performance metrics, they risk being blocked from the platform or terminated without recourse.
    • Lack of Social Security: Gig workers are excluded from essential benefits such as minimum wages, health protections, and social security rights, leaving them vulnerable in times of need.

    How do platform dynamics contribute to labour exploitation?

    • Misclassification of Workers: Gig workers are often classified as independent contractors rather than employees, which denies them access to fundamental labour rights and protections. This legal loophole allows companies to evade responsibilities related to wages and benefits.
    • Algorithmic Control: Companies utilize complex algorithms to manage worker assignments and ratings, creating a system where workers are constantly monitored and evaluated based on performance metrics that may not accurately reflect their work quality.
    • Patriarchal Structures: The gig economy perpetuates existing patriarchal norms by relegating women to traditionally female roles such as beauticians and housekeepers, limiting their job options and negotiating power within the labour market.

    What measures can address and combat labour exploitation in this sector? (Way forward)

    • Legal Recognition as Employees: Governments should legislate the recognition of gig workers as employees rather than independent contractors, thereby extending labour rights such as minimum wage laws and social security benefits.
    • Regulatory Frameworks: Establishing comprehensive labour laws specific to the gig economy would help protect workers’ rights. This includes mechanisms for grievance redressal, ensuring fair treatment and accountability from platform companies.
    • Collective Bargaining Rights: Supporting unionization efforts like those of the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) can empower workers to negotiate better wages and working conditions collectively. This grassroots organizing is crucial for achieving meaningful change in labour practices within the sector

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India.  (UPSC IAS/2021)

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    LignoSat: the First Wooden Satellite launched into space

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Lignosat: the First Wooden Satellite launched into space

    Why in the News?

    The world’s first wood-panelled satellite, LignoSat, was recently launched to test the use of timber as a renewable material for future space missions.

    About LignoSat Satellite:

    Details
    Purpose To test the potential of wood as a renewable building material in space applications.
    Developed By Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry of Japan.
    Launch Details Launched on November 5 aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule.
    Mission Duration Spend a month at the International Space Station (ISS) before being deployed into Earth’s orbit for six months to test its performance.
    Size and Weight Measures 4 inches (10 cm) per side and weighs 900 grams.
    Material Built with magnolia wood panels, using a traditional Japanese technique that avoids screws and glue.
    Construction Combines wood-panel casings with aluminium structures and standard electronic components.
    Durability Testing Designed to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations in space, ranging from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius every 45 minutes.

    LignoSat as a Renewable Solution for Space Construction

    • Reduced Environmental Impact: Unlike conventional aluminium-based satellites, LignoSat reduces pollutants like aluminium oxides that damage the ozone layer upon re-entry.
    • Sustainable Material: Wood is a renewable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant material in space, as there is no water or oxygen to accelerate degradation.
    • Long-Term Vision: The satellite could pave the way for sustainable space construction, with future plans to use wood in building structures on the Moon and Mars.
    • Mitigating Orbital Congestion: As satellite constellations grow, sustainable materials like wood could help reduce space debris and pollution in Earth’s orbit.

    PYQ:

    [2016] With reference to ‘AstroSat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.

    2. AstroSat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    APOBEC (Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Catalytic Polypeptide)

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    Since smallpox was eradicated in 1980, research on mpox has highlighted how the virus mutates, particularly through the APOBEC family of immune system proteins.

    About APOBEC

    • APOBEC (Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptide-Like) is a family of proteins involved in regulating the genetic material of viruses and cells.
    • They are part of the human immune system and play a crucial role in protecting against viral infections by editing RNA and DNA.
    • APOBEC consists of several enzymes, with APOBEC1, APOBEC3 family members being the most well-known.
    • There are 11 identified members of the APOBEC family, primarily named APOBEC1, APOBEC2, and APOBEC3, with APOBEC3 being the most studied due to its antiviral properties.
    • It has a Zinc Finger Domain, which is essential for their enzymatic activity and ability to bind to DNA or RNA.
    • APOBEC proteins are found in various tissues and cells, but they are notably present in the immune cells such as T-cells, B-cells, and macrophages.
    • Role in Immune Defense:
      • APOBEC proteins contribute to the innate immune response by editing viral genomes, preventing the replication of viruses, and reducing the ability of viruses to establish infections.
      • They are known to be cytosine deaminases, which means they modify cytosine bases in nucleic acids to uracil, leading to mutations that can prevent successful viral replication.
      • APOBEC proteins target the genomes of several viruses, including retroviruses (like HIV), hepatitis B virus, and poxviruses (such as mpox and smallpox).

    Functions of APOBEC Proteins:

    • DNA Editing: APOBEC proteins can deaminate cytosine bases in single-stranded DNA, converting them into uracil, which can lead to mutations.
      • This introduces errors in the viral genome and inhibits replication.
    • RNA Editing: Some APOBEC proteins, like APOBEC1, are involved in editing mRNA. In the case of APOBEC1, it helps edit the mRNA of apolipoprotein B, which is crucial for lipid metabolism.
    • Antiviral Activity: APOBEC3 proteins, particularly APOBEC3G, inhibit the replication of HIV and other retroviruses by editing viral DNA during reverse transcription.
      • They also reduce the replication of poxviruses (such as mpox), making them crucial in controlling infections caused by these viruses.
    • Cytosine Deamination in Viral RNA: APOBEC proteins induce mutations in viral RNA, reducing the virus’s ability to efficiently replicate and spread. This helps prevent viral evolution and adaptation.
    • Inhibition of Viral Resistance: By causing mutations in viral genomes, APOBEC proteins prevent viruses from easily developing resistance to the immune system’s defenses.
    • Interaction with Other Immune Mechanisms: APOBEC proteins work in concert with other immune mechanisms, like interferons, to enhance antiviral responses and limit infections.

    PYQ:

    [2016]  In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to:

    (a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

    (b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

    (c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression

    (d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells

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  • Horticulture, Floriculture, Commercial crops, Bamboo Production – MIDH, NFSM-CC, etc.

    Asia Tea Alliance not in favor of GM Tea

    Prelims Only | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Major Crops & Cropping Patterns

    Why in the News?

    • The Asia Tea Alliance (ATA) resolved to reject Genetically Modified (GM) Tea in response to climate challenges affecting global tea production.
      • With India’s tea production down by 10% this year due to climate change, certain companies have advocated for GM tea.

    About Asia Tea Alliance (ATA)

    • Founded: April 19, 2019, in Guizhou, China.
    • 5 Members: India, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
    • Goals: Enhance tea trade, cultural exchange, and globally promote tea.

    About Indian Tea Industry: 

    • India is the second-largest tea producer and largest black tea producer after China, and also the fourth-largest tea exporter worldwide.
    • India is the largest consumer of black tea, accounting for 18% of global tea consumption.
    • The Indian tea industry directly employs 1.16 million workers, with an equal number indirectly associated.
    • It is governed by the Tea Board of India and under Union Government control by an Act of Parliament.
    • Geographical conditions:
      • Northeast India (including Assam), north Bengal (such as Darjeeling, Terai and the Dooars), and the Nilgiris in south India.
      • Tropical and subtropical climates, with regions concentrated in Asia, Africa, and South America favours tea cultivation.
      • It requires cool to warm temperatures (15–23°C) with at least 5 hours of sunlight daily; annual rainfall should be 150-200 cm.
    • Darjeeling Tea known as the “Champagne of teas,” for its aroma was the first to GI tag in 2004–05.

    PYQ:

    [2020] “The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop.” Which one of the following is that crop?

    (a) Cotton

    (b) Jute

    (c) Sugarcane

    (d) Tea

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Caterpillar fungus

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    Recent research by scientists at the University of Nottingham’s has found that a chemical produced by a fungus growing on caterpillars may slow cancer cell growth.

    What is Caterpillar fungus?

    • Cordyceps militaris, also known as caterpillar fungus, is a parasitic fungus that primarily infects caterpillars and other insects.
    • Found in the Himalayan region and parts of Asia, it is valued in traditional Asian medicine for its health benefits, including immune support, anti-inflammatory properties, and energy enhancement.
    • It is considered a delicacy in some Asian cultures and has long been used for its purported wellness effects.

    How it can slow down growth of cancer cells?

    • Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy have identified cordycepin, a compound produced by Cordyceps militaris, as potentially effective in slowing cancer cell growth.
    • Cordycepin works by interrupting overactive cell growth signals in cancer cells, which prevents rapid multiplication and allows for more targeted treatment.
    • This approach may be less harmful to healthy tissues compared to conventional cancer treatments, offering a promising direction for targeted cancer therapies.

    Other observations and significance of the species

    • In addition to its traditional uses, Cordyceps militaris is significant for its role in ecological balance, helping control insect populations in forest ecosystems.
    • Advances in research have enabled large-scale studies on cordycepin’s effects, with future studies focusing on derivatives of cordycepin for potentially enhanced anti-cancer properties.
    • The fungus illustrates how natural compounds can contribute to sustainable medical practices, offering less toxic alternatives for disease treatment, especially in oncology.

    PYQ:

    [2019] Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of:

    (a) Anti-malarial drug

    (b) Biodiesel

    (c) Pulp for paper industry

    (d) Textile fibre

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    IDF working on new guidelines to treat Type 2 Diabetes

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    • The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is developing new Type 2 diabetes treatment guidelines in collaboration with a global expert panel.
      • These guidelines aim to integrate scientific evidence and clinical practice, adapted to the healthcare environment of specific countries.

    What is Type 2 Diabetes?

    • Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough, leading to high blood sugar levels.
    • It is commonly linked to obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet.
    • Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
    • Treatment involves lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management.
      • Medications such as Metformin help regulate blood sugar levels, and in some cases, insulin therapy may be required.

    About International Diabetes Federation (IDF):

    Details
    About
    • Established in 1950; Brussels, Belgium;
    • Members: Over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories.
    • Collaborations: Partners with global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and others for global health initiatives.
    • Led by an elected President with the support of a Board of Directors from member countries.
    • Regional offices: Operates regional offices in Africa, Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
    Aims and Objectives
    • To improve the care and lives of people with diabetes and promote its prevention worldwide.
    • Advocacy, research, education, and raising awareness to reduce the global burden of diabetes.
    Key Programs
    • World Diabetes Day (November 14)
    • Global Diabetes Atlas
    • Educational initiatives for healthcare professionals
    Diabetes Types Covered
    • Type 1 Diabetes: Primarily affects children and young adults, where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
    • Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form, often linked to lifestyle factors and obesity. It involves insulin resistance and eventually pancreas dysfunction.
    • Gestational Diabetes: A type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
    • Other Forms: Covers genetic forms, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), and MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    How Röntgen accidentally discovered x-rays & changed the world

    Explained | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    On the evening of November 8, 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was conducting experiments in his laboratory at the University of Würzburg in Germany when he made an unusual discovery.

     

    Did you know the Röntgen’s discovery story of X-rays?

    • While experimenting with cathode rays in a glass vacuum tube, Röntgen noticed a fluorescent screen glowing at a distance, despite being too far to be affected by the rays he was studying.
    • Intrigued by this unexpected glow, he wondered if this mysterious ray could penetrate organic materials, so he experimented by photographing his wife’s hand, capturing her bones and ring. This was the world’s first recorded X-ray image of the human body.
    • Röntgen documented his findings in an article titled “On a new kind of rays,” in 1895 which was published by introducing “X-rays” to the scientific community.

    How did Röntgen’s discovery transform Medical practices and Diagnostics?

    • Revolution in Diagnostic Medicine: Physicians rapidly adopted X-rays, which allowed them to view the human body without surgery. This was transformative for diagnostics, especially in orthopedics and internal medicine.
    • Surgical Advancements: By February 1896, British physician Major John Hall-Edwards had successfully used X-rays to guide the surgery. Within months, armies began using X-ray technology to locate bullet wounds and diagnose fractures, marking the beginning of its use in trauma care.

    What are the long-term implications of Röntgen’s discovery on Public health and Safety?

    • Development of Radiology: this discovery led to the birth of radiology, with subsequent advancements leading to CT, MRI, ultrasound, and other imaging technologies that are essential in modern medicine.
    • Radiation Safety and Awareness: Initially, x-rays were used liberally, even for non-medical purposes (such as in shoe stores to fit footwear), with little awareness of potential harm. It wasn’t until early reports of radiation burns and later research in the early 20th century that the health risks of radiation exposure were acknowledged, prompting the development of safety protocols.
    • Ongoing Safety Protocols: Today, radiation safety is central to radiology practices. Equipment advancements and regulatory standards have minimized exposure risks, making x-rays safe for patients and medical personnel while ensuring their continued benefits.
    • Public Health and Preventive Care: The ability to detect diseases, fractures, and other internal injuries without invasive procedures has been crucial for preventive care, enabling early detection and treatment. This has significantly impacted patient survival rates and quality of care, solidifying diagnostic imaging as a pillar of modern public health.

    Issues related to X-ray machines in Rural areas:

    • Limited X-ray Equipment: Rural Community Health Centres (CHCs) in India often need more X-ray machines, with only 68% of available units functioning, primarily due to high operational costs and shortages of technicians.
    • Maintenance and Operational Delays: Even when X-ray machines are present, many remain non-functional due to installation delays and insufficient maintenance, as imaging services are not prioritized in CHC guidelines.
    • Access and Specialist Shortages: Rural patients face long travel distances to access imaging services, further limited by a concentration of radiologists in urban areas, reducing timely access to diagnostic interpretation.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Infrastructure and Access: Increase the availability and functionality of X-ray machines in rural areas by improving equipment maintenance, investing in portable and mobile X-ray units to bring diagnostic services directly to underserved populations.
      • For example, Teleradiology enables remote interpretation of images, improving access to diagnostic services.
    • Telemedicine and Remote Diagnostics: Expand telemedicine platforms like ‘XraySetu’, enabling healthcare workers in rural areas to share X-ray images for remote analysis by radiologists, improving diagnostic capabilities without requiring patients to travel long distances.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC IAS/2018)

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