25th March 2025-Current Affairs

1. The Need for Universal and Equitable Health Coverage – Governance

Why in News?

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major public health concern in India, despite significant advancements in detection, treatment, and prevention. The integration of TB services into broader healthcare through Ayushman Bharat has improved access, but achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a challenge due to uneven healthcare access, high out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), and lack of integrated care systems.

Key Developments

• Molecular Testing (CBNAAT & TrueNat)
  → Faster diagnosis within hours.
  → Helps identify drug-resistant TB strains.
• All-Oral BPaLM Regimen
  → Replaces injectable drugs.
  → Reduces treatment duration to 6 months.
  → Improves treatment compliance and outcomes.
• Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY)
  → Offers monthly nutrition support to TB patients.
  → Helps improve immunity and recovery rates.
• Integration with Ayushman Bharat
  → Decentralizes TB care through Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs).
  → Reduces travel and dropout rates.
• Community Engagement
  → Involves TB Champions (survivors) and community health workers.
  → Encourages treatment adherence and reduces stigma.

Challenges to UHC in TB Care

• High OOPE still burdens poor households.
• Rural and tribal populations face limited access to services.
• Stigma and misinformation delay diagnosis and treatment.
• Lack of coordination between public and private sectors.

Way Forward

• Strengthen primary health infrastructure and diagnostics.
• Expand financial protection schemes.
• Build strong public-private partnerships.
• Increase awareness campaigns to combat stigma.
• Use digital tools for tracking and follow-up care.

Relevance for Exam

• GS Paper II: Health & Social Sector Schemes (Ayushman Bharat, NPY)
• GS Paper III: Disease Burden, UHC, Public Health
• Essay/Interview: Healthcare equity, decentralization, community health models

Possible Exam Questions

Prelims MCQ
Q. Which of the following statements about the BPaLM regimen is/are correct?

1. It removes the need for injectable TB drugs.
2. It is used for extensively drug-resistant TB cases.
3. The treatment duration is less than the traditional regimen.

Correct Answer: 1 and 3 only

Mains
Q. “Despite progress in diagnostics and treatment, India’s road to Universal Health Coverage is fraught with structural challenges.”
Discuss this statement with reference to TB elimination strategies.

Final Outcome

India’s evolving approach to TB control—through better diagnostics, shorter treatment regimens, nutrition support, and integration with Ayushman Bharat—is a critical milestone in the journey toward Universal Health Coverage. However, long-term success requires systemic reforms that ensure equity, sustainability, and community-centered care. By addressing both medical and social determinants of health, India can set a model for inclusive, accessible, and resilient healthcare systems.

2. World Tuberculosis Day – Science and Technology

Why in News?

March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, aimed at raising public awareness about the global epidemic and efforts to eliminate the disease.
Theme for 2025: “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver”.

The President of India praised the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) for its success in awareness campaigns and the declining TB incidence over the last decade.
India targets TB elimination by 2025, five years ahead of the WHO’s global target of 2030 under the End TB Strategy.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

• Cause: A bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Primary site: Lungs (Pulmonary TB), but can affect bones, glands, abdomen, and nervous system.

Transmission

• Airborne: Spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Types of TB

Common Symptoms

• Persistent cough (>3 weeks) ± blood
• Night sweats, fever, fatigue
• Chest pain, weight loss, loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment and Prevention

• Duration: 6–18 months of antibiotics (DOTS therapy)
• Vaccination: BCG vaccine offers moderate protection in infants
• New Approach: BPaLM regimen – all-oral, 6-month treatment for drug-resistant TB

India’s TB Status – Key Data

• Incidence Rate: Reduced to <200 per lakh in 2022 (from 237/lakh in 2015)
• Mortality Rate: Decreased by 18% since 2015 (now 23/lakh population)
• Treatment Success:
  • MDR-TB: 74%
  • Pre-XDR-TB: 68%
  • XDR-TB: 45%

TB Elimination Index – State Rankings

Relevance for Exam

• GS Paper II: Health Schemes (Ayushman Bharat, NTEP)
• GS Paper III: Disease Burden, Epidemiology, Public Health Initiatives
• Essay/Interview: “Ending TB in India: Can we beat the 2025 deadline?”

Possible Exam Questions

Prelims MCQ

Q. Which of the following statements is/are true about TB in India?

1. BPaLM is a newly introduced injectable-based treatment for TB.
2. India aims to eliminate TB by 2030 in line with WHO’s target.
3. Himachal Pradesh is among the best-performing states in TB control.

Correct Answer: 3 only

Mains Question

Q. Despite advances in treatment and diagnosis, Tuberculosis remains a major health concern in India.
Discuss the challenges and recent government efforts toward TB elimination.

Final Outcome

World TB Day reinforces India’s ambitious commitment to eliminate TB by 2025. While diagnostic and treatment advances (like molecular testing and the BPaLM regimen) are accelerating progress, challenges like drug resistance, stigma, and financial barriers persist.
Sustained investments, inter-sectoral partnerships, and community engagement (e.g., TB Champions) will be key to transforming India’s TB response into a global success model.

3. United Nations World Water Development Report, 2025 – Environment

Why in News?

On March 21, 2025, the United Nations marked the first-ever World Day for Glaciers, coinciding with the release of the United Nations World Water Development Report, 2025.
This year’s report sends a stark warning about the accelerated loss of glaciers worldwide, particularly in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.

Key Highlights from the Report

Glacier Loss in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH)

• 65% faster glacier melt observed between 2011–2020 compared to the previous decade.
• If temperatures rise by 1.5–2°C, up to 50% of glacier mass in the region could vanish by 2100.

Record-Breaking Heat

• According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the warmest year in 175 years, intensifying global glacier melt.

Unprecedented Mass Loss

• Since 1975, over 9,000 billion tonnes of glacier ice have been lost.
• In 2024 alone, a staggering 450 gigatons of ice melted.

Rising Sea Levels

• Glacier melt contributes significantly to sea-level rise, displacing 200,000–300,000 people each year and increasing risks of coastal flooding.

Wildfires and Dust Storms

• Increased dust and soot deposition on glaciers darkens surfaces, accelerating melt.

Thawing Permafrost

• Releases trapped carbon and nutrients, further exacerbating global warming and increasing landslide risks.

Snow Cover Decline

• From 1979 to 2022, there has been a 7.79% decrease in persistent snow cover globally, threatening freshwater availability.

About World Glaciers Day

• Date Observed: March 21, 2025
• Adopted by: UN Resolution A/RES/77/158
• Theme: Raising awareness on the critical role of glaciers in sustaining freshwater systems.
• Part of the International Year of Glaciers 2025.

Relevance for Exam

• GS Paper I & III: Geography (Cryosphere, Water Resources), Environmental Degradation
• Current Affairs: Climate Change Reports, UN Observances, Sustainability Goals
• Prelims: Important UN Reports, Environmental Terms
• Essay/Interview: “The Melting Cryosphere: A Warning from the Roof of the World”

Possible Exam Questions

Prelims MCQ

Q. What is the primary objective of the United Nations’ World Day for Glaciers, first observed in 2025?
(a) Promote water privatization
(b) Raise awareness about glacier loss due to climate change
(c) Promote tourism in polar regions
(d) Celebrate freshwater biodiversity

Correct Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q. “The accelerated melting of glaciers poses a serious threat to water security and climate stability.”
Discuss the implications of the findings from the United Nations World Water Development Report, 2025, with reference to India’s Himalayan ecosystem.

Final Outcome

The 2025 Water Development Report underscores the urgent threat posed by climate change to global water security.
Glacier melt is no longer a slow-moving process—its acceleration directly affects sea levels, freshwater supply, ecosystems, and climate stability.
The creation of World Glaciers Day is a landmark step toward global climate awareness, but concerted policy action is needed to mitigate these escalating threats.

4. Five Years After Covid-19 – Shifts in India’s Migration Landscape – Economy

Why in News?

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted traditional migration trends in India, triggering massive reverse migration and exposing the vulnerabilities of migrant workers.
Now, five years post-pandemic, India’s migration trends are stabilizing, but climate change, rural distress, and economic shifts continue to shape both domestic and international migration patterns.

Key Developments in Migration Trends

Reverse Migration

• First Lockdown (2020): ~44.13 million returned to rural homes.
• Second Wave (2021): ~26.3 million additional reverse migrants.
• Migrants faced severe job losses, wage theft, and food insecurity.

Return to Urban Migration

• Rural economy failed to absorb returning workers, pushing people back to cities.
• Drivers: climate change (impacting agriculture), rural unemployment, and urban aspirations.

International Migration

• Indian emigrants in Gulf countries experienced job and wage losses.
• Despite challenges, remittances remained strong.
• Emerging destinations: Europe attracting more skilled professionals.

Surge in Student Migration

• Kerala recorded a doubling of student emigrants:
  1.29 lakh (2018) → 2.5 lakh (2023).
• Indicates a shift toward education-linked migration trends.

Challenges in Migration Governance

• 2021 Census delay has hampered updated migration data.
• Lack of comprehensive data impedes targeted welfare and policy.
• Kerala Migration Survey is a model for other states to emulate.

Relevance for Exam

• GS Paper I & III: Society – Migration Trends; Disaster Response; Economic Challenges
• Current Affairs: Urbanization, Labour Welfare, Post-Pandemic Recovery
• Essay/Interview: “Migration and Resilience: Lessons from the Pandemic”

Possible Exam Questions

Prelims MCQ

Q. What is the significance of the Kerala Migration Survey in India’s migration policy?
(a) It assesses interstate agricultural patterns
(b) It provides regular data on emigration and remittances
(c) It monitors public health trends among migrant communities
(d) It supports refugee rehabilitation efforts

Correct Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q. “The Covid-19 pandemic brought migrant vulnerabilities into the spotlight. However, long-term structural reforms are essential to ensure migrant welfare.”
Discuss the changes in India’s migration landscape post-Covid and suggest policy measures for inclusive migration governance.

Final Outcome

Five years after the Covid-19 crisis, India’s migration landscape reflects a resilient recovery, but it is also increasingly shaped by structural vulnerabilities, including climate risks, economic pressures, and data gaps.
A forward-looking approach must include state-led surveys, portable welfare entitlements, and climate-resilient urban planning to protect and empower India’s vast migrant population.

5. Eri Silk: A Sustainable Textile from Northeast India – Environment

Why in News?

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, recently informed the Rajya Sabha that Eri silk from the Northeast has received the Oeko-Tex certification, affirming its eco-friendly production.
This milestone underlines eri silk’s rising global appeal, especially in sustainable luxury textiles.

What is Eri Silk?

• Scientific Origin: Produced from the Samia ricini silkworm, which feeds on castor leaves.
• Ahimsa Silk: Unlike traditional silk, the production process does not kill the silkworm. Instead, the moth is allowed to naturally emerge from the cocoon — making it a non-violent and cruelty-free textile.
• GI Tag: Eri silk has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from Assam, authenticating its regional identity.

Unique Features of Eri Silk

Relevance for Exam

• GS Paper I & III: Culture and Handicrafts; Sustainable Development; Tribal Economy
• State-Specific Knowledge: Important for Northeast regional focus
• Current Affairs: Textile exports, rural economy, GI tags

Possible Exam Questions

Prelims MCQ

Q. Eri silk, also known as “Ahimsa Silk”, differs from other silks because:
(a) It is produced using synthetic fibers
(b) It is produced from wild silkworms in forest areas
(c) The silkworm is allowed to emerge from the cocoon naturally
(d) It is chemically dyed using mineral-based inks

Correct Answer: (c)

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the significance of Eri silk in promoting sustainable and ethical textiles in India. Highlight its role in the rural economy and environmental conservation.

Final Outcome

Eri silk symbolizes sustainability, ethical production, and cultural heritage.
Its international certifications, eco-conscious sourcing, and growing demand among premium fashion brands position it as a flagship textile from the Northeast.
With proper investment and promotion, eri silk could boost rural livelihoods, preserve indigenous weaving traditions, and contribute to India’s green textile exports.