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30th January (Monday) 2023 | How to utilize NCERTs for UPSC? Learn the art of Making notes for Prelims 2023 & 2024.

What would be the grave mistake? The reply is “To exclude NCERTs.” Learn to cherish NCERTs if you want to enjoy UPSC prep.

The ideal starting point for any UPSC aspirant is NCERTs, the key to success. They serve as a basic juncture where your understanding of the fundamentals for solving MCQs and analytical skills for long answer writing unite.

Almost all UPSC aspirants start with NCERTs but do they all clear IAS?

The answer is ‘No’.

Though everyone read NCERTs, 99% of them don’t even know what is the proper way to read them, utilize them, make notes, revise, etc.

On the other hand, only reading NCERTs alone isn’t the way to success; you’ll only succeed in the IAS test if you understand how to read NCERTs, which 4-5 we specifically need to study, and how to Make notes from them.

Since these books are aspirants’ weakest area, you should make them your strength. Follow this session to learn how to utilize NCERTs and What is the art of making notes.

Masterclass Details: 30th January 2023 (Monday) At 7:30 PM

Grasp the opportunity to get outstanding tips on how to utilize NCERTs for UPSC. ’, ‘how to read & what to read, And how to make notes for Prelims 2023 & 2024.

Strategies & Approaches, in This Free Live Webinar by Diksha Ma’am!

• How to utilize NCERT Books? How to improve your reading and analytical skills from NCERTs which are super crucial for UPSC-CSE? Which portion of every NCERT must be utilized for making notes?
• Best, minimum NCERT materials for UPSC-CSE Preparation. Do’s & Don’t, Understanding the science behind how society works is important, so what are the best 4 to 5 NCERTs to read?
• For foundational preparation for prelims, students can read & make quick revision notes with the NCERT books, to begin, their history preparation. What are those books that have proven to be highly beneficial in the case of students that come from commerce or science backgrounds?
• It is critical to understand Indian and global geography. Maps and information about different climatic regions provided in NCERT Geography books help answer many questions about geography. How to learn & what maps/diagrams/footnotes are not to be ignored will also be discussed.
• Political Science covers the country’s legal and fundamental aspects, which makes it an extremely important subject. How to & what to cover from NCERTs so that ‘Laxmikant’ becomes easier to read and revise.
• The subject of the Indian Economy covers India’s current and past economic aspects, which makes it an important topic. Knowing its fundamentals is crucial for UPSC exams. So, What is to be learned by heart & which NCERTs are fit for the economy will be comprehensively discussed.
• What is the difference between ‘The Old Version NCERTs’ & ‘The New Version NCERTs & which subjects, and which versions of NCERTs you should focus on,  this will also be discussed thoroughly in this ask me anything session? 
•  The untold secret of ‘how & from where UPSC asks direct questions from NCERTs. How to build command over NCERTs is going to be another crucial point of this awesome session.

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Greetings UPSC Civil Service Aspirants,

On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of you who are working hard to become a part of the administration and contribute to the betterment of our nation.

As you all know, the UPSC Civil Services Exam is not an easy task and requires a lot of hard work, determination, and perseverance. But we believe in you and your abilities to clear this exam with flying colors.

We understand that the journey to becoming a civil servant can be challenging and at times overwhelming. But we want to remind you that the end goal is worth all the sacrifices and efforts you are putting in. The opportunity to serve your country and make a positive impact on the lives of people is truly an honor and a privilege.

To celebrate this special occasion and to show our support for your efforts, we are offering a special 26% off on all our courses for the next 2 days. We believe that with the right guidance and resources, you can achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your preparation and take one step closer to your goal. Grab the offer now and let us be a part of your journey to success.

Wishing you all the best for your upcoming exam.

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LIVE webinar Concluded successfully on 27th January (Friday), 2023 | Register for Recorded Video & Get Value-Added PDF materials for UPSC Prelims 2023

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Preparing for the UPSC Prelims exam is a long and arduous journey that requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. Most of you might have already invested ~2yrs of time, huge money, emotions, and effort in this preparation.

However, despite all of the effort and input that you put in, small mistakes can have a significant impact on your final result. These mistakes can be compared to the butterfly effect or domino effect, where a small event can cause a chain reaction leading to grave issues.

As your mentor, it is our duty to inform and educate you on the importance of being aware of these small but fundamental mistakes that can have a significant impact on your success in the UPSC prelims exam.

To help you identify these mistakes and learn how to avoid them, we are excited to invite you to a LIVE webinar or 1-1 session by IPS, Shubham Sir.

This webinar will provide valuable insights and strategies to help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

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About Shubham Nagargoje:

UPSC 2020 Topper–IPS Officer Shubham Nagargoje lived by this saying during his entire UPSC and RBI Grade B preparation for three years. Hence, failing to clear the UPSC Prelims twice didn’t deter him. He finally got appointment letters both as an RBI Grade B officer and an IPS officer.

Webinar Details: Concluded Successfully

Date: 27th January 2023 (Friday)

Time: 7:30 PM to 9 PM

Infallible ideas & Tips in This Free Live Webinar by Shubham Nagargoje!

• 20 blunders that can cost you UPSC Prelims and how to avoid them.
• Understanding the importance of a well-structured study plan and how to make one: A structured study plan is essential for effective time management and staying on track with your preparations. This should include a daily, weekly and monthly plan, along with specific targets.
• Identifying and avoiding common pitfalls: Students should be aware of common mistakes that many candidates make during their preparation and know how to avoid them. For example, procrastination, lack of focus, not seeking feedback, not updating oneself with current affairs, not testing oneself etc.
• Utilizing basic and fundamental resources like NCERTs and Current Affairs effectively: Students should learn how to use resources effectively and efficiently. This includes selecting the right study materials, identifying the best study methods, and utilizing online resources such as mock tests and practice questions.
• How do 99% of UPSC aspirants make mistakes to understand and differentiate between UPSC Prelims and Mains syllabus?
• How to utilize the remaining 3 months for UPSC Prelims 2023?
• How to cover the syllabus in the remaining time so that you can make maximum revision cycles?
• How to clear UPSC Prelims with self-study? If you’re not getting any mentor, where are you making mistakes that will cost you Prelims?
• Attempting test series is important. But, analyzing test series in the wrong way will make you do silly mistakes.
• Additionally, the webinar will also provide guidance on how to identify and overcome personal barriers, such as lack of motivation, lack of direction, and self-doubt.

Don’t let small mistakes become Himalayan Blunders and hold you back from achieving your dreams. Join us in this webinar and learn how to avoid these mistakes and unlock your full potential. Sign up now, as spots are limited.

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CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.

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All India FREE Mock Test (GS + CSAT) for UPSC-CSE 2023: 12th February 2023 || Online

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Don’t know where you stand in the UPSC Prelims 2023 competition?

Get a reality check!

10000+ aspirants are going to appear for India’s biggest UPSC Prelims mock test.

Attempt CivilsDaily’s Prelims Mock – high-quality UPSC-level questions in real-exam hall simulating conditions.

But just attempting mocks is not enough. There must be a follow-up

This is going to be an eye-opener.

Details: Time & Venue

• Date: 12th Feb 2023
• Timings: GS Paper 1 from 9:30 am; CSAT 2:30 pm
• Duration for tests: 2 hrs each
• Language: English
• Mode: Online
• Test Fee: FREE for all

All India FREE Mock Test (GS + CSAT) for UPSC-CSE 2023: 12th Feb 2023 || Online

CivilsDaily will assign a dedicated mentor for the post-test process. It will include a detailed test discussion, a one-to-one mentorship call to highlight your weak areas and issues in preparation. A timetable and strategy will be shared with you and relevant Smash Prelims select PDF notes will be shared for FREE.

What students will get after the mock-Tests?

1. Detailed post-test analysis over a call
2. Mentorship session to help you with situational awareness wrt UPSC Prelims 2023
3. Smash Prelims select notes

CivilsDaily will assign a dedicated mentor for the post-test process. It will include a detailed test discussion, a one-to-one mentorship call to highlight your weak areas and issues in preparation. A timetable and strategy will be shared with you and relevant Smash Prelims select PDF notes will be shared for FREE.

This is a FREE initiative under Smash Prelims 2023 program.

About Smash Prelims 2023 January edition

Course completion (GS+Current Affairs) Lectures, Test Series (both GS and CSAT), 1-to-1 Mentorship, Previous Year Question analysis, and PDF Notes

You don’t have time to read everything, nor do you have time to make notes.

With just 5 months left for the exam Smash Prelims 2023: January Edition is what you need.

Target 120+ marks in UPSC GS Prelims paper, 100+ in UPSC CSAT prelims with an overall accuracy of 90% with Smash Prelims program

Mentorship by Santosh sir: Highly experienced and has an excellent record

Beat the unpredictability of UPSC with 6 PILLARED APPROACH

What CivilsDaily’s Smash Prelims students have to say?

Santosh sir’s guidance, a crucial part of the first prelims success for Rahul

A miracle for Debarpita, Smash Prelims 2022 student

Talk 1-1 with Santosh sir for FREE & avail 25% discount

Other messages showering gratitude for Santosh sir and the Smash Prelims team

Context

• All vehicles owned by central and state governments, including buses owned by transport corporations and public sector undertakings, that are older than 15 years will be de-registered and scrapped starting April 1.
• This has been announced by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) through a notification.

Vehicle Scrappage Policy, 2021

• As per the notification, disposal of such vehicles should be ensured through the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility after the expiry of the fifteen years from the date of initial registration of the vehicle.
• Announced in the Union Budget 2021-22, the policy provides for fitness tests after 20 years for personal vehicles, while commercial vehicles will require it after 15 years.

Key Features

• Fitness testing: The government plans to set up between 450-500 automated vehicle fitness testing stations across India on a PPP basis. Private vehicles – which are over 20 years old – will have to undergo fitness tests, at an estimated cost of Rs 300-400 per test.
• Scrappage: A total of 60-70 vehicle scrapping centers will also be built, situated no further than 150-200 kilometers away from any location in India.
• Green Tax: Vehicles that pass the automated tests will be subjected to a ‘green tax’, which will see owners shell out an additional 10 percent to 25 percent of road tax at the time of the renewal of the vehicle’s fitness certificate, along with re-registration fees.
• Penalties: Those who choose to drive a vehicle that has failed the automated test will face substantial penalties, and such vehicles could also be impounded.
• Choice of owners: The scrappage policy leaves the choice of scrapping to the owner of the vehicle, with MoRTH saying the automated tests will place emphasis on vehicle fitness, and not its age.
• Exemptions: The rules, however, shall not apply to the special purpose vehicles, which include armoured and other specialised vehicles used for operational purposes for the defence of the country and for the maintenance of law and order and internal security.
• Disincentives: As a disincentive, increased re-registration fees would be applicable for vehicles 15 years or older from the initial date registration.

Why need such a policy?

• Clean mobility: More than one crore of vehicles on India’s roads contribute greatly to rising pollution levels, as well as their tendency to be less fuel-efficient towards the end of their life.
• Reducing oil import: The promotion of clean mobility necessitates a reduction in the country’s fuel import bills, and a reduction in emissions is a pressing need at this time.
• Road safety: Such vehicles are also inherently unsafe and can be a threat to their occupants as well as other road users.
• Consumer benefits: Scrapping an old vehicle and replacing it with a new one will bring substantial monetary benefits for motorists, in addition to reducing emissions and enhancing fuel efficiency.
• Emission control: The mere implementation of BS6 norms won’t help in the reduction of the pollution being caused by the already inefficient vehicles on the roads.

Benefits for a vehicle owner

• Rebate offer: States and Union Territories will provide up to 25% tax rebate on road tax for vehicles that are purchased after scrapping old vehicles.
• Discount on new purchase: Once the vehicle has been scrapped, the owner will receive anywhere between four to six percent of their old vehicle’s ex-showroom price, and a scrappage certificate.
• Considerate savings: This will essentially make a new vehicle cheaper for someone who has scrapped their old vehicle, with potential discounts in the range of Rs 30,000 (for a car costing Rs 6 lakh) to Rs 50,000 (for a car costing Rs 10 lakh).

Significance of scrappage policy

• Investment and Employment: The policy will attract investment of over Rs 10,000 crore, and generate 50,000 jobs in the country.
• Scrap yard economics: Proper recycling of raw materials obtained from the scrapping will help reduce the import of materials such as aluminium, copper, steel and more.
• Vehicle price control: With the potential to recycle up to 99 percent of materials used in a vehicle, raw material costs are estimated to drop by as much as 40 percent.
• Transition to EVs: There’s also a possibility to derive materials needed for local production of lithium-ion batteries from scrapping older vehicles, which could help drive the growth of the EV business.
• Circular Economy: A circular economy depends on reuse, sharing, repair, and refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling of resources to create a closed-loop system, minimizing the use of resources, generation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions.
• Demand boost: Globally, a scrappage policy has been followed by a boost in demand in the auto manufacturing sector, especially in Europe and the US.
• Steel sector boost: Most steel-producing countries are trying to bring down emissions by shifting from iron-ore-based production to scrap-based production.
• Emission control: As older vehicles pollute the environment 10 to 12 times more, and estimated that 17 lakh medium and heavy commercial vehicles are more than 15 years old.

Issues with the scrappage policy

• Lack of scrappage infrastructure: Scrapping in India is highly unorganized. We have a perfect example of ships scrappage where it is not largely mechanized.
• Advisory nature: This policy has only ‘advised’ the state governments and the automobile industry to provide voluntary incentives to the owners of old vehicles.
• No initial incentivization: The central government has not committed to make it a fiscal stimulus strategy for quicker renewal of ageing, heavy-duty vehicle fleet with BS-VI vehicles — or to link other segments with targeted electrification.
• Fleet renewal: The focus on targeted fleet renewal for maximum emissions gains is still weak.
• Burden on States: The proposed policy puts the entire onus of incentivizing on the state governments. They have been advised to waive off a big chunk of road tax and registration fees on replacement vehicles.
• Expected revenue loss: These are important sources of state revenue, and the reaction of the state governments is still not known.

What can be an effective strategy?

(1) For Transportation vehicles

• More nuanced approach: Consider that some truck owners may want to only dispose of the very old trucks without replacing them. But others may want to scrap and replace the older trucks.
• Targeting end-of-life vehicles:  In that case, a rebate can be given to the owners of end-of-life vehicles who are interested in ‘only scrapping’ the vehicle without immediately replacing them.

(2) For Personal vehicles

• EV boost: For them, the central incentive can be linked with the replacement with electric vehicles.

(3) Build-in manufacturers’ responsibility

• Mandatory recyclability: The new policy also needs to align with the mandate for the manufacturers to meet targets for the recyclability of material. Make this mandatory as part of the scrappage policy.

(4) Implementing AIS 129 standard

• It is encouraging that the Automotive Industrial Standard-129 (AIS 129) on reuse, recycling and material recovery from vehicles were framed in 2015.
• This requires 80-85 per cent of the material used in vehicle manufacturing by mass to be recoverable/recyclable/reusable at the end of life.

Way forward

• Safe disposal of scrappage: This first-ever formal scrappage policy in India is urgently needed to help build infrastructure for safe disposal and material recovery to minimise environmental hazards.
• Proper incentivization: It is necessary to leverage this targeted fleet renewal with well-designed central support for a post-pandemic green deal.

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Context

• The government has made it mandatory for celebrities and social media influencers to disclose their material interest while endorsing any product, service or brand.
• Any violation will attract strict legal action, including ban on the endorsement.
• This has been announced by the Consumer Affairs Ministry as part of the new guidelines named ‘’Endorsement Know Hows’.

In this article, we’ll try to understand more about its objective, what the details entail on the disclosures, penalties on violations and the way forward towards effective implementation.

What is Endorsement?

• Endorsements are a form of advertising that uses famous personalities or celebrities who command a high degree of recognition, trust, respect or awareness amongst the people.
• Such people advertise for a product lending their names or images to promote a product or service.
• Advertisers and clients hope such approval, or endorsement by a celebrity, will influence buyers favourably.
• For example, Sachin Tendulkar endorsing motorcycles and biscuits can influence young men or children who look to him as role model.

Endorsement Know Hows: To whom it is aimed for?

• These rules mandate endorsers – which include celebrities, social media influencers and the virtual influencers – to behave responsibly.
• The government hopes these rules will act as a deterrent against misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices.

Celebrity Endorsement: A quick backgrounder

• Last year, the department of consumer affairs published Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022.
• The criteria for valid advertisements are outlined in these guidelines, as are the responsibilities of manufacturers, service providers, advertisers, and advertising agencies.
• These guidelines also addressed celebrities and endorsers.
• It states that misleading advertising in any form, format, or medium is illegal.

Why need such policy?

• Manipulating consumer behaviour: India is a country where stars are idolized and worshipped. Marketers use them so as to influence their existing or potential customers to succeed and reap huge profit.
• Celebrity-brand disconnect: There are also cases where celebrities are blamed for not performing due diligence on brands they end up endorsing.  
• Competition promotion: A small brand would get badly hit by statements like the one made by Bachchan, unlike a larger brand that is on equal footing with a well-known celebrity.
• Ensuring consumer rights: The new guidelines are in alignment with the Consumer Protection Act, of 2019, which was enacted to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and deceptive advertising.
• Global examples: Countries such as the UK, Ireland and Belgium have specifically banned celebrity endorsement of unhealthy foods. The impact of such restrictions has been reported to be significant.

Key highlights of the recent guidelines

• Intent declaration: Any celebrity, influencer, or virtual influencer with an access to influence audience and their purchasing decisions must disclose any material connection to the advertiser.
• Disclosures of the deals: This include monetary or other compensation, trips or hotel stays, media bartering, coverage and awards, free products with or without conditions, discounts, gifts, and any family, personal, or employment relationship.
• Disclaimers: A disclaimer shall be in the same language as the claim made in the advertisement and the font used in a disclaimer shall be the same as that used in the claim.
• Communication ease: Endorsements must be made in simple, clear language, and terms like ‘advertisement,’ ‘sponsored,’ or ‘paid promotion’ are permitted.
• Due research about the product: The celebrity or influencer should not endorse any product or service that has not been thoroughly researched by them or that they have not personally used or experienced.

Why do companies resort to celebrities for endorsement?

• Instant brand awareness: People will begin associating the celebrity with the brand, meaning the brand is more recognizable, building stronger brand awareness.
• Build brand equity: Celebrities are perceived to hold qualities such as attractiveness, expertise, trustworthiness and likeability, which advertisers hope will be transferred to the brand or product.
• Persuading customers: Celebrities in advertising make the advertisement more noticeable to some consumers, and are therefore a good basis of capturing and retaining consumer attention.
• Capturing celebrity cult: Many consumers idolize celebrities and strive to imitate their lives with the clothes they wear and products they consume.
• Lasting Publicity: Even after the endorsement deal is over, consumers will still associate the brand with the celebrity.  
• Create social impact: Celebrity is presumed to be more passionate about the product and would therefore promote the product in a believable way that consumers would find more persuasive. Ex. Polio campaign by AB.

Ethical principles involved

There are several ethical principles that are typically considered when evaluating the use of celebrity endorsements for certain products. Some of these include:

• Honesty and Transparency: Celebrity endorsements should be honest and transparent, and should not mislead or deceive consumers. This includes making sure that any claims made in the endorsement are truthful and can be substantiated.
• Responsibility and Respect: Celebrity endorsements should be responsible and respectful towards the public, and should not promote products or behaviours that are harmful or dangerous.
• Fairness and Non-discrimination: Celebrity endorsements should be fair and non-discriminatory, and should not exploit or marginalize certain groups of people.
• Transparency of Relationship: Celebrity endorsements should be transparent about the nature of the relationship between the celebrity and the product or company being endorsed. This is important to avoid conflicts of interest and to maintain the trust of consumers.
• Social Responsibility: Celebrity endorsements should promote socially responsible products and causes, and should support the well-being of communities and the environment.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Celebrity endorsements should be culturally sensitive and should not perpetuate stereotypes or harmful cultural narratives.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Celebrity endorsements should comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those related to advertising and marketing.

It’s important to note that these principles are not always mutually exclusive, and that different situations may require different considerations.

Challenges to these principles

• Authenticity of use: Celebrity endorsement exploits our rationality. Usage of by famous Celebrities may look unethical when he is a non-user of the product.  
• Tarnished image: Celebrity endorsements are unethical when the people involved in any controversies in their life endorse the product reflecting their negative image poorly on the brand so endorsed. Ex. Perfumes ad casualizing women’s modesty.
• Unsafe or ineffective product endorsement: Unethical aspects pave the way again when celebrities endorse some products which are hazardous to society. Ex. Darr ke aage jeet hai!
• Compel to buy unwanted products: There are chances wherein celebrities indirectly drive consumers’ impulsive buying behaviour resulting in the purchase of unnecessary/harmful products. Ex. Bolo Zubaan Kesri!!
• Misleading information: When celebrities say something deceptive / make false claims then the endorsement is lacking in ethics. Ex. Fairness creams and the notion of beauty.
• Conflict of interest: When a particular ad conflicts with the celebrity’s image, principles, interests etc., the Celebrity is totally money-minded, hence the ethical implications can be very serious. Ex. Pan masala ad glorifying tobacco for individual success.
• Override expert opinion: It is especially unethical when a celebrity endorsement overtakes the expert judgment. i.e. when he interjects his non-expert opinion he undermines the opinion of more qualified individuals. Ex. Liquors promotion!

Way forward for the Celebrities

• Consider supporting causes rather than organisations.
• Have a genuine connection to the brand. Use the organisation’s product or services.
• Do due diligence to ensure the organisation’s ethics are in line with own beliefs.
• Have an exit clause if the organisation’s values no longer align or fails.
• Ensure relationship with the organisation is disclosed in adverts and social posts..

Conclusion

• Celebrities symbolize knowledge, belief and aspiration in the eyes of consumers.
• It is necessary for the enterprise and the celebrity that to consider all ethical considerations prior to publicly supporting a product or service.
• Hence celebrities have to possess a sense of moral and ethical responsibility while endorsing any product whether it is consumable or any or product.

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What are Sunshine Industries? Sunrise industry is a colloquial term for a burgeoning sector or business in its infancy stage showing promise of a rapid boom. They are typically characterized by high growth rates, numerous start-ups, and an abundance of venture capital funding.

Medical Device Industry in India

• This has been recognized as a key industry under the Make in India initiative and accorded the status of ―Sunshine Sector.
• Vaccines, drugs and medical devices are the three vital pillars of the modern healthcare industry.
• The current market size of the medical devices sector in India is estimated to be USD 11 billion and its share in the global medical device market is estimated to be 1.5%.
• India is the 4th largest market for medical devices in Asia after Japan, China and South Korea and is amongst the top 20 markets in the world.
• Indian medical devices industry has potential to reach 50 billion dollars by 2030.

Segments of medical devices

There are different segments into which the medical device industry is classified based on the type of products produced.

• Equipment and instruments: They contribute largely to the total market share and include devices like ophthalmic instruments, dental products, medical and surgical sterilizers, and therapeutic respiration apparatus.
• Diagnostic imaging: The total market share of this segment is the second and categorizes devices like electro-diagnostic apparatus, radiation apparatus, and imaging parts and accessories.
• Patient aids: This segment mainly depends on orthopaedic and prosthetics, portable aids, wheelchairs, and hospital furniture and these contribute to a small amount of the total market share.
• Consumables and implants: These are devices that are used internally or for injecting into the patient, such as syringes, needles, catheters, bandages, suturing materials, etc., and a percentage of it contributing to the total market share is managed by these devices.

Push factors for growth

• India’s population and life expectancy: It is expected to reach 1.45 billion by 2028, making it the world’s most populated country.  Life expectancy in India is anticipated to rise to 70 years by 2025, up from the current 67.5 years.
• Disease Burden Shift: In India, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for half of the disease burden and 60% of all deaths.
• Preferences changes: Increasing health knowledge, a shift in attitudes toward preventative healthcare, and an increase in the occurrence of lifestyle disorders
• Increasing Disposable Income: By 2026, 8% of Indians will earn over $12,000 per year. Over the next ten years, 73 million Indian households will enter the middle class, increasing their purchasing power, including in the area of medical devices.
• Health insurance reforms: About 20% of Indians are covered by health insurance. With increased affluence and urbanization, this number is anticipated to rise.
• Medical Tourism: It is on the rise in India, because of the relatively low cost of medical care. It contributes more than $2 billion to India’s healthcare market.
• Infrastructure Development: India is planning for more medical device parks. It has a dedicated PLI Scheme in this regard.
• Policy Support and Incentives: 100% FDI authorized in Greenfield and brownfield projects, lower entry hurdles than other industries, and a varied and vibrant start-up ecosystem.
• Make in India boost: The medical device industry in India attained independent status after the launch of the “Make in India” program in 2014 under the government scheme. 

Technology surge and medical devices

• Big Data: Medical devices provide enormous amounts of vital, timely data that can have a big clinical impact. Predictive analytics models based on ‘Big Data’ can assist physicians get helpful insights while also improving the quality of care and patient outcomes.
• Wearable Devices: Due to their ease of use, wearable such as glucose monitors, exercise trackers, and wearable for mental health are becoming increasingly popular among Indian customers.
• Surgical Robotics: Robotics is one of the most fascinating and rapidly increasing areas of healthcare, with potential innovations ranging from robot companions to exoskeletons. In healthcare, robot companions can help alleviate loneliness, cure mental health difficulties, and even assist children with chronic illnesses.
• Startups: India has around 250 active medical technology startups. Between 2011 and 2020, Indian health-tech and digital health startups raised over $2 billion, including 500+ investments into 340+ companies. Over the last decade, there have been more than 70 successful exits.
• Home Healthcare: This has the potential to save up to 65 percent of unnecessary hospital visits in India while also lowering hospital expenditures by 20%. By 2027, it is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 19.2%, reaching $ 21.3 billion.

Regulatory mechanism in India

• Legacy laws: After 1970 the government took control through the Indian Patent Act 1970 and Drug Price Control Order and gradually Indian companies started emerging.
• Regulatory authorities: The Government of India has introduced Medical Device Regulation which has the task to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of medical devices and the authorities governing it are:
• Central Drug Standards Control Organization:  Main regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices
• Drug Controller General in India: He/She is the crucial official under CDSCO
• Drugs & Cosmetic Act and Rules: This governs the manufacture, import, sales and distribution of medical devices

Various challenges to this sector

• Quality assurance: India has only 18 certified medical device testing laboratories that have been approved by the CDSCO and that is grossly insufficient keeping in view the size of the country.
• Demand-supply gap: There is a huge gap in the current demand and supply of medical devices in India and this provides a significant opportunity for manufacturing devices in India.
• Nascent industry: Around 65 percent of Indian manufacturers are domestic operators in the consumables sector, catering mostly to domestic consumption with negligible exports.
• MNC monopoly: With vast service networks, large multinational corporations dominate the high-tech end of the Medical Devices industry in India.
• Overpricing: To substantiate, let’s consider the example of stents or knee or hip implants. This needs no explanation!

Policy Boost

• Medical Device Parks Promotion Scheme: The government has approved the establishment of four medical device parks to offer shared infrastructure, build a healthy ecosystem for medical device manufacture, and lower manufacturing costs.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: The PLI scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices and for Pharmaceuticals (PLI 2.0) were introduced to help India achieve its goal of becoming a worldwide medical device manufacturing powerhouse.
• Draft National Policy for Medical Devices, 2022: The Medical Devices Rules (MDR) 2017 govern clinical research, manufacturing, importation, sale, and distribution of medical devices. The gadgets are divided into four categories in accordance with international standards.
• QA mechanism: In June 2021, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) launched the Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED) 13485 Plus scheme to undertake verification of the quality, safety and efficacy of medical devices

Need for a concrete policy

• Policy vacuum: India’s medical devices sector has so far been regulated as per provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, and a specific policy on medical devices has been a long-standing demand from the industry.
• Meaningful expense on R&D: The policy also aims to increase India’s per capita spend on medical devices. India has one of the lowest per capita spend on medical devices at $3, compared to the global average of per capita consumption of $47.
• Reducing import dependence: With the new policy, the government aims to reduce India’s import dependence from 80 per cent to nearly 30 per cent in the next 10 years.
• Becoming a global hub: It aims to become one of the top five global manufacturing hubs for medical devices by 2047.
• Domestic manufacturing of high-end products: Indian players in the space have so far typically focussed on low-cost and low-tech products, like consumables and disposables, leading to a higher value share going to foreign companies.

Way forward

• Infrastructure boost: Having adequate common infrastructure including accredited laboratories in various regions of the country for standard testing will significantly encourage local manufacturers to get their products tested for standard. 
• Surveillance System: There is a dire need for developing a robust IT-enabled feedback-driven post-market surveillance system for medical devices to evaluate their efficiency.
• Validation Centre: Setting up government-run, common medical device testing facilities in PPP mode for testing/evaluating medical devices. 
• Skill Development: There is a need to set up committees and representation through the National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) and the Healthcare Sector Skill Council.
• R&D: Development of incubation centres, setting up an IP exchange where technologies can be showcased and licensed for commercial benefits.  
• Synergy with State governments: Health Ministry needs to work in synergy with State governments and impart the necessary skills to the local medical device officers and also devise a mechanism.
• 3As: Accessibility, availability and affordability must be at the core objectives for focusing on self-sustainability, innovation and growth in the medical devices sector.

With inputs from:

https://rjptonline.org/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacy%20and%20Technology;PID=2019-12-12-57

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