The PM chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gir National Park, marking the first full-body meeting of the NBWL since 2012.
What is National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)?
Details
About
NBWL is India’s apex statutory advisory body for wildlife conservation and policy formulation.
Established in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL).
Evolution from IBWL to NBWL
1952: IBWL formed;
1961: Declared Peacock as National Bird;
1972: Wild Life (Protection) Act (WLPA) passed;
1973: Project Tiger launched; 1982-83: Keoladeo National Park declared a Ramsar site;
1997: IBWL last met under PM H.D. Deve Gowda;
2003: IBWL replaced by NBWL.
Structure of NBWL
Chairperson: Prime Minister of India (ex officio).
Vice-Chairperson: Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Members (47 total): – Government Officials: Chiefs of Army Staff, Secretaries from Defence, Tribal Affairs, Finance, I&B Ministries.
Parliamentary Members: 3 Lok Sabha MPs, 1 Rajya Sabha MP.
Wildlife Conservation Policy: Formulates and updates India’s wildlife policies and provides recommendations on biodiversity conservation.
Development Project Regulation: Reviews and grants environmental clearances for projects near wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and eco-sensitive zones (ESZs).
Protected Area Management: Recommends creation and expansion of protected areas.
Despite concerns over high tariff rates that India applies on European wine, going up to 150%, Italy sees the Indian market, along with China, as a big window of opportunity for its signature wines.
About India’s Wine Market
Wine accounts for only 2% of India’s alcohol market, while whiskey and beer dominate with 98%.
India’s per capita wine consumption is just 9 ml—1/8000th of France’s.
The domestic wine market is expanding at 20-30% annually, fueled by urban demand.
Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR account for 70% of total wine consumption.
Goa leads in per capita wine consumption, driven by tourism and relaxed liquor policies.
India has 110+ wineries, with Maharashtra and Karnataka leading in production.
Sula Vineyards, India’s largest and most popular winery, produces over 1 million cases annually.
Events like the Nashik Wine Festival and Bengaluru Wine Festival attract tourists and wine enthusiasts.
Vineyard tourism is boosting the rural economy in Nashik and Nandi Hills of Karnataka.
Viticulture in India
India’s wine industry revival in the 1980s and 1990s led to increased vineyard expansion, making viticulture a key agricultural activity.
Nashik, Maharashtra, is known as the “Wine Capital of India”, producing over 80% of the country’s wine.
The semi-sandy soil, dry winters, and proximity to major cities like Mumbai and Pune make it ideal for viticulture.
The region has over 6,000–7,000 acres of vineyards dedicated to winemaking.
Key Wine Regions in India:
Nashik, Maharashtra – India’s largest wine-producing region, with optimal conditions for vineyards.
Nandi Hills, Karnataka – A cooler climate and high altitude favor premium wine production.
Himachal Pradesh & Tamil Nadu – Emerging high-altitude viticulture hubs.
Types of Grapes Used in Indian Wines:
Red Wine Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir.
White Wine Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc.
Indian Varieties: Anab-e-Shahi, Bangalore Blue, Thompson Seedless.
PYQ:
[2002] Consider the following plants:
1. Bougainvillea 2. Carnations 3. Cocoa 4. Grapes
Which of these plants are propagated by stem cuttings?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 4
[2006] Consider the following statements:
1. Caffeine, a constituent of tea and coffee, is a diuretic.
2. Citric acid is used in soft drinks.
3. Ascorbic acid is essential for the formation of bones and teeth.
4. Citric acid is a good substitution for ascorbic acid in our nutrition.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2, only (b) 1, 2 and 3, only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4″
Prime Minister has released India’s 6G vision “Bharat 6G Vision” document which envisaged India to be a frontline contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.
What is the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)?
The B6GA is a collaborative platform established to drive India’s leadership in 6G technology.
It is an alliance of public and private enterprises, academic institutions, research organizations, and standardization bodies.
Objectives of B6GA:
Foster Global Collaboration: Partner with international 6G alliances to share knowledge and best practices.
Develop India-Centric 6G Use Cases: Identify key industry applications suited to India’s socio-economic landscape.
Drive High-Impact Research & Development: Facilitate cutting-edge research in terahertz communications, AI-driven networks, and quantum-enabled security.
Standardization & Spectrum Identification: Influence global 6G standards through active participation in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC-27).
Operationalization of 6G Technology:
The Bharat 6G Project is structured into 2 key phases:
Phase 1 (2023-2025): Focus on:
Exploratory research on futuristic telecom technologies.
Proof-of-concept testing in research labs.
Risky and innovative pathways in wireless communication.
Phase 2 (2025-2030): Focus on:
Intellectual property (IP) creation for India-led 6G innovations.
Deployment of testbeds leading to large-scale commercialization.
International Telecom Union (ITU) is evaluating new spectrum bands for 6G:
4400-4800 MHz, 7125-8400 MHz, and 14.8-15.35 GHz.
Final decision to be taken at World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27).
Currently, 600 MHz to 26 GHz spectrum bands are allocated for IMT (2G-6G) services in India.
PYQ:
[2019] With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference / differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?
1. LTE ‘is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.
3. VoLTE requires IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network for voice calls.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
PM Modi has unveiled ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) during his March 2025 visit to Mauritius, outlining India’s expanded vision for security and development across the Global South.
What isMAHASAGAR?
Mahasagar is India’s expanded strategic vision aimed at enhancing security, trade, and development cooperation across the Global South.
It builds on India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy, which focused on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Three Core Pillars:
Trade for Development: Enhancing economic ties through technology-sharing and trade facilitation.
Capacity Building for Sustainable Growth: Supporting nations with infrastructure, education, and economic partnerships.
Mutual Security for a Shared Future: Strengthening regional security, maritime cooperation, and defense ties.
It seeks to address China’s expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean by promoting India-led cooperation models.
It aims to position India as a champion of the Global South, amplifying their voice in global policymaking (e.g., G20, IORA, BRICS).
How Mahasagar builds on SAGAR (2015)?
India’s SAGAR policy (2015) was a regional framework focused on maritime security and economic cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Mahasagar broadens this vision to global engagement with the Global South.
SAGAR (2015)
Mahasagar (2025)
Geographic Scope
Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
Global South, Indo-Pacific, Africa, Latin America
Focus Areas
Maritime security, economic ties, blue economy, regional stability
Trade-driven development, technology-sharing, capacity building, global security
Strategic Partnerships
Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka, IOR countries
Expands to Africa, ASEAN, Latin America, Pacific Island Nations
Q) Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (UPSC CSE 2021)
Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on the moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure (2021) and Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention (2018).
On February 7, 2025, the WHO released the “Compassion and Primary Health Care” report, emphasizing compassion as a transformative force in health care. Based on my interactions with medical pioneers and global advocacy efforts, including the 74th World Health Assembly, I am encouraged to see growing recognition of compassion’s vital role in improving health care worldwide.
Today’s editorial highlights the importance of compassionate health care, offering valuable insights for GS Papers, particularly in policy-making and ethics discussions.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Compassionate health care should guide the actions of industry leaders, hospitals, and health-care organizations.
What is the key message of the WHO report “Compassion and Primary Health Care”?
Compassion as a Transformative Force: The report highlights compassion as a core value in improving primary health care outcomes. Example: A cancer patient’s recovery improves significantly when doctors spend an extra 40 seconds expressing support, as found in a Johns Hopkins study.
Improved Patient Outcomes through Compassion: Compassionate care leads to faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and reduced patient anxiety.Example:Stanford University’s CCARE research found that patients treated with compassion experience quicker healing and fewer complications.
Benefits for Health-Care Providers: Compassion reduces stress, prevents burnout, and increases job satisfaction for medical professionals. Example: Nurses who engage in compassionate care report stronger patient relationships and improved emotional well-being.
Distinguishing Compassion from Empathy and Sympathy: Compassion involves mindful problem-solving while maintaining emotional stability, unlike empathy, which may cause emotional fatigue. Example: A compassionate doctor can acknowledge a patient’s suffering while staying emotionally balanced to provide sustained care.
Global Call for Compassionate Health Systems: The report urges policymakers to integrate compassion into health systems and decision-making processes. Example: The WHO calls for training programs to equip health workers with compassionate communication skills across nations.
Why is compassion considered beneficial for both patients and health-care providers?
Faster Recovery and Better Patient Outcomes: Compassionate care leads to quicker recovery, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays for patients. Example: A Johns Hopkins study found that when doctors express solidarity (e.g., saying, “We are in this together”), patient anxiety decreases, improving their healing process.
Enhanced Patient Trust and Satisfaction: Patients feel heard, valued, and safe when treated with compassion, which strengthens their trust in the healthcare system. Example: Cancer patients who receive compassionate communication are more compliant with treatment and express higher satisfaction with care.
Reduced Stress and Burnout for Health-Care Providers: Compassion reduces emotional exhaustion and prevents burnout by fostering emotional resilience. Example: Nurses trained in compassionate care report lower stress levels and improved emotional well-being.
Stronger Patient-Provider Relationships: Compassion fosters deeper connections, improving communication and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. Example: Physicians who practice compassionate care build long-term patient trust, leading to better health outcomes and loyalty.
Increased Job Satisfaction and Professional Fulfillment: Compassion enhances job satisfaction by giving healthcare providers a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Example: Doctors who engage in compassionate interactions report feeling more connected to their profession and experience greater personal reward.
How does compassion differ from sympathy, empathy, and kindness in the context of health care?
Compassion: Compassion is the ability to recognize a patient’s suffering and actively take steps to alleviate it. It involves an emotional connection combined with a willingness to help. Example: A nurse notices that a terminally ill patient is in pain despite receiving standard treatment. She advocates for a change in medication to improve the patient’s comfort while offering emotional support to the family.
Sympathy: Sympathy is feeling sorrow or concern for someone’s suffering but without deeply sharing their emotional experience. Example: A doctor expresses condolences to a patient’s family after delivering bad news but does not necessarily feel the pain personally.
Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person by mentally putting oneself in their position. Example: A physician listens to a patient with chronic pain, acknowledges the emotional toll, and adjusts treatment plans accordingly while providing reassurance.
What are the steps taken by the government?
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Provides free health coverage to economically vulnerable families. Example: Over 50 crore beneficiaries are eligible for ₹5 lakh annual health coverage per family for secondary and tertiary care, reducing financial burdens and ensuring accessible healthcare.
National Health Mission (NHM): Strengthens rural and urban healthcare infrastructure and ensures equitable healthcare access. Example: Under NHM, initiatives like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) provide free maternal care during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal services, ensuring compassionate care for mothers and newborns.
Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States): Provides free tele-mental health services to address rising mental health concerns. Example: Launched in 2022, this initiative provides 24/7 mental health support, helping patients access timely counseling and care, especially in rural areas.
Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program (PMNDP): Provides free dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney disease. Example: More than 12 lakh dialysis sessions are provided annually across 800+ districts, reducing the financial and emotional stress on patients and their families.
Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): Deliver comprehensive primary healthcare closer to communities. Example: Over 1.6 lakh HWCs have been established nationwide, offering preventive care, maternal health services, and non-communicable disease screenings, fostering compassionate and inclusive healthcare.
Way forward:
Integrate Compassion Training in Medical Education: Include structured programs to develop compassionate communication and patient-centered care skills for all healthcare professionals, ensuring empathy and emotional resilience.
Strengthen Policy Frameworks for Compassionate Care: Implement guidelines that prioritize compassion in healthcare delivery, with regular assessments and incentives to encourage patient-centered, humane practices across public health systems.
Despite ongoing efforts to fight corruption, bureaucratic delays and bribery continue to be major obstacles to business growth in India.
What are the key sectors in India most affected by corruption and red-tapism, according to the “India Business Corruption Survey 2024”?
Persistent Corruption and Bureaucratic Hurdles: Despite ongoing reforms, the India Business Corruption Survey 2024 reveals that 66% of businesses admit to paying bribes, with 54% coerced into doing so to expedite processes or secure necessary permits.
Sectors like GST, income tax, and property registration remain particularly vulnerable to corrupt practices, posing significant challenges to business growth.
Deterrent to Foreign Investment: According to the EY-FICCI survey, 80% of respondents view corruption as a major obstacle to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to establish a transparent and predictable regulatory environment conducive to both domestic and international business.
Incomplete Compliance Reforms: While the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 and the proposed Jan Vishwas 2.0 aim to decriminalise a combined total of around 280 provisions, over 20,000 provisions with imprisonment clauses remain unaddressed.
What are the four new labour codes?
Code on Wages (2019): Standardizes wage-related laws, including minimum wages, timely payments, and equal pay for equal work.
Industrial Relations Code (2020): Simplifies rules on trade unions, industrial disputes, and employment terms, allowing fixed-term employment.
Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (2020): Ensures safe working environments, better health standards, and welfare for all workers across industries.
Code on Social Security (2020): Expands social security benefits like provident funds, insurance, and maternity benefits, including gig and platform workers.
Why is the implementation of the four new labour codes crucial for India’s business environment?
Simplification of Labour Laws: The four labour codes consolidate 29 existing laws, reducing complexity and making it easier for businesses to understand and comply with legal requirements. For instance, companies no longer need to navigate multiple regulations for wages, as the Code on Wages standardizes definitions and payment rules across sectors.
Enhancing Ease of Doing Business: By reducing regulatory overlaps and streamlining compliance, the labour codes cut down bureaucratic delays and corruption risks. For example, under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, a single license can cover multiple locations, simplifying operations for large businesses.
Greater Workforce Flexibility: The new codes allow for fixed-term employment, enabling businesses to manage workforce needs based on demand without lengthy contractual obligations. For instance, manufacturing firms can now hire temporary workers for seasonal production spikes without facing penalties under outdated laws.
Ensuring Social Security for Workers: The Social Security Code extends benefits like provident funds and health insurance to gig and platform workers, expanding the safety net. For example, delivery personnel working for online platforms now qualify for social welfare schemes, improving job security and worker welfare.
How can a digital-first approach, such as the ‘One Nation, One Business’ identity system, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption in India?
Simplified Business Registrations and Compliance: Currently, businesses need multiple identifiers like PAN, GSTIN, CIN, and state-specific licenses, leading to duplication and delays.
A ‘One Nation, One Business’ system would unify these into a single digital identity, reducing the need for repetitive filings and lowering the chances of officials demanding bribes for faster processing.
Reduced Human Discretion and Corruption: Digital systems provide automated checks and real-time tracking of applications, minimizing manual intervention.
Businesses applying for pollution control certificates or labour permits could do so online, reducing face-to-face interactions where unofficial payments are often demanded to expedite approvals.
Faster Approvals and Increased Transparency: A unified digital platform, similar to DigiLocker, could store pre-verified documents accessible to all regulatory bodies.
This would enable faster processing of approvals like property registrations or drug licenses, reducing the delays and informal payments typically required to move applications through bureaucratic bottlenecks.
What lessons can India learn from global governance models, such as the United States’ Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
Streamlined Regulatory Processes: The DOGE focuses on simplifying government procedures by reducing redundant regulations and consolidating compliance requirements.
India could adopt a similar approach by rationalizing overlapping laws and implementing a single-window clearance system to minimize delays and reduce the scope for corruption.
Enhanced Digital Integration: The DOGE promotes digital platforms for real-time monitoring and automated decision-making. India could enhance its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) by integrating regulatory databases.
Performance Accountability: The DOGE enforces outcome-based assessments to measure the efficiency of public officials. India could implement performance metrics for government departments.
Way forward:
Adopt a Unified Digital Governance Framework: Implement a National Business Identity System to integrate all regulatory processes (e.g., taxation, labour compliance, environmental clearances) under a single digital platform.
Strengthen Institutional Accountability and Oversight: Establish an Independent Regulatory Oversight Body to monitor public service delivery using performance-based metrics.
Mains PYQ:
Q In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (UPSC IAS/2016)
After months of struggling to manage the ethnic crisis, the Union government finally took action by removing the N. Biren Singh-led government in Manipur and imposing President’s Rule, hoping this change would bring peace and stability.
Who are the key stakeholders involved in the ethnic conflict, and what are their demands?
Meitei Community: Seeks protection of territorial integrity and opposes any division of Manipur. Example: Meitei groups have opposed the creation of a separate Kuki-Zo administrative region, fearing it would fragment the State.
Kuki-Zo Community: Calls for Union Territory status or a separate administrative arrangement to safeguard their identity and security. Example: Civil society organizations representing the Kuki-Zo people have warned against free movement unless their request for separate governance is met.
Naga Community: Resists any move to carve out a separate region, as it could affect their ancestral lands and autonomy. Example: Naga groups have opposed the Kuki-Zo call for Union Territory status, fearing loss of their territorial claims.
Union Government: Aims to restore law and order, maintain territorial integrity, and recover stolen arms. Example: After imposing President’s Rule, the government set a deadline for militant groups to surrender looted weapons and worked to reopen blockaded highways.
What steps has the Union government taken to restore normalcy in Manipur after imposing President’s Rule?
Weapon Recovery Drive: Initiated efforts to retrieve stolen weapons from non-State actors to curb violence. Example: Set a deadline for groups to return weapons looted from police armories, recovering nearly one-third of the 3,000 missing firearms.
Clearing Highway Blockades: Worked to remove blockades on key highways to restore the free movement of goods and people. Example: Central armed police forces attempted to clear blockades in Kangpokpi district, though clashes resulted in one death and over 40 injuries.
Strengthening Security Measures: Deployed additional central forces to control violence and secure vulnerable areas. Example: Increased the presence of paramilitary forces in both the hill and valley regions to prevent further ethnic clashes.
Engaging in Dialogue: Encouraged talks with community representatives while rejecting violent and separatist threats. Example: Continued discussions with leaders from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to find a peaceful resolution.
Central Leadership Involvement: Called for the active engagement of senior government officials to address grievances and appeal for peace. Example: The Union Home Ministry and senior officials emphasized the need for dialogue and public appeals to restore calm and facilitate the return of displaced persons.
Why is the demand for Union Territory status or a separate arrangement for Kuki-Zo areas considered a dangerous move?
Deepening Ethnic Divisions: Such a move could escalate tensions between communities, worsening the already fragile social fabric. Example: It may intensify hostility between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups, making reconciliation and long-term peace more difficult.
Resistance from Other Communities: The proposal could face strong opposition from other ethnic groups, such as the Nagas, who also reside in the hill areas and have their own territorial interests. Example: Naga groups may view the creation of a separate Kuki-Zo region as a threat to their claims and autonomy, leading to new conflicts.
Undermining Territorial Integrity: Fragmenting the state could weaken Manipur’s territorial integrity and set a precedent for further separatist demands. Example: Accepting such a demand could encourage other communities to seek similar autonomous arrangements, complicating governance and stability.
Way forward:
Inclusive Dialogue and Mediation: Facilitate continuous engagement with all ethnic groups to address grievances and promote mutual understanding through impartial mediation.
Strengthening Law and Order: Intensify efforts to recover illegal weapons, enforce rule of law, and ensure equitable development to rebuild trust and maintain peace.
Mains PYQ:
Q Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (UPSC IAS/2020)
The MoHFW has released the India TB Report 2024. You should know the basics of TB. From the Mains perspective, 3 key points in this article are the issue of drug resistance (we have had PYQs in 2014), the challenges in eliminating TB (PYQs on Covid challenges in 2020), and our target to eradicate it by 2025 (this makes it an important theme for UPSC).
The treatment course for TB mentioned in Back2Basics will help you prepare for any difficult questions that may come out of the woods!
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UPSC Microthemes & Mains PYQ:
Q1.) GS3 Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (2014)
Q2.) GS3: COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management to the pandemic. (2020)
Microthemes: Medical and Health Technologies; Achievements of Indians in S&T
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Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health issue for India, which accounts for 26% of the world’s TB cases. The 2024 India TB Report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlights significant achievements, challenges, and areas of concern as the country strives toward its ambitious target of TB elimination by 2025. Here’s a concise look at the findings, challenges, and government initiatives to tackle TB.
Key Highlights: India TB Report 2024
Year
Total TB Cases (lakh)
Mortality Rate (per lakh)
Private Sector TB Cases (lakh)
2015
19.1
28
1.9
2023
25.5
23
8.4
Decline in Mortality Rate: TB mortality dropped from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 23 in 2022.
Increase in Private Sector Involvement: Private sector notifications rose from 1.9 lakh in 2015 to 8.4 lakh in 2023, showing improved engagement in TB detection.
Case and Mortality Trends: While estimated TB incidence slightly increased to 27.8 lakh in 2023, TB mortality held steady at 3.2 lakh.
Challenges to Eliminate TB by 2025
Challenge
Explanation
High burden of TB cases
India accounts for 28% of all global TB cases (Global TB Report 2022). This makes it difficult to identify and treat cases on time.
Drug-resistant TB
Drug-resistant TB is widespread in India, making treatment more expensive and complicated. This is due to improper antibiotic use and poor adherence to treatment.
Limited access to healthcare
Many people, especially in rural areas, lack access to quality healthcare, leading to delayed diagnosis, treatment, and increased TB spread.
Stigma and discrimination
The stigma surrounding TB prevents people from seeking treatment or disclosing their illness due to fear of discrimination or isolation.
Poor living conditions
Overcrowded homes, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water increase the risk of TB transmission.
Limited awareness
Many people don’t know the symptoms of TB or the importance of completing treatment, leading to delays and further spread.
Insufficient funding
Despite the severity of TB in India, it receives inadequate funding and attention from policymakers and healthcare providers.
Government Initiatives Against TB
Initiative
Description
Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
Community-based program offering nutritional support through Ni-kshay Mitras
National Strategic Plan (NSP)
Aims to eliminate TB by 2025, targeting no more than 44 new TB cases per lakh
Digital Tracking (Nikshay Portal)
Digital platform for monitoring patient progress and ensuring treatment adherence
Free Treatment and Drug Access
Free supply of essential drugs like Bedaquiline and Delamanid
Expanded Testing Access
Increased use of molecular diagnostics (CB-NAAT, TureNat) across districts
Innovative Approaches Adopted by States:
Chhattisgarh: By involving Village Health Committees in TPT efforts, Chhattisgarh improved grassroots-level awareness, screening, and treatment adherence for TB prevention, leveraging local networks effectively.
Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu adopted local procurement of the 3HP TPT regimen, ensuring a shorter, accessible TB prevention therapy, which enhanced patient compliance and streamlined medication availability.
Maharashtra and Rajasthan: These states introduced TPT in high-risk groups like prison inmates, integrating preventive therapy into Active Case-Finding (ACF) efforts, reducing TB prevalence in vulnerable populations.
WHO Recommendations for TB Control
Molecular Diagnostics: Faster, more accurate diagnostics similar to COVID-19 testing.
MDR-TB Management: Better prescription practices, drug quality, and treatment completion.
Patient-Centered Care: Improved support for managing treatment side effects, enhancing treatment completion.
Moving Forward: Key Recommendations
Strengthen Multi-Sectoral Collaboration: Engage healthcare, social services, and education to address TB’s root causes.
Enhance Rural Access: Boost local healthcare infrastructure, deploy mobile health units, and train community health workers.
Stigma Reduction and Awareness: Implement public campaigns to reduce stigma and educate on TB prevention, symptoms, and treatment.
India’s path to TB elimination by 2025 requires a holistic, coordinated approach, addressing healthcare gaps and social determinants to ensure accessible and effective TB care. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, enhancing diagnostics, and addressing the social factors influencing TB, India can accelerate its progress toward a TB-free nation.
#BACK2BASICS
Understanding Tuberculosis
Parameter
Details
Cause
Bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Transmission
Airborne, particularly in dense, poorly ventilated areas
Common Symptoms
Cough, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, fever, night sweats
Global Impact
TB infects 10 million and causes 1.5 million deaths annually, affecting HIV patients
Treatment
Standard 6-month, four-drug course with supervised support
Drug-Resistant TB:
MDR-TB: Resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, requiring second-line drugs like bedaquiline.
XDR-TB: Highly resistant, responding poorly to standard and even second-line treatments.
TREATMENT FOR TB
Standard 6-Month Treatment Course
Phase
Details
Intensive Phase (2 months)
For new TB cases, the intensive phase includes four drugs: Isoniazid (INH), Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol.
Continuous Phase (4 months)
After completing the intensive phase, the continuous phase follows for 4 months.
For Previously Treated Cases
The intensive phase lasts 12 weeks, with an injection of streptomycin given for 8 weeks along with four drugs.
Regimen Duration
A strictly followed 6-month drug regimen cures most people with TB.
BPaLM Regimen
Feature
Details
Drugs Used
Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin.
Advantages
– Faster, safer, and more effective compared to traditional treatments.
– Cures MDR-TB in 6 months (compared to 20 months with traditional treatment).
– Higher success rate for drug-resistant TB treatment.
– Fewer and milder side effects.
– Shorter treatment duration and reduced side effects lead to lower overall costs.
Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB)
Feature
Details
Diagnosis
CBNAAT (Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) is used for early diagnosis.
Resistance
MDR-TB is resistant to at least Isoniazid and Rifampicin, the two most powerful anti-TB drugs.
Treatment Challenges
Treatment options for MDR-TB are limited and expensive.
Causes of MDR-TB
Cause
Details
Mismanagement of Treatment
Inappropriate or incorrect drug use, ineffective drug formulations, or premature treatment interruption.
Transmission
Person-to-person transmission of the disease.
Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB)
Feature
Details
Resistance Profile
XDR-TB is a form of MDR-TB with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones and at least one second-line injectable drug (amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin).
Treatment for Drug-Resistant TB
Treatment Type
Details
MDR-TB Treatment Success
Treatment success for MDR-TB is about 54%.
XDR-TB Treatment Success
Treatment success for XDR-TB is about 30%.
Treatment Duration
XDR-TB requires a combination of eight drugs for over a year.
Success Factors
Treatment success depends on the extent of resistance, disease severity, immune system strength, and adherence to treatment.
Side Effects
Drugs used for treating MDR-TB and XDR-TB can cause serious adverse effects, including deafness.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Financial Stability Report (FSR), 2024 has highlighted an increasing household debt burden and a concerning rise in consumption-based borrowing.
About Financial Stability Report (FSR):
The FSR is published biannually (June & December) by the RBI.
It reflects the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC – headed by the Governor of RBI) on risks to financial stability and the resilience of the financial system.
The Report also discusses issues relating to the development and regulation of the financial sector.
Key Highlights of the Financial Stability Report (FSR) 2024:
