JP Nadda launches nationwide MDA campaign to eliminate lymphatic filariasis

• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) through a video conference with State Health Ministers from 13 identified LF-endemic states. The event outlined the objectives of the campaign, key strategic activities, and the critical role of participating states in ensuring high coverage and compliance with the MDA program.
• The MDA campaign, which targets 111 endemic districts across 13 states, involves a door-to-door administration of filaria prevention medications. The states that participated in the event included Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, with each health minister emphasizing the importance of the campaign in their respective regions.
• Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and disfiguring disease. It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos.
• Speaking at the launch,stressed the government’s commitment to eliminating LF, emphasizing the necessity of active community involvement and participation in the campaign.
•  “An LF-free India is our commitment, and achieving this goal requires the participation of every citizen. With active community involvement, we can eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis and ensure protection for crores.”
• The MDA campaign, led by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), is designed to address this issue by providing free anti-filarial medications to over 17.5 crore people across the endemic regions.
• The Union Minister emphasized that the MDA campaign, conducted twice a year, must ensure that at least 90% of the eligible population consumes the prescribed medication to halt the transmission of the disease..
•  “From February 10 onwards, these medicines will be made available free of cost, and it is imperative that residents in these areas consume the medicines to protect themselves and their families,” he said.
• Approximately 50% of lymphoedema cases receive MMDP kits annually and that surgeries for hydrocele (a common complication of LF) are available under the National Health Mission (NHM) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
• The MDA campaign aims to eliminate LF by reducing the spread of the disease, primarily through the administration of a combination of anti-filarial medicines. The regimen includes either a Double Drug (DA) treatment of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole or a Triple Drug (IDA) treatment of Ivermectin, DEC, and Albendazole. These medications help eliminate the microscopic filarial parasites from the bloodstream, preventing further transmission through mosquitoes.

A Cabinet approves extension of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis’ tenure until 2028

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond March 31, 2025, extending it until March 31, 2028.
• According to the Cabinet, the total financial implication for the extension will be approximately ₹50.91 crore.
• An official release stated that the extension aims to facilitate the socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers, improve working conditions in the sanitation sector, and work toward achieving zero fatalities during hazardous cleaning.
• The mandate of the NCSK includes recommending specific programs to the central government to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities for Safai Karamcharis. It also evaluates the implementation of programs and schemes related to their social and economic rehabilitation.
• Additionally, the commission investigates specific grievances, takes suo-motu notice of non-implementation of programs or schemes for Safai Karamcharis, and assesses measures aimed at their social and economic advancement.
• The NCSK also monitors the working conditions of Safai Karamcharis, including health, safety, and wages, and submits reports to the central or state government regarding their concerns.
• Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013), the commission is responsible for monitoring the Act’s implementation, investigating complaints regarding its violation, advising central and state governments on effective enforcement, and taking suo-motu notice of non-compliance.
• The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, was enacted in September 1993, leading to the establishment of a statutory commission in August 1994

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)

• The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was constituted on August 12, 1994 as a statutory body by an Act of Parliament — National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 — for a period of three years.
• The validity of the Act was extended with amendment Acts passed in 1997 and 2001 respectively.  With the lapsing of the The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 in 2004, the Commission is acting as a non-statutory body of the ministry of social justice and empowerment whose tenure is extended from time to time through government resolutions, with approval of the Cabinet.
• The Commission consists of a chairperson, vice chairman and five other members (including one lady member). The chairman and the members of the commission are appointed by the central government.
• National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 defined the term “Safai Karamchari” as follows: “Safai Karamchari” means a person engaged in, or employed for, manually carrying human excreta or any sanitation work. 
• As per the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013”, “manual scavenger” means a person engaged or employed, at the commencement of this Act or at any time thereafter, by an individual or a local authority or an agency or a contractor, for manually cleaning, carrying, disposing of, or otherwise handling in any manner, human excreta in an insanitary latrine or in an open drain or pit into which the human excreta from the insanitary latrines is disposed of, or on a railway track or in such other spaces or premises, as the central government or a state government may notify, before the excreta fully decomposes in such manner as may be prescribed, and the expression “manual scavenging” shall be construed accordingly.
• The government monitors various interventions and initiatives for welfare of Safai Karamcharis to achieve the goal of complete mechanisation of sewer/septic tanks cleaning in the country and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.

Key Functions and Responsibilities:

• i) Recommendations and Programmes: The NCSK recommends specific programs and policies to the central government aimed at eliminating inequalities faced by Safai Karamcharis in terms of status, opportunities, and facilities. It evaluates the implementation of various social and economic rehabilitation schemes.
• ii) Grievance Redressal: It investigates specific grievances of Safai Karamcharis and takes suo-motu action if it notices non-implementation or violation of welfare schemes meant for them.
• iii) Monitoring Health, Safety, and Wages: The commission monitors the working conditions of Safai Karamcharis, including their health and safety standards, and evaluates whether their wages are fair. It submits reports to the central or state governments regarding these concerns.
• iv) Prohibition of Manual Scavenging: Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the NCSK is tasked with monitoring the enforcement of this law. The Act aims to abolish manual scavenging and rehabilitate those involved in this hazardous work. The NCSK investigates violations of the Act, advises both central and state governments on enforcement, and works to ensure compliance.
• iv) Social and Economic Advancement: The commission plays a role in assessing and recommending steps for the social and economic advancement of Safai Karamcharis, aiming to uplift them from a marginalized status in society.

Advancing Mental Healthcare in India

• Mental health refers to an individual''s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how people think, feel, and behave in daily life. It also affects decision-making, stress management, and relationships.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.

Impact of Poor Mental Health

• Impact on Productivity: Poor mental health leads to lower workplace performance, increased absenteeism, and reduced efficiency.
• Social and Emotional Well-being: Mental well-being affects interpersonal relationships, self-confidence, and social interactions.
• Economic Impact: According to WHO, mental disorders contribute significantly to the global burden of disease, and untreated conditions can lead to high economic costs.

Mental Health Scenario in India

• WHO Data Insight
• India contributes to 18% of the global population. WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10000 population; the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100000 population is 21.1. The economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.

Prevalence:

• The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 by NIMHANS found that 10.6% of adults in India suffer from mental disorders.
• The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in India is 13.7%.
• National studies reveal that 15% of India’s adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention.
• Urban areas have a higher prevalence (13.5%) compared to rural (6.9%).
• Treatment Gap
• 70% to 92% of people with mental disorders do not receive proper treatment due to lack of awareness, stigma, and shortage of professionals.
• According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry India has 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, whereas WHO recommends at least 3 per 100,000.

Insights from Economic Survey 2024-25

• Mental wellbeing is the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively. Recognising its importance, Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted that Mental well-being encompasses all our mental-emotional, social, cognitive, and physical capabilities. This can also be construed as the mind''s composite health. It emphasised a whole of community approach to tackling mental health problems and stated that it is about time to find viable, impactful preventive strategies and interventions. India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education, physical health and, above all, mental health of its youth.

The Economic Survey 2024-25 suggested:

• Enhance Mental Health Education in Schools: Early intervention strategies to address anxiety, stress, and behavioural issues in students.
• Improve Workplace Mental Health Policies: Address job stress, long working hours, and burnout.
• Expand Digital Mental Health Services: Strengthen Tele MANAS and integrate AI-based mental health solutions.
• Mental Health Infrastructure in India
• As part of the National Mental Health Programme, in 2024, 25 Centres of Excellence were sanctioned set up to train more postgraduate students in mental health and provide advanced treatment.
• 47 PG Departments in mental health have been established or upgraded in 19 government medical colleges. Mental health services are also being introduced in 22 newly established AIIMS.
• 47 Government-Run Mental Hospitals including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions, viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.
• Integration of Mental Health Services in Ayushman Bharat – Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs)
• Under Ayushman Bharat, the government has upgraded more than 1.73 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

These HWCs provide:

• Basic counselling and psychiatric medication at PHC levels.
• Training for general physicians to handle mild-to-moderate mental health conditions.
• Linkages to district hospitals for advanced psychiatric care.
• This initiative ensures that mental healthcare is available in both urban and rural areas, reducing dependence on specialized hospitals and making psychiatric care more community-centric.

Policies and Schemes Undertaken by the Government of India

• National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) – 1982
• Recognizing the growing burden of mental disorders and the shortage of mental health services, India launched the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in 1982. The primary goal was to ensure that mental healthcare becomes an integral part of the general healthcare system, rather than being confined to specialized hospitals.
• Key components include:
• District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) was introduced under NMHP to expand community mental health services.
• Covers 767 districts
• Provides counselling, outpatient services, suicide prevention programs, and awareness initiatives.
• 10-bedded inpatient mental health facilities at the district level.

NIMHANS Act, 2012

• The NIMHANS Act, 2012, was a significant step towards enhancing mental health education and research in India. Under this act, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, was declared an Institute of National Importance. This recognition allowed NIMHANS to expand its academic and research capabilities, making it the premier institution for psychiatry, neuropsychology, and mental health sciences in India.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016

• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act which replaced the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995, expanded the definition of disability to include mental illness and introduced stronger legal protections for individuals with psychosocial disabilities. The Act aligns with India’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and aims to ensure equality, dignity, and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions.

National Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

• The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, was enacted to ensure the right to mental healthcare services, protect the dignity and rights of individuals with mental illness, and align India’s mental health laws with international standards, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Act replaced the Mental Health Act of 1987 and introduced several progressive changes to mental health care and services in India like the Right to affordable and quality mental healthcare services and the decriminalization of suicide in India.

National Health Policy, 2017

• The National Health Policy (NHP), 2017 was a landmark that acknowledged mental health as a national health priority. This policy aimed to address mental health issues through a multi-pronged approach, integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare, strengthening human resources, and improving treatment accessibility.
• By placing mental health at the center of India''s healthcare framework, NHP 2017 aimed to bridge the treatment gap by making psychological services available at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat.

iGOT-Diksha Collaboration for Mental Health Training

• The government has also collaborated with the iGOT-Diksha platform, a digital learning initiative in 2020, to train healthcare professionals, frontline workers, and community health volunteers in mental healthcare. This program focuses on:
• Building capacity for mental health care at the grassroots level.
• Equipping doctors and nurses with skills to diagnose and treat mental disorders.
• Promoting mental health awareness in rural areas.
• Through iGOT-Diksha, India has expanded its mental health workforce, ensuring better early intervention strategies and community support mechanisms.
• National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS), 2022
• Launched on October 10, 2022, the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS) was a game-changer in India’s digital mental health infrastructure. Tele MANAS provides free, 24/7 mental health support to individuals through a national toll-free helpline (14416 / 1800-89-14416). Available in 20 Indian languages.
• As of February 7, 2025, the Tele MANAS helpline has handled over 1.81 million (18,27,951) calls since its launch in 2022, providing essential mental health support across India. There are 53 Tele MANAS Cells across various states, ensuring local access to mental health services. The program is supported by 23 Mentoring Institutes nationwide, along with 5 Regional Coordinating Centers, ensuring efficient service delivery and expert guidance in mental healthcare.

Tele MANAS services include:

• Immediate tele-counselling by trained professionals.
• Referral support to psychiatrists for severe cases.
• Mental health awareness campaigns via digital platforms.
• Mobile-based mental health interventions, ensuring accessibility in rural and remote areas.

Tele MANAS Mobile App & Video Consultation

• The Tele MANAS App was launched in October 2024.
• Offers self-care strategies, stress management tools, and direct access to mental health professionals.
• Video consultation services introduced in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and J&K.

KIRAN Helpline Merged into Tele MANAS

• The KIRAN Helpline (1800-599-0019), initially launched in 2020, was merged into Tele MANAS in 2022 to enhance the efficiency of mental health support services. This transition streamlined mental health helpline operations, making it more accessible and better integrated with India''s healthcare system.
• During COVID-19, the government took crucial steps to support mental health. A 24/7 helpline provided nationwide psychosocial assistance, while health workers received online training through the iGOT-Diksha platform. 
• Public awareness campaigns spread stress management strategies via media, and official guidelines and advisories were issued to promote mental well-being. These interventions played a vital role in addressing the psychological challenges of the pandemic.
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2022
• The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2022, with the goal of reducing suicide mortality by 10% by 2030. Recognizing suicide as a public health concern, the strategy focuses on early intervention, crisis management, and mental health promotion.

Key components of NSPS include:

• Mental health screenings for students in schools and colleges.
• Establishing crisis helplines and psychological support centers.
• Community awareness programs to break the stigma around mental illness and suicide.
• Stronger implementation of workplace mental health programs.
• By focusing on high-risk populations, such as students, farmers, and young adults, the strategy ensures targeted intervention to prevent self-harm and improve overall well-being.

Conclusion

• India has made notable progress in mental healthcare through policy reforms, digital initiatives like Tele MANAS and expanding access to services under programs such as NMHP, Ayushman Bharat HWCs, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
• Moving forward, India must strengthen awareness campaigns, expand workforce training and invest in digital mental health solutions. A mentally healthier India is vital for individual well-being, economic growth, and national development, requiring a whole-of-society approach to make mental healthcare accessible, inclusive, and stigma-free.

TB Mukt Bharat campaign screens 5.63 crore people, notifies 1.59 lakh new TB patients: Nadda

• A The Health Ministry’s 100-day intensified TB Mukt Bharat campaign has screened 5.63 crore vulnerable people and notified 1.59 lakh new TB patients from 347 districts, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Parliament on Friday.
• The 100-day campaign, which started on December 7, 2024, and will continue till March 24, aims to end TB five years ahead of the global target. The campaign targets 347 high-priority districts across 33 States/UTs.
• “Since the launch of the 100-day intensified TB elimination campaign in 347 districts, 4.94 lakh Ni-kshay Shivirs (screening camps) have been held, 5.63 crore vulnerable individuals have been screened, and 1.59 lakh new TB patients have been notified,” Nadda said in a written response in Lok Sabha.
• He informed that 86,748 new Ni-kshay Mitras have been registered and 1.12 lakh food baskets have been disbursed to TB patients and their family members.
• Ni-kshay Mitras can be individuals, NGOs, cooperative societies, faith-based organizations, corporates, political parties, and others. A Mitra can adopt at least one consenting TB patient undergoing treatment for a minimum period of six months to provide any kind of support they choose.
• Further, the Union Health Minister said that 38 of the total campaign districts are tribal, 27 are mining districts, and 46 are aspirational districts.
• “The campaign follows a renewed approach to finding missing TB cases, reducing TB deaths, and preventing new cases,” he said.
• Nadda added that the government has also organized special outreach camps to screen vulnerable populations and offer X-ray and Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) tests, either through mobile medical vans or by mobilizing them to the nearest health facility equipped with X-ray services.
• All TB-related services have been decentralized to the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to ensure equitable access, Nadda said.
• Campaign-specific information, education, and communication (IEC) materials have been developed and disseminated to educate the public and raise awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, and the importance of timely treatment in the campaign states and UTs, including Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Jan Bhagidari activities are being implemented with the involvement of schools, Panchayati Raj institutions, self-help groups, Anganwadis, local NGOs, and civil society organizations, the minister said, adding that 22 government departments have been sensitized to actively support the implementation of campaign activities.
• In addition, the ministry has sensitized MPs, Chief Ministers, and state health ministers on the campaign, Nadda stated.
• “The 100-day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in priority districts is fully aligned with the long-term TB elimination strategies of prevention, early detection, prompt treatment, and reduction of TB-related mortality,” Nadda said.
• The long-term strategies for TB elimination include mapping vulnerable populations, screening with highly sensitive tools like chest X-rays, upfront NAAT tests for all presumptive TB cases, and differentiated TB care for managing high-risk TB cases.

Key facts about Tuberculosis:

• Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. It can spread when people who are sick with TB expel bacteria into the air – for example, by coughing.
• Every year, 10 million people fall ill with TB. Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.5 million people die from TB each year.
• TB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance.Most people who develop the disease are adults.
• TB is preventable and curable. About 85 per cent of people who develop TB disease can be successfully treated with a 4/6-month drug regimen. Treatment has the added benefit of curtailing onward transmission of infection.
• Economic and financial barriers can affect access to health care for TB diagnosis and completion of TB treatment; about half of TB patients and their households face catastrophic total costs due to TB disease. 
• Progress towards universal health coverage (UHC), better levels of social protection and multisectoral action on broader TB determinants are all essential to reduce the burden of TB disease.
• As per the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report 2024, India contributed to 26 per cent of the global TB burden of cases in 2023. 
• The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) is implemented under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM). NTEP has made significant efforts to make India TB free. 
• The incidence rate of TB in India has shown a 17.7 per cent decline from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 population in 2023. 
• TB deaths have reduced by 21.4 per cent from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.

Govt’s initiatives for early screening

• The steps taken by the government to ensure early detection, better access to treatment and community participation, particularly in rural and tribal areas, are:
• Targeted interventions in high TB burden areas through State and District Specific Strategic plans. Provision of free drugs and diagnostics to TB patients.
• Active TB case-finding through campaigns in key vulnerable and co-morbid populations.Integration of Ayushman Arogya Mandir with TB screening and treatment services.
• Private sector engagement with incentives for notification & management of TB cases.Scale up of molecular diagnostic laboratories to sub-district levels.
• Introduction of all oral, shorter, safer and more efficacious treatment for drug resistant TB.
• Enhancement of incentives to Rs 1,000 per month per patient through direct benefit transfer (DBT), under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support.
• Provision of additional nutritional, diagnostic and vocational support to TB patients and household contacts under Ni-kshay Mitra initiative.
• Provision of TB Preventive Treatment to contacts of TB patients and vulnerable populations.Tracking of notified TB cases through Ni-kshay portal.
•  Intensified Information, Education & Communication interventions to reduce stigma, enhance community awareness and improve health seeking behaviour.

New mission for manuscripts announced in Union Budget

• The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a special mission for the survey, documentation, and conservation of India’s manuscript heritage. Launched as the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’, it intends to cover more than one crore manuscripts.
• The ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’ is for undertaking the “survey, documentation and conservation” of India’s manuscript heritage lying with academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collectors, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech.

National Manuscripts Mission

• To accommodate this new initiative, the budget allocation for the National Manuscripts Mission (NMM), whose aim is to identify and document manuscripts and make the manuscript heritage accessible across the country, has been hiked from ₹3.5 crore to ₹60 crore.
• Presently, NMM is a part of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts. It was set up in 2003, but had not taken off as expected.
• Welcoming the move, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the new mission “announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today will enable Bharat to preserve and protect the invaluable wisdom and knowledge held by these manuscripts found across the country”.

Culture Ministry allocation

• The overall allocation for the Culture Ministry has been increased by approximately ₹100 crore with a total outlay of ₹3,360.96 crore as against the revised estimate of ₹3,260.93 crore in the current fiscal.
• Out of this, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been allocated ₹1,278.49 crore against ₹1273.91 crore allocated in 2024-25 which was revised to ₹1191.99 crore. A total of ₹156.55 crore has been allocated for national libraries and archives, ensuring the maintenance of historical records and documents, while museums such as the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art will receive ₹126.63 crore to enhance cultural preservation efforts.
• Funds for organising events to mark centenaries and anniversaries and international cultural collaborations have seen a sharp decline.
• The Mission envisages documentation and conservation of the manuscript heritage with academic institutions, museums, libraries and private collectors.
• Additionally, a National Digital Repository inspired by Indian knowledge traditions will be created.
• This initiative is essential for safeguarding the diverse and valuable knowledge contained in India’s traditional manuscripts.

What is a manuscript?

• A manuscript is a handwritten composition on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf or any other material dating back at least 75 years that has significant scientific, historical or aesthetic value. 
• The term “manuscript” has its origins in the Latin term “manuscriptus”, which means written by hand.
• Lithographs and printed volumes are not manuscripts.
• Manuscripts are found in hundreds of different languages and scripts. 
• Manuscripts are distinct from historical records such as epigraphs on rocks, firmans, revenue records which provide direct information on events or processes in history.
• Manuscripts can exist in multiple languages and scripts, with a single language often being represented in different scripts (for example, Sanskrit written in Odia, Grantha, Devanagari, etc).

Key components of the Gyan Bharatam Mission include:

• i) Survey, Documentation, and Preservation: The mission will focus on thoroughly surveying, documenting, and conserving manuscripts stored in academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections.
• ii) National Digital Repository: A central feature of the mission is the creation of a digital repository of India’s knowledge system, which will store and share traditional knowledge. This platform will be accessible to researchers, students, and institutions across the world.
• iii) Global Access: The digital repository will promote global access to India’s traditional knowledge, fostering knowledge sharing internationally.

How quantum cryptography is leveraging principles of quantum mechanics to secure data to prevent financial frauds

• In recent years, India has been witnessing a major surge in digital payment frauds. According to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the total value of digital payment frauds escalated to Rs 14.57 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2024, marking a more than five-fold increase from the previous year.
• Besides, a survey by US-based data analytics company FICO revealed that over 34 per cent of respondents in India reported losing money to scams via real-time payments. Notably, while fewer consumers reported losses in 2024 compared to 2023, the percentage of high-value losses (those exceeding Rs 8,00,000) doubled
• In addition to this, a report by BioCatch indicated a 101 per cent increase in reported fraud volumes in the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.
• Up to 40 per cent of these reported frauds were categorised as voice scams, underscoring the evolving tactics of fraudsters.
• Such statistics underscore the pressing need for enhanced security measures and increased user awareness to combat the rising tide of digital payment frauds in India. Newer technologies such as quantum cryptography leverages principles of quantum mechanics to secure data.
• “Unlike classical cryptography, which relies on mathematical complexity, quantum cryptography uses the fundamental laws of physics.
•  A primary example is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which enables two parties to generate a shared, secret key.
• Any attempt by an eavesdropper to intercept the key alters the quantum states, revealing the intrusion and ensuring the integrity of the communication,” which offers forensic-driven cybersecurity solutions for the digital payments industry.
• “Quantum cryptography provides security based on physical laws rather than computational assumptions, making it resistant to current and future computational attacks, including those from quantum computers. As quantum computing advances, traditional cryptographic methods become vulnerable.
• Quantum cryptography, particularly QKD, ensures that any interception attempt is detectable, safeguarding data against both classical and quantum attacks.
• QKD facilitates the secure distribution of cryptographic keys, a critical component in digital payment security. This ensures that encryption keys remain confidential and integral, preventing unauthorised access and fraudulent transactions,”
• Implementing quantum cryptography in digital payments involves integrating QKD systems with existing payment infrastructures. This requires the development of quantum networks capable of transmitting quantum keys over distances relevant to financial transactions.
• Additionally, payment protocols must be adapted to incorporate quantum-generated keys, ensuring compatibility and seamless operation. Broadly quantum mechanics provides a level of security that is fundamentally resistant to both current and emerging threats, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of digital financial transactions.
• Recently “The UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) has announced the year 2025 as the year of International Quantum Science, this initiative by SISA is also in line with the the government of India’s national quantum mission to increase the skill resources in quantum technology."
• “Quantum supremacy, the point where quantum computers surpass classical ones, is expected within the next five to ten years, with the quantum computing market forecast to reach $50 billion by 2030.
• These advancements pose a critical threat to the digital payments ecosystem, as quantum technology risks rendering traditional encryption methods like RSA, ECC, and DSA obsolete, leaving sensitive data and financial transactions exposed.
•  Despite the growing urgency, many organisations remain uncertain about whether to invest and how to prepare for a quantum-secure future.

 Centre reviews PM-AJAY scheme, focuses on inclusive growth for SCs

• The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMJAY) is aimed at reducing poverty among the SC communities through various initiatives like the generation of additional employment and improving socio-economic indicators in SC dominated villages.
• PM-AJAY plays a crucial role in addressing socio-economic disparities. Through focused interventions and collaborative efforts, we are working towards empowering SC individuals and promoting inclusive growth.
• Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme was launched in 2021-22 by merging three existing schemes namely Adarsh Gram, Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.

The objectives and role of the Scheme are:

• To improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.
• To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives.
• To increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, as well as residential schools where required, especially in the aspirational districts/ SC dominated blocks and elsewhere in India.

 Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

• Scheduled Castes(SCs), who constitute 16.6 per cent of our population as per 2011 Census, have historically suffered social and educational disabilities and economic deprivation arising therefrom. 
•  Accordingly, special provisions have been enshrined in the Constitution for advancement of their interests. These provisions range from measures to remove any kind of social disabilities imposed on them to ensure equality of opportunity in every sphere, to measures of positive discrimination to bring them at par with the rest of the population.
• Article 46 of Part-IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) of the Constitution enjoins upon the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. 
• Article 38(2) in the same Part also enjoins upon the State to minimise inequities in income, and to endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.
• The government, including state governments, had taken a number of initiatives for development of SCs, which have yielded positive outcomes, and have also resulted in narrowing the gaps between Scheduled Castes and the rest of the population. 
• • These initiatives were for the social integration of the vulnerable groups and to provide them the necessary ecosystem for educational and economic upliftment.
• The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment introduced the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP)’ in 1980, in order to ensure that states/UTs prepare the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and this scheme provided the necessary catalyst in the form of financial support from the central government. Under the scheme, grant is given to state governments/UTs administrations as an additive to their Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP).
• In 2009-10, the government of India started implementation of new Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) to enable an area based developmental approach for integrated development of SC dominated villages, that is villages having SC population more than 50 per cent. 
• The scheme was further expanded in 2014-15 and since 2018-19, it is being implemented as a continuous scheme.
• Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) was launched in 2021-22 by merging three schemes — Adarsh Gram, Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.

Broadly, the scheme has following three components:

• i) Development of SC dominated villages into an ‘Adarsh Gram’.
• ii) ‘Grants-in-aid’ for district/state-level projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs that may include creation of infrastructure in SC dominated villages including those elected under Adarsh Gram component, construction of hostels/residential schools, Comprehensive Livelihood Projects which may include components such as skill development, related infrastructure development, financial assistance towards loans taken by beneficiaries for acquisition/creation of assets required for livelihood generation, etc.
• iii) Construction of hostels in higher educational institutions which are top-ranked as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of government of India and are funded by the Centre/state/UT governments either fully or partially. Similarly, construction of hostels in schools which are either fully or partially funded by the Centre/state/UT governments and recommended by the Ministry of Education.

Funding pattern

• The scheme is 100 per cent funded by the central government. However, the states/UTs are free to provide additional funds from their own resources if they so desire. 
• After completion of the infrastructure projects under the scheme, their upkeep and operations shall be taken care of by state governments/implementing agencies, as the case may be. Sufficient provisions shall be kept in states’ SCSP allocation for taking up the maintenance, upkeep or operations of all such projects.

India Broadens Crude Oil Import Sources Amid Rising Demand

• India diversifies its crude oil imports from 27 to 40 countries, with Argentina as the latest addition, amid growing energy demands. The government aims to reduce import dependency through increased domestic production and a shift towards alternative and renewable energy sources like natural gas, ethanol, and biodiesel.
• Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has diversified its crude oil imports. The country now imports crude oil from 40 countries, with Argentina joining as the latest supplier.
• The United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iraq are major suppliers.
• India imports 88 per cent of its total requirements of oil.  The price of crude oil in international markets is based on the demand supply scenario, geopolitical issues and various other market conditions. It is difficult to make accurate predictions about crude oil prices, especially amid ongoing volatility.
• Public sector oil companies finalise their crude oil requirements annually based on techno-economic analysis of the petroleum products’ demand and evaluation of various crude oil supply sources through annual term contracts as well as short term spot contracts.

Causes  for rise in crude oil import

• India’s energy consumption is increasing continuously due to sustained economic growth over the last few years resulting in industrialisation, urbanisation, transportation needs, infrastructure development, rising income, improved standard of living, increased access to modern energy coupled with increase in private consumption and gross fixed capital formation, etc resulting in increasing import of crude oil. 
• To ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the country, Oil Public Sector Undertakings (OPSUs) import crude oil to bridge the supply demand gap in the domestic market.
• The rise in import dependency is primarily due to increase in quantity on account of demand growth, price increase in the international market and exchange rate variations. 

Strategy to reduce import dependency on crude oil

• The government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to reduce the import dependency on crude oil which. 

These include: 

• i) Demand substitution by promoting usage of natural gas as fuel/feedstock across the country towards increasing the share of natural gas in the economy and moving towards a gas based economy.
• ii) Promotion of renewable and alternative fuels like ethanol, second generation ethanol, compressed biogas and biodiesel.
• iii) Refinery process improvements.
• iv) Promoting energy efficiency and conservation.
• v) Efforts for increasing production of oil and natural gas through various policies, initiatives, etc. 
• The government has been promoting blending of ethanol in petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. Blending of petrol has reached approximately 14.6 per cent during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2023-24 and resulted in approximately forex savings of Rs 1.09 lakh crore from ESY 2013-14 to ESY 2023-24. 
• The ethanol produced from sugar-based feedstock has helped sugar factories to reduce their surplus sugar inventory and generate revenue early to clear the dues of cane farmers. 
• During the last 10  years, EBP has helped in expeditious payment of approximately Rs 92,409 crore to the farmers as on September 30, 2024. It is anticipated that 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol is likely to result in payment of more than Rs 35,000 crore annually to the farmers.
• To promote the use of Compressed BioGas (CBG) as automotive fuel, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative has been launched.

Israel and the US Withdraw from UNHRC.

• Israel has announced that it will follow the United States and withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). This decision came shortly after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order for America’s exit from the council. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed the news on Wednesday, praising the US decision as the right one.
• “Israel welcomes President Trump’s decision not to participate in the UN Human Rights Council. Israel joins the United States and will not participate in the UNHRC.”
• Israel has long criticized the UNHRC, accusing it of bias against the country. Saar claimed that the council unfairly targets Israel while allowing human rights abusers to avoid scrutiny.
•  US withdrawal from the UNHRC also includes leaving the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a move linked to the US concerns about alleged ties between UNRWA and the militant group Hamas.Council members have frequently raised allegations of Israeli human rights violations in the Gaza war, while a UN inquiry it set up found last year that the immense scale of killings amounted to a crime against humanity.
• Israel rejected the finding and says it takes care to avoid civilian casualties. It has long criticised the Geneva-based body and has disengaged in the past.

United Nations Human Rights Council 

• The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. 
• It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. 
• The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly on March 15, 2006. 
• It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
• The Human Rights Council meets for at least 10 weeks per year at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, in regular sessions usually taking place in March, June and September. The Council can also convene urgent meetings on short notice to respond to emerging human rights crises.

Membership of the Human Rights Council

• The Council is made of 47 Member States, which are elected by the majority of members of the General Assembly of the United Nations through direct and secret ballot. The General Assembly takes into account the candidate States’ contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.
• The Council’s membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. 

Seats are distributed as follows:

•  African States: 13 seats
• Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
• Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
• Western European and other States: 7 seats
• Eastern European States: 6 seats.
• Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
• Membership is limited to two consecutive terms. 
• Rotating membership of the Council reflects the UN’s diversity and gives it legitimacy when speaking out on human rights violations in all countries.

 Home Ministry asks State governments to prevent misuse of State Emblem of India

• The Union Home Ministry has asked State governments to prevent the misuse and improper depiction of the State Emblem Of India emphasising that the Lion Capital logo is incomplete without the motto — Satyamev Jayate — in Devanagari script.
• It may be noted that the State Emblem is incomplete without the motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed (in Devanagari script) below the profile of the Lion Capital. Incomplete display of the State Emblem is a violation of the aforesaid Act, the Ministry said in the letter.
• The Ministry further said that the State Emblem is the official seal of the Government of India, an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka. The Emblem consists of the profile of the Lion Capital showing three Lions mounted on the abacus, with a Dharma Chakra in the Centre, a bull on the right, a galloping horse on the left and outlines of Dharma Chakras on the extreme right and left with the motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ - written in Devanagari script below the profile of the Lion Capital.
• The government said various individuals/authorities who are not authorised to use the Emblem are using the same on the stationery, vehicles, etc. “It may be noted that the use of the State Emblem of India is restricted to the authorities/purposes specified in the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007.
•  Strict action should be taken against concerned officials (for incomplete display of the State Emblem of India) and individuals/organisations (who are using State Emblem of India unauthorisedly),” the Ministry said.
• The State Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, originally erected at Sarnath by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
• It symbolizes national integrity, strength, and sovereignty.
• The inclusion of the motto "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs) highlights the nation''s commitment to truth and justice.