Karnataka Allows Dignified Death for the Terminally ill
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS4/ Ethics
In News
- In a historic move, the Karnataka Health Department issued an order to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing terminally ill patients to die with dignity.
- Karnataka is the second State after Kerala to implement the directive.
- Euthanasia is the intentional act of ending a person’s life to relieve suffering caused by a painful, incurable disease or disorder.
Supreme Court’s Directives on Passive Euthanasia
- Legal Recognition (2018 & 2023 Rulings): The Supreme Court legalized passive euthanasia in 2018, recognizing the right to die with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- In 2023, the court simplified procedures for withdrawing life support, ensuring a structured and ethical approach.
- Conditions for Passive Euthanasia: Applicable to terminally ill patients with no hope of recovery.
- Allowed when the patient is in a persistent vegetative state or prolonged suffering from an incurable condition.
- Advance Medical Directive (AMD) or ‘Living Will’: Any competent adult can create an AMD specifying their medical treatment preferences in case they lose decision-making capacity.
- The AMD can nominate two representatives to make decisions on the patient’s behalf.
- Approval Process for Life Support Withdrawal: Hospitals must set up Primary and Secondary Medical Boards (each with three senior doctors).
- The District Health Officer must be involved in the decision.
- Final decision requires Judicial Magistrate of the First Class (JMFC) approval and reporting to the High Court Registrar.
What is Passive Euthanasia?
- It is withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (LST), allowing a terminally ill patient to die naturally.
- Legal in India (as per Supreme Court rulings in 2018 & 2023) under strict medical and legal procedures.
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released draft guidelines titled “Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients.”
Ethical Considerations of Euthanasia
- Autonomy and the Right to Die:
- Pro-Euthanasia: Argue that individuals have the right to choose how they live and die. A competent person should be allowed to make decisions regarding their life, including opting for euthanasia.
- Anti-Euthanasia: Opponents believe that allowing euthanasia undermines the intrinsic value of life and could set a dangerous precedent for determining when life is worth living.
- Beneficence and Compassion:
- Pro: Physicians take an oath to reduce suffering. For terminally ill patients in unbearable pain, euthanasia can be a compassionate act that provides relief.
- Anti: Opponents argue that palliative care and pain management should be prioritized rather than ending a patient’s life.
- Slippery Slope Argument:
- Pro: Some believe euthanasia can be regulated with strict guidelines to prevent misuse.
- Anti: Others argue that legalizing euthanasia could lead to involuntary euthanasia or pressure on vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled) to end their lives to reduce the burden on families or society.
- Sanctity of Life vs. Quality of Life:
- Sanctity of Life: Many religious and moral perspectives argue that life is sacred and should not be taken, regardless of suffering.
- Quality of Life: Others contend that when a person’s quality of life is irreversibly diminished, euthanasia is a humane option.
- Legal and Social Implications:
- Legalization Issues: Countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada allow euthanasia under strict conditions, but legalizing it worldwide remains contentious.
- Potential Abuse: There are concerns that euthanasia laws could be abused, leading to non-consensual deaths or prioritizing euthanasia over improving healthcare.
UIDAI Notifies New Rules for Aadhar Authentication
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance
In News
- Recently, MeitY has notified the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025 under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Amendment
- Expansion of Aadhaar Authentication Scope: Allows government and non-government entities to use Aadhaar authentication for specific public interest services.
- Expands to e-commerce, travel, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare sectors, ensuring seamless access to services beyond government initiatives.
- Enhancing Ease of Living & Service Delivery: Aadhaar authentication will improve service accessibility for residents, reducing bureaucracy and delays.
- Ensures trusted transactions between service providers and users.
- Approval Process for Aadhaar Authentication Requests: Entities must submit an application to the concerned ministry or department through a dedicated portal.
- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will examine applications and provide recommendations.
Significance of the Amendments
- Promotes innovation by enabling digital transformation through Aadhaar-based solutions.
- Boosts knowledge dissemination and access to essential services.
- Strengthens collaboration between the government and private sector for efficient service delivery.
- Ensures regulatory oversight, maintaining privacy and security standards.
Know About Aadhar
- Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) (established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016) to residents of India.
- Aadhaar is based on biometric and demographic data. Each Aadhaar number is unique to an individual, preventing duplication and ensuring accuracy.
- Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship.
Legal Framework of Aadhaar
- Section 7 of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016: Government may require Aadhaar for accessing benefits, subsidies, and services funded by the Consolidated Fund of India or States.
- Supreme Court Ruling on Aadhaar (2018): Aadhaar is constitutional but not mandatory for private services like bank accounts, mobile numbers, or school admissions.
- Aadhaar metadata retention: UIDAI cannot store authentication data beyond six months.
- Aadhaar and Privacy: The Right to Privacy (2017) Puttaswamy judgment reaffirmed that Aadhaar data must be secured and not misused.
Mental Well Being and Economic Growth
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the connection between mental health and the country’s economic future, emphasizing its impact on productivity, economic growth, and overall well-being.
- The survey highlights how mental well-being influences workplace efficiency, lifestyle choices, and national economic progress.
Understanding Mental Wellbeing
- The survey defines mental well-being as a multidimensional concept that includes:
- Emotional health: Managing stress and emotions effectively.
- Social health: Building healthy relationships and a supportive community.
- Cognitive health: Enhancing focus, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
- Physical health: Maintaining overall fitness through a healthy lifestyle.
Rise in Mental Health Issues Among Youth
- The survey highlights the rising mental health concerns among India’s youth due to:
- Excessive internet & social media use: Leads to anxiety, sleep disorders, and attention issues.
- Lack of family engagement: Weak social support systems negatively impact emotional well-being.
- Hostile workplaces & long working hours: Cause burnout, stress, and reduced productivity.
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices: Ultra-processed foods and lack of physical activity worsen mental and physical health.
Mental Health and Economic Growth
- Hostile work cultures and excessive hours spent working at the desk can adversely affect mental well-being and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that mental health disorders could lead to an economic loss of $1.03 trillion for India between 2012 and 2030.
- India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education, physical health and, above all, mental health of its youth.
Suggestions
- A positive work environment can benefit mental health.
- It calls for interventions at both school and family levels to encourage healthier lifestyles.
- Promoting outdoor activities, building friendships, and strengthening family relationships can help reduce internet overuse and improve mental well-being.
| India’s Mental Health Landscape – For the first time ever, the Economic Survey 2023-24 talked about mental health, its significance and implications on policy recommendations. – As per the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, 10.6% adults in India suffered from mental disorders while treatment gap for mental disorders ranged between 70% and 92%. 1. The prevalence of mental morbidity was higher in urban metro regions (13.5%) as compared to rural areas (6.9%). – Lack of Psychiatrists in India: The World Health Organization’s guidelines state that there should be at least three practising psychiatrists per one lakh population. 1. As per the latest National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015 and 2016, India has only 0.75 psychiatrists per 1 lakh population. Key Initiatives – Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: The act decriminalised suicide attempts in India and also included WHO guidelines in the categorisation of mental illnesses. 1. The most significant provision in the act was “advanced directives”, which allowed individuals with mental illnesses to decide the course of their treatment. 2. It also restricted the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), and banned its use on minors, introducing measures to tackle stigma in Indian society. – Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017: The Act acknowledges mental illness as a disability and seeks to enhance the Rights and Entitlements of the Disabled. – Kiran Helpline: The helpline is a step towards suicide prevention, and can help with support and crisis management. – District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): Delivered in 767 districts, offering services like suicide prevention, stress management, and counseling. – National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP): Launched in 2022 to provide access to mental health services through 53 Tele MANAS Cells across 36 states/UTs. – Expansion of Mental Health Capacity: Strengthening mental health services and educational resources in medical colleges and hospitals. |
Conclusion
- Mental health is crucial for both personal and societal development.
- Governments, employers, and organizations must continue efforts to improve mental health care access and reduce stigma.
- India is making strides in mental health with policies and programs to address challenges and bridge treatment gaps.
Economic Survey 2024-25: India’s Workforce Vulnerable to AI
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- The Economic Survey 2024-25 called for the creation of “robust institutions,” which could help transition workers to medium- and high-skilled jobs, where AI can augment their efforts rather than replace them.
Major Highlights
- The future of work revolves around ‘Augmented Intelligence’, where the workforce integrates both human and machine capabilities.
- By leveraging its young, dynamic, and tech-savvy population, India has the potential to create a workforce that can utilize AI to augment their work and productivity.
- Raising the Quality: India‘s employment challenge is not of numbers, but also of raising the overall quality of its workforce.
- Service-oriented Economy: India’s economy is heavily service-oriented, with a significant portion of its IT workforce engaged in low-value-added services.
- These roles are particularly susceptible to automation, and a large segment of the population relies on these jobs for their livelihoods.
- The challenge lies in ensuring that the benefits of AI do not come at the expense of the workforce, particularly those in vulnerable positions.
Measures to be Taken
- The survey identifies three types of institutions essential for this transition: Enabling Institutions, Insuring Institutions, and Stewarding Institutions.
- These entities will help upskill the workforce, preparing them for medium- and high-skill jobs where AI can enhance their capabilities rather than replace them.
- Social Infrastructure encompassing Enabling Institutions,
- Insuring Institutions and Stewarding Institutions to help graduate workforce towards medium-and high-skill jobs.
- India will therefore have to fast track the creation of robust institutions through a tripartite compact between the government, private sector and academia.
Challenges
- Practicality and reliability are core issues that need to be addressed by developers.
- AI also needs significant infrastructure for scaling, which takes time to build.
- AI models have to target efficiency gains without compromising on performance.
Suggestions
- Policymakers must balance innovation with societal costs, as AI driven shifts in the labour market could have lasting effects.
- The corporate sector also must act responsibly, handling the introduction of AI with sensitivity to India‘s needs.
- A collaborative effort between government, private sector, and academia is essential.
The Way Ahead
- AI, currently in its early stages, provides India with the opportunity to tackle challenges, strengthen its foundations, and mobilize a nationwide institutional response.
- The country’s predominantly services-driven economy, coupled with its young and dynamic population, offers a fertile ground for leveraging the benefits of emerging technologies.
- As India stands on the brink of an AI revolution, the Economic Survey urges policymakers to strike a balance between fostering innovation and addressing societal costs.
Economic Survey 2024-25: Shift from Globalization to Geo-Economic Fragmentation
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- The recent Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights a major global economic transition: the backsliding of globalization and the rise of geo-economic fragmentation.
- The past few decades saw increasing global trade, investments, and economic interdependence, the next era is expected to witness trade restrictions, economic realignments, and shifting supply chains.
In the Era of Globalization: 1980-2022
The following developments were largely driven by open markets, rapid technological advancements, and cross-border investments, leading to efficiency and economic growth.
- Demographic and Urbanization Growth: The world’s population grew from 4.4 billion in 1980 to 8 billion in 2022, with urbanization rising from 39% to 57%, driving global connectivity.
- Trade Expansion: Global trade as a share of GDP rose from 39% in 1980 to 60% by 2012, reflecting deeper market integration.
- Surge in FDI: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows grew from $54 billion in 1980 to over $1.5 trillion in 2019.
- Overall Economic Growth: The world economy expanded from $11 trillion in 1980 to over $100 trillion in 2022.
The Rise of Geo-Economic Fragmentation
Geo-economic fragmentation refers to a policy-driven reversal of global economic integration, guided by strategic and geopolitical considerations. This shift is characterized by:
- Trade restrictions and tariffs impacting cross-border commerce.
- Capital flow restrictions disrupting global investment patterns.
- Reorganization of supply chains due to shifting geopolitical alliances.
- Rising protectionism as countries prioritize domestic economic resilience.
Factors Driving Fragmentation
- Geopolitical Tensions: The re-emergence of Cold War-style economic blocs and “friend-shoring.” For example: China’s expansionism, Ukraine-Russia war, Middle East disruptions.
- Conflicts and security concerns reshaping trade relationships.
- Increased Trade Barriers: Trade-restrictive measures have surged, with WTO data showing that trade covered by new restrictions rose from $337.1 billion in 2023 to $887.7 billion in 2024.
- Technological Decoupling: Nations are imposing controls on semiconductors, AI, and critical technologies, leading to fragmented innovation ecosystems.
- Environmental and Social Standards: Western nations imposing one-size-fits-all labor and emission standards are contributing to global economic divisions.
Impact of Geo-Economic Fragmentation
- Trade Disruptions & Protectionism: Global trade growth has slowed down significantly, reflecting a secular stagnation in the world economy.
- Between 2020 and 2024, over 24,000 trade and investment restrictions were imposed globally.
- The IMF warns that today’s trade fragmentation is far costlier than during the Cold War, as goods trade-to-GDP ratios have risen from 16% to 45%.
- Reduced knowledge diffusion due to limited cross-border exchanges hampers innovation and productivity.
- FDI Relocation & Investment Realignment: Global FDI flows are now concentrated among geopolitical allies.
- Emerging markets face greater vulnerability, as they rely on FDI from advanced economies.
- Friend-shoring and reshoring of investments to allied nations create uneven economic opportunities.
- China’s Strategic Economic Dominance: China has gained a strategic upper hand in global supply chains, leveraging its manufacturing prowess and resource control:
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Disrupting traditional players like Germany and Japan.
- Critical Minerals: Controls the global supply of lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite.
- Renewable Energy: Produces 80% of battery components, 60% of wind turbines, and 80% of solar PV components.
- Rare Earth Processing: Processes 70% of the world’s rare earth minerals, vital for batteries, electronics, and defense.
- Outsourcing Reset: The world’s prior strategy of manufacturing dependence on China is now under reconsideration.
India’s Response: Amplifying Deregulation & Economic Freedom
As global markets become more restrictive, India must turn inwards and strengthen domestic economic engines. A pro-business regulatory environment can:
- Lower business compliance costs, boosting ease of doing business.
- Enable SMEs to drive employment and innovation.
- Make India a global manufacturing hub by attracting capital and technology.
- Improve resilience to external shocks by strengthening internal supply chains.
Path Forward: Deregulation & Economic Reforms
- Accelerating Deregulation: Removing unnecessary licensing, inspection, and compliance burdens on businesses.
- State-Level Best Practices: Encouraging states to adopt pro-growth policies from top-performing regions.
- SME Empowerment: Supporting small and medium enterprises to expand globally.
- Trade & Investment Policies: Despite global fragmentation, India must proactively engage in exports and foreign investments.
- Balancing Regulation with Freedom: Striking the right balance to unleash entrepreneurial potential and enhance competitiveness.
Conclusion: A New Global Economic Order
- The Economic Survey 2024-25 underscores a critical shift: globalization is retreating, and economic fragmentation is on the rise. Trade restrictions, shifting FDI flows, and China’s strategic dominance are shaping a new world order. In response, India must double down on deregulation, empower SMEs, and create an investment-friendly climate to position itself as a leading economic powerhouse.
India’s Debt Market Challenges
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted that India’s debt market remains undercapitalised, and risky borrowers are unable to access it.
About the Debt Market
- Debt Market is the market where fixed income securities of various types and features are issued and traded.
- These are issued by the Central and State Governments, Municipal Corporations, Govt. bodies and commercial entities, like Financial Institutions, Banks, Public Sector Units, Public Ltd. companies and also structured finance instruments.
- Government bonds, also known as Government Securities (G-Secs), are issued by the Central and State governments to finance their fiscal needs.
- Corporate bonds are issued by companies to raise funds for their operations and expansion projects.
- Instruments Traded in Money Market: Treasury Bills, Certificates of Deposits (CDs), Commercial Paper (CPs), Bills of Exchange and other such instruments of short-term maturities (i.e., not those exceeding 1 year with regard to the original maturity).
India’s Debt Market: Challenges and Constraints
- Undercapitalisation and Limited Access: The Economic Survey 2024-25 reveals that the corporate bond market in India is only 18% of the country’s GDP, compared to 80% in South Korea and 36% in China.
- This undercapitalisation is a major hurdle for smaller players and risky borrowers who find it difficult to tap into the market.
- Private Placements Dominance: Private placements account for 99.1% of the total resources mobilised through the bond market, deterring the participation of retail investors.
- Barriers to Public Issuance: Public issuance of corporate bonds has declined from 12% of total issuances in 2014 to 2% in 2024.
- In FY24, the public placement of corporate bonds stood at ₹19,000 crore, while private placements amounted to around ₹8.38 lakh crore.
- Regulatory Challenges: Most of the borrowing in the bond market is done by firms with the highest credit ratings (AAA, AA+, and AA), leaving out many smaller companies and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).
- Liquidity In Debt Market: High entry costs, information asymmetry, and the absence of a secondary market for corporate bonds are major hurdles.
- These factors make it challenging for risky borrowers to secure funding through corporate bonds.
- Debt Recovery Challenges: Inefficiencies in debt recovery frameworks, including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs), hinder creditor confidence.
- The introduction of out-of-court restructuring frameworks, modeled after systems in South Korea, could expedite recoveries and reduce judicial burdens.
Opportunities for India’s Bond Market
- Infrastructure and Green Bonds: The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) with $1.4 trillion capital aimed at accelerating India’s infrastructure development.
- India is pushing green finance with $10 billion worth of green bonds in 2024, supporting climate-friendly projects.
- Reforming FPI Norms to Boost Liquidity:
- Allocation limits under the Voluntary Retention Route (VRR);
- Unified Market Operations for Seamless Functioning: To reduce transaction costs, and enhance investor confidence.
- Strengthening Debt Recovery Mechanisms inspired by models in South Korea and the Philippines.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Reducing entry costs, improving information transparency, and establishing a secondary market for corporate bonds could enhance liquidity and accessibility.
- Additionally, relaxing regulations to allow insurance and pension funds to invest in lower-rated bonds could help small players and risky borrowers access the market.
