- THE TB CRISIS AND WOMEN : WHY GENDER ISSUES MATTERS MORE THAN EVER
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Challenges Faced by Women in TB Treatment
- Stigma & Under-Diagnosis: Women with TB face social stigma, discrimination, and economic barriers.
- Many avoid seeking treatment due to societal pressures and fear of exclusion.
- Financial Burden: TB treatment requires long-term care, money, and nutrition.
- Many women lack economic independence and support from families.
- Delayed Treatment: Women are diagnosed late due to neglecting symptoms or prioritizing family responsibilities.
- India’s TB Burden & Government Efforts
- India accounts for 27% of global TB cases, with 331,000 deaths in 2022 (23 per 100,000 population).
- National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP): Focuses on early detection, treatment, and prevention.
- IncludesNikshay Poshan Yojana, providing₹500/month for nutritional support to TB patients.
- Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan–Aims at mobilizing community support.
2. HOW DO HABITUAL OFFENDER LAWS DISCRIMINATE?
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- SC questioned habitual offender laws, labeling them “constitutionally suspect,” often used against Denotified Tribes (DNTs).
- These laws were inherited from the British-era Criminal Tribes Act (CTA), criminalizing entire communities.
- Issues with the Laws: Target marginalized groups, violating due process and presumption of innocence.
- DNTs remain under surveillance, limiting their social mobility and civil rights.
3. SHOULD IMMIGRANTS HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO PROTESR AS CITIZENS?
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Article 19 of ICCPR guarantees free expression to all, but governments can impose restrictions on national security grounds.
- Some democracies limit protests by non-citizens, especially when protests affect state policies.
- Legal & Ethical Dilemma in the U.S.: Immigrants face deportation risks if their protests challenge U.S. policies; First Amendment rights are limited for non-citizens.
- Political interference in immigration laws raises concerns.
4. THE ASSAULT ON MULTILATERALISM AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL LAW
- Proposed DEFUND Act to withdraw U.S. from the UN and halt financial contributions, signaling retreat from multilateralism.
- Withdrawal from treaties (Paris Climate Agreement, ICC) reduces global cooperation.
- Global Stability & Impact: Weakening multilateral institutions like the UN and WTO threatens global governance in climate action and human rights.
- Increased isolationism could lead to economic downturns and trade retaliations.
- India’s Role & Future Trajectory: Strengthen multilateralism through G20, BRICS, and WTO reforms.
- If the U.S. withdraws fully from the UN, global crisis management mechanisms could weaken
5. THERE IS PROGRESS ON GM FOOD CROPS SAYS OFFICIAL
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- GM mustard approval (2022)under challenge; SC to hear petitions from April 15.
- DBT Secretary: Progress in GM tech despite legal scrutiny; emphasized need to view science with today’s lens.
- Policy & Regulation
- BioE3 policy aims to boost bio-agriculture, currently just8.1%of India’s$165.7 billion bio-economy.
- GM cotton is only cultivated GM crop; mustard under conditional approval.
- Safety Concerns – GM crops face objections from activist groups citing safety; Supreme Court to review scientific validity and national policy.
6. INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND STAND TO BENEFIT FROM GREATER COLLABORATION
SUBJECT: BILATERAL
- NZ PM at Raisina Dialogue stressed shifts from rules-based to power based world order.
- Advocated trusted partnerships amid global protectionism and supply chain resilience.
- Bilateral Ties & Trade – Both nations aim to restart FTA talks; current bilateral trade below $2 billion.
- India exited RCEP, citing lack of market access; NZ’s China trade$24 billion, stressing diversification.
- Plans to enhance connectivity via codeshare flights by 2028.
- Diaspora Concerns– India raised issue of anti-India activities by diaspora; NZ upheld freedom of speech.
- Public airing risks straining relations, underscoring need for private diplomatic engagement.
7. INDIA’S MARGINALISED PARLIAMENT IN BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Parliament in India has limited say in budget formulation, reducing legislators to approvers of government proposals.
- Budgeting is a pillar of democracy, enabling scrutiny over public spending and aligning policies with socio-economic needs.
- Executive Dominance – Finance Ministry prepares the Budget with minimal cabinet or legislative input.
- Current process sidelines MPs from shaping fiscal priorities, affecting accountability and democratic oversight.
- Proposed Institutional Reforms – Introduce pre-Budget discussions and create a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).
- PBO would assist MPs with independent analysis, budget projections, and impact assessment.
- Similar models exist in the US, UK, Australia, Canada for evidence-based fiscal governance.
- Benefits of PBO – Enhances informed decision-making, reduces executive monopoly, ensures data-driven policy debates.
- Encourages public trust in fiscal governance and better resource allocation
