- MAKING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE VISIBLE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Modern public health challenges include AMR (antimicrobial resistance),non-communicable diseases (NCDs),zoonotic diseases, and mental health issues.
- Shift needed from treating only diseases to a system that addresses social determinants of health, health-seeking behavior, and community interaction.
- Ayushman Bharat Programme (2018)
- A transformative initiative with 3 key arms:
- PM-JAY:Largest public health insurance, covering secondary & tertiary hospitalization for 50 crore people.
- Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs): Aim to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare at grassroots.
- PM-ABHIM: Infrastructure mission to bolster public health facilities.
- Healthcare Access & Budget Reality
- As of Nov 2021,1.75 lakh AB-HWCs operational, yet average annual outpatient consultations per centre is low.
- National Health Accounts (2021-22): Public spending as share of GDP increased marginally, without-of-pocket expenditure still high.
- Healthcare workforce gaps: 40% of PHCs lack doctors; 70% lack laboratory technicians.
- People’s Trust & Health-Seeking Behavior
- Many prefer private sector due to perceived quality and ease.
- Need to strengthen trust in public health system through consistent care, accessible infrastructure, and community engagement.
2. HOW CAN V2G TECHNOLOGY HELP INDIA’S POWER SECTOR?
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- V2G enables electric vehicles (EVs)to send power back to the grid when idle, functioning like decentralised energy storage units.
- When connected to abi-directional charger, idle EVs help stabilize grid demand.
- Part of broader tech family:V2G (grid),V2H (home), andV2V (vehicle).
- Pilot Project: Kerala + IIT Bombay
- The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB)and IIT Bombay are piloting V2G integration across the state.
- Aim: Assess how EVs can support the grid during peak demand, especially when solar energy is not available.
3. IS THE ONCE EXTINCT DIRE WOLF BACK?
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- On April 7, Texas-based biotech firm Colossal Biosciences claimed to have “resurrected” the dire wolf,a predator extinct for over 12,000 years.
- Three dire wolf pups were reportedly born; the event was called “first howls on Earth in 10 millennia.”
- DNA-Based De-Extinction
- Genomes of gray wolves (Canis lupus)and dire wolves(Aenocyon dirus)are 99.4% identical (2.445 billion DNA bases match).
- Using CRISPR, scientists edited gray wolf DNA to include dire wolf-like traits, focusing on20 genomic changes linked to diet, skull structure, etc.
4. THE COSMOS HOLDS LIMITLESS MYSTERIES FOR THE CONSTRAINED HUMAN MIND
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- University of Cambridge co-authored study suggests exoplanetK2-18b may be habitable.
- Paper reported detection of dimethyl sulphide/dimethyl disulphide, possible biosignatures.
- These molecules on Earth are linked with biological activity
- K218b a hycean world a planet with a hydrogen rich atmosphere possibly covering a water ocean. Its 124 light year away 2.6 times Earth’s diameter
5. ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY MUST ROLL BACK ORDER ON DESULPHURISING COAL PLANTS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- In 2015, the Environment Ministry mandated all coal-fired thermal plants(537 total) to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)systems to reduce SO₂ emissions.
- FGD costs ~₹1.2 crore/MW and increases water and power consumption of plants.
- Compliance Status
- Only8% of plants have installed FGD by 2024.
- Compliance deadlines now extended to2027, 2028, and 2029 based on plant category.
- 230 plants in various stages of installation;260 have not yet placed orders
- NIAS Study Recommendations
- Conducted by National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, for the Principal Scientific Adviser.
- FGD should be mandatory only for plants using imported or high sulphur coal (>0.5%).
- Most Indian coal has sulphur content of0.3–0.5%–below global concern levels.
- 92% of India’s coal usefalls within this low-sulphur range
