The article highlights India's ongoing struggle to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB), a leading infectious killer, despite the lack of an effective vaccine for adolescents and adults. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach beyond a 'one-shot' solution, including better detection, preventive therapy, and targeted vaccination. Recent findings from the ICMR-led PreVenTB trial showed promising efficacy for vaccines like VPM1002 and Immuvac against extrapulmonary TB, particularly in school-age children. Nutritional support is also identified as crucial for vaccine efficacy. The article advocates for the urgent deployment of moderately effective solutions, drawing parallels with India's past success in adopting TrueNat and Covaxin, rather than waiting for a perfect vaccine.
Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge, with India bearing a high burden, and current strategies are insufficient for elimination.
The PreVenTB trial by ICMR demonstrated promising results for new vaccines like VPM1002 and Immuvac, showing protection against extrapulmonary TB, particularly in school-age children.
A multi-pronged approach involving early detection, preventive treatment, targeted vaccination, nutritional support, and robust public health investment is crucial for TB elimination.
Exam Points
The PreVenTB trial was conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) across 18 sites in India.
Vaccines evaluated in the trial include VPM1002 (developed by SIIPL) and Immuvac (developed by Cadila).
VPM1002 showed 50.4% efficacy against extrapulmonary TB and over 60% efficacy in children aged 6-14 years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce India's engagement with Russia would harm global stability and bilateral relations. He emphasized that India is a reliable strategic partner whose growth is a result of hard work. Putin dismissed concerns that India's ties with the U.S. would negatively affect its strategic relationship with Russia, asserting that India prioritizes its national interests and develops relations with various countries naturally. He also mentioned that Moscow would not interfere in the 'delicate' India-China bilateral relations, acknowledging their efforts to resolve border issues. Putin highlighted Russia's balanced approach in Asia, ensuring its synergy with New Delhi does not come at Beijing's expense, and vice versa. He also offered Russia's fifth-generation stealth aircraft Su-57 for joint development with India.
Russian President Putin views Western pressure on India to scale back ties with Russia as detrimental to global stability and bilateral relations.
Putin affirmed India as a reliable strategic partner, emphasizing its right to pursue national interests and develop relations with any country without affecting its ties with Russia.
Russia maintains a balanced foreign policy in Asia, ensuring its strong ties with India and China are independent and do not compromise each other.
Exam Points
Russian President Vladimir Putin made these statements at a press conference.
The context is Western unease over India-Russia relations and oil trade amid the Ukraine war.
Putin is set to visit India in September for the BRICS summit.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF). Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 5% and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and bank rate at 5.50%. The MPC also maintained its neutral stance. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra noted the global environment's deterioration, extended supply chain disruptions, and elevated energy prices, leading to a moderation in growth and an increase in inflation projections. The real GDP growth forecast for FY27 was lowered to 6.6% from the earlier 6.9%, while CPI inflation for FY27 is projected at 5.1%, 50 basis points higher than before. The MPC highlighted risks from the West Asia conflict, sub-normal monsoon forecast, and El Niño.
The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the key policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%.
The MPC maintained a neutral stance, indicating a wait-and-watch approach amidst global uncertainties.
The real GDP growth forecast for FY27 has been lowered to 6.6% from an earlier projection of 6.9% due to global headwinds.
Exam Points
Repo rate: 5.25% (unchanged).
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate: 5%.
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and Bank rate: 5.50%.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced several measures to attract foreign capital, particularly for government securities. Under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR), the RBI expanded the universe of 'specified securities' to include new issuances of 15, 30, and 40-year tenor G-secs. Additionally, limits on short-term investments, concentration, and individual securities for FPI investment under the General Route have been removed. These steps aim to make Indian government securities more tax-efficient and attractive for overseas investors. The RBI also decided to increase investment limits for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) in equity instruments traded on the stock market without SEBI registration, further liberalizing foreign investment.
RBI has expanded the scope of government securities under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR) to attract more foreign capital.
Restrictions on Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in government securities, such as limits on short-term investments and concentration, have been removed under the General Route.
These measures are intended to enhance the attractiveness and tax efficiency of Indian government securities for overseas investors.
Exam Points
Measures apply to government securities under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR).
New issuances of 15, 30, and 40-year tenor G-secs are now included in specified securities.
Limits removed for FPI investment under the General Route.
The Government of India (GoI) has promulgated an ordinance waiving the 12.5% long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax on foreign institutional investments (FII) in government bonds. This exemption will be effective from April 1, 2026. The decision aims to rationalize the tax treatment for FPIs in Government Securities, recognizing the importance of a competitive tax regime for attracting global capital. This move comes after FIIs sold a significant amount of Indian securities. Experts believe this will make Indian government securities more tax-efficient for overseas investors, though some argue it doesn't fully address concerns of long-only equity investors regarding capital gains structure, currency risk, and valuation premium.
The Indian government has waived the 12.5% long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax on foreign institutional investments (FII) in government bonds.
This tax exemption is set to take effect from April 1, 2026, aiming to create a more competitive tax regime for attracting global capital.
The measure is expected to make Indian government securities more attractive and tax-efficient for overseas investors.
Exam Points
Tax waived: 12.5% Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax.
Beneficiaries: Foreign Institutional Investments (FII) in government bonds.
Effective date: April 1, 2026.
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