The article highlights the urgent need to make cancer a notifiable disease at the national level in India. Currently, cancer is not notifiable, leading to underreporting and incomplete data, which hinders effective policy-making and resource allocation. Population-based cancer registries cover only a small percentage of the population, and even states like Telangana, which recently made cancer notifiable, face challenges in data collection. The World Health Organization projects a significant increase in cancer cases by 2040, underscoring the necessity for robust, real-time data to improve prevention, treatment, and overall public health response.
Cancer is currently not a notifiable disease at the national level in India, leading to significant data gaps.
Existing population-based cancer registries cover only a small fraction of the population, hindering comprehensive understanding of the disease burden.
The WHO projects a substantial increase in global cancer cases by 2040, emphasizing the need for better data for effective public health strategies.
Exam Points
The World Health Organization (WHO) projects an estimated increase of 74% in cancer cases globally between 2022 (20.1 million) and 2040 (34.9 million).
Telangana is the latest state to join the list of states that have made cancer a notifiable disease.
The Indian Council of Medical Research, National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR) had recommended making cancer a notifiable disease years ago.
India faces severe water stress, with many cities experiencing shortages and a significant monsoon rainfall deficit. A UN report warns of global water bankruptcy, as river basins are polluted, aquifers are depleted, and a large portion of the global population lives in water-insecure countries. India's water resources are unevenly distributed, and existing infrastructure suffers from poor upkeep, inadequate wastewater treatment, and high losses. The article proposes four key actions: climate-proofing water systems, enabling water reuse for non-potable purposes, scaling up micro-irrigation systems, and closing water data gaps at the river basin level to improve decision-making and resource allocation.
India is experiencing severe water stress, with cities facing shortages and major river basins under stress due to declining water availability and pollution.
Global reports indicate a looming water bankruptcy, with widespread water insecurity and depletion of aquifers.
Existing water infrastructure in India suffers from poor maintenance, inadequate treatment, and significant losses.
Exam Points
June saw a monsoon rainfall deficit of over 40%.
Delhi's water supply plummeted to about 70% of the total demand of 1,250 million gallons per day.
11 out of 15 major river basins in India are experiencing water stress, with annual water availability below 1,700 m³ per person.
India stated it would consider "all related developments" in formulating its approach to the Teesta river project, following Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China, where the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) was discussed. India's development assistance to Bangladesh is based on mutually agreed roadmaps. The sharing of Teesta river water has been a long-standing issue between India and Bangladesh, in a deadlock since 2011. India's statement did not express displeasure but reiterated its stance on the project, emphasizing that India-Bangladesh ties stand on their own merit.
India will factor in "all related developments" concerning the Teesta river project, including Bangladesh's discussions with China.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman discussed the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) with China.
India's development assistance to Bangladesh operates on mutually agreed and regularly reviewed roadmaps.
Exam Points
The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) was discussed between Bangladesh and China.
The sharing of Teesta river water has been under discussion between India and Bangladesh for decades but has been in a deadlock since 2011.
Randhir Jaiswal is the official spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved Acceptance of Necessity (AON) for defence acquisition proposals worth nearly ₹52,000 crore to enhance the operational capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. For the Army, approvals include Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Electronic Warfare System Akash Tarang, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), MRSAM, V-SHORADS, Active Protection Systems for tanks, and jet-based Kamikaze drone systems. The Navy will acquire Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM) and Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS), and establish a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF). The Air Force will receive Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS).
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved defence acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹52,000 crore.
The acquisitions are intended to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Key procurements for the Army include anti-drone systems, anti-tank missiles, air defence systems, and Kamikaze drones.
Exam Points
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The total value of approved defence acquisition proposals is nearly ₹52,000 crore.
Specific systems approved include Akash Tarang, MPATGM, MRSAM, V-SHORADS, MIGM, NSUAS, and FW-HAPS.
India announced that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in "abeyance" until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably" ceases its support for cross-border terrorism. This statement by the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, came in response to a recent international conference in Pakistan that called for the treaty's restoration. India had previously put the IWT in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, citing Pakistan's long-standing promotion of cross-border terrorism. India emphasized that "water and blood cannot flow together," intensifying its rhetoric against Pakistan, especially amidst protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
India has declared that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably stops cross-border terrorism.
This stance was reiterated following a conference in Pakistan advocating for the treaty's restoration.
The Cabinet Committee on Security had previously put the IWT in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
Exam Points
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960.
India's Cabinet Committee on Security put the IWT in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.
Randhir Jaiswal is the official spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry.
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