The Union Food Ministry has decided to temporarily discontinue rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes. This decision follows a study by IIT Kharagpur, which found that factors like moisture, temperature, and storage conditions significantly reduce the shelf life and nutrient stability of fortified rice. Activists have welcomed the move, arguing that fortification is an expensive, unscientific, and potentially toxic method to curb anaemia. The government seeks a more effective mechanism for nutrient delivery while maintaining existing foodgrain entitlements under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- The suspension affects rice distributed through PMGKAY and other centrally sponsored welfare schemes until a more effective delivery mechanism is identified.
- A study by IIT Kharagpur highlighted that fortified rice kernels are susceptible to micronutrient reduction during prolonged storage and routine handling.
- Social activists argue that not all anaemia is linked to iron deficiency, making mass fortification an ineffective and potentially unsafe solution.
The Meghalaya government has heightened surveillance for meningococcal disease after two Agniveer trainees died of suspected bacterial infections in Shillong. An advisory has been issued urging the public to avoid crowded places and follow health protocols. Health authorities have initiated active epidemiological investigations, contact tracing, and laboratory reviews at the Assam Regimental Centre. While the situation is currently under control with no new cases detected outside the initial area, the East Khasi Hills District Surveillance Unit is monitoring close contacts and implementing preventive interventions to prevent a wider outbreak.
- Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that requires rapid identification and treatment to prevent mortality.
- The state has initiated active epidemiological investigations and contact tracing following deaths at a military training centre.
- Public health advisories emphasize social distancing and adherence to outbreak response protocols in East Khasi Hills.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a recognized eating disorder characterized by a significant reduction in food intake, leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Unlike typical picky eating, ARFID is not driven by body image issues but by sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences (like choking), or lack of interest in food. It affects both children and adults and can cause severe growth restrictions and social impairment. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach including psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), nutritional support, and family involvement to create a positive, stress-free eating environment for recovery.
- ARFID is a mental health disorder, not merely stubbornness, attention-seeking, or a passing phase of picky eating.
- Causes can include sensory aversion to textures, traumatic experiences like choking or vomiting, or genetic factors.
- The disorder can lead to significant physical complications, including growth failure and the need for clinical intervention like IV drips.
Scientific studies have revealed significant microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in bottled water across India, including major cities like Mumbai and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These particles, smaller than five millimetres, can carry toxic additives like phthalates and antimony that leach from plastic containers, especially when exposed to heat. Current regulatory standards by FSSAI and BIS focus primarily on pathogens and do not include testing for microplastics or long-term chemical exposure. The article advocates for strengthening municipal water supplies and updating regulatory frameworks to include routine testing for plastic-derived contaminants to protect public health.
- Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimetres that can bypass biological barriers and carry toxins.
- Leaching of chemicals like antimony and phthalates increases when plastic bottles are stored in direct sunlight or high temperatures.
- Current BIS and FSSAI standards lack protocols for monitoring microplastics and nanoplastics in packaged drinking water.
India has introduced a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for girls aged 14 to combat the high incidence of cervical cancer. Following WHO recommendations, the program will deploy a single-dose vaccine at designated government health facilities. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, with the country contributing over 65% of the burden in the South-East Asia Region. The editorial stresses the importance of post-vaccination observation, maintaining a robust cold chain, and ensuring transparent reporting of adverse events (AEFI) to overcome anti-vaccination sentiments and historical trial concerns.
- HPV types 16 and 18 account for more than 80% of cervical cancer cases in India.
- Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening if detected early.
- The South-East Asia Region (SEARO) has the second-highest cervical cancer incidence globally, with India being the primary contributor.
Researchers have confirmed that the HIV capsid—the protein shell protecting the virus's genetic material—is an excellent target for long-acting antiretroviral therapy. A new drug, Lenacapavir, the first capsid-based inhibitor, has shown high efficacy in clinical trials. Unlike older drugs, Lenacapavir is administered as a subcutaneous injection once every six months, forming a slow-release reservoir. While HIV can develop resistance, studies show that mutations in the capsid significantly impair the virus's ability to replicate, making it a 'high cost' adaptation for the virus. This discovery opens doors for a new generation of durable HIV treatments.
- The capsid is essential for protecting viral RNA and must remain largely unchanged for the virus to survive.
- Lenacapavir offers a long-acting treatment option (bi-annual injection) compared to daily oral pills.
- Viral resistance to capsid inhibitors comes at the cost of significantly reduced viral fitness and replication.
The Union Health Ministry is set to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program targeting girls aged 14. This initiative aims to provide protection against cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases reported annually. The vaccination will be voluntary, free of cost, and administered at designated government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. India will utilize Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18 (which cause cervical cancer) and types 6 and 11. The program is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ensuring equitable access.
- The program targets girls aged 14 to ensure maximum preventive benefit before potential exposure to the virus.
- Gardasil is a quadrivalent vaccine providing protection against four specific types of HPV.
- Vaccinations will be conducted exclusively at government health facilities to ensure quality and cold chain standards.
India is facing a largely neglected crisis in adolescent mental health, exacerbated by an unregulated digital environment and the spread of low-priced internet. Findings from the National Mental Health Survey indicate that 7-10% of school-aged children have diagnosable conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or depression. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has officially acknowledged these challenges, proposing preventive strategies. The article advocates for school-based screening, training for frontline workers, and community-based counseling. It also highlights the severe shortage of specialized professionals, with fewer than 10,000 psychiatrists for a population of 1.4 billion.
- The National Mental Health Survey shows high prevalence of ADHD and emotional disorders among Indian adolescents.
- Excessive screen use is linked to sleep disruption, social withdrawal, and emotional regulation issues.
- India suffers from a critical shortage of trained child and adolescent mental health professionals.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the indigenously manufactured Tetanus and adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli. This marks a significant milestone as CRI becomes the first government institute to manufacture vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. The vaccine has been introduced for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), with an initial supply of 55 lakh doses. This move strengthens India's public health infrastructure and reinforces its status as the 'pharmacy of the world,' following the successful development of indigenous COVID-19 vaccines.
- The Td vaccine is indigenously manufactured by the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, strengthening national health security.
- CRI is the first government institute to achieve Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards for vaccine production.
- The vaccine will be integrated into the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which is the world's largest immunization program.
Despite being the world's second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco, India's cigarette taxes account for only 53% of the retail price, far below the WHO's recommended 75%. While recent excise duty hikes increased prices, they haven't kept pace with inflation, making tobacco relatively affordable. Tobacco use kills approximately 1.35 million people annually in India. Experts highlight that the tobacco industry often interferes with policy-making to weaken control measures. Furthermore, the GST on beedis remains low at 18%, despite their high consumption among low-income groups, representing a missed opportunity for public health intervention.
- India's tobacco tax (53%) is significantly lower than the WHO benchmark of 75% of the retail price.
- Tobacco-related diseases cause 1.35 million deaths in India every year.
- The tobacco industry is accused of interfering with health-centric tax policies and decision-making.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched two significant digital health initiatives: SAHI (Secure AI for Health Initiative) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI). These platforms, unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit, aim to promote safe, ethical, and evidence-based deployment of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. SAHI serves as a governance framework for responsible AI use, while BODH provides a mechanism to test and validate AI solutions before large-scale deployment. These initiatives align with the National Health Policy 2017 and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to create a scalable and inclusive digital health ecosystem.
- SAHI and BODH are launched to ensure ethical and evidence-based AI deployment in healthcare.
- SAHI acts as a policy compass and governance framework for responsible AI use.
- BODH allows for the testing and validation of AI solutions to ensure reliability and performance.
The Supreme Court of India has intervened to protect the citizens' right to health by directing the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider mandatory front-of-package warning labels (FOPL). These labels would target packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats, which are linked to non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the FSSAI's current initiatives. Data from the 2023 ICMR-INDIAB study highlights the urgency, showing that over 100 million Indians have diabetes, necessitating immediate preventive measures through transparent food labeling.
- The Supreme Court emphasizes the right to health by pushing for mandatory FOPL on processed foods.
- High levels of sugar, salt, and fat in processed foods are directly linked to rising NCDs in India.
- FSSAI is directed to respond to the proposal within four weeks following dissatisfaction with previous compliance reports.
Researchers have developed a new genome-editing approach called Prime-Editing-mediated Readthrough of premature Termination codons (PERT) to treat diseases caused by 'nonsense mutations.' These mutations create a premature 'stop' signal in DNA, halting protein production. PERT reprograms a cell's own genes to override these signals without disrupting global protein synthesis. Tested on models of Batten disease and Tay-Sachs, the method restored protein function significantly. This 'gene-agnostic' strategy could potentially treat thousands of rare diseases using a single platform, making therapy development faster and more cost-effective than creating separate treatments for each disorder.
- Nonsense mutations account for about 25% of all known disease-causing genetic changes in humans.
- PERT uses 'suppressor tRNAs' to ignore premature stop signals and continue the assembly of full-length proteins.
- The strategy is 'gene-agnostic,' meaning the same tool can be adapted for different genes sharing the same mutation type.
The 2026-27 Union Budget has significantly increased the allocation for the AYUSH Ministry to ₹4,408 crore, reflecting a strategic shift toward traditional medicine. Key initiatives include establishing three new All-India Institutes of Ayurveda and the Bharat-VISTAAR AI assistant for medicinal plant farmers. The budget also focuses on upgrading hospitals and drug-testing laboratories. Furthermore, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to open European markets for AYUSH practitioners and products by recognizing Indian qualifications and safety certifications. However, challenges remain regarding scientific validation and the presence of heavy metals in some traditional formulations.
- The AYUSH Ministry's budget saw a substantial increase to ₹4,408 crore in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
- Three new AIIMS-like Ayurveda institutes are planned to set global standards for traditional medicine research and treatment.
- The Bharat-VISTAAR AI assistant is designed to provide real-time advice to farmers growing medicinal plants.
Bamboo, often referred to as 'green gold,' is being rediscovered for its immense nutritional and industrial potential. Recent studies highlight that bamboo shoots and leaves are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins (A, B6, E), and antioxidants, which help regulate blood sugar and prevent heart disease. Beyond nutrition, bamboo is a sustainable alternative to plastics, used in bio-refineries for ethanol production and various handicrafts. The Indian government has launched the National Bamboo Mission 2025 to expand cultivation, strengthen industry linkages, and reduce import dependence. India currently ranks among the top three global exporters of bamboo products.
- Bamboo shoots are recognized as a 'superfood' containing essential nutrients that combat diabetes and lipid levels.
- The National Bamboo Mission 2025 aims to increase plantations on non-forest lands and enhance farmers' income.
- India is a major global player in bamboo exports, alongside China and Vietnam, producing textiles, furniture, and bio-fuel.
The health-care allocation for 2026 shows a 10% increase to over ₹1.05 lakh crore, yet experts note it remains only 1.9% of total expenditure and 0.26% of GDP. A major highlight is the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI scheme aimed at making India a manufacturing hub for biologics. The budget also plans for three new NIPERs and a second NIMHANS campus. While the government has reduced duties on cancer medicines, critics argue the funding falls short of the 2.5% of GDP target set by the National Health Policy 2017.
- The Biopharma SHAKTI scheme is a ₹10,000 crore initiative to boost manufacturing of biologics and biosimilars.
- The government aims to train 1 lakh allied health professionals and 1.5 lakh care workers for the elderly.
- Customs and import duties have been exempted for 17 cancer medicines and several rare disease treatments.
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has encapsulated the right to menstrual health and hygiene within the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that autonomy for girl children requires access to functional toilets, menstrual products, and hygienic disposal mechanisms. Terming the lack of access as 'menstrual poverty,' the Bench directed States and Union Territories to ensure gender-segregated toilets in all schools. This ruling aims to address the gendered lack of equity and high dropout rates among adolescent girls in government and private schools.
- Menstrual hygiene is now legally recognized as part of the Right to Life under Article 21.
- The Court mandated that every school must have functional, gender-segregated toilets and adequate menstrual products.
- NFHS-5 data shows that while hygienic methods usage rose to 77.3%, a quarter of eligible women still lack support.
The Union Budget 2026 has proposed a comprehensive biopharma strategy titled 'Biopharma SHAKTI' with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years. The initiative aims to transform India into a global biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub by facilitating the domestic production of biologics and biosimilars. Key components include setting up three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and strengthening the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to meet global standards. This move addresses the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and seeks to provide affordable, high-quality complex medicines.
- Biopharma SHAKTI has a five-year outlay of ₹10,000 crore for domestic biologics production.
- The focus is on complex medicines like biologics and biosimilars manufactured from living systems.
- Three new NIPERs will be established to boost research, education, and clinical trials.
The Pune Rural Intervention in Young Adolescents (PRIYA) trial has established a significant link between maternal Vitamin B12 levels and the long-term health of offspring. Research indicates that B12 acts as a 'regulator of regulators,' influencing gene expression through epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation. Deficiency during pregnancy is linked to neural tube defects and poor fetal growth. The study suggests that B12 supplementation in adolescents and pregnant women could prevent 'diabesity' (diabetes and obesity) in future generations. Experts recommend incorporating B12 into national health policies to improve nutritional status and human capital development.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread in the Indian population, particularly among vegetarians.
- The PRIYA trial found that B12 supplementation in adolescents improved birth outcomes for their future children.
- B12 influences enzymes called methylases, which add methyl groups to DNA to regulate gene expression.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that access to menstrual health and hygiene management (MHM) in educational institutions is an integral part of the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21. The court emphasized that the lack of these facilities subjects girls to stigma and humiliation, hindering their education. It directed States and Union Territories to ensure access to free sanitary napkins, functional gender-segregated toilets, and proper disposal mechanisms in all schools. The judgment also highlighted the need to sensitize male teachers and students to prevent harassment and invasive questioning.
- The Supreme Court linked menstrual hygiene to the right to privacy and bodily autonomy of students.
- States must provide free sanitary napkins and 'MHM corners' in both government and private schools.
- Non-compliance with MHM standards can lead to de-recognition of private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Despite the 2017 National Health Policy's goal to increase government health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025, current spending remains significantly lower. While allocations by States and Union Territories have increased moderately, the Union government's spending as a percentage of GDP has decreased post-pandemic. The Health and Education Cess, introduced in 2018-19, has not been fully utilized for its intended purpose of expanding health services. The National Health Mission (NHM), a crucial intervention for rural health, has seen stagnant or declining expenditure in real terms over the last several years, highlighting a hyper-centralisation of financial resources.
- National Health Policy 2017 target of 2.5% of GDP for health spending remains unachieved.
- Union government health spending has declined in real terms post-pandemic.
- States bear the primary cost of providing healthcare, with their share of spending increasing.
The Economic Survey 2025-26 has identified digital addiction and screen-related mental health problems as major public health concerns, especially for children and adolescents. It recommends structured interventions, including cyber-safety education, mandatory physical activity in schools, and parental training. The Survey also suggests network-level safeguards like differentiated data plans for educational versus recreational use. On a positive note, the Survey highlights India's progress in maternal and infant health, with a 78% decline in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) since 1990, surpassing the global average reduction and demonstrating significant public health improvements.
- Digital addiction is flagged as a major healthcare issue for children and adolescents.
- Recommendations include mobile network-level safeguards and age-appropriate digital access policies.
- India achieved a 78% decline in under-five mortality rate (U5MR) since 1990.
The Union government has amended the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, to replace mandatory licence requirements for non-commercial drug manufacture with a prior-intimation mechanism. This move aims to facilitate 'ease of doing business' and fast-track drug development by up to three months. Developers can now manufacture small quantities for research after notifying the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) via the SUGAM portal. While the industry welcomes the reduction in 'licence raj,' experts caution that the removal of regulations must not compromise quality control, citing recent fatal incidents involving substandard cough syrups as a warning against poor pharmaceutical oversight.
- Mandatory test licences for small-scale research drugs are replaced by a prior-intimation mechanism.
- The move aligns with the goal of improving ease of doing business in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Statutory processing time for high-risk psychotropic or narcotic drugs is reduced from 90 days to 45 days.
A recent RBI report highlights an uneven demographic transition across Indian states. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu are projected to become 'ageing states' by 2036, with elderly populations exceeding 20%. Conversely, northern states like Bihar and UP will see rising working-age populations beyond 2031. This shift creates fiscal pressures, as ageing states face higher pension costs and lower tax devolution due to population-based formulas. The article advocates for a new industrial policy focused on the 'care economy' and a massive expansion of public geriatric care to ensure 'graceful ageing' for all.
- Kerala and Tamil Nadu's elderly populations are expected to exceed 22% and 20% respectively by 2036.
- The Finance Commission's population weightage formula disadvantages states that have successfully controlled population growth.
- Ageing in India disproportionately affects women, who often live longer but with fewer financial assets and no formal pensions.