The article highlights the severe issue of milk adulteration, particularly with ethylene glycol, leading to fatalities in states like Andhra Pradesh. It discusses the challenges in prosecuting offenders due to weak laws and the unorganized nature of the dairy sector. The government's efforts to ensure food safety, including the FSSAI's role in establishing safety protocols, are mentioned. The piece emphasizes the need for stricter penalties and a robust enforcement mechanism to protect consumers, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, from the health risks posed by contaminated milk.
- Milk adulteration, particularly with ethylene glycol, poses a significant public health threat, leading to fatalities.
- The unorganized nature of the dairy sector and weak legal frameworks make it challenging to prosecute offenders effectively.
- The government, through bodies like FSSAI, is working to establish food safety protocols and ensure compliance.
The article examines why Finance Commission (FC) grants to cities remain limited, despite the growing importance of urban areas. It highlights that cities receive a disproportionately small share of the country's GDP and central transfers, with per capita devolution showing no significant change. The 16th FC emphasizes that cities must find avenues to increase their own revenue and expand the tax base. The article points out that while FCs recommend grants for specific services like water supply and sanitation, they often lack objective parameters for allocation and do not adequately address the overall financial needs of cities. This limitation hinders urban development and effective local governance.
- Indian cities receive a disproportionately small share of central transfers and GDP, limiting their financial autonomy.
- Finance Commissions recommend grants for specific urban services but often lack objective parameters for equitable allocation.
- The 16th Finance Commission emphasizes cities' need to enhance their own revenue generation and expand their tax base.
The article analyzes the financial burden of cancer treatment in India, noting that it is three times higher than for other ailments. Medicines constitute the largest component of expenditure, especially in public hospitals in rural areas. While private hospitals charge more, the relative financial strain is higher in the government sector, particularly for the poor. The Budget's proposal for full exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs is a crucial intervention. Data shows that the cost multiplier for cancer treatment in public hospitals increased from 4x in 2014 to 5x in 2017-18, highlighting the deepening financial strain on patients.
- Cancer treatment is significantly more expensive than other ailments, with medicines being the largest cost component.
- Despite lower absolute costs, the relative financial burden of cancer treatment is higher for patients in public hospitals, especially in rural areas.
- The Union Budget's full exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs is a critical step to reduce patient costs.
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposes to train 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers, yet it overlooks the five million women already serving as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi workers, and mid-day meal workers. These women, classified as 'volunteers', perform essential public services but receive meager honorariums, lack formal contracts, and basic benefits, reflecting a "care penalty" rooted in gendered norms. The article argues that their work, being recurrent and central, should be converted into permanent posts, as supported by the Supreme Court's ruling in Dharam Singh & Anr. vs State of U.P. & Anr. Formalizing their roles and extending NSQF-aligned training to them is essential for India to build a robust care ecosystem and achieve its health ambitions.
- India's Budget focuses on training new caregivers but neglects existing 'volunteer' care workers like ASHAs and Anganwadi workers.
- These women perform essential, continuous services but lack formal employment benefits and receive meager honorariums due to gendered perceptions of care work.
- The Supreme Court's ruling in Dharam Singh & Anr. vs State of U.P. & Anr. supports converting recurrent 'volunteer' roles into permanent posts.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, which replaces MGNREGA, is awaiting the framing of rules under 11 categories before implementation. The Union Rural Development Ministry is consulting with State governments on tricky issues like a formula for "normative allocation" based on objective parameters and categorizing Gram Panchayats. States also need to enroll themselves on DBT Sparsh, conduct e-Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification for job cards, and onboard Yuktdhara, a geospatial planning portal. The Centre has six months to implement the scheme from the commencement date, which is yet to be notified.
- The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, is set to replace MGNREGA.
- The Centre needs to frame rules under 11 categories, including a formula for "normative allocation" for States based on objective parameters.
- States are required to implement several steps like DBT Sparsh enrollment, eKYC verification for job cards, and using the Yuktdhara portal.
Reported cases of denial of access to public spaces to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities have been rising across India since 2017, with Uttar Pradesh accounting for the majority. In 2023, out of 180 reported cases nationwide, 173 were from U.P., and in 2022, 300 out of 305 cases were from U.P. This crime category, "Prevent or deny or obstruct usage of public place/passage," was introduced by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2017 as part of reforms to better classify crimes under the SC/ST Act.
- Cases of denial of access to public spaces for Scheduled Caste communities are increasing across India.
- Uttar Pradesh consistently reports the overwhelming majority of these cases, indicating significant social discrimination issues.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) introduced a specific crime category in 2017 to track such offenses under the SC/ST Act.
Breast cancer incidence in India has risen more than two-fold over the past three decades, reaching 29.4 cases per 100,000 women in 2023. Experts emphasize the need for regular screening and addressing gaps in treatment access for early detection. Key contributing factors identified include lifestyle changes, lack of breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and sedentary work patterns. Challenges in tackling the rising incidence include resource scarcity, geographical accessibility, and inadequate care, particularly in remote areas.
- Breast cancer incidence in India has significantly increased over the last 30 years, highlighting a growing public health concern.
- Lifestyle changes, lack of breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and sedentary work patterns are identified as major contributing factors.
- Early detection through regular screening and improved access to treatment are crucial for managing the rising incidence.
The discussion around AI innovation must prioritize women's digital safety, especially with rising online harassment and the proliferation of deepfakes. The anonymity of the digital world makes protection difficult, as evidenced by the use of deepfake technologies and AI chatbots like Grok AI to create non-consensual images. A significant concern is the lack of women's representation in AI development, leading to biased tools. To address this, stronger laws are needed, such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's directive for online intermediaries to remove deepfakes within three hours. Additionally, educating children about digital safety from a young age is crucial.
- The increasing integration of AI necessitates a focus on ethical AI and women's digital safety.
- Online harassment and the rise of deepfakes, often used to create non-consensual sexualized images, pose significant threats to women.
- The lack of women's representation in AI development teams contributes to biased tools and fewer diverse viewpoints.
On International Women's Day 2026, the focus is on equal rights and justice for women farmers, aligning with 2026 being the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Women farmers face systemic exclusion due to lack of land titles and formal recognition, hindering access to credit, insurance, and extension services. The 'feminisation of agriculture' means women bear increased workloads, leading to health issues and malnutrition. Despite India's right-to-food framework, women's nutritional improvements are uneven. Key priorities include enhancing their visibility in law and data, strengthening land rights, integrating nutritional objectives into food systems, and improving access to technology and extension services.
- International Women's Day 2026 emphasizes equal rights and justice for women farmers, coinciding with the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
- Women farmers face systemic exclusion from formal recognition and land rights, limiting their access to essential agricultural resources.
- The 'feminisation of agriculture' has increased women's workload, contributing to severe health issues and malnutrition among women and girls.
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are moving to ban or restrict social media use for children to combat the adverse effects of mobile phone usage. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed a ban for children under 16, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu plans restrictions for those under 13, with a roadmap expected within 90 days. Experts are divided on the feasibility and impact of such a blanket ban. A similar law was enacted in Australia in December 2025, imposing high penalties for violations by social media platforms.
- Karnataka proposes a social media ban for children under 16, while Andhra Pradesh targets those under 13.
- The initiatives aim to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile phone use on children.
- Andhra Pradesh plans to finalize a roadmap for implementation within 90 days.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled two mascots, Pragati (female enumerator) and Vikas (male enumerator), for the upcoming Population Census 2027. He also soft-launched four digital tools for the exercise. This will be India's first digital Census, and notably, the first to allow self-enumeration and enumeration of caste. The digital platforms, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), will facilitate enumeration operations across the country in two phases: Houselisting Operations (HLO) and Population Enumeration.
- Mascots Pragati (female) and Vikas (male) have been unveiled for the Population Census 2027.
- Census 2027 will be India's first digital census, allowing both self-enumeration and enumeration of caste.
- Four digital tools were launched to facilitate the census operations.
The article argues that while India has made significant strides in maternal health, women's midlife health remains largely invisible in policy and practice. As India's disease burden shifts towards Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), women in their 30s and 40s are experiencing higher rates of chronic conditions like hypertension and thyroid disorders, yet receive less structured attention. The invisibility extends to medical diagnostics, workplace design, and social realities, leading to late diagnoses and complex treatments. A life-course approach, broadening screening programs, and investing in women-specific health research are crucial to ensure women's dignified ageing and overall well-being, which benefits families, workplaces, and the economy.
- India has achieved significant success in maternal health, with a drastic fall in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).
- However, women's health beyond childbearing years, particularly midlife health, is systemically invisible in policy and practice.
- Women in their 30s and 40s face higher rates of NCDs and chronic diseases but receive less attention.
The article highlights the urgency of protecting women's rights amidst escalating global conflicts and instability, coinciding with International Women's Day 2026. Despite the UN's theme "Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls," the reality shows women and children are disproportionately vulnerable in war zones, facing gender-based violence, food insecurity, and disrupted access to health and education. The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security aimed to protect women and include them in peacebuilding, but implementation remains weak. The world is experiencing record high conflicts, with women largely excluded from peace negotiations, underscoring the collective responsibility to ensure their rights and participation.
- International Women's Day 2026 theme is "Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls," emphasizing the need for concrete action.
- Women and children are disproportionately affected by global conflicts, facing increased violence, displacement, and lack of essential services.
- UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) aims to protect women in conflicts and ensure their participation in peace processes, but implementation is lagging.
The article discusses the potential of the Women's Reservation Act to create India's most gender-representative Parliament by 2029, reserving one-third of Lok Sabha seats for women. However, it emphasizes that mere presence is insufficient; real change requires addressing women-specific issues like elder care, which currently lacks a policy framework and gender dimension. India is ageing rapidly, with women disproportionately affected by lower savings, broken employment histories, and lack of caregivers. The author argues that political parties must integrate dignified ageing for women into their manifestos and campaigns now, not after the 2029 elections, to ensure meaningful impact.
- The Women's Reservation Act will reserve one-third of Lok Sabha seats for women by 2029, promising a more gender-representative Parliament.
- Effective representation requires addressing specific issues relevant to women, beyond just their presence in Parliament.
- Elder care for women is highlighted as a critical, unaddressed policy area, lacking a gender dimension in existing policies.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu introduced a Draft Population Management Policy aimed at raising the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 1.5 to an optimal level of 2.1. The policy seeks to reverse the declining fertility rate and prepare the state for an ageing society by 2047. Incentives include ₹25,000 at delivery for a third child, ₹1,000 monthly assistance for five years, and free education until age 18. The state's TFR is mirroring lower fertility states like Tamil Nadu (1.4) and Kerala (1.6), necessitating a new policy playbook to prevent a shrinking workforce and economic cripple.
- Andhra Pradesh introduced a Draft Population Management Policy to increase its Total Fertility Rate (TFR).
- The policy aims to raise TFR from 1.5 to an optimal level of 2.1 to counter an ageing society and shrinking workforce.
- Incentives for families having a third child include financial aid at delivery, monthly assistance, and free education.
India is projected to have nearly 15 million children aged 5-9 and over 26 million aged 10-19 who are overweight or obese by 2025, ranking second globally after China. The World Obesity Atlas 2026 report highlights that the world is set to miss the 2025 global target to halve the rise in childhood obesity. Key risk factors in India include low physical activity levels, sub-optimal breastfeeding, and high consumption of sugary drinks, leading to projections of substantial increases in associated diseases like hypertension and hyperglycemia by 2040. Governments are urged to implement strong prevention and management efforts.
- India is projected to have the second-highest number of overweight or obese children globally by 2025, following China.
- The World Obesity Federation warns that global targets to reduce childhood obesity are being missed, with India being no exception.
- Significant risk factors contributing to childhood obesity in India include inadequate physical activity, sub-optimal breastfeeding, and high intake of sugary beverages.
Workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) are reporting significant glitches with the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, which made facial recognition mandatory for attendance from March 1. Workers in Rajasthan, among other places, struggled to download muster rolls and faced authentication failures with the facial recognition system. While the government claims over 22 lakh workers successfully used the feature, unions like MKSS question the system's efficacy in curbing corruption, arguing it creates technological barriers for workers. Officials state the new system, introduced after an e-KYC drive, adds an essential verification layer to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries and that handholding is provided for the transition.
- MGNREGS workers are experiencing glitches with the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, particularly its new mandatory facial recognition feature for attendance.
- Issues include difficulties in downloading muster rolls and authentication failures, as reported by workers and unions like MKSS.
- The government introduced facial recognition from March 1, following an e-KYC drive, to enhance transparency and eliminate ineligible beneficiaries.
India's religious geography is deeply intertwined with its ecological one, with sacred sites often located in sensitive habitats. Rising visitor numbers and commercialization are pressuring forest ecosystems, transforming seasonal rituals into mass tourism. The challenge is to govern this intersection without undermining ecological integrity or forest-dwelling communities' rights. A recent debate in the SCNBWL regarding religious structures in sanctuaries highlighted this tension. A clear no-expansion principle for core forest areas is recommended, while allowing for recognition of long-standing sites under strict, impact-based regulation. Guidelines from ATREE and WWF propose a "green pilgrimage model" focusing on caps on pilgrim numbers, transport restrictions, waste management, and multi-stakeholder governance to integrate ecological protection with cultural continuity.
- Religious sites in India are often located in ecologically sensitive areas, facing pressure from increasing religious tourism.
- The debate in the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) highlights the tension between religious expansion and conservation.
- A "no-expansion principle" is recommended for new constructions or enlargement of existing structures within core forest areas.
MGNREGS workers are reporting widespread glitches with the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, particularly its new mandatory facial recognition feature for attendance, implemented from March 1. Workers' unions like MKSS highlight issues such as inability to download muster rolls and authentication failures, impeding workers from registering their presence. While the government claims over 22 lakh workers successfully used the feature on Tuesday and that the update followed preparation, critics argue it creates technological barriers and lacks proper review, despite its aim to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries and curb corruption. The government asserts that exemptions are available for technical difficulties and support is being provided during the transition.
- MGNREGS workers are experiencing significant glitches with the NMMS app's new mandatory facial recognition attendance feature.
- The issues include difficulties in downloading muster rolls and failures in facial authentication, preventing workers from marking attendance.
- Workers' unions criticize the app for creating technological barriers and lacking a proper review of its effectiveness in curbing corruption.
India's religious geography often overlaps with ecologically sensitive areas, creating conflict between faith and conservation. Rising visitor numbers and commercialisation of pilgrimage routes are intensely pressuring forest ecosystems. A recent case involving a religious establishment expansion in a Gujarat sanctuary highlighted this tension. The article advocates for a 'green pilgrimage model' with a clear no-expansion principle for new constructions in core forest areas. It emphasizes recognizing long-standing sites subject to strict, impact-based regulation, including caps on pilgrim numbers and robust controls on waste and water use. Multi-stakeholder governance and mandatory settlement of forest rights are crucial for sustainable management.
- Religious sites and pilgrimage routes in India frequently coincide with ecologically sensitive protected areas, leading to environmental pressure from mass tourism.
- The Forest (Conservation) Act and Wildlife (Protection) Act generally treat new constructions on forest land as encroachment, highlighting the legal conflict.
- A 'green pilgrimage model' is proposed, advocating a strict no-expansion principle for new structures in core forest areas.
Proposed changes to University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations have sparked a debate over caste privileges and social justice in Indian higher education. The new regulations aim to include OBCs and other vulnerable groups (like EWS) alongside SC/STs in institutional safeguards against discrimination. However, the reforms have faced opposition from social elites and have stalled due to political hesitations. Data shows that OBCs constitute less than 3% of central university faculty, highlighting a significant gap in representation. The debate underscores the challenge of balancing 'meritocracy' with the constitutional mandate for inclusive social justice.
- New UGC regulations seek to expand social justice frameworks to include OBCs and EWS in university campuses.
- Opposition from elite groups has led to the policy being put in abeyance by the judiciary and the government.
- A report on faculty recruitment shows OBC representation in central universities is disproportionately low at less than 3%.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 'Hind-Di-Chadar' commemoration, marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He emphasized the government's commitment to the Sikh community, citing the reopening of 1984 riot cases and providing additional compensation to affected families. Key achievements mentioned include the safe return of 'saroops' (Guru Granth Sahib) from Afghanistan and the use of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to offer relief to persecuted Sikhs and Hindus from neighboring countries. The PM also noted the removal of thousands of blacklisted names of Sikhs to facilitate their integration.
- The government commemorated the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to reopen and investigate closed cases related to the 1984 riots.
- The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is being used to provide citizenship to persecuted Sikhs from Afghanistan.
India's demographic dividend is projected to end by 2040, making vocational training reforms urgent. Currently, only 1.3% of Indian students are in vocational streams, far below European and Chinese standards. The article criticizes the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for poor outcomes, citing a 2025 CAG report that found high rates of invalid trainees and low placement. It proposes shifting from supply-driven to demand-driven models using 'skill vouchers' and 'skill levies' (Reimbursable Industry Contribution), similar to successful models in Singapore and South Korea, to ensure industry ownership and sustainable funding for the workforce.
- India's demographic dividend window is closing, with projections suggesting it will end by 2040.
- A 2025 CAG report on PMKVY revealed that 94.5% of bank accounts were invalid and only 41% of trainees achieved placement.
- The National Education Policy (NEP) aims for 50% of learners to have exposure to vocational education by 2025.
The roll-out of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), a key recommendation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is facing significant challenges. Students and teachers report chaotic conditions due to a lack of infrastructure, faculty, and clear guidelines. While the program offers multiple entry and exit options and a focus on research, many universities lack the facilities to support fourth-year research projects. The Karnataka government has even decided to abandon the four-year model, returning to the traditional three-year degree. Critics argue the program adds a financial burden to students without providing adequate academic resources or improved employability.
- NEP 2020 proposed a four-year bachelor's degree with honours or research focus to align Indian higher education with global standards.
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued the Curriculum and Credit Framework for this model in December 2022, but implementation has been uneven.
- Major institutions like Delhi University and Aligarh Muslim University are struggling with 'unreasonable research outcomes' and a lack of extra funding from the UGC.