On Rare Diseases Day, concerns have been raised regarding the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) and the underutilization of allocated budgets. Despite a ₹299 crore allocation for 2025-26, only a small fraction (₹30.79 crore) has been utilized so far, leaving many patients without life-saving treatment. Families of children with disorders like MPS 2 and Gaucher disease report that funding caps of ₹50 lakh are insufficient for long-term care. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear matters related to treatment interruptions, as the rare disease community calls for immediate intervention to ensure continuity of care and prevent further fatalities.
- The National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) provides a framework for treatment through designated Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across India.
- A significant portion of the allocated budget remains unspent while patients face life-threatening delays in therapy due to administrative hurdles.
- The current funding cap of ₹50 lakh per patient is often exhausted quickly, leading to a complete halt in life-saving care for many children.
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.
Shashi Tharoor argues that Kerala must transition from a 'Remittance Economy' to an 'Innovation Economy' to address its unique challenges. Despite high literacy and social indicators, Kerala faces an aging population and land scarcity. The article suggests leveraging Kerala's biodiversity for a 'Graphene Valley,' developing 'retirement villages' for global seniors, and utilizing the Vizhinjam International Seaport as a global logistics hub. By adopting high-value, low-footprint models like Dutch glasshouse farming and Singapore's logistics efficiency, Kerala can transform its constraints into competitive advantages in biotech, IT, and medical tourism.
- Kerala needs to pivot from relying on remittances (₹1.3 lakh crore annually) to high-tech innovation and value addition.
- The state should utilize its unique genetic pool for precision medicine and establish a 'Graphene Valley' for advanced materials.
- Vizhinjam Seaport must be developed into a comprehensive logistics and value-addition hub rather than just a transit point.
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.
This article examines income mobility in India between 2014 and 2025, drawing on data from the Consumer Pyramids Household Survey. It highlights a concerning trend where downward mobility—households slipping into lower income brackets—has nearly doubled, while upward mobility remains stagnant. The study reveals significant disparities across caste and religious lines, with Scheduled Castes (SC) and Muslim households facing the greatest hurdles in upward movement. Urban areas show slightly better mobility than rural ones, where nearly 29% of households are worse off than a decade ago. The findings suggest that despite headline growth, entrenched inequality and economic vulnerability persist, necessitating policies focused on social protection and employment-intensive sectors.
- Downward mobility in India increased from 14% in 2015 to 26.8% in 2025, indicating rising economic vulnerability.
- Upward mobility remains muted, particularly for Scheduled Castes and Muslim households, who face systemic barriers and discrimination.
- Rural areas have been hit harder by economic volatility compared to urban centers, with nearly 29% of rural households worse off than in 2014.
An editorial criticizes the Supreme Court's perceived retreat from its 2018 guidelines intended to curb mob violence and cow vigilantism. Chief Justice Surya Kant recently observed that the 2018 'general directions' were 'unmanageable', suggesting petitioners approach High Courts instead. The article argues that since 2018, vigilantism has grown, often with state encouragement or legal sanctity. The 2018 judgment (Dipak Misra bench) had emphasized the state's 'sacrosanct duty' to protect citizens from lynching. The current judicial diffidence is seen as a blow to the rule of law and the protection of individual rights against majoritarian violence.
- The 2018 Supreme Court judgment provided specific preventive, punitive, and remedial measures against mob lynching.
- Current judicial observations suggest a shift toward handling cases on individual merits rather than systemic monitoring.
- Vigilante groups are allegedly being accorded quasi-policing powers in violation of court guidelines.
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.
The Supreme Court recently upheld that the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, does not apply to Scheduled Tribes, reaffirming the legal principle of providing special protection to indigenous customs. In the case of Nawang v. Bahadur, the court overturned a High Court order that had granted inheritance rights to tribal women who had 'Hinduised.' The ruling confirms the constitutional validity of Section 2(2) of the Act, which excludes Scheduled Tribes. While this protects customary laws, it leaves many tribal women without absolute property rights, leading to calls for a separate enactment to ensure gender parity while preserving tribal identity.
- Section 2(2) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, specifically excludes Scheduled Tribes from its purview.
- The Supreme Court ruled that Parliament, not the judiciary, has the authority to extend the Act to tribal communities.
- Customary laws in many tribal communities deny absolute property rights to women, creating a legal gap.
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.
Although the Women’s Reservation Act was passed in September 2023, its implementation is stalled until after the first Census following 2026 and subsequent delimitation. This means the 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies likely won't take effect until 2034. Critics argue this 'census-delimitation linkage' is a constitutional barrier that could have been avoided. The article highlights concerns regarding the lack of sub-reservation for OBC women and the potential for political friction between northern and southern states during the delimitation process, which could further complicate the timeline for gender parity in Indian politics.
- The Act mandates that reservation will only apply after the delimitation exercise following the next Census, scheduled for 2027.
- Delimitation involves redrawing constituency boundaries to balance population representation, a process governed by Article 82.
- There is no constitutional necessity to link women's reservation to delimitation; Parliament could have enabled immediate implementation through amendment.
On International Mother Language Day, UNESCO released the 'Bhasha Matters' report, highlighting the critical role of mother-tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) in India. The report notes that nearly 44% of Indian children enter school speaking a language different from the medium of instruction, leading to learning gaps and higher dropout rates. It aligns with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places the child's home language at the center of early education. The report showcases successful digital initiatives like DIKSHA and Bhashini that support multilingual learning through AI and community-developed resources.
- MTB-MLE is described as not only pedagogically sound but also transformative for inclusive and equitable education.
- The report provides 10 policy recommendations to guide India toward a more effective multilingual education system.
- Digital tools and AI are identified as key assets for creating local-language content and supporting teachers in multilingual classrooms.
A private member Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Constitution to bring diversity to judicial appointments and establish regional benches of the Supreme Court. Currently, the Collegium system, established through the Three Judges Cases, governs appointments but faces criticism for lack of transparency and social representation. Between 2018 and 2024, only about 20% of high court judges belonged to SC, ST, or OBC categories. The Bill proposes mandatory representation for minorities and women and suggests regional benches in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai to improve access to justice for common citizens.
- Article 124 and Article 217 of the Constitution govern the appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges.
- The Collegium system consists of the CJI and senior-most judges, excluding the executive from the final selection.
- The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015.
As India hosts the AI Impact Summit, there is a call for a human-centred AI that drives inclusive social justice. AI is expected to transform the world of work by enhancing productivity rather than just replacing jobs. India's e-Shram platform, which supports over 315 million informal workers, is a prime example of using technology for social protection. The Union Budget 2026-27 announced a High-Powered Committee to assess AI's impact on employment. To ensure equitable outcomes, India must focus on skilling, digital infrastructure, and international collaboration to bridge the AI access gap between high and low-income economies.
- AI could generate over three million new technology jobs in India by 2030 while reshaping ten million existing ones.
- The e-Shram platform serves as a digital backbone for social protection for 315 million informal workers.
- The Global Coalition for Social Justice, involving the ILO, aims to strengthen evidence-based AI policies.
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.
Denotified Tribes (DNTs), once branded as 'criminal' under colonial-era laws, are seeking a separate category in the upcoming Census to ensure better targeting of welfare schemes. Currently, many DNTs are subsumed under SC, ST, or OBC categories, leading to uneven benefit distribution. The Idate Commission (2018) and Renke Commission (2008) have previously highlighted their socio-economic marginalization. While the government launched the SEED scheme for their welfare, community leaders argue that without accurate enumeration and a distinct identity, their specific needs regarding land rights, education, and social stigma remain unaddressed.
- DNTs were originally classified under the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871, which was repealed only in 1952.
- The Habitual Offenders Act replaced the CTA, continuing the social stigma of 'criminality' for many nomadic communities.
- The SEED scheme (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) focuses on education, health, and livelihoods for these groups.
As of December 31, 2025, India had 574 prisoners on death row, a 43.5% increase since 2016. Despite this rise, there is a growing hesitancy in the appellate judiciary to confirm death sentences. Over the last decade, High Courts decided 1,085 death sentences, with 34.65% resulting in acquittals and only 8.31% being upheld. The Supreme Court has not confirmed any death sentences in the last three years, even acquitting and releasing 10 death row prisoners in 2025. These trends highlight concerns regarding the handling of evidence and procedural fairness in trial courts.
- The number of people on death row has steadily increased since 2020, reaching 574 by the end of 2025.
- High Courts show a high rate of acquittals (34.6%) and commutations for death penalty cases.
- The Supreme Court has shown significant restraint, with zero confirmations in the 2023-2025 period.
The implementation of India's four new labour codes represents a shift toward greater financial inclusion and social security. By consolidating fragmented laws, the codes aim to modernize governance and ensure equitable growth. A key reform is the new definition of 'wage,' requiring that basic pay and certain allowances constitute at least 50% of remuneration, boosting social security contributions like PF and gratuity. Crucially, the codes extend formal recognition and social security benefits to unorganized, migrant, and platform workers for the first time, promoting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerability to economic shocks.
- The four labour codes consolidate multiple fragmented laws to simplify compliance and improve transparency for employers.
- The new 'wage' definition ensures higher employer contributions toward Provident Fund (PF) and gratuity for employees.
- Unorganized and platform workers are formally recognized and granted access to insurance and welfare schemes for the first time.
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that there is no proposal to grant distinct legal and constitutional recognition to Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) on par with SC/ST/OBC classifications. These communities, formerly labeled 'criminal' under the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, have been pushing for a 'separate column' in the upcoming 2027 Census. While the Social Justice Ministry assured leaders they would be counted, the government maintains there is no plan for a new classification. This decision impacts the movement for fresh identification and targeted welfare for these historically marginalized groups.
- Denotified tribes were historically stigmatized under the British-era Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
- The communities are seeking a separate category in the 2027 Census to facilitate better policy targeting.
- The government currently classifies these groups within existing SC, ST, or OBC categories rather than a separate legal entity.
The article discusses the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in various states, including West Bengal and Bihar. It raises concerns about the 'judicial drift' where the Supreme Court acts as an administrator rather than a constitutional adjudicator. The SIR process, which involves large-scale revisions, is criticized for potentially disenfranchising vulnerable populations by placing the burden of proof of citizenship on the residents. The author argues that the ongoing SIRs amount to an exercise where entire populations are called upon to establish their citizenship without pre-existing cause for suspicion.
- The SIR process involves a wholesale revision of voter rolls, often leading to arbitrary deletions and hardship for residents.
- The Representation of the People Act authorizes the ECI to conduct special revisions, but the scale of current SIRs is questioned.
- The 1995 Lal Babu Hussein case established that notices for removal must be directed at specific individuals with disclosed reasons for suspicion.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the 'Sthree Suraksha Scheme,' which provides a monthly assistance of ₹1,000 to unemployed women and transwomen. The scheme targets women aged 35 to 60 who are economically backward and not receiving benefits from other social welfare pension schemes. Over 10 lakh beneficiaries received the first month's payment. The initiative aims to reduce financial dependency, which often silences women, and ensures that the fruits of development reach every section of society. This move is part of a broader range of populist welfare measures announced by the state government.
- The scheme provides ₹1,000 per month to eligible unemployed women and transwomen in Kerala.
- Eligibility is restricted to women aged 35-60 who are economically backward and not covered by other pensions.
- The initiative is designed to promote financial independence and social inclusion for marginalized gender groups.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, to tackle persistent caste, gender, and religion-based discrimination. While the need for such intervention is widely acknowledged, the regulations have faced protests and a Supreme Court stay. Critics argue that the mandate for 'swift redressal' within rigid timelines, combined with vague definitions and central monitoring, creates a 'compliance theatre.' This environment may lead institutions to prioritize visible, performative actions over genuine structural reform, potentially disadvantaging the very marginalized communities the rules aim to protect by diluting the quality of adjudication.
- The regulations aim to address long-standing discrimination in Indian higher education through mandatory equity committees.
- A Supreme Court stay was issued on January 29, 2026, following protests over procedural vagueness and fear of unfair penalties.
- The 'Thin Process' model is criticized for valuing speed over careful, fair adjudication of complex grievances.
Following a fatal blast in an illegal rat-hole coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, the Meghalaya government has constituted a judicial inquiry commission. A panel headed by Justice B.P. Katakey flagged a massive discrepancy in surveyed coal stocks, with over 1.92 lakh tonnes missing. Despite a 2014 ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), illegal mining persists through thousands of rat-holes. Activists are calling for an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe, arguing that illegal mining has transitioned from a law-and-order issue to a serious economic offense involving complex financial networks.
- A judicial inquiry commission has been formed to investigate the February 5 mine blast that killed 27 miners.
- The Justice B.P. Katakey panel found nearly 2 lakh tonnes of coal missing from surveyed dumps.
- Rat-hole mining was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April 2014 due to safety and environmental risks.
Following tragic incidents of adolescent self-harm, there is a growing global trend toward banning social media for children under 16, with Australia and Spain leading the way. However, experts argue that such bans are technically porous, as tech-savvy youth often bypass restrictions using VPNs or migrate to unmoderated 'dark web' platforms. In India, a blanket ban could exacerbate the digital divide, particularly affecting girls in patriarchal settings where internet access is already restricted. Critics suggest that instead of bans, the government should focus on robust digital competition laws, 'duty of care' obligations for platforms, and better implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Bans are often ineffective as minors use VPNs or move to encrypted, unmoderated platforms.
- A social media ban may disproportionately affect marginalized groups and rural adolescents who use these platforms as lifelines.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is cited as having poorly designed 'consent gating' provisions.
The Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara, popularly known as the Medaram Jatara, is Asia's largest tribal congregation, held biennially in the Mulugu district of Telangana. The festival honors the courage of mother-daughter duo Sammakka and Saralamma, who fought against the Kakatiya rulers over unjust taxes during a famine. Millions of devotees, both tribal and non-tribal, gather in the tiny forest village of Medaram to offer prayers and perform rituals, including taking a holy dip in the Jampanna Vagu. Recognized as a State festival since 1998, it represents the rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of the Koya tribe.
- Medaram Jatara is a biennial festival and is considered the largest tribal gathering in Asia.
- The festival commemorates the struggle of Sammakka and Saralamma against the Kakatiya dynasty's tax collection.
- It was officially recognized as a State festival by the government in 1998.