A report titled 'India's Progress in Addressing the Challenges of Tuberculosis' identifies significant hurdles faced by rural, tribal, and migrant communities in TB care. India accounts for 27% of global TB cases, with socio-economic disparities, malnutrition, and COVID-19 disruptions impeding elimination efforts. Migrant populations face obstacles due to high mobility and limited health access, leading to delayed diagnosis. The report calls for nationwide mapping of non-notified settlements, an integrated migrant health framework, and a national framework for post-TB care to address chronic respiratory symptoms and lung damage among survivors.
- India bears approximately 27% of the global tuberculosis burden, facing challenges from socio-economic disparities.
- Migrant populations face critical barriers to TB care due to informal employment and lack of health access.
- The report recommends a nationwide mapping of non-notified settlements to identify high-burden clusters.
The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has rejected recommendations to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities: Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai Ahom, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). The CCTOA argues that this move is unconstitutional and would destroy the political rights and reservations of existing tribes. They cite the Lokur Committee report of 1965, which defines ST criteria based on primitive traits and geographical isolation. The Group of Ministers had suggested categorizing these communities into ST (Plain), ST (Hill), and ST (Valley) to accommodate the request.
- Six communities in Assam are seeking ST status, which is being opposed by existing tribal organizations (CCTOA).
- Opponents argue that granting ST status to these groups would dilute the benefits and political representation of current STs.
- The criteria for ST status are traditionally based on the Lokur Committee's 1965 recommendations regarding primitive traits and backwardness.
Transgender men and gender-diverse individuals in India face significant barriers in healthcare, ranging from judgmental attitudes and misgendering to outright denial of care. Despite progressive policies in states like Tamil Nadu, many healthcare professionals lack awareness and training regarding transgender identities. This leads to unsupervised hormonal therapy, as individuals often self-medicate due to the unavailability of affordable endocrinologists. The article calls for a structured training of medical professionals, the application of peer-reviewed standardized protocols, and a community-based care model to ensure dignified and evidence-based healthcare for the transgender community.
- Healthcare for trans men is hindered by limited research, poor understanding of identities, and a 'one-size-fits-all' model.
- Lack of professional guidance leads to risky unsupervised hormone replacement therapy and self-medication.
- Medical professionals often view trans men through a patriarchal, reproduction-oriented lens, leading to unethical practices.
The Union Labour Ministry has pre-published draft Rules for the four Labour Codes, inviting public feedback within 45 days. The Rules mandate a 48-hour work week and introduce social security measures for gig and platform workers. Key provisions include the definition of workers, wages, and gratuity. For the Code on Wages, minimum wage criteria will consider a standard working class family of four and specific caloric intake. The Rules also specify safety measures for women working night shifts, including mandatory consent and the provision of transportation and CCTV surveillance.
- The draft Rules mandate a maximum of 48 hours of work per week across various sectors.
- Social security measures are introduced for the first time for gig and platform workers in the draft Rules.
- Minimum wage fixation will be based on a standard family unit (spouse and two children) and a net intake of 2,700 calories.
This article critiques the current legal framework for motor accident compensation in India, which often values lives based on earning capacity. It highlights that the 'multiplier method' used by tribunals can lead to lower compensation for homemakers, children, and informal workers compared to high-earning professionals. The author argues this violates Article 14 (Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life with Dignity) of the Constitution. A proposed solution is a 'dignity floor'—a universal baseline payment for all victims, supplemented by income-linked additions to ensure fairness and social justice in the legal system.
- Current compensation models often discriminate against non-earning individuals like homemakers and children by using 'notional income'.
- The 'multiplier method' calculates compensation based on the victim's annual income, age, and fixed standard categories.
- The author argues that valuing life solely on income violates the constitutional promise of equality under Article 14.
Unions representing gig and platform workers in India have announced a nationwide strike to protest against "systemic exclusion" from core labor entitlements and constitutional guarantees. The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) has submitted a demand charter to the Union Labour Minister, calling for the legal recognition of platform workers as 'workers' under labor laws rather than 'partners'. Key demands include the discontinuation of 10-20 minute delivery mandates to ensure worker safety and immediate government intervention to stop pervasive harassment and discrimination in the food delivery and taxi service sectors.
- Gig workers are currently classified as 'partners', which excludes them from benefits like minimum wage, insurance, and social security.
- The strike highlights the severe implications for India's growth if the issues of the gig workforce remain unaddressed.
- Unions are demanding the removal of strict delivery timelines that compromise the safety of delivery personnel on the road.
Cleft lip and palate are significant birth defects in India, with one in 700 children born with these conditions annually. Despite the high volume of surgeries performed by NGOs like Smile Train, a massive backlog remains. The article highlights that cleft care is often misidentified as a cosmetic issue, whereas it severely impacts a child's ability to speak, eat, and breathe. The World Health Organization has recognized craniofacial anomalies in the Global Burden of Disease initiative. Early identification and timely surgical intervention, ideally starting at three months of age, are crucial for effective treatment and social integration.
- India sees approximately 36,000 babies born with cleft abnormalities every year, with a current backlog of 17.5 lakh children with unrepaired clefts.
- The National Birth Defect Awareness Month was launched in August 2024 to discuss prevention and early identification.
- Cleft conditions lead to psychological trauma, bullying, and difficulties in employment and marriage due to social stigma.
The Union government has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and AJeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. During a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting, officials stated that 'fake demand' for work would not be entertained during the transition period. The government is coordinating with states to ensure only genuine demand is raised. The meeting also addressed the long-standing issue of withheld funds for West Bengal, which were stopped in 2022 due to non-compliance with central directives regarding corruption and administrative issues.
- MGNREGA was repealed by Parliament on December 18, 2025, to make way for the new VB-GRAM G Act.
- The new scheme aims to distinguish between genuine and 'fake' demand to prevent misuse of funds during the transition.
- Funds to West Bengal were stopped under Section 27 of the MGNREGA Act, 2005, due to continued non-compliance.
Beyond the ethical arguments for equality, there is a compelling business case for LGBTQIA+ inclusion. India’s LGBTQIA+ community is estimated at 135 million people, with a purchasing power of approximately $168 billion. However, discrimination and exclusion lead to significant economic losses, estimated between 0.1% and 1.7% of India's GDP. The article emphasizes that inclusion should not be a seasonal marketing gesture but a strategic business imperative. Companies that prioritize representation and offer trans-inclusive policies foster stronger brand loyalty and attract top talent, while those failing to engage risk losing a massive market segment.
- The 'pink economy' represents a significant but under-recognised market opportunity in India's development story.
- Homophobia and exclusion result in tangible costs through health disparities and labor-related losses.
- Genuine inclusion requires corporate advocacy, trans-inclusive healthcare, and year-round commitment rather than performative 'rainbow washing'.
The Supreme Court is considering the validity of talaq-e-hasan, a practice where a husband divorces his wife over three months. The article argues that the Quran does not grant men superior status to unilaterally dissolve marriage. Instead, it views marriage as a 'solemn covenant' between equals. The Quranic procedure for divorce involves four distinct conciliatory steps, including arbitration, before a final divorce is pronounced. The author contends that all forms of unilateral divorce, including talaq-e-bid’a and talaq-e-hasan, lack Quranic support and should be struck down to ensure gender justice and constitutional equality.
- The Quran uses terms like 'uqdatan-nikah' and 'meesaaqan ghaleezan' to describe marriage as a contract between equals.
- The prescribed Quranic divorce process requires attempts at resolution, temporary separation, and arbitration from both families.
- Unilateral divorce practices are often based on later sectarian traditions rather than the Quran or Hadith.
India's "health for all" initiative is struggling due to a persistent funding deficit, with health spending remaining below 2% of GDP against a target of 2.5%. The withdrawal of U.S. funding through USAID and PEPFAR in early 2025 has further strained key health programs. Major challenges include the rise of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the failure to meet the 2025 TB elimination goal, and critical quality control failures in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighted by deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups. While diagnostic access has improved, the gap between demand and supply in infrastructure remains significant, requiring urgent realignment of priorities.
- India's health budget is currently below 2% of GDP, missing the National Health Policy target of 2.5%.
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing concern, with high resistance rates in hospital-acquired infections like E.coli.
- The target to eliminate Tuberculosis by 2025 remains unachieved despite advancements in home-grown molecular tests.
Despite a significant decline in child marriage rates from 47.4% (2005-06) to 23.3% (2019-21), the practice remains a major social issue in India. The article highlights a direct correlation between child marriage, poverty, and lack of education, with girls from the lowest wealth quintile and those with no education being most vulnerable. While legal frameworks like the Prevention of Child Marriage Act exist, low conviction rates and the unintended consequences of the POCSO Act pose challenges. Achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of ending child marriage requires a multi-pronged approach involving education and improved infrastructure.
- National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data shows that child marriage rates are highest in states like West Bengal, Bihar, and Tripura.
- Education is a critical deterrent; only 4% of girls with higher education were married before 18, compared to 48% of those with no education.
- The Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006, faces implementation hurdles, including low conviction rates and infrequent application of the law.
Modern urban planning often overlooks the fundamental element of human belonging, leading to an 'invisible tax of exclusion' for migrants. Language barriers serve as a primary standard for integration, often marginalizing those from different linguistic zones and creating economic disadvantages in job searches and healthcare access. To build sustainable urban futures, cities must be viewed as dynamic ecosystems rather than static blueprints. This involves inclusive governance that reflects a city's cosmopolitan reality and proactive measures like cultural sensitivity training for public-facing staff to ensure all residents feel validated and secure.
- Linguistic friction acts as an economic roadblock, channeling migrants into the informal economy.
- Urban planning often assumes a static, homogenous user base, ignoring the needs of diverse new residents.
- Inclusive cities require infrastructure and services that are accessible regardless of a resident's linguistic or cultural background.
Rabies remains a significant public health challenge in India, causing approximately 20,000 deaths annually, the highest in the world. The disease disproportionately affects the impoverished, who face barriers in accessing Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG). Despite the availability of vaccines, shortages and high costs of RIG often lead to fatal outcomes. Effective management requires a multi-pronged approach: increasing awareness, ensuring affordable and accessible treatment, and implementing robust stray dog population control through 'Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release' programs. Recent developments include the introduction of monoclonal antibodies as a more accessible alternative to human rabies immunoglobulin.
- India accounts for about one-third of global rabies deaths, with approximately 20,000 fatalities each year.
- Rabies is 100% preventable through timely vaccination but nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear.
- The 'One Health' approach is essential for managing the disease, involving both human healthcare and animal welfare.
India has consistently ranked high in global doping violations, a trend that threatens its aspirations to host major international events like the 2036 Olympics. In 2024, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reported that 3.6% of India's tests resulted in adverse analytical findings. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) attributes this to increased testing, but issues like athlete evasion and the involvement of support staff suggest a deeper systemic malaise. To combat this, the government passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Experts argue for NADA's complete independence and better funding to ensure a clean sports ecosystem.
- India recorded 260 adverse analytical findings (AAFs) out of 7,113 tests in 2024, ranking high globally.
- The lure of government jobs through sports quotas and lucrative cash awards often drives athletes toward performance-enhancing drugs.
- The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to strengthen the legal framework against doping.
The four new labour codes (2019 and 2020) aim to consolidate existing laws but face criticism for potentially undermining the rights of unorganised workers, who constitute 90% of India's workforce. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code is criticized for removing specific safety rules previously present in the BOCW Act. Furthermore, the replacement of physical inspections with web-based systems is seen as a violation of ILO Convention 81. In states like Tamil Nadu, the new Social Security (SS) Code threatens existing sector-specific welfare boards that provide essential benefits to millions of manual workers.
- Unorganised workers contribute 65% of India's GDP but are largely excluded from the protections of the new codes.
- The OSHWC Code lacks specific safety mandates for hazardous sectors like construction, leading to higher accident risks.
- The transition to a centralized e-Shram system may lead to the dissolution of effective state-level welfare boards.
The article critiques the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G). MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, provided a legally enforceable, demand-driven right to employment. The new 2025 law shifts this to a supply-driven framework, giving the Centre authority over fund allocation and program operation. Critics argue this undermines the 'right to work' and reduces state autonomy. Furthermore, the funding ratio between the Centre and States has changed from 90:10 to 60:40, potentially placing a heavy financial burden on state governments.
- MGNREGA was a demand-driven scheme, whereas the new framework is supply-driven, centralizing control.
- The rebranding and restructuring are seen by some as a shift away from a rights-based welfare approach.
- The change in the funding ratio (60:40) may lead states to curtail project approvals due to fiscal constraints.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), India has recorded the highest number of doping offenders globally for the third straight year. In 2024, India reported 260 positive cases, more than double the number of any other nation. Athletics, weightlifting, and wrestling are the most affected sports. While the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) attributes the high numbers to increased testing, global comparisons show other countries have much lower positivity rates despite higher testing volumes. The government has introduced the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to strengthen the legal framework against doping.
- India recorded 260 positive doping cases in 2024, the highest number globally.
- Athletics is the sport with the highest number of violations in India, followed by weightlifting and wrestling.
- India's positivity rate (3.6%) is significantly higher than other major sporting nations like China or the U.S.
The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G), 2025, has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Critics argue this marks a shift from a 'demand-driven' right to a 'command-driven' centrally sponsored model. The new Act changes the funding ratio from 90:10 to 60:40 (Centre:State) for some states and removes the Union government's obligation to pay compensation for wage delays. While it claims to provide 125 days of employment, concerns remain regarding funding adequacy and the loss of local autonomy for panchayat institutions.
- VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 replaces the MGNREGA framework as the primary rural job guarantee scheme.
- The funding pattern for several states has been altered from 90:10 to a 60:40 Centre-State ratio.
- The new Act removes the central government's legal obligation to pay for wage delay compensation.
The Right to Disconnect Bill, introduced as a private member's bill, seeks to address the blurring lines between work and personal life in the digital age. It proposes that employees have the right to ignore work-related communication outside prescribed working hours. The bill draws inspiration from European jurisdictions like France and Germany. However, critics point out ambiguities regarding the definition of 'work' in a digital economy and how it integrates with existing labor codes like the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. It also touches upon Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty).
- The bill proposes a legal right for employees to disconnect from work communications after prescribed hours.
- It is linked to the constitutional right to individual autonomy and the Right to Life under Article 21.
- Current Indian labor laws lack a clear definition of 'work' in the context of a digital economy.
President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces the MGNREGA. The new Act increases guaranteed work days from 100 to 125. It focuses on four key areas: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and extreme weather mitigation. The funding model shifts to a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and States for administrative costs, compared to the previous 90:10 ratio under MGNREGA. The government has reserved ₹1,51,282 crore for the scheme's comprehensive development of villages.
- The VB-G RAM G Bill officially replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Guaranteed days of employment have been increased from 100 to 125 days per year for rural households.
- The funding pattern for administrative costs has been revised to a 60:40 ratio, increasing the financial burden on state governments.
The Union Home Ministry has revised guidelines for the 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme, launched in 2023, to address inadequate implementation by States. The scheme provides financial assistance to indigent prisoners unable to pay court-imposed fines or bail sureties. The new framework mandates fixed timelines and involves senior officials, including a District-level Empowered Committee. While the scheme aims to reduce prison overcrowding and alleviate hardships, it excludes those accused of heinous crimes, terrorism, or offences under specific acts like PMLA and UAPA. Financial assistance of up to ₹25,000 can be sanctioned per case.
- The 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme provides financial aid for fines and bail to indigent inmates.
- A District-level Empowered Committee, including the District Collector and a Judge, oversees the approval process.
- The scheme excludes prisoners accused of heinous crimes, rape, human trafficking, or terrorism.
The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing a national web portal named 'TARANG' to digitize the recognition and management of forest rights. The portal aims to provide a single-window interface for all processes under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, including filing claims, processing by Gram Sabhas, and issuing digital title deeds. This initiative is part of a larger FRA roadmap expected to be finalized by mid-2026. By digitizing records and geotagging recognized lands, the government hopes to streamline the verification process and ensure the saturation of welfare schemes for tribal communities and forest dwellers.
- The 'TARANG' portal will act as a single-window system for all Forest Rights Act (FRA) processes.
- The portal will facilitate the filing of claims, issuance of digital title deeds, and mapping of potential forest areas.
- The initiative aims to digitize legacy data and geotag all recognized forest rights lands across India.
The central government's proposed 'Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill 2025' seeks to overhaul the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Critics argue the Bill undermines Article 41 of the Constitution, which mandates the State to ensure the right to work. Key concerns include the shift from demand-driven to 'normative financial allocations,' increased centralization, and the prohibition of work during peak agricultural seasons. Opponents claim these changes will reduce the bargaining power of rural workers and disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities.
- The proposed Bill moves MGNREGA from a demand-driven model to one based on fixed central allocations.
- Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) emphasizes the State's duty to provide the right to work.
- The Bill prohibits MGNREGA work during peak agricultural seasons, which critics say favors large landowners over laborers.