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National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and Section 6A Citizenship Act and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Climate FInance, Citizenship Act,Line of Actual Control (LAC) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 30, 2025 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on May 09, 2025
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India’s Commitment towards TB-Mukt Bharat
For Preliminary Examination: Tuberculosis (TB) , Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030,
For Mains Examination : GS II: Government policies to Achieve TB Mukt Bharat
Context:
One of the biggest killers, Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease and found in every part of the world. It continues to be a major public health issue of global concern. India carries one of the largest global burden of the disease. The central and state governments are committed to ending it by 2025, five years ahead of the global target under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030. Let us deep dive into the different aspects of the disease and understand India’s initiatives in this direction.
Read about:
How is Tuberculosis drug-resistant?
India's elimination target
Key takeaways:
Global Impact of Tuberculosis
- Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.8 billion individuals, or nearly a quarter of the global population, are infected with TB. Each year, around 1.3 million children develop TB.
- It remains one of the leading infectious causes of death worldwide. Last year, TB was identified as the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, following COVID-19, causing nearly twice as many deaths as HIV/AIDS. In 2022, TB infected 10.6 million people and resulted in 1.4 million deaths, with an average of 3,500 deaths daily.
- Various social, economic, and health-related factors significantly influence the prevalence of tuberculosis. These include undernutrition, diabetes, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, and smoking. The WHO reports that globally in 2020, undernutrition was responsible for an estimated 1.9 million TB cases, HIV infection for 740,000 cases, alcohol use disorders for 740,000 cases, smoking for 730,000 cases, and diabetes for 370,000 cases. However, there are regional and national variations, with high incidence rates observed among urban populations living in slums.
- Thirty countries with high TB burdens account for 87% of the world’s TB cases, with eight countries bearing two-thirds of the global burden. India, in particular, represents 27% of the world’s TB cases, followed by Indonesia (10%), China (7.1%), the Philippines (7.0%), Pakistan (5.7%), Nigeria (4.5%), Bangladesh (3.6%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.0%).
Recognition of India's Efforts
- The WHO Global TB Report 2023 has acknowledged India's significant efforts and interventions aimed at eliminating tuberculosis. India has made notable progress in reducing TB incidence by 16% and mortality by 18% since 2015 (up to 2022). The country has been praised for its enhanced case detection strategies, which led to a record number of TB cases being reported in 2022, with over 2.42 million cases, surpassing pre-COVID levels.
- In 2023, the notification of TB cases reached a new high, with 2.55 million cases reported—17.1 million from the public sector and 8.4 million from the private sector, marking the highest proportion ever at 33%.
- This significant increase in private sector notifications, which have grown more than eightfold over the past nine years, is attributed to targeted engagement strategies. Furthermore, treatment coverage now extends to 80% of estimated TB cases, a 19% increase from the previous year.
- The WHO report also highlights that India's rate of decline in TB incidence is nearly double the global rate, which stands at 8.7%. Additionally, TB mortality rates have been revised downward from 494,000 in 2021 to 331,000 in 2022, reflecting a 34% reduction based on data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) for the years 2014–2019
Key Initiatives for Making India Tuberculosis-Free
- Despite its high infectious nature, tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and curable disease when detected early and treated completely.
- Faced with the highest global TB incidence, the Government of India has adopted a mission-driven approach to combat TB. Both the United Nations and WHO have pledged to end the TB epidemic as part of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.3, which aims to "end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and address hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases by 2030."
- With under two years remaining to reach the 2025 target, the focus is on enhancing prevention measures and expanding service coverage for TB detection and treatment. Notably, continuous efforts by the government, support agencies, and communities have reduced the number of undiagnosed TB cases in India from 1 million in 2015 to 260,000 in 2023.
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To meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to TB by 2025, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is executing the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) with the following aims:
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Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- Launched in September 2022, the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan represents a mission-oriented approach to combat tuberculosis (TB). Its goal is to develop strategies and interventions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) related to TB by 2025.
- This initiative necessitates active community involvement, with various agencies, communities, and government bodies working collaboratively. The campaign has mobilized individuals from diverse backgrounds into a ‘Jan Andolan’ (people’s movement), accelerating progress towards TB eradication and leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
- A key component of this initiative is the introduction of Ni-kshay Mitras, a program where volunteers from different sectors become 'Mitras' (friends) to support TB patients through their recovery.
- Ni-kshay Mitras can include individuals, NGOs, cooperative societies, faith-based organizations, private companies, and political parties. These supporters provide assistance in the form of nutritional aid, supplements, additional medical investigations, and vocational support for periods ranging from six months to three years.
- This initiative also addresses the stigma associated with TB, aiming to reduce it through community involvement.
- Enhanced awareness and education about TB and its management are expected outcomes of this engagement. Furthermore, since TB and its extended treatment often lead to job losses and financial difficulties, Ni-kshay Mitras also commit to providing vocational support to TB patients
1.Read the following passages and answer the question, your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.
A majority of the TB infected in India are poor and lack sufficient nutrition, suitable housing and have little understanding of prevention. TB then devastates families, makes the poor poorer, particularly affects women and children, and leads to ostracisation and loss of employment. The truth is that even if TB does not kill them, hunger and poverty will. Another truth is that deep-seated stigma, lack of counselling, expensive treatment and lack of adequate support from providers and family, coupled with torturous side-effects demotivate patients to continue treatment - with disastrous health consequences.
Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the above passage? (UPSC 2019)
- TB is not a curable disease in Indian circumstances.
- Curing TB requires more than diagnosis and medical treatment.
- Government's surveillance mechanism is deficient, and poor people have no access of treatment.
- India will be free from diseases like TB only when its poverty alleviation programmes are effectively and successfully implemented.
Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of antional and international Importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which granted citizenship to immigrants who entered Assam before January 1, 1966, and called for stricter implementation of laws against illegal immigration and judicial monitoring of the implementation of immigration and citizenship legislations
Read about:
What is Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955?
What are the questions surrounding Section 6A?
What is the Assam Accord?
Key takeaways:
- The bench held that immigrants entering Assam on or after March 25, 1971, are not eligible for protection under Section 6A, and are therefore deemed illegal immigrants.
- Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud clarified that Section 6A does not violate Articles 6 and 7 of the Constitution, which set a specific cut-off date of January 26, 1950, for granting citizenship to migrants from East and West Pakistan at the time of the Constitution's commencement.
- He stated that the legislative purpose of Section 6A aimed to balance the humanitarian concerns of Indian-origin migrants with the economic and cultural needs of Indian states.
- Although other states have longer borders with Bangladesh, Assam faces a more significant impact from migration in terms of numbers and resources.
- Therefore, the criteria for migration to Assam are reasonable. The March 25, 1971, cut-off date is justified, as it coincides with the eve of the Pakistani Army's Operation Searchlight, launched on March 26, 1971, to suppress the Bangladeshi nationalist movement. Migrants arriving before this event were regarded as part of the Indian partition, and the chosen criteria are logically aligned with Section 6A’s purpose.
- The bench explained that undocumented migrants could have been registered as citizens under Section 5(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act before its amendment in 2003, which then excluded ‘illegal immigrants.’ Thus, the petitioner’s argument that Section 6A is unconstitutional because it allegedly encourages migration to Assam for citizenship purposes is incorrect.
- The ruling also stated that Section 6A aligns with constitutional principles, without violating the concepts of fraternity or Articles 6, 7, 9, 14, 21, 29, 326, and 355 of the Constitution of India. It does not conflict with the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, or international law principles.
- Regarding Section 6A, introduced under the Assam Accord with a specific cut-off date, the Court affirmed its validity, noting that citizenship should not be narrowly interpreted to label one group as citizens and another as ‘illegal immigrants.’
- Agreeing with the majority opinion, CJI Chandrachud emphasized that while the Constitution protects the right to preserve culture, this right must be understood within the framework of India’s multicultural and pluralistic identity.
- The petitioners argued that Section 6A infringes on Article 29 by allowing residents from Bangladesh, who have a different cultural background, to live in Assam and gain citizenship, thereby impacting the preservation of Assamese culture. The Court, however, dismissed this argument
1.What is the position of the Right to Property in India? (UPSC 2021)
(a) Legal right available to citizens only
(b) Legal right available to any person
(c) Fundamental Rights available to citizens only
(d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right
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Answer (b)
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On climate finance to developing nations
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology
Context:
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the UNFCC to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22 is expected to be a “finance COP” as key climate finance issues feature at the top of its agenda.
Read about:
What is Climate Financing?
Are Developing Countries at Risk?
Key takeaways:
- The upcoming 29th UNFCCC Conference (COP29), scheduled for November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will primarily focus on financial aspects of climate action, making it a key summit for discussing monetary support for climate initiatives.
- The impact of climate change disproportionately affects developing nations, primarily due to their geographic locations and their economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like farming.
- These nations face a paradoxical situation - while they've historically contributed minimal greenhouse gas emissions (developed nations account for 57% of emissions since 1850 despite smaller populations), they face the greatest climate challenges.
- This reality led to the Copenhagen Accord's commitment in 2009, where developed nations promised annual climate funding of $100 billion to developing countries through 2025. At COP29, participants will discuss new funding targets for subsequent years.
- Climate finance encompasses any funding - whether local, international, public, or private - directed toward reducing emissions or adapting to climate impacts.
- While the OECD monitors and reports on climate funding flows between developed and developing nations, their methodology faces criticism. Critics argue that the reports should focus on actual money transferred rather than promises, ensure funding is truly additional rather than relabeled existing aid, and emphasize grants over commercial loans. Currently, loans make up about 69.4% of climate finance, with grants comprising 28%.
- The necessity for external climate funding in developing nations is clear. Consider that 675 million people in developing regions lacked electricity access in 2021.
- These nations also struggle with limited domestic financial resources and higher capital costs - for instance, financing solar projects typically costs twice as much in developing versus developed economies.
- Looking at India specifically, the country has established ambitious climate goals for 2030, including 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power generation, 5 million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production, and widespread electric vehicle adoption.
- Meeting these objectives requires substantial investment - approximately ₹16.8 lakh crore for renewable energy targets alone. The green hydrogen initiative needs ₹8 lakh crore, while electric vehicle transitions may require consumer spending of around ₹16 lakh crore. Long-term projections suggest India needs ₹850 lakh crore in investments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Regarding the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), experts emphasize it should track actual disbursements rather than pledges, ensure funding is additional to existing aid, prioritize direct public grants, and include private investments motivated by public funding initiatives. According to expert analysis, developing nations (excluding China) will require approximately $1 trillion in external funding annually by 2030
Follow Up Question
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (B)
Statement 1: "The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017."
Statement 2: "The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels."
Statement 3: "Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility for global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020"
Therefore, only Statement 2 is correct. The correct answer is B (2 only). |
On Section 6A of the Citizenship Act
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of antional and international Importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which granted citizenship to immigrants who entered Assam before January 1, 1966, and called for stricter implementation of laws against illegal immigration and judicial monitoring of the implementation of immigration and citizenship legislations
Read about:
What is Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955?
What are the questions surrounding Section 6A?
What is the Assam Accord?
Key takeaways:
- The bench held that immigrants entering Assam on or after March 25, 1971, are not eligible for protection under Section 6A, and are therefore deemed illegal immigrants.
- Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud clarified that Section 6A does not violate Articles 6 and 7 of the Constitution, which set a specific cut-off date of January 26, 1950, for granting citizenship to migrants from East and West Pakistan at the time of the Constitution's commencement.
- He stated that the legislative purpose of Section 6A aimed to balance the humanitarian concerns of Indian-origin migrants with the economic and cultural needs of Indian states.
- Although other states have longer borders with Bangladesh, Assam faces a more significant impact from migration in terms of numbers and resources.
- Therefore, the criteria for migration to Assam are reasonable. The March 25, 1971, cut-off date is justified, as it coincides with the eve of the Pakistani Army's Operation Searchlight, launched on March 26, 1971, to suppress the Bangladeshi nationalist movement. Migrants arriving before this event were regarded as part of the Indian partition, and the chosen criteria are logically aligned with Section 6A’s purpose.
- The bench explained that undocumented migrants could have been registered as citizens under Section 5(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act before its amendment in 2003, which then excluded ‘illegal immigrants.’ Thus, the petitioner’s argument that Section 6A is unconstitutional because it allegedly encourages migration to Assam for citizenship purposes is incorrect.
- The ruling also stated that Section 6A aligns with constitutional principles, without violating the concepts of fraternity or Articles 6, 7, 9, 14, 21, 29, 326, and 355 of the Constitution of India. It does not conflict with the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, or international law principles.
- Regarding Section 6A, introduced under the Assam Accord with a specific cut-off date, the Court affirmed its validity, noting that citizenship should not be narrowly interpreted to label one group as citizens and another as ‘illegal immigrants.’
- Agreeing with the majority opinion, CJI Chandrachud emphasized that while the Constitution protects the right to preserve culture, this right must be understood within the framework of India’s multicultural and pluralistic identity.
- The petitioners argued that Section 6A infringes on Article 29 by allowing residents from Bangladesh, who have a different cultural background, to live in Assam and gain citizenship, thereby impacting the preservation of Assamese culture. The Court, however, dismissed this argument
1.What is the position of the Right to Property in India? (UPSC 2021)
(a) Legal right available to citizens only
(b) Legal right available to any person
(c) Fundamental Rights available to citizens only
(d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right
|
Answer (b)
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The Indo-Pacific: A strategic arena for India’s global influence
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations
Context:
As the Indo-Pacific region evolves into a key driver of the changing world order, India is poised to play a major role. But in what ways can India's involvement in the Indo-Pacific contribute to an inclusive, cooperative and sustainable regional order?
Read about:
What is Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference (IPACC)?
Key takeaways:
The Indo-Pacific has become a crucial geopolitical and strategic zone, with India reaffirming its strong dedication to maintaining a free, open, inclusive, and resilient region. India's vision, as a key actor in the Indo-Pacific, prioritizes collaboration with regional partners to ensure maritime security, freedom of navigation, and adherence to a rules-based international order.
Initiatives like the “Quad-at-sea Ship Observation Mission,” aimed at enhancing cooperation and maritime safety, have further spotlighted the Indo-Pacific as a significant geopolitical, economic, and security construct, especially in a dynamic global landscape.
Understanding the Indo-Pacific’s rise as a strategic concept requires examining its regional framework, key players, and the factors behind its growing importance.
What is the Indo-Pacific?
- The Indo-Pacific covers the vast areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as the nations bordering them, including essential maritime routes and resources. Critical chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca, Taiwan Strait, Bab-al-Mandeb, and the South China Sea are vital for global trade and energy supplies.
- However, the exact geographical boundaries of the Indo-Pacific differ by country. For instance, India views the Indo-Pacific as stretching "from the shores of Africa to the Americas," as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue address.
- Meanwhile, the U.S. defines it as the region from India's western coast to the western U.S., and Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper describes it as spanning from the eastern Indian Ocean to the Pacific, encompassing Southeast Asia, North Asia, and the U.S. Japan’s "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" vision also extends to the eastern African coast and ASEAN countries.
These diverse perspectives reflect each nation's strategic and economic priorities, shaping how they approach the Indo-Pacific as an arena for both cooperation and competition in the 21st century.
From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific
The idea of the Indo-Pacific as a strategic region has evolved throughout the 21st century, especially in the last decade, as seen in various security strategies and defense white papers. This shift from the "Asia-Pacific" to the "Indo-Pacific" highlights a broader, more inclusive approach driven by national, regional, and global factors. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was one of the early advocates for combining the Indian and Pacific Oceans into a single strategic space, which he discussed in his "Confluence of the Two Seas" speech at the Indian Parliament.
The U.S. policy shift, encapsulated in the "Pivot to Asia" strategy of 2011 under President Barack Obama, also marked the beginning of greater focus on the Indo-Pacific, aligning with the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the refocusing of U.S. interests toward the Pacific.
Shifting and Converging Strategic Interests
In recent years, shifting global priorities have required a change from the Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific framework. This has been crucial in addressing China’s growing assertiveness, threats to key maritime routes, and non-traditional security issues. India, as a rising power, has become integral to this strategy, particularly in collaboration with the U.S.
The convergence of India’s and the U.S.'s strategic interests, especially under former U.S. President Trump, further solidified the Indo-Pacific concept. The Trump administration's focus on a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” formalized this vision through the National Security Strategy of 2017 and the renaming of the U.S. Pacific Command to Indo-Pacific Command in 2018.
India’s SAGAR Policy
- As China's influence in the South China Sea grew, the need for a more comprehensive regional framework became apparent. India’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean allows it to play a crucial role in balancing Chinese power.
- Through its “Act East” policy, India has enhanced its partnerships across Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific, strengthening its role in the Indo-Pacific while countering Beijing’s influence.
- India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy, along with the shift from “Look East” to “Act East,” reflects this strategic vision. Prime Minister Modi has consistently emphasized an inclusive approach to the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that it remains open and not exclusionary, while recognizing ASEAN's centrality.
- Economically, the Indo-Pacific holds immense importance, contributing about 62% of global GDP and facilitating 50% of global trade. The region is also critical to India’s economy, with 90% of its trade and 80% of its strategic freight passing through these waters.
- The Indo-Pacific is not limited to addressing traditional security issues like military competition or territorial disputes. It also offers vast potential to tackle non-traditional challenges such as climate change, maritime piracy, illegal fishing, and cybersecurity threats.
- Moreover, the region is emerging as a hub for bilateral and multilateral engagements, encompassing economic, political, and security issues.
- Organizations like ASEAN, the Quad, and agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) underscore the Indo-Pacific’s role as a center for economic integration and cooperation.
- For India, the Indo-Pacific represents a critical strategic landscape. By actively engaging in Indo-Pacific affairs, India not only safeguards its interests but also contributes to building an inclusive, cooperative, and sustainable regional order as the global order continues to evolve
1.Consider the following statements regarding India's strategic approach towards the Indo-Pacific region:
- India's vision of the Indo-Pacific stretches from the eastern coast of Africa to the western coast of the Americas.
- The Indo-Pacific contributes approximately 62% of the global GDP and accounts for 50% of global trade.
- The Indo-Pacific region primarily addresses traditional security concerns such as military competition and territorial disputes, with limited focus on non-traditional security threats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
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Answer (a)
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| Subject | Topic | Description |
| Polity | Municipalities | Municipalities |
| Polity | Emergency Provisions | Emergency Provisions |
| History | Medieval History | Harshavardhan |
| Environment | Protected Area | Protected Area |
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