CURRENT-AFFAIRS

General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

General Studies Paper – III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Context

In the last week of December 2025, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare took a landmark decision by banning all oral formulations (tablets/capsules) containing Nimesulide with a dosage exceeding 100 mg. This ban has been implemented with immediate effect and aims to reduce health risks associated with high-dose painkillers.

Official Announcement and Legal Basis

The Central Government issued this order by exercising the powers conferred under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

• Consultation Process: This decision was taken in the "public interest" after recommendations from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and intensive deliberations with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
• Urgency: The notification clarified that the government is satisfied that the use of Nimesulide in dosages above 100 mg is likely to involve serious risk to human beings.

What is Nimesulide and why has it been in discussion?

Nimesulide is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) used primarily for the treatment of acute pain and fever.

• Primary Cause of Risk: The biggest issue with this drug has been 'Hepatotoxicity' or liver toxicity. Its consumption over a long period or in high doses can cause permanent damage to the liver.
• Global Stance: Countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Britain never allowed it in their markets due to safety concerns.

Key Dimensions and Impact of the Ban

There are several important reasons and far-reaching effects behind this step by the government:

• Ensuring Liver Safety: Dosages above 100 mg have been found to be beyond the body's tolerance level. In India, many cases of liver failure have been linked to the uncontrolled consumption of painkiller drugs.
• Availability of Safer Alternatives: According to the Ministry, far safer and more effective alternatives (such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc.) are now available in the market; therefore, it is not appropriate to promote a risky drug.
• Historical Sequence: This ban is part of a continuous process of drug regulation in India.
  • 2011: It was banned for children under the age of 12 years.
  • January 2025: It was completely banned in the field of veterinary medicine (for the conservation of vultures).

Challenges and Regulatory Gaps

A micro-analysis of the article also points toward certain challenges:

• Role of Drug Sellers: Many medicines in India are sold Over-the-Counter (OTC). Implementing this ban on the ground and sensitizing chemists is a major challenge.
• Old Stock: Recalling the existing stock of high-dose medicines already present in the market will be a difficult process for pharma companies.

Way Forward

• Strict Enforcement: State Drug Control Authorities should ensure that the sale of Nimesulide above 100 mg stops immediately.
• Public Awareness: Patients should be educated not to take high-strength painkillers without a doctor's advice.
• Pharmacovigilance: India should further strengthen its Pharmacovigilance (drug safety monitoring) system so that data on the side effects of any drug can be obtained immediately and such decisions can be taken timely in the future.

Conclusion

The ban on high doses of Nimesulide is not just an administrative order but a decisive effort towards a "Healthy India." This proactive approach of the drug regulatory mechanism demonstrates that India is now prioritizing public health over commercial interests in line with global standards. However, the true success of this ban will depend on its rigorous implementation and public awareness.

General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

General Studies Paper – III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Context

The history of road accidents in India has been a tragic story of development and displacement. Where the number of vehicles was limited in the 1960s, the explosion of vehicles in the 21st century has turned roads into 'death traps.' In the last decade, India has made unprecedented progress in infrastructure (Expressways and Highways), but the rate of accidents has not decreased in the same proportion. Despite signing the 'Brasilia Declaration,' India remains at the top in global road mortality, reflecting our policy and behavioral failures.

Road Accidents in India:

• Road accidents have emerged as the biggest cause of premature death in India.
• India has only 1% of the world's total vehicles, but 11% of the world's total road accident deaths occur in India.
• This indicates that our roads are the most unsafe in the world on a per-vehicle basis.

Why in Discussion?

January 1, 2026, was like a day of national mourning for India. During New Year celebrations, more than 400 road accidents were recorded across the country, in which more than 150 people lost their lives.

• Madhya Pradesh: More than 100 accidents occurred in MP alone, where 8 people, including innocent children, died in Katni and Seoni.
• North India: Due to dense fog, dozens of vehicles collided with each other on NH-44 and Yamuna Expressway.
• Key Reasons: Drunk driving, overspeeding, and ignoring safety standards during fog remained the main center of discussion on this day.

Mirror of Statistics: NCRB and Other Reports

Based on the annual reports of the National Crime Records Bureau and the Ministry of Road Transport, the situation is as follows:

• Annual Deaths: Every year in India, approximately 1.5 lakh to 1.7 lakh people die in road accidents.
• Daily Average: Approximately 450-500 people die on the road every day in India, meaning one death every 3 minutes.
• Most Affected Group: 70% of those who die are in the age group of 18 to 45 years (the nation's productive population).
• Type of Vehicle: Two-wheeler riders (45%) are the most unsafe, followed by pedestrians.

Causes of Accidents and Multidimensional Impact

Causes:

• Human Error: Overspeeding (cause of more than 60% of accidents), not wearing helmets/seat belts, and using phones while driving.
• Road Engineering: 'Black Spots' (unsafe turns), faulty road design, and poor lighting.
• Environmental Factors: Fog, heavy rain, and stray animals.

Socio-Economic Impact: The death of a human being is not just a number. When the sole breadwinner of a family dies, the entire family sinks into financial crisis and mental trauma.

• Economic Impact: Due to road accidents, India's GDP suffers a loss of 3% to 5% every year.
• Human Impact: Children become orphans, the elderly become destitute, and a vicious cycle of poverty begins.

Government Steps

• Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: Provision for a massive increase in penalty fees and strict rules.
• National Road Safety Month: Conducting awareness campaigns every year in January.
• Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): Identifying black spots by analyzing accident data.
• Black Spot Improvement: The government has allocated a special budget to improve thousands of unsafe turns.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21: The 'Right to Life' also includes the right to walk on safe roads. It is the duty of the State to protect the lives of its citizens.
• Seventh Schedule: Road transport is a subject of the 'Concurrent List,' therefore the responsibility of both the Center and the States is equal.

Supreme Court Decisions and Guidelines

• S. Rajaseekharan vs. Union of India: The SC constituted a standing committee on road safety (Justice Radhakrishnan Committee).
• Good Samaritan Law: The Court directed that a person helping accident victims will not be harassed by the police or hospital.
• Ban on Liquor Shops: Historic decision to remove liquor shops within a 500-meter radius of highways.

Deep Analysis

the problem in India is not a 'lack of law,' but rather the 'enforcement of law.' Despite technology (CCTV, speed sensors), corruption and the limitations of manual checking encourage accidents. Additionally, there is a massive lack of 'road etiquette' in Indian society. We view the road as a competitive arena rather than a shared resource.

Way Forward

• Emphasis on 4E Strategy: Engineering (road and vehicle), Emergency Care (treatment in the Golden Hour), Enforcement (strict penalties), and Education (awareness).
• Smart Highway: Use of AI-based traffic management systems.
• Airbags and Safety Standards: Mandating a minimum of 6 airbags and better crash test ratings for all vehicles.
• Community First Aid: Providing first aid training to dhaba owners and local people.

Conclusion

Road accidents are not a 'divine act,' but rather the result of human and systemic failures. India's goal is to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030, but this is not possible through government efforts alone. Until every citizen makes road rules a part of their lifestyle, our roads will continue to be blood-stained. A safe road is not just an infrastructure, but the identity of a civilized nation.

General Studies Paper – III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Context

Recently, former ISRO chief S. Somanath termed India’s space journey as a ‘democratic utility.’ In June 2025, the hoisting of the Tricolour by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla at the International Space Station (ISS) and Prime Minister Modi calling it a “defining chapter of Amrit Kaal” proves that space is no longer limited only to laboratories, but has become a part of India's national identity and aspirations.

Indian Space Programme

India’s space journey began in the 1960s from a church (Thumba), and today it is leading the ‘New Space’ era.

• Initial Phase: Establishment of ISRO in 1969 and the launch of ‘Aryabhata’ in 1975. In the early stages, the focus was solely on social benefits (television, education, agriculture).
• Era of Development: Development of PSLV (ISRO’s workhorse) and GSLV, which made India self-reliant in satellite launching.
• Modern Era: Success of Mangalyaan (MOM) in the very first attempt in 2014 and the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar south pole in 2023.

Why in Discussion?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his recent speeches, has described the space sector as a major pillar of progress in ‘Amrit Kaal.’

• Axiom-4 Mission (June 2025): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS visit reflects global confidence in India’s human spaceflight capability.
• Impact of Space Policy 2023: With increased participation from the private sector, India is now in the role of a "provider."
• National Space Day: Celebrating August 23 (the landing date of Chandrayaan-3) as National Space Day is inspiring youth towards science.

Major Missions, Their Importance and Achievements

• Chandrayaan Series: Chandrayaan-1 discovered water on the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 performed high-precision mapping, and Chandrayaan-3 proved the technology of ‘soft landing.’
• Aditya-L1: India’s first mission to study the Sun, which is helping in understanding solar weather.
• Gaganyaan: India’s first human mission, proposed by the end of 2026. This will place India in the category of select countries (USA, Russia, China) that have the capability to send humans into space.

Global Perspective

• Comparative Advantage: Where missions of NASA and ESA cost billions of dollars, ISRO is known for ‘frugal innovation.’
• Competition: Amid the increasing dominance of SpaceX and China, India is making its place in the market through its ‘Launch on Demand’ and private startups (like Skyroot, Agnikul).

Future Plans

ISRO has prepared an ambitious blueprint up to 2047:

• Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): Establishing India's own space station by 2035.
• Indian Moon Mission (Chandrayaan-4): A plan to bring back samples from the Moon.
• Shukrayaan-1: Study of the atmosphere of the planet Venus.
• Human on Moon: The target of landing an Indian citizen on the lunar surface by 2040.

Analysis

India’s space programme has shifted from being a matter of ‘prestige’ to a ‘strategic necessity.’

• Economic Aspect: The goal is to increase India’s share in the global space economy from 2% to 10%.
• Strategic Aspect: ‘Space Defence’ and satellite connectivity are indispensable for national security.
• Challenge: Management of debris and the need for a clear regulatory framework for the private sector still remain a challenge.

Way Forward

• PPP Model: Private companies should not be limited only to manufacturing parts but should be handed over complete missions.
• Space Diplomacy: Initiatives like the South Asian Satellite should be further expanded to lead the ‘Global South.’
• Preventing Brain Drain: Providing better financial and technical resources to young scientists for research.

Conclusion

The India of 2026 is no longer just a participant in the space sector but a ‘rule-maker.’ In the words of S. Somanath, space is now a ‘democratic utility.’ This journey of India, from carrying rocket parts on a bicycle to being the world’s first south pole lander, is a saga that symbolizes self-reliance and scientific courage. In the coming decade, India’s ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station’ and ‘Moon Mission’ will not only push the boundaries of science but will also take the dreams of 140 crore Indians to a new height.