CURRENT-AFFAIRS

Context

Every year, 1 December is observed as World AIDS Day — a day to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, show support for those living with the disease, and remember those who have died due to it. In 2025 as well, on this day, efforts and policies related to AIDS and its co-morbidities — especially Tuberculosis (TB) — have drawn considerable attention.

AIDS and TB —

People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at significantly higher risk of developing TB because HIV weakens immunity. TB is a leading cause of death among HIV-infected individuals. The simultaneous infection is called HIV-TB co-infection.

Why in News?

• Because World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December each year. In 2025 too, news reports have highlighted progress in AIDS and related public-health programmes.
• Recent data released by the Union Health Ministry reportedly show a 32% decline in new HIV infections and a 69% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, indicating success of the national AIDS control efforts under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).

Recent Relevant News & Trends

• Widening of Testing: In 2024–25, the coverage of HIV testing in India expanded significantly.
• Increase in Treatment Coverage: The number of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) rose to more than 1.86 million.
• Youth Concern: Reports indicate that a large proportion of new HIV infections are among youths — highlighting the continuous need for awareness campaigns.
• Decline in TB Cases: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2015 and 2024 TB incidence declined by ~21% in India.
• State-Level Success — Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS): Tamil Nadu, which had earlier adopted TANSACS for HIV/AIDS control, is now applying the same integrated approach for TB control — with integrated HIV-TB care, screening, treatment, decentralized and community-based infrastructure, and digital tracking systems to ensure treatment and reduce mortality.

TANSACS – Role and Significance

TANSACS is the nodal agency in Tamil Nadu under the national AIDS control framework. Its key responsibilities include: awareness campaigns, HIV testing & counselling, providing ART through therapy centres, and reducing discrimination against people living with HIV. Tamil Nadu is often cited as a success model for HIV/AIDS control due to TANSACS’s community participation and robust health-system practices.

India’s Current Situation — AIDS and TB

• AIDS / HIV: Over the past decade or more, India has seen a substantial drop in both new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. According to recent data, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by about 81.4% since 2010; new infections have also seen a sharp decline.
• India is making progress towards the global UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals — meaning 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of them are on ART, and 95% of those on ART have suppressed viral load.
• Nevertheless, challenges remain — especially among youth, and stigma & discrimination against HIV-positive people continue to hinder outreach, testing and early treatment.
• TB: Though TB incidence and deaths have decreased in India, the country continues to carry a high burden of TB globally.
• India’s TB treatment coverage has improved considerably, and there is renewed focus on elimination campaigns.

Government Initiatives

Some of India’s major interventions in control of HIV/AIDS and TB:

Global Context

• As of end-2024, about 40.8 million people worldwide were living with HIV.
• In 2024, there were approximately 1.3 million new HIV infections globally, and around 630,000 HIV-related deaths.
• TB remains the top deadly infectious disease globally in 2023 alone, an estimated 10.8 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.25 million died.
• The global strategies by WHO, UNAIDS, and other international partners aim to end AIDS as a public-health threat by 2030 and dramatically reduce TB incidence and mortality.
• However, funding shortfalls, disruptions from conflicts or pandemics, and inequities in access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment remain major barriers.

Challenges and Impact —

Analysis

• India has made commendable progress in both HIV/AIDS and TB control — significant decline in infections and deaths, expanded testing, improved treatment coverage.
• Integrated health-service models (especially for HIV-TB co-infection), state-level innovations (e.g. community-based care, decentralized tracking), and strong public-health machinery have helped — as seen in states like Tamil Nadu.
• But persistent challenges remain: youth infections, stigma so that many avoid testing, social inequality, under-nutrition, co-morbidities, drug resistance, gaps in reach to vulnerable populations.
• Global setbacks (e.g. reductions in donor funding) threaten to reverse gains made. There is an urgent need to secure sustainable financing, reinforce health-systems, and ensure universal access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Way Forward

• Strengthen and scale up integrated HIV-TB services (prevention, screening, treatment, follow-up) — especially in high-burden areas.
• Enhance community participation, reach vulnerable and marginalized populations, reduce stigma through awareness, education and rights-based approach.
• Expand nutrition and social-protection support for patients, to improve treatment adherence and recovery outcomes.
• Use modern technology — rapid diagnostics (molecular testing), digital health tracking, use of AI for screening, leveraging new prevention tools.
• Increase domestic funding for health to reduce dependency on external aid; ensure stable supply chains and sustainable health infrastructure.
• Strengthen research and development for affordable medicines, vaccines, and better diagnostics; scale up preventive therapies.
• Prioritize early diagnosis and treatment, especially among youth and key populations; ensure equitable access to care.

Conclusion

AIDS and TB remain major public-health challenges for India and the world. While India has demonstrated substantial progress — reducing new HIV infections and AIDS deaths, improving TB detection and treatment — elimination targets remain ambitious and unmet. Achieving them by 2030 (for AIDS) and 2025/2035 (for TB) will require renewed political commitment, innovative solutions, community participation, sustained funding, and a rights-based, stigma-free approach. Only then can we build a healthier, inclusive society and realize the vision of a TB-free and AIDS-free India and world.

Context

Electricity-related accidents are not new to India. Over the past two decades, states such as Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have reported numerous tragic fatalities caused by naked wires, worn-out poles, and poor maintenance. During the monsoon season, electrocution incidents have consistently remained high. In industrial regions, equipment failures and, in rural areas, deteriorated distribution lines have long increased safety risks. In this continuity, the incidents of 1 December 2025 in Hardoi and Khargone once again underline this structural problem. These accidents have intensified the question of whether public safety can be ensured without sustained infrastructure investment, regular inspections, and strict adherence to safety standards.

Electricity-Related Fatality

An electricity-related fatality is a death caused by direct electric shock, electrical arc/short-circuit, malfunction of electrical equipment, accidents related to distribution lines, or fire/explosion resulting from these. Such incidents can occur in domestic, industrial, agricultural as well as public power distribution systems.

Why in Discussion?

• In different parts of the country, tragic electricity-related incidents have been reported. The death of a labourer due to electrocution in Panchampurwa village of Hardoi (U.P.), and the death of two individuals in Khargone (M.P.) after a tractor-trolley carrying electric poles overturned, reflect that electrical safety in India continues to be a serious concern.
• These incidents highlight significant gaps in electrical infrastructure safety and operational practices in both rural and urban areas. The issue is significant because it intersects with public safety, administrative accountability, infrastructure quality, and human rights.

Major Causes of Accidents

• Lack of safety awareness and training: Safety standards are often ignored while working near electrical equipment, wires, or distribution lines.
• Dilapidated and inadequate electrical infrastructure: Naked wires, loose poles, poor insulation, and old distribution networks increase accident risks.
• Insufficient maintenance and load management issues: Overloaded transformers, line faults, and inadequate maintenance are major contributors.
• Negligence in transport and construction sites: Safety norms are frequently ignored during the transport of poles/electrical materials.
• Weak legal enforcement: Post-accident investigations, punitive actions and accountability mechanisms are often slow and incomplete.

Government Initiatives

• Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority (CEA): Issuing electrical safety guidelines, safety manuals, awareness campaigns, and observing “Electrical Safety Day.”
• DISCOM-level reforms: Many states are strengthening distribution lines, installing fault-circuit breakers and improving overload management.
• Regulatory framework: Electricity Rules, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, and CEA regulations provide detailed safety standards, though their implementation remains inconsistent.

Role of Human Rights Institutions & NGOs

• At the national level: National Safety Council (NSC) and other bodies conduct training programmes, workshops, and community campaigns on electrical safety.
• At the international level: ESFI, NFPA, and OSHA set high-quality electrical safety standards which guide many countries, including India.
• NGOs and human rights groups: Advocate compensation for victims, demand timely investigation, and push for safer working conditions.

Constitution and Human Rights

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution—“Right to life and personal liberty”—obligates the State to ensure the safety of every citizen. If deaths occur due to negligence or failure to maintain electrical infrastructure, it raises serious questions within the constitutional framework of life protection. The judiciary has repeatedly emphasized that a safe and dignified life is an essential component of Article 21.

Global Scenario

Several countries strictly regulate electrical safety through stringent standards and enforcement mechanisms. In the USA, UK, and Australia, OSHA and NFPA standards are mandatory. Although electrification accidents do occur in developed countries, continuous monitoring, technological modernization, and higher public awareness significantly reduce fatality rates.

Analysis

In the Indian context, the problem is not merely technological but also administrative, social, and structural. Despite the presence of safety norms, compliance remains inconsistent. Rural infrastructure is outdated, and in urban areas, rapid expansion has burdened distribution networks. Effective solutions require policymakers to prioritise a three-tier framework: data-based planning, strict enforcement, and public awareness.

Way Forward

• Strict enforcement and regular safety audits: CEA and state DISCOMs must ensure regular inspection of infrastructure and priority-based repair in high-risk areas.
• Expansion of public awareness and training: Mandatory safety programmes in schools, panchayats, construction sites, and agricultural areas.
• Safe transport standards: Strict technical norms and licensing for transporting poles, wires, and heavy electrical equipment.
• Fast and transparent accountability: Timely investigation, responsibility determination and time-bound punitive action in accident cases.
• Improved data collection: Strengthening national databases on electrical accidents to enable evidence-based policymaking.

Conclusion

Electricity-related fatalities are not merely technical or mechanical issues; they are deeply connected with human life, administrative responsibility, and constitutional values. The incidents of 1 December 2025 remind us that modernization of infrastructure, strict compliance with safety standards, public awareness, and transparent accountability are essential to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Context

India’s decision to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030 is a clear indication of its expanding global sporting ambitions. This event is part of India’s broader strategy, under which it has already submitted a Letter of Intent (LoI) for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad emerging as the leading candidate city. This step marks a significant attempt to establish India as a prestigious global sports destination.

Relevance, Challenges, and Colonial Criticism of the Commonwealth Games

• Hosting Crisis

• Hosting cities have been withdrawing due to rising costs. Birmingham replaced Durban for the 2022 edition.
• For 2026, after the withdrawal of the Victoria state of Australia, Glasgow had to step in.
• For 2030, after Alberta province of Canada pulled out, Ahmedabad advanced its case, raising serious questions about the financial sustainability of the event.

• Colonial Mindset Debate: Criticism and Relevance

• Criticism: The Commonwealth Games are often criticised as a symbol of a “colonial mindset,” as the event comprises only those nations historically ruled by the British Empire. Critics argue that the relevance of such a system should have ended with the end of colonialism.
• Question of Relevance:The limited membership—as compared to global platforms like the Olympics (notably the absence of the USA and China)—makes the Games appear sub-standard. This was also stated by former IOA President Narinder Batra in 2019.

India’s Past Indifference

• In 2019, Narinder Batra described the Commonwealth Games as “sub-standard” and advocated India’s withdrawal, reflecting the country’s historical indifference towards the event.
• Additionally, the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games were marred by large-scale corruption and inefficiency, affecting India’s organisational reputation.

Opportunities for India, Capabilities, and Response to Colonial Criticism

India’s Response to Colonial Critique

India views the event as an opportunity to redefine the narrative through its soft power.

• Equality and Cooperation

• India aims to use the platform to promote cooperation and friendship among sovereign nations rather than reinforce colonial hierarchies.

• Showcasing Present Strength

• It highlights that a once colonised nation is now capable of independently hosting large global sporting events through its economic strength and organisational competence.

Soft Power and National Inspiration

• The Commonwealth Games will act as a significant soft power tool, enabling India to display its organisational strength and cultural diversity.
• Source of Inspiration: Performances of world-class icons like javelin champion and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra, along with hosting major events on home soil, can inspire new generations.
• Broadening Sporting Aspirations: India is now making a genuine effort to diversify excellence beyond cricket.

Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure associated with the Games will be upgraded, benefiting not only athletes but the general public as well. These assets will serve as a strong foundation for India’s 2036 Olympic bid.

Potential Risks and Challenges

• Declining Sporting Value

• The importance of the Commonwealth Games has reduced since major sporting powers like the USA and China are not members.
• Reduction of Sports: The 2026 Games in Glasgow will include only 10 disciplines, excluding popular sports such as badminton, hockey, shooting, and cricket.

• Gap in Olympic Performance

• India won 61, 66, 64, and 101 medals in the last four Commonwealth Games, but subsequently secured only 6, 7, 2, and 6 medals in the corresponding Olympics.
• This highlights the large difference in standards between the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

• Doping and Financial Risks

• India faces a rising issue of doping. If left unchecked, it could harm the country’s image on international platforms.
• Financial spending for the Commonwealth Games can be prohibitive; cost management will be a major challenge, considering the 2010 experience.

The Way Forward

• Transparency and Cost Control: Ensure the highest standards of transparency in financial spending and event management to avoid a repeat of 2010.
• Strict Anti-Doping Framework: Implement doping control measures rigorously in line with global standards.
• Long-term Use of Infrastructure: Ensure that built facilities are used not only for the Commonwealth Games but also for national athlete training and public use well beyond 2036.

India must utilise the 2030 Commonwealth Games to demonstrate a strong present and shape a glorious future, transforming a colonial legacy platform into a success story of modern India.

Conclusion

Ahmedabad 2030 offers both opportunity and hope for India. The event allows India to reaffirm its organisational capabilities and lay a strong foundation for the 2036 Olympic bid. Successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games 2030 will elevate India from the stage of a colonial legacy to an emerging sports powerhouse. It will prepare a concrete base for realising India's Olympic aspirations in 2036. This is not merely hosting a sports event—it is a clear declaration of the confidence and global leadership of a New India.

Context
In India’s research and development (R&D) landscape, current concerns arise from the low Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) — which stands at approximately 0.65 % of GDP. These concerns expose structural impediments in achieving the historic national ambition of making India a knowledge-based superpower. In the post-Independence Nehruvian era, the founding of national laboratories (such as CSIR, DRDO, ISRO) laid the foundation of basic research by encouraging “scientific temperament.” However, even after economic liberalization in the 1990s, the private sector failed to invest meaningfully in R&D. As a result, innovation remained heavily dependent on government funding, and commercialization lagged. In the present “Amrit Kaal,” when the nation aspires to become a developed India, it is imperative to shift research beyond academic practice toward market-oriented solutions — which demands an efficient pipeline to seamlessly carry innovation from lab, to industry, to market.

What is Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD)?
Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD) measures the total national spending on research and experimental development activities during a given period.

• GERD/GDP ratio: It is often expressed as a percentage of GDP, indicating how much importance a country attaches to research and innovation relative to the size of its economy.
• Significance: A high GERD ratio generally signals a country’s technical competitiveness, innovation capacity and potential for long-term economic growth.

Why it is Under Debate

• Low GERD level: India’s GERD/GDP ratio currently hovers around 0.65 – 0.7 %, and has remained stagnant for over a decade.
• Private-sector apathy: Unlike advanced economies, in India most R&D funding still comes from the public sector. The private sector’s contribution remains modest and often sporadic — which disrupts the sustained funding pipeline required for continuous research.
• Low conversion to patents/products: Though excellent academic research is performed at higher-education institutions (HEIs), much of it fails to convert into market-useful products, successful start-ups or patents — indicating a weak link between research and commercialization.

What “Need for Research Pipeline” Means
The phrase “India needs research pipelines” implies more than just funding; it calls for a structured and efficient system that ensures seamless transition from basic research → applied research → product development → market deployment.

Why This is a Concern

• Funding gap: There is a significant gap between funding for initial/basic research and funding for later stages (development & commercialization).
• Brain drain: Lack of sufficient and attractive opportunities drives skilled scientists and researchers abroad.
• Erosion of innovation potential: Without a strong pipeline, innovations remain lab-bound or get commercialized abroad, undermining India’s technological sovereignty.

Global Context

Global research and development leaders spend a large portion of their GDP on R&D, where private-sector participation is decisive.

This comparison makes it clear that for India to emerge as a global power, there is an urgent need to attract private investment and raise the GERD/GDP ratio to 2%

Government Initiatives

• National Research Foundation (NRF): Established in 2023 to replace the earlier Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), with an initial outlay of ₹ 50,000 crore over five years to promote multi-disciplinary research, especially by attracting funding from private sector and ministries.
• Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 (STIP): Aims to create a decentralized, bottom-up, inclusive research ecosystem.
• Academic-industry tie-ups: Programs like IMPRINT India and STARS provide financial assistance for industry-relevant research in universities and promote collaboration between academia and industry.

Analysis

• Weakest link: The stage from “applied research → prototyping → commercialization” is the most fragile. While academic research gets government backing, industries seldom fund high-risk, high-reward commercialisation — causing stagnation.
• Role of policy: Initiatives like NRF are welcome, but their success depends on linking funding to tangible market outcomes and establishing long-term partnerships between higher education institutions and private industry.
• Focus on quality: A pipeline should not focus only on the amount (how much is spent), but also on quality — how effectively research delivers real-world impact.

Way Forward

• Tax incentives: Offer double tax deduction or other fiscal incentives to private companies for R&D expenditure, provided part of the spending is mandated towards collaborative projects with Indian HEIs.
• Dedicated national “deep-tech” fund: Establish a fund focused on high-risk, high-return technologies — providing prototype funding and early-stage support to start-ups.
• Talent nurturing: Encourage scientists/researchers to take sabbaticals or internships in industry to understand real-world needs.
• Strengthen Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime: Streamline processes for patenting and licensing to facilitate commercialization.

Conclusion
India’s future depends on its capacity for innovation — which can only be realized through a strong, well-functioning research pipeline. The current low GERD and limited industry participation inhibit the full utilization of India’s demographic dividend and scientific potential. Only through collaborative ownership — among government, academia and private sector and a sustainable funding-and-research model, can India achieve its ambition of becoming a knowledge-based, globally competitive economy.