March 17, 2025

Current Affairs

Health Ministry refuses to make Cancer a Notifiable Disease

Context: There have been calls to designate Cancer as a notifiable disease in India, in order to enhance Cancer surveillance and treatment. However, the Union Ministry of Health has resisted the move, citing that the practice is to notify only infectious diseases.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Notifiable diseases; India’s National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP).

Major Highlights:

Cancer in India is not a notifiable disease. The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare refuses to declare it as a notified disease despite recommendations from the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Reasons given by the Ministry:
- Cancer is not a communicable disease and does not have community spread.
- Cancer requires long-term management rather than emergency interventions.

Which are Notifiable Diseases?

Notifiable disease is a disease that is legally required to be reported to the government by both private and public hospitals.
The primary purpose of disease notification is to ensure that contagious diseases are kept under check. Notifiability triggers rapid containment measures. Usually, diseases are declared notifiable if they:
- Have the potential to cause an outbreak
- Leads to significant mortality
- Require rapid investigation and public health action.
State governments are responsible to declare a disease as a notifiable disease, and the list of notifiable diseases differs from state to state.
- Registered medical practitioners must notify such diseases, typically in a standard form within three days, or notify verbally via phone within 24 hours if urgent.
- Every government hospital, private hospital, laboratory, and clinic will have to report cases of the disease to the local government authorities.
- Any failure to report a notifiable disease is a criminal offence and the state government can take necessary actions against defaulters.

Notifiable Diseases in India

Cholera, diphtheria, encephalitis, leprosy, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), plague, tuberculosis, AIDS, hepatitis, measles, yellow fever, malaria, dengue.

India’s National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP):

NCRP functions as a data collection mechanism. It compiles crucial information on:
- demographics of cancer patients
- cancer identification including type, stage, and morphology
- timing of diagnosis and staging at the time of detection
- treatment details such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, and follow-up and survival outcomes.
The NCRP includes hospital-based registries, which collect data from cancer-treating hospitals, and population-based registries, which capture cancer incidence in a defined geographic area.

Also Read: Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment

Rather than legally mandating notification, strengthening existing cancer registries is a more thorough and effective alternative for comprehensive nationwide cancer surveillance.

Aurangzeb Tomb

Context: The demand for the demolition of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb has risen in Maharashtra.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Aurangzeb; Aurangzeb’s Tomb.

About Aurangzeb Tomb

Location: Khuldabad, near Ellora Caves, Maharashtra.
Architectural Style: Simple and unadorned, in line with Aurangzeb’s wish for a modest burial.

Historical Significance

Aurangzeb died in 1707 in Ahmednagar and was buried in Khuldabad, also known as the Valley of Saints.
The tomb follows the Chishti Sufi tradition, similar to Sheikh Salim Chishti’s tomb in Fatehpur Sikri.
It was later expanded by Lord Curzon (British Viceroy of India).

About Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb (Abul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir) was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India. Under his rule, the Mughal Empire reached its zenith and became the single largest empire in India.
Reign: 1658-1707 (Longest-reigning Mughal emperor)
Father: Shah Jahan; Mother: Mumtaz Mahal
Coronation: Took the throne after defeating Dara Shikoh in the Battle of Samugarh (1658).
Death: Died in 1707 in Ahmednagar, buried in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

Major Policies & Administration

Religious Policies:
- Reimposed Jizya tax (1679) on non-Muslims.
- Destroyed some Hindu temples but also gave land grants to certain Hindu temples.
Deccan Policy:
- Annexed Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687), expanding Mughal rule in South India.
- Faced stiff resistance from the Marathas, especially from Shivaji and Sambhaji.
Rajput Policy:
- Conflicts with Rajputs, especially Mewar and Marwar, led to a decline in Mughal-Rajput relations
Sikh Policy:
- Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675), leading to opposition from Sikhs.
- Faced resistance from Guru Gobind Singh and later Banda Singh Bahadur.

Aurangzeb’s reign marked the greatest territorial expansion of the Mughal Empire, but his religious orthodoxy, economic mismanagement, and prolonged Deccan campaigns weakened the empire. His policies contributed to the rise of regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats, accelerating Mughal decline after his death in 1707.

Talkatora Stadium

Context: Talkatora Indoor Stadium, a prominent venue for sports and cultural events in Delhi, could soon undergo a name change. To celebrate the author of the Ramayana, the stadium may be renamed after Maharishi Valmiki.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about the Talkatora Stadium.

About Talkatora Stadium

Talkatora Stadium is Delhi’s oldest indoor sports facility, known for hosting some of the biggest sports, cultural, and political events.
The stadium is owned and managed by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
Built in 1974, the stadium is named after a Mughal-era garden adjacent to it. During the medieval era, the site featured a reservoir (Talkatora) to collect the water pouring down from the streams of the South-Central Ridge Forest.
Garden Architecture: Built with Mughal design elements. Symmetrical layout with a four-tier stepwell, fountains, and waterways.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq likely built the embankment inside Talkatora Garden for water management in the 14th century. The garden was used by Tughlaq rulers for hunting.
The garden was a battlefield during multiple conflicts.
- In 1737-38, the Marathas advanced into Delhi and fought near the garden in their attempt to raid the Mughal capital.
- In 1803, British forces led by General Gerard Lake clashed with the Marathas in the same location, ultimately leading to British control over Delhi.
- It was also a site for resistance during the 1857 uprising against British rule.

India’s Aluminium Exports to the US: Impact of New Tariffs

Context: The US under the Trump Administration has increased tariffs on Aluminium imports from 10% to 25% (effective March 12, 2025).

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key trends in India-US trade relations; Protectionist policies.

Overview of India’s Aluminium Exports to the US:

India is the world's second largest aluminium producer after China.
The US has become India’s largest market for aluminium exports, particularly for aluminium conductors used in power transmission.
Key Indian Aluminium Products Exported to the US:
- Aluminium Conductors used in high- and medium-voltage cables for power transmission- 38% of US imports (by weight) in 2024, valued at $130 million.
- Unwrought aluminium – $185 million
- Nails and fasteners – $107 million
- Aluminium wire – $98 million
- Aluminium tube and pipe fittings – $16 million (26% of US imports in this category)
India’s aluminium exports to the US have grown significantly :
- 2016-17: $350 million
- 2022-23 & 2021-22: Over $1 billion each year
- 2023-24: $946 million
- Despite this growth, India accounts for only 3% of total US aluminium imports.

US Tariff Policies : Then and Now

2018 Tariffs (Trump’s First Term):
- Imposed 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminium.
- Some countries (E.g., Canada, Japan, EU, Mexico) were exempted, but India was not.
- Despite tariffs, India’s aluminium conductor exports to the US increased.
2024 Tariffs (Trump’s Second Term):
- New tariffs of 25% on aluminium imports, effective March 12, 2025.
- Broader coverage – includes semi-finished and finished aluminium products.
- Justification: Prevent tariff evasion and strengthen the US aluminium industry.

Impact on India’s Aluminium Industry:

India exports 40% of its aluminium production, with 6-8% of total exports going to the US. Tariffs may reduce export volumes and revenues for Indian aluminium manufacturers.
Downstream aluminium industry (E.g., machinery components, fasteners, wires) will also face challenges.

Comparison with the Steel Industry

India’s steel exports to the US are lower (4% of total exports in 2024). Direct impact on steel sales is limited, but there could be an indirect effect due to China’s excess steel entering India.
The new US tariffs also extend to steel products, affecting multiple sectors.

The new 25% tariffs will impact export revenues, but aluminium exports form a small share of overall business for most Indian companies. Diversification of export markets and domestic demand growth could help offset losses from the US market.

National Board for Wildlife

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India chaired his first-ever meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gujarat’s Gir National Park. This was the first full-body NBWL meeting since 2012.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: National Board for Wildlife

Mains: National Board for Wildlife- Criticisms

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

Established in 2003 after amending the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
NBWL replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) of 1952.
It is the apex advisory body for wildlife conservation and policy formulation.
Key responsibilities:
- Formulating wildlife conservation policies.
- Recommending the establishment of new National Parks and Sanctuaries.
- Overseeing the implementation of the Wild Life Protection Act.
Composition: Total 47 members
- Chaired by: Prime Minister
- Vice-Chairperson: Union Environment Minister
- Other Members:
  - Chief of Army Staff.
  - Secretaries from key ministries (Defence, Tribal Affairs, Information & Broadcasting, Finance)
  - Three Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP.
  - Director General of Forests.
  - Ten eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists.
  - Five representatives from the non-governmental sector.
- Standing Committee: appraises projects on forest land, protected areas, and eco-sensitive zones.

Criticism faced by NBWL

Clearance of development projects: Several projects approved despite environmental concerns, such as:
- Ken-Betwa River Linking Project: Submerging 100 sq km of Panna Tiger Reserve.
- Vedanta Oil Exploration in Assam: Threatening Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.
- Denotification of Galathea Bay Sanctuary (2021): Impacting leatherback sea turtle nesting sites.
Alleged dilution of powers:
- After 2014, reconstitution reduced the number of independent conservation experts.
- Increased influence of government-affiliated institutions like Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER).
Lack of Regular full-body meetings:
- Before the 2025 meeting, the last full-body meeting of NBWL was held in 2012.

Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL)

Established in 1952 as the Central Board for Wildlife.
Objective: Address the decline in wildlife populations.
Notable Initiatives:
- Declared peacock as the National Bird in 1961.
- Supported Indira Gandhi government’s initiatives for wildlife conservation, leading to:
  - Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
  - Project Tiger (1973).
  - Gir National Park establishment.
Transition to NBWL: 2003 amendment of the Wild Life Protection Act replaced IBWL with NBWL.

Unified Quality Interface (UQI) for Industry Excellence

Context: With India’s goal of becoming a $6 trillion economy by 2030, a Unified Quality Interface (UQI) is essential for ensuring quality-driven industrial growth.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Unified Quality Interface (UQI)- Can be used as a way forward to address challenges in the Manufacturing sector.

Current Status of India’s Manufacturing Sector

The manufacturing sector has remained stagnant at 15-17% of GDP for decades, with a target of 25%.
Projections indicate a rise from $0.6 trillion (2024-25) to $1.2 trillion (2030-31) and $7.5 trillion (2047-48) in absolute manufacturing output.
Government initiatives like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and PLI schemes aim to drive industrial growth, but quality remains a key challenge.

Unified Quality Interface (UQI)

A modular and scalable digital ecosystem leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure.
A single-window approach for quality management, ensuring Indian products meet global standards (ISO, ASTM, CE, FDA).
Core Pillars of UQI:
- Core Infrastructure Primitives: Standardised data governance and interoperability.
- Elemental Services: Real-time access to testing, accreditation, and certification records.

Need for Unified Quality Interface (UQI)

Quality Issues: India’s industrial landscape is vast and diverse, with thousands of MSMEs facing quality consistency challenges.
Inefficient quality assurance framework: Existing quality assurance mechanisms are fragmented, with multiple regulatory bodies leading to inefficiencies, rework costs, and global perception issues.

Key Challenges in India’s Quality Assurance System:

Information asymmetry: No real-time mechanism for verifying compliance with national and international standards.
Lack of digital linkage: Regulators lack direct digital access to real-time production quality data, leading to repetitive testing cycles.
Fragmented conformity assessment: Manual and disconnected accreditation processes delay regulatory approvals and market entry.
Reactive market surveillance: Quality monitoring is post-facto rather than real-time, making it inefficient for precision industries.
Lack of a centralised framework: Despite having multiple agencies like BIS, FSSAI, NABL, and ARAI, there is no unified framework integrating their efforts.

Benefits of UQI Implementation:

Transparency: Eliminates information asymmetry through real-time access to compliance records. AI-driven anomaly detection to flag suspicious supply-chain activities.
Real-time anomaly detection: AI-powered systems to flag fraudulent certifications; product safety risks and suspicious supply-chain activities.
Streamlined regulatory compliance: Enables dynamic policy updates and seamless enforcement through digital APIs. Faster regulatory interventions and grievance resolution mechanisms.
Strengthening trade competitiveness:
- National Trade Network (NTN) for seamless digital export-import compliance.
- Tokenization of compliance for incentives like reduced transaction fees.
Empowering MSMEs: Affordable and accessible quality compliance processes to integrate MSMEs into global supply chains.

Institutionalising UQI will transform compliance into a competitive advantage, reinforcing India’s position as a global manufacturing powerhouse. This strategic intervention aligns with India’s ambition of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.