Daily Current Affairs

July 25, 2025

Current Affairs

ICJ's Climate Ruling and its Significance 

Context: Recently the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered a landmark advisory opinion in response to a 2022 UN General Assembly resolution led by Vanuatu. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: About ICJ and its ruling on Climate obligations.

Mains: Significance of ICJ ruling on Climate obligations.

The International Court of Justice held that: 

  • Climate action was not a matter of choice or preference, but a legal obligation. The countries are under a legal obligation to take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and could be held liable to pay compensation, if they failed to do so.
  • Rich and industrialised countries in Annexure I of the UNFCCC have an obligation to take the lead on emissions reduction, and facilitate technology and financial transfers to developing countries.
  • Failure to fulfil climate obligations may be deemed an internationally wrongful act, which could have legal consequences, including the liability to provide full reparation to countries that suffer on account of climate disasters, or other impacts of climate change.
  • Countries could be held liable even for the irresponsible actions of private businesses or corporations, if they had failed to exercise due diligence and not taken adequate regulatory or legislative measures to prevent the irresponsible behaviour of private actors.

The ruling is an advisory opinion, not a binding judgment. It does not impose immediate legal consequences on any country. Nonetheless, it can have significant implications for the global fight against climate change.

Significance of the Ruling:  

  • Though non-binding, the ruling is the most authoritative interpretation of international climate law, and will likely guide national and international courts.
  • It declares that climate commitments under treaties like the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement are legal obligations, not just policy choices. The ruling puts the spotlight back on climate change, amid stalled global progress and missed 2030 emission reduction targets.
  • The ICJ recognises the right of climate-affected countries to seek full reparation, not just compensation.
  • Endorsed the concept of loss and damage in climate laws, calling upon developed countries to take the lead in raising financial and other support to help countries recover from impacts of climate change. 
  • By asserting that climate action must be sufficient in scale, the ruling contrasts with the Paris Agreement’s “self-determined” approach to climate targets.
  • Enhances the negotiating strength of developing nations by legally framing the responsibility of richer countries. The ruling may trigger lawsuits by developing nations, and against corporate polluters for climate damages.

Tughlaqabad Fort

Context: The Tughlaqabad Fort in Southeast Delhi has been made free of encroachments due to the efforts of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 

Tughlaqabad Fort was built in 1321 by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty and ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. The fort was abandoned in 1327, just six years after its construction.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Tughlaqabad Fort; Tughlaq Dynasty.

About Tughalqabad fort

  • Tughlaqabad fort is a ruined fort in Delhi, built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty.
  • Tughlaqabad is considered to be the third extant city of Delhi, after Lal Kot (built in mid-eleventh century by the Tomars) and Siri (built by the second ruler of the Khalji Dynasty, Alauddin Khalji). 
Tughlaqabad Fort

Architecture

  • Fortification: Tughalqabad consists of massive stone fortifications surrounding the ground plan of the city. The sloping rubble-filled city walls are a typical feature of monuments of the Tughlaq dynasty. 
  •  Divided into three parts:
    • Wider city area with houses built along a rectangular grid. 
    • Citadel with a tower at its highest point known as ‘Bijai-Mandal’.  
    • Adjacent palace area containing the royal residences. 
  • Among the major architectures during the Tughlaq dynasty, the tomb of Ghiyasuddin is almost perfectly preserved.
  • The Ghiyas-ud-Din's tomb is in the form of a self-contained fortress in miniature with the sloping walls of circular bastions. It may also have been intended as a fortified central tower.
  • The tomb-building is constructed diagonally at its widest part resembling it into the correct orientation with Mecca.
  • The major portion of the tomb-building is made with red sandstone, including the dome, made of white marble.
  • The architecture of the tomb's exterior portion resembles that of the structure of the Alai Darwaza constructed earlier. The similarity lies in the treatment of the pointed arches also. 
  • Tudor arch: The horse-shoe shaped tomb has been customized into a "Tudor" outline with a slight decorative double curve at the crown. 
  • The typical style of combining of the arch and the beam in the tomb was used for the first time in the architecture during the Tughlaq dynasty. 
  • The tomb signifies the beginning of the phase of a regal style of architecture. 
  • Adilabad Fort: Situated southeast of Ghiyasuddin Tomb. It was built by Muhammad Tughlaq (1325–1351) and shares the main characteristics of construction with Tughlaqabad fort.
  • Nai ka kot: Situated south-east of Adilabad. It is believed to have been built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq as a private residence before he built Adilabad. 

Tughlaq Dynasty

  • Third Dynasty of Delhi sultanate: The Tughlaq dynasty took over from the Khaljis in 1320.  Ghazi Malik assumed the throne under the title of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. 
  • The Tughlaqs were able to maintain their rule for a long time because they had strong allies such as Turks, Afghans, and South Asian Muslim warriors. 
  • The dynasty reached its pinnacle between 1330 and 1335 AD, during a military campaign led by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. 
  • The dynasty ended in 1413.

Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq or Ghazi Malik (1320-1325 AD)

  • Fortified the North-Western frontiers to defend the sultanate against Mongol invasions. 
  • Muhammad Jauna Khan, son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq defeated Prataparudra-Deva II, the Kakatiya ruler of Warangal. 
  • Established the city of Tughlaqabad. 
  • Ghiyasuddin Bahadur's rebellion in Bengal was suppressed during his rule. 

Architecture during Tughlaqs

  • Elements of Indo-Islamic style dominated the architectural developments during Tughlaq dynasty. The amalgamation of Islamic architecture as well as Hindu style has come to be known as the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.
  • The buildings show stark simplicity and sobriety, probably indicating less financial resources as well as puritanical tests. 
  • There was more emphasis on vastness in place of decoration of the buildings of the Khilji period. 
  • Dark appearance characterised the buildings. 
  • The constructions combined both arch and lintel method of entrance design. 
  • Introduced a style of construction known as “batter” which was characterised by sloping walls to give more strength to the building.
  • During the reign of three important rulers, the architecture of the dynasty flourished:
    • Founder of the dynasty, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (1320 to 1325)
    • Mohammed Shah Tughlaq (1325 to 1351)
    • Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351 to 1388) 

During the reign of Mohammed Bin Tughlaq

  • He had an important role in the development of architectures during Tughlaq dynasty. 
  • Major contributions: Fourth city of Delhi with fortified walls named Jahan-Pannah or the World Refuge, a double storied bridge of seven spans named Sath Pul, Bijai Mandal, the presumably part of a "Palace of a Thousand Columns”.
  • The city was deserted and desolate during the year 1340 due to the unpredictable policy of Muhammad Tughlaq to change the capital from Delhi to the city of Daulatabad.

During the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq:

  • Successor of Muhammad Tughlaq, he constructed Delhi as the capital. 
  • Revived the Islamic style of architecture:
    • Architectural characters of this period were different from its predecessors as it had the reflection of the conditions that prevailed at the seat of the government.
    • It represented the suppression of the indigenous impulse.
  • Major creations: Ferozshah Kotla, the fifth city of Delhi, and three other fortress cities named as Jaunpur, Fathabad, and Hissar. 

Khirki Masjid at Jahanpanah: Khirki Masjid is a great example of Islamic architecture. It is a small quadrangle-shaped mosque and is covered entirely by a roof, which is an unusual thing for building of mosques. The presence of several domes on the roof along with the wonderful latticework or jali on the windows represents the typical Islamic style of architecture.

Every SC/ST Complaint must lead to FIR without Preliminary Inquiry: Madras HC

Context: Recently, the Madras High Court has ruled that the police cannot conduct preliminary inquiry on receipt of complaints disclosing cognisable offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989. Police should straightaway register First Information Reports (FIRs) against the suspects.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: About Madras HC ruling and key Provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Mains: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Provisions and issues in Implementation. 

In a significant verdict, the Madras High Court has held that : 

  • The police must immediately register an FIR upon receiving complaints that disclose cognizable offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, without conducting any preliminary inquiry.  
  • The court cited Section 18A(1)(a) of the SC/ST Act (inserted via 2018 Amendment) which states:  No preliminary inquiry shall be required for registration of an FIR against any person under this Act.
  • The court reinforced that As per Rule 7(1) of the SC/ST Rules 1995, only officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) are authorised to investigate.
  • Directed that the chargesheet must be filed within 60 days of FIR registration to ensure timely justice.
  • The Judge directed the Director-General of Police/ Head of Police Force to communicate a copy of his order to all Commissioners as well as Superintendents of Police in the State to ensure compliance with legal procedures in SC/ST cases.

SC and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989

  • Enacted to prevent atrocities and hate crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
  • Aim: To provide protection, justice, and rehabilitation to victims of caste-based violence and discrimination. 
image 49

Key Provisions of SC and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989: 

  • Criminalises caste-based atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Includes acts like social boycott, denial of access to public spaces, forced labor, sexual abuse, and humiliation.
  • Does not cover offenses between SCs and STs themselves.
  • Most offences under the Act are cognizable and non-bailable.
  • Mandates establishment of exclusive Special Courts for speedy trial of cases.
  • Provides for relief, compensation, and rehabilitation of victims.
  • Burden of proof may shift to the accused in certain cases (reverse burden of proof).
  • Section 18: Bars anticipatory bail for accused under the Act (unless quashed by courts in exceptional cases).
  • Section 18A (Inserted in 2018): No preliminary inquiry required before FIR. No prior sanction needed for arrest of public servants. 
  • Rule 7 of SC/ST Rules, 1995: Investigation must be conducted by a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
  • Charge sheet must be filed within 60 days from FIR registration.

Issues in Implementation:  

  • Police continue to conduct preliminary inquiries before registering FIRs, despite Section 18A(1)(a) prohibiting it.
  • Inquiries are often conducted by officers below the rank of DSP, violating Rule 7(1) of the SC/ST Rules, 1995.
  • Police frequently delay or avoid FIR registration, misusing discretion and undermining victims’ rights.
  • Regular procedural non-compliance hampers justice delivery and weakens cases.
  • Final reports/chargesheets are not filed within the mandated 60-day period, defeating the objective of speedy justice.

Also Read: National Commission of Scheduled Caste

Special Intensive Revision in Bihar: Legal Basis and Criticism 

Context: The Election Commission of India (ECI) filed a counter affidavit in the Supreme Court in response to the writ petition challenging the constitutionality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, currently underway in Bihar. 

ECI has defended its authority to require electors to prove citizenship through fresh documentation as part of the SIR exercise. In Bihar, the last SIR was held in 2003.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and its legal basis.  Mains: Issues with SIR.  

What is the SIR (Special Intensive Revision)?

  • A process initiated by the ECI to revise and verify electoral rolls.
  • Aim: To ensure that the voter list is accurate, inclusive, and free from discrepancies by allowing new registration, deletions, and modifications.
image 47

Legal Basis: 

  • Article 326: Mandates that only Indian citizens can be registered as Voters. ECI asserted that it has the authority to require individuals to submit relevant documents to prove citizenship and eligibility under Article 326.
  • Article 324 vests the ECI with the power to supervise and control the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of Elections. 
  • Section 21 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act empowers the Election Commission (EC) to undertake a special revision of electoral rolls at any time, citing reasons in writing.
  • Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 mandates the preparation of electoral rolls “under the superintendence, direction and control” of the ECI, Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA). 
  • Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Permit summary and intensive revisions.

However, the term “intensive” is not mentioned in the Representation of the People Act, and the rules do not define it clearly, raising questions about the statutory backing of the SIR. 

image 48

Key Issues and Criticism

  • Burden of Proof on Electors: 
    • SIR shifts the burden of proving citizenship onto all existing electors, despite their prior registration through due process. 
    • A complaint-based mechanism already exists to delete non-citizens, but the ECI has provided no data showing its failure due to large-scale inclusion errors. In absence of such evidence, the ECI’s claim that only SIR-based entries are authentic is unsubstantiated and legally weak.
  • Weak Statutory Basis: The Representation of the People Act, 1950 makes no distinction between electors added through summary or intensive revisions. The term “intensive” is absent from the Act and lacks a clear definition even in the 1960 Rules. Thus, the legal foundation of SIR is vague, raising concerns over its legitimacy and enforceability.
  • Arbitrary Privileging of 2003 Electoral Roll: 
    • ECI rejects EPIC as proof of citizenship but exempts electors in 2003 rolls and their children from furnishing documents, relying only on name extract. This contradiction is legally questionable, especially when no proof of house-to-house verification or deletions of illegal migrants in 2003 is provided.
    • Absence of 2003 SIR guidelines in the affidavit further weakens the claim, making the preferential treatment of 2003 entries arbitrary and unverified.
  • Questionable use of NRC-Based Citizenship Criteria: 
    • SIR 2025 applies citizenship verification norms from the CAA 2003, requiring extensive documentary proof (birth details of voter and parents). However, the constitutionality of CAA 2003 is still under Supreme Court review, and NRC, which the law envisaged, has not been implemented anywhere except Assam.
    • Rules under CAA 2003 were notified even before the Act was passed, casting doubt on their legality. Even the Registrar General of India has not ordered NRC initiation.
    • Hence, ECI lacks legal authority to enforce NRC-based citizenship tests via SIR in Bihar.
  • Arbitrary Exclusion of Aadhaar and Ration Cards as Eligibility Documents: 
    • ECI rejected Aadhaar as proof of citizenship, despite voluntarily collecting Aadhaar numbers in SIR 2025 forms. This is inconsistent, especially since ECI has no statutory mandate to test citizenship.
    • Ration cards were excluded citing the prevalence of forgeries, but no similar objection was raised against residence certificates, despite over 13.89 crore certificates issued in Bihar (2011-2025), far more than the state's total population.
  • Transparency Concerns:
    • The ECI’s counter-affidavit claims that over 90% of Bihar’s 7.89 crore electors have already submitted enumeration forms under the SIR exercise. However, the affidavit does not reveal how many of those forms were submitted with the required documents.
    • It admits that forms submitted “with or without documents” will be included in the draft electoral roll, to be published on August 1, 2025. Document verification has been postponed, and scrutiny by electoral registration officers will only happen after the draft is published. 
  • Operational & Implementation Issues in SIR:
    • Till 22 July around 21.35 lakh (2.7%) electors were yet to receive and submit their enumeration forms. As of July 24, around 7 lakh electors (0.9%) had not submitted enumeration forms.
    • Major political parties of Bihar were requested by the ECI to connect with the remaining electors, through their functionaries and booth level agents. 
    • Inability of the ECI in ensuring 100 % coverage through its own machinery of booth level officers (BLOs) and volunteers further exposes the impracticality of the SIR schedule.
  • Unverified Mass Exclusions: 
    • Over 53 lakh electors (6.7%) were not found at their addresses, including 21.6 lakh deceased and 31.5 lakh migrated voters.
  • The absence of constituency-wise data and pending verification raises concerns about error-prone deletions that may disproportionately affect certain demographics and constituencies. 

Also Read: Why are Bihar’s Electoral Rolls being revised?

India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement 

 Context: India and the have signed a landmark free trade pact India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). It is expected to double bilateral trade to $112 billion by 2030, boost services exports, liberalise government procurement, and facilitate mobility.

Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: Key facts related to India-UK trade deal.Mains: Significance of India-UK trade deal.

Key Highlights of India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): 

What India Gains?

1. 99% Duty Free Access: 

  • The UK will eliminate tariffs on about 99% of tariff lines for Indian goods. It will benefit key labour-intensive sectors- marine, textiles, chemicals, base metals. The sectors will now enjoy zero duties, down from rates as high as 20%.
  • India has secured duty-free access for sectors like rubber, plastics, auto, tea, coffee, and spices. 
  • In processed foods, tariffs on 99.7% of lines (presently as high as 70%) have been scrapped. 

2. Textiles: 

  • India’s textiles and clothing sector get duty-free access to over 1100 product categories (E.g., ready-made garments, home textiles, carpets, handicrafts etc.). This does away with the disadvantage on tariff front that India had with countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia.
  • With duties removed, India is expected to gain at least 5% more market share in the UK within the next one to two years. 

3. Agriculture:

  • Many agricultural and processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, spices like turmeric and pepper, and items like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses will get duty-free access to the UK.
  • Over 95% of tariff lines will be duty free, which is likely to boost agri exports by over 20% in three years. This will support India's goal of $100 billion agri-exports by 2030.
  • The FTA protects India’s sensitive sectors like dairy, apples, oats, and edible oils.

4. Marine Products: 

  • Tariffs have been removed on key items like shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, and feeds- previously taxed between 4.2% and 8.5%. No tariffs for India’s marine products creates a $5.4 billion marine export opportunity for India. 

5. Engineering: 

  • India’s engineering exports to the UK will have duty-free access. With tariffs (presently up to 18%) gone, exports could nearly double to over $7.5 billion by 2029-30. 

6. Pharmaceuticals: 

  • The FTA does away with tariffs on generic medicine, thus enhancing their competitiveness in the UK, which is India’s largest pharmaceutical market in Europe. 
  • Medical devices such as surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, ECG machines, and X-ray systems will now enjoy zero-duty access, making Indian products more cost-effective and attractive in the UK market.

7. Chemicals and Plastics: 

  • India’s chemical exports to the UK may rise by 30-40%, estimated to reach $650-750 million in 2025-26. 
  • The FTA gives duty-free access to plastics, and thus opens up strong opportunities in high-demand segments like films, sheets, pipes, and kitchenware in the UK. 

8. Sectoral Boost: 

  • Leather: In leather and footwear, the FTA does away with the 16% tariffs. It will add 5% market share in 1-2 years, and benefit MSME hubs like Agra, Kanpur, Kolhapur, and Chennai.
  • Gems and jewellery export is projected to double in 2-3 years as the FTA opens access to the UK’s $3 billion jewellery market.
  • India’s sports goods exports like soccer balls, cricket gear, rugby balls, and non-electronic toys will grow, boosting competitiveness against countries like China and Vietnam.

9. Benefits for Indian Professionals: 

  • Double Contribution Convention: Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK will be exempt from paying social security for up to three years, reducing the financial burden on both employees and employers.
  • No Economic Needs Test: The FTA grants access to 36 service sectors without an Economic Needs Test for Indian firms and freelancers.
  • Indian professionals can now work in as many as 35 UK sectors for up to 2 years, even without the need for a local office.
image 55

What UK Gains?

  • India will reduce import tariffs on 90% of UK tariff lines, with 85% becoming fully tariff-free  within 10 years.
  • India has cut tariffs on aerospace, automobiles, and electrical machinery with reductions ranging from as high as 110% and 11% to just 10% and 0%. 
  • The import duties on UK-produced whisky and gin are lowered from 150% to 75% immediately, and will be followed by a further decrease to 40% within a decade.
  • The UK businesses will gain expanded access to public procurement opportunities in India. British companies will be able to bid on non-sensitive government tenders valued above Rs 2 billion. 
  • The UK will be able to create over 2,200 jobs as a direct result of the trade agreement.
  • British consumers will benefit from cheaper prices and more choices on clothes, shoes, and food products.

The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at nearly USD 56 billion in FY2025. The deal will bring huge benefits to both our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people. 

The India-UK CETA will be implemented, once it is approved by the British Parliament, which may take a year or more.   

Kanwar Yatra 

Context: Recently, the Kanwar Yatra was observed during Hindu month of Shravan. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About Kanwar Yatra.

What is the Kanwar Yatra?

  • The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, mostly during the Hindu month of Shravan (Saavan).
  • Pilgrims, called Kanwariyas, carry water from the holy river Ganga in decorated slings called kanwars, walking to offer it at Shiva temples.

Mythological Roots: Why Ganga Water?

  • During the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), a deadly poison (halahal) emerged.
  • To protect the universe, Lord Shiva drank the poison, which turned his throat blue, hence the name Neelkantha. To soothe the burning poison, Ganga water was offered to Shiva.
  • Since, this event occurred in the month of Shravan, offering Ganga water to Shiva during this month is considered highly auspicious.

Despite its mythological links, the Kanwar Yatra in its current mass form is relatively recent. It is not mentioned in major ancient texts or British-era records.

Scholarly analysis suggests that it originated in 1700s Bihar (Sultanganj) and gradually spread across North India.

Where do Pilgrims go?

  • Sources of Ganga water: Haridwar, Gangotri, Gaumukh (Uttarakhand), Sultanganj (Bihar), Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya.
  • Shiva temples: Offerings can be made at any local Shiva temple, though famous destinations include:
    • 12 Jyotirlingas
    • Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar)
    • Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi)
    • Pura Mahadev (Baghpat)
    • Augharnath Temple (Meerut)

Why the Rapid Growth?

The popularity of the Yatra received a major boost in the 1980s. Scholars have linked it to following factors: 

  • Improved connectivity and infrastructure made long pilgrimages easier.
  • Hindu Identity Assertion 
  • Rising Incomes in North India 

Sociological Significance: The Kanwar Yatra helps blur rigid caste boundaries by fostering shared religious participation and community bonding across social hierarchies.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to Neurodevelopmental Issues

Context: A major study published in The Lancet Psychiatry has found a potential link between neonatal vitamin D levels and the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and Autism.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: India’s Vitamin D Problem; Vitamin D. 

Vitamin D deficiency linked to Neurodevelopmental Issues

  • Researchers from Denmark used dried blood spot samples (Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank) from over 88,000 individuals born between 1981 and 2005.
  • From these samples, the team measured levels of:
    • 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D which is the standard marker of vitamin D status. 
    • Vitamin D-binding protein which carries vitamin D in the blood and prolongs its activity.
image 54

Key Findings of the Study:  

  • Babies with higher vitamin D levels were less likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, ADHD, or autism.
  • Newborns with levels about 12.6 nmol/l higher than average had an 18% lower risk of schizophrenia, an 11% lower risk of ADHD, and a 7% lower risk of autism. 
  • Vitamin D-binding protein levels were also linked to schizophrenia risk.
  • Researchers found no strong link between low vitamin D levels at birth (neonatal vitamin D) and the risk of depression or bipolar disorder later in life.

Limitations of the Study:  

  • Nearly all participants were of European Ancestry.
  • In a smaller non-European group, the results were less consistent, possibly due to lower vitamin D levels, smaller sample size, and/or genetic diversity. 
  • Gene variants may influence both vitamin D and neurodevelopment, a phenomenon known as pleiotropy. 
  • Vitamin D measured only at birth- the study could not pinpoint a critical window during pregnancy.

India’s Vitamin D Problem

  • India has a high Vitamin D deficiency rate despite abundant sunlight.
  • A study conducted at AIIMS Rishikesh between 2017 and 2018 found that 74% of infants and 85.5% of their mothers were deficient in vitamin D, with nearly half experiencing severe deficiency. 
  • A 2024 study conducted in the Bundelkhand region of India found a strong positive correlation between mothers’ and their infants’ vitamin D levels and interpreted it to mean babies born to vitamin D-deficient mothers were very likely to be deficient themselves.
  • However, findings also suggest that timely supplementation in deficient mothers can remarkably improve both maternal and neonatal levels.

Vitamin D insufficiency is not just an individual issue: it is a biological legacy passed from one generation to the next, shaping not just bones but brains too. India must move from reactive treatment to proactive care through awareness, screening, and timely supplementation.

Trending now

National Highways – Green Cover Index (NH-GCI)
China’s New Antarctic Law and Implications for Global Polar Governance
India–EU Deepen Partnership in Peaceful Nuclear Science and Fusion Energy
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: Strengthening India’s Waste Governance Framework