Context: India has moved up a rank on the global Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Inequality Index (GII) of 2023-24, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report.
Key finding of the reports:
Human Development Index (HDI) 2023-24
India’s ranking on the HDI improved by one position in 2022 to 134 out of 193 countries ranked compared to 135 out of 191 countries in 2021.
In 2022, India saw improvements across all HDI indicators: life expectancy, education, and gross national income (GNI) per capita.
Life expectancy rose from 67.2 to 67.7 years, expected years of schooling reached 12.6, mean years of schooling increased to 6.57 and GNI per capita saw an increase from USD 6,542 to USD 6,951.
With an HDI value of 0.644, the latest HDR places India in the medium human development category.
Performance of other countries: Switzerland (1), Sri Lanka (78), China (75), Bhutan (125),Bangladesh, (129), Nepal (146) and Pakistan (164) have been ranked lower than India.
Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2023-24
India has been ranked at 108 out of 193 countries with a score of 0.437.
Its rank was 122 out of 191 countries with a score of 0.490 in the GII-2021.
India has one of the largest gender gaps in its labour force participation rate a 47.8 per cent difference between women (28.3 per cent) and men (76.1 per cent).
The GII measures gender inequalities in three key dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and labour market.
India’s adolescent birth rate in 2022 was 16.3 (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19), an improvement from 17.1 in 2021.
India’s rank in the GII has become consistently better, indicating progressive improvement in achieving gender equality in the country.
It is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.
It helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP has its headquarters in New York City.
It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from member nations.
Their work is concentrated on three main focus areas:
Context: Children of the Lisu and Singpho communities are named according to the order they are born in the family, incorporating numbers into their names.
About Lisu and Singpho tribal communities:
Lisu
Lisu tribe, also called 'Yobin' in India, live in the most eastern corner of the country in Shidi Valley and Nibodi village of Arunachal Pradesh, surrounded by Namdapha National Park.
It is one of the minority tribes of Arunachal Pradesh of India.
The tribe is speculated to have originated from the Yunnan region in North-Western Tibet in the 18th century and were traditionally slash and burn farmer communities.
It belong to the Tibeto-Burman family and inhabit the contiguous hilly regions of Arunachal Pradesh, China, Myanmar, and Thailand. They number about 5,000 in India.
Lisu boys and girls have separate sets of numbered names to indicate the order of their birth. The eldest girl in a family has Ana in her name and Apshi for a tenth daughter.
Singphos
Singphos an ethnic group inhabiting 27 countries, including China’s Yunnan province.
The Singpho tribe is one of the important frontier tribes of North-East India. The tribe is known in China as Jingpo and in Burma as Kachin.
In India, the Singphos are found in the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh adjoining the Patkai Mountain range.
The Singphos of Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are divided into four groups, locally known as Numphuk Hkawng, Diyun Hkawng, Tieng Hkawng and Turung Hawng.
They speak Singpho language.
Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi is an annual festival of Singpho tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is also the most important dance festival of Singpho (Jinghpaw) community. Also known as Manau Poi, it is the national festival of the Kachins (Singphos) residing in Myanmar.
The festival is primarily organised to show the varied and rich culture, customs and exotic flora and fauna of vast Arunachal Pradesh.
The tradition of numbered names is also prevalent among the Singphos.
The Lisus and Singphos have similar usage of numbers in their names, probably because they belong to the Wunpong group, which has four more communities in the Kachin State of Myanmar.
Context:The Prime Minister has recently launched Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan Evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal for credit support to entrepreneurs from the disadvantaged sections (Scheduled castes, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis) of the society.
More information:
Because of the lack of information, many of the people from the disadvantaged sections are not able to avail themselves of government facilities meant for them.
‘PM-SURAJ’ portal will be a one-stop point where the beneficiaries can apply for and monitor the progress of all loan and credit schemes already available to them.
The credit support will be provided to the eligible persons across the country, facilitated through banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organisations.
Initiative of: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
PM-SURAJ is a transformative initiative which aims at uplifting the most marginalised segments of society.
Context: The number of children who died before their 5th birthday has fallen according to estimates released by United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME).
Key findings of report:
Annual number of under-five deaths has fallen to 4.9 million, with almost half of these deaths being babies just born in 2022 or about half the number that occurred in 2000.
In Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda, where the number of children dying before age five has dropped by more than 75% since 2000.
Around 2.1 million kids and young people between 5 to 24 years old died, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.
In India:
Infant mortality rate: From 66.45 (2000) to 25.53 (2022)
Neonatal mortality rate: From 44.68 to 18.13 (2022)
Under five mortality rate : From around 25 lakh (2000) to about 6.5 lakh (2022)
The contributions of midwives, community health workers, and skilled health personnel have been pivotal in achieving these milestones.
Challenges in preventing child deaths
Threats and inequities: Increasing inequity, economic instability, conflicts, climate change impacts, and the aftermath of Covid-19 pose significant threats to child survival.
Data gaps: Especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, large gaps in data hinder the tracking and monitoring of child survival and health.
SDG targets at risk: At the current pace, 59 countries will miss the SDG under-five mortality target, and 64 will not meet the new-born mortality goal, potentially resulting in 35 million child deaths by 2030.
Way forward to end preventable child deaths:
Investment in healthcare: Increased investments are needed in primary healthcare, including for community health workers, to ensure access to quality health services.
Integration and support of health workers: Community health workers should be integrated into healthcare systems, fairly compensated, well-trained, and well-equipped.
Improving data systems: Enhancing health information management systems and civil registration and vital statistics is crucial for better monitoring and action.
Global commitment and collaboration: Accelerated progress requires global commitment, collaboration, and focused investments to end preventable child and youth deaths.
About UNIGME:
Formed in 2004.
To share data on child mortality, improve methods for child mortality estimation, report on progress towards child survival goals and enhance country capacity to produce timely and properly assessed estimates of child mortality.
It is led by UNICEF and includes the WHO, World Bank Group and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Under-five mortality rate: Probability of dying between birth and exactly 5 years of age, expressed per 1,000 live births.
Infant mortality rate: Probability of dying between birth and exactly 1 year of age, expressed per 1,000 live births.
Neonatal mortality rate: Probability of dying in the first 28 days of life, expressed per 1,000 live births.
Context: Government of India has issued notification permitting the appointment of Khelo India games athletes to Government posts.
About Khelo India Games
Organised by Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs.
The Khelo India initiative began with the Khelo India School Games in 2018 held in New Delhi.
Khelo India School Games were renamed to the Khelo India Youth Games from 2019. It took place in Pune.
First Khelo India University Games were hosted in 2020 at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Odisha.
First edition of the Khelo India Winter Games was held in 2020 in Gulmarg in J&K.
Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) began in 2018 with 18 sports - athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, kabaddi, Kho Kho, wrestling, weightlifting, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, and shooting.
In 2024, when KIYG was held in Tamil Nadu, it had 26 sports with addition of sports like Yogasana, squash, Silambam, Mallakhamba, Kalaripayattu, cycling and fencing.
Competitions in the KIYG are held in the Under-17 and Under-21 categories for both boys and girls.
Khelo India Winter Games included sports like snow baseball, snow ski, mountaineering, ice skating, ice hockey, snow rugby, ice stock and snowshoe running.
Sporting talents are developed through the Khelo India e-Khel Pathshala, Khelo India Centres, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE), Khelo India Accredited Academy and other training establishments identified by the scheme.
Talented players identified in priority sports disciplines at various levels by the High-Powered Committee will be provided annual financial assistance of INR 5 lakh per annum for 8 years.
Verticals under Khelo India:
Verticals under Khelo India Games and their implementing agencies:
Sports Authority of India: State Level Khelo India Centres, Annual Sports Competititon, Talent Search, Sports for Women, Support to National/Regional/State Sports Academies, Promotion of Sports among persons with disabilities, Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games, Physical Fitness of School going Children.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports: Play Field Development, Utilisation and Creation/ Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure and Sports for Peace and Development.
Lakshmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education: Community Coaching Development vertical.
Appointment of sports persons to government posts
Sportsmen who have represented a State or the country in the National or International competition; or Medal winners in Junior National Championships; or Medal winners in Khelo India Youth Games (age category above 18 years); or Khelo India Winter Games; or Khelo India Para Games; or Medal winners in Khelo India University Games; or Medal winners in School Games Federation of India (SGFI) in any of the games/sports mentioned in these instructions.
Order of preference:
Represented India at international level.
Represented and won medal up to 3rd place for State/UT in Senior or Junior level National championships.
Won medals or positions up to 3rd place in inter-university competition.
Winners up to third place in khelo India Youth games or Khelo India Winter games or Khelo India Para games.
Represented the State schools in National school games and won medal up to third place.
Represented a State/UT/University/State school teams in above categories but could not win a medal or position.
In case of any doubt about the status of a tournament, the matter will be decided by the Department of Personnel & Training in consultation with Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Context: On March 1, International Waste Pickers Day, waste pickers across the world will pay homage to fellow pickers who were murdered in Colombia in 1992.
About waste pickers
According to the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016: “informal waste collectors” includes individuals, associations or waste-traders who are involved in sorting, sale and purchase of recyclable materials.
SWM 2016 define a “waste picker” as a person informally engaged in the collection and recovery of reusable and recyclable solid waste from the source of waste generation to sale of waste to recyclers directly or through intermediaries.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 indicates that there are nearly 1.5 million waste pickers within India’s urban workforce, with half a million being women.
It is estimated that India generates 65 million tonnes of waste each year.
On average, an individual waste picker collects between 60 kg to 90kg of waste a day in an eight to 10 hour span of time.
High-Power Committee on Solid Waste Management by the Planning Commission, 1995 called for integration of rag-pickers into the formal system.
Solid Waste Management Rules and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, recognise the contribution of rag-pickers and hold that they be included in the solid waste management of local bodies.
Challenges faced by waste pickers in India
Exposed to occupational hazards: They are potentially exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards like gastrointestinal ailments, dermatological and respiratory issues, as community waste bins and dumpsites act as breeding grounds for various bacterial and viral diseases.
Least rewarding job: It is widely recognised that the informal sector engaged in waste collection and sorting carries out the most labour-intensive and least rewarding job of recovering recyclable materials from unsegregated waste.
Sociallyexistential precarity: They are treated as dirty and unwanted elements of society, and they have to deal with exploitative social behaviour.
Lack access to sanitary and healthcare facilities: While the wages and living conditions of different strata of informal waste-workers differ greatly, a majority of them (street waste-pickers) work and live in hazardous conditions. They typically lack access to sanitary and healthcare facilities.
Exclude from social security schemes: They are not covered under any labour legislation. As a result, they do not benefit from social security and medical insurance schemes. They have not been included in any disaster management plan of the administration, leaves them without support during any emergency situation.
Lack of centralised data: Has hindered the development of programs and policies to support Safai Saathis.
Poor access to financing: Out of the total Safai Saathis, surveyed, who had a bank account, only 20% were linked to the Jan Dhan Yojana.
Obstructions in Formalisation: More than 90% of the workers reported owning an Aadhaar card - in line with broad national trends, but only a tiny subset owned an income, caste, or occupation certificate. This thwarts any attempts at formalising their work and limits their access to government social security schemes.
Way forward
Comprehensive laws: There is lack of clear and comprehensive laws and policies to protect the rights of waste-pickers in India. There is an urgent need to frame and implement a uniform waste-picker welfare law that recognises and integrates them into the waste management chain.
The law must include basic provisions related to mandatory identity cards; access to waste for collection, segregation, and sorting; PPE to minimise occupational hazards; right to basic necessities like water, sanitation and facilities for clean living; and health insurance.
Exploring alternatives and skill enhancement: Exploring technology-led circular economy models to eliminate hazardous manual work.
Formalisation of waste pickers: Allowing them access to designated collection and compaction stations such as transfer stations and material recovery facilities within a city for sorting recyclables.
Registering Safai Saathis with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Issue ID cards to them as municipal workers.
Addressing social and economic upliftment: Ensuring access to subsidized food grains through initiatives like One Nation One Ration Card scheme. Focus on building resilience, expanding social protection, and creating opportunities for dignified livelihoods.
Pune's SWaCH Model: Empowering Women Through Waste Management
The SWaCH model, a collaboration between Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP), employs over 3,000 women who collect household waste for a fee. They sort the waste and dispose of non-recyclables at city-run feeder points. KKPKP, formed in 1993, now boasts over 9,000 members, 80% of whom are marginalized women. This initiative not only provides economic opportunities but also offers benefits such as interest-free loans and educational support. PMC ensures worker safety by providing necessary gear and equipment. SWaCH stands as a prime example of transparency, accountability, efficiency, citizen engagement, and women empowerment through direct user fees.
Context: A recent paper titled ‘'the changing state of health centres in India’ has highlighted the deteriorating status of health centres in India. In this context, this article discusses the challenges, issues and suggestions to improve the status of health centres in India.
About Primary Health Centre (PHC)
PHCs are the cornerstone of rural health services- a first port of call to a qualified doctor of the public sector in rural areas for the sick and those who directly report or are referred from Sub-Centres for curative, preventive and promotive health care.
Concept of Primary Health Centre (PHC) is not new to India. The Bhore Committee in 1946 gave the concept of PHC as a basic health unit to provide as close to the people as possible, an integrated curative and preventive health care to the rural population with emphasis on preventive and promotive aspects of health care.
Government of India’s initiative to create and expand the presences of Primary Health Centres throughout the country is consistent with the eight elements of primary health care outlined in the Alma-Ata declaration.
94% of health centres are in rural areas but only 20% of them function effectively.
Examples of primary health care services include routine check-ups, immunizations, screening tests, chronic disease management, and referrals to specialists when needed. Primary health care providers can include general practitioners, nurse practitioners, midwives, and community health workers.
Ayushman Bharat program has furthered the Primary Health Centres by labelling them as Ayushman BharatHealth and Wellness Centres and also expanding the services rendered by them.
Why primary health care is so important?
Promotes preventative care: Primary health care helps prevent illness and disease by promoting healthy living, encouraging vaccinations, and providing regular check-ups and screenings.
Increases accessibility: Primary health care is often the most accessible form of healthcare, as it is typically delivered in local clinics or health centres that are close to where people live and work. The share of primary healthcare in Current Government Health Expenditure (CGHE) has increased from 51.3% in 2014-15 to 55.9% in 2019-20. The increased focus on primary healthcare reinforces the government’s decisions to prioritize primary healthcare in the country.
Figure 1: Share of Primary Health Care in Current Government Health Expenditure (%)
Reduces healthcare costs: Early detection and management of illnesses through primary health care can reduce the need for more expensive and specialized care, ultimately saving individuals and healthcare systems money. (It reduces the need for expensive secondary and tertiary healthcare). According to National Health Accounts Estimates for India (2019-20),strengthening the PHC and focusing on preventive care will reduce the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure. The share of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in total Health Expenditure (THE) declined from 62.6% to 47.1%. The continuous decline in the OOPE in the overall health spending show progress towards ensuring financial protection and Universal Health Coverage for citizens.
Figure 2: Government Health Expenditure and Out-of-pocket expenditure as % of Total Health Expenditure (%)
Improves overall health outcomes: By providing comprehensive and continuous care, primary health care can help manage chronic conditions and improve overall health outcomes, including reducing mortality rates.
Addresses health inequalities: Primary health care can help address health inequalities by providing equitable access to healthcare services regardless of income, race, gender, or location.
Primary health related to Climate Change: Primary health care has an important role in responding to the climate change related threats to human health like injuries related to extreme weather events like storms, fires, and floods; infectious disease outbreaks due to changing patterns of vector borne diseases; poor nutrition from reduced food availability because of drought; the psychological impact due to displacement of communities.
Primary healthcare in developed nations: The majority of developed countries’ federal healthcare budgets go towards primary care, including the UK, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Case Study on Primary Health Centres:
According to the research study titled 'The changing state of health centres in India', Chhattisgarh has shown a radical improvement in health centre set up. Local health workers reported running water, functional toilets, better facilities such as for cold storage, vaccines, contraceptives, etc, more medicines, open centres with presence of staff most of the time.
Problems of PHC in India
Limited in scope: The existing primary healthcare model in the country covers only 15% of the health issues people seek care for, primarily related to pregnancy, limited childcare, and national health programs. Expanding its scope is essential for comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Funding: The funding for general healthcare is quite low, leaving insufficient funds for primary healthcare.
The central and state governments’ budgeted expenditure on healthcare touched 2.1 % of GDP in FY23 which was substantially lower that other BRICS countries (Brazil: 3.8%, China: 3.1%, Russia: 3.7%, South Africa: 4.2%)
Inadequate Infrastructure: According to the National Health Profile 2019 report, 22% of primary health centres do not have a separate room for immunization and family planning services.
In Rajasthan, the population is often so dispersed (especially in hilly areas in the south and in the desert in the west) that a family may need to travel 10-20 km to reach the nearest PHC according to an analysis by the Centre for Economic and International.
Shortage of Healthcare Professionals: The delivery of quality health services is hampered by supply shortages, inadequate management, and the absence of proper training and supervision for healthcare workers. These issues can lead to interruptions in care, inefficiency, and outdated practices, all of which impact patient well-being.
The rural healthcare infrastructure is three-tiered and includes a sub-centre, primary health centre (PHC) and CHC. Indian PHCs are short of more than 3,000 doctors, with the shortage up by 200% over the last 10 years to 27,421, as IndiaSpend reported in 2016.
Lack of availability and accessibility to medicines: The high cost of medicines is a significant barrier to healthcare access in India, with many people unable to afford even basic medications. The government’s free medicines program, which provides essential medicines to patients for free, has been plagued by shortages and supply chain issues. The lack of access to medicines has led to many patients turning to unlicensed and unregulated pharmacies, which may sell substandard or counterfeit drugs.
Poor quality of care: A study published in the Lancet found that around 50% of patients in India do not receive the appropriate care for their health conditions. The lack of quality healthcare services is due to a range of factors, including a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and poor regulation of healthcare providers. In addition, many patients in India lack awareness about their health conditions and may not seek timely medical treatment, leading to complications and poor health outcomes.
An analysis by the Centre for Economic and International – India has a large network of primary health centres (PHCs), each supposed to serve a population of 25,000. In many poor states, such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, however, a PHC covers as many as 45,000, 49,000 and 76,000 people.
Under-investment in primary healthcare: PHCs continue to remain under-equipped and lacking supplies and drugs to provide comprehensive primary care.
For example, of the 709 PHCs surveyed in 2009 by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, about 24% did not have an electricity connection and 63% did not have piped water supply.
At the same time, PHCs are expected to deliver centrally designed, targeted vertical programs, alienating them further from communities. As a result, even those families that can access PHCs continue to look elsewhere for their critical healthcare needs.
Urban Neglect in Indian Healthcare System: The primary healthcare system in India has historically overlooked the growing urban population, as its focus has mainly been on rural areas. This neglect stems from historical policies and infrastructure designed for rural regions, despite the increasing urban population.
Information Asymmetry: According to Economic Survey 2020-21, information asymmetry in health centres has resulted in poor accountability of doctors and hospitals.
Issues highlighted in the study titled 'The changing state of health centres in India':
Grossly underutilised.
Lack of staff and high staff absenteeism.
Services are limited and of poor quality.
Irregular flow of funds.
Lack of toilet facilities.
Lack of drugs or functional testing equipment.
Social discrimination: Upper caste doctors discriminating against marginalised communities and upper caste families disrespecting Dalit ANMs.
Way Forward
Srinath Reddy committee recommendation: High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) headed by K. Srinath Reddy recommended that expenditures on primary health care, including general health information and promotion, curative services at the primary level, screening for risk factors at the population level, and cost-effective treatment, targeted toward specific risk factors, should account for at least 70% of all health care expenditures.
Ayushman Bharat scheme seeks to upgrade more than 1.5 lakh health facilities like Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres to health and wellness Centres (HWC). These centres would deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) bringing healthcare closer to the homes of people. This has to be implemented properly.
Telemedicine: Telemedicine provides patients remote access to medical consultations and treatments via telecommunications technology. In turn, this contributes to closing the gaps in healthcare access, particularly in rural and remote areas. Telemedicine has proven to be a boon for Indians during the uncertain times of lockdowns, and it has the potential to make remote, optimized healthcare accessible to every corner of India in the future.
Health Information Exchange (HIE): HIE systems enable the seamless sharing of patient health information between various healthcare providers, enhancing care coordination and substantially reducing medical errors.
Mobile Health (mHealth): mHealth is an emerging concept involving the utilization of mobile devices and technology for health services, such as appointment scheduling, remote monitoring, and medication reminders. It can significantly improve patient access to care and treatment plan adherence.
Government must increase budgetary allocations to healthcare to at least 3-4% of GDP so that public expenditure on healthcare is at least 70% of total health expenditure.
Tackling information asymmetry: By setting up of information utilities, regulators and leveraging digital health mission.
It has been implemented in all States and UTs, with a special focus on low-performing States (mainly in north India and north-east).
An expecting mother gets ₹1,400 in rural areas and ₹1,000 in urban areas after delivering at a public health facility or in an Accredited Private Hospital.
While SC/ST women get the cash incentive in both low and high-performing States.
Only women from BPL households get the benefit in high-performing States.
Only those pregnant women who are above 19 years of age can avail the benefits provided under the scheme. Women below 19 years of age cannot register under the Janani Suraksha Yojana.
Women with only up to two live births are eligible under the scheme.
JSY has identified Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) as an effective link between the government and pregnant women.
The cash benefit should be disbursed to the beneficiary preferably at the institution. If ASHA is unable to organize transport (wherever applicable) , disbursement of transport assistance should be done in the health centre as soon as pregnant women arrive and register for delivery.
Performance of the scheme:
Institutional delivery has increased from 39 per cent during 2005-06 to 89 per cent in 2019-21. This increase has occurred for both high-and low-performing States and even for women having a third or later children in high-performing States who are not eligible for the benefit.
Challenges of the scheme:
Despite success, rising hospital delivery costs diminishes the significance of financial incentives like the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) program.
National Family Health Survey (2019-21) reported that the average out-of-pocket cost of hospitalisation delivery was ₹10,035 (₹24,663 in private and ₹3,245 in public facilities), far more than the ₹1,400 and ₹1,000 incentive.
While hospital deliveries have seen remarkable improvement, antenatal care (ANC) uptake remains stagnant, especially among marginalized groups and for higher-order births.
Way forward:
Shifting focus towards pre- and post-delivery components of maternal healthcare could yield broader improvements in maternal and child health outcomes.
Tailoring interventions to address disparities within states, such as directing resources towards low-performing districts, could enhance program coverage and impact.
As with underperforming programs, successful initiatives like institutional delivery programs require periodic evaluation to ensure optimal resource allocation and maximum impact.
Regular assessments and potential refinements can ensure that funds and healthcare worker efforts are effectively utilized to achieve program objectives.
Context: The BHISHM 'Arogya Maitri Health Cube,' a "Made in India" world’s first portable disaster hospital, was recently shown to Bill Gates, who appreciated the effort. Efforts are underway to partner with Gates' foundation to promote this innovation, according to Health Ministry officials.
About Arogya Maitri Cube
The Arogya Maitri Cube, a modular, made-in-India medical solution for emergency scenarios like disasters, conflicts, or wars. This cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri to develop a world-class disaster hospital. The system consists of cubes that can be assembled into a fully functional portable hospital.
Key Features:
Structure: Each main cube contains three frames, holding 12 mini cubes each, totaling 36 mini cubes per cage. These mini cubes include essential items like spinal boards, operating tables, and air evacuation kits.
Portability: Mini cubes are durable, water-resistant, and can be carried in various forms—like a messenger bag, a trolley, or a briefcase—and even transported via drone.
Medical Kits: Each mini cube is equipped with specialized medical kits for pain relief, antibiotics, shock, chest injuries, airway management, and bleeding control, tailored for emergency care.
Quick Setup:The entire cube system can be deployed in about 12 minutes.
There are two Master Cubes
First Master Cube: Contains a cooking station for 100 survivors for 48 hours and a survivor aid station.
Second Master Cube: Features an advanced surgical station with facilities for 10-15 basic surgeries per day.
This compact, efficient portable hospital system is designed for quick deployment and comprehensive medical care in critical situations.
Context: The Ministry of Education has issued guidelines for the registration and regulation of coaching centers in 2024, which state that coaching centres cannot enroll students below 16 years of age, make misleading promises, and guarantee rank or good marks.
Need for denying access to coaching centres for children below 16 years of age
Reduction of early academic pressure: The new rule aims to alleviate the intense academic pressure experienced by children, allowing them to enjoy their childhood without the burden of intense coaching from a young age.
Encouraging conceptual learning in schools: By limiting coaching, the focus may shift towards improving the quality of education within schools, emphasizing conceptual understanding over rote learning to better prepare students for competitive exams.
Addressing dysfunctional education system: The proliferation of coaching centers highlights deficiencies in the formal education system, prompting a re-evaluation of teaching methods and curriculum design to ensure a more effective learning environment.
Potential for mental health interventions: The guidelines mention implementing mental health interventions to support students, signalling a recognition of the psychological toll excessive academic pressure can have on young individuals.
Increasing instances suicides cases, fire incidents, lack of facilities, unregulated fees and pedagogical standards call for regulating coaching institutes.
Concerns with restricting on access to coaching centres by children below 16 years of age
Impact on competitive exam preparation: Restricting coaching may hinder students' ability to prepare effectively for competitive exams such as JEE and NEET, which often require specialized training and early exposure to advanced concepts.
Dependency on shadow education system: In regions with inadequate schooling infrastructure, coaching centers fill the educational gap, suggesting that the formal education system may not be adequately meeting the needs of students, particularly in marginalized communities.
Uncertainty surrounding online coaching: The guidelines lack clarity regarding the regulation of online coaching platforms, raising questions about how restrictions will be enforced in the digital learning landscape.
Challenges in implementation and enforcement: The effectiveness of the guidelines depends heavily on the willingness and capability of state governments to enforce them, with concerns raised about potential corruption and lack of oversight in the education sector.
Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Center 2024:
Definition of coaching: A coaching center, as defined by the guidelines, refers to an establishment offering tuition or guidance to more than 50 students, specifically for academic study programs or competitive exams. This excludes activities such as counseling, sports, dance, theater, and other creative pursuits.
Registration of coaching: Application for the registration of coaching center shall be made to the competent authority within whose local jurisdiction such coaching center is situated, in such form, with such fees and documents as may be specified by the appropriate government.
In case of coaching center having multiple branches, each of such branch shall be treated as separate coaching center and it shall be necessary to submit a separate application for registration of each branch.
Conditions for registration: No coaching center shall -
Engage tutors having qualification less than graduation.
Make misleading promises or guarantee of rank or good marks to parents/students for enrolling them in the coaching center.
Enroll student below 16 years of age or the student enrolment should be only after secondary school examination.
Coaching center shall have a website with updated details of the qualification of tutors, courses/curriculum, duration of completion, hostel facilities (if any), and the fees being charged, easy exit policy, fee refund policy, number of students undertaken coaching from the center and number of students finally succeeded in getting admission in Higher Education Institutions etc.
Fees: The tuition fees for different courses/curriculum being charged shall be fair and reasonable and receipts for the fee charged must be made available.
If the student has paid for the course in full and is leaving the course in the middle of the prescribed period, student will be refunded from out of the fees deposited earlier for the remaining period, on pro-rata basis within 10 days.
Classes: Coaching center shall make efforts to complete the classes in the stipulated time as mentioned in the prospectus.
coaching center shall ensure weekly off for students as well as tutors.
There shall be no assessment-test / exam on the day after weekly off.
coaching centers shall conduct coaching classes in a way that it is not excessive for a student and it should not be more than 5 hours in a day and the coaching hours should neither be too early in the morning nor too late in the evening.
Complaints: A complaint may be filed before the competent authority against the coaching centers by the student, parent or tutor / employee of the coaching center and against the students / parents by the coaching centers. The complaints shall be disposed of within thirty days by the competent authority or by an inquiry committee constituted for the purpose by appropriate government.
Historical Context and the Yash Pal Committee's Insights
The journey of educational reforms in India, particularly those aimed at alleviating the stress on school children, finds its significant marker in the early 1990s with the Yash Pal Committee. Formed in response to a poignant appeal by novelist RK Narayan in the Rajya Sabha, the committee, led by the late Professor Yash Pal, a renowned space scientist, sought to address the burgeoning issue of student stress.
Narayan’s description of children burdened by heavy school bags, endless hours of homework, and additional tuitions struck a chord, highlighting a national crisis of childhood lost to academic pressure.
Yash Pal's report, "Learning Without Burden," pinpointed the root causes as a
false conception of knowledge
a poorly designed curriculum
a pedagogy that failed to inspire or engage
The committee criticized the education system's attempt to "catch up" with the West, resulting in an explosion of rote learning and a competitive ethos that further exacerbated the stress on children.
The major issue is the lack of intrinsic motivation among students, stemming from a curriculum that fails to inspire and an exam system that prioritizes rote learning over critical thinking.
The Persistent Burden and Technological Shifts
Decades after the Yash Pal Committee's findings, a workshop at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) revisited the report, questioning the evolution of the term "burden" in the educational context.
Despite reforms and changes, the problem of student stress not only persists but has mutated, amplified by new challenges.
The introduction of technology in education, intended as a solution, has instead polarized opinions and experiences, adding layers of complexity to the educational landscape.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a seismic shift to online learning, which, while innovative, underscored the systemic issues in teacher influence, curriculum design, and the quality of education, further compounding the stress on students, teachers, and parents alike.
The introduction of commercial coaching and a competitive ethos has further skewed the purpose of education, leading to a scenario where students lose sight of learning for the sake of interest and knowledge.
The Need for a Broader Remedy and Future Directions
As the educational system grapples with these challenges, the question of whether open book exams can alleviate student stress remains unanswered.
Way Forward:
What is needed is not just a singular solutionlike open book exams but a comprehensive overhaul of the educational ethos, curriculum design, and pedagogical approach.
This would involve reimagining education to foster intrinsic motivation, critical thinking, and a love for learning, ensuring that the burden of education transforms into an opportunity for growth and exploration.
As we move forward, the call is for a new vision, one that echoes RK Narayan's appeal but is attuned to the contemporary challenges, ensuring that education liberates rather than burdens the next generation.
