India Wins ISSA Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security

What’s the News?

• India has been conferred the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for “Outstanding Achievement in Social Security” in recognition of its transformative expansion of social protection coverage.
• Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya received the award at the ISSA World Social Security Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• The award acknowledges India’s success in increasing social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, now benefiting over 940 million citizens.

Significance of the Achievement

• Global Recognition: India is the fifth country globally to receive this prestigious ISSA award, highlighting its leadership in inclusive social protection.
• Unprecedented Scale: The expansion has been driven by a suite of government schemes targeting informal workers, gig workers, farmers, and vulnerable populations.
• Enhanced Global Role: India now holds 30 seats in the ISSA General Assembly—the highest vote share of any member nation—reflecting its growing influence in shaping global social security standards.

Additional Info

• International Social Security Association (ISSA):
  • Founded in 1927, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • A global institution bringing together social security agencies from over 160 countries.
  • Promotes excellence in social security administration and policy.
• Key Indian Social Security Schemes:
  • Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM): Pension scheme for unorganised sector workers earning ≤ ₹15,000/month.
  • e-Shram Portal: National database of unorganised workers; over 30 crore registered as of 2025.
  • Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): Health insurance covering 50 crore beneficiaries.
  • National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): Provides financial assistance to elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.

Sources

• newsonair

Staff Selection Commission Introduces Major Exam Reforms for Transparency and Fairness

What’s the News?

• The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has rolled out a comprehensive set of reforms to enhance transparency, fairness, and candidate convenience in its recruitment examinations.
• Key changes include allowing candidates to access their question papers, recorded responses, and official answer keys post-examination, enabling evidence-based challenges to discrepancies.
• The objection fee for challenging questions has been reduced from ₹100 to ₹50 per question, and Aadhaar-based authentication has been made mandatory to prevent impersonation.

Key Reforms & Operational Details

• Equi-Percentile Normalisation: Although single-shift implementation reduces the need, the equi-percentile method remains part of SSC’s evaluation toolkit to ensure fairness across multi-shift exams in future cycles.
• Digital Security Measures: Question papers are now transmitted via a secure digital vault to prevent leaks, and stricter monitoring protocols have been introduced.
• Re-exam Provision: A re-examination for affected candidates of CGLE Tier-I 2025 is scheduled for October 14, 2025, following anomalies detected in select centres.

Additional Info

• Staff Selection Commission (SSC):
  • Constituted in 1975 under Government of India’s Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
  • Responsible for recruitment to Group B (Non-Gazetted) and Group C (Non-technical) posts across central government departments.
• Recent Exam Scale:
  • CGLE 2025 received 28 lakh applications, with 13.5 lakh candidates appearing across 126 cities and 255 centres in its Tier-I phase.
• Candidate Support Infrastructure:
  • Official X (Twitter) handle: @SSC_GoI launched for verified updates.
  • Dedicated grievance portal and toll-free helpline operational for faster redressal.
  • Past question papers to be periodically released as official sample sets for aspirant preparation.

Sources

• newsonair

Centre Issues Advisory on Rational Use of Cough Syrups in Children

What’s the News?

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a nationwide advisory to all States and Union Territories on the rational and judicious use of cough syrups in the paediatric population.
• The advisory follows reports of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with at least 12 fatalities linked to the consumption of certain cough syrups.
• While laboratory tests confirmed no presence of toxic contaminants like Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG) in the tested samples, the Ministry emphasized that most childhood coughs are self-limiting and do not require pharmacological intervention.

Key Guidelines from the Advisory

• Age-Based Restrictions:
  • Children below 2 years: Cough and cold medications must not be prescribed or dispensed.
  • Children below 5 years: Such medications are generally not recommended.
  • Children above 5 years: Use only after careful clinical evaluation, with strict dosing, shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multi-drug combinations.
• Non-Pharmacological First-Line Approach:
  • Emphasis on adequate hydration, rest, and supportive care as primary management for acute cough illnesses.
• Procurement & Dispensing Norms:
  • All healthcare facilities must ensure use of products manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and containing pharmaceutical-grade excipients.
• Implementation Directive:
  • The advisory must be disseminated across PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, government dispensaries, and medical institutions.

Additional Info

• Recent Incidents:
  • Madhya Pradesh: 9 child deaths reported; samples tested by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and National Institute of Virology (NIV) showed no DEG/EG contamination.
  • Rajasthan: 2 deaths linked to Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Syrup IP 13.5 mg/5 ml, a formulation not recommended for paediatric use; the syrup was confirmed free of Propylene Glycol, a potential source of DEG/EG.
• Regulatory Actions:
  • Sale of implicated syrups suspended in Rajasthan.
  • Three-member probe panel constituted; a doctor and pharmacist suspended in Bharatpur PHC.
• Public Health Context:
  • Dextromethorphan (DXM), a common OTC cough suppressant, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, agitation, and confusion in young children and is contraindicated under age 2.
  • The advisory aligns with WHO guidelines on rational use of medicines in children and aims to curb irrational polypharmacy in primary care settings.

Sources

• newsonair

UNSC Grants Travel Ban Exemption for Afghan FM Muttaqi’s India Visit

What’s the News?

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has granted a travel ban exemption to Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban government, for an official visit to India from October 9 to 16, 2025.
• This marks the first high-level visit by a Taliban leader to India since the group returned to power in August 2021, and the highest-level public engagement between India and the Taliban since December 1999.
• The visit follows diplomatic coordination between India and Russia at the UN to secure the exemption, as Muttaqi remains listed under UNSC sanctions related to the Taliban.

Strategic and Diplomatic Context

• Historical Significance:
  • The last India–Taliban ministerial meeting occurred in Kandahar (1999) during the IC-814 hijack crisis, when then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh met Taliban FM Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil.
• Current Engagement:
  • India has not formally recognized the Taliban regime but maintains a technical team at its Kabul embassy to manage humanitarian aid and limited diplomatic functions.
  • Recent interactions include a Dubai meeting (early 2025) between Muttaqi and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and a November 2024 meeting with Afghanistan’s acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob.
• Geopolitical Drivers:
  • India seeks to counterbalance China–Pakistan influence in Afghanistan, especially amid talks to extend the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghan territory—a move India opposes due to sovereignty concerns over Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
  • The Taliban’s recent condemnation of terrorism in J&K and outreach to India signal a potential recalibration in regional dynamics.

Additional Info

• UNSC Sanctions Framework:
  • The Taliban is subject to sanctions under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), which imposes asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.
  • However, Paragraph 10 of the resolution allows the 1988 Sanctions Committee to grant exemptions for official duties, humanitarian reasons, or national interest.
• India’s Afghanistan Policy:
  • Humanitarian Assistance: India has delivered over 50,000 metric tonnes of food grains and life-saving medicines since 2021.
  • Development Projects: India completed key infrastructure projects pre-2021, including the Afghan Parliament building, Salma Dam, and Zaranj–Delaram Highway.
  • Engagement Principles: India adheres to a “five-point framework”—inclusive government, counter-terrorism, human rights (especially women’s rights), regional connectivity, and non-interference.
• Regional Implications:
  • China’s Role: Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting (May 2025) with Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote BRI-linked connectivity, raising strategic concerns for India.
  • Pakistan–Taliban Tensions: Relations have soured over the Taliban’s alleged support for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), creating space for India to deepen discreet ties.

Sources

• newsonair

Cabinet Approves ₹11,440 Crore Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

What’s the News?

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” with a total outlay of ₹11,440 crore for the period 2025–26 to 2030–31.
• The mission aims to make India self-sufficient in pulses production by 2031, reducing reliance on imports and stabilizing domestic prices.
• It focuses on boosting production of tur (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), and masur (lentil) through assured procurement, seed distribution, yield enhancement, and value chain strengthening.

Mission Objectives & Implementation Strategy

• Production Targets:
  • Increase pulses production from 242 lakh tonnes (2023–24) to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–32.
  • Expand cultivated area from 242 lakh hectares to 310 lakh hectares.
  • Raise average yield from 881 kg/ha to 1,130 kg/ha.
• Key Interventions:
  • Assured Procurement: 100% procurement of tur, urad, and masur under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA by NAFED and NCCF for registered farmers in participating states for four years.
  • Seed Systems: Distribution of 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds and 88 lakh free seed kits to expand cultivation, especially in rice fallow areas and through intercropping.
  • Infrastructure: Establishment of 1,000 new processing and packaging units, with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh per unit.
  • Technology & R&D: Promotion of high-yielding, pest-resistant, climate-resilient varieties through multi-location trials supervised by ICAR.
• Geographic Focus: Implemented via a cluster-based approach across 416 priority districts.

Additional Info

• Policy Context:
  • Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
  • Aligns with National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and PM-AASHA, which provides price support to farmers when market prices fall below Minimum Support Price (MSP).
• Economic & Strategic Rationale:
  • India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, yet imports have risen 15–20% in recent years due to demand outpacing domestic supply.
  • The mission aims to conserve foreign exchange, boost farmer incomes, and generate rural employment.
• Digital & Monitoring Tools:
  • Seed production and distribution tracked via the SATHI portal (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory).
  • A global pulse price monitoring mechanism will be established to ensure price stability and farmer confidence.

Cabinet Approves ₹1,500 Crore for Biomedical Research Career Programme Phase-III

What’s the News?

• The Union Cabinet has approved ₹1,500 crore for the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) Phase-III, to be implemented from 2025–26 to 2029–30.
• The programme, spearheaded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under the Department of Health Research (DHR), aims to strengthen India’s biomedical research ecosystem by nurturing young scientific talent and promoting high-impact, translational research.
• BRCP Phase-III will support over 1,000 early- and mid-career scientists through fellowships, research grants, and infrastructure development across medical colleges, research institutes, and public health institutions.

Programme Components & Strategic Objectives

• Fellowship Support:
  • Early-career scientists: 5-year fellowships with ₹1.5 lakh/month salary and ₹15 lakh/year research grant.
  • Mid-career scientists: 5-year support with ₹2 lakh/month and ₹25 lakh/year research grant.
• Institutional Strengthening:
  • Upgradation of 100 medical colleges with modern research infrastructure.
  • Establishment of Centres of Excellence in priority areas like antimicrobial resistance (AMR), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), maternal and child health, and emerging infections.
• Translational Focus:
  • Emphasis on bench-to-bedside research, including diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, and digital health solutions.
  • Mandatory industry or public health collaboration for selected projects to ensure real-world applicability.
• Capacity Building:
  • Training in good clinical practice (GCP), research ethics, data science, and regulatory pathways.
  • Support for international exposure and patent filing.

Additional Info

• Historical Context:
  • BRCP Phase-I launched in 2009 with ₹450 crore; Phase-II (2017–22) allocated ₹750 crore.
  • Over 700 scientists supported so far; led to 1,200+ publications, 50+ patents, and 15+ startups in biotech and medtech.
• Policy Alignment:
  • Supports National Health Policy 2017 goal of raising public health R&D spending to 2% of GDP.
  • Complements Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission and National Biopharma Mission under BIRAC.

RBI Constitutes Six-Member Payments Regulatory Board

What’s the News?

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a six-member Payments Regulatory Board (PRB), with RBI Governor serving as its Chairperson.
• The PRB replaces the earlier Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS), following amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which came into effect on May 9, 2025.
• The Board will be responsible for the regulation and supervision of all payment systems—electronic and non-electronic, domestic and cross-border—strengthening India’s digital payments infrastructure.

Composition & Functions of the PRB

• Members:
  • Chairperson: RBI Governor
  • Deputy Governor, RBI (in charge of Payment & Settlement Systems)
  • Executive Director, RBI (Payment & Settlement Systems)
  • Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS)
  • Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
  • Aruna Sundararajan, IAS (Retd), former Telecom Secretary.
• Permanent Invitee: Principal Legal Advisor, RBI
• Key Mandate:
  • Oversee licensing, regulation, and supervision of payment system operators (e.g., UPI, wallets, card networks).
  • Ensure security, interoperability, and consumer protection in digital transactions.
  • Promote innovation and competition while maintaining systemic stability.

Additional Info

• Legal Framework:
  • The Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 empowers RBI to regulate payment systems in India.
  • The 2025 amendment institutionalized the PRB as a statutory body, enhancing its autonomy and decision-making authority compared to the previous internal committee (BPSS).
• Strategic Context:
  • India recorded 131 billion digital transactions in 2024, with UPI accounting for over 80% of real-time payments volume.
  • The PRB aligns with the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-Border Payments and supports India’s ambition to export its payment stack (e.g., UPI123Pay, UPI Lite, Bharat BillPay) globally.
• Regulatory Precedents:
  • RBI has previously mandated onshoring of payment data, introduced tokenization norms, and capped merchant discount rates (MDR) to foster inclusive digital finance.
  • The PRB will now oversee implementation of upcoming frameworks like Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) integration and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) interoperability.

NCRB 2023 Report Highlights Alarming Rise in Farmer Suicides, Crimes Against Women and Children

What’s the News?

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released its “Crime in India – 2023” report, revealing a disturbing rise in farmer suicides, crimes against women, and cybercrimes across the country.
• In 2023, 10,786 individuals from the farming sector died by suicide—equivalent to nearly 30 suicides per day or one every 48 minutes—accounting for 6.3% of all suicides in India.
• Crimes against women rose slightly to 448,211 cases (from 445,256 in 2022), while cybercrimes surged by 31.2% to 86,420 cases.

Key Findings from the NCRB 2023 Report

Farmer Suicides

• Breakdown:
  • 4,690 farmers/cultivators
  • 6,096 agricultural labourers
• Top States:
  • Maharashtra: 38.5% (highest share)
  • Karnataka: 22.5%
  • Andhra Pradesh: 8.6%
  • Madhya Pradesh: 7.2%
  • Tamil Nadu: 5.9%
• Socioeconomic Profile:
  • 66.2% of victims had an annual income below ₹1 lakh.

Crimes Against Women

• Total Cases: 448,211 (crime rate: 66.2 per lakh women)
• Top States by Volume:
  • Uttar Pradesh (66,381)
  • Maharashtra (47,101)
  • Rajasthan (45,450)
• Top Offences:
  • Cruelty by husband/relatives (133,676 cases, 29.8%)
  • Kidnapping/abduction (88,605 cases, 19.8%)
  • Assault to outrage modesty (83,891 cases, 18.7%)
  • Rape: 29,670 cases (6.6%)
• POCSO Act: 40,046 child sexual abuse cases registered under Special Laws.

Cybercrime & Urban Crime

• Cybercrime: 86,420 cases (+31.2% YoY); 68.9% were financial frauds.
• Metropolitan Cities: Reported 944,291 crimes (+10.6% YoY), with theft (44.8%) as the dominant offence.
• Pune Specifics:
  • 68% rise in crimes against children
  • 23% increase in crimes against women
  • 36.4% jump in cybercrime cases.

Additional Info

• National Crime Trends:
  • Total cognizable crimes: 62.4 lakh (+7.2% from 2022).
  • Overall crime rate: 448.3 per lakh population (up from 422.2 in 2022).
• Chargesheeting Rates:
  • Crimes against women: 77.6%
  • Pune (IPC crimes): 94% (3rd highest among metros).
• Policy & Institutional Context:
  • National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022) aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.
  • PM-KISAN, Kisan Credit Card, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana are key schemes to address agrarian distress, yet gaps in implementation persist.
  • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women & Children (CCPWC) schemes are operational but face challenges in rural reach and forensic capacity.
• Data Limitations:
  • NCRB data reflects reported crimes only; underreporting remains significant, especially in domestic violence and cyber fraud.
  • Farmer suicide data excludes indirect agrarian distress indicators like debt, landlessness, or climate shocks.