essay on health system in india upsc

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Indian Health Sector: Opportunities and Challenges

Published: 10th Apr, 2021

In Budget 2021 health sector is focused on by Government, which was severely hit by the unprecedented pandemic. The focus has been laid on healthcare and infrastructure with an eye on achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

• The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the situation no one could ever imagine. Almost all aspects of society have witnessed disruptions.
• However, every challenge comes with various opportunities, so does this pandemic.
• It has opened a wide window of opportunities to restructure and reform the Indian health industry which has been in a bad state of repair.
• Underscoring the significant importance of health and wellbeing for the growth and development of the country, the Budget allocation for the same was increased to ?2,23,846 crore in 2021-22 as against this year's ?94,452 crores, according to an official release.
• This manifests into an increase of 137%.

Assessing Indian Healthcare Industry

• In India, the Health care sector is one of the largest sectors in terms of both revenue and employment.
• Public health care hospitals comprise secondary and tertiary care institutions in urban areas while primary basic facilities are focused in rural areas.
• Private health care sectors provide secondary, tertiary, and quaternary services in metro cities.

Healthcare Industry in India

What are the issues and concerns of the Sector?

India’s health care sector has achieved some positive achievements on the health indicators but suffers some serious shortcomings in care delivery.

• Inadequate reach: The inadequate reach of basic healthcare services, shortage of medical personnel, quality assurance, the inadequate outlay for health, and most importantly insufficient impetus to research.
• Inadequate Fund: The inadequate fund allocation by the administrations is one of the grave concerns.
• Optimal Insurance: The concept of health insurance is still not clear in India and the market is still virgin.
• No focus on Preventive Care : In India, there is a very low emphasis on preventive care, which can be proved very effective in solving a lot of problems for the patient in terms of misery or financial losses.
• Less emphasis on Medical Research: In India, there is no much impetus is being given to R&D and cutting-edge technology-led new initiatives. Such technologies could be useful in an unprecedented situation like Covid-19.
• Issue of Policymaking: For providing effective and efficient healthcare services policymaking is certainly an important aspect. In India, the problem is fundamental of supply than demand, where policymaking can be effective.
• Shortage of Medical Workforce: In India, there is a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other staff in the health sector. As per a report laid down by a minister in Parliament, there is a shortage of 600,000 doctors in India.
• Inadequate outlay for health: As per National Health Policy 2002, India contributes only 0.9 percent of its GDP to the Health care sector.
• Lack of structure: Private hospitals are expensive and public hospitals are either not enough for the Indian Population or lack the basic facilities.

Opportunities in Health Care Sector

• Indian health care sector is expected to increase to Rs. 8.6 trillion (US$ 133.44 billion) by 2022. It is almost three times which is what it’s now in present.
• Data Analytics: With the arrival of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), the digital Health ID will come which will store the data of patients. It would help in effective policymaking and private players can get an edge in introducing the new technologies in the market.

• Employment opportunity: As we know Indian health care sector lacks a workforce, there is a space for thousands of employees.
• Start-ups: With the help of Government and private players an environment of start-ups and entrepreneurship can be created in this field.
• Medical Tourism: India is already one of the favorite medical Tourism Destinations in the world and in the upcoming years this sector can be harnessed efficiently.

What measures are required in the sector?

• Improving infrastructure: There is a need of improvising the infrastructure of public hospitals which have a lot of burden due to the high population in India.
• Focus on private hospitals: Private hospitals must be encouraged by the government because their contribution is important. Private sector also needs to participate because the challenges are significant and these cannot be resolved only by the government alone.
• Efficiency enhancement: More medical personnel must be recruited to enhance the capabilities and efficiency of the sector.
• Technology utilisation: Technologies must be used to connect the dots in the health system. Medical devices in hospitals/ clinics, mobile care applications, wearables, and sensors are some forms of technology that should be added in this sector.
• Awareness: People should be made aware of early detection and preventive care. It would help them in saving pocket expenditure also.

The year 2021 could be the year when India consolidates and expands on its social determinants of health (SDH) approach. India now needs to sustain its current interest in strategic health policy as a key pillar of the economy.

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India’s Health Sector

• March 6, 2023

Context : Recently the Government of India and World Bank signed two complimentary loans worth $1 billion to support and enhance India’s healthcare infrastructure.

About India’s healthcare sector at glance:

• In the Economic Survey of 2022 , India’s public expenditure on healthcare stood at 1% of GDP in 2021-22 against 1.8% in 2020-21 and 1.3% in 2019-20.
• India had 7 physicians per 1,00,000 people in 2017 (in contrast to 98 in Pakistan, 100 in Sri Lanka and 241 in Japan).
• 53 beds per 1,00,000 people (in contrast to 63 in Pakistan, 79.5 in Bangladesh, 415 in Sri Lanka and 1,298 in Japan).
• 7 nurses and midwives per 1,00,000 people (in contrast to 220 in Sri Lanka, 40 in Bangladesh, 70 in Pakistan, and 1,220 in Japan).
• India has among the highest out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures of all countries in the world- 62% of the total health expenditure in India is OOP.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India ranks 184 out of 191 countries in health spending.
• The US spends over 16% of its total GDP on healthcare , while Japan, Canada, Germany etc. spend over 10% of their GDP on healthcare.

Health Index for states developed by Niti Aayog:

• The Health Index for States developed by Niti Aayog in consultation with the health ministry and the World Bank has rankings for large states, smaller states and Union territories.
• It is based on 23 health parameters ranging from mortality rate and sex ratio to functioning cardiac care units.
• In 2019, Kerala was the top performer followed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• The index results indicated that states even with a lower economic output are performing better on health and well-being.

Challenges associated with India’s healthcare sector:

• Low Budget Spending : India’s public expenditure on healthcare is only 2.1% of GDP in 2021-22 while Japan, Canada and France spend about 10% of their GDP on public healthcare.
• Unequal distribution: India’s health care system is concentrated in urban areas with very little presence in the rural areas where majority of the population lives.
• Lack of Medical Research : In India, R&D and cutting-edge technology-led new projects receive little attention.
• Low doctor-patient ratio: The doctor patient ratio in India is about 1:1500 much higher than the WHO norm of one doctor for every 1,000 people.
• The private sector also provides for 58 percent of the hospitals and 81 percent of the doctors in India.

Govt of India Initiatives to improve healthcare sector in the country :

• Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) : it aims to strengthen India’s health infrastructure and improve the country’s primary, secondary and tertiary care services.
• Ayushman Bharat : Follows a two- pronged approach by Creation of health and wellness centres to bring health care closer to homes.
• formulation of a Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to protect poor and vulnerable families against financial risk arising out of health episodes.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: aims to connect the digital health solutions of hospitals across the country. Under this, every citizen will now get a digital health ID and their health record will be digitally protected.
• National Ayush Mission : it is a centrally sponsored scheme for the  development of traditional medicines
• Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) :aims to correct regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country.

Way Forward:

There is an urgency to focus on all the three levels of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare, it is imperative that the government look towards improving primary health care as a public good.

The lesson emerging most unequivocally from the pandemic experience is that if India does not want a repeat of the immeasurable suffering and the social and economic loss, we need to make public health a central focus.

There is also a need to declutter policy dialogue and provide clarity to the nomenclatures.  India needs to move beyond the doctor-led system and Para medicalise several functions. India should focus on technology upgradation and preventive care to further its march towards healthy India.

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following:

• Aarogya Setu

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms? (2022)

• 1 and 2 only
• 2, 3 and 4 only
• 1, 3 and 4 only
• 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q.2) With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements:

• Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
• Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2021)

• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

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Indian Health Sector Problems – Can the National Health Policy 2017 Make a Change?

Last updated on March 11, 2024 by ClearIAS Team

The health sector in India faces numerous problems. With the new national health policy, the government aims to achieve better and more inclusive health standards for all. But can the National Health Policy 2017 really make a change? This article is an analysis of the problems of the health sector, solutions, and new initiatives.

Table of Contents

A background study of the Indian health scenario

Indian Health Sector Data: Budget Spending and Insurance Levels

• The public expenditure on the health sector remains a dismal show of only around 1.4% of the GDP.
• The investment in health research has been low with a modest rate of 1% of the total public health expenditure.
• Insurance coverage remains low as per the latest NSSO reports over 80% of India’s population remains uncovered by any health insurance scheme.
• Under the centre-run Rashtriya Swyasthya Bima Abhiyan , only 13% of the rural and 12% of the urban population had access to insurance coverage.
• There has been a stark rise in out-of-pocket expenditure (6.9% in rural areas and 5.5% in urban areas – OOP in proportion to monthly expenditure). This led to an increasing number of households facing catastrophic expenditures due to health costs.

Indian Health Sector Data: IMR, MMR, Hunger, Non-Communicable diseases, and Mental Diseases

• India missed by close margins in achieving the millennium development goals of maternal mortality (India – 167, MDG – 139) and under 5 child mortality rate (India 49, MDG – 42). The rate of decrements in stillbirths and neonatal death cases has been slow.
• Nutrition status has been dismal and is one of the causes of child mortality and morbidity. As per the global hunger index  (by IFPRI), India ranks 78th among 118 developing countries (with 15% of our population being undernourished; about 15% under-5 children who are ‘wasted’ while the share of children who are `stunted’ is a staggering 39% and the under-5 mortality rate is 4.8% in India.)
• While communicable diseases contribute 28% of the entire disease burden, non-communicable diseases (60%) show ample rise, and injuries at (12%) now constitute the bulk of the country’s disease burden.
• India ironically has to cater to two extreme healthcare situations. They are (1) one arising out of exclusions (out of poverty or lack of proper healthcare facilities) (2) while the other is lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cardiac-related problems.
• There has been a steady rise in mental illnesses in the country. According to a recent publication, one in every four women and 10% of men suffer from depression in India.
• At the same time, progress has been marked in the field of communicable diseases as such. Polio has been eradicated, leprosy has been curtailed and HIV – AIDS cases have met the MDG target of being reduced by half in number.

Indian Health Sector Data:  Personnel Status

• Health workforce density in India remains low .
• India’s ratio of 7 doctors and 1.5 nurses per 1,000 people is dramatically lower than the WHO average of 2.5 doctors and nurses per 1,000 people .
• The majority of the health workforce is concentrated in urban areas.
• Furthermore, there is an acute shortage of paramedical and administrative professionals too.

Note: Taking cognizance of the prevailing situations, the Government of India has been aiming to improve the health system via various policies and initiatives. The latest National Health Policy, 2017 highlights the future aims and agendas of the government which can be summarised as follows:

What do we aim for in our current National Health policy?

The national health policy 2017.

The main objectives of the National Health Policy 2017 are as follows:

• To achieve Universal Health Coverage by assuring the availability of free, comprehensive primary health care services, ensuring improved access and affordability, of quality secondary and tertiary care, and achieving a significant reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure due to health care costs.
• To make a predictable, efficient, patient-centric, affordable, and effective health care system.
• Bringing in healthy and vital private sector contributions.
• By increasing public investment (raise it to 5% of the GDP ).
• To coordinate various non-health departments to improve the environment for health (by linking areas like – Swatch Bharath, balanced diet, reduced stress at the workplace, Yatri Suraksha, etc.).
• Incorporating health education as part of the curriculum, promoting hygiene and safe health practices within the school environs by acting as a site of primary health care, and promoting healthy practices via AYUSH and Yoga at workplaces and schools.
• Organizing public health care delivery.
• To enhance National health programs .
• Utilizing the potential of AYUSH and mainstreaming it.
• Improving women’s health and addressing gender violence. Initiatives like Janani Suraksha Yojana, new norms of addressing domestic violence, family planning programs,s, etc. can go a long way.
• Enhancing tertiary care services – via specialized consultative and intensive care facilities, tertiary services via advanced medical colleges, and health institutes.
• providing better health education
• incentivizing doctors for rural services
• enhancing nursing and other paramedical services
• developing and encouraging ASHA volunteers.
• Collaborating with non-governmental organizations and the private sector too –
• Train, and encourage skill development programs
• Utilise and direct Corporate social responsibility into health investments
• Encourage personnel training in mental health care and disaster management etc.
• Establishing a strong regulatory framework to include regulation of clinical establishments, professional and technical education, food safety, medical technologies, medical products, clinical trials, research, and implementation of other health-related laws.
• Involving and providing more role to local self-governments, bringing in decentralization and enhancing the accountability of government institutions to ensure effective efficient delivery of services.

Out of these the key and specific objectives remain to

Strengthen health system

• Increase Life Expectancy at birth from 67.5 to 70 by 2025.
• Establish regular tracking of the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) Index as a measure of the burden of disease and its trends by major categories by 2022.
• Reduction of TFR to 2.1 at national and sub-national levels by 2025.
• Reduce under Five Mortality to 23 by 2025 and MMR from current levels to 100 by 2020.
• Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 by 2019.
• Reduce neonatal mortality to 16 and stillbirth rate to “single digit” by 2025.
• Achieve the global target of 2020 which is also termed as the target of 90:90:90 , for HIV/AIDS i. e,- 90% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status, – 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
• Achieve and maintain the elimination status of Leprosy by 2018 , Kala-Azar by 2017, and Lymphatic Filariasis in endemic pockets by 2017.
• To achieve and maintain a cure rate of >85% in new sputum-positive patients for TB and reduce the incidence of new cases, to reach elimination status by 2025.
• To reduce the prevalence of blindness to 0.25/ 1000 by 2025 and disease burden by one-third from current levels.
• To reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases by 25% by 2025.

Also read: Healthcare Sector in India

Improve health system performance 

• Increase utilization of public health facilities by 50% from current levels by 2025.
• More than 90% of the newborns are fully immunized by one year of age by 2025
• The relative reduction in the prevalence of current tobacco use by 15% by 2020 and 30% by 2025.
• Reduction of 40% in the prevalence of stunting of under-five children by 2025.
• Access to safe water and sanitation to all by 2020 (Swachh Bharat Mission).
• Reduction of occupational injury by half from current levels of 334 per lakh agricultural workers by 2020.

Enhance health status and program impact

• Increase health expenditure by the Government as a percentage of GDP from the existing 1.15% to 2.5 % by 2025.
• Ensure availability of paramedics and doctors as per the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norm in high-priority districts by 2020.
• Establish primary and secondary care facilities as per norms in high-priority districts (population as well as time to reach norms) by 2025.
• Ensure district-level electronic database of information on health system components by 2020.
• Strengthen the health surveillance system and establish registries for diseases of public health importance by 2020.

Also read: Global Tobacco Epidemic

Major national programs in this sector

The following highlights of recent initiatives in this field showcase our renewed effort to achieve global standards.

National Health Mission

• This mission is targeting universal health care, to achieve IMR, MMR, TFR targets, family welfare, infrastructure maintenance, etc.
• The major components of the program are:
• RMNCH+A services – which stands for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health care. Programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana, the program for adolescents like addressing the problem of anemia among adolescent girls and boys, etc.
• Communicable Diseases : The National Health Policy 2017 recognizes the interrelationship between communicable disease control programs and public health system strengthening . Different programs like the National Aids Control Program, National Leprosy Eradication Program, Revised Tuberculosis Control Program, and National Vector Borne Disease Control Program.
• Non-Communicable Diseases : The National Health Policy 2017 recognizes the need to halt and reverse the growing incidence of chronic diseases. Different programs through the involvement of AYUSH are taking forth to address these situations, for instance , Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda is an example of efforts to address the issue of diabetes among people.
• Health system improvement at rural and urban levels.
• Universal Immunisation Programme – to provide life-saving vaccines to all children across the country free of cost to protect them against Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis, Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhea. via Mission Indra Dhanush
• Mental Health : via new mental health policy.

Also read: Palliative Care in India

Other global initiatives in health involving India

International Vaccine Institute (IVI)

• India has taken full membership of the International Vaccine Institute.
• Initially a UNDP initiative, IVI began formal operations as an independent international organization, in Seoul, South Korea.
• It is devoted to developing and introducing new and improved vaccines to protect people, especially children, against deadly infectious diseases.
• The Institute has a unique mandate to work exclusively on vaccine development and introduction specifically for people in developing countries, with a focus on neglected diseases affecting these regions
• India has to contribute $50,000 annually to the institute.

The Global Promotion of the Traditional System of Medicines

• Ministry of AYUSH, the Government of India, and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) for the same.
• PCA is titled ‘Co-operation on promoting the quality, safety, and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine between WHO and AYUSH, India, 2016-2020’.
• It will help build and strengthen national capacities.

The Network to Improve Quality of Care for Mothers, Newborns, and Children

• India is among nine countries that will be part of a global health network focused on improving the quality of care for new mothers and babies and strengthening national efforts to end preventable deaths of pregnant women and newborns by 2030.
• The nine countries are India, Bangladesh, A Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• The new ‘Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health’ is supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN International Children’s Fund (Unicef) and other partners.

India and SDG Goal 3 Commitment 

• India’s National Health Mission is making striding efforts in ensuring the goal of good health and well-being of the sustainable development goal.
• We have strengthened the implementation of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control
• To enhance the research and development of medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases, provide access to essential medicines and vaccines in accordance with the Doha Declaration on TRIPS agreement and public health regarding flexibility to protect public health.
• We are aiming to increase our spending in this field and also strengthen institutions to target the achievement of the goal.

Also read: Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and the Red Line Campaign

• Health plays a vital role in ensuring the rights of people and in facilitating social justice. A healthy and strong India can reap the best from the future world.
• Developments in the health sector enhance the human resource and also open avenues for revenue and employment generation.

Also read: Digital Health: Latest developments

Article by: Honey Mathew.

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Reader Interactions

June 23, 2017 at 7:12 am

This to notify that according to the above article under National Health Policy 2017 it is stated that the rise of public investment in health care would be of 5%. If you scroll two sections down in the ENHANCE HEALTH STATUS AND PROGRAMME IMPACT it is again mentioned that government spending will increase from 1.5% to 2.5% by 2025. This is slightly confusing and is not helping me understand which one to follow. Please help and its a request to clarify the above doubt.

July 10, 2017 at 11:52 pm

Good effort sir..thank you very much..

May 10, 2018 at 3:47 am

I think doctor nurse to patient ratio need correction….. please read the sentence

October 19, 2018 at 3:05 pm

Spreading awareness about non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes. For all kind of disease treatments please visit online portal meddco.com which introduced affordable healthcare service packages

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• Average revenue per occupied bed day (ARPOB) increased from ₹34,277 to ₹49,836 during FY20-H1 FY24.
• India has one of the lowest per capita bed counts in the world.

Healthcare Sector of India

• Healthcare Sector: It comprises hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment. 
• India’s healthcare delivery system is categorised into two major components – public and private. 
• Public Sector: It comprises limited secondary and tertiary care institutions in key cities and focuses on providing basic healthcare facilities in the form of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in rural areas. 
• Private Sector: The private sector provides the majority of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care institutions with a major concentration in metros, tier-I, and tier-II cities.
• Medical Tourism: India ranks 10th in Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-2021 out of 46 destinations in the world. 
• The Indian medical tourism market was valued at US$ 2.89 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach US$ 13.42 billion by 2026. 

Major Challenges Faced by Healthcare Sector in India:

• The government mandated that private medical colleges must be built on at least five acres of land hence, they were built in rural areas, where there was a lack of adequately qualified, full-time doctors due to living conditions, besides low pay scales.
• The National Medical Commission (NMC) has put forward the idea to do away with the requirement of minimum five acres of land.
• The doctor-to-patient ratio remains low, which is merely 0.7 doctors per 1,000 people whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) average is 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people. 
• Aging population and the associated increase in chronic diseases add to the healthcare burden.
• High out-of-pocket Expenditure: While public hospitals offer free health services, these facilities are understaffed, poorly equipped, and located mainly in urban areas leaving no alternatives but to access private institutions and incurring high out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare. 
• Every year, roughly 5.8 million Indians die from heart and lung diseases, stroke, cancer and diabetes. 
• Shortage of hygiene infrastructure, lack of awareness, limited access to facilities, lack of trained medical personnel, dearth of medicines and good doctors are the challenges faced by more than 70 percent of India’s population living in rural areas.
• Ensuring that the private healthcare sector serves the larger public health goals.

Measures Needed for India to become Global Healthcare Provider:

• India spends the least among BRICS countries: Brazil spends the most (9.2%), followed by South Africa (8.1%), Russia (5.3%), China (5%).
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in building and upgrading healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals, clinics, and research facilities.
• Healthcare Education and Training: Strengthen medical education and training programs to produce skilled healthcare professionals.
• Research and Innovation: Foster a culture of research and innovation in healthcare. Provide incentives for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to conduct research and develop new treatments.
• Telemedicine and Digital Health: Promote the use of telemedicine and digital health solutions to increase access to healthcare services, especially in rural areas.
• Ensure a transparent and efficient regulatory framework.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encourage collaborations between the government, private sector, and non-profit organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
• Develop innovative financing models to fund healthcare projects and initiatives.
• Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Focus on preventive healthcare measures to reduce the burden of diseases.
• Encourage healthcare facilities to obtain international accreditation to enhance their credibility.
• Improve visa and travel infrastructure to attract patients from other countries.

Recent steps Taken by the Government for the Growth of Healthcare Sector

• National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Launched in 2020, NDHM aims to create a digital health ecosystem, including health IDs for citizens and the establishment of a national digital health infrastructure.
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): AB-PMJAY, launched in 2018, is a national health protection scheme that provides financial protection to over 100 million families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
• National Health Policy 2017: The National Health Policy outlines the government’s vision to achieve the highest possible level of health and well-being for all and emphasizes preventive and promotive healthcare.
• Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): The government is working towards transforming primary health centers into HWCs to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive and promotive care.
• Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): PMSSY aims to enhance tertiary care capacities and strengthen medical education in the country by setting up new AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences) institutions and upgrading existing government medical colleges.
• Research and Development Initiatives: The government has been encouraging research and development in healthcare, including support for the development of vaccines, drugs, and medical technologies.
• National Medical Commission (NMC) Act: The NMC Act, passed in 2019, aims to bring reforms in medical education and practice by replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI) and promoting transparency and accountability.
• Jan Aushadhi Scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) aims to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
• There is a need to adopt technology wherever possible to streamline the operational and clinical processes for healthcare facilities in order to manage efficient patient flow.
• In addition, there is the challenge to think beyond the obvious and promote virtual care protocols, and telehealth services, which can be leveraged to reduce the patient-load burden to a large extent.
• To sum it up, there is an urgency to make healthcare service and service providers more transparent operationally. 
• This will help ensure people and processes can be made easily accountable to provide better healthcare services. 

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Primary Health Care in India  

Copyright infringement is not intended

Context - Recently Published ‘Global Health Report’ indicated that “Insufficient funding of Primary Healthcare Systems hurting ground level Healthcare services ”.

• According to the published report “Funding in primary healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries is insufficient”.
• Primary healthcare is the backbone of health systems in India. The Primary Healthcare system is strengthened by the National Health Mission and receives funding from state governments.
• The 1978 Alma-Ata declaration was the first to document the principles of primary healthcare.
• The report recommended that “Investing more and investing better is the key solution to provide equitable, comprehensive, integrated and high-quality” Healthcare.

Alma-Ata Declaration

• The Conference highlighted the inequality of health status between the developed and the developing countries and termed it politically, socially and economically unacceptable.
• It was the first international declaration highlighting the importance of primary health care.
• The Primary Healthcare approach was promoted as the key to achieving the goal of "Health For All".

Healthcare Status in India

• India has the dual burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases and many of these diseases can be prevented by early diagnosis, providing health education, timely referral and management.
• Nearly 8 lakh cases of cancer are detected each year and around 60-80% of the cases are diagnosed late.
• Lack of awareness and poor health-seeking behaviour has been found to be the major underlying causes of many diseases.
• Inadequate Quality, Accessibility and Affordability of Health Services.
• High out of pocket expenses.
• Shortage of Infrastructure, Equipment and Skilled Manpower.
• Rigid regulatory Framework Combined with Corrupt enforcement.
• Primary Health Care Centres are not Present in many villages and wherever Present they lack basic facilities.
• Inefficiencies in Procurement Process result in both Shortages and Wastage.
• Nearly 70% of Healthcare delivery is through Private Players which are largely regulated .
• Lack of Sanitation, disease Surveillance, Political will and Public Health response.
• Government spend only 1.5% of GDP on Public Health Care.
• Rising incidence of non-Communicable diseases with income growth, lifestyle Changes and environmental degradation, resulting in a rising total burden of disease.

Steps were taken by the Government

• Promotion of Institutional deliveries through Cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram : Free ante-natal Check-ups, Post-natal Care and treatment of Sick infants till one year of age.
• Providing Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Services, the establishment of Special Newborn Care Units.
• Mission Indradhnaush : Expanding full immunisation Coverage, the introduction of new vaccines.
• PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana for strengthening the tertiary health Sector.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan to address Malnutrition.
• Iron and folic acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Anaemia, home visits by ASHAs to promote breastfeeding and promote the use of ORS and Zinc for the management of diarrhoea in children.
• Capacity building of Health Care Providers : Training is being conducted under the National Health Mission to build and upgrade the Skills of Health Care Providers.
• National Health Resource Repository : Create a reliable, unified registry of the Country’s healthcare resources showing the distribution pattern of health facilities and Services between Cities and rural areas. ISRO is a technology Partner for providing data Security.
• Allowed 100% FDI in the Medical devices Sector to promote Make in India.
• Kayakalp initiative to Promote Cleanliness, hygiene and infection control practices in public health facilities.

National Health Policy 2017 targets

• Shifts From communicable to non-communicable diseases.
• Collaborating and regulating the private sector.
• A shift from Sick-care to wellness.
• Increase Life Expectancy at birth from 67.5 to 70 by 2025.
• Reduction of TFR to 2.1 at national and Sub-national levels by 2025.
• Reduce Under Five Mortality to 23 by 2025 and MMR from current levels to 100 by 2020.
• Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 by 2019.
• Reduce neonatal mortality to 16 and the stillbirth rate to “single-digit” by 2025.
• Reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases by 25% by 2025.

Way Forward

• Reduce the Pressure on Secondary and tertiary hospitals by investing in Preventive and Primary Health Care facilities.
• Focus on Early detection and Prevention.
• Provide adequate protection to doctors.
• Increasing the Doctor-Patient ratio.
• Reduce Out of Pocket Expenditure.
• Increase the number of vaccines under Mission Indradhanush.
• Increasing the number of drugs and medical devices under price control.
• The Ministry Should Standardize the Cost of Certain treatments.
• Raising Public Health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP.
• Provide accessible, affordable and quality health care.
• Inform and educate people about the traditional Systems of medicine.
• Ayurveda Doctors and Yoga Teachers for Rural Areas .
• Improve Hospital access, Health worker density, and Access to essential medicine.
• Mobile Medical Units to Provide outreach Services in rural and remote areas.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/primary-healthcare-fails-to-meet-needs-of-people-it-was-built-for-lancet-study-82272

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Essay on Healthcare in India

Students are often asked to write an essay on Healthcare in India in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Healthcare in India

Introduction.

Healthcare in India is a critical sector. It includes public and private hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.

Public Healthcare

Private healthcare.

Private healthcare, on the other hand, is usually more expensive. However, it tends to have better facilities and shorter wait times.

India faces challenges in healthcare, like inadequate facilities in rural areas and a shortage of trained medical professionals.

250 Words Essay on Healthcare in India

Healthcare in India is a multifaceted system, encompassing public and private sectors, traditional and modern medicine, and urban and rural disparities. This essay explores the current state of healthcare in India, its challenges, and potential solutions.

Current State of Healthcare

India’s healthcare sector has made significant strides, with increased life expectancy and decreased infant mortality. However, it is riddled with disparities. While urban areas enjoy better healthcare facilities, rural regions grapple with inadequate infrastructure and lack of trained medical personnel.

The challenges are manifold. Accessibility and affordability remain major concerns. A large portion of the population lacks access to quality healthcare, while high out-of-pocket expenses push many into poverty. Furthermore, there is a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas.

Public-Private Partnership

A public-private partnership (PPP) is seen as a viable solution. The private sector’s resources and efficiency can supplement the public sector’s reach and affordability. However, the implementation of PPPs requires stringent regulations to prevent exploitation.

Role of Technology

Technology can bridge the urban-rural divide. Telemedicine, AI, and mobile health technologies can facilitate remote consultations, predictive diagnostics, and health monitoring, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.

500 Words Essay on Healthcare in India

India’s healthcare sector is a study in contrasts, presenting a complex tapestry of cutting-edge advancements and systemic challenges. With an expansive population and diverse health needs, the healthcare system in India is a critical component of the nation’s development agenda.

The Landscape of Indian Healthcare

India’s healthcare infrastructure is a mix of public and private providers. The public system, under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, provides primary, secondary, and tertiary care. However, it suffers from inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, and a dearth of healthcare professionals. The private sector, on the other hand, is burgeoning. It is technologically advanced, offers high-quality services, but is often criticized for being expensive and inaccessible to the poor.

Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability

Access to quality healthcare is a significant issue in India. Rural areas, in particular, face a shortage of healthcare facilities and professionals. The urban-rural divide is stark, with the majority of quality healthcare services concentrated in cities. Affordability is another concern. High out-of-pocket expenses push many into poverty every year. The situation calls for a robust health insurance framework to protect citizens from catastrophic health expenditures.

Government Initiatives

Technological innovations.

Technological innovations have the potential to revolutionize India’s healthcare landscape. Telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and digital health records can address the issues of accessibility and affordability. Telemedicine can bridge the urban-rural divide by providing remote consultations. AI can assist in disease prediction and management, while digital health records can streamline patient data, improving efficiency and patient care.

Challenges and Future Prospects

The future of healthcare in India lies in adopting a holistic approach. This includes increasing public health expenditure, strengthening primary healthcare, improving health literacy, and leveraging technology.

India’s healthcare sector, while fraught with challenges, is teeming with potential. With the right mix of policy interventions, technology adoption, and a focus on equitable access, India can transform its healthcare landscape, ensuring a healthier future for its citizens. The journey is long and arduous, but with concerted efforts, a robust and inclusive healthcare system is achievable.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Healthcare System and Expenditure in India

• 11 Dec 2021
• GS Paper - 2
• Government Policies & Interventions
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• Government Budgeting

This editorial is based on “Health Account Numbers that Require Closer Scrutiny” which was published in The Hindu. It talks about the recent National Health Accounts (NHA) Report released for the year 2017-18 and the issues associated with the findings of the report.

The National Health Accounts (NHA) Technical Secretariat has recently released the National Health Accounts (NHA) report for 2017-18 . The report is being celebrated widely as it shows an increment in the total public spending on health as a percentage of GDP.

The report also shows that the Out-Of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as a share of total health expenditure has come down to less than 50%.

As much as these improvements are appreciated, the condition of India’s public expenditure still remains dismal. There is also a need to closely scrutinise the findings of the NHA report.

Findings of National Health Accounts (NHA) Report

• It shows that total public spending on health as a percentage of GDP has increased to a historic high of 1.35% of GDP breaking through the 1%-1.2% mark of GDP.
• Primary and secondary care accounts for more than 80% of the current Government health expenditure.
• Social Security Expenditure on Health: The share of social security expenditure on health, which includes the social health insurance programme, Government financed health insurance schemes , and medical reimbursements made to Government employees, has increased.
• Much of this increase has actually happened on account of a tripling of expenditure of the Defence Medical Services (DMS).

Issues Highlighted by the Report

• Although, there has been a policy consensus for more than a decade to increase it up to at least 2.5% of GDP, there has not been any significant increase so far.
• The health of women in the reproductive age-group and children below five years, who constitute a third of the population, have been accorded lesser priority compared to the families covered under the DMS.
• Moreover, within government expenditure, the share of current health expenditure has come down to 71.9% (in 2017-18) compared to 77.9% (in 2016-17).
• Considering this, the World Health Organization proposes to leave out capital expenditure from health accounts estimates, instead focus on current health expenditure.
• Exempting the capital expenditure from health estimates, the current health expenditure comes down to only 0.97% of GDP.
• The NSSO 2017-18 data suggest that during this time period, utilisation of hospitalisation care has also declined as compared to 2014 NSSO estimates for almost all States.
• The decline in OOPE is essentially due to a decline in utilisation of care rather than greater financial protection.
• However, the Central government ends up being the key player in public health management because the main bodies with technical expertise are under its control.
• States differ a great deal in terms of the fiscal space to deal with situations like the Covid-19 pandemic due to the wide variation in per capita health expenditure.

Way Forward

• With an increased public investment, health care will become cheaper and more affordable and consequently people will tend to access healthcare more.
• It also requires multiple agencies coordinating with each other, increased citizen engagement in health, setting up of accountability mechanisms and guiding the process under a multidisciplinary group of technical and health experts.
• Investments in More Medical Colleges: To bring down costs beyond a few islands of excellence such as the AIIMS, investments in other medical colleges shall be encouraged to possibly bring down costs and ramp up quality of health services.
• Tax Reductions: Incentivising R&D (Research and Development) by additional tax deductions to further support greater investments in new drug developments and reducing GST (Goods and Services Tax) on life-saving and essential drugs.
• Training of Healthcare Workers: To prepare the existing healthcare workforce to provide the people the proposed healthcare facilities, it is important to give significant attention to their training, re-skilling, and knowledge upgradation.

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UPSC Essays Simplified: Structure and Flow of a good essay– the third step

How to build a 'structure and flow' in a good essay our expert takes you through the third stage of writing an essay in upsc essentials' new series. don't miss the essay exercise towards the end of the article..

How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams?   This is one of the most popular questions among aspirants. In UPSC Essentials’ special series  UPSC Essays Simplified , we take you through various steps of writing a good essay. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria prescribed,  Manas Srivastava  talks to  Ravi Kapoor , our expert, in this new series who guides the aspirants with a simplified framework on how to write a good essay. Don’t miss  ‘The Essay Exercise’  towards the end of the article.

Ravi Kapoor focuses on the following steps of pre-writing and writing stages which will help aspirants to write a ‘good essay’.

Today, we will focus on Step 3. 

About our Expert:   Ravi Kapoor IRS (R) , has now ditched his coveted rank of deputy commissioner and has offered free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum. Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational materials, psychological principles, visual learning techniques, and a strong emphasis on mental well-being into his teaching skills granting aspirants a chance to learn from his expertise.

How to have a ‘Structure and Flow’ in a good essay?

Everyone knows that an essay should be broken down into an introduction, body and conclusion. But what is written inside these 3 components and HOW it is written makes the difference between an essay fetching average or excellent scores.

Structuring and flow refer to the organisation of the essay and your ideas therein.

A good structure is a way of organising information that fits well with the essay topic and the ideas you wish to present in your arguments such that the reader can make sense of the entire write-up without much effort.

Good flow refers to how your arguments and counterarguments connect from one to another such that the reader finds it logically connected and easy to comprehend.

An essay without these elements will appear to be disorganized, jargoned, hard to comprehend and overall, complicated.

Contrary to popular belief, flow and structure are not subjective writing skills that are inborn in good writers but can be learned and improved upon. What follows is a series of structuring techniques that will help you choose the best one for any essay topic you may encounter.

What are different types of structures? 

1. 2 side face-off:.

This is the oldest trick in the book. While writing the body of the essay, you divide it into arguments and counterarguments. In other words, you compare one side of the debate with the other.

For example:

“Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite team”

The body of the essay can be divided into 2 parts- one agreeing with the statement and one disagreeing with it as follows:

Thinking is reciprocal as thought builds on other thoughts. The Socratic method, championed by Socrates, is a testament to this idea. Socrates would go around Athens spreading knowledge by asking questions and inciting dialogue which would lead the conversationist to the point of realization about something new and profound.

Similarly, when Einstein said he was standing on the shoulders of giants, he meant that his theory of relativity was built using many ideas developed by mathematicians and physicists who came before him.

The reciprocal nature of thought helps to improve it by allowing dissent and counterarguments much like a game of chess. An example is the Case study pioneered by Harvard Business School wherein one case is debated upon in detail considering various strategies before arriving at the optimal one.

While dissent and opposition can lead to many a good idea, there are more ways for thought to develop into ideas within human consciousness. Human cognition is too complex to be restricted to one mode of thinking. A Case in point is intuitive or creative thinking that can arise spontaneously without the interlocking of two human intelligences.

For instance, creative geniuses often hit upon their best ideas out of the blue in ‘Eureka’ moments that seem to arise from within the subconscious mind without the presence of an opponent.

Another example is ‘thought-experiments’ used by philosophers that are designed to be introspective exercises that one engages with, with oneself. Thought experiments are indispensable tools for philosophers and physicists to offer insight into a profound problem of logic and metaphysics.

2.Dimensional analysis:

It has become fashionable to break the essay topic into various dimensions such as Social, Cultural, Historical, Economic etc. But this is not a one-size-fits-all method and may or may not work with every essay topic.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school…”

While this topic can be written about based on various dimensions such as economic, historical, social etc, it is not necessarily the best structure for it.

Instead, a better way to present the information in this essay topic would have a mix of chronology and analysis in the following way-

We are blank slates when we are born onto which society and culture leave their imprint. Through childhood and adolescence, the education system seeks to put us through a treadmill of learning, hoping for a fully functional human to emerge at the end. Sadly, the world that awaits a young adult after school is often very different from what the education system has imparted.

Memorization, exams, grades and NCERT books amount to nothing in a world driven by start-ups, ChatGPT and Social Media influencers…. Please note that the dimensions such as social, cultural and historical factors can also be mentioned in the body of the essay as supporting content ideas.

In most essay topics, these dimensions are best used to describe the reasons and impact of an issue or debate instead of as just a structure.

3. Timeline and Chronology

Some essay topics are uniquely suited for a chronological structure wherein you take the reader through a historical journey or evolution such as :

“History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man”

This topic is about the ancient debate between rationality and idealism. To write well about it, you would have to trace the through major historical intellectual movements such as the Scientific Revolution, the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, etc. While doing so, you could mention how each stage was relevant for rational thinking versus idealism with relevant examples.

While you do so chronologically, remember to also present a balanced approach in your arguments- On every stage, you can mention how rational thinking and idealism have been in a tight relationship, but both have been an integral part of human consciousness representing creativity and logic. You may also mention how this to and fro has enriched human civilisation and led to the development of science and art.

4. Anecdotes and stories

Many students like to start their essays with an anecdote- a personal story or an imaginary one about characters highlighting the debate presented in the essay topic. While this is not a bad strategy, it requires a fair amount of creative writing ability to pull off properly. It is also important to mention that anecdotes are not the most suitable vehicle to comprehensively deal with the essay topic as not all arguments can easily fit into a personal story.

An example of a good use of anecdotal structure is:

“Not all who wander are lost”

About 2000 years ago, a wandering prince changed the world by questioning the most profound and radical assumptions about human existence. Prince Siddhartha was bathed in luxury and wanted for nothing. But when we saw the naked reality of the world and all its suffering, he could not silence his mind to the questions that we take for granted- why is there suffering and death? If suffering is inevitable then what is the point of life? Is there peace to be found or are we doomed to suffer in this life?

He wandered for years in search of answers, as lost as a soul can be. But in the end, it was his wandering that changed the world forever. When he became the Buddha, he not only found himself but saved millions of others from being lost themselves….

Anecdotes can make for good hooks or introductions to an essay but may not serve well to cover the entire body of the essay.

The Essay Exercise

Important points to note: 

• You can choose which type of structure to use- there is no single best choice.
• You may use more than 1 type of structure.
• You may use structures for introduction, body and conclusion.

Subscribe  to our  UPSC newsletter  and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

The UPSC articles of  Indian Express  is now on Telegram.  Join our Telegram channel-  Indian Express  UPSC Hub and stay updated with the latest Updates. For your answers, queries and suggestions write at  manas.srivastava@ indianexpress.com .

Manas Srivastava is currently working as Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and majorly writes for UPSC-related projects leading a unique initiative known as UPSC Essentials. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘You Ask We Answer’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also currently working on a monthly magazine for UPSC Aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More

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How India can dismantle the paper-leak industry

To curb the menace of paper leaks and target the paper-leak mafia, india has to effectively implement the new stringent law. experts believe a multipronged coordinated approach with an increased role of states, and the use of ai, could crucially aid in restoring the faith in examinations in india..

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• The Centre notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act
• It's the first Act of its kind and will help curb paper leaks by organised gangs
• Experts suggest active role of states, localised action to fight paper-leak mafia

While protesters have taken to the streets over the malpractices in the NEET entrance and the UGC-NET exams, the opposition parties are attacking the government and have vowed to take it up strongly in Parliament. People are debating who is guilty of shattering crores of dreams, and jeopardising countless futures.

A concern common to all the stakeholders, including the Narendra Modi government, would definitely be, how can the well-oiled paper-leak industry be dismantled.

Question papers for at least 70 examinations have been leaked in the last seven years, messing up with the schedules of 1.7 crore applicants.

A competitive examination system from the 1990s has to be reimagined amid the technological advances from 2010 onwards.

The central government on Friday notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country. It has stringent provisions, but it alone won't suffice.

To shatter the paper-leak industry, which has flourished due to increasing demand and patronage from powerful masters, individual states need to act, because it is in state-conducted exams that the problem is rampant. If local efforts are crucial in cracking down on the paper-leak mafia, so is the use of tech.

NON-BAILABLE PROVISION IN NEW ANTI-CHEATING LAW

To address the vicious cycle of paper-leaks and for the faith of all stakeholders to be restored, the Narendra Modi government enacted 'The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024' in February.

"The legislation aims at safeguarding the merits of our youth and the well-being of our children," Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in Parliament.

The Act provides for punishment of a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating and for those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.

It is the first act of its kind to curb the menace of paper leaks. The tough provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 would treat these offences as cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

Hailing the new anti-cheating Act as "a crucial step", Mohit Kumar Tyagi, the founder and CEO of the online exam preparation platform, Competishun, tells IndiaToday.In, "The financial burden on the government to reconduct examinations due to paper leaks is substantial. By enhancing these provisions, the law can be more effective in preventing such incidents".

ROLE OF STATES IN CURBING PAPER LEAKS

Months after the law was passed in February, the centre notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 , late on Friday.

Although the new law means to crack down on the paper-leak mafia is extensive, it only includes the examinations that the central government conducts through its agencies, like the Union Public Service Commission, the Staff Selection Commission, the National Testing Agency, the Railway Recruitment Boards, the IBPS, and so on.

The state agencies like the Bihar Public Service Commission and the Rajasthan Staff Selection Commission have been left out of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024.

"And that is what the government needs to include. It is in the states where most of these cases of paper leaks and unfair means come from," advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai tells IndiaToday.In.

That said, the ball is now in the state's court.

"It remains to be seen if the states, who are custodians of the subject of education, ratify the Central Act and implement it in the states," she adds.

Amid the huge NET-NEET controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government has made a move to tackle the well-oiled paper-leak industry.

EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION AND LOCALISED APPROACH TO FIGHT PAPER LEAKS

With the law in place, laying out an insufficient legal framework, experts point out a few tweaks to the anti-cheating Act and some extra-legislative multipronged suggestions to make the whole system of examination in India, big and small, cheating-proof.

"It is not just the law that would bring positive results in dismantling the menace of paper leaks. Their implementation matters too. The education bodies, and the officers at the grassroots level, say the districts, need to be empowered as well," says Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, who is also the President of India Wide Parents Association.

"The coordination of all three tiers of government is needed to clamp down on unfair means in examinations," she adds.

Experts propose several corrective measures to prevent paper leaks, including rescheduling cancelled exams promptly to make sure the merit is not lost.

An easy resolution of exam-related grievances is equally important given the number of aspirants taking exams every year in India.

"The law should ideally ensure students do not have to go to court, the grievance redressal must be very strong so that students can approach them even from remote areas," advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai tells IndiaToday.In.

Additionally, capacity-building programmes for invigilators and utilising AI and data analytics to increase transparency and security in the examination process, have to be focussed on.

"The authorities may include provisions to involve ethical hackers to prevent lapses. Providing incentives to ethical hackers to identify system loopholes can greatly enhance the law's effectiveness," CEO of Competishun, an online exam preparation platform, Mohit Kumar Tyagi, tells IndiaToday.In.

"Moreover, offering rewards to informants who report potential leaks can ensure higher vigilance among all stakeholders," he adds.

Now that the anti-unfair means law has been implemented, it would be expected that the new law meets its objectives and sets a legal precedent for the states to follow and make amends for changing needs. Published By: Sushim Mukul Published On: Jun 22, 2024

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Social Justice UPSC Mains – (2013-2022)

Social justice upsc mains 2022.

• The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.
• Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment.
• Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of society. Discuss.
• Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer.
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2021

• Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
• Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition to be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.
• “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and the feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2020

• In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss.
• “Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of Self-Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India.
• National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement.

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2019

• Despite Consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.
• There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food-budget – Elucidate.

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2018

• Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
• Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case.
• The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters.

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2017

• How do pressure groups influence the Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as more powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years? (150 words)
• ‘The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs. (250 words)
• Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment (250 words)

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2016

• Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?
• In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.
• “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment.
• “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2015

• How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.
• The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.
• Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest?
• Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2014

• The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.
• An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement.
• Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges.

Social Justice UPSC Mains 2013

• Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of pressure groups in India.
• The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss.
• The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment.
• Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health. Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the same.
• Though Citizen’s charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.

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