6 January 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The outlook for India in the year ahead

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations, GS3 –  Indian Economy

Context

The article discusses challenges ahead for India in 2025, including geopolitical tensions, regional instability, and rising digital threats.

 Economic and Political Stability

• India is among the world’s leading nations in terms of economic growth and political stability.
• It maintains an atmosphere of peace, despite the global economic and geopolitical turbulence.
• India witnesses the rise of new economic and political groupings while navigating complex global dynamics.

Global Unrest in 2024

• The year 2024 marked pronounced global political uncertainty, with concurrent conflicts threatening peace, especially in Europe and West Asia.
• Major crises included the Gaza conflict, with few parallels, and the Ukraine conflict, which could escalate into a broader war.
• Despite these challenges, India has successfully managed its geopolitical stance.

Challenges Ahead in 2025

• The year 2025 is expected to bring fresh troubles, demanding strategic responses from Indian policymakers.
• India must remain vigilant, particularly concerning its largest neighbor, China.

India-China Relations

• Recent border negotiations, disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and high-level talks indicate progress, but the border conflict remains unresolved.
• China is strengthening security cooperation with the Global South, advancing initiatives like the Global Security Initiative (GSI).
• China’s strategic moves during key global summits have muted India’s influence in forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Churn in South and West Asia

• South Asia:
  • India faces regional isolation with changes in Bangladesh’s leadership and strained relations with neighbors like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
  • Maldives’ position remains uncertain, while Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to pose challenges.
• West Asia:
  • The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has significant implications.
  • The rise of the Sunni-led HTS (Hayat Tahir al Shams) under Ahmed Hussain al Sharaa marks a major regional shift.
  • Iran’s influence is waning, with potential setbacks for Shia groups like Hezbollah and the pro-Palestine movement.
  • Israel and Türkiye emerge as likely beneficiaries, while Russia faces a decline in regional influence.

Rising Digital Threats

• Cybersecurity is a growing concern, with significant risks to national infrastructure.
• The frequency of cyberattacks, including ransomware and denial-of-service attacks, increased dramatically in 2024.
• This trend is expected to escalate exponentially in 2025, posing critical challenges to Indian security.

Conclusion

• India must navigate an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape and prepare for mounting digital threats.
• Strategic vigilance and proactive policy making will be crucial for maintaining stability and influence.

Practice Question:  Analyze the key challenges India is likely to face in 2025, focusing on regional geopolitics and digital security concerns. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. India needs to prioritise preventive care

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – Social justice – Health

Context

India faces a rising healthcare crisis with an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, escalating costs, and the urgent need to prioritize preventive healthcare measures.

 Rising Healthcare Challenges in India

• India is witnessing a growing healthcare crisis characterized by an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
• While life expectancy is rising, many Indians are experiencing a higher disease burden earlier in life.
• NCDs accounted for 65% of all deaths in 2022, a significant rise from 50% in 2010-13, as per the National Family Health Survey-5.

Alarming Trends in NCDs

• One in four adult men in India is hypertensive, and one in eight is diabetic.
• Breast, lung, and cervical cancers are increasing, with the median age of diagnosis earlier than global averages.
• Late diagnosis exacerbates healthcare challenges, as earlier detection could reduce costs and improve outcomes.

Financial Burden of Healthcare

The Union Budget for 2024 allocated ₹87,657 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year. Despite this increase, healthcare spending remains insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis. Total current health expenditure in 2021-22 was ₹7.9 lakh crore, growing faster than inflation. Household health expenditure still accounts for more than 50% of total spending, one of the highest globally.

 Escalating Economic Impact of NCDs

• WHO projects that the economic burden of NCDs in India will exceed ₹280 lakh crore by 2030, equating to ₹2 lakh per household.
• Rising healthcare costs and productivity losses threaten the financial stability of middle and lower-income families.

Importance of Preventive Healthcare

• Regular screenings for high-risk individuals can reduce the incidence of severe diseases and mitigate financial and social repercussions.
• For every 1,000 people screened, at least three are identified for pre-emptive interventions for cardiac or cancer-related conditions.

Barriers to Preventive Care Adoption

• Comprehensive health checks, costing between ₹8,000 and ₹15,000 in metro cities, are perceived as expensive.
• Tax incentives, subsidized screenings, and increased public awareness are key to encouraging preventive care.

Policy Recommendations

• The tax deduction for health checks under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act has remained stagnant at ₹5,000 since 2013.
• Revising the tax deduction limit to ₹15,000 in the Union Budget 2025-26 could incentivize preventive health checks.
• The estimated cost to the exchequer for this measure is less than ₹5,000 crore, a justifiable investment for improved public health.

A Three-Pronged Approach for Preventive Care

1. Strengthen Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres:
   • Enable early intervention through AI-driven imaging for cost-effective, large-scale screenings.
2. Encourage Private Sector Participation:
   • Partner with insurers and private health providers to offer subsidized screening programs for individuals aged 40-60.
   • Use proceeds from healthcare cess or GST on tobacco and sugar products to fund screenings.
3. Increase Tax Incentives:
   • Raise the tax deduction limit to encourage individuals to undergo comprehensive health checks.

Conclusion

• Shifting the focus to preventive care over reactive treatments can mitigate the economic and financial burden of chronic diseases.
• This approach will improve health outcomes and pave the way for a healthier and more financially resilient nation.

Practice Question:  Discuss the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India and suggest policy measures to enhance preventive healthcare to address this challenge. (150 Words /10 marks)

 

For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out: 04 January 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis