Category: INTERNATIONAL

Context:  A UN commission has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

Accusing leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of incitement. The panel, led by Navi Pillay, found Israeli forces guilty of four of the five genocidal acts under the 1948 Genocide Convention—killing, causing serious harm, creating destructive living conditions, and preventing births—citing explicit statements by officials as proof of intent. Israel rejected the findings as “distorted and false,” demanding the commission’s abolition. Meanwhile, the Israeli military launched a new ground offensive in Gaza City, advancing on the territory’s largest urban center.

Learning Corner:

1948 Genocide Convention

• Full name: Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG).
• Adoption: Adopted by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1948 (Resolution 260 A (III)); entered into force on 12 January 1951.
• Objective: First human rights treaty of the UN era, aimed at preventing and punishing genocide in times of peace or war.
• Definition of Genocide (Article II): Certain acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, including:
  1. Killing members of the group.
  2. Causing serious bodily or mental harm.
  3. Inflicting living conditions to bring about destruction.
  4. Preventing births within the group.
  5. Forcibly transferring children of the group.
• Obligations: States must prevent and punish genocide, whether committed by state actors or individuals.
• Punishment (Article IV): Applies to constitutionally responsible rulers, officials, and private individuals.
• Court jurisdiction: Cases may be tried in national courts or before an international tribunal (like the International Court of Justice, as seen in Bosnia v. Serbia, The Gambia v. Myanmar).

Source: THE HINDU

Category: INTERNATIONAL

Context : China has urged the U.S. and Japan to withdraw the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system

Unveiled for the first time in Japan during the Resolute Dragon joint exercises at Iwakuni air station. Japan confirmed the system would not be fired but said its deployment strengthens deterrence amid a worsening security environment. Beijing expressed strong opposition, accusing the two countries of ignoring its concerns. The Typhon system, part of U.S. Army modernization, is a truck-based launcher using modified SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles.

Learning Corner:

Typhon Missile System

• Developer: United States Army, as part of its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) program under Army modernization.
• First Deployment: Publicly showcased in Japan in 2025 during the Resolute Dragon joint exercises.
• Platform: Truck-based, trailer-mounted ground launch system.
• Missile Types: Launches modified versions of:
  • SM-6 (Standard Missile-6): Surface-to-air missile with extended range, capable of ballistic and cruise missile defense, as well as anti-ship roles.
  • Tomahawk cruise missile: Long-range, precision strike, land-attack missile.
• Range Category: Falls into the mid-range missile class (roughly 500–1,800 km).
• Purpose: Designed to fill the gap between shorter-range systems (like HIMARS) and long-range hypersonic weapons, giving the U.S. Army the ability to strike ships and land targets.
• Strategic Significance: Enhances U.S. and allied deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, but seen by China as destabilizing to regional security.

Source:  THE HINDU

Category: CULTURE

Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will install a corrected plaque at Sarnath to acknowledge local contributions in preserving the site, shifting away from a narrative crediting only the British

The new plaque will highlight the role of Babu Jagat Singh, whose 1798 excavation revealed the Dharmarajika Stupa’s significance, correcting earlier accounts that labeled him a “destroyer.” The move follows a request from his descendants and coincides with India’s nomination of Sarnath for the 2025-26 UNESCO World Heritage list. Sarnath, a major Buddhist site, contains monuments from the 3rd century BC to the 11th century CE, including the Ashokan pillar that forms part of India’s national emblem.

Sarnath – A Major Buddhist Site

• Location: Near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Historical Importance:
  • One of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites (along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar).
  • It is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakra Pravartana) after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma.
• Key Monuments:
  • Dhamek Stupa: Built in 5th century CE, marking the spot of Buddha’s first sermon.
  • Dharmarajika Stupa: Originally commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
  • Ashokan Pillar: Erected by Ashoka, its lion capital is now the National Emblem of India.
  • Monasteries and ruins from 3rd century BCE to 11th century CE.
• Patronage: Flourished under the Mauryas (especially Ashoka), Guptas, and later rulers.
• Decline: Destroyed in the 12th century CE after invasions, later rediscovered during colonial excavations.
• Modern Relevance: A major site for Buddhist pilgrims worldwide; currently proposed for UNESCO World Heritage Site status (2025–26 nomination).

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: POLITY

Context : Central government employees have until September 30 to opt for the new Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

The UPS, introduced as an optional switch for employees hired before January 1, 2004, assures a pension of 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months. It requires contributions of 10% of basic pay plus DA from employees and 14% from the government.

However, interest is low because under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), employees contribute nothing yet receive the same 50% pension on last drawn basic pay. Many employee groups argue the UPS and market-linked NPS are less beneficial and continue to demand a return to OPS.

Learning Corner:

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

• Launch: Introduced by the Government of India in 2025 as an optional scheme for central government employees.
• Eligibility: For employees hired before January 1, 2004, who are currently under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
• Nature: A one-time, optional switch—not mandatory.
• Key Features:
  • Assured Pension: 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months of service.
  • Contribution: Employee – 10% of basic pay + Dearness Allowance (DA); Government – 14%.
• Comparison with OPS:
  • OPS: No employee contribution; pension = 50% of last drawn basic pay.
  • UPS: Employee contributes 10%, but pension formula is nearly the same.
• Reception: Uptake has been very low because employees see OPS as more favorable (higher net benefit without deductions).
• Significance: Designed as a middle path between the non-contributory OPS and the market-linked National Pension System (NPS).

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: INTERNATIONAL

Context: India has received a landmark licence from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphide deposits in the Carlsberg Ridge.

It is a 300,000 sq km area of the northwest Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. This is the world’s first licence of its kind, granting India exclusive rights to survey and potentially exploit minerals like manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper—critical for batteries, electronics, and renewable energy.

India already holds ISA licences in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (till 2027) and the Indian Ocean Ridge (till 2031). The Carlsberg Ridge licence strengthens India’s role in securing critical mineral supply chains and counters competition from countries such as China.

However, deep-sea mining raises environmental concerns. India has committed to ecological assessments while pursuing its deep-ocean mineral strategy. The initiative is backed by the global framework of UNCLOS and regulated by the International Seabed Authority, which oversees seabed resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Learning Corner:

International Seabed Authority (ISA)

• Establishment: Created in 1994 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), following the 1994 Agreement on Part XI of UNCLOS.
• Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
• Mandate: Regulates exploration and potential exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area (the “Area”) which lies beyond national jurisdiction, considered the “common heritage of mankind.”
• Functions:
  • Granting exploration and mining licences for deep-sea minerals such as polymetallic nodules, sulphides, and cobalt-rich crusts.
  • Ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from seabed resources among all member states.
  • Protecting the marine environment through regulations and mandatory environmental impact assessments.
• Membership: 167 countries + European Union.
• Council & Assembly: Key decision-making bodies; the Legal and Technical Commission provides expert recommendations.
• Significance for India:
  • India was among the first countries to receive exploration licences from the ISA.
  • Currently holds contracts for the Central Indian Ocean Basin, Indian Ocean Ridge, and now the Carlsberg Ridge.
  • Supports India’s Deep Ocean Mission for critical mineral security.

Source: THE HINDU

Introduction (Context)

On September 17, the world observes World Patient Safety Day. It serves as a reminder of the continuing challenge of unsafe medical care across the globe.

Data

• According to the WHO, one in 10 patients hospitalised globally suffers harm during treatment. 
• In outpatient settings, the risk rises to four in 10 patients.
• In India, the shift in disease burden from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and mental health disorders require prolonged and repeated care,  creating more points where safety lapses can occur
• In acute care burden, where requirement is of multi-specialty involvement, inadequate coordination often leads to preventable errors.
• In India, despite progress in infrastructure and medical technology, unsafe health care persists due to a combination of overburdened health providers and uninformed, passive patients.

Dimensions of Patient Harm in India

• Patients often face risks in complicated medical situations like hospital-acquired infections, blood clots, or unsafe injections and transfusions.
• Harm can also happen in simple, everyday care such as:

• • Wrong combinations of medicines being prescribed by mistake
  • Delayed or missed diagnoses
  • Falls that could have been prevented.

Reasons

Hospitals across India are placing higher standards on delivery, by instituting quality audits, protocols, staff trainings, however, the issue persists because:

• Doctors and nurses are overburdened with long working hours, high patient loads, and lack of staff.
• Stress at the workplace often leads to fatigue and mistakes.
• Safety systems like audits and protocols are weak and not properly followed.
• Shortages of skilled nurses, technicians, and specialists make the situation worse.
• Many patients are unaware of their rights and safety standards.
• Patients usually remain passive and do not question or hold providers accountable.
• Self-medication is common and causes adverse reactions.
• Some patients hesitate to engage with doctors due to low trust or fear of offending them.
• This gap between overstretched providers and uninformed patients keeps unsafe care alive.

Government policies for patient safety

National Patient Safety Implementation Framework (2018–2025)

• Roadmap for event reporting, training, and safety integration.
• Focus on embedding safety in national health programmes.

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)

• Sets standards for infection control, medication management, and patient rights.
• However, 5% of hospitals are fully accredited, limiting its reach.

Pharmacovigilance Networks

• Monitors adverse drug reactions nationwide.
• Operates through medical colleges, hospitals, and labs.

Role of Civil society

• The Patient Safety & Access Initiative of India Foundation works on making rules for medical devices clearer.
• The Patients for Patient Safety Foundation reaches 14 lakh households every week with safe health practices and supports over 1,100 hospitals and 52,000 professionals.

Role of Other stakeholders

• Patient safety is a shared responsibility where families and patients must actively participate by asking questions, keeping health records, reporting drug reactions, and avoiding self-medication.
• Media can spread awareness by showing both failures and successful safety practices.
• Higher education institutions can teach safety awareness from the beginning.
• Corporates can run workplace health programs and support safety campaigns through CSR.
• Technology innovators can design systems that warn about harmful drug interactions and improve communication during treatment.

Way forward

• Implement the WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan at all levels of healthcare.
• Establish Patient Advisory Councils (PACs) to include patient voices in decision-making, adapting them to India’s context.
• Strengthen the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework (2018–2025) with renewed government focus and resources.
• Integrate patient safety training into medical and nursing education.
• Encourage hospitals to meet accreditation standards, adopt PACs, and use technology to detect errors early.

Conclusion

Patient safety must be protected from the very beginning of life, especially for newborns and children.

Ensuring safe healthcare requires collective efforts from governments, hospitals, patients, civil society, corporates, and technology innovators. India must move beyond fragmented measures and build a national patient safety movement to make safe care a routine part of healthcare delivery.

Mains Practice Question

Q  Despite policy frameworks and institutional mechanisms, patient safety continues to remain a neglected aspect of healthcare delivery in India. Discuss. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/making-health-care-safe-for-every-indian/article70057965.ece

Introduction (Context)

Procurement policies in India have traditionally focused on transparency and cost-efficiency, but this often came at the cost of research and innovation. Strict rules, though effective in preventing fraud, created delays and discouraged scientific progress by prioritising procedures over research needs. 

To address this, the government has recently reformed the General Financial Rules (GFR), introducing exemptions from the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal and raising financial thresholds for research and development (R&D) procurement.

These changes mark an important step toward making procurement more supportive of innovation.

Issues in Previous Rules

Public procurement, if designed well, can boost private R&D by creating steady demand for new technologies. Targeted spending also leads to more patents and higher private investment, creating a cycle of continuous innovation.

However, the Brazilian example (EconStor 2023) shows that generic procurement rules fail to incentivise innovation unless explicitly designed for it.

Hence issues in rules India’s procurement rules were:

• Procurement policies were rigid and generic, not tailored to R&D needs.
• Mandatory use of GeM for all equipment under ₹200 crore, irrespective of specialisation.
• Scientists had to undergo a lengthy exemption process to procure globally benchmarked research tools.
• Vendors on GeM often provided low-quality materials, compromising the quality of research.
• The framework failed to act as a driver of innovation, unlike global models where procurement stimulates patents and private R&D investment.

Changes in the Rule

• Institutional heads can directly procure specialised research equipment, exempting them from GeM.
• Direct purchase ceiling raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
• Vice-chancellors and directors empowered to approve global tenders up to ₹200 crore.
• Faster decision-making reduces bureaucratic delays, addressing concerns flagged by the PM’s Economic Advisory Council.
• Shift toward “catalytic procurement” where flexible rules help institutions act as early adopters of advanced technologies and drive innovation.

Analysis of new rules

• The reforms help cut down on bureaucratic delays, which means researchers can get specialised scientific instruments much faster and without unnecessary hurdles.
• By giving more flexibility in procurement, the changes support advanced and high-cost fields like biotechnology, quantum technology, and new materials research.
• Heads of research institutions now have greater autonomy, allowing them to act as early adopters of cutting-edge technologies and lead innovation in their fields.
• Procurement is no longer seen just as a process of buying equipment but as a tool to drive innovation, with the potential to encourage private-sector investment and research.

Challenges

• The increased direct purchase limit of ₹2 lakh is still too low for many expensive areas of research such as space science or biotechnology.
• Heavy reliance on global tenders may end up sidelining domestic suppliers if local R&D is not strengthened to compete at international standards.
• Since more power is now in the hands of institutional heads, there is also a risk of misuse, which makes strong accountability and ethical safeguards very important.

The real success of these reforms will depend on proper implementation, continuous monitoring, and building trust within a system that has often struggled with inefficiency.

Global Examples

Germany

• Follows the High-Tech Strategy to use public procurement for promoting innovation.

• Supported by KOINNO, an agency that advises procurers, maintains supplier databases, and organises innovation forums.
• Represents “mission-oriented procurement”, where government purchasing deliberately shapes technology markets.

USA

• Implements the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
• Reserves 3% of federal R&D funds exclusively for startups.
• Uses phased procurement contracts to derisk early-stage technologies while keeping vendors competitive.

Way Forward

• Adopt outcome-weighted tenders, evaluating bids not just on cost but also on factors like R&D investment and scalability.
• Provide sandbox exemptions for premier research institutions, allowing partial freedom from GFR if they meet innovation targets verified by third parties.
• Use AI-augmented sourcing through INDIAai to scan global catalogues, predict delays, and suggest alternatives, cutting decision time significantly.
• Create co-procurement alliances, enabling multiple labs to pool demand for costly items and achieve economies of scale.
• Explore hybrid governance models, where public and private entities coexist with performance-linked accountability, rather than relying on outright privatisation.

Conclusion

India’s procurement reforms are a positive step toward supporting research and innovation, but they are not sufficient on their own. For procurement to truly accelerate R&D, it must combine flexibility, accountability, and incentives for innovation. By learning from global best practices and leveraging tools like AI and collaborative procurement, India can transform its procurement system from a procedural hurdle into a driver of technological progress and scientific advancement.

Mains Practice Question

Q  Critically examine India’s recent procurement reforms for research and development. How can these reforms be leveraged to promote innovation while balancing accountability and domestic capacity building? (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/unlocking-innovation-with-indias-procurement-reforms/article70052698.ece