Tag: Government of India

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Prayagraj and Varanasi Score Full Marks in India’s National Clean Air Programme

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New Delhi | July 2025 : In a commendable achievement, the twin cities of Prayagraj and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh have emerged as national role models in the fight against air pollution, securing full marks under the Government of India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) performance index.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), which monitors the implementation of the NCAP across India, noted that Prayagraj and Varanasi were the only two cities to score 100 out of 100 for their coordinated and sustained actions to improve urban air quality.

The comprehensive evaluation measured key performance areas including:

  • Reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels
  • Citizen participation and awareness campaigns
  • Transition to cleaner fuels
  • Urban forestry and green cover expansion
  • Improved public transport and reduced vehicular emissions
  • Stringent control of industrial emissions

Officials attributed the success to proactive governance, public awareness, and the integration of environmental considerations into urban development.

“These results show that holistic and community-driven planning can reverse the tide of air pollution,” said an MoEFCC spokesperson.

Both cities implemented rooftop solar schemes, electric vehicle incentives, solid waste management upgrades, and smart traffic controls as part of their clean air action plans.

Experts have hailed this recognition as a blueprint for other cities aspiring to improve urban air quality and meet India’s climate goals.

With this milestone, Prayagraj and Varanasi are not only spiritual centres but now also symbols of sustainability, proving that development and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

Health

Government of India Announces ₹10-Crore Prize for Breakthrough Drug to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

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In collaboration with AIIMS-Delhi, the nation launches a high-stakes competition to accelerate innovation in rare disease treatment

New Delhi, June 20, 2025 – In a landmark initiative aimed at eradicating the devastating effects of sickle cell disease (SCD), the Government of India has unveiled a ₹10-crore prize challenge for the development of a breakthrough drug to treat the condition. This ambitious program, spearheaded in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, seeks to harness cutting-edge scientific research, innovation, and public-private collaboration to deliver a scalable, affordable solution to one of India’s most pressing genetic health burdens.

🚨 The Urgency: Why Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen throughout the body. India carries one of the largest burdens of SCD globally, with tribal and under-resourced communities in central and eastern India disproportionately affected.

“We are committed to eliminating sickle cell disease as a public health threat by 2047,” said Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, adding that this initiative aligns with the broader mission of Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Policy.

🏆 About the ₹10-Crore Prize

The prize money — ₹10 crore (approximately USD 1.2 million) — will be awarded to the most promising and scientifically viable drug proposal that can safely and effectively treat or modify the course of sickle cell disease.

Key features of the challenge:

  • Open to: Indian and international researchers, pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, academic institutions, and innovators
  • Evaluation by: A national jury panel led by AIIMS-Delhi, comprising hematologists, pharmacologists, public health experts, and regulatory officials
  • Criteria: Safety, efficacy, scalability, affordability, and suitability for rural India

The winning proposal may also receive regulatory fast-tracking support, clinical trial facilitation, and potential inclusion in government health schemes once approved.

🧪 AIIMS-Delhi: Leading the Scientific Assessment

AIIMS-Delhi will act as the principal knowledge partner and scientific reviewer for the challenge, setting protocols for evaluation, overseeing clinical criteria, and ensuring transparency in the selection process.

“Our goal is to push the boundaries of current research and discover a drug that not only treats symptoms but offers lasting relief or potential cure,” said Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS.

🌍 Vision for Health Equity

This initiative is part of the National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2047, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. The goal is to:

  • Screen over 70 million people in affected regions
  • Raise awareness in tribal and rural populations
  • Support indigenous research and therapeutic innovation

📅 How to Apply

Submissions for the prize challenge will open on July 15, 2025, via the official Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) portal. Deadline for concept proposals is September 30, 2025, with final selection and award expected by March 2026.

Human Interest

India to Conduct Population and Caste Census by March 1, 2027

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New Delhi, June 2025 – In a significant development, the Government of India has officially announced that the next Population Census and a nationwide caste-based census will be conducted by March 1, 2027. This will mark the first decennial population count since 2011, as the 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement was made by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India—the agency responsible for carrying out the massive national exercise.

Key Highlights:

🔹 Population Census 2027
India’s decennial Population Census is the largest administrative and demographic exercise in the world. It collects critical data on population size, age, gender, literacy, occupation, housing conditions, and migration patterns, among other variables.

Why It Matters:

  1. Updated Data for Policy-Making
    Accurate demographic and socio-economic data is vital for planning welfare schemes, allocating resources, and designing affirmative action policies.
  2. Social Equity and Representation
    A caste census can provide empirical evidence on the status of various communities, helping ensure equitable representation in government jobs, education, and legislative bodies.
  3. Delayed but Digitally Enhanced
    Originally due in 2021, the census was postponed due to the pandemic. The 2027 census is expected to be more digitally driven, with the use of mobile apps and online data collection systems aimed at improving speed, accuracy, and transparency.

Official Statement:

“The Population Census and the Socio-Economic Caste Census will be conducted simultaneously from March 1, 2027. It will be an inclusive, transparent, and technology-enabled enumeration process that aims to ensure accuracy, equity, and policy responsiveness,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Challenges Ahead:

  • Data Sensitivity: Caste-related data has long been a politically sensitive issue in India. Balancing transparency with data privacy will be key.
  • Enumeration Complexity: With over 1.4 billion people, multilingual and multicultural diversity, and urban-rural divides, ensuring thorough and fair enumeration will be a logistical challenge.

Public Reaction & Political Implications:

The move has already sparked wide-ranging responses:

  • Supporters argue that it will lead to more equitable and data-driven social justice policies.
  • Critics caution against the potential misuse of caste data for political gains or deepening social divides.

Opposition parties, civil society groups, and academics are expected to scrutinize the methodology and data release protocols in the lead-up to the 2027 exercise.

With India poised to enter a new phase of development, the 2027 Census and Caste Survey will serve as a foundational tool to shape inclusive governance, tailor welfare programs, and better understand the evolving dynamics of Indian society.

Stay tuned as we bring you detailed coverage on the preparatory processes, technological innovations, and policy implications of this historic demographic initiative.