Rising Obesity Burden in India

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister expressed concern over the rising obesity, especially among children, and urged people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. 

Click Here to Read: Reevaluating Obesity Metrics

What is Obesity? 

• About: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses health risks, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or above classified as overweight and 30 or above as obese. 
  • BMI is a basic method to assess whether an adult has a healthy weight, calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²). 
• Obesity Statistics: 
  • India:  
    • NFHS-5: As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21), 24% of Indian women and 22.9% of Indian men are overweight or obese. 
      • As per NFHS-5 (2019-21), the percentage of overweight children under five increased to 3.4% from 2.1% in NFHS-4 (2015-16) at the all-India level.  
      • Overweight and obesity rates vary from 8% to 50% across states, genders, and rural-urban areas.
  • Global: From 1990 to 2022, obesity in children and adolescents (5–19 years) grew from 2% to 8%, a fourfold increase.  
    • In adults (18+ years), it more than doubled from 7% to 16%. 
• Associated Health Risks: Obesity, the mother of all diseases, significantly increases the risk of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 
  • Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): Indians experience CVDs like heart attacks, and hypertension at least 10 years earlier than people in other countries. 
  • Diabetes: India has the highest number of diabetes cases (101 million), and obesity increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes by causing insulin resistance. 
  • Cancer: Obesity is linked to cancer, with India's cases expected to rise from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh by 2025. 
  • Joint Disorders: Excess weight strains joints, increasing the risk of degenerative diseases like knee osteoarthritis and back pain. 
  • Psychosocial Impact: Stigma and bullying cause low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and impact school performance and quality of life in children. 
• Economic Implications: In 2019, obesity cost India USD 28.95 billion (Rs 1,800 per capita), or 1.02% of GDP, due to healthcare expenses and lost productivity. 
  • By 2030, India's obesity-related economic burden may rise to Rs 4,700 per capita or 1.57% of GDP. 
  • The Economic Survey 2024-25 recognizes obesity as a health challenge and suggests higher taxes on ultra-processed foods (UPF). 

Click Here to Read: What are Overweight, Thinness, and Obesity?

What are the Causes of Obesity? 

• Unhealthy Diets: Increased consumption of High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) foods, and UPF high in unhealthy fats. 
• Low Physical Activity: According to The Lancet, sedentary lifestyles from office jobs and screen time leave nearly half of Indians insufficiently active. 
• Poor Urban Infrastructure: Lack of safe cycling lanes, shrinking green spaces, and traffic congestion discourage active commuting and outdoor exercise. 
• Air Pollution: It causes inflammation, raises cardio-metabolic risks, promotes fat accumulation, and discourages outdoor activities. 
• Socioeconomic Barriers: Public distribution systems mainly provide staple grains (rice and wheat), leading to imbalanced diets while high costs limit nutritious food (fruits, vegetables, and pulses) for low-income groups. 
  • India has moved from ‘food or calorie deficit’ to becoming ‘food or calorie sufficient (with inequitable distribution), as 55% (78 crore) can't afford a healthy diet, and 40% lack adequate nutrients. 

Way Forward 

• Revamping Nutrition Intervention: Reimagine India’s nutrition efforts as ‘Suposhan Abhiyan,’ focusing on mindful underfeeding (reducing overconsumption of unhealthy food) and proper micronutrient supplementation. 
  • The Japanese follow the 80% rule (hara hachi bu) i.e., they stop eating when their stomach is nearly full. India can adopt such practices to address the obesity problem. 
• Public Awareness: Obesity should be recognized as a public health challenge not just a personal issue.  
  • Public campaigns must highlight its health risks and emphasize prevention, care, and management like other chronic diseases. 
• Regulating Diets: Higher taxes should be imposed on HFSS and UPFs, while subsidies for healthier food items like milk & eggs should enhance affordability. 
  • CSR funds should be allocated to promoting healthy eating habits and active lifestyles. 
• Obesity Screening: Mandatory height, weight, and waist measurements in health check-ups especially at primary health centers (PHCs), with doctors addressing obesity risks in every consultation. 
• School-Based Initiatives: Make healthy eating, balanced diets, and processed food risks part of the curriculum. Awareness about label reading for informed food choices. 
  • School canteens should offer healthy food and avoid HFSS items.  
  • Adopt global models like Japan’s school dietitian program and implement ‘health-promoting schools’ initiatives.

Drishti Mains Question:  Discuss the rising challenge of obesity in India, its causes, and a multi-sectoral strategy to address it.

Strengthening Tribunals in India

Source: HT 

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court (SC) is examining key issues affecting tribunals and reviewing the constitutional validity of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.  

• It underscored the importance of strengthening tribunals to ensure efficient adjudication and maintain public confidence 

What is the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021? 

• About: 
  • The Act was enacted to streamline the functioning of tribunals by dissolving certain appellate tribunals and transferring their functions to existing judicial bodies like the High Courts.  
  • It was introduced in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Madras Bar Association vs. Union of India (2021), which struck down certain provisions of the Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021. 
• Key Provisions: 
  • Abolition of Tribunal: The Act dissolves multiple appellate tribunals and shifts their functions to High Courts and other judicial bodies. 
  • Search-cum-Selection Committee: It has been established to recommend the appointment of tribunal chairpersons and members. 
    • For Central Tribunals: 
      • Chairperson: Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge nominated by the CJI (casting vote). 
      • Two Secretaries nominated by the Central Government. 
      • Sitting/outgoing Chairperson of the tribunal, or a retired Supreme Court judge, or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court. 
      • Non-voting member: Secretary of the relevant Union Ministry. 
    • For State Administrative Tribunals: 
      • Chairperson: Chief Justice of the respective High Court (casting vote). 
      • Chief Secretary of the State Government. 
      • Chairman of the State Public Service Commission. 
      • Sitting/outgoing Chairperson of the Tribunal or a retired High Court Judge. 
  • Tenure and Age Limits: Tenure for Chairperson and Members 4 years, with a minimum age of 50 years.  
    • The maximum age limit is 67 years for tribunal members and 70 years for chairpersons, or completion of the 4-year tenure, whichever is earlier. 
    • Tribunal Chairpersons and Members are eligible for reappointment, with preference given to their past service. 
  • Removal of Tribunal Members: Central government on the recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection Committee can remove Chairperson or a Member. 

What are Tribunals? 

• About: A tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that deals with the resolution of disputes pertaining to administration, taxation, environment, securities, etc.  
• Functions: It performs various functions, including adjudicating disputes, determining rights between parties, making administrative decisions, and reviewing existing administrative rulings. 
• Constitutional Provisions: Tribunals were introduced in the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, as they were not part of the original Constitution. 
  • Article 323-A: Deals with Administrative Tribunals for public service matters. 
  • Article 323-B: Provides for tribunals on various matters, including: Taxation, Foreign exchange, import and export, Industrial and labor disputes, Elections to Parliament and state legislatures, Food security. 

 

Click Here to Read More: What is the Difference Between Tribunal and Court?

What are the Key Challenges Related to Tribunals? 

• Staff Shortage: The lack of presiding officers, judicial, and technical members has increased case pendency and reduced tribunal effectiveness, such as in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) cases, as noted by the SC. 

 

• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many tribunals, including the NGT, face inadequate courtrooms, digital case management, and technical support, affecting case efficiency. The NGT’s limited reach in urban areas also restricts access to justice for marginalized communities in environmental disputes. 
• Procedural Inefficiencies: Frequent adjournments, missed deadlines, and weak enforcement hinder tribunals' efficiency, leading litigants to higher courts. 
  • For instance, the NCLT and NCLAT face severe delays, with 67% of insolvency cases exceeding the 330-day timeline under the IBC.  
• Political and Administrative Indifference: Lack of commitment, budget constraints, and cost-cutting measures by the Finance Ministry hinder tribunal efficiency, affecting infrastructure and timely appointments. 

Way Forward 

• Accelerated Appointments: Timely appointment of judicial and technical members is essential to ensure tribunals function efficiently.  
  • Additionally, structured induction training should be provided to enhance their domain expertise and decision-making capabilities. 
• Investment in Technology: Enhancing tribunal efficiency through electronic case management, digitization, e-court integration, and regional benches can streamline case tracking, reduce delays, and improve accessibility. 
• Procedural and Administrative Reforms: Tribunals should enforce strict limits on adjournments, impose cost penalties for delays, and mandate pre-litigation mediation to reduce case backlog.  
  • Strengthening registry and administrative staff will ensure efficient case scheduling and management. 
• Autonomy and Accountability: Tribunals should be granted greater autonomy to function independently, with robust oversight mechanisms to enhance transparency, minimize government interference, and ensure adequate resource allocation for efficient functioning. 

Drishti Mains Question:  Highlight the significance of tribunals in the Indian judicial system. Also, discuss the impact of the tribunalisation of justice on the traditional judiciary.

NBWL and Wildlife Conservation

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister chaired the 7^th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at the Gir National Park (Junagadh, Gujarat) on the occasion of the World Wildlife Day (3rd March) and announced several initiatives for wildlife conservation. 

What is World Wildlife Day? 

• About: It is observed annually on 3rd March (adopted CITES in 1973) to highlight the urgent need to protect biodiversity amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. 
• Origin: It was established by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2013. 
• Theme 2025: Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet. 
  • It emphasizes the importance of financial investment in wildlife conservation to ensure a sustainable future. 

What are the Key Announcements During the 7th meeting of NBWL? 

• New Initiatives: 
  • Great Indian Bustard Conservation: A National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Plan was announced to address the declining population of this critically endangered species. 
  • Gharial Conservation: A new Gharial conservation initiative was launched to arrest the dwindling population of gharials. 
  • Centre for Human-Wildlife Conflict: The Centre for Excellence in Human-Wildlife Conflict Management was announced and it will be located at the Wildlife Institute of India's Coimbatore campus. 
    • It will equip rapid response teams with advanced tracking and surveillance, deploy detection systems in conflict zones, and train field staff and communities in mitigation. 
    • PM emphasized using AI, ML, remote sensing, and geospatial mapping to tackle forest fires and human-animal conflicts. 
    • WII and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) will collaborate to tackle human-wildlife conflict.  
  • National Referral Centre for Wildlife: PM laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife in Junagadh, a hub for wildlife health and disease management. 
  • New Task Forces: New task forces were formed for the conservation of Indian Sloth Bear, Gharials, and Great Indian Bustard. 
• Expansion of Project Cheetah: The government announced Project Cheetah's expansion to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) and Banni Grasslands (Gujarat). 
• Strengthening Project Lion: The government extended the Project Lion for 10 years to expand Asiatic Lions' range across Gujarat's Saurashtra region. 
  • The 16th Asiatic Lion population estimation will be conducted in May 2024 that is conducted every five years (last done in 2020). 
• Riverine Dolphin Estimation: India's 1st Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report was released that revealed 6,327 dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river basins. 
• Traditional Knowledge in Wildlife Conservation: Modi urged NBWL and the ministry to collect traditional knowledge and manuscripts on forest and wildlife conservation for research and development. 
• Community Participation: He emphasized community involvement in wildlife conservation, forest fire management, and sustainable coexistence  
  • E.g., Role of Maldhari community in lion conservation.

Click Here to Read: Who are Maldharis?

What is NBWL? 

• About: NBWL is a statutory body constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA, 1972). It is the apex body on wildlife conservation and development. 
• Composition: The NBWL is a 47-member committee headed by the Prime Minister, who serves as the ex-officio Chairperson, while the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change serves as the Vice-Chairperson. 
  • Its members include: 
    • Officials involved in wildlife conservation 
    • The Chief of Army Staff, Defence Secretary, and Expenditure Secretary. 
    • Ten eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists nominated by the central government. 
• Functions: It is mandated to promote conservation and development of wildlife and forest. 
• Role in Tiger Reserves: It ensures that no tiger reserve is diverted to unsustainable use without its approval, with advice from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 

Drishti Mains Question:  Discuss the significance of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in India's wildlife conservation efforts.

Protein Deficiency in Rural India

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

A recent study conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) revealed that rural Indians suffer from ‘hidden hunger’ despite the availability and affordability of protein-rich foods. 

What are the Key Findings of the ICRISAT Study on Hidden Hunger? 

• Dominance of Cereal-Based Diets: Rural diets are heavily dependent on rice and wheat, which contribute 60–75% of daily protein intake.  
  • However, these cereals lack essential amino acids, leading to an imbalanced diet. 
• Underutilization of Protein-Rich Foods: Despite the availability of protein-rich foods like pulses, dairy, and livestock products, their consumption remains low due to cultural preferences, limited nutritional awareness, and financial constraints. 
• Public Distribution System (PDS) Limitations: While the PDS effectively ensures calorie intake, it reinforces a cereal-heavy diet without incorporating sufficient protein-rich options, exacerbating protein deficiency. 
• Education and Nutrition Link: Women’s education levels significantly influence household dietary patterns. Better-educated women tend to ensure a more balanced and diversified diet for their families. 
• Regional Variations in Protein Consumption: Factors affecting protein intake vary across states and districts, highlighting the need for region-specific nutritional interventions. 
  • Many wealthier families, despite economic capability, fail to consume adequate protein. 

Click Here to Read: Rising Obesity Burden in India

What are the Key Recommendations as per ICRISAT Report? 

• Diversification of PDS: Reform the PDS to include pulses, millets, and protein-rich foods while expanding fortified food distribution programs to enhance protein intake among vulnerable populations. 
• Nutrition Education: Integrate nutrition education into school curricula and public health initiatives while promoting community-based awareness programs on balanced diets and protein consumption. 
• Empowering Women: Enhance women's education to improve dietary choices and strengthen self-help groups to facilitate better access to protein-rich foods. 
• Diversified Farming Practices: Provide incentives for cultivating protein-rich crops like pulses and millets while promoting sustainable agriculture models to ensure both food and nutrition security. 
• Targeted Regional Strategies: Given that factors influencing protein consumption vary by region, customized policies should be developed to address state-specific nutritional gaps. 

Drishti Mains Question:  Q. Evaluate the challenges to food security in India and their impact on hunger. How can India ensure sustainable food security to eliminate hunger?

Linguistic Diversity and Education

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

A United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, titled  "Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education," released on the 25^th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, highlights the impact of language barriers on global education outcomes. 

What are the Key Highlights of the UNESCO Report on Language? 

• Language Barrier in Education: 40% of the global population lacks access to education in a language they speak or understand. In low- and middle-income countries, this percentage rises to 90%, affecting over 250 million learners. 
  • Migration is increasing linguistic diversity, with over 31 million displaced youth facing language barriers in education. 
• Legacy of Colonialism: Many post-colonial nations continue to use non-native languages as the medium of instruction. Local languages remain undervalued in formal education, disadvantageing native speakers. 
• Immigration and Education: Immigration has led to linguistically diverse classrooms, especially in high-income countries. These countries struggle with language acquisition support, inclusive curricula, and fair assessments. 
  • Policy responses vary, some countries promote bilingual education, while others prioritize quick immersion in the dominant language. 
• Challenges in Implementation: Despite growing awareness, challenges like limited teacher capacity, lack of materials, and community opposition hinder the adoption of multilingual education. 
• Policy Recommendations: The report calls for context-specific language policies and curriculum adjustments. 
  • Support for teacher training, multilingual materials, and inclusive learning environments. 
  • Focus on fostering inclusion through school leadership and community collaboration. 

How Has India’s Linguistic Landscape Evolved? 

• Prehistoric Times: While human habitation in India predates Sanskrit, no written records exist from prehistoric times, making it difficult to reconstruct early languages. 
• Indus Valley Civilization: The Indus script (2600–1900 BCE) remains undeciphered, making it unclear whether it represents an early form of Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, or another language family. 
• The Rise of Sanskrit, Prakrits, and Tamil: Writing appeared in India 24 centuries ago, mainly through inscriptions and manuscripts. 
  • Sanskrit and Prakrits: Sanskrit emerged as a dominant literary and scholarly language, while Prakrits (a group of vernacular classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages) coexisted with it. 
  • Tamil: Tamil developed as an independent classical language, with the Sangam literature (3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE) marking its rich literary tradition. 
• Influence of Foreign and Regional Languages: 
  • Foreign Languages: With the spread of Islamic rule, Persian and Arabic influenced Indian languages, leading to linguistic amalgamations like Urdu. 
    • Over the last 5,000 years, India absorbed languages like Avestan, Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman, and Indo-Aryan, creating a rich linguistic legacy. 
  • Dravidian and Tibeto-Burman Growth: The Dravidian languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) and Tibeto-Burman languages of the Northeast flourished with regional literature and administrative use. 
• Printing Revolution: The use of paper and later printing transformed literacy, leading to mass production of books in regional languages. 
• Post-Colonial Language Shift: 
  • Colonial Impact: English became a language of administration, education, and economic opportunity under British rule. 
  • Decline of Persian and Sanskrit: As English gained prominence, Persian declined in administration and Sanskrit remained confined to religious and scholarly use. 
• Emergence of Modern Indian Languages: Regional languages like Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, and Telugu gained literary and political recognition. 
  • Languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution see higher speaker numbers, whereas languages not included face decline. 
    • Many languages spoken by Adivasi communities, especially from the Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman families, face extinction due to demographic shifts. 
  • Despite the rise of print capitalism and digital technology, the growth of English poses a challenge to Indian languages, especially in urban areas. 

Drishti Mains Question:  Evaluate the role of migration and displaced populations in shaping the linguistic landscape of India. How can education systems adapt to this growing diversity?

129th Birth Anniversary of Morarji Desai

Source: PIB 

Lok Sabha Speaker paid tributes to Morarji Desai, former Prime Minister of India, on his birth anniversary. 

• About Morarji Desai: He was born on 29th February 1896 and served as the 4^th Prime Minister of India (1977 to 1979) during the 6^th Lok Sabha. 
  • Role in Freedom Struggle: He resigned as Deputy Collector in 1930 after 12 years in British service to join India's independence movement. 
    • He was detained during Individual Satyagraha (1941) and arrested during Quit India Movement (1942). 
  • Post Independence: He became Commerce and Industry Minister in 1956, and took over the Finance portfolio in 1958.  
    • He resigned from the Union Cabinet under the Kamaraj Plan (1963) that urged the senior Congress leaders holding government positions to voluntarily resign to focus on grassroots strengthening. 
    • He was appointed Chairman of the 1st Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) to restructure the government administration. 
    • He led the Janata Party to a landslide victory in the 1977 Lok sabha elections and became Prime Minister. During his tenure, the 44th Amendment Act, 1978 was enacted to uphold the rule of law.

Read More: Shri Morarji Desai Birth Anniversary

Giloy

Source: PIB 

Research on Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) has surged 376.5% in a decade (243 in 2014 to 913 in 2024), highlighting its rising medicinal interest. 

• About Giloy: It is a climbing shrub from the Menispermaceae family. 
  • Giloy (Guduchi or Amrita), has been used in Ayush systems for centuries due to its immune-boosting and adaptogenic properties. 
  • It is native to India but also found in China and tropical areas of Australia and Africa.  
  • It is best grown in warm climates and medium-black or red soil. 
  • It is traditionally used to treat fever, diabetes, infections, gout, jaundice, asthma, diarrhea, and skin diseases. 
  • The Covid-19 pandemic boosted scientific interest in natural immunity enhancers, accelerating research efforts. 
  • Clinical studies suggest Giloy’s potential in: 
    • Cancer therapy (e.g., HPV-positive cervical cancer treatment). 
    • Autoimmune disease management (e.g., Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis). 
    • Anti-inflammatory applications in chronic diseases.

Read More: Giloy or Guduchi

India’s Exploration of Critical Minerals

Source: IE 

India is expanding global partnerships in Africa, South America, and Australia to secure critical minerals. 

• The government has allocated Rs 4,000 crore for domestic and international mineral exploration under the National Critical Minerals Mission. 

Key Highlights: 

• India secured 9,000 sq km in Zambia for copper-cobalt exploration, led by  Geological Survey of India (GSI), with mining rights expected in 2-3 years. 
  • Zambia ranks 7^th in copper and 14th in cobalt production (2023) with  existing investments by Canada and China. 
• India is engaging with Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Rwanda to acquire critical mineral assets. 
• India is already active in South America (Argentina, Chile) and Australia, where Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) is exploring lithium and cobalt assets. 

Critical minerals are minerals that are vital to a country's economy and national interest.  

• India has identified 30 key minerals, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs).

Read More: National Critical Mineral Mission, India’s Critical Minerals Roadmap.

Oscars Awards 2025

Source: IE 

The 97^th Oscars Awards (Academy Awards) were held in Los Angeles. Film ‘Anora’ by Sean Baker secured the most 5 Oscars including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. 

 

About Oscar Awards 

• The Awards were established in 1929 are prestigious annual honors recognizing excellence in the global film industry.  
• They are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), a professional organization with over 9,000 members. 
  • The ceremony is traditionally held in late February or early March.