Government Policies

CHILDHOOD VULNERABILITY TO PM2.5: CHALLENGES, MEASURES, & THE WAY FORWARD

Short-term exposure to PM2.5, especially from landscape fires and urban pollution, significantly increases hospital admissions among children and adolescents for respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, neurological, digestive, and other illnesses. Children aged 5–9 years and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are particularly vulnerable.

India has implemented measures like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), air quality monitoring, and crop residue management to reduce PM2.5 exposure. However, challenges persist due to high ambient pollution, indoor smoke, socioeconomic disparities, and gaps in awareness.

A multi-pronged approach involving regulation, clean energy adoption, indoor air quality improvement, public awareness, and child-specific protective measures is essential to safeguard children’s health and reduce the long-term impacts of air pollution.

DOMESTIC WORKERS IN INDIA: STATUS, CHALLENGES, WAY FORWARD

The domestic workforce, mostly women from marginalized communities, faces exploitation due to informal work and lack of rights. Denied fair wages and protection, they remain invisible. The Supreme Court directed the Centre to form an expert committee to draft a protective law.

DOMESTIC INVESTMENT & INCLUSIVE CAPITAL : MEANING, CHALLENGES & WAY FORWARD

India's economic growth is currently driven by strong public investment, while private domestic investment remains weak despite high corporate profits. Indian firms are increasingly investing abroad, but global uncertainties highlight the need to refocus capital within the country.

CANCER BURDEN IN INDIA EXPLAINED

India faces a growing cancer burden due to lifestyle changes, aging population, and tobacco use. Challenges include late diagnosis, lack of specialized healthcare, and financial burdens. Government initiatives like National Cancer Grid and Ayushman Bharat are crucial for prevention, early screening, and affordable treatment.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (MANAGEMENT OF CONTAMINATED SITES) RULES,2025

The Environment Ministry has notified new guidelines under the Environment Protection Act that provide a procedure for dealing with chemically contaminated locations.  The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, provide a legal framework for tackling chemical contamination that was previously lacking, although several such sites have already been discovered around the country.