UPSC Daily Current Affairs- September 02, 2022 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Context

Recently, the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev died at the age of 91.

What was the contribution of Mikhail Gorbachev?
About:

• He joined Communist Party of the Soviet Union as a youth, and after Stalin’s death, he became a keen proponent of De-Stalinisation reforms started by Nikita Khrushchev.
• He was selected as the First Party Secretary of the Stavropol Regional Committee in 1970.
• In 1985 when he was elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, in other words, the de facto ruler of the government.

Achievements:

• Major Reforms:
  • He introduced the policies of “glasnost” and “perestroika” which helped in freedom of speech and press and the economic expansion of the economy.
    (i) Perestroika means “restructuring,” specifically of the Communist economy and political system, by incorporating some features of a market economy into the Soviet economy. It also resulted in the decentralization of financial decision-making.
    (ii) Glasnost means “openness,” particularly openness of information and began the democratization of the Soviet Union.

Focused on Arms Reduction:

• He forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with Western powers to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War Two and reunify Germany.
  • Iron curtain is the political, military, and ideological barrier erected by the Soviet Union after World War II to seal off itself and its dependent eastern and central European allies from open contact with the West and other noncommunist areas.

Ended the Cold War:

• Gorbachev is credited with bringing the Cold War to an end, which resulted in the dissolution of the USSR into separate countries.

Nobel Peace Prize:

• He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his efforts to end the Cold War between the US and USSR.

Indian Connection:

• Gorbachev visited India twice, in 1986 and 1988.
• His objective was to extend his disarmament initiatives in Europe to Asia and to secure Indian cooperation.
• It was Gorbachev’s first visit to a non-Warsaw Pact country after taking over as leader of the Soviet Union.
• The then Prime Minister Rajiv hailed Gorbachev as a “crusader for peace”.
• His address to India’s Parliament during the visit received hyperbolic coverage in the Indian and Soviet press and was seen as a high point of Indian diplomacy.

What was the Cold War?
About:

• The Cold War was a division between Russia and western countries (the US and its allies, like Britain), which started in the 1940s and lasted until 1991.
• It was a war between two ideas and ways of ruling - communism (the east) and capitalism (the west).
• The Russians operated a communist state (from 1922 to 1991), while western countries like the US were capitalist countries.
• Throughout the Cold War, communist and capitalist nations tried to outdo each other, competing to develop the best technologies and weapons.

India’s Role:
Non-Alignment Movement:

• The policy of Non Alignment Movement (NAM) did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or the Soviet Union, but sought to remain independent or neutral.
• The basic concept for the group originated in 1955 during discussions that took place at the Asia-Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia.
• The first NAM Summit Conference took place in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in September 1961.
• Purpose:
  • The purpose of the organization was enumerated in Havana Declaration of 1979 to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign subjugation.
  • During the cold war era the NAM played a vital role in stabilizing the world order and preserving peace and security.

Neutral Stand:
India was able to take decisions and stances at the international level serving its own interest rather than serving the interest of the superpowers.

Context

• Documents accessed from National Archives of India show that Lord Mountbatten, former Viceroy and Governor General of India, played a major role in suggesting new flags and rank badges.
• This was when India was about to become a Republic on January 26, 1950.

When did India switch from British-era flags and ranks?

• The switch from British-era flags and ranks took place when India became a Republic (26th Jan, 1950).
• Prior to that the flags and badges of ranks of the military were of the British pattern.
• The new, Indian pattern of flags of Army, Navy and Air Force, and also the Regimental Flags of the Army and badges of ranks of all three services were adopted on January 26, 1950.
• The ‘Kings Commission’ granted to Indian military officers was also changed to ‘Indian Commission’ on the same date.
• And at a subsequent date the King’s Colours of the various Regiments were laid to rest in Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.

When did Lord Mountbatten come into the picture?

• The national archives have files, dated 1949, that include a detailed note from Lord Mountbatten regarding names, flags and ranks of the armed forces, and then PM Nehru’s letter to the then Defence Minister Baldev Singh regarding Mountbatten’s suggestions.
• The note, archives reveal, was given to Nehru by Lord Mountbatten when the two met in London.
• The note was forwarded from the PM’s office to the office of then Governor General C Rajagopalachari on May 24, 1949, stating that it is on the issue of ‘Names and Insignia of Indian Armed Forces’ after India becomes a Republic.
• The letter also stated that the note should be placed before the Governor General.

What did Lord Mountbatten say in the note?

• The note begins by saying that consequent to becoming a Republic the word ‘Royal’ shall be dropped from India’s Army, Navy and Air Force.
• Mountbatten strongly recommended that no other word like ‘State’ of ‘Republican’ should replace the word ‘Royal’.
• This was because it would have the effect of separating the forces of India psychologically from the other services in the Commonwealth.
• He further suggested in the letter that the Crown should be replaced from the insignias and replaced by the “three lions of Ashoka”.
• Regarding the Naval Ensign, he said that all Commonwealth navies fly the same flag which consists of a large white flag with a red-cross and Union Jack in the upper corner nearer the staff and is known as the ‘White Ensign’.
• The new Ensign, the note suggested, should continue to have the red-cross but the Indian national flag should replace the Union Jack.
• He suggested this to maintain commonality with the Commonwealth flags.

What changes did Mountbatten suggest for uniforms?

• He strongly urged that existing uniforms should be changed as little as possible.
• He added that the Crown worn on badges of ranks of Majors and above should be replaced by the “three lions of Ashoka”.
• The Star of the Order of the Bath should be replaced by Star of India or another form of star.
• He also suggested that the crossed sword and baton on the badges of ranks of Generals should be retained.
• The former Viceroy advocated retaining the stripes of rank in Navy and Air Force saying these were internationally almost the same.

How did the Indian government react to Mountbatten’s suggestions?

• Nehru wrote to the then defence minister in September 1949 saying that he agreed with the suggestions made by the former Governor General that there should be as little change as possible.
• The then PM particularly mentioned the changes suggested by Mountbatten for the Navy.
• Then Governor General C Rajagopalachari also wrote back to Nehru in May 1949 itself agreeing to Mountbatten’s suggestions.
• In the end, Mountbatten’s suggestions were virtually all accepted and implemented with effect from January 26, 1950.

Context

According to available UNESCO data on some selected countries, India is at the lowest position, having only 14% female researchers working in STEM areas highlighting the presence of glass ceiling.

What is glass ceiling?

• A glass ceiling is a metaphor used to represent an invisible barrier that prevents women from rising beyond a certain level in a hierarchy. The metaphor was first coined by feminists in reference to barriers in the careers of high-achieving women.

What Is a Gender-equal Society?

A society in which both women and men shall be given equal opportunities to participate voluntarily in activities in all fields as equal partners, and be able to enjoy political, economic, social and cultural benefits equally as well as to share responsibilities.

How glass ceiling limits women progress?

• Few opportunities: Due to deep-rooted biases, it is difficult for women to access many experiences and networks that are easily accessible to men.
• Social barriers and gender norms: Personal barriers include notions of compromise and sacrifice that are ingrained in women. This feeds into how women present themselves. External barriers and cultural cues reinforce how men and women “ought” to behave.
• Gender Inequity: Stereotypes related to gender brilliance or gender-based intrinsic aptitude generate inequity which remains unnoticed.
• Low self-confidence: Our socio-cultural constructs reflect absolute patriarchy causing even women to be sceptical about their abilities, to accept the roles set for them in the household.

The gender gap in employment

• Around the world, finding a job is much tougher for women than it is for men. When women are employed, they tend to work in low-quality jobs in vulnerable conditions, and there is little improvement forecast in the near future.

What are STEM areas?

• STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and refers to any subjects that fall under these four disciplines.

What are the drivers at policy and programme level to promote women in STEM in India?

• Breaking myths and stereotypes around STEM is crucial to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) which includes women’s use of enabling technology, including ICT as a means of achieving economic empowerment and greater agency and also many other STEM-related SDGs.

Government initiatives

• GATI: It will be called GATI (Gender Advancement through Transforming Institutions). The DST is incorporating a system of grading institutes depending on the enrolment of women and the advancement of the careers of women faculty and scientists.
• CURIE: For infrastructure in women’s universities
• Vigyan Jyoti Scheme: Encourage girls in high school to pursue STEM
• The Athena Swan Charter: is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
• KIRAN: (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through nurturing) Scheme to encourage women Scientists
• Indo-US Fellowship: for Women in STEMM (STEM and Medicine)

Conclusion

• Gender equality or parity will happen only when there is a change in mind-set and institutions consider women as assets rather than simply a diversity rectification issue. Policies that help women advance in science and society globally are needed. The world cannot afford to miss out on what women have to offer.

GS-II

Context

A little more than six decades ago, Tibetan Democracy Day was marked with the inauguration of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala on September 2.

Tibetan Democracy Day

• In February 1960, a little less than a year after he crossed over into India, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama outlined in Bodh Gaya, where The Buddha attained Enlightenment, a detailed program of democratic practice for exiled Tibetans.
• According to the website of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), he advised them to set up an elected body with three exiled representatives each from the three provinces, and one each from the four religious schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
• After elections were held, 13 elected representatives, called ‘Deputies’, were designated as the ‘Commission of Tibetan People’s Deputies’ (CTPD). They took oath on September 2, 1960.
• Subsequently from 1975 onward, this date began to be formally observed as Tibetan Democracy Day.

Parliament-in-Exile

• The TPiE is the highest legislative body of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
• It is described as one of the three pillars of Tibetan democratic governance — the others being the Judiciary and the Kashag, or Executive.
• The website of the TPiE underlines the Dalai Lama’s commitment to the democratic principle — it quotes the Dalai Lama from the Foreword to the Constitution for Tibet, drafted in 1963:
  • The CTA is based in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Elections are held every five years to elect Members of the TPiE, and their Sikyong (Prime Minister). The 16th TPiE was elected in 2016.
  • This was the second direct election after the Dalai Lama distanced himself from the political functioning of the TPiE in 2011.

The Government-in-Exile

• On March 10, 1963, the Dalai Lama promulgated the Constitution of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (TGiE).
• From 1991 onwards, TPiE became the legislative organ of the CTA, the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission became the judicial organ, and the Kashag the executive organ.
• The TGiE is not recognised officially by any country, including India.
• However, many countries, including the US, deal directly with the Sikyong and other Tibetan leaders through various forums.
• The TPiE says its democratically elected character helps it manage Tibetan affairs, and raise the Tibetan issue across the world.
• The current Sikyong (known as Kalön Tripa until 2012) of the CTA is Lobsang Sangay, who has been the head of the Kashag or Cabinet (first as Kalön Tripa and then as Sikyong) since 2011.

What is India’s official policy towards the CTA?

• India considers the Dalai Lama as a revered religious leader and an honored guest, but it does not encourage political activities by Tibetans.
• It does not recognize any separate government of Tibet functioning in India.

Context

The UN accused China of serious human rights violations that may amount to “crimes against humanity” in a report examining a crackdown on Uighurs and other ethnic groups.

What is the leak about?

• After initially denying their existence, Beijing has claimed the facilities are vocational training schools, attended voluntarily and aimed at stamping out religious extremism.
• But the leaked documents give an insight into how leaders saw the minority population as a security threat.
• Photos appear to show officers restraining hooded and shackled inmates with batons, while other guards wearing camouflage stand by with firearms.

Who are the Uighurs?

• There are about 12 million Uighurs, mostly Muslim, living in north-western China in the region of Xinjiang, officially known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• The Uighurs speak their own language, similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations.
• They make up less than half of the Xinjiang population.
• In recent decades, there’s been a mass migration of Han Chinese (China’s ethnic majority) to Xinjiang, and the Uighurs feel their culture and livelihoods are under threat.
• In the early 20th Century, the Uighurs briefly declared independence, but the region was brought under complete control of mainland China’s new Communist government in 1949.

Where is Xinjiang?

• Xinjiang lies in the north-west of China and is the country’s biggest region.
• Like Tibet, it is autonomous, meaning – in theory – it has some powers of self-governance. But in practice, both face major restrictions by the central government.
• It is a mostly desert region, producing about a fifth of the world’s cotton.
• It is also rich in oil and natural gas and because of its proximity to Central Asia and Europe is seen by Beijing as an important trade link.

What was the build-up to the Uighur crackdown?

• Anti-Han and separatist sentiment rose in Xinjiang from the 1990s, flaring into violence on occasion.
• In 2009 some 200 people died in clashes in Xinjiang, which the Chinese blamed on Uighurs who want their own state.
• Xinjiang is now covered by a pervasive network of surveillance, including police, checkpoints, and cameras that scan everything from number plates to individual faces.
• According to Human Rights Watch, police are also using a mobile app to monitor peoples’ behaviour, such as how much electricity they are using and how often they use their front door.
• Since 2017 when President Xi Jinping issued an order saying all religions in China should be Chinese in orientation, there have been further crackdowns.

Chinese narrative

• China says the crackdown is necessary to prevent terrorism and root out Islamist extremism and the camps are an effective tool for re-educating inmates in its fight against terrorism.
• It insists that Uighur militants are waging a violent campaign for an independent state by plotting bombings, sabotage and civic unrest.
• China has dismissed claims it is trying to reduce the Uighur population through mass sterilizations as “baseless”, and says allegations of forced labor are “completely fabricated”.

Context

A senior IAS officer, Smita Sabharwal from Telangana, tweeted from her personal account in support of Ms. Bilkis Bano and questioned the Gujarat government’s decision, sparking off a row over whether she was in breach of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules of 1964 and reviving the debate on the freedom of civil servants to express their personal views on matters of law and governance.

Who are civil servants?

• In a modern democracy, a civil servant is an official in the service of the people and is recruited based on predetermined qualifications. Civil servants are bureaucrats who need to be familiar with the laws and regulations of the country and are expected to act in the best interests of the country and its citizens.

What is their expected role?

• They are responsible for managing the resources given to them by the government and making use of them efficiently and effectively. A sound parliamentary system of government requires civil servants to maintain their integrity, fearlessness, and independence.

What are Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules of 1964?

• Conduct Rules lay down clear principles as to what the Government expects from its employees.
• Conduct rules apply to both official and personal life of the government servant.
• If an official violates conduct rules, he may face warning/disciplinary action/departmental proceedings.

What is rule 9?

• Rule 9 of the Rules of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules states, “No Government servant shall… make any statement of fact or opinion… which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government.”

What is freedom of expression?         

• The citizens of country have the fundamental right of free speech guaranteed to them under the Constitution, which is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of securing the state’s sovereignty, international relations, health, morality, etc.

What central conduct rules say?

• When you undertake a government service, you subject yourself to certain disciplinary rules. That prevents a government servant from becoming a member of a political organisation, or any organisation of such a nature, or expressing herself freely with regard to anything that has to do with the governance of the country.

How Indian rules are different than others?

• One of the most important functions of the civil service, as stated by the head of the Canadian Public Service, is to “speak truth to power.”
• Which is prohibited in Indian context because this rule is of the British era. There is no doubt that the British were very, very strict and didn’t want their officers to be talking about how bad the governance was. But in a democracy, the right to criticise the government is a fundamental right and nobody can muzzle that.

What judiciary said in Lipika Paul vs The State Of Tripura case

• As a Government servant the petitioner is not devoid of her right of free speech, a fundamental right which can be curtailed only by a valid law.

Crux of this judgement in simple words

• She (the petitioner) was entitled to hold her own beliefs and express them in the manner she desired, subject to not crossing the borders laid down in the Conduct Rules which were applicable in Tripura.
• A fundamental right cannot be curtailed except by a valid law made by a legislature.

Why this judgement is important?

• It abrogated state from exploiting vague terms of the policy of government and government action to punish civil servants who criticize government of the day in any manner harsh or mild.

What Kerala high court said in 2018?

• One cannot be prevented from expressing his views merely because he/she is an government employee. In a democratic society, every institution is governed by democratic norms. Healthy criticism is a better way to govern a public institution.

Why it is highly contextual here?

• This judgement indirectly protected constructive and just criticism by protecting fundamental rights of the civil servants.

Action of IAS officer can be justified?

• Since she added the words ‘civil servant’ in her tweet is because the dharma of the civil servant is to uphold constitutional principles in letter and in spirit, and the rule of law.
• In Bilkis Bano case, both the spirit of the Constitution and the rule of law were being subverted.
• Hence her expression can be justified.

Can we justify rule 9 here in this context?

• The rules don’t violate Article 19. It is a rule, it’s not the law. It’s not in the Constitution. Freedom of speech is given in the Constitution, but these are Conduct Rules and they are imposed because there has to be some discipline in an organisation for that organisation to function.
• There is a process of decision-making. Right from below, the matter is examined, the pros and cons are taken up, the bureaucracy is given an opportunity to examine all the aspects, write their notes of objection or support, and finally it reaches the political executive. When a policy is decided, it has to be obeyed and complied with by the bureaucracy.

Conclusion

• Anybody could challenge these rules as they are offending constitutional fundamental rights of civil servant; then the Supreme Court would be forced to come down and say either it is good, or it is bad, and give good reasons for that.

GS-III

Context

Since July 1, 2022, India has banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of single-use plastics (SUP) items with low utility and high littering potential.

What are single-use plastics?

• Single-use plastics, often also referred to as disposable plastics, are commonly used for plastic packaging and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.
• These include, among other items, grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.

Why are single-use plastics harmful?

• The purpose of single-use plastics is to use them once or for a short period of time before disposing of them. Plastic waste has drastic impacts on the environment and human health.
• There is a greater likelihood of single-use plastic products ending up in the sea than reusable ones.

SUP ban in India

• India has taken resolute steps to mitigate pollution caused by littered single-use plastics.
• A number of items are banned, including earbuds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decorations, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws etc.
• India has also banned plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers, etc.

What is the impact on the environment?

Solid Waste generation

• The disposal of plastics is one of the least recognized and most highly problematic areas of plastic’s ecological impact.
• Ironically, one of plastic’s most desirable traits: its durability and resistance to decomposition, is also the source of one of its greatest liabilities when it comes to the disposal of plastics.
• A very small amount of total plastic production (less than 10%) is effectively recycled; the remaining plastic is sent to landfills.
• It is destined to remain entombed.

Ecological Impact

• Groundwater and soil pollution
  • Plastic is a material made to last forever, and due to the same chemical composition, plastic cannot biodegrade; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.
  • When buried in a landfill, plastic lies untreated for years.
  • In the process, toxic chemicals from plastics drain out and seep into groundwater, flowing downstream into lakes and rivers.
  • The seeping of plastic also causes soil pollution and have now started resulting in presence of micro plastics in soil.
• Water Pollution
  • The increased presence of plastic on the ocean surface has resulted in more serious problems.
  • Since most of the plastic debris that reaches the ocean remains floating for years as it does not decompose quickly, it leads to the dropping of oxygen level in the water.
  • It has severely affected the survival of marine species.
  • When oceanic creatures and even birds consume plastic inadvertently, they choke on it which causes a steady decline in their population.
  • In addition to suffocation, ingestion, and other macro-particulate causes of death in larger birds, fish, and mammals.

Health Hazards

• Burning of plastic results into formation of a class of flame retardants called as Halogens.
• Collectively, these harmful chemicals are known to cause the following severe health problems: cancer, neurological damage, endocrine disruption, birth defects and child developmental disorders etc.

Ban elsewhere

• India is not the first country to ban single-use plastics.
• Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002; New Zealand banned plastic bags in July 2019.
• China had issued a ban on plastic bags in 2020 with a phased implementation.
• As of July 2019, 68 countries have plastic bag bans with varying degrees of enforcement.

What are the plastic waste management rules in India?

• With effect from September 30, 2021 India has the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.
• It prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags whose thickness is less than 75 microns.
• From December 31, 2022, plastic carry bags whose thickness is less than 120 microns will be banned.
• It means that the ban does not cover all plastic bags; however, it requires the manufacturers to produce plastic bags thicker than 75 microns which was earlier 50 microns.
• As per the notification, the standard shall be increased to 120 microns in December this year.

What is the role of the manufacturer?

• In addition, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022 on February 16, 2022.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.
• The guidelines provide a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste, promote the development of new alternatives to plastic packaging and provide the next steps for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging by businesses.

Various steps taken

• The Indian government has taken steps to promote innovation and create an ecosystem for accelerated adoption and availability of alternatives across the country.
• To ensure the effective enforcement of the ban, national and State-level control rooms will be established, as well as special enforcement teams for the purpose of checking the illegal sale and use of single-use plastics.
• To prevent the movement of banned single-use plastic items between States and Union Territories, border checkpoints have been established.
• In an effort to empower citizens to help curb the plastic menace, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has launched a grievance redressal application.

What are the challenges?

• The ban will succeed only if all stakeholders participate enthusiastically and engage in effective engagement and concerted actions.
• However, if we look back at our past, almost 25 Indian States previously banned plastic at the state level.
• However, these bans had a very limited impact in reality because of the widespread use of these items.
• Now the challenge is to see how the local level authorities will enforce the ban in accordance with the guidelines.
• Banned items such as earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, etc., are non-branded items and it is difficult to find out who the manufacturer is and who is accountable.

Way forward

• The consumer needs to be informed about the ban through advertisements, newspaper or TV commercials, or on social media.
• In order to find sustainable alternatives, companies need to invest in research and development.
• The solution to the plastic pollution problem is not the responsibility of the government alone, but of industries, brands, manufacturers and most importantly consumers.
• Finding alternatives to plastic seems a little difficult, however, greener alternatives to plastic may be considered a sustainable option.
• For example, compostable and bio-degradable plastic, etc., may be considered as an option.
• While the total ban on the use of plastic sounds a great idea, its feasibility seems difficult at this hour, especially in the absence of workable alternatives.

Context

Union Minister of Science and Technology has announced the scientific completion of Cervavac, India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.

What is Cervavac?

• Cervavac was developed by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India in coordination with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
• The project to develop the vaccine was implemented by the then secretary of the DBT, Dr. M K Bhan in 2011.
• Since then, 30 meetings of scientific advisory groups and site visits conducted by DBT have helped review the scientific merit of the entire journey to develop the vaccine.
• Cervavac received market authorisation approval from the Drug Controller General of India on July 12 this year.

What is so unique about Cervavac?

• HPV vaccines are given in two doses and data has shown that the antibodies that develop after both are administered can last up to six or seven years.
• Unlike Covid vaccines, booster shots may not be required for the cervical cancer vaccine.
• Until now, the HPV vaccines available in India were produced by foreign manufacturers at an approximate cost of Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 per dose.
• Cervavac is likely to be significantly cheaper, slated to cost approximately Rs 200 to 400.
• It has also demonstrated a robust antibody response that is nearly 1,000 times higher than the baseline against all targeted HPV types and in all dose and age groups.

Significance of the vaccine

• Despite being largely preventable, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, according to the WHO.
• In 2018, an estimated 57000 women were diagnosed with the disease and it accounted for 311,000 deaths across the world.

How common is cervical cancer in India?

• India accounts for about a fifth of the global burden of cervical cancer, with 1.23 lakh cases and around 67,000 deaths per year.
• Almost all cervical cancer cases are linked to certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is transmitted through sexual contact.
• The body’s immune system usually gets rid of the HPV infection naturally within two years.
• However, in a small percentage of people, the virus can linger over time and turn some normal cells into abnormal cells and then cancer.

How dangerous is cervical cancer?

• Cervical cancer is preventable if detected early and managed effectively.
• Screening and vaccination are two powerful tools that are available for preventing cervical cancer.
• Still, there is little awareness among women about the prevention of this cancer and less than 10% of Indian women get screened.
• All women aged 30-49 must get screened for cervical cancer even if they have no symptoms and get their adolescent daughters vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.

What are the challenges?

• The biggest task will be in allocating adequate resources and manpower for vaccinating the massive demographic of adolescent girls aged between 9 and 15, to ensure that they are protected from HPV early.
• There is a huge need for stepping up awareness about the disease and the vaccine in the community.
• Unlike Covid and the vaccination programme, there is very little awareness about cervical cancer.
• Overall awareness and screening are very low in the community and that is a concern.
• Since this is a preventable disease and hence a huge awareness programme is required

Way forward

• School-based vaccination programmes might work effectively.
• Currently, none exist and therefore planning will have to be done along those lines.
• Those accessing public health programmes will get the vaccine free of cost at government-aided schools.
• However concerted efforts will have to be made to ensure the involvement of private healthcare facilities and NGOs towards an effective rollout.