9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 24 March 2025

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

Covid-19 changed migration patterns in India

Source: The post Covid-19 changed migration patterns in India has been created, based on the article “Tracking migration, five years after Covid” published in “Indian Express” on 24th March 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-Society-population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.

Context: The Covid-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in India’s migration system. It caused large-scale disruptions in internal and international migration, revealed governance gaps, and altered migration patterns. Five years later, many pre-Covid trends have resumed, but new dynamics and challenges have emerged.

For detailed information on Understanding Internal Migration Trends and Challenges read this article here

Impact of Covid-19 on Internal Migration

1. Covid-19 triggered unprecedented reverse migration from urban to rural areas in India.
2. Around 44.13 million migrants returned home during the first lockdown, and 26.3 million during the second.
3. Migrants, mainly low-wage and seasonal workers, suffered wage theft, hunger, discrimination, and violence.
4. Families relying on remittances faced severe financial distress.
5. Rural areas lacked adequate job opportunities; MGNREGA provided only temporary relief.
6. Climate change added stress on rural livelihoods, causing migration due to distress in agriculture, as observed in Odisha (IIMAD-FAO-IOM study).

Migration patterns after 5 years of COVID

1. Return to Urban Migration: Within five years, most migrants have returned to urban areas due to lack of opportunities and low wages in rural regions. Migration to cities remains strong, with projections indicating 40% of India’s population will live in urban areas by 2026. Programmes like the Smart Cities Mission continue to support urbanisation and rely heavily on migrant labour.
2. Impact on International Migrants: During the pandemic, Indian emigrants—especially in GCC countries—faced job losses, wage cuts, overcrowded living conditions, and poor sanitation. Despite these issues, remittances remained stable and vital for many households in India, reinforcing their role as a development driver.
3. New Destinations and Emerging Trends: Post-pandemic, Indian migration is diversifying. While GCC countries still attract workers, more Indians are migrating to Europe. In 2023, they were the top recipients of the EU Blue Card. Non-traditional European destinations like Malta and Georgia are gaining popularity. African countries are also attracting Indian migrants, but risks remain, as shown by the Jharkhand workers stranded in Cameroon.
4. Healthcare and Student Migration: There is continued global demand for Indian healthcare workers. Student migration has sharply increased. In Kerala, student migrants nearly doubled from 1.29 lakh in 2018 to 2.5 lakh in 2023. Outward remittances for education peaked at $3,171 million in 2021. Events like the Russia-Ukraine war also highlighted student vulnerabilities.

Challenges in Migration Governance

1. Schemes like e-Shram and ONORC aim to support migrants but face issues like low awareness, digital barriers, and limited coverage.

2. The delay in the 2021 Census and lack of updated data on emigrants restrict effective policy-making. PLFS data from the pandemic period doesn’t reflect long-term trends.

Way Forward
India needs a stronger migration governance system backed by reliable data. Expanding the Kerala Migration Survey model to all states can improve planning and policy. Reforms must ensure social security, mobility rights, and inclusive support systems for all migrants.

Question for practice:

Examine how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted internal and international migration patterns in India and the challenges it revealed in migration governance.

GS PAPER - 2

India needs comprehensive efforts to improve tuberculosis patient care

Source: The post India needs comprehensive efforts to improve tuberculosis patient care has been created, based on the article “The need for universal and equitable health coverage” published in “The Hindu” on 24th March 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: The article addresses Tuberculosis (TB) care in India, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment, and community support. It discusses the critical gaps in the current system and underscores the importance of coordinated efforts across sectors to improve outcomes for TB patients and ultimately aim to eradicate the disease.

For detailed information on India’s approach to end TB read this article here

Issues faced in TB care in India

1. Challenges in TB Diagnosis and Treatment: Many patients experience delays in diagnosis due to lack of awareness or doctors not recommending TB tests. Medicines may be in short supply, forcing patients to travel over 20 kilometres to get them. Side effects from treatment, financial burden of private care, and lack of treatment literacy often lead to dropouts.
2. The Social and Psychological Impact: TB patients often face stigma, isolation, and self-blame. Families may refuse preventive therapy or blame the patient. Neighbours may shun them. Malnutrition, old age, or disability worsens their condition. Such social pressures can damage mental health and weaken recovery.
3. Systemic Gaps and Apathy: TB is wrongly seen as a disease of the poor, leading to limited concern. There are too few trained health workers, and the private sector often provides inconsistent care. This results in poor coordination and weak public response.

What Needs to Be Done

1. Strengthen Public Health Infrastructure: Ensure a continuous supply of medicines and diagnostic tools. Train and fairly compensate healthcare workers to manage TB efficiently and compassionately.
2. Empower Patients and Communities: Engage TB survivors to lead awareness and advocacy efforts, helping reduce stigma and disseminate correct information. Develop community-led support systems to provide psychosocial aid and ensure patient adherence to treatment regimes.
3. Enhance Prevention and Care: Improve airborne infection control measures and nutritional support programs to prevent TB. Introduce an effective TB vaccine accessible to all demographics.
4. Foster Multisectoral Collaboration: Integrate TB care into social and private insurance frameworks. Increase corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments in TB initiatives. Encourage media and political leaders to actively participate in TB eradication efforts. Establish sustainable public-private partnerships to extend high-quality care.

Way Forward

India’s National Strategic Plan includes many of these measures, but partial implementation is insufficient. Ending TB requires coordinated action across all levels—health, community, government, and private sectors. Every actor must contribute actively to build a resilient, inclusive, and responsive TB care ecosystem.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key issues in tuberculosis care in India and suggest essential steps to build a comprehensive, responsive TB care ecosystem.

India is strengthening TB care through equity

Source: The post India is strengthening TB care through equity has been created, based on the article “The need for universal and equitable health coverage” published in “The Hindu” on 24th March 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: India has made significant progress in Tuberculosis (TB) care through new detection, treatment, and prevention strategies. The focus is on decentralising care, integrating TB services into the broader health system, and ensuring equity to achieve TB elimination and universal health coverage (UHC).

For detailed information on India’s progress in fighting tuberculosis read this article here

Progress in TB Care in India

1. India has enhanced TB detection with expanded molecular testing for rapid identification and drug resistance assessment.
2. The introduction of the BPaLM regimen, a shorter, all-oral treatment, utilizes four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin.
3. Nutritional support under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) has doubled to ₹1,000 per month.
4. TB preventive therapy has been initiated alongside expanded community involvement through TB Champions.
5. Significant results include a 17.7% decline in TB incidence, from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 in 2023.
6. TB-related deaths have decreased by 21.4%, reflecting the impact of these comprehensive strategies on public health outcomes.

Integration and Decentralisation of TB Services

1. TB services are integrated into Ayushman Bharat’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), providing comprehensive care.
2. AAMs act as sputum collection centers, facilitating accessible diagnostics and treatment near patients’ homes, improving convenience and reducing travel.
3. Decentralization allows for treatment at primary care levels, crucial during the initial two months of treatment when patients are most vulnerable.
4. Over 50% of TB patients initially seek treatment in the private sector, highlighting the need to strengthen referral systems to public facilities to ensure equitable care.

Steps Towards Equitable and Person-Centred TB Care

1. Person-Centred Interventions: States like Tamil Nadu have implemented the Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam (TN-KET) to reduce TB deaths. It identifies vulnerable patients and ensures hospital referrals. Other states have targeted tribal, migrant, and homeless populations. Strengthening infrastructure, staff, and medicine supply is crucial.
2. Recognising Intersectionality: Multiple social factors such as gender, age, caste, disability, and occupation influence TB outcomes. The National TB Programme now includes a gender-responsive approach. Early work on understanding TB and disability has also begun and needs further support.
3. Integrated Health Services: People with TB symptoms must also be checked for other illnesses like COPD, asthma, hypertension, and depression. Community screening models should include AI-enabled chest X-rays and monitoring of blood pressure, sugar levels, and BMI.
4. Reducing Financial Burden: Schemes like NPY and the 100 Days campaign help reduce direct costs. However, families still face indirect costs. India should expand social support—like nutrition aid to families, wage-loss schemes, and livelihood support for TB survivors.
5. Effective Communication and Awareness: Public knowledge of TB remains low. During COVID-19, science-based communication quickly reached everyone. Similar efforts are needed for TB. Awareness about drug-resistant TB and reducing stigma are essential for early care-seeking and successful treatment.

Way Forward

India’s TB response now focuses on equity, person-centred care, and integration with general health services. Continued investment in primary care, digital tools, social protection, and awareness campaigns can strengthen these efforts. Applying an equity lens will accelerate the path toward TB elimination and universal health coverage.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s TB response incorporates equity, decentralisation, and integration with general health services to move towards TB elimination and universal health coverage.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Anthurium Flowers

News– India successfully exported Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore for the first time.

About Anthurium

• It is a tropical flowering plant valued for its ornamental appeal and air-purifying properties.
• Grown mostly indoors, it helps remove toxins like formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, xylene, and allergens from the air.
• It is included in NASA’s list of air-purifying plants due to its ability to improve indoor air quality.
• Geographical distribution:
  • Native Region: Americas – From northern Mexico to northern Argentina and parts of the Caribbean.
  • In India: Widely cultivated in Mizoram and other North-Eastern states.
• Economic & Cultural significance
  • It is a significant contributor to India’s floriculture exports: USD 86.62 million (FY 2023–24).
  • ‘Anthurium Festival’ is an annual cultural and tourism event celebrated in Mizoram. It showcases the beauty and commercial potential of Anthurium flowers grown in the region.

‘Floriculture hubs in India:- Tamil Nadu (21%), Karnataka (16%), Madhya Pradesh (14%), West Bengal (12%). Major Importers from India: USA, Netherlands, UAE, UK, Canada.

United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) 2025

News– The 2025 UN world water development report says that Retreating glaciers threaten the food and water supply of 2 billion people around the world.

About United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR)

• It is UN-Water’s flagship report on water and sanitation issues.
• It provides a comprehensive assessment of global freshwater resources, usage, and management.
• It is published annually on World Water Day (March 22), with each edition focusing on a specific theme and providing policy recommendations.
• It is published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water and its production is coordinated by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme.

WWDR 2025 – Key Highlights

Theme: Mountains and Glaciers – Water Towers

Key findings:

• Warming of mountain ranges:
  • All mountain ranges have exhibited warming trends since the early 20th century.
  • Rising temperatures lead to more rainfall instead of snowfall, causing earlier snowmelt and thinner snowpacks.
• Glacial melt and “Peak Water” Phenomenon:
  • Short-term impact: Increased river flow in glacier-fed basins due to rapid melting.
  • Long-term impact: Once a “peak water” threshold is crossed, river flows begin to decline.
  • Strong evidence suggests this- “peak water” point has already been passed in the Tropical Andes, Western Canada, and Swiss Alps.
• Glacier retreat and loss:
  • Many glaciers have disappeared entirely.
  • Colombia has lost 90% of its glacial area since the mid-19th century.
  • Projections indicate that global warming of 1.5-4°C will result in 26-41% glacier mass loss (2015-2100).

Impact assessment:

• Water and food security:
  • 2 billion people depend on glacier-fed water sources for drinking and agriculture.
  • Two-thirds of global irrigated agriculture could be affected by declining snowfall and glacial retreat.
• Environmental and disaster risks:
  • There is a increased risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
  • Local ecosystems under stress due to declining freshwater availability.

Lapis Lazuli

News– Lapis lazuli has been found in many countries but the highest quality rock comes from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province.

About Lapis Lazuli

• It is a deep blue metamorphic rock known for its striking colour and semi-precious gemstone value.
• It has been prized for thousands of years as a semi-precious gemstone and a source of the rare ultramarine pigment used in art.
• Composition and Appearance:
  • The blue color of lapis lazuli comes from lazurite (25-40%), with its shade varying based on sulphur content. It also contains:
  • Pyrite – Gives golden streaks.
  • Calcite – Causes lighter patches, reducing blueness.
  • Diopside & Sodalite – Found in smaller amounts.
• Major sources:
  • The world’s highest-quality lapis lazuli comes from the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, where it has been mined for over 6,000 years.
  • Other sources include Chile, Russia, and the USA.
• Historical and Cultural significance:
  • In ancient times, traders in India imported lapis lazuli from Badakhshan, perhaps as long ago as 1000 BC.
  • Ornaments made of lapis lazuli have been discovered at Indus Valley Civilization sites (Mohenjo-daro & Harappa).
  • Ancient Egypt: Ground into powder for eye makeup and used in royal ornaments.
  • Renaissance Europe: Processed into ultramarine, a rare and expensive blue pigment used by painters.

Hemavati River

News- Two youths, who went swimming in the Hemavati river near Henli village in Sakleshpur, drowned recently. Hemavati River.

About Hemavati River

• It is an important tributary of the Kaveri River, playing a vital role in Karnataka’s irrigation and water supply.
• Course:
  • It originates in the Western Ghats near Ballalarayana Durga, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, at an elevation of 1,219 meters.
  • It flows through Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Tumkur, and Mysuru districts.
  • It is joined by its chief tributary, the Yagachi River, in Hassan district.
  • It merges with the Kaveri River at Krishnarajasagara.
• Total length: 245 km.
• Drainage area: 5,410 sq km.
• Hemavati Reservoir (Gorur Dam): A masonry dam with a central spillway and earthen flanks, located near Gorur village, Hassan district.