UPSC CARE Mains Practice 25th February 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- India is facing a silent crisis in adolescent mental health, aggravated by digital overexposure. Discuss. (GS Paper II – Health / GS Paper III – Human Resource Development)
- National AIDS Control Programme Phase-V (NACP-V, 2021–26) aligns India’s HIV/AIDS response with SDG 3.3. Discuss its core goals, key strategies and challenges in achieving the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. (GS Paper II: Government policies & interventions; Issues relating to Health)
Q. India is facing a silent crisis in adolescent mental health, aggravated by digital overexposure. Discuss. (GS Paper II – Health / GS Paper III – Human Resource Development)
Introduction:
India’s demographic dividend depends on the wellbeing of its youth. However, rising cases of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioural disorders among children and adolescents indicate a growing mental health crisis. The rapid expansion of digital access, coupled with academic pressure and limited mental health infrastructure, has intensified vulnerabilities.
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Nature and Extent of the Crisis
Population-level surveys show that nearly one in ten adolescents suffers from diagnosable mental health conditions. Comorbidities such as ADHD with anxiety or depression with compulsive digital use complicate treatment. Early trauma and chronic stress can disrupt cognitive and emotional development, often resurfacing in adolescence.
Digital Amplification of Vulnerability
The widespread availability of smartphones and low-cost Internet has reshaped childhood. Excessive screen exposure contributes to sleep disruption, reduced attention span, and emotional dysregulation. Although digital use does not cause neurodevelopmental disorders, it exacerbates symptoms and displaces vital human interaction during critical neuroplastic phases.
Institutional and Systemic Gaps
India faces a severe shortage of child psychiatrists and psychologists. Schools prioritise academic performance over emotional wellbeing. Stigma delays early intervention, while fragmented services limit access to care.
Way Forward
- Institutionalise school-based mental health screening.
- Strengthen Tele-MANAS and community counselling.
- Train teachers and paediatricians in early detection.
- Promote trauma-informed parenting and peer-support groups.
- Develop balanced digital literacy policies rather than punitive bans.
Conclusion:
Adolescent mental health is not merely a medical issue but a developmental and societal concern. Addressing it requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach that integrates digital governance, school reform, community engagement, and accessible mental health services to secure India’s human capital future.
Q. National AIDS Control Programme Phase-V (NACP-V, 2021–26) aligns India’s HIV/AIDS response with SDG 3.3. Discuss its core goals, key strategies and challenges in achieving the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. (GS Paper II: Government policies & interventions; Issues relating to Health)
Introduction:
India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) implemented through NACO (MoHFW) is the backbone of HIV prevention, care and treatment. NACP-V (2021–26) is a central sector scheme (outlay ₹15,000+ crore) aligned with SDG 3.3 to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
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Key Highlights / Core Goals of NACP-V (2021–26)
- Reduce annual new HIV infections by 80% (from 2010 baseline)
- Reduce AIDS-related mortality by 80% (from 2010 baseline)
- Eliminate vertical transmission (mother-to-child) of HIV and syphilis
- Universal access to quality STI/RTI services for at-risk and vulnerable groups
- Eliminate stigma and discrimination (supported by HIV/AIDS Act, 2017)
- Operational Target: 95-95-95 (95% know status, 95% on treatment, 95% virally suppressed)
Strategies/Approach (How NACP works)
- Prevention: targeted interventions for high-risk groups, condom promotion, harm reduction, STI/RTI services.
- Testing & Early Diagnosis: expanded HIV testing coverage; “Test and Treat” approach.
- Treatment & Viral Suppression: ART scale-up and universal viral load monitoring.
- Continuity of Care: re-linking PLHIV lost to follow-up (Mission Sampark).
- Decentralised implementation: systems like DAPCUs (from NACP-III) support district-level response.
- Rights-based framework: anti-discrimination protections (HIV/AIDS Act, 2017).
Achievements/Progress (Evidence from given data)
- HIV prevalence reduced from 0.33% (2010) to 0.20% (2024) (below global average 0.70%).
- New infections fell from 1.25 lakh (2010) to 64,500 (2024) (~49% decline).
- India accounts for ~5% of global new infections (global ~1.3 million in 2024).
- Under NACP-V, testing increased from 4.13 crore (2020–21) to 6.62 crore (2024–25).
- People on ART increased from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh (2024–25).
Challenges/Concerns
- Stigma & discrimination still deter testing and treatment adherence.
- Late diagnosis in some pockets → higher mortality risk.
- Retention in care (loss to follow-up) despite initiatives.
- Mother-to-child transmission elimination requires strong ANC testing + treatment compliance.
- Co-infections (TB, STIs) and vulnerable groups need sustained targeted focus.
- Health system gaps (human resources, last-mile delivery, quality monitoring).
Way Forward
- Intensify 95-95-95 achievement with early testing, linkage, and retention.
- Strengthen PMTCT (HIV & syphilis) via universal ANC screening and follow-up.
- Expand community-based awareness to reduce stigma; enforce HIV/AIDS Act provisions.
- Improve quality of STI/RTI services and integrated care (HIV-TB, maternal health).
- Use data-driven district strategies through DAPCUs and targeted interventions.
Conclusion:
NACP-V represents a mature, rights-based and evidence-driven HIV response. Sustaining prevention gains, ensuring early diagnosis, lifelong ART adherence, and stigma reduction will be decisive for India to meet SDG 3.3 and end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.