https://t.me/kpiasacademy/6154
MAIN QUESTIONS
Q1. Earthquakes need not be deadly if building codes are followed strictly. In the context of the recent Afghanistan earthquake, discuss the importance of disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure in mitigating seismic risks. Suggest measures for earthquake-prone regions such as Afghanistan and India. (15 marks, 250 words)
Topic – Earthquakes
Source: The Hindu
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/buried-in-rubble-on-the-afghanistan-earthquake/article70004409.ece
Introduction
On September 1, 2025, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, killing over 1,400 people and injuring thousands. Despite being located in a high seismic-risk zone at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Afghanistan lacks adequate preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and resources due to ongoing political instability and sanctions. This tragedy highlights a critical global lesson — earthquakes by themselves do not kill, unsafe buildings and weak governance do.
Body
- Why Earthquakes are Catastrophic in Afghanistan
- Lessons from Global Experiences
- Importance of Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure
- Measures Needed for Afghanistan & Similar High-Risk Regions
- India’s Relevance & Lessons
Conclusion
Earthquakes are natural events, but human vulnerability is man-made. The devastation in Afghanistan underscores that without resilient infrastructure, strong governance, and adherence to building norms, seismic shocks turn into humanitarian crises. Learning from global best practices, both Afghanistan and India must prioritize earthquake preparedness through compulsory building codes, public awareness, and international cooperation. In essence, seismic disasters need not be death sentences — resilience is a matter of policy choice and enforcement.
UPSC Syllabus
Earthquakes
Why was this question asked?
Q. Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. [2021]
Introduction
On September 1, 2025, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, killing over 1,400 people and injuring thousands. Despite being located in a high seismic-risk zone at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Afghanistan lacks adequate preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and resources due to ongoing political instability and sanctions. This tragedy highlights a critical global lesson — earthquakes by themselves do not kill, unsafe buildings and weak governance do.
Body
Why Earthquakes are Catastrophic in Afghanistan
- Geographic vulnerability: Located along active tectonic zones (Hindu Kush).
- Weak governance and sanctions: Limited state capacity under Taliban regime undermines disaster response.
- Fragile infrastructure: Unregulated housing, poor construction quality, lack of earthquake-resistant designs.
- Low awareness: People lack knowledge of safety protocols and preparedness drills.
- Resource constraints: Inadequate search, rescue, and medical infrastructure.
Lessons from Global Experiences
- Chile & Japan: Regularly experience quakes above magnitude 6 but minimal casualties due to strict building codes, enforcement, and drills.
- Delhi, India (2025): Magnitude 4 quake caused no major damage due to relatively better urban planning compared to Afghanistan.
- Contrast with Afghanistan (2023 Herat quake & 2025 Nangarhar quake): Thousands of deaths due to unsafe buildings and poor compliance with safety standards.
Importance of Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure
- Reduces mortality and displacement — adoption of earthquake-resistant designs.
- Economic protection — prevents large-scale property damage and loss of livelihoods.
- Institutional preparedness — ensures continuity of governance and essential services post-disaster.
- Trust in governance — reinforces citizen confidence in state capacity.
Measures Needed for Afghanistan & Similar High-Risk Regions
- Enforce Building Codes: Earthquake-resistant architecture, even for low-cost housing.
- Awareness Campaigns: Community drills and training in evacuation/safety protocols.
- International Assistance: Humanitarian aid by UN agencies and regional partners for building resilient housing stock.
- Early Warning Systems: Seismic monitoring networks and rapid communication channels.
- Local Capacity Building: Strengthening search and rescue teams, disaster response forces, and medical preparedness.
India’s Relevance & Lessons
- India too lies on multiple seismic zones — e.g., Himalayan belt.
- Urban areas like Delhi and Gangetic plains face high risk, yet enforcement of building codes remains weak.
- India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provides a framework, but compliance at the state/municipal level is inconsistent.
- Afghanistan’s tragedy is a reminder for India to implement Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Programme (EVRP) more rigorously.
Conclusion
Earthquakes are natural events, but human vulnerability is man-made. The devastation in Afghanistan underscores that without resilient infrastructure, strong governance, and adherence to building norms, seismic shocks turn into humanitarian crises. Learning from global best practices, both Afghanistan and India must prioritize earthquake preparedness through compulsory building codes, public awareness, and international cooperation. In essence, seismic disasters need not be death sentences — resilience is a matter of policy choice and enforcement.
Q 2. Mapping cancer burden in India is the first step towards making data more robust and enabling targeted interventions. Discuss the importance of cancer registries in this context and suggest policy measures to strengthen cancer surveillance in the country. (15 marks, 250 words)
Topic – Cancer control in India
Source: The Indian Express
Introduction
Cancer has emerged as a major non-communicable disease (NCD) challenge in India, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (2022), India ranks third highest in cancer cases globally, with a mortality-to-incidence ratio of 64.47%, the highest among the top 10 high-burden countries. Despite cancer being part of India’s healthcare programmes for over five decades, robust mapping of its incidence remains limited due to fragmented data collection. The recent analysis of ICMR Cancer Registries (2025) underlines the urgency of comprehensive, region-wise, and population-specific cancer mapping for effective policy interventions.
Body
- Significance of Mapping Cancer Data
- Limitations of Current Cancer Registries
- Insights from Current Registry Study
- Policy Framework for Strengthening Cancer Surveillance
- Way Forward: Towards Robust Cancer Data & Care
Conclusion
Mapping cancer through robust registries is not merely a statistical exercise but a public health imperative. Comprehensive, region-specific and gender-sensitive cancer data can transform India’s fragmented cancer response into a targeted, efficient, and equitable care system. Expanding registry coverage, mandating reporting obligations, and leveraging digital health platforms will help bridge the current gaps and contribute significantly to reducing cancer mortality in India. Thus, cancer mapping must be placed at the core of India’s NCD strategy to achieve universal health coverage and improve survival outcomes.
UPSC Syllabus
Non-Communicable diseases in India
Why was this question asked?
Q. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? [2018]
Introduction
Cancer has emerged as a major non-communicable disease (NCD) challenge in India, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (2022), India ranks third highest in cancer cases globally, with a mortality-to-incidence ratio of 64.47%, the highest among the top 10 high-burden countries. Despite cancer being part of India’s healthcare programmes for over five decades, robust mapping of its incidence remains limited due to fragmented data collection. The recent analysis of ICMR Cancer Registries (2025) underlines the urgency of comprehensive, region-wise, and population-specific cancer mapping for effective policy interventions.
Body
Significance of Mapping Cancer Data
- Provides accurate incidence and mortality rates across states, genders, and social groups.
- Helps identify high-risk regions and populations, e.g., high prevalence of oral cancer in Northeast India.
- Enables tracking of preventable causes such as tobacco and dietary habits.
- Facilitates resource allocation in infrastructure, manpower, and screening programmes.
- Supports research and innovation in early diagnosis, treatment protocols, and genomic studies.
Limitations of Current Cancer Registries
- ICMR registries cover less than 20% of the Indian population.
- Reporting is voluntary, unlike tuberculosis where data sharing is mandatory under the Epidemic Diseases framework.
- Major states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar lack reporting obligations.
- Late diagnosis remains a challenge — cancers like oral, lung, stomach often fall off the data radar.
- Lack of uniform digital health infrastructure leads to fragmented data entry and under-reporting.
Insights from Current Registry Study
- Gender disparity: Women account for 51% of cases — higher than global average, due to breast and cervical cancers being better detectable.
- Regional variation: Mizoram reports highest lifetime cancer risk (21% men, 19% women), much higher than national average (11%).
- Mortality patterns: Women have better survival as breast/cervical cancers are detected early, but men suffer from late-detected oral/lung cancers.
- Policy implication: Highlights urgent need for region-specific awareness and screening, especially in high-risk states/communities.
Policy Framework for Strengthening Cancer Surveillance
- Legal mandate: Make cancer-data reporting compulsory across states, aligning with practice for infectious diseases.
- Strengthen ICMR registry network by integrating it with National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) for seamless data transfer.
- Establish region-specific screening programmes (e.g., oral cancer in the Northeast, cervical cancer in northern states).
- Promote public-private partnerships in cancer reporting, treatment, and genomic research.
- Scale-up affordable diagnostic tools under Ayushman Bharat and National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
Way Forward: Towards Robust Cancer Data & Care
- Expand registry coverage to 100% of districts within next decade.
- Promote AI-based real-time cancer surveillance systems.
- Strengthen community awareness campaigns on lifestyle diseases, tobacco cessation, and vaccination (HPV for cervical cancer).
- Institutionalise state cancer control boards for localised planning.
- Learn from global best practices — e.g., mandatory cancer reporting in the US and Europe.
Conclusion
Mapping cancer through robust registries is not merely a statistical exercise but a public health imperative. Comprehensive, region-specific and gender-sensitive cancer data can transform India’s fragmented cancer response into a targeted, efficient, and equitable care system. Expanding registry coverage, mandating reporting obligations, and leveraging digital health platforms will help bridge the current gaps and contribute significantly to reducing cancer mortality in India. Thus, cancer mapping must be placed at the core of India’s NCD strategy to achieve universal health coverage and improve survival outcomes.