Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. Ayurveda has strong civilisational credibility, yet its global acceptance remains limited compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Examine the challenges and suggest measures in light of NITI Aayog’s roadmap for making Ayurveda global.
- Q. Climate change is emerging as a serious threat to India’s dairy economy. Discuss its impact on milk production and suggest climate-smart measures to protect livestock productivity and smallholder livelihoods.
Q. Ayurveda has strong civilisational credibility, yet its global acceptance remains limited compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Examine the challenges and suggest measures in light of NITI Aayog’s roadmap for making Ayurveda global.
(UPSC GS Paper II: Health, Government Policies, International Cooperation)
Introduction:
Ayurveda is India’s traditional system of medicine with a strong focus on preventive, personalised and holistic healthcare. NITI Aayog’s report, “Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global,” seeks to transform Ayurveda into a globally trusted healthcare system by 2047.
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Current Global Position
Ayurveda’s global presence is expanding. Its exports increased from USD 1.09 billion in 2014 to USD 2.16 billion in 2023, reaching nearly 150 countries. It is formally recognised in about 30 countries, while research on Ayurveda spans nearly 70 countries. The establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar and inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani in ICD-11 have improved its international visibility.
Key Challenges
Regulatory Gaps
Many countries do not recognise Ayurveda as a formal medical system. The absence of a uniform international regulatory framework limits its clinical acceptance.
Evidence Deficit
Ayurveda’s personalised treatment approach makes conventional Randomised Controlled Trials difficult, affecting global scientific confidence.
Limited Global Workforce
India has over 3.55 lakh Ayurveda practitioners, but most are located within India. This restricts international service delivery.
Quality and Insurance Issues
Inconsistent manufacturing standards, contamination concerns, high compliance costs and limited insurance coverage weaken Ayurveda’s credibility.
Competition from TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine has stronger global licensing, insurance coverage, overseas centres and international standards.
NITI Aayog’s Roadmap
Short Term
Create a Mission Steering Group, Global Ayurveda Register, global information portal, WHO-GMP-equivalent certification and export-focused pharmacopoeia.
Medium Term
Promote product registration, insurance pilots, Mutual Recognition Arrangements, Ayush Chairs, medical value travel hubs and multi-country trials.
Long Term
Integrate Ayurveda into at least 20 national health systems and secure insurance coverage in at least 10 countries.
Conclusion:
Ayurveda’s globalisation requires scientific validation, quality assurance, practitioner mobility, regulatory harmonisation and credible branding. If implemented effectively, the roadmap can convert India’s traditional knowledge into both soft power and healthcare leadership.
Q. Climate change is emerging as a serious threat to India’s dairy economy. Discuss its impact on milk production and suggest climate-smart measures to protect livestock productivity and smallholder livelihoods.
( UPSC GS Paper III: Agriculture, Livestock Economy, Climate Change, Food Security)
Introduction:
India is the world’s largest milk producer, and dairy provides regular income to millions of rural households. A recent study highlighted that rising temperature, humidity, heatwaves and evapotranspiration are reducing milk yield, especially in Haryana’s high milk-producing belt of the trans-Gangetic plains.
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Climate Impact on Dairy Production
Heat Stress and Milk Yield
High temperature above 38°C, combined with humidity above 70%, significantly reduces milk production. Lactating animals divert energy from milk production to body-temperature regulation, causing reduced appetite, panting, sweating, higher cortisol levels and impaired milk ejection. During intense summers, milk yield may decline by 20–30%.
Greater Vulnerability of Buffaloes
Buffaloes are more heat-sensitive because their dark skin absorbs more solar radiation and they have fewer sweat glands. The study found that a unit increase in potential evapotranspiration can reduce milk yield by around 1.4 litres per buffalo per day.
Breed-Specific Impact
Cross-bred cattle also suffer during heatwaves. Indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal and Hariana show better resilience due to loose skin, efficient sweating, lower metabolic heat production and stronger adaptation to local parasites and pathogens.
Systemic Dairy Stress
Climate change also reduces fodder quantity and quality, increases water scarcity, raises disease risks and increases feed costs. This affects smallholder farmers, consumers, nutrition security and rural income. Heat-related stressors already cause an estimated loss of 3.2 million tonnes of milk, which may rise sharply by the 2050s.
Way Forward
Climate-Smart Dairy Systems
India should integrate Temperature-Humidity Index and Potential Evapotranspiration into regional early warning systems.
Low-Cost Adaptation
Shade, ventilation, sprinklers, foggers, wallowing ponds and improved feeding practices should be promoted.
Breed Resilience
Indigenous and thermo-tolerant breeds must be conserved through programmes such as Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Fodder and Veterinary Support
Climate-resilient fodder, fodder banks, veterinary extension and farmer training are essential.
Conclusion:
India’s dairy policy must shift from productivity-only planning to resilience-oriented livestock management. Protecting smallholder farmers, conserving indigenous breeds and building climate-smart dairy systems are essential for sustaining milk production in a warming world.
