UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 13th November 2025
Source: PIB, The Hindu
Relevance: Quick Facts for Prelims, GS Paper II – Health – Government Policies and Interventions
Important Key Words for Prelims and Mains
For Prelims:
- Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025
- Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994
- National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP)
- National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
- Regional (ROTTO) and State (SOTTO) Organ Transplant Organisations
For Mains:
- Health policy reforms and equitable access to medical care
- Organ and tissue transplantation ethics and regulation
Why in News?
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025 on 6 November 2025 under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, to simplify rules governing corneal transplantation and promote equitable access to organ and tissue donation services across India.
Key Highlights of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025
- Removed Equipment Mandate: The mandatory requirement of Clinical Specular Microscope in corneal transplantation centres has been removed.
- Rationale: These microscopes were costly and difficult for small or rural eye centres to procure.
- Expected Outcome:
- Eases infrastructural and operational challenges for smaller hospitals.
- Expands access to corneal transplant services across the country.
- Consultation Process: The rule change followed expert recommendations and stakeholder consultations.
- Strengthens: The amendment reinforces the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) and promotes wider participation in eye donation.
About the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994
- Objective: To regulate the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues for therapeutic purposes and prevent commercial dealings in organs.
- Background: Framed after rising illegal organ trade, based on Dr. L. M. Singhvi Committee (1991) recommendations.
- Key Features:
- Defines donor, recipient, and near relative.
- Organ removal permitted only with informed consent.
- Establishes Authorization Committees and Ethical Oversight.
- Major Amendments:
- 2011 Amendment: Expanded scope to include tissues.
- 2025 Amendment: Simplifies rules for corneal transplantation.
- Implementation and Adoption by States: Since health is a state subject, states must adopt the Act for it to be applicable.
- The 1994 Act applies to all States and Union Territories, except Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which have their own laws.
About National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP)
- Launched by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Objective: Promote equitable access to organ and tissue donation across India.
- Institutional Framework:
- NOTTO – Apex body in New Delhi.
- ROTTOs & SOTTOs – Regional and State implementation agencies.
- Achievements:
- Organ transplants in India increased from 4,990 (2013) to 18,911 (2024).
- India ranks 3rd globally in total transplants and 1st in living donors.
Structural Anatomy of the Eye: External and Internal Components
External Parts of the Eye
- Eyelid: Protects the eye from dust, injury, and excessive light; helps spread tears across the surface.
- Pupil: The black circular opening in the centre; regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
- Iris: The coloured part surrounding the pupil; controls pupil size using its muscles.
- Sclera: The white, tough outer layer providing structural protection.
Internal Anatomy (Cross-Section)
Cornea
- Transparent, dome-shaped front layer.
- Main refractive surface of the eye (bends incoming light).
Lens
- Transparent, flexible structure behind the iris.
- Changes shape for accommodation (focusing near and far objects).
Ciliary Body
- Contains ciliary muscles that adjust the lens.
- Produces aqueous humour.
Vitreous Humor
- Gel-like material filling the large posterior cavity.
- Maintains shape and supports the retina.
Retina
- Innermost, light-sensitive layer containing rods and cones.
- Converts light into neural signals.
Choroid
- Vascular middle layer between retina and sclera.
- Supplies oxygen and nutrients to the retina.
Optic Nerve
- Carries visual signals from the retina to the brain.
- Its exit point forms the blind spot.
Sclera (Internal View)
Thick, fibrous white outer layer giving mechanical strength.
Significance
- Boosts Eye Donation Ecosystem: Encourages more eye banks and hospitals to perform transplants.
- Equitable Healthcare: Enables small and semi-urban centres to offer corneal surgeries.
- Addresses Corneal Blindness: Helps reduce the burden of 1.2 million corneal blindness cases, with 25,000–30,000 new cases annually (IJO, 2024).
- Streamlined Regulation: Promotes efficiency under NOTTO–ROTTO–SOTTO network.
- Public Health Impact: Enhances accessibility and affordability of vision-restoring surgeries.
Way Forward
- Ensure implementation support for small and rural hospitals.
- Launch awareness campaigns on eye donation.
- Strengthen infrastructure funding under NOTP.
- Introduce AI-based national registry for real-time donor–recipient matching.
- Promote public–private partnerships in eye banking.
Conclusion
The 2025 Amendment marks a crucial step toward inclusive, equitable, and efficient healthcare delivery by simplifying medical regulations and empowering smaller centres. It reinforces India’s commitment to ethical organ donation and universal access to vision-restoring care.
UPSC PYQ
Q1. Consider the following statements: (2020)
- Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
- A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
- Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Q2. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct? (2012)
- Different kinds of specialised surgical instruments were in common use by the 1st century AD.
- Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
- The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
- The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)
CARE MCQ
- With reference to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025, consider the following statements:
- The amendment removes the mandatory requirement of Clinical Specular Microscope in corneal transplantation centres.
- It was notified under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.
- The amendment aims to expand access to corneal transplantation in rural and semi-urban areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
The amendment under THOTA, 1994 removes mandatory equipment requirements, supporting equitable access and improving availability of corneal transplant services across India.
Sources: The Hindu
Relevance: GS Paper III
Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
Tuberculosis (TB), Pulmonary TB, Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY)
For Mains:
India’s 21% TB incidence reduction: significance, Challenges in TB elimination: MDR-TB, nutrition, private sector integration, Governance reforms for TB-Free India by 2025Why in News?
The WHO Global TB Report 2025 shows that India’s TB incidence has declined by 21% between 2015 and 2024 — from 237/lakh to 187/lakh, almost double the global decline (12%). It is one of the highest reductions among high-burden countries.
1. What is TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious airborne disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It usually affects the lungs, but can also impact other organs such as the brain, bones, kidneys, and lymph nodes.
2. How TB Spreads
TB spreads through the air when an infected person with lung TB coughs, sneezes, talks, or spits, releasing infectious droplets.Even inhaling a few bacteria can cause infection.
TB is preventable and curable with proper treatment.
3. Types of TB
(A) Pulmonary TB
- Affects the lungs.
- Most common and highly contagious.
- Spreads through infected airborne droplets.
(B) Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB)
- Occurs outside the lungs.
- May affect the lymph nodes, bones, brain, kidneys, or pleura.
- Less contagious and usually spreads within the body.
Key Findings of the Recent WHO Report
1.TB Incidence Decline: 21% Reduction
- 2015: 237 cases per lakh
- 2024: 187 cases per lakh
- Overall decline: 21%, compared to global decline of 12%
This sharp fall is described as one of the highest incidence reductions among high-TB-burden countries.
2. Major Factors Behind India’s Progress
The Ministry attributes the decline to:
a) Innovative Case-Finding Approaches
- Active surveillance
- Targeted screening of high-risk groups
b) Uptake of Newer Technologies
- Adoption of modern diagnostic tools
- Improved reporting systems
c) Decentralisation of TB Services
- Easier access at district and sub-district levels
d) Community Mobilisation
- Volunteers and community health workers helped raise awareness and trace cases
Impact:
Treatment coverage increased from 53% in 2015 to over 92% in 2024.
In 2024:
- 26.18 lakh patients were diagnosed
- Out of an estimated 27 lakh TB cases
3. Reduction in “Missing Cases”
“Missing cases” refer to people who have TB but are not reported to the national programme.
- 2015: 15 lakh missing cases
- 2024: Less than 1 lakh
This signifies:
- Stronger surveillance
- Better integration of private sector reporting
- Wider screening coverage
4. Stable MDR-TB Situation
The report highlights no significant rise in the number of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients in India.
- Indicates controlled drug resistance
- Reflects improved treatment adherence and drug quality assurance
5. Rising Treatment Success Rate
Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, India achieved:
- 90% treatment success rate, higher than the global rate of 88%
This improvement is attributed to:
- Timely treatment initiation
- Strong follow-up mechanisms
- Community-based support
6. Decline in TB Mortality
India’s TB-related deaths have also declined:
- 2015: 28 deaths per lakh
- 2024: 21 deaths per lakh
A clear indicator of:
- Better diagnosis
- Stronger treatment outcomes
- Reduced catastrophic delays in care
Major National Initiatives Under India’s TB Elimination Strategy
1. Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA)
- Mobilises community and corporate support for nutrition and diagnostics.
- Largest global crowdsourced nutrition initiative for TB patients.
2. Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY)
- Nutritional assistance of ₹1,000/month (₹3,000–₹6,000 per patient).
- EDNS supplements for underweight patients (BMI <18.5).
- Over ₹3,202 crore disbursed to 1.13 crore beneficiaries.
3. Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative
- Individuals/NGOs/corporates adopt TB patients for six months.
- Support extended to household contacts to reduce infection risk.
- 2.59 lakh Mitras and 1.18 crore commitments fulfilled (2025).
4. Ni-kshay Portal
- India’s digital TB surveillance and patient management system.
- Enables case registration, DBT tracking, diagnostics, drug management, and adherence monitoring.
Tuberculosis (TB):
- Causative Agent & Transmission
- Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Primarily affects lungs (pulmonary TB) but can affect any organ.
- Spread occurs through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs/sneezes/spits.
- Very few inhaled germs are enough for infection.
- Global Burden
- 10 million new TB cases annually.
- 1.5 million deaths/year → world’s leading infectious killer.
- TB is the leading cause of death among people with HIV.
- Major contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- Nearly 50% of global TB cases occur in 8 countries:
Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa.
- TB Infection vs TB Disease
Latent TB Infection (LTBI)
- Bacteria remain inactive in the body.
- No symptoms and not infectious.
- About 25% of global population has LTBI.
- Lifetime risk of developing TB disease: 5–10% (higher in HIV, diabetes, malnutrition, tobacco use).
TB Disease
- Active, symptomatic and infectious (pulmonary).
- Common symptoms: prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, chest pain.
- Symptoms often mild initially → delays care → higher transmission.
- Diagnosis
- WHO recommends rapid molecular diagnostic tests as the first-line test.
(e.g., CB-NAAT / GeneXpert). - Other tools: sputum smear microscopy, chest X-ray.
- For extrapulmonary TB: testing of tissue/body fluids.
- LTBI detected via skin test (Mantoux) or blood test (IGRA).
- Treatment
Drug-Sensitive TB
- Treated with 4 antibiotics for 6 months.
- Key drugs: Rifampicin, Isoniazid (plus Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol).
Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB)
- Occurs when bacteria do not respond to first-line drugs.
- Treatment is longer, costlier, more toxic.
- Poor adherence increases risk of MDR-TB.
Support System
- Treatment given under supervision and counselling by trained workers to ensure adherence.
Preventive Treatment
- For TB infection (latent TB):
- Shortened regimens: 1-month or 3-month courses (earlier 6 months).
UPSC PYQ
Q1. Which one of the following antimicrobial drugs is suitable for the treatment of both tuberculosis and leprosy? UPSC/1995
(a) Isoniazid
(b) p-aminosalicylic acid
(c) Streptomycin
(d) Rifampicin
Correct Answer: (d) Rifampicin
CARE MCQ
- Consider the following organs
- Lymph nodes
- Bones
- Brain
- Kidneys
- Pleura
- Lungs
How many of the above can be affected in Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB)?
(a) Only three
(b) Only four
(c) Only five
(d) All six
Correct Answer: (c) Only five
Explanation:
- EPTB affects organs outside the lungs, such as:
✔ Lymph nodes
✔ Bones
✔ Brain
✔ Kidneys
✔ Pleura - Lungs are not part of EPTB (they belong to Pulmonary TB).