UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 9th February 2026
Relevance:
GS Paper II – Polity & Governance (Parliamentary Procedures, Accountability, Transparency)
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- PM CARES Fund, Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), National Defence Fund (NDF), Rule 41 of Lok Sabha, Consolidated Fund of India, Public Charitable Trust, Article 12 (Definition of State), RTI Act.
For Mains:
- Transparency vs executive discretion, Parliamentary oversight and accountability, Status of public charitable trusts linked to government, Ethical governance and public fund management.
Why in News?
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) informed the Lok Sabha Secretariat that questions regarding PM CARES Fund, PMNRF, and the National Defence Fund are not admissible under parliamentary rules, as these funds are based on voluntary contributions and are not financed through the Consolidated Fund of India.
About the Three Funds
PM CARES Fund
- Established: March 27, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Nature: Public charitable trust.
- Objective: Provide relief during emergencies and distress situations.
- Balance (2022–23): Approximately ₹6,283.7 crore.
Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)
- Established: 1948 to assist displaced persons after Partition.
- Current Use: Relief for victims of natural disasters, accidents, and riots.
National Defence Fund (NDF)
- Purpose: Welfare of armed forces personnel and dependents.
- Administered by an executive committee chaired by the Prime Minister.
Rules Cited by PMO
The PMO invoked Rule 41(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha:
- Rule 41(2)(viii): Questions cannot relate to matters not primarily the concern of the Government of India.
- Rule 41(2)(xvii): Questions cannot address bodies not primarily accountable to the Government.
Since these funds rely entirely on voluntary donations and are not funded by government revenue, they fall outside routine parliamentary scrutiny.
Government’s Legal Position
- PM CARES is not constituted under the Constitution or any statute.
- It is neither owned nor controlled by the government.
- Therefore, it is not a “public authority” under the RTI Act.
Supreme Court’s View (2020)
- Refused to transfer PM CARES funds to the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
- Held that both funds serve distinct purposes.
- Noted that CAG audit applies to NDRF, while PM CARES, being a charitable trust, does not require such audit.
Key Constitutional and Governance Issues
- Raises debate on parliamentary accountability.
- Tests the boundary between public institutions and private trusts linked to public office.
- Connects to Article 12 discussions on whether such entities qualify as “State.”
Significance
- Clarifies procedural limits of parliamentary questioning.
- Reinforces the legal distinction between government funds and charitable trusts.
- Highlights evolving governance mechanisms during emergencies.
Concerns
- Reduced legislative scrutiny may affect perceptions of transparency.
- Public donations create expectations of accountability.
- Ambiguity over institutional status can trigger legal debates.
Way Forward
- Consider voluntary disclosure standards for high-profile public trusts.
- Strengthen audit transparency without compromising legal structure.
- Clarify regulatory frameworks for quasi-public funds.
- Enhance communication to maintain public trust.
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the NDMA’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Guidelines:
- PM CARES Fund is financed through the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Rule 41 of Lok Sabha restricts questions on matters not primarily the concern of the Government of India.
- The Supreme Court mandated CAG audit of PM CARES Fund.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Incorrect: PM CARES relies on voluntary contributions.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Rule 41 limits admissibility of such questions.
- Statement 3 – Incorrect: CAG audit applies to NDRF, not PM CARES.
Relevance:
GS Paper III (Economy & Science & Technology): Knowledge economy, exports, MSMEs, innovation, soft power
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- AYUSH, National AYUSH Mission (NAM), All India Institute of Ayurveda, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Jamnagar, Bharat-VISTAAR, India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
For Mains:
- Traditional Medicine as Soft Power, Evidence-based Healthcare, Regulatory, Harmonisation, Global Market Access, Medicinal Plant Supply Chain
Why in News?
- The Union Budget 2026–27 significantly enhanced financial allocations for the AYUSH sector.
- The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has eased market access for Indian AYUSH practitioners and products in Europe.
- Together, these developments indicate a policy shift to transform AYUSH from a welfare-oriented domestic health system into a globally competitive economic sector.
Understanding AYUSH in India
- AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
- The sector operates under the Ministry of AYUSH, established in 2014.
- Integration with public healthcare is primarily achieved through the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and co-location of AYUSH services in PHCs, CHCs and district hospitals.
- Institutional support includes:
- Institutes of National Importance (e.g., All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi)
- Research councils such as the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences
- Regulatory bodies like the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine and National Commission for Homoeopathy
- Drug standardisation through the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy
Budgetary Boost to AYUSH (2026–27)
Rising Financial Allocations
- ₹4,408 crore in 2026–27
- ₹3,992 crore in 2025–26
- ₹2,122 crore in 2020–21
This trend reflects a long-term policy commitment to mainstream AYUSH within India’s healthcare and economic framework.
Key Budget Announcements
Three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda
- Envisioned as AIIMS-like centres combining patient care, research and medical education.
Upgradation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Jamnagar
- Positions India as a global leader in setting standards for traditional medicine.
66% increase in funding for the National AYUSH Mission
- Modernisation of hospitals and dispensaries
- Preventive healthcare focus
- Co-location with modern medical facilities
Upgradation of AYUSH pharmacies and drug-testing laboratories
- Addresses quality control and international compliance.
Bharat-VISTAAR (AI-based assistant)
- Supports medicinal plant farmers with real-time guidance on crop quality, market prices and export certification.
India–EU FTA: Expanding Global Access
Professional Mobility
- In EU countries without specific traditional medicine regulations, Indian AYUSH practitioners can practice using Indian qualifications.
Business and Investment Opportunities
- Legal certainty for Indian firms to establish:
- Wellness centres
- Ayurvedic clinics
- Traditional medicine services across all 27 EU member states.
Trade Facilitation
- Mutual recognition of certain laboratory test results and safety certifications.
- Reduces duplication, cost and delays in exporting AYUSH products.
Protection of Traditional Knowledge
- Recognition of India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) helps prevent biopiracy and wrongful patent claims.
Economic and Strategic Significance
- AYUSH sector estimated to be worth $26.5 billion (₹2.3 lakh crore) in 2026.
- Startups and MSMEs contribute nearly 80% of the sector’s value.
- Strengthens:
- Export-led growth
- Rural livelihoods through medicinal plant cultivation
- India’s soft power and health diplomacy.
Concerns and Criticisms
Scientific Validation
- Critics, including the Indian Medical Association, argue many AYUSH therapies lack randomised controlled trials and robust empirical evidence.
Safety Issues
- Reports of heavy metals (lead, mercury) in some formulations have triggered international health advisories.
Mixopathy Debate
- Blurring of boundaries between AYUSH and allopathy, including:
- Surgical training for Ayurveda postgraduates
- Prescription of allopathic medicines
- Has led to protests, legal challenges and concerns over patient safety and antibiotic resistance.
What Does the Boost Mean for AYUSH?
- Signals a shift from:
- Welfare-adjacent healthcare
→ Regulated, standardised, export-oriented industry
- Welfare-adjacent healthcare
- New institutions and regulatory upgrades aim to recast AYUSH as scientific and accountable, not lineage-based.
- Global exposure will increase scrutiny, pushing higher standards of evidence, safety and governance.
Conclusion
The combined impact of enhanced Budget support and expanded EU market access marks a decisive transition for AYUSH. From a primarily domestic cultural health system, AYUSH is being repositioned as a global economic and diplomatic asset. While the reforms promise growth, exports and soft power, they also demand stronger evidence, regulation and accountability. Ultimately, the success of this transformation will depend on India’s ability to balance tradition with science and heritage with global credibility.
CARE MCQ
With reference to the AYUSH system in India, consider the following systems of medicine:
- Allopathy
- Yoga and Naturopathy
- Unani
- Siddha
- Homoeopathy
Which of the above are included under the AYUSH framework of India?
- 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1 and 2 only
Answer: A
Explanation:
- AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
- Allopathy refers to modern Western medicine and is not part of AYUSH.