Mains General Studies Paper II

The National Health Authority released its annual report for 2024-25, revealing that over half of the hospitalisations under the Ayushman Bharat scheme occur in private hospitals, which also account for two-thirds of the total treatment costs. Haemodialysis stands out as the most accessed treatment, highlighting how the scheme is helping people manage chronic conditions like kidney failure without financial ruin, especially as private care dominates utilisation patterns. This development is significant now because it shows the scheme's growing impact on making expensive treatments affordable, while also pointing to the need for better public hospital involvement.

The Supreme Court has relaxed the complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali, permitting the sale and use of green crackers on a trial basis for two days from October 18 to 20, 2025, with specific timings, following requests from the Centre and considering enforcement challenges, to test if regulated use can balance cultural celebrations with air quality protection amid rising pollution concerns.

China has expanded its export controls on rare earth elements and technologies, adding five more elements to its restricted list effective October 9, 2025, amid escalating US-China trade tensions. This move has prompted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to call for support from allies like India against China's actions, potentially accelerating stalled India-US trade negotiations as Indian officials visit Washington this week to address the 50% tariffs imposed on Indian exports due to Russian oil imports, highlighting shared concerns over critical minerals supply chains.

The Trump administration's 50% tariffs imposed in August 2025 led to a 12% sharp decline in India's merchandise exports to the US in September, but overall exports grew 6.74% to $36.38 billion, mainly driven by growth to China and UAE, while a surge in gold, silver, and fertilizer imports pushed the trade deficit to a one-year high of $31.15 billion, highlighting global trade challenges and India's diversification strategy.

US President Donald Trump has hinted at sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine as a way to pressure Russia into ending the war, stating that if the conflict does not settle soon, the US might provide these offensive weapons capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, including Moscow, from Ukrainian positions. This comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Russia warning that such a move would escalate the conflict significantly.

Intense border clashes broke out between Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban along the Durand Line in October 2025, starting with Pakistani strikes inside Afghanistan on October 9 and leading to heavy fighting on October 11-12, with significant casualties on both sides, border closures, and a temporary 48-hour ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Saudi Arabia starting October 15, highlighting deep-rooted mutual suspicions and strategic divergences that threaten regional stability.

China has recently tightened export controls on rare earth technologies and materials, adding more elements to its restricted list amid rising tensions with the US over tariffs. This move has disrupted global supply chains for key technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines, prompting India to plan a national stockpile of rare earth elements to protect its growing needs in clean energy and manufacturing sectors.

The Supreme Court of India, in a significant judgment on October 7, 2025, issued comprehensive directives to enhance pedestrian safety, including mandatory audits of footpaths in major cities and the creation of online grievance portals, in response to the sharp rise in road accident fatalities where pedestrians account for over 20 percent of deaths as per the latest Ministry of Road Transport and Highways report.

A recent modelling study published in the journal Human Reproduction predicts a 10.5% decline in India's twinning rate by 2100 due to falling fertility rates, yet the country will still account for the world's largest share of twin births (23.4%) owing to its massive population size. This has significant public health and demographic implications, as twins face higher mortality risks, and experts are calling for a national twin registry to study environmental factors like pollution alongside genetics, drawing parallels from China's approach to twin research.

China has ramped up its crude oil stockpiling, adding nearly 160 million barrels worth over $10 billion to its reserves in the first nine months of 2025, driven by low global prices and expanding storage capacity. This move, amid ongoing US-China trade tensions and risks of tighter sanctions on key suppliers like Russia and Iran, highlights Beijing's focus on energy security, influencing global oil markets by absorbing excess supply and keeping prices stable.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced significant reforms to make partial withdrawals easier for its over 30 crore members, as approved in the 238th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees on October 13, 2025. These changes merge complex rules into three simple categories, allow up to 100% withdrawal of eligible balance while requiring a 25% minimum contribution balance, and reduce minimum service periods, aiming to enhance financial flexibility without compromising long-term retirement security.

A groundbreaking ceasefire deal in Gaza, mediated by the US at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, has led to the release of all surviving Israeli hostages by Hamas and thousands of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. US President Donald Trump declared it the end of a "long nightmare," India praised his efforts for peace, and the UN highlighted "real progress" in aid delivery. This marks a potential breakthrough after two years of conflict that caused massive casualties and destruction, testing Trump's peace plan for lasting stability in the Middle East amid international optimism.