School Mental Health Program

Mains Syllabus: GS II - Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Why in the News?

India finds itself at a critical juncture concerning mental health, with the most recent surveys and studies painting a stark picture.

What is the status of mental health issues faced by students?

• National Mental Health Data - Approximately 10.6% of the population has grappled with mental health issues at some point, with 13.7% currently affected as of then, as per National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016.

National Mental Health Survey (NMHS 1) was conducted in 2015-16 in 12 states and preparations for NMHS 2 are underway.

• Mental Health Issues of Children- 27% of children and adolescents experienced depression, 26% had anxiety disorders, 7% exhibited hyperactivity.
• 9%, 19%, and 15% experienced emotional, conduct, and peer problems, respectively.
• Student Suicide Rate – It is standing at alarmingly high rate of 7.6% as per National Crime Record Bureau (2022).
• Increase in Student Suicides - There has been a staggering 32% increase in student suicides from 2017 to 2022.
• Internet Addiction -  A study published in General Psychiatry (2021) found that internet addiction among students in 19 states of India ranges from 19.9% to 40.7%.
• This high prevalence highlights the growing issue of internet dependency among young people in the country.
• Behavioural Addictions – There is excessive use of social media, video games, online pornography, and mobile phones among Indian youth.

What are the impacts of these mental health issues?

• Poor Academic Performance - Difficulty concentrating, decreased motivation, and impaired cognitive function can lead to lower grades, increased stress, and potential academic setbacks.
• Sleep Disturbances – Internet addiction, excessive use of social media and dooms scrolling affect sleeping patterns, cycle and quality of sleep.
• Emotional Dysregulation – These addictions causes can increased reactivity, irritability, and impulsivity, impacting relationships, including family interactions.
• Familial Conflict - Mental health issues can strain relationships with family members, leading to increased tension, arguments, and a breakdown in communication.

What are the challenges in addressing mental health issues?

• Non-recognition - Mental health conditions are often not identified or addressed promptly, leading to prolonged suffering and potential worsening of symptoms.
• Inadequate Health Services - Only 29% of individuals with psychiatric disorders receive treatment, leaving 71% untreated, National Mental Health Survey.
• This gap underscores the mismatch between demand and supply in mental health services.
• Stigma - The stigma associated with mental illness prevents individuals from seeking help due to fear of judgment, discrimination, or social exclusion.
• Lack of awareness - Limited knowledge about mental health conditions, their symptoms, and available treatments hinders early identification and appropriate intervention.
• Insufficient Mental Health Education - Mental health is often treated as a separate issue from general health, leading to a lack of integration into school curricula and discussions.
• This can result in missed opportunities to educate students about mental well-being and provide support.

What are the significances of school mental health programs?

• Vital Role - The World Mental Health Report (2022), WHO, emphasises the vital role of schools in addressing mental health issues through education, supportive environments, and collaboration with health services.
• Promoting Mental Health Awareness - World Health Organization’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030, emphasise the pivotal role of schools in promoting mental health awareness and supporting adolescents.
• Promoting Mental Well-Being - School programs can teach students how to manage stress, build resilience, and develop positive coping mechanisms.
• Preventing Mental Illnesses - Early intervention through school programs can help identify and address mental health concerns before they escalate into more serious conditions.
• Reducing Stigma - Mental health programs can educate students, staff, and families about mental health conditions, challenging misconceptions and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.
• Creating Inclusive Environment - Open discussions and positive messaging can create a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
• Enhancing Community Mental Health- When schools prioritize mental health, they contribute to a healthier community overall.

What are the key strategies in implementation of school mental health program?

• Integrating Mental Health and Education Services - Given India’s vast student population, integrating digital mental health services like the nationwide helpline Tele-MANAS (1-800-891-4416) in educational institutions is essential.
• Establishing an Advisory Board -  A Mental Health Advisory Board (MHAB) comprising trained teachers under institutional leadership can facilitate structured mental health initiatives.
• Mental Health Orientations - Schools can conduct mental health orientations for teachers and students, fostering resilience through workshops and peer support.
• Reducing Exam Pressure - Providing structured psychological support before, during, and after exams can help students manage anxiety and distress.
• Fostering Stress-free Communications - Parents and teachers can adopt such strategies to foster a positive environment, emphasising that education is just one aspect of personal growth and development.
• Awareness Creation - Institutions can promote helplines such as Tele-MANAS and others to ensure students seek timely support.
• Since media plays a vital role, weekly editions of educative, informative and skill-building editorials, along with dedicated sections in local language newspapers can be published.
• Embedding Mental Health Initiatives in Education – It will foster student well-being, resilience and academic success, creating a more inclusive learning environment.
• Capacity Building at Grassroot Level - District mental health teams can train ASHA and Anganwadi workers in illness identification, psychological first aid for children and mothers and referral to advanced mental health services if needed.
• Mental Health Audit - To prioritise mental health in education, mental health audits can be included in the accreditation process of educational institutions from primary to higher education.

What lies ahead?

• To bridge the gaps in mental health services , policy-makers need to focus on community-based services and school mental health initiatives.
• Urgent investment in mental health is crucial to reduce disparities and address this escalating crisis.
• It is essential for stakeholders, such as governmental bodies, policy-makers, educational institutions, parents, students, media, and researchers, to prioritise mental health care.
• Integrating mental health education, resilience building, and coping skill training into regular school and college activities and school curricula will create a supportive environment for mental wellbeing.
• School-based suicide prevention, early socio-emotional skills development and anti-bullying programmes are essential components of comprehensive mental health strategies.

Reference

The Hindu | School Mental Health Programmes

Delisting of Political Parties

Mains Syllabus: GS II - Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Why in the News?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated steps to de-list 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).

What are registered parties?

• Registered Unrecognised Political Parties – These are political entities registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, but have not yet qualified for recognition as either State or National parties.

The right to form an association is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution to all citizens.

• Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act)– It  lays down the requirements for registration of a political party with the ECI.
• Registration Process - Any political party that seeks registration should submit a copy of its memorandum/constitution within 30 days of its formation.
• Oath - The party shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India and its’ principles of socialism, secularism and democracy, and uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
• ECI Verification - The ECI reviews the memorandum/constitution of the political party to verify that it contains provisions for internal democracy like periodic elections for its office bearers.
• The ECI thereafter registers them as Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP).
• Benefits for RUPP - Tax exemption for donations received under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• A common symbol for contesting general elections to the Lok Sabha/State Assemblies and 20 ‘star campaigners’ during election campaigns.
• Donation Conditions - The RUPPs under the Income Tax Act, 1961, are further required to accept donations in excess of ₹2000 only through cheque or bank transfers.
• RUPPs are required to maintain the details of individual donors who have donated above ₹20,000 in a financial year and submit these details to the ECI every year.
• Failure to furnish these details will result in losing income tax exemption.

What are the issues with inactive RUPPs?

• Letter Pad Parties - As per ECI notification, there are more than 2,800 RUPPs in India as of May 2025 and Only around 750 of them contested the 2024 general elections.
• Tax Evasion – These inactive RUPPs misuse the income tax exemptions for tax evasion and money laundering
• Financial Fraud - Some inactive RUPPs are suspected of operating as shell companies or vehicles for illicit financial transactions.
• Investigations have revealed instances where large sums of money are routed through these parties, often without proper accounting or transparency.
• Disrupting the Electoral Process - There have been cases where RUPPs field dummy candidates in elections, only to demand money from recognized parties to withdraw their nominations.
• Resource Misallocation - Resources that could be utilized for genuine electoral reforms and voter education might be diverted to deal with the issues arising from inactive parties.

How are RUPP’s delisted?

• Lack of De-register Power for ECI - The RP Act does not confer explicit powers on the ECI to de-register any political party if it fails to contest elections, conduct inner-party elections or lodge requisite returns.
• The Supreme Court in Indian National Congress versus Institute of Social Welfare & Ors (2002) had held that the ECI does not have the power to de-register any political party under the RP Act.
• De-register under Exceptional Circumstances - ECI may de-register RUPP only under exceptional circumstances such as
  • Registration being obtained by fraud
  • The political party ceasing to have allegiance to the Indian Constitution
  • If it is declared unlawful by the Government
  • If they were found to be ‘non-existent’ at their address even after notices from the ECI
• Publication of De-lists - The ECI from time to time publishes the list of de-listed and inactive RUPPs.

The notification of March 2024 (as amended till May 2025), contains the list of 281 de-listed and 217 inactive RUPPs.

• Inactive Parties - Political parties that have not updated the material changes including the list of office bearers since 2014 have been classified as ‘inactive’.
• Impact of Delisting - These parties are denied the benefit of putting up candidates with a common symbol in an election and made ineligible for tax exemptions.

What are the challenges for ECI in managing political parties?

• Inadequate Authority – ECI lacks adequate power to issues directions to political parties and de-registering them for violations.
• Non-compliance with Financial Disclosures - Many RUPPs fail to file mandatory financial disclosures, such as contribution reports and annual audit accounts, making it difficult to track their funding sources and expenditure.
• Difficulty in Monitoring - It is challenging for ECI to effectively monitor thousands of RUPPs, especially when many don't have traceable offices or active operations.
• Ensuring Accoutability - With a large number of inactive parties, it becomes challenging for the ECI to monitor and ensure accountability, leading to a less transparent political landscape.
• Record Management - Managing and maintaining records for a massive number of RUPPs, many of which are inactive, creates an unnecessary administrative burden on the ECI.
• Overburdening of ECI - Managing and maintaining records for a massive number of RUPPs, many of which are inactive, creates an unnecessary administrative burden on the ECI.

What lies ahead?

• The Law Commission in its 255th report (2015) had recommended amendments for de-registration of a political party if it fails to contest elections for 10 consecutive years.
• The ECI in its memorandum for electoral reforms (2016) had also suggested amendment to the RP Act that would empower it to de-register a party.
• As suggested by the Law Commission in its 170th and 255th report, the RP Act can be suitably amended to contain specific provisions for ensuring internal democracy in political parties.
• Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System (PPRTMS) can be promoted for greater transparency.

References

The Hindu | ECI de-listing political parties

Kolhapuri chappal

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

The Italian luxury fashion house Prada stirred up controversy when its models launched the men’s spring-summer 2026 collection wearing leather slippers strikingly similar to Kolhapuri chappals.

• The recent issue - Kolhapuri chappals have a geographical indication (GI) tag that certifies how a product originates from a specific geographical area and possesses qualities or a reputation due to that origin.
• A GI tag helps preserve traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and the livelihoods of its local practitioners.

The Kolhapuri chappals received GI designation on December 11, 2018, granted to four districts each in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

• Although Prada doesn’t call the footwear Kolhapuri or credit their origin as an inspiration for their line, it is reported to be selling them at many times the price for which one can typically buy a pair in India.
• The manufacturers of Kolhapuri chappals are reportedly planning to move court against Prada’s allegedly unethical business practice.
• The chappal makers argue that the design of Prada’s footwear amounts to cultural appropriation, and a violation of the GI tag because it is too close to the original Kolhapuri.

Cultural appropriation refers to the practice of a designer or fashion house taking elements from another culture and incorporating them into their work, often claiming they were acting unknowingly.

• GI Tag and its Protection
• Geographical Origin Link - The product must originate from a specific place and its quality, reputation, or characteristics must be essentially attributable to that geographical origin.
• Defined Production Standards - Detailed production methods, materials and quality benchmarks must be specified in the application.
• Registered Proprietors & Authorized Users - Only those entities (for example, producer groups, associations, or cooperative societies) that are registered as authorized users can legally use the GI.
• Prohibition on Transferability - GI tags are non-transferable and cannot be licensed like trademarks.
• Enforcement and Monitoring - Owners and governments are expected to monitor misuse and initiate legal action against counterfeiting or false usage.
• No Generic Term Usage - A GI should not be or become a generic name for a product.
• Challenges to protect traditional crafts - Protecting traditional crafts is difficult because the intellectual property (IP) systems that exist today were designed for individual innovation, not collective heritage.
• IP protections and systems require a known, identifiable creator or inventor.
• Traditional crafts are usually created collectively by a community over time.
• Traditional crafts are ancient, widely known, and already in the public domain, so they fail the novelty test.
• Many traditional crafts are passed down orally, without records, drawings, or technical details.
• IP systems rely heavily on documentation to verify and protect rights.
• Most IP protections, except trademarks, have a smaller life of protection, whereas traditional crafts need perpetual protection, which is incompatible with such limits.

Reference

The Indian Express | Kolhapuri chappal

Operation Deep Manifest

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seizes Pakistani-origin goods worth Rs 9 crore under ‘Operation Deep Manifest’

• Operation deep manifest – It is a targeted enforcement operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
• Aim – To intercept and seize illicit Pakistani-origin goods being routed into India via third countries, mainly the UAE.
• Reason for the operation – India imposed a complete ban on direct and indirect import/transit of Pakistani-origin goods after the Pahalgam terror attacks.
• The ban came into effect on May 2, 2025, replacing the earlier 200% customs duty on Pakistani goods.
• The operation enforces this zero-tolerance policy on economic ties with Pakistan.
• Key seizure details – 39 containers seized at Nhava Sheva port contained 1,115 metric tonnes of goods of total estimated value of Rs 9 crore.
• The goods were dry dates falsely declared as UAE-origin but traced back to Karachi, Pakistan, via Dubai.
• Modus operandi – Importers mis declared the origin of goods who were using Jabel Ali port as a transhipment point for Pakistani-origin goods attempting to enter India under false declaration.

Jebel Ali Port is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the largest port in the Middle East and one of the world’s busiest ports.

• Manipulated in shipping documents and financial trails linked to Pakistani entities were detected, indicating illicit financial flows.
• Significance – It is the part of DRI's enhanced enforcement drive after Operation Sindoor.
• DRI is employing data analytics and intelligence gathering to monitor suspect consignments.
• It reflects India’s commitment to economic and national security, especially in the context of regional threats.

Reference

DD News| Pakistani-origin goods seized under ‘Operation Deep Manifest

SPREE Scheme

Prelims : Polity and governance | Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the relaunch of SPREE Scheme in the 196^th ESIC meeting in Shimla.

• SPREE – Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees
• Launched in – Originally launched in 2016 by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
• Aim – It aims to bring unregistered employers and left-out workers under the ESI Act.
• Relaunch – Part of a broader ESIC drive to improve compliance, expand coverage, and reduce litigation.
• Relaunch period – July 1 to December 31, 2025.
• Beneficiaries – Unregistered employers and informal sector workers, including,
  • Temporary staff
  • Contractual employees
• Those enrolling during the window are considered covered from their stated or actual registration date.

Other Major ESIC Decisions

• Amnesty scheme 2025 – It is a limited-time opportunity that offers employers an opportunity to settle long-standing disputes and avoid litigation.
• It is active from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
• It includes cases involving interest and damages.
• Regional Directors empowered to withdraw cases where dues are cleared.
• Job loss claims relaxation – ESIC Director General can grant relaxations for late claims under the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana.

The Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) is an unemployment allowance scheme launched by the ESIC in 2005.

• Revised AYUSH Policy – Integration of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into ESI hospitals.
• Healthcare in underserved areas – Pilot project to partner with charitable hospitals in remote districts.

Reference

The Times of India| ESIC on Friday relaunched the SPREE scheme

Synthetic Human Genome Project

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science and technology

Why in news?

Recently a UK-based laboratory started Synthetic Human Genome Project initiative to construct human DNA from scratch.

• Synthetic Human Genome Project – It is considered a world-first project in synthetic human DNA construction.
• Initiative by – It is led by researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge.
• Aim – It aims to assemble artificial chromosomes in the lab.
• Objectives – To explore how genes govern repair, development, and illness.
• To enable the creation of disease-resistant cells that can help regenerate damaged organs like the heart, liver, and immune system.
• Funding – It is backed by an initial grant of £10 million from the Wellcome Trust, the world's largest medical charity.
• Relevance on Human Genome Project – The Synthetic Human Genome Project builds directly on the Human Genome Project achievements.
• While the Human Genome Project focused on reading existing DNA, the synthetic project aims to construct human DNA from scratch, including artificial chromosomes.
• Potential benefits – It could revolutionise treatment for genetic disorders and age-related diseases.
• It opens the possibility of new therapies to improve health and longevity.
• It could lead to breakthroughs in creating disease-resistant cells for repairing organs like the heart, liver, and immune system.
• Ethical concerns and risks – Fears of creating designer humans or synthetic life with unforeseen consequences.
• Risk of misuse for harmful purposes, including biological warfare.
• Concerns about who controls and regulates synthetic human DNA technology.
• Ethical oversight mechanism – A parallel mechanism is established, which involves sociologists, ethicists, and public consultations to understand public perceptions, benefits, and concerns.

Reference

The Indian Express| Synthetic Human Genome Project

Revised Guidelines for Waste-to-Energy Projects

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment

Why in news?

Recently the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued the Revised Guidelines under the National Bioenergy Programme.

• National Bioenergy Programme – It is launched by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Objectives – To promote the use of bioenergy technologies for clean energy generation.
• It supports efficient use of biomass, biogas and industrial/agricultural waste for energy production.
• It contributes to India’s Net-Zero Emissions target by 2070.
• Sub schemes – It includes sub-schemes for:
  • Waste to Energy (WtE)
  • Biogas Programme
  • Biomass Programme
• Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Project – It facilities to convert urban, industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste into useful energy such as biogas, compressed biogas (CBG), or electricity.

Revised Guidelines

• MNRE announced to make the ecosystem efficient, transparent, and performance-driven.
• It focuses on reducing paperwork and easing approval processes.
• Central Financial Assistance (CFA) structure – CFA is now released in two stages,
• 50% on obtaining Consent to Operate from State Pollution Control Board (with bank guarantee).
• Remaining 50% after achieving 80% of rated capacity or maximum eligible capacity.
• Pro-rata CFA – It is available for plants performing between 50-80% of capacity.
• No CFA for plants with less than 50% plant load factor.
• Time flexibility for claiming CFA – Developers can claim CFA within 18 months from the date of commissioning, or date of in-principal CFA approval, whichever is later.

Reference

DD News| Revised Guidelines for Waste-to-Energy Projects

UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelimbits 01-07-2025

Kolhapuri chappal

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

The Italian luxury fashion house Prada stirred up controversy when its models launched the men’s spring-summer 2026 collection wearing leather slippers strikingly similar to Kolhapuri chappals.

• The recent issue - Kolhapuri chappals have a geographical indication (GI) tag that certifies how a product originates from a specific geographical area and possesses qualities or a reputation due to that origin.
• A GI tag helps preserve traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and the livelihoods of its local practitioners.

The Kolhapuri chappals received GI designation on December 11, 2018, granted to four districts each in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

• Although Prada doesn’t call the footwear Kolhapuri or credit their origin as an inspiration for their line, it is reported to be selling them at many times the price for which one can typically buy a pair in India.
• The manufacturers of Kolhapuri chappals are reportedly planning to move court against Prada’s allegedly unethical business practice.
• The chappal makers argue that the design of Prada’s footwear amounts to cultural appropriation, and a violation of the GI tag because it is too close to the original Kolhapuri.

Cultural appropriation refers to the practice of a designer or fashion house taking elements from another culture and incorporating them into their work, often claiming they were acting unknowingly.

• GI Tag and its Protection
• Geographical Origin Link - The product must originate from a specific place and its quality, reputation, or characteristics must be essentially attributable to that geographical origin.
• Defined Production Standards - Detailed production methods, materials and quality benchmarks must be specified in the application.
• Registered Proprietors & Authorized Users - Only those entities (for example, producer groups, associations, or cooperative societies) that are registered as authorized users can legally use the GI.
• Prohibition on Transferability - GI tags are non-transferable and cannot be licensed like trademarks.
• Enforcement and Monitoring - Owners and governments are expected to monitor misuse and initiate legal action against counterfeiting or false usage.
• No Generic Term Usage - A GI should not be or become a generic name for a product.
• Challenges to protect traditional crafts - Protecting traditional crafts is difficult because the intellectual property (IP) systems that exist today were designed for individual innovation, not collective heritage.
• IP protections and systems require a known, identifiable creator or inventor.
• Traditional crafts are usually created collectively by a community over time.
• Traditional crafts are ancient, widely known, and already in the public domain, so they fail the novelty test.
• Many traditional crafts are passed down orally, without records, drawings, or technical details.
• IP systems rely heavily on documentation to verify and protect rights.
• Most IP protections, except trademarks, have a smaller life of protection, whereas traditional crafts need perpetual protection, which is incompatible with such limits.

Reference

The Indian Express | Kolhapuri chappal

Operation Deep Manifest

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seizes Pakistani-origin goods worth Rs 9 crore under ‘Operation Deep Manifest’

• Operation deep manifest – It is a targeted enforcement operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
• Aim – To intercept and seize illicit Pakistani-origin goods being routed into India via third countries, mainly the UAE.
• Reason for the operation – India imposed a complete ban on direct and indirect import/transit of Pakistani-origin goods after the Pahalgam terror attacks.
• The ban came into effect on May 2, 2025, replacing the earlier 200% customs duty on Pakistani goods.
• The operation enforces this zero-tolerance policy on economic ties with Pakistan.
• Key seizure details – 39 containers seized at Nhava Sheva port contained 1,115 metric tonnes of goods of total estimated value of Rs 9 crore.
• The goods were dry dates falsely declared as UAE-origin but traced back to Karachi, Pakistan, via Dubai.
• Modus operandi – Importers mis declared the origin of goods who were using Jabel Ali port as a transhipment point for Pakistani-origin goods attempting to enter India under false declaration.

Jebel Ali Port is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the largest port in the Middle East and one of the world’s busiest ports.

• Manipulated in shipping documents and financial trails linked to Pakistani entities were detected, indicating illicit financial flows.
• Significance – It is the part of DRI's enhanced enforcement drive after Operation Sindoor.
• DRI is employing data analytics and intelligence gathering to monitor suspect consignments.
• It reflects India’s commitment to economic and national security, especially in the context of regional threats.

Reference

DD News| Pakistani-origin goods seized under ‘Operation Deep Manifest

SPREE Scheme

Prelims : Polity and governance | Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the relaunch of SPREE Scheme in the 196^th ESIC meeting in Shimla.

• SPREE – Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees
• Launched in – Originally launched in 2016 by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
• Aim – It aims to bring unregistered employers and left-out workers under the ESI Act.
• Relaunch – Part of a broader ESIC drive to improve compliance, expand coverage, and reduce litigation.
• Relaunch period – July 1 to December 31, 2025.
• Beneficiaries – Unregistered employers and informal sector workers, including,
  • Temporary staff
  • Contractual employees
• Those enrolling during the window are considered covered from their stated or actual registration date.

Other Major ESIC Decisions

• Amnesty scheme 2025 – It is a limited-time opportunity that offers employers an opportunity to settle long-standing disputes and avoid litigation.
• It is active from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
• It includes cases involving interest and damages.
• Regional Directors empowered to withdraw cases where dues are cleared.
• Job loss claims relaxation – ESIC Director General can grant relaxations for late claims under the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana.

The Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) is an unemployment allowance scheme launched by the ESIC in 2005.

• Revised AYUSH Policy – Integration of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into ESI hospitals.
• Healthcare in underserved areas – Pilot project to partner with charitable hospitals in remote districts.

Reference

The Times of India| ESIC on Friday relaunched the SPREE scheme

Synthetic Human Genome Project

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science and technology

Why in news?

Recently a UK-based laboratory started Synthetic Human Genome Project initiative to construct human DNA from scratch.

• Synthetic Human Genome Project – It is considered a world-first project in synthetic human DNA construction.
• Initiative by – It is led by researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge.
• Aim – It aims to assemble artificial chromosomes in the lab.
• Objectives – To explore how genes govern repair, development, and illness.
• To enable the creation of disease-resistant cells that can help regenerate damaged organs like the heart, liver, and immune system.
• Funding – It is backed by an initial grant of £10 million from the Wellcome Trust, the world's largest medical charity.
• Relevance on Human Genome Project – The Synthetic Human Genome Project builds directly on the Human Genome Project achievements.
• While the Human Genome Project focused on reading existing DNA, the synthetic project aims to construct human DNA from scratch, including artificial chromosomes.
• Potential benefits – It could revolutionise treatment for genetic disorders and age-related diseases.
• It opens the possibility of new therapies to improve health and longevity.
• It could lead to breakthroughs in creating disease-resistant cells for repairing organs like the heart, liver, and immune system.
• Ethical concerns and risks – Fears of creating designer humans or synthetic life with unforeseen consequences.
• Risk of misuse for harmful purposes, including biological warfare.
• Concerns about who controls and regulates synthetic human DNA technology.
• Ethical oversight mechanism – A parallel mechanism is established, which involves sociologists, ethicists, and public consultations to understand public perceptions, benefits, and concerns.

Reference

The Indian Express| Synthetic Human Genome Project

Revised Guidelines for Waste-to-Energy Projects

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment

Why in news?

Recently the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued the Revised Guidelines under the National Bioenergy Programme.

• National Bioenergy Programme – It is launched by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Objectives – To promote the use of bioenergy technologies for clean energy generation.
• It supports efficient use of biomass, biogas and industrial/agricultural waste for energy production.
• It contributes to India’s Net-Zero Emissions target by 2070.
• Sub schemes – It includes sub-schemes for:
  • Waste to Energy (WtE)
  • Biogas Programme
  • Biomass Programme
• Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Project – It facilities to convert urban, industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste into useful energy such as biogas, compressed biogas (CBG), or electricity.

Revised Guidelines

• MNRE announced to make the ecosystem efficient, transparent, and performance-driven.
• It focuses on reducing paperwork and easing approval processes.
• Central Financial Assistance (CFA) structure – CFA is now released in two stages,
• 50% on obtaining Consent to Operate from State Pollution Control Board (with bank guarantee).
• Remaining 50% after achieving 80% of rated capacity or maximum eligible capacity.
• Pro-rata CFA – It is available for plants performing between 50-80% of capacity.
• No CFA for plants with less than 50% plant load factor.
• Time flexibility for claiming CFA – Developers can claim CFA within 18 months from the date of commissioning, or date of in-principal CFA approval, whichever is later.

Reference

DD News| Revised Guidelines for Waste-to-Energy Projects