Current Affairs 01 July 2025

Content :

1. Why the prestige of doctors is eroding
2. Voter verification drive in Bihar: too little time, too many hurdles
3. How do unsafe cancer drugs reach patients?
4. Can a G.I. tag prevent cultural misappropriation?
5. When does the gender gap emerge with respect to mathematical abilities?
6. Bihar has consistently fallen behind in registering births, report shows
7. Online, hybrid LL.M. degrees without BCI nod deemed invalid
8. 683 species added to India’s fauna, 433 taxa to its flora during 2024
9. As GST Turns 8, Tax Experts Call for Fuel Inclusion, Fewer Rates
10. Indian economy remains a key driver of global growth: RBI report

Why the prestige of doctors is eroding

Symbolism & Shifting Focus

• July 1st marks National Doctor’s Day in memory of Dr. B.C. Roy.
• However, its symbolic space is shrinking—overshadowed by policy events like GST (2017) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2024).
• This reflects a larger erosion of doctors’ moral authority, public trust, and professional respect.

Relevance : GS 1(Society) ,GS 2(Social Justice )

Epidemiological & Demographic Transitions

• Inspired by Abdel Omran’s theory (1971):
  • Societies evolve from infectious to chronic diseases as they progress economically.
  • This is accompanied by demographic shifts—ageing populations, shrinking families.
• These transitions redefine medicine’s role—from curing acute infections to managing lifelong, complex conditions.

From Ritual to Rational Science

• Historically, healing was spiritual and moral, often tied to religion and rituals.
• Industrial-era breakthroughs (e.g., Pasteur’s germ theory, anaesthesia) gave medicine scientific legitimacy.
• Doctors rose from barbers to respected professionals, seen as miracle workers in the post-Victorian era.

Science to Commerce

• We’re now in Stage 4 & 5 of epidemiological transition:
  • Delayed degenerative diseases, dual disease burden (e.g., diabetes + dengue).
  • Chronic illnesses offer no clear cures, only probabilistic treatments.
• Modern medicine provides risk algorithms and lifestyle prescriptions, not certainties.

Crisis of Expectations

• Medicine now demands lifestyle moderation (e.g., less salt, less screen time).
• This conflicts with consumer culture, making doctors seem like moral police.
• Protocols and statistics have replaced individualised care and certainty.

Doctors as Foot Soldiers in a Healthcare Industry

• Medical innovation is now driven by corporate profit, not scientific curiosity.
• Healthcare is commodified, with doctors acting as intermediaries, not decision-makers.
• Public anger at systemic healthcare failures often lands on doctors, not corporations.

Caught Between Contradictions

• Doctors are expected to deliver miracles amid:
  • Corporate control of cures
  • Rising patient expectations
  • Sociopolitical challenges (e.g., food apps, screen addiction)
• They act as healers, technicians, and scapegoats in a fractured moral landscape.

Conclusion

• The decline in public trust isn’t due to medical failure, but its evolution and overburden.
• Until a new medical revolution emerges, doctors must negotiate uncertainty, balancing clinical expertise with moral diplomacy.

Voter verification drive in Bihar: too little time, too many hurdles

Background & Context

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar, to be extended to all states.
• This revision requires voters not listed in 2003 rolls to prove citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003.
• The move is unprecedented, risking mass disenfranchisement and contradicts ECI’s traditional role of protecting universal adult franchise.

Relevance : GS 2(Elections – Reforms)

Scale of the Exercise

• Voting-age population of Bihar (2024): ~8.08 crore.
• Population aged 40 and under: ~4.76 crore (59%)—must submit proof of citizenship.
• ECI claim: Only 2.94 crore need documentation, assuming 4.96 crore still on rolls from 2003.
• Reality check:
  • 1.1 crore deaths since 2003.
  • 1.76 crore out-migrants, with ~70 lakh likely removed from Bihar rolls.
  • Thus, only ~3.16 crore from 2003 list remain; rest 4.74 crore must submit documents—in line with independent estimates.

Proof of Citizenship: Eligibility Document Issues

• ECI lists 11 types of documents, but majority in Bihar likely lack access to them:
  • Birth certificate: Held by <3%.
  • Passport: ~2.4%.
  • Matriculation certificate: Held by ~45–50%; significant gender gap.
  • Caste certificates: ~16% have it; mostly among SCs/OBCs/STs.
  • Govt. job ID/pension card: <2% of age group.
  • Other documents (NRC, forest rights, land allotment, family register) largely inapplicable to Bihar.

Impact of Document Scarcity

• Matriculation certificate becomes default eligibility—this privileges the educated.
• 2.4–2.6 crore non-matriculates (poor, deprived) may be excluded from voter rolls.
• Risk of shifting from universal adult franchise to “educational franchise”.

Administrative Infeasibility

• Deadline: July 1–31 for document submission; 62 days till August 31 for EROs to complete processing.
• ERO burden: ~1.95 lakh applications per constituency—logistically impossible without massive manpower expansion.
• No mention of assistant EROs on ECI website for Bihar.

Systemic Inequity

• Many people missed in 2003 due to:
  • Lack of birth records, education, or access to government schemes.
  • Structural exclusion of poor and deprived castes/classes.
• Now penalised for state’s historical failure to provide documentation—violating constitutional spirit.

Aadhaar Paradox

• Aadhaar held by ~90% of Bihar’s population, yet not accepted by ECI.
• If OBC/SC/ST certificates rely on Aadhaar, why exclude it for proving citizenship?
• Denial of Aadhaar as ID raises suspicion about ECI’s intent or trust in its own issued voter cards.

Conclusion

• The revision may disenfranchise crores, especially the poor, uneducated, and marginalised.
• Even with document list expansion, the timeline and administrative overload render it impractical.
• ECI risks turning a democratic update into a bureaucratic disaster or a tool of voter suppression.

How do unsafe cancer drugs reach patients?

Key Concern: Substandard Cancer Drugs Distributed Globally

• A major investigation has revealed that poor-quality cancer drugs have been exported to over 100 countries.
• Such drugs, if contaminated or improperly manufactured, can cause immediate harm or death.
• Several high-profile incidents in Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Yemen, and Brazil have already resulted in child deaths and illnesses due to such drugs.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Governance)

Manufacturing Risks

• Sterility and contamination control are critical—tiny errors in cleanliness, equipment hygiene, or raw material testing can render a drug dangerous.
• Even small environmental changes (e.g., room airflow, temperature) during production can lead to contamination.
• Staff discipline and facility design play a major role; e.g., even a technician’s movement can affect air quality in sterile zones.

Global Drug Quality Assurance Mechanisms

1. Double quality checks: For countries like the UK, drugs are tested at both the production site and upon import.
2. WHO tools to ensure drug quality:
   1. Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT): Rates regulatory systems (1 to 4). In 2023, 70% of countries were Level 1 or 2 (low capacity).
   1. Essential Medicines List (EML): Prioritizes critical drugs, though generics can still be substandard.
   1. Prequalification Programs: WHO-reviewed lists of safe drugs, ingredients, and labs.
   1. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Ensures products meet quality standards—mandatory for many importing countries.
   1. Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP): A “passport” that verifies the medicine’s approval and safe manufacture.

Challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)

• Many LMICs lack:
  • Qualified experts or labs for drug testing.
  • Resources to trace drugs through the supply chain.
  • Effective border control and monitoring systems.
• Example: Nepal has no system for testing or monitoring imported medicines.
• These systemic gaps allow dangerous or fake drugs to infiltrate healthcare systems.

Limitations of WHO Rapid Alert System

• WHO does maintain a rapid alert system for dangerous drugs.
• But this is reactive—alerts go out only after harm is reported, not preemptively.

Consequences of Poor Drug Quality

• Substandard drugs can:
  • Fail to treat the disease.
  • Cause adverse effects or death.
  • Undermine trust in public healthcare.
• Especially dangerous in cancer treatment, where accuracy, sterility, and dosage are life-critical.

Conclusion

• While global mechanisms like GMP and WHO programs offer some protection, they are insufficient without national-level capacity.
• Ensuring drug safety requires strong local regulatory systems, cross-border cooperation, and greater transparency in pharmaceutical supply chains.

Can a G.I. tag prevent cultural misappropriation?

What is a Geographical Indication (GI)?

• A GI is a type of intellectual property that identifies goods as originating from a specific location (country, region, or locality).
• The distinctive quality, reputation, or characteristics of the product must be essentially linked to that place.
• In India, GIs are public property, collectively held by producer communities—not assignable or transferable like trademarks.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance)

Legal Framework

• India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, in force since 2003.
• India is also a signatory to the TRIPS Agreement (1995) under the WTO.
• GI law allows:
  • Registration and enforcement of GI rights.
  • Penalties for infringement.
  • Injunctions against unauthorized users misleading the public or indulging in unfair competition.

Current Indian GI Landscape

• 658 registered GI-tagged goods in India (as of now).
• Examples:
  • Darjeeling tea (West Bengal)
  • Pashmina shawls (J&K)
  • Kolhapuri chappals (Maharashtra/Karnataka)
  • Madhubani paintings (Bihar)
  • Chanderi sarees (Madhya Pradesh)

Significance of GIs

• Boost rural development, exports, and local economy.
• Preserve cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.
• Improve consumer trust through certified authenticity.

Cultural Misappropriation & Global Exploitation

• Indian traditional products have faced repeated misuse by global corporations:
  • Basmati rice: Ricetec (USA) was granted a patent in 1997; later revoked.
  • Turmeric: US patent granted for known wound-healing use (1995); revoked after Indian challenge.
  • Neem: European patent for antifungal use overturned as it existed in Indian knowledge systems.
• Recent example: Prada’s 2026 Milan show featured footwear inspired by GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals, raising accusations of misappropriation.

Limits of GI Protection

• GI rights are territorial—valid only in the country that granted them.
• There’s no automatic global or universal GI protection.
• To secure cross-border protection, one must:
  • Register the GI in the country of origin.
  • Then apply for protection in other jurisdictions individually.

Mechanisms to Tackle Infringement

• Registered proprietors or authorized users can:
  • Initiate legal action against misleading use.
  • Act against false origin claims or passing off.
• However, effectiveness depends on domestic enforcement capacity.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Misuse?

• Expand the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to include grassroots cultural expressions.
• Develop a searchable database of GI-tagged products and communities.
• Encourage due diligence by global brands to promote collaboration instead of exploitation.

Conclusion

• GI laws help protect local producers and traditional knowledge, but territorial limits make international enforcement difficult.
• Without broader recognition, Indian communities remain vulnerable to misuse, commodification, and cultural theft by powerful foreign entities.
• A proactive global framework and digital transparency can help bridge this gap

When does the gender gap emerge with respect to mathematical abilities?

Key Finding: Gender Gap in Maths Emerges Early

• Boys and girls start school with similar math abilities.
• However, within the first few months of formal schooling, a maths performance gap favoring boys appears.
• By the second year, boys are twice as likely as girls to be in the top 5% of maths performers.

Relevance : GS 1(Society ) ,GS 2(Social Issues)

Scope and Strength of the Study

• Study analysed 26.53 lakh children aged 5–7 in France, across four consecutive cohorts (2018–2022).
• Used EvalAide, a national test for language and maths in Grades 1 and 2.
• Found the gap consistently across:
  • Different regions
  • Socioeconomic groups
  • School types (public/private)
  • Family structures

Explanations & Patterns Observed

• No initial gap in kindergarten — gap emerges after school begins, not due to inherent ability differences.
• Higher-income families showed a wider gender gap, especially where both parents worked in STEM.
• Language scores showed no such gender bias, indicating the issue is math-specific.

Why Does the Gap Emerge?

1. Stereotypes & Labelling:
   1. Maths gets explicitly labelled as a domain by early primary school.
   1. Gender stereotypes like “boys are better at maths” may begin to take hold.
   1. Girls may start internalising low self-confidence in maths.

• Classroom Dynamics:
  • Teachers may encourage boys more in problem-solving, and girls more in reading.
  • Bias in attention and encouragement affects student self-perception.

• Competitive Testing Environments:
  • Timed tests and performance pressure heighten anxiety in girls, reducing performance.
  • Difficult tests widen the gender gap.

• Parental Attitudes:
  • Parents may also unknowingly reinforce gendered beliefs about aptitude and diligence.

Suggested Interventions

1. Improve Teacher Training:
   1. Train teachers to treat boys and girls equally in STEM discussions.
   1. Strengthen teachers’ confidence in teaching maths — especially important since most primary school teachers in France are women.

• Address Student Anxiety:
  • Use self-affirmation tasks and promote an incremental view of intelligence (i.e., abilities can be developed through effort).

• Introduce Role Models:
  • Expose children to both male and female STEM professionals early in schooling.
  • Helps girls identify with success in maths.

• Early & Quick Interventions:
  • Since the gap forms within months, timely policy and curriculum-level changes are vital to prevent its solidification.

Conclusion

• The gender gap in mathematics is not innate but socially constructed early in school life.
• Interventions must begin at the earliest stage of education, focusing on teacher training, stereotype correction, and student empowerment.
• Closing this gap is critical not only for gender equity but also for diversity in STEM innovation and workforce.

Bihar has consistently fallen behind in registering births, report shows

Context: Birth Registration & Electoral Roll Revision (SIR) in Bihar

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar requires voters born after December 2, 2004, to furnish any of 11 documents as proof of citizenship.
• This includes birth certificates, documents from parents, etc.
• Critics argue this process disproportionately impacts the poor and is functionally similar to NRC in effect.

Relevance : GS 1(Society ) , GS 2(Governance)

Poor Birth Registration in Bihar (CRS Data)

• 2000: Only 3.7% of births registered in Bihar vs. 56.2% national average.
• 2004–2005: Bihar’s birth registration rose to 11.5% and 16.9%, respectively.
• 2022: Improved, with 71% of births registered within the legal 21-day window.

CRS vs. SRS (Systemic Gaps)

• CRS (Civil Registration System): Actual registration data.
• SRS (Sample Registration System): Survey-based demographic estimates.
• 2009 report noted a significant gap in estimated vs. registered births in Bihar, UP, and Andhra Pradesh.
• CRS underreporting continues to undermine document-based citizenship verification.

 Consequences for SIR Implementation

• Due to poor historical registration, millions of citizens may lack official proof of birth or parentage.
• Penalizes citizens for failures in state capacity, like issuing timely certificates or maintaining proper records.
• Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are overburdened and under-equipped to scrutinize such volumes of documents.

Criticism and Legal Concerns

• Opposition parties and civil society allege this is NRC through the backdoor.
• Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM): Demanded transparency on criteria used in 2003 SIR and current scrutiny.
• Home Ministry (2023 Amendment): Mandated digital birth certificates from Oct 1, 2023, for school admissions, electoral rolls, etc., further raising barriers for rural and poor populations.

Administrative Feasibility and Risks

• Nearly 5 crore voters in Bihar are being exempted due to presence in the 2003 rolls.
• But over 2.5 crore young voters may now be at risk of disenfranchisement due to lack of valid documentation.
• Medical institutions continue to underreport births despite legal mandates—10% underreporting in 2022.

Key Statistics Summary

Online, hybrid LL.M. degrees without BCI nod deemed invalid

Context :

• BCI Clarification: Any LL.M. or equivalent legal degree offered via online, distance, blended, or hybrid mode without BCI approval is unauthorised.
• Such degrees will not be recognised for professional or academic purposes, including:
  • Judicial service
  • Faculty appointments
  • Research registration (e.g. PhD)
  • Departmental promotions
  • Legal employment (e.g. advocacy)

Relevance : GS 2(Education)

Ban on Online/Hybrid LL.M. Courses

• The Legal Education Rules, 2020 strictly prohibit LL.M. and related legal programmes from being delivered through non-traditional formats (online/distance/hybrid).
• These rules apply irrespective of nomenclature — calling it “executive” or “not equivalent” doesn’t bypass restrictions if LL.M. is used.

Institutions Under Scrutiny

• BCI has issued show-cause notices and is initiating action against institutions offering such unapproved programmes:
  • National Law Institute University (Bhopal)
  • IIT Kharagpur
  • O.P. Jindal Global University (Sonipat)
  • National Law University (Delhi)

On the Use of “LL.M.” Title

• Even where institutions market courses as “executive” or non-traditional, if the protected title “LL.M.” is used in:
  • Advertisements
  • Brochures
  • Prospectuses or communication
    …it is treated as misleading and unauthorised.

Legal Challenges & Current Status

• The Rules of 2020 have been challenged in the Supreme Court.
• However, no stay has been granted — so the Rules remain enforceable.
• The BCI continues to assert its exclusive authority over legal education standards in India.

683 species added to India’s fauna, 433 taxa to its flora during 2024

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Fauna Discoveries

• Total additions to fauna: 683 species
  • 459 new species
  • 224 new records (species found elsewhere, now recorded in India)

• Top states for faunal discoveries:
  • Kerala: 101 (80 new species, 21 new records)
  • Karnataka: 82 (68 new species, 14 new records)
  • Tamil Nadu: 63 (50 new species, 13 new records)
  • Arunachal Pradesh: 72 (42 new species, 30 new records)
  • Meghalaya: 42 (25 new species, 17 new records)
  • West Bengal: 56 (25 new species, 31 new records)
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 43 (14 new species, 29 new records)

• Key faunal highlights:
  • 2 new genera, including Dravidoseps gouensis (reptile)
  • Anguiculus dicaprioi (Colubridae family) — named after Leonardo DiCaprio
  • 37 species of reptiles and 5 amphibians added

Floral Discoveries

• Total additions to flora: 433 taxa
  • 410 new species
  • 23 infraspecific taxa (varieties, subspecies, etc.)

• Top states for floral discoveries:
  • Kerala: 58
  • Maharashtra: 45
  • Uttarakhand: 40

• Flora diversity added:
  • 154 angiosperms (flowering plants)
  • 4 pteridophytes (ferns, etc.)
  • 15 bryophytes (mosses, liverworts)
  • 63 lichens
  • 156 fungi
  • 32 algae
  • 9 microbes

• Notable orchids discovered:
  • Bulbophyllum gopalianum
  • Coelogyne tripurensis
  • Gastrodia indica
  • Gastrodia sikkimensis

Trends & Ecological Significance

• 35% of total discoveries came from biodiversity hotspots: Western Ghats & North-East India.
• India has now documented 56,177 plant species, including:
  • Angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, fungi, lichens, algae.

As GST Turns 8, Tax Experts Call for Fuel Inclusion, Fewer Rates

Achievements So Far

• GST has simplified India’s indirect tax regime by removing inter-State tax variations.
• Unified tax structure has enhanced compliance and transparency.
• Ease of doing business improved due to automated filing and one-nation-one-tax approach.

Relevance : GS 3(Indian Economy -Taxation )

Challenges & Reform Suggestions (GST 2.0)

Include Fuel & Electricity in GST

• Current Status: Petroleum products (petrol, diesel, natural gas) and electricity are kept out of GST.
• Implications:
  • Causes tax cascading (tax on tax) and cash flow issues for sectors like oil, gas, transport, logistics.
  • Inclusion would broaden the tax base and reduce cost burden on industries.

Simplify Rate Structure

• Current Scenario:
  • Five main slabs: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%.
  • Special rates: 0.25%, 1%, and 3% (for gold, silver, etc.).
  • GST Cess: Imposed on luxury and sin goods under 28% slab.

• Issues:
  • Confusing for businesses and consumers.
  • Creates litigation and classification disputes.

• Proposal:
  • Reduce number of slabs for clarity, simplicity, and neutrality.

Streamline Input Tax Credit (ITC)

• Many restrictions and procedural delays affect working capital and business liquidity.
• Experts call for fewer ITC restrictions to ensure smoother credit flow.

Address Procedural Complexities

• High-value litigations arising from minor procedural issues.
• Need to simplify compliance, reduce departmental scrutiny, and automate audits.

Strengthen Dispute Resolution

• GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) is still not operational — leads to case backlogs.
• Call for urgent establishment of GSTAT to ensure quick, uniform dispute resolution.

Expert Views

• Bipin Sapra (EY India): Calls for rate rationalisation, ITC reform, GSTAT, and wider tax base.
• Karthik Mani (BDO India): Stresses on resolving litigations and procedural bottlenecks.
• PwC Report: Bats for petroleum inclusion, dispute mechanism, and compliance easing.

Indian economy remains a key driver of global growth: RBI report

Positive Assessment of Indian Economy

• India remains a key global growth driver, despite global uncertainty.
• Growth is driven by:
  • Strong domestic demand
  • Sound macroeconomic fundamentals
  • Prudent fiscal and monetary policies
• Inflation outlook is stable and closer to RBI’s target range, boosting confidence in price stability.

Relevance : GS 3(Indian Economy )

Strength of Financial System

• Banking and NBFC sectors are robust, with:
  • Strong capital buffers
  • Low Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
  • High profitability
• Stress tests show banks and NBFCs can withstand adverse shocks and still remain above regulatory capital norms.
• Corporate balance sheets remain healthy, supporting financial system stability.

Financial Market Conditions

• Monetary policy remains accommodative.
• Volatility in financial markets is low, aiding stability.
• Corporate sector and financial institutions are showing improved balance sheets and resilience.

Key Risks & Challenges

• External Risks:
  • Geopolitical tensions
  • Capital outflows
  • Global trade slowdowns due to reciprocal tariffs
• Weather-related disruptions could pose a downside risk to growth.
• Rising global public debt is flagged as a major concern, especially amidst global economic uncertainty.

Conclusion

• India’s macroeconomic and financial indicators are resilient and stable.
• Continued policy prudence and monitoring of global headwinds will be critical for sustaining this momentum.