Content :
- Under control
- The paradox of the approach to the Manipur issue
- The yearly ‘thank you’ to nurses is not enough
Under control
Context :
- Retail inflation hit a 69-month low in April.
- Wholesale inflation (WPI) also dropped to a 13-month low.
- Both declines are driven mainly by falling vegetable prices and pulses.
Relevance : GS 3(Indian Economy)
Practice Question : Retail and wholesale inflation indices recently recorded historic lows. Discuss the factors behind this moderation in inflation and critically evaluate its implications for monetary policy and fiscal planning in India. (250 words)
Reasons for Inflation Decline
- Vegetables: Prices contracted ~11% YoY, aided by a high base effect (27-30% inflation last year).
- Pulses: Prices fell by 5.2%.
- Wholesale inflation decline was steeper due to:
- Vegetable price contraction of 18.26%, again due to a high base (~12% last April).
- Government measures contributed:
- Building buffer stocks of essentials.
- Open market operations to ease shortages.
- Easing imports during supply constraints.
Additional Contributing Factors
- Liquidity crunch in early 2025:
- Banks had less money to lend.
- Reduced money supply lowered consumer and business spending, dampening inflation.
Implications for Policymakers
- RBI policy stance vindicated:
- Two consecutive interest rate cuts seem justified.
- Likely further rate cut in June by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
- Upcoming GDP data will be a key factor before further rate decisions.
- Oil pricing policy in focus:
- Crude oil inflation at 22-month low in WPI.
- Despite 42% fall in global oil prices over 3 years, fuel prices remain stagnant.
- Urgent need to:
- Cut fuel prices, or
- Officially scrap the “dynamic pricing” policy which lacks transparency.
Caveats and Risks
- Base effect plays a major role — drop may not fully reflect actual price moderation.
- Monsoon dependency:
- Inflation trajectory in coming months will depend on monsoon performance.
- Global trade tensions:
- Tariff uncertainties and India’s retaliatory stance may add pressure on inflation.
Conclusion
- Inflation appears to be under control, benefiting both consumers and policymakers.
- However, sustainability of this trend depends on monsoons, external shocks, and policy follow-through on fuel pricing.
The paradox of the approach to the Manipur issue
Current Situation in Manipur
- The conflict has entered its second year, with over 250 deaths and thousands displaced.
- Despite the humanitarian crisis, the issue remains low on the national political agenda.
- The lack of a high-level visit to Manipur contrasts with quicker responses in other national crises, raising concerns over regional prioritization.
Relevance : GS 3 (Internal Security)
Practice Question : The prolonged conflict in Manipur exposes a paradox in India’s internal security approach. Examine the structural and policy-level failures in managing the crisis. (250 words)
The Response to Manipur Conflict
The response to internal ethnic conflicts like in Manipur has been more measured compared to external security threats. Manipur doesn’t pose a direct national security threat in the way Kashmir does, hence receives less urgency. The state’s crisis is domesticated and ethnic, lacking geopolitical leverage.
Security Approach and Engagement
Government efforts have focused on maintaining law and order, with attention to various community groups. There have been challenges in balancing security operations and protecting democratic norms.
Border Management Strategy
The plan to fence the India-Myanmar border is intended to enhance security but has raised concerns about its impact on cross-border communities and regional cooperation policies.
Disarmament Efforts
Arms surrender initiatives have taken place, though challenges remain in fully accounting for weapons and ammunition. Enforcement of related laws continues to be an area needing focus.
President’s Rule and Governance
The imposition of President’s Rule in February 2025 aimed to stabilize the situation politically and administratively, with further steps needed to ensure lasting peace.
Way Forward
Sustainable peace requires inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders and long-term institution-building. Recognizing diverse perspectives is essential for reconciliation.
Conclusion
Addressing the Manipur crisis calls for balanced security measures coupled with political engagement and development efforts to build trust and peace in the region.
The yearly ‘thank you’ to nurses is not enough
Current Status of Nurses in India
- Underappreciated Role: Despite constituting 47% of the health workforce, nurses remain underrepresented in leadership, policymaking, and autonomous clinical functions.
- Traditional Perceptions: Nurses are still viewed as assistants to doctors, limiting their professional autonomy and recognition.
- Global Contrast: Countries like Australia, UK, USA, South Africa, Brazil have embraced Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in autonomous roles with diagnosing and prescribing powers.
Relevance : GS 2 ( Health, Governance, Social Justice)
Practice Question : Despite the National Health Policy 2017 recognizing their potential, Nurse Practitioners in India continue to face systemic neglect. Examine the structural challenges and suggest reforms to empower nurses as healthcare leaders.(250 words)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Missed Potential in India
- Definition: NPs are advanced registered nurses (often with Master’s level education) with competencies in diagnosis, treatment, and limited prescriptions.
- Policy Recognition: The National Health Policy (2017) identified NPs as key to improving primary care, especially in underserved areas.
- Programmes Launched:
- NP in Critical Care (2017) and Primary Health Care by the INC.
- Midwifery NP Programmes in states like West Bengal, Telangana, Kerala.
- Implementation Gaps:
- Lack of legal clarity on scope of practice, licensure, and titles.
- Programmes exist, but roles remain undefined and unprotected.
- Many advanced nursing roles (e.g. stoma nurses, stroke nurses) lack formal regulatory recognition.
Challenges Facing NP Integration in India
- Legal Ambiguity: No clear framework for licensing, defining scope of practice, or public sector absorption.
- Medical Community Resistance: Fear of losing power results in opposition from doctors.
- Weak Regulatory Support: Curriculum focuses on skills but lacks emphasis on policy, licensure, ethics, and leadership.
- Education Crisis: Proliferation of low-quality nursing colleges, poor faculty, and corruption.
- Gender and Hierarchical Biases: Deep-rooted patriarchal and class hierarchies reinforce nurse subordination.
What India Can Learn from Australia
- Successful NP Model:
- Protected titles and legal backing for NPs.
- Creation of career ladders and licensure systems.
- Promotion of nurse-led care models (e.g., walk-in clinics).
- Key Success Factor: Political and policy space for nursing leadership and advocacy.
Systemic Issues Hindering Nursing Leadership
- Cultural and Gendered Power Dynamics: Nurses, being predominantly women, face systemic undervaluation.
- Policy Exclusion: Weak nursing advocacy leads to exclusion from policy reforms.
- Fragmented Movements: Lack of unified, grassroots nursing movements weakens the collective voice.
Way Forward:
- Legal Reforms:
- Define and recognise NP roles and licensure authority.
- Establish accountability mechanisms and regulatory backing.
- Educational Overhaul:
- Close substandard institutions; enhance faculty training.
- Incorporate policy, ethics, and leadership training in curriculum.
- Career and Financial Incentives:
- Ensure fair pay, career progression, and respect for advanced skills.
- Gender Equity: Address the undervaluation rooted in gendered perceptions.
- Leadership by Nurses:
- Nurses must lead reforms, not just implement them.
- Build alliances and advocacy networks to influence policy from the ground up.
