8 July 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Fostering a commitment to stop maternal deaths

Source: The Hindu, Page 6 , july 8, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 & 3: Governance (Health), Welfare Schemes, Human Development

Context

Despite India’s declining Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), regional disparities persist due to systemic gaps in health services.

Content: 

• MMR Status:

  • Declined to 93 (2019-21) from 103 (2017-19).

  • Southern states like Kerala show low MMR; EAG states remain vulnerable.

• Three Delay Model:

  1. Delay in recognizing complications.

  2. Delay in reaching care.

  3. Delay in receiving care at facilities.

• Challenges:

  • Specialist shortages, inadequate FRUs, lack of blood banks.

  • Malnutrition, anaemia, sepsis, unsafe abortions.

• Best Practices:

  • Kerala’s confidential maternal death review model.

  • ASHA-Auxiliary Nurse network, ambulance services, incentivized institutional deliveries.

• Way Forward:

  • Region-specific strategies.

  • Strengthening infrastructure and timely interventions.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the causes behind the regional disparities in maternal mortality in India. Highlight strategies to improve maternal health outcomes, especially in high-burden states.“ (250 words / 15 marks)

2. Rising seas, shifting lives and a test of democratic values

Source: Page 7, The Hindu, July 8 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3: Environment (Climate Change, Migration), GS2 (Rights of Vulnerable Sections)

Context

Climate change-induced displacement is growing along India’s coasts, raising legal, socio-economic, and ethical questions.

Content:

• Impact:

  • Sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion.

  • Migration to informal urban sectors (construction, domestic work).

• Legal Vacuum:

  • No national law for climate migrants.

  • Existing laws (DMA, EPA, CRZ) are fragmented.

• Case Studies:

  • Satabhaya (Odisha), Ennore (TN), Honnavar (Karnataka).

• Concerns:

  • Rights violations, lack of rehabilitation.

  • Managed retreat without consent.

• Recommendations:

  • Recognize climate migrants in migration & labour policies.

  • Rights-based framework for housing, health, education.

  • Labour protections in high-risk informal sectors.

• Conclusion:

  • Addressing climate displacement is key to democratic and constitutional commitments.

Practice Question:

“Evaluate the impact of climate change-induced displacement on coastal communities in India. Suggest a rights-based framework to address the challenges faced by climate migrants.” (250 words / 15 marks)

3. Batting for Prevention

Source: The Hindu, Page 6, July 8, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 & 3: Health (Public Health, Disaster Preparedness)

Context

Nipah virus resurfaces in Kerala with new infections, highlighting public health vulnerabilities in zoonotic disease management.

Content:

• Outbreak Details:

  • Two new cases; one fatality.

  • 425 contacts under surveillance.

• Threat Profile:

  • Mortality rate 40–75%.

  • Fruit bats are natural reservoirs.

• Challenges:

  • High transmission in critical stages.

  • Lack of specific treatment or vaccine.

• Recommendations:

  • Strengthen One Health approach.

  • Environmental surveillance of bat populations.

  • Early containment, awareness.

• Way Forward:

  • Multisectoral coordination among health, environment, veterinary sectors.

Practice Question:

“What are the challenges India faces in managing zoonotic diseases like Nipah? Explain the role of a ‘One Health’ approach in preventing future outbreaks.” (150 words / 10 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. Fostering a commitment to stop maternal deaths

Source: Page 6, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2 & 3: Health, Human Development

Context

Despite India’s declining Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), regional disparities persist due to systemic gaps in health services.

Analysis of the news:

• India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) as per 2019–21: 93 (per 1 lakh live births).

• Kerala has the lowest MMR: 20; Assam and Madhya Pradesh among the highest.

• Three delays identified in maternal care:

  1. Delay in decision-making

  2. Delay in transportation

  3. Delay in receiving care at facilities

• Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and NHM instrumental in reducing MMR.

• FRUs (First Referral Units) are mandated in each district but suffer from 66% specialist vacancies.

2. Rising seas, shifting lives and a test of democratic values

Source: Page 7, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 3: Environment (Climate Change), GS Paper 2: Governance

Context

Climate change-induced displacement is growing along India’s coasts, raising legal, socio-economic, and ethical questions.

Content 

• India has no dedicated law to deal with climate-induced displacement.

• Rising sea levels, mangrove loss, and CRZ violations are key causes of coastal displacement.

• CRZ Notification 2019 has been criticized for prioritizing tourism and industry over community rights.

• M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (1987) and Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action vs UoI (1996) important environmental judgments cited.

• Odisha’s Satabhaya village cited as example of sea-induced displacement.

• India’s Labour Codes are silent on climate migrants.

Check more: 7 July 2025 : Daily Current Affairs