16 May 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. The yearly ‘thank you’ to nurses is not enough
Source – (Page 10, The Hindu Editorial, 15 May 2025)
| Topic: GS Paper 2 (Health), GS Paper 4 (Ethics in Public Administration, Leadership) |
| Context |
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Role and Challenges of Nurses in India:
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Nurses make up nearly 47% of India’s health workforce, yet remain underrepresented in leadership and policymaking.
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Their roles are often viewed as subordinate to doctors, limiting their clinical autonomy.
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India has launched Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs (e.g., NP in Midwifery, NP in Critical Care) but implementation has been slow due to lack of legal clarity, defined scope, and regulatory protection.
Policy Gaps and Resistance:
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No clear licensing framework or career pathways for NPs.
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Resistance from parts of the medical community reflects patriarchal and hierarchical biases.
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Lack of national recognition for specialized nursing roles like diabetes educators and stroke nurses.
Global Examples:
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Countries like Australia, the U.S., South Africa, and Thailand have legally empowered nurse-led models.
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These models have proven cost-effective and patient-satisfactory.
Way Forward:
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Urgent legal recognition and regulation of Nurse Practitioners in India.
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Closing substandard nursing colleges and improving nursing education standards.
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Empowering nurses with leadership training and policy engagement.
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Promoting gender equity in healthcare hierarchy and encouraging nurse-led reforms.
| Practice Question: Despite comprising nearly half of the health workforce, nurses in India lack autonomy and leadership roles. Analyze the barriers to empowering nurses and suggest policy measures to integrate them effectively into India’s health governance. GS2 – 15 Marks – 250 Words |
2. Under control: Low inflation offers relief but needs vigilance
Source – (Page 10, The Hindu Editorial, 15 May 2025)
| Topic: GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy, Inflation, Monetary Policy) |
| Context |
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Trends and Drivers:
- Retail inflation driven down by a steep drop in vegetable prices (~11%) and pulses (~5.2%).
- Wholesale inflation contracted even more sharply in food segments (vegetables down 18.26%).
- Base effect from high inflation in 2024 plays a major role in these trends.
Policy Response and RBI’s Role:
- RBI’s interest rate cuts validated by easing inflation.
- Possibility of another rate cut in June likely.
- Liquidity crunch in banks may also be contributing to lower inflation, though it’s not a sustainable driver.
Fuel Pricing and Policy Concerns:
- Despite crude oil inflation dropping to a 22-month low, fuel prices remain unchanged.
- Editorial criticizes the lack of dynamic fuel pricing policy, calling the system a “sham” due to political interference.
Way Forward:
- Inflation control efforts must continue, especially ahead of monsoon season.
- RBI must closely watch GDP data before monetary decisions.
- Transparent and market-driven fuel pricing should be restored.
| Practice Question: Discuss the recent trends in retail and wholesale inflation in India. What are the policy implications of these trends for monetary and fiscal authorities? GS2 – 15 Marks – 250 Words |
3. The paradox of the approach to the Manipur issue
Source – (Page 10, The Hindu Editorial (16 May 2025)
| Topic: GS Paper 2 (Governance, Internal Security, Federalism) |
| Context |
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Neglect of Manipur vs Swift Response to Kashmir:
- While swift action was taken after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Centre has shown limited engagement with Manipur’s prolonged ethnic conflict.
- PM Modi has not visited the State since the crisis began, unlike his proactive response to Kashmir.
Security-First Approach:
- Government’s response framed Manipur conflict through the lens of national security rather than social justice.
- Focus on fencing the India-Myanmar border and revoking the Free Movement Regime has alienated hill communities like Nagas and Kukis.
Underlying Problems:
- Over 6,000 arms looted during violence; lack of recovery shows weak law enforcement.
- Armed valley-based insurgent groups (VBIGs) remain active.
- “Buffer zones” have become informal divisions rather than security barriers.
Way Forward:
- Move beyond optics and political consolidation to true federal engagement.
- Dialogue with all stakeholders, especially Kuki and Meitei groups, is essential.
- Strengthen local governance and restore public trust in state institutions.
| Practice Question: Despite ongoing unrest in Manipur, policy responses appear inadequate and security-focused. Critically examine the Centre’s approach and suggest steps to ensure meaningful federal engagement and conflict resolution. GS2 – 15 Marks – 250 Words |
