Primus Civil Services Academy

Login / Register
Facebook Instagram Youtube Telegram X-twitter
  • +91 9364908441
  • reachout@primusias.com
Stay connected via Google News
Follow us for the latest travel updates and guides.
Add as preferred source on Google

October 14th Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – October 14th

Table of Contents

India’s Problem of Overtreatment and Overmedication

Why is this issue in the news?

India is facing a growing problem of overtreatment and overmedication, where patients undergo unnecessary medical tests, receive medicines they may not need, or are subjected to treatments that offer little or no additional benefit.

The central concern is that healthcare must not merely involve more tests, medicines and procedures; it must deliver the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. This issue is particularly important because India also faces the opposite problem — many people cannot access essential healthcare and affordable medicines.

What do overtreatment and overmedication mean?

Overtesting and overdiagnosis

Conducting unnecessary investigations or detecting medical conditions that may never cause symptoms or harm during a person’s lifetime.

Overmedication

Prescribing or consuming medicines beyond what is clinically necessary, including unnecessary combinations of drugs.

Overtreatment

Providing procedures, surgery or other interventions when their expected benefits do not justify their risks, costs or burdens.

Example: A healthy person undergoes an unnecessary full-body health check-up. One result appears abnormal despite there being no serious underlying disease. This may lead to repeated tests, anxiety and even invasive procedures.

This illustrates how unnecessary testing can trigger a cascade of medical interventions.

Major causes of overtreatment in India

Commercialisation of healthcare

Some healthcare settings operate on a fee-for-service model, where providers receive payment for individual tests and procedures. This can create incentives to increase the volume of services rather than prioritise their necessity.

Excessive diagnostic testing

Expensive health-check packages and investigations without a clear clinical indication can lead to false-positive results and further unnecessary treatment.

Polypharmacy among older adults

Patients with several chronic conditions may be prescribed multiple medicines by different doctors. Without regular review, this can result in duplication, drug interactions and avoidable side effects.

Defensive medicine

Doctors may order additional tests to minimise the risk of missing a rare diagnosis or facing legal complaints.

Patient expectations and fragmented care

Patients may equate more tests and medicines with better treatment. Multiple specialists treating different conditions without coordinating prescriptions can further increase unnecessary interventions.

These factors interact with gaps in clinical guidelines, regulation and continuity of care.

Consequences of overtreatment

  • Health risks: Unnecessary medicines may cause adverse drug reactions, while invasive investigations can produce complications.
  • Financial burden: Patients face additional diagnostic, consultation and treatment expenses, including out-of-pocket expenditure.
  • Psychological stress: False-positive results may create fear, anxiety and repeated hospital visits.
  • Antimicrobial resistance: Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to the development of drug-resistant microorganisms.
  • Pressure on the health system: Unnecessary services consume medical staff time, hospital capacity and diagnostic resources that could be used for patients who genuinely need them.
  • Loss of trust: Repeated investigations and inconsistent prescriptions can weaken public confidence in healthcare providers.

Overtreatment is therefore not simply a financial problem; it is also a question of patient safety, public health and the ethical delivery of medical care.

The paradox: Overtreatment alongside undertreatment

  1. Overtreatment

Unnecessary tests, excessive medicines and low-value procedures.

  1. Undertreatment

Delayed diagnosis, inadequate primary care and unaffordable essential medicines.

India’s challenge is to ensure appropriate and equitable healthcare, rather than simply increasing the number of medical interventions.

A healthcare system can provide excessive care to patients who can afford it while failing to provide basic services to vulnerable populations. This highlights the need to strengthen public health infrastructure and improve the distribution of healthcare resources.

Way forward: How can India address overtreatment?

  1. Strengthen primary healthcare
  • Strengthen Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and primary health centres.
  • Encourage continuity of care through family physicians who understand a patient’s complete medical history.
  • Ensure that patients are referred to specialists when clinically necessary.
  1. Promote evidence-based medicine
  • Develop standard treatment guidelines for common diseases.
  • Encourage doctors to prescribe medicines and order investigations based on scientific evidence.
  • Promote rational antibiotic use to combat antimicrobial resistance.
  1. Regulate unnecessary interventions
  • Improve oversight of diagnostic packages, prescriptions and hospital billing.
  • Strengthen clinical audits and accountability mechanisms.
  • Encourage professional medical bodies to identify commonly used tests and treatments that provide little benefit in specific circumstances.
  1. Introduce regular medication reviews
  • Review prescriptions periodically, especially for older adults and patients taking multiple medicines.
  • Check for duplicate drugs, adverse interactions and medicines that are no longer required.
  • Patients should never discontinue prescribed medicines without consulting their doctors.
  1. Strengthen patient awareness
  • Encourage patients to ask why a test or treatment is required, what its expected benefits and risks are, and whether alternatives exist.
  • Promote shared decision-making between doctors and patients.
  1. Reform healthcare incentives
  • Explore payment systems that reward quality, safety and health outcomes rather than the sheer volume of procedures.
  • Improve transparency in treatment costs and insurance claims.

The global Choosing Wisely initiative offers a useful model for encouraging doctors and patients to question unnecessary tests and treatments. India’s National Health Policy, 2017, also emphasises affordable, accessible and quality healthcare, with a strong focus on preventive and primary care.

Spiralling Food Prices: On Rising Inflation

Why is this issue in the news?

The editorial highlights the impact of rising food prices on Indian households, particularly rural households, which are experiencing a significant inflationary burden.

Recent official data released on 12 October 2026 show that India’s food inflation rose sharply in September.

India’s inflation snapshot — September 2026

Food inflation

7.74%

August: 5.97%

Retail inflation (CPI)

5.54%

August: 4.83%

Rural food inflation

8.06%

Urban food inflation

7.18%

Source: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), provisional September 2026 CPI data.

The figures show that food prices are rising faster than overall retail prices and that rural households are facing a greater inflationary burden than urban households.

What is food inflation?

Food inflation refers to an increase in the prices of food items over a period of time.

Food inflation reduces the purchasing power of households because the same income buys fewer essential food items.

It is important to distinguish between:

  • Food inflation: The rate at which food prices increase.
  • Food price level: The actual price consumers pay.
  • Disinflation: Inflation is slowing, but prices may still be rising.
  • Deflation: The general price level is falling.

Even when inflation declines, households may continue to face high grocery bills if prices remain elevated.

Major reasons behind rising food prices

  1. Erratic monsoon and climate change

Uneven rainfall, droughts, floods and extreme heat can reduce crop yields and disrupt agricultural production. Deficient monsoon rainfall has raised concerns about the availability of rice and other kharif crops.

  1. Supply shortages

Lower production or reduced cultivated area can cause sharp price increases in essential commodities such as onions, garlic and rice.

  1. Higher transportation and input costs

Increased fuel, fertiliser, labour, storage and transportation costs can raise the final price paid by consumers.

  1. Storage and supply-chain inefficiencies

Inadequate cold storage, post-harvest losses, intermediaries and poor market connectivity can widen the gap between farm-gate prices and retail prices.

  1. International market pressures

Global commodity prices, geopolitical tensions, exchange-rate movements and import dependence for certain food commodities can affect domestic prices.

Recent examples from India

The September 2026 data highlight how food inflation can be driven by a few essential commodities experiencing sharp price increases.

Commodity

Year-on-year price inflation

Onion

108.09%

Ginger

62.85%

Garlic

54.62%

Sugar

29.80%

Mustard oil

7.31%

Rice

8.25%

Source: Financial Express report based on MoSPI’s September 2026 data. These are individual commodity inflation rates, not the overall food inflation rate.

Impact of spiralling food prices on India

  • Declining purchasing power: Households spend more money on food and have less available for education, healthcare and savings.
  • Disproportionate impact on the poor: Low-income households spend a larger proportion of their income on essential food items.
  • Rural distress: Rural households may be affected as consumers when food prices rise, even as some agricultural producers benefit from higher selling prices. The impact depends on whether they are net buyers or net sellers of food.
  • Nutritional insecurity: Families may reduce their consumption of fruits, vegetables, pulses and other nutritious foods.
  • Wage-price pressures: Workers may demand higher wages to compensate for rising living costs, potentially adding to production costs.
  • Macroeconomic instability: Persistent food inflation can increase overall inflation and complicate the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decisions.

How is food inflation measured in India?

India uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI), compiled by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), to measure changes in retail prices.

The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) measures price changes in the food component of household consumption.

The Reserve Bank of India uses headline CPI inflation as its primary nominal anchor under India’s flexible inflation-targeting framework.

Important for Prelims

  • Inflation target: 4%
  • Tolerance band: 2%–6%
  • Inflation measure: Headline CPI
  • Nodal ministry for CPI data: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • Monetary policy authority: Reserve Bank of India

The September 2026 headline CPI inflation rate of 5.54% remained within the tolerance band but was above the 4% target.

Government measures to control food inflation

Short-term measures

  • Release foodgrain stocks through appropriate market interventions.
  • Improve monitoring of essential commodity prices and take action against hoarding where established.
  • Use calibrated import-export policies to address shortages without unnecessarily harming farmers.
  • Strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS) to protect vulnerable households.
  • Improve coordination between the Centre and States to manage sudden supply disruptions.

Long-term measures

  • Invest in irrigation, watershed development and climate-resilient agriculture.
  • Expand cold storage, warehouses and refrigerated transportation.
  • Improve agricultural market access through e-NAM and better rural infrastructure.
  • Reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen farmer-producer organisations.
  • Diversify cropping patterns and improve agricultural productivity.
  • Strengthen nutrition programmes and social protection for low-income households.

Policy challenge: Measures that lower consumer prices immediately must be balanced against farmers’ incomes and incentives for future production.

India–U.S. Ties and the Hurdle of American Unilateralism

Why in News?

The editorial, “India–U.S. Ties and the Hurdle of American Unilateralism,” examines the growing strain in bilateral relations. The central argument is that India’s partnership with the United States must be based on mutual respect, strategic autonomy and equality, rather than pressure from one side.

The relationship is important because the two countries cooperate in defence, trade, critical technologies, education and the Indo-Pacific region. However, trade disputes, immigration restrictions, differences over energy purchases and concerns about defence technology transfers have complicated the partnership.

What is American unilateralism?

Unilateralism is a foreign policy approach in which a country takes decisions or imposes measures independently, without adequately consulting or accommodating the interests of other countries affected by those decisions.

In the context of India–U.S. relations, this concern arises when Washington uses tariffs, sanctions, immigration restrictions or other policy instruments to pursue its national interests, even when these measures impose costs on India.

It is important to distinguish unilateralism from legitimate national policymaking: every country can make sovereign decisions, but disputes arise when those decisions disregard negotiated commitments, mutual interests or the concerns of partner countries.

Major challenges in India–U.S. relations

  1. Trade disputes and tariffs

India and the U.S. have substantial economic ties, but disagreements persist over tariffs, market access and agricultural imports.

  • The U.S. seeks greater access to India’s agricultural and dairy markets.
  • India seeks fair treatment for its exports and protection for vulnerable domestic producers.
  • Trade restrictions can disrupt investment and supply chains.

The editorial notes that bilateral trade exceeds $140 billion, alongside a substantial Indian trade surplus.

  1. Immigration and skilled-worker mobility

The U.S. has taken restrictive steps affecting employment-based immigration processes, raising concerns for Indian professionals and technology companies.

The suspension of the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) process for certain companies has become a point of friction. India argues that the movement of skilled professionals benefits both economies.

  1. Defence cooperation and technology transfer

India and the U.S. conduct military exercises and cooperate in defence production. However, India seeks access to advanced technologies and greater domestic manufacturing.

Delays in the supply of GE F404 engines for India’s Tejas fighter aircraft illustrate concerns about supply-chain reliability and dependence on foreign technology.

  1. India’s relations with Russia

India continues to pursue its energy and strategic interests with Russia. U.S. pressure over Russian oil purchases creates tension because India views its energy policy as a sovereign decision based on affordability, availability and national interest.

This reflects the broader challenge of preserving strategic autonomy while cooperating with Washington.

  1. Differences in regional security priorities

India and the U.S. share concerns about stability in the Indo-Pacific, but their approaches do not always coincide. India’s concerns about Pakistan’s strategic partnerships and evolving regional security arrangements also shape its assessment of American policy.

Why is the relationship strategically important?

Despite disagreements, the partnership remains important for both countries.

  • Indo-Pacific security: Cooperation through the Quad and joint military exercises supports a free, open and stable Indo-Pacific.
  • Defence modernisation: The partnership can support maritime surveillance, military interoperability, defence manufacturing and access to advanced equipment.
  • Critical and emerging technologies: Collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology and space can strengthen India’s technological capabilities.
  • Economic growth: Trade, investment, research and innovation can generate jobs and improve productivity.
  • Counterterrorism: Both countries have an interest in countering terrorism and strengthening intelligence cooperation.
  • Global governance: Cooperation can strengthen responses to climate change, resilient supply chains and challenges in international institutions.

The 2025 U.S.–India TRUST initiative is particularly relevant because it expands cooperation in critical technologies and supply chains.

How should India respond? — The way forward

  1. Follow principled strategic autonomy

India should cooperate with the U.S. wherever interests converge while retaining independent decision-making on energy, defence and foreign policy.

  1. Diversify economic partnerships

India should deepen trade and investment ties with the European Union, Japan, ASEAN and other partners to reduce excessive dependence on any single market.

  1. Negotiate mutually beneficial trade agreements

Both countries should address tariff disputes through sustained negotiations, transparent rules and balanced market access, while safeguarding sensitive agricultural sectors.

  1. Move from defence purchases to co-production

India should prioritise domestic manufacturing, joint research, technology transfer and reliable supply chains under initiatives such as Make in India and INDUS-X.

  1. Protect skilled-worker mobility

India should continue diplomatic engagement with Washington to protect the interests of Indian professionals and strengthen cooperation in education, research and technology.

  1. Strengthen institutional dialogue

Regular diplomatic and economic consultations can prevent disagreements from escalating into broader strategic mistrust.

Legal Aid in India: Ensuring Access to Justice for All

Why is legal aid important?

Legal aid is an essential part of India’s constitutional commitment to justice, equality and the rule of law. It ensures that people who cannot afford legal representation are not denied justice because of poverty, social disadvantage or other disabilities.

A recent concern in India’s legal-aid system is the continuity and quality of free legal representation for undertrial prisoners. A September 2026 report raised concerns about a directive affecting the renewal of contracts for Legal Aid Defence Counsel, potentially disrupting representation for vulnerable accused persons.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid means providing free or affordable legal advice, assistance and representation to eligible people who cannot adequately access the justice system on their own.

It may include:

  • Appointment of a lawyer to represent an eligible person in court.
  • Legal advice and assistance in civil and criminal matters.
  • Preparation of petitions, appeals and other legal documents.
  • Assistance with court-related expenses where applicable.
  • Legal awareness programmes and help in accessing government welfare entitlements.
  • Settlement of eligible disputes through Lok Adalats.

Legal aid is not simply charity. It is a mechanism to make the constitutional promise of justice meaningful for all citizens.

Constitutional provisions related to legal aid

Article 39A

Equal justice and free legal aid

Directs the State to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen because of economic or other disabilities. It was inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.

Article 14

Equality before the law

Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, reinforcing the principle that justice must not depend on wealth or social status.

Article 21

Protection of life and personal liberty

Fair legal procedures and access to effective legal representation are important safeguards when life or personal liberty is at stake.

Article 22(1)

Rights of arrested persons

Protects the right of an arrested person to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice, subject to the constitutional framework.

Institutional framework for legal aid

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which came into force on 9 November 1995, established the institutional framework for free legal services in India.

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

National-level coordination and policy

State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs)

Implementation at the State level

District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs)

District-level legal assistance

Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSCs)

Local access to legal aid

Legal services committees also operate at the Supreme Court and High Court levels. These institutions coordinate free legal representation, legal awareness and Lok Adalats.

Who is eligible for free legal aid?

Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, eligible categories include:

  • Members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Victims of trafficking in human beings or begar.
  • Women and children.
  • Persons with disabilities.
  • Victims of mass disasters, ethnic violence, caste atrocities, floods, droughts, earthquakes or industrial disasters.
  • Industrial workmen.
  • Persons in custody, including eligible prisoners.
  • Persons whose annual income is below the prescribed limit, subject to the applicable rules.

Eligibility is determined under the Act and applicable rules. A person must also satisfy the relevant requirements concerning the case under Section 13.

Major challenges in India's legal-aid system

Shortage of resources and lawyers

Heavy caseloads, inadequate staffing and insufficient support can limit the time lawyers devote to individual cases.

Problems faced by undertrial prisoners

Delays in appointing counsel or discontinuity in representation can affect bail applications, fair-trial rights and timely justice.

Lack of awareness

Many eligible people do not know that free legal assistance is available or how to apply for it.

Quality and accountability

Inadequate preparation, weak client communication and limited monitoring can undermine the effectiveness of legal representation.

Way forward

  • Ensure continuity of legal representation: Avoid gaps when legal-aid counsel are replaced, particularly in criminal cases involving personal liberty.
  • Improve funding and infrastructure: Provide adequate remuneration, training, research assistance and administrative support to legal-aid lawyers.
  • Strengthen accountability: Monitor case preparation, client satisfaction and the quality of representation rather than measuring performance only by the number of cases handled.
  • Expand legal literacy: Use Gram Panchayats, schools, prisons, community organisations and local-language campaigns to increase awareness.
  • Improve digital access: Strengthen online applications and legal consultation while ensuring assistance remains available to people without internet access.
  • Promote early legal assistance: Provide timely advice and representation at the earliest legally appropriate stage, including pre-arrest assistance where applicable.
  • Strengthen Lok Adalats: Encourage the settlement of suitable disputes through consensual mechanisms, without compromising legal rights or pressuring parties to settle.

BIMSTEC: Strengthening Regional Security and Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal

Why is BIMSTEC in the news?

India hosted the first BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting of Home Ministers on 13 October 2026, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The participating countries discussed stronger regional cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and terror financing, alongside improved disaster preparedness.

The meeting is important because these challenges frequently cross national borders and cannot be effectively addressed by one country alone.

What is BIMSTEC?

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

BIMSTEC is a regional organisation established on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. It aims to promote economic growth, connectivity, security and technical cooperation among countries around the Bay of Bengal.

Member countries

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Myanmar

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh. The organisation’s original name was BIST-EC, comprising Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Myanmar and Nepal joined in 1997 and 2004 respectively; Bhutan joined in 2004.

Key outcomes of the October 2026 meeting

The Home Ministers’ meeting focused on practical cooperation in the following areas.

Counterterrorism

Better intelligence sharing, financial investigations, mutual legal assistance and extradition to prevent terrorist networks from exploiting cross-border gaps.

Drug and human trafficking

Joint action against trafficking networks, illicit financial flows and organised crime, including the use of drug proceeds to finance criminal activities.

Disaster management

Improved preparedness, coordination and institutional capacity to respond to floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other regional disasters.

The meeting reflects a shift from general diplomatic commitments towards practical mechanisms for cross-border cooperation.

Major areas of BIMSTEC cooperation

BIMSTEC’s cooperation is organised around seven priority pillars.

Priority area

Lead country

Security

India

Trade, Investment and Development

Bangladesh

Environment and Climate Change

Bhutan

Agriculture and Food Security

Myanmar

People-to-People Contacts

Nepal

Science, Technology and Innovation

Sri Lanka

Connectivity

Thailand

India leads the security pillar, including counterterrorism and transnational crime, disaster management and energy security.

Why is BIMSTEC important for India?

  • Neighbourhood First: BIMSTEC offers India a platform to deepen cooperation with its eastern and northeastern neighbours.
  • Act East Policy: It strengthens India’s economic and strategic engagement with Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Myanmar.
  • Regional connectivity: Roads, ports, maritime transport and digital infrastructure can improve trade and reduce transportation costs.
  • Maritime security: Cooperation can address piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing and other maritime threats in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Northeastern development: Better connectivity with Bangladesh and Myanmar can improve access to regional markets for India’s Northeast.
  • Disaster resilience: Shared early-warning systems and coordinated disaster response are important because the region is vulnerable to cyclones, floods and earthquakes.
  • Economic integration: Cooperation can promote trade, tourism, energy connectivity and investment across the region.

At the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025, leaders adopted the Bangkok Vision 2030 and signed an agreement on maritime transport cooperation. These initiatives provide a broader framework for regional integration.

Challenges faced by BIMSTEC

  1. Limited intra-regional trade: Trade barriers, infrastructure gaps and complicated customs procedures restrict economic integration.
  2. Political instability: Instability in Myanmar creates challenges for regional connectivity and cooperation.
  3. Weak implementation: Agreements and declarations do not always translate into timely projects on the ground.
  4. Connectivity gaps: Difficult terrain, inadequate transport links and logistical bottlenecks increase the cost of cross-border trade.
  5. Institutional limitations: BIMSTEC needs sustained funding, stronger institutional capacity and better coordination among member countries.
  6. Divergent national interests: Countries differ in their economic priorities, strategic outlooks and domestic political circumstances.

Way forward

  • Implement agreed projects with clear timelines, funding and accountability.
  • Strengthen intelligence sharing and legal cooperation against terrorism, trafficking and money laundering.
  • Improve road, rail, port and digital connectivity.
  • Operationalise regional disaster-management initiatives and strengthen joint exercises.
  • Reduce non-tariff barriers and simplify customs procedures.
  • Expand cooperation in renewable energy, food security, public health and digital payments.
  • Ensure that BIMSTEC complements not duplicates the work of other regional organisations.

 

Discover more from Primus Civil Services Academy

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top

Discover more from Primus Civil Services Academy

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading