Current Affair Category: Social Justice

Why in News? The growing use of AI chatbots as the first source of emotional support has raised concerns about their role in mental-health situations. AI can offer instant, private and non-judgmental interaction, but it is not a substitute for trained mental-health professionals, particularly in serious or high-risk situations. What is the Core Issue? AI is increasingly moving […]

Why in News? The experience of women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions shows that political reservation has increased women’s representation, but patriarchy, caste discrimination and proxy politics continue to restrict their effective participation. Constitutional Provisions: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Constitutionalised Panchayati Raj Institutions. 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Constitutionalised Urban Local Bodies. Article 243D: At least one-third of seats and chairperson […]

Why in News? A recent study led by ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) found that nicotine pouches are reaching Indian cities through online platforms, hookah shops and gig-delivery services. The issue gained importance after the WHO warned in May 2026 about the health risks associated with these products. However, their exact legal status in India remains unclear. What are […]

Why in News? The e-Shram portal has witnessed a rise in gig-worker registrations, but the coverage remains far below the estimated size of India’s gig workforce. The issue highlights a major challenge: India’s gig economy is growing faster than the systems used to identify, measure and protect its workers. Government Initiative: The 2025–26 Union Budget announced healthcare coverage for gig workers […]

Why in News? Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in India. Heatwave conditions are now being observed earlier, while hot days and warm nights are increasing. Rising heat is affecting worker health, productivity, income and employment, creating a major economic challenge. What is a Heatwave: A heatwave is a period of unusually high temperatures compared to the normal temperature […]

Why in news?: The debate over regulating or banning social media for minors has intensified globally, raising crucial questions for policy frameworks. Australia has introduced strict age-based restrictions, the UK is weighing tighter safeguards, and similar initiatives in the USA face legal hurdles. This international trend prompts a vital policy question for India: Should it […]

PCSK9 & VERVE-102 PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9): A protein that regulates LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels. PCSK9 binds to LDL receptors on liver cells and promotes their degradation. Fewer LDL receptors → less LDL removed from blood → higher LDL-C. VERVE-102 VERVE-102 is an experimental gene-editing therapy designed to reduce PCSK9 production. Developed by Verve Therapeutics. Uses CRISPR-based gene editing delivered to liver cells. It aims […]

Why in News? Modern medicine possesses vast clinical knowledge, but bridging the gap between this expertise and patients who need it immediately remains challenging due to the limited number of trained clinicians and healthcare infrastructure. For India, where healthcare capacity is expanding alongside an increasingly complex disease burden, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to scale medical […]

Why in news? ICMR has launched the second edition of the SHINE 2026 initiative to open its research laboratories for school students across the country. What is ICMR-SHINE? ICMR-SHINE stands for Science and Health Innovation for NextGen Explorers. It is a nationwide outreach initiative organized by the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian […]

Why in news?: A fresh outbreak of the Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) during the monsoon season in western India—particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan—has claimed the lives of 22 children. This has prompted the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to deploy the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to assist state health authorities with […]