India's Healthcare Crisis: Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

India is experiencing a significant healthcare crisis characterized by an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. This has resulted in a growing financial burden on both individuals and the healthcare system.

Statistics and Current Scenario

• NCDs accounted for approximately 65% of all deaths in 2022, up from about 50% in 2010-13.
• One in four adult men are hypertensive, and one in eight are diabetic.
• Breast, lung, and cervical cancer diagnoses are increasing, with median diagnosis ages occurring earlier than global averages.

Economic Impact

• The Union Budget for 2024 allocated ₹87,657 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.
• Household health expenditure still drives nearly 50%+ of the spend, one of the highest globally.
• The World Health Organization projects the economic burden of NCDs in India to surpass ₹280 lakh crore by 2030.

Preventive Measures and Policy Recommendations

Proactive prevention is essential to control healthcare costs and improve health outcomes. Key recommendations include:

• Regular screenings for high-risk individuals to reduce incidence of serious conditions.
• Current health checks in metro cities cost anywhere between ₹8,000 and ₹15,000.
• Tax incentives and subsidised screenings are crucial policy tools.
• The current ₹5,000 tax deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act for health checks needs revision to at least ₹15,000.

Three-Pronged Approach to Preventive Care

1. Strengthen Early Intervention:
   • Enhance capabilities through Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres.
   • Utilize AI-enabled imaging for affordable mass screenings.
2. Improve Screening Adoption:
   • Encourage insurers and private providers to offer subsidised screening for individuals aged 40-60.
   • Consider funding from healthcare cess and proposed 35% GST slab on tobacco and sugar products.
3. Increase Tax Deduction Limits:
   • Further incentivize comprehensive health checks by increasing the tax deduction limit.

By prioritizing preventive care over reactive treatments, India can achieve a healthier and more economically resilient future.

Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

The draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, represent a significant step toward enforcing the fundamental right to informational privacy for Indians, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in the landmark case of Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017).

Background and Context

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act was passed over a year ago, and the draft rules aim to enforce it.
• The seven-year delay in implementing these rules coincides with rapid digitization, impacting data privacy concerns.

Key Provisions of the Draft Rules

• Online services must communicate the purposes of data collection to users.
• Establish safeguards for children's data online.
• Formation of the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI).
• Set standards for government agencies to be exempt from the Act's provisions.
• Outline procedures in case of personal data breaches by data fiduciaries.

Concerns and Criticisms

• The proposed DPBI's institutional design concerns remain unresolved, potentially unrealistic for subordinate legislation.
• The government has conducted the rule-making process in secrecy, limiting stakeholder engagement.

Recommendations for Transparency and Participation

For legislation with high stakes for individual users and technology firms, an open deliberative process is crucial. This includes:

• Facilitating equal participation of industry associations and the public with transparency into differing viewpoints.

Long-term Goals and Urgency

• The government needs to adhere to principles of minimizing data collection, promoting disclosures, penalizing neglect, and discouraging surveillance.
• Timely implementation is essential for regaining public confidence in data protection commitments.

India's Geopolitical Landscape and Challenges in 2025

India stands at a significant crossroads in its history, characterized by strong economic growth and political stability amidst a shifting global economic and geopolitical landscape. While India currently projects an atmosphere of peace, it faces numerous external challenges that could disrupt this stability.

Global Political Challenges

• Global Conflicts: The year 2024 witnessed global political uncertainties with multiple concurrent conflicts, particularly in Europe and West Asia.
• Ongoing Conflicts: The Gaza conflict and the Ukraine situation pose potential threats to global peace.

India-China Relations

• Recent Developments: Recent border negotiations and disengagement at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh have taken place.
• Continued Challenges: Despite these negotiations, the border conflict remains unresolved, requiring ongoing vigilance by India.
• Chinese Influence: China is strengthening its security cooperation with the Global South, potentially outflanking India.
• Strategic Moves: China's diplomatic activities, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, have aimed to diminish India's influence.

Regional Dynamics in South Asia

• Bangladesh Political Changes: The ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime has raised questions about India's neighborhood policy.
• Regional Isolation: India appears isolated in the region, with emerging regimes in neighboring countries displaying hostility or lukewarm relations.
• Pakistan and Afghanistan: Pakistan remains adversarial, and Afghanistan is not a major focus for India currently.
• Bhutan's Changing Stance: Bhutan is balancing its relations with China under its current king.

West Asian Developments

• Syria's Political Shift: The ouster of the Assad regime and the rise of the Sunni group 'Hayat Tahir al Shams (HTS)' mark significant changes.
• Implications for India: The change in Syria could affect India's relations and influence in the region, given its Shia and Sunni populations.
• Regional Power Shifts: The decline in Iran's influence and the rise of Israel and Türkiye as major players are noteworthy.

Digital Threats

• Rising Cyber Threats: There is an increasing threat from cyber attacks, with a notable rise in incidents during the latter part of 2024.
• Infrastructure Risks: Convergence of technologies poses unprecedented risks to national infrastructure.
• Exponential Increase: Cyber threats are expected to grow significantly during 2025 and beyond.