UPSC Daily News Summary | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

Daily News Summary

Get concise and efficient summaries of key articles from prominent newspapers. Our daily news digest ensures quick reading and easy understanding, helping you stay informed about important events and developments without spending hours going through full articles. Perfect for focused and timely updates.

News Summary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Clinical trials of medicines often done in poor countries, says SC
  • Business Standard
  • |
  • Social Issues
  • |
  • 2025-01-08
  • Supreme Court
  • Clinical Trials

The Supreme Court allowed a petitioner to challenge the rules on clinical trials in India, highlighting concerns about trials being conducted in poor countries. Amendments to the rules were made in 2019 and 2024 to improve safety and compliance.

Clinical Trials and Regulatory Framework in India

The Supreme Court of India is examining the regulations surrounding clinical trials, especially those conducted by multinational pharmaceutical companies in poorer countries.

Key Points

  • Supreme Court Involvement: The court allowed a petitioner to submit objections to the existing rules concerning clinical trials. 
  • Regulations Overview:
    • In 2019, the Indian government framed new rules for drugs and clinical trials.
    • Amendments to these rules were notified in 2024 to improve patient safety and align with global standards.
  • Concerns Raised by NGO:
    • Swasthya Adhikar Manch, an NGO, filed a PIL in 2012, highlighting the misuse of Indian citizens in clinical drug trials conducted by multinational firms.
    • Allegations include exploitation of poor citizens as "guinea pigs" without adequate compensation.
  • Legal Proceedings:
    • The court granted four weeks for objections to be filed against the existing rules.
    • The Centre's additional solicitor general argued that the PILs had become irrelevant due to the 2019 and 2024 rule updates.
  • Historical Context:
    • In 2013, the Supreme Court found the existing norms "deficient" and pushed for the introduction of new protective rules.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court's intervention aims to ensure that clinical trials in India prioritize the welfare of Indian citizens and adhere to stringent safety protocols, rather than merely serving the interests of multinational companies.

Bengaluru Ranked Top City for Women to Work & Live In
  • The Economic Times
  • |
  • Social Issues
  • |
  • 2025-01-09
  • Women Safety
  • Top Cities for Women in India’ (TCWI) report
  • Women's Employment

Bengaluru has overtaken Chennai as India's top city for women, according to the Avtar Group's "Top Cities for Women in India" report. The study ranks 120 cities based on the City Inclusion Score, emphasizing gender inclusivity across various sectors.

Top Cities for Women in India Report

Bengaluru emerged as the top city for women in India, surpassing Chennai, according to the third edition of the Top Cities for Women in India’ (TCWI) report by The Avtar Group.

Top 10 Cities for Women

  • Bengaluru
  • Chennai
  • Mumbai
  • Hyderabad
  • Pune
  • Kolkata
  • Ahmedabad
  • Delhi
  • Gurugram
  • Coimbatore

Sixteen cities from South India ranked among the top 25, highlighting the region's gender inclusivity.

Study Overview

  • A total of 120 cities across India were assessed.
  • Rankings were based on the City Inclusion Score (CIS).
    • CIS was derived from three pillars:
      • Social Inclusion Score (SIS) 
      • Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS)
      • Citizen Experience Score (CES)

Details of Inclusion Scores

  • Social Inclusion Score: Comprises city liveability, safety, women’s employment representation, and empowerment.
  • Industrial Inclusion Score: Assesses the inclusivity of organisations towards women across industries.
  • Citizen Experience Score: Women's assessment based on six pillars:
    • Skilling and employment 
    • Caregiving support 
    • Transport and accommodation infrastructure 
    • Quality of life 
    • Efficiency of government bodies 
    • Safety

According to Saundarya Rajesh, founder-president of Avtar Group, achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires gender-inclusive cities to optimize women's potential.

Subscribe for Premium Features