SC notice on plea to include haemophilia under disability job reservation
The petition filed by Prema Ram, a person with haemophilia, argued that such persons face locomotor disability as internal bleeding in joints causes limb deformity, which can become severe in some cases. The petitioner, who has a benchmark disability certified with 50% disability of haemophilia, said that people with the blood disorder were not eligible for reservation in government jobs under the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act.
'We will issue notice,' the bench of justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, sitting during the partial court working days, said.
Prema Ram had appeared in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in May this year. But because people with the blood disorder were not eligible for the quota, he did not tick his eligibility under the 'persons with disability' category.
The bench issued notice to the Union government and UPSC, as the petitioner urged the court to direct UPSC to consider him as a disabled candidate.
Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Jayna Kothari said that haemophilia is linked to locomotor disability as a person having this rare genetic blood disorder cannot walk if there is uncontrolled bleeding in joints.
She pointed out that the petitioner has a valid disability certificate issued in 2018 of having benchmark disability (over 40% disability) with severe haemophilia. Espousing the cause of similarly-situated persons, the petition filed as a public interest litigation, referred to section 34 of the 2016 Act or the RPD Act.
Section 34 of this Act provides for 4% reservation in public employment to persons with benchmark disability under a list of 21 specified disabilities. This does not include haemophilia, the petition said.
The court said, 'If you have a locomotor disability, you will get it. We do not see any challenge to this. Reservation can be as per the legislation. You cannot make it equal for everybody.'
Kothari said that haemophilia is included as a 'specified disability' under the Schedule of the RPD Act, and the benefit of reservation should apply equally to all persons with benchmark disability.
According to her, under the scope of Section 34, locomotor disability is available only for 'cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.'
The petition pointed out haemophilia is an incurable blood disorder caused by a deficiency in clotting factors, specifically factor VIII (Haemophilia A) or factor IX (Haemophilia B). Bleeding in critical areas like the brain, throat, and abdomen can be life-threatening and treatment for this condition involves high costs and limited availability of treatment. In such a scenario, reservation would stand to benefit these persons in the long run.
'individuals with severe haemophilia (A or B), bearing a 'benchmark disability' of 40% or more, do not qualify for reservation benefits under Section 34 despite being covered under the definition of 'person with benchmark disability'. This contrasts starkly with individuals suffering from other disabilities such as autism and locomotor disabilities, who, with a 40% or greater disability, are entitled to reservations under the same section,' the petition drafted by advocate Rohit Sharma said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Brain-eating amoeba, Animal blood bank network and India's S&P rating
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 18, 2025. If you missed the August 17, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Health and diseases, Science. What's the ongoing story: Kerala's health department has sounded an alert in Kozhikode district after three back to back cases of the rare primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) were reported in the region. One of the victims, a nine-year-old girl, died and two others, including a three-month-old baby, are battling for their lives. Key Points to Ponder: — What is Naegleria fowleri or 'brain-eating amoeba' (rare primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) ? — In which season is PAM more likely to occur? — How does Naegleria fowleri infect people? — What are the symptoms of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis? — Read about the acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). — What steps should we take to stop the spread of PAM? Key Takeaways: — Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by Naegleria fowleri, known as the 'brain eating amoeba'. It is a free-living amoeba found in warm, fresh water and soil, and infects people when it enters the body through the nose. This year, Kerala had eight confirmed cases and two deaths, including the one reported in Thamarassery in Kozhikode on August 14. — Health department officials said there is no common factor among the three cases, which were reported from different villages in the district. — Sources said that when molecular diagnosis of meningoencephalitis was done, it was understood that apart from naegleria fowleri, another genus, acanthamoeba, also causes the illness. — The first case of PAM in India was reported in 1971, and the first case in Kerala was reported in 2016. From 2016 to 2023, the state had only eight cases. Last year, Kerala had 36 positive cases and nine deaths. — If the fatality of the disease is 97 per cent globally, Kerala has been able to bring it down to 25 per cent. All reported cases in India had led to the patient's death until July 2024, when a 14-year-old boy in Kozhikode district became the first Indian to survive the disease. He was only the 11th PAM survivor in the world. — One of the reasons for the spike in cases in Kerala has been increased testing for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) – a condition that can be caused by various diseases including amoebic meningoencephalitis – as well as other factors such as climate change and environmental pollution. Last year when Kerala faced a sudden spike in cases, the state issued a special treatment protocol and a standard operating procedure for the management of amoebic meningoencephalitis cases – the first state in India to do so. Do You Know: — The initial symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Later on, the patient may experience a stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and slip into a coma. — Scientists have not yet identified any effective treatments for the disease. Currently, doctors use a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone for treatment. — According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the rising global temperatures, the chances of getting Naegleria fowleri infection will go up as the amoeba mainly thrives in warm freshwater bodies. The organism best grows in high temperatures up to 46°C and sometimes can survive at even higher temperatures. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge nugget of the day: Brain-eating amoeba 📍How common is primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, and does it occur more during the monsoon season? UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (1) With reference to the Naegleria fowleri, consider the following statements: 1. It lives in warm saline water. 2. It infects people when it enters the body through the nose. 3. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare brain infection that is caused by Naegleria fowleri. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What's the ongoing story: The Union government is working on ways to facilitate and standardise blood banking and blood transfusion in veterinary care. Key Points to Ponder: — Why are blood banks for animals required in India? — What role does the livestock and companion animal sector play in the Indian economy? — What are the major challenges in veterinary blood transfusion practices in India? — Know the key features of the draft SOP for veterinary blood banks. — What are the challenges associated with the storage of animal blood? — What services will be provided by the National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN)? Key Takeaways: — The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying invited comments from experts, institutions, and the public on draft 'Guidelines/ Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Blood Transfusion & Blood Bank for Animals in India' that it prepared last month. — India is home to a very large livestock population of 536.76 million, according to the 20th Livestock Census conducted in 2019, and is also seeing a boom in the practice of keeping pets or companion animals. — Livestock include cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, as well as animals such as horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, camels, and pigs. India has the world's largest population of cattle and buffalo, and the second-largest population of goats. The population of companion animals is estimated at 125 million, according to the draft guidelines. — The livestock and companion animal sector plays a pivotal role in the country's agricultural economy and rural livelihoods. The animal husbandry and dairying sector contributes about 30 per cent of the agricultural GVA and 5.5 per cent of the national economy. — Given this context, there is an urgent need to formalise critical and emergency veterinary care services, including blood transfusion support across species, the draft says. Blood transfusion, it says, is 'increasingly recognized globally as a life-saving intervention, essential for managing trauma, severe anemia, surgical blood loss, infectious diseases, and coagulation disorders'. — India, the draft notes, 'lacks a national regulatory framework and standardized protocols guiding veterinary transfusion medicine with structured blood banking and transfusion practices'. Most animal blood transfusions are dependent on 'hospital-available or client-owned donors, without consistent screening, blood typing, or standard operating protocols'. — According to the government, the SOPs will address this situation 'by providing structured, ethical, and scientifically sound guidance on donor selection, blood collection, processing, storage, transfusion procedures, and safety monitoring'. — The veterinary blood banks will be hosted at veterinary colleges and universities, referral hospitals and polyclinics, large veterinary diagnostic centres, and multi-speciality animal hospitals operated by the government. The veterinary blood banks will function round the clock, according to the draft. — Notably, the draft document prohibits monetary incentives to pet owners or livestock owners for the donation of the animal blood. Do You Know: — The volume of blood in both humans and animals ranges between 7 per cent and 9 per cent of body weight. Transfusion is required when the volume of blood falls below this level. — Cattle have 55 ml of blood per kg of their body weight, and at an average weight of 300 kg, each head of cattle carries 16.5 litres of blood. — Like humans, there are a large number of blood groups in animals, produced by species-specific antigens on the cell membrane of their red blood cells. There are 11 blood groups in cattle, 9 in dogs, 8 in horses, and 4 in cats, according to the draft guidelines. UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (2) Consider the following statements: Statement 1: The livestock and companion animal sector plays a pivotal role in the country's agricultural economy and rural livelihoods. Statement 2: The animal husbandry and dairying sector contributes about 30 per cent of the agricultural GVA and 5.5 per cent of the national economy. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1. (b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1. (c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect. (d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Economic development. Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: Last week was turning out to be a great one for the Indian economy even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a raft of reforms in his Independence Day speech. A day earlier, S&P Global Ratings had upgraded its rating on India to BBB from BBB-. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the Sovereign Credit Rating System? — What are the credit rating agencies in India? — Who regulates credit rating agencies in India? — Read about the S&P rating. — What is the significance of rating upgrade on India by S&P? — What can be the implications of better rating by S&P for India? — What are the reasons behind India's improved S&P rating? — Know about the SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999. — Read about the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Key Takeaways: — The sovereign rating upgrade by S&P is significant for two key reasons. One, it came after a gap of nearly two decades; and two, it has meaningful implications for the Indian economy. — The Indian government has over the last several years aggressively pursued the three global agencies — S&P, Moody's, and Fitch Ratings — for higher ratings that, in its opinion, better reflect the economy's fundamentals. In fact, New Delhi has repeatedly expressed its displeasure over the agencies' methodologies, saying they were biased against emerging economies. So, what has convinced S&P that now is a good time for India to be given an upgrade? — The primary reason is clarity on the government's finances. While the Centre has had a law called the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act since 2003 — it demands reducing the annual fiscal deficit to 3 per cent of GDP — it has rarely been met. — However, post the coronavirus pandemic, the fiscal deficit has been reduced aggressively from 9.2 per cent in 2020-21 to a targeted 4.4 per cent in 2025-26. Going forward, the Centre will start targeting a reduction in its debt-to-GDP from 57.1 per cent in 2024-25 to 49-51 per cent by 2030-31. — Then there is growth. Despite GDP growth falling to a four-year low of 6.5 per cent in 2024-25, India remains one of the fastest growing large economies in the world — or in S&P's words, 'among the best performing economies in the world'. And this is real, or inflation-adjusted, growth; nominal growth — which is the actual increase in the GDP in today's prices — is even higher. — Another key factor has been the fairly low and stable domestic inflation, with S&P praising the Reserve Bank of India's inflation management record. — To be sure, India's rating level with S&P has itself not changed — the country remains in the BBB category. It's just that it has gone from the lowest edge of it, or BBB-, to a more secure position. The next step would be BBB+. — Ratings are divided into two rough classes: investment and speculative grades. Entities, including countries, in the former class are worth investing in, while repayment of loans taken by those in the latter is difficult to predict. But even within the investment grade, there are steps, and BBB is the lowest. — According to S&P, a BBB rating indicates 'adequate capacity to meet financial commitments, but more subject to adverse economic conditions'. The next step is A, then AA, and finally, AAA, which signifies 'extremely strong capacity to meet financial commitments'. – The implications of a better credit rating are clear — the Indian government should be able to borrow at a lower rate of interest. This has already occurred, with government bond yields in the secondary market on August 14 falling as much as 10 basis points, with the rupee's exchange rate also getting a boost. Do You Know: — A credit rating is nothing more than a measure of an entity's creditworthiness, or how likely it is that they may pay back borrowed money. If you pay back your loans and credit card bills on time and in full, your credit score improves. It is the same for countries. — Most countries need to borrow money every year to fund some of their expenditures. The difference between the total income and the expenditure for a year is the fiscal deficit; the Indian government's is Rs 15.69 lakh crore for 2025-26. This has to be met by borrowing money from the markets, with the government paying interest on it. Now, if the government is seen as being more likely to repay the loan — which is what a higher credit rating indicates — then the rate of interest is lower. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍By raising India's credit rating, S&P affirms optimism about growth Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2022) 1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. 2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company. 3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-III: ScienceandTechnology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life, Environmental pollution and degradation. What's the ongoing story: The country's largest refiner and fuel retailer Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) expects to start producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on commercial scale at its Panipat refinery by December, following the recent international certification received by the unit for manufacturing the biofuel from used cooking oil, according to energy major's chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney. Key Points to Ponder: — What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)? — How is SAF different from conventional aviation fuel? — What is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)? — What are the key environmental benefits of adopting SAF in the aviation sector? — Why is SAF referred to as a 'drop-in' fuel? — What are the primary feedstocks used in SAF production? How can India leverage its agricultural and waste resources to become a global exporter of SAF? — How has India positioned itself in the global SAF landscape, and what are its national blending targets? — What are the major global initiatives for promoting SAF adoption? Key Takeaways: — By the end of this calendar year, IOC will have the capacity to produce 35,000 tonnes per year of SAF from used cooking oil, which will be sourced from large hotel chains, restaurants, and sweets and snacks majors like Haldiram's, which normally discard cooking oil after single use. — Earlier this week, IOC became the first company in India to receive the ISCC CORSIA certification for SAF production at its Panipat refinery in Haryana. — ISCC CORSIA is a certification system for compliance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) criteria for SAF. It is a prerequisite for commercial SAF production. According to IOC, the certification also sets a benchmark for other domestic refiners and industry players to scale up SAF production. — SAF is a biofuel that is produced from sustainable feedstocks and has chemistry similar to conventional aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or jet fuel, which is derived from crude oil. This means that existing aircraft engines can easily use the SAF-ATF blend. — The year 2027 will be an important one for adoption of SAF globally with the mandatory phase of CORSIA kicking in. CORSIA, which applies to international flights, would require airlines globally to offset any growth in carbon dioxide emissions beyond the 2020 levels. Using jet fuel blended with SAF is one of the ways through which carriers can keep their emissions under permissible levels. — India, too, will have to comply with the mandatory phase starting 2027. In line with the CORSIA framework, India's National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) has set the initial indicative targets for blending of SAF with jet fuel 2027 onwards, starting with international flights. The indicative targets are: 1 per cent blending in 2027 and 2 per cent in 2028. The government is expected to announce SAF blending mandates for domestic flights in India as well, but only after blending for international flights begins 2027 onwards. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Govt panel sets indicative targets for blending sustainable aviation fuel in ATF from 2027 UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (4) With reference to the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), consider the following statements: 1. It is a biofuel that is produced from sustainable feedstocks. 2. It is cheaper and requires low production costs. 3. The National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) has set the initial indicative targets for blending of SAF with jet fuel from 2027. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, economic and social development. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation, Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write- 'As the Tricolour was unfurled on India's 79th Independence Day, the country stood proudly as a confident, resilient, and rising nation. It is not just the world's largest democracy, but a country that has successfully crafted its destiny since attaining independence in 1947.' Key Points to Ponder: — As India has become the world's fourth-largest economy in nominal terms and third-largest in PPP terms, what is the significance of this achievement? — What are the challenges that remain for inclusive growth? — Why do the issues of nutritional security still persist in India? — Why is rationalising food and fertiliser subsidies the need of the hour? — What measures should be taken to ensure efficiency and equity of subsidies? — Why are increasing investments in agri-R&D and efficient value chains important? Key Takeaways: — 'Just look at the last decade, India's GDP has more than doubled. It is projected to reach $4.19 trillion by 2025, making India the fourth-largest economy, behind the United States ($30.5 trillion), China ($19.2 trillion), and Germany ($4.74 trillion) (IMF estimates).' — 'Measured in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India is already the world's third-largest economy at $17.65 trillion, trailing only China ($40.72 trillion) and the US ($30.51 trillion) in 2025. All this is a reflection of rising aspirations and India's strong resolve to regain its civilisational legacy.' — 'When India gained independence in 1947, its GDP was around $30 billion. The population stood at 330 million, with an estimated 80 per cent living in poverty. The average life expectancy was a mere 32 years (1947), and literacy levels were just 18.3 per cent (1951). Foodgrain production stood at about 50 million metric tonnes (MMT).' — 'Fast forward to 2025: India's population has increased to 1.46 billion, but poverty, measured at the $3/day (2021 PPP) threshold, has fallen to just 5.3 per cent, as per World Bank estimates. Literacy has surged to 77 per cent, while life expectancy has more than doubled to 72 years (2023). Foodgrain production has multiplied sevenfold, reaching 353.9 MMT in 2024-25. India is now the world's largest rice exporter, shipping 20.2 MMT in FY25…India is a net exporter of agriculture, unlike the US and China, which are both net importers of agriculture. These are not mere statistics; they narrate the story of a country in motion.' — 'However, even as India has achieved food security, there are still many challenges: Nutritional security, especially of children under the age of five, remains pressing. This calls for a sharper focus on women's education, improved maternal health, and continued emphasis on sanitation. The Modi government deserves compliments for making India open defecation free (ODF), which will help improve child nutrition.' — 'In the agri-food space, however, much more can be done. In particular, rationalising food and fertiliser subsidies needs to be put on high priority…While these subsidies are meant to shield vulnerable populations, they are plagued by large inefficiencies.' — 'Studies suggest that at least 20 to 25 per cent of these subsidies fail to reach intended beneficiaries. Though politically tempting, these subsidies come at the cost of productive investments.' — 'The next leap forward has to be rationalising subsidies and increasing investments in agri-R&D and efficient value chains. India's future lies in empowering its citizens to innovate, invest, and generate sustainable incomes. Environmental sustainability has to be central to this journey. The quality of India's soil, water, and air needs to be protected to attain the Viksit Bharat vision by 2047. Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (UPSC CSE 2018) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate What's the ongoing story: C. Uday Bhaskar writes- 'The bombing of Hiroshima with an atomic weapon on August 6, 1945, that killed almost 1,40,000 people and led to the end of World War II is a pivotal event in global history. It marked the dawn of the apocalyptic atomic age, wherein nuclear weapons demonstrated their enormous destructive capability — first in Hiroshima and three days later over Nagasaki. Progressively, a norm was internalised globally that Nagasaki would be the last time that a nuclear weapon would be used militarily. And so, the nuclear taboo was born.' Key Points to Ponder: — How did the bombing of Hiroshima also mark the start of a new way of thinking about war, peace, and the use of force? — What was the Cuban missile crisis? — What is the doctrine of MAD — mutually assured destruction? — What is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)? — Is India part of the NPT? What is the purpose of the NPT? — What is India's Nuclear doctrine? — India's nuclear power programme — Read about the Helsinki Accords. Key Takeaways: — 'It is a matter of considerable relief that the nuclear-weapon nations of the world have so far respected the sanctity of the nuclear taboo. But the run-up to the 80th anniversary suggests that the taboo is under stress in a very unexpected manner. The recent war of words between the US and Russia, laced with menacing references to nuclear weapons, is cause for deep concern and augurs ill for global nuclear stability and restraint.' — 'The US and Russia (which inherited the nuclear arsenal of the former Soviet Union) were the two superpowers of the Cold War decades and had amassed thousands of nuclear weapons of varying yields. After the October 1962 Cuban missile crisis that saw these two nations stepping back from the precipice, they arrived at a modus vivendi that neither nation would use the dreaded nuke except to 'deter' the other. Thus was born the deterrence doctrine of MAD — mutually assured destruction — an anomalous form of ensuring 'security' in a SAD manner: Self-assured destruction. — 'To regulate the spread of nuclear weapons, the two superpowers introduced the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) in 1970, and while this had no legitimacy in law, it was a de facto imposition of realpolitik and techno-strategic power. The world was divided into the nuclear haves — the first five nuclear weapon powers (US, USSR/Russia, UK, France, and China) — and the permanent nuclear have-nots, who were compelled to forego the option of ever acquiring nuclear weapons.' — 'The quid pro quo was that the latter, the NNWS (non-nuclear weapon states), would have access to civilian nuclear technology, and they would not be threatened by an NWS (nuclear weapon state). Concurrently, the NWS agreed to 'negotiate in good faith' towards disarmament — this remains the elusive Holy Grail.' – 'In summary, the world had evolved two norms to ensure the sanctity of the nuclear taboo. One, that nuclear weapons would not be brandished to resolve territorial disputes (Pakistan was rebuked for its attempt to do so in the 1999 Kargil War), and secondly, the sovereignty of a NNWS would not be violated without legitimate sanction.' — 'There was no sabre-rattling for almost three decades, from 1991 till 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine and Moscow found it necessary to invoke its nuclear capability.' — 'This was a major setback to the deterrence template and agreements such as the 1975 Helsinki Accords that sanctified the inviolability of borders in Europe. This was compounded in June 2025 when Israel, not an NPT signatory, attacked Iran, a NNWS, on the assumption that Tehran was about to acquire a nuclear weapon in violation of its NPT commitment.' — 'The more alarming exigency is a breakdown in US-Russia relations and an unintended military escalation. While the probability is low, it merits notice that both nations possess the world's largest nuclear arsenals — Russia with 5,459 warheads and the US with 5,177 (Federation of American Scientists' 2025 report on the Status of the World's Nuclear Forces).' — 'Even a limited exchange could cause catastrophic loss of life. A 2019 Princeton University simulation estimated 91.5 million casualties in the first few hours of a US-Russia nuclear war, with long-term effects like radioactive fallout and global cooling adding to the atomic apocalypse.' Do You Know: — The NPT is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament. — In 1968, the NPT came into existence. The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that have built and tested a nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967 – the US, Russia (formerly USSR), the UK, France and China – and effectively disallows any other state from acquiring nuclear weapons. — While the treaty has been signed by almost every country in the world, India is one of the few non-signatories. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: India's doctrine of Nuclear No First Use 📍Knowledge Nugget | All you need to know about India's nuclear might for UPSC exam 📍Was Hiroshima a show of strength meant to shape future order? Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) Consider the following countries: (UPSC CSE 2015) 1. China. 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ALSO IN NEWS Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
'Want Bravehearts To...' SC Urges Centre To Consider Insurance, Rehabilitation Of Disabled Cadets
Last Updated: The intervention may lead to policy changes that support future trainees, ensuring no one is left behind due to injury The Supreme Court, in a decisive move to address the overlooked plight of cadets disabled during military training, has initiated a suo motu case against the backdrop of growing concerns over their welfare. According to an investigation by Indian Express, nearly 500 officer cadets have been medically discharged from institutions like the NDA and IMA since 1985 due to training-related disabilities, leaving them to grapple with mounting medical bills and insufficient support. The situation at the NDA is particularly alarming, with 'around 20 cadets medically discharged between 2021 and July 2025 alone", the report stated. Unlike their peers—soldiers who attain ex-servicemen (ESM) status and access the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)—these cadets fall through systemic cracks because their disabilities occurred before commissioning. The Mint reports that the cadets are forced to rely on a modest ex‑gratia sum—up to Rs 40,000 per month—that scarcely covers medical costs. To remedy this, the Supreme Court urged the Centre and defence establishment to explore several progressive measures: • Enhanced Compensation: Reconsider and possibly increase the existing Rs 40,000 ex‑gratia allowance to reflect actual treatment and support needs. • Rehabilitation Pathways: Devise schemes to reassess cadets post-treatment and, if feasible, reintegrate them into defence roles—perhaps in desk-based positions or related administrative functions. • Legal Protection under Disability Act: Examine the rights of these cadets under the Persons with Disabilities Act for additional remedies. 'This isn't just about compensation," the bench emphasised. 'We want braveheart cadets to continue serving. Disability shouldn't be a barrier to their contribution," the bench noted. The intervention may lead to policy changes that support future trainees, ensuring no one is left behind due to injury. By calling for insurance, raised compensation, and reintegration options, the court has advocated for humane recognition of the cadets' sacrifices. The court has issued notices to numerous key authorities—including the Defence Ministry, Finance Ministry (Defence Department), the Chiefs of Staff of all three services, the Ex‑Servicemen Welfare Department, and the Ministry of Social Justice—seeking their responses. The matter has been scheduled for further hearings on September 4. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Scroll.in
4 hours ago
- Scroll.in
SC seeks Centre, armed forces' stand on case about welfare of cadets disabled in military training
The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Union government and the armed forces in a suo motu case it initiated based on a media report describing the hardships faced by military cadets who suffer disabilities during training, Bar and Bench reported. The court took up the case on the basis of an investigation by The Indian Express, which found that government efforts to increase welfare benefits for such cadets have been stuck in bureaucratic hurdles for over a year. Notices have been issued to the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Social Justice, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy. Since 1985, around 500 officer cadets have been medically discharged from military institutions because of disabilities that they suffered during the training, The Indian Express reported. They only get ex-gratia payments of up to Rs 40,000 per month, depending on the extent of the disability. This amount is far below what they and their caregivers need, considering their rising medical expenses, the newspaper reported, citing interviews with the cadets and their families. Further, because the cadets are not ex-servicemen, they are not eligible for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, which has provisions for free treatment at military facilities and empanelled hospitals. On Monday, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said it will examine whether the cadets' monthly compensation could be increased and whether a group medical insurance plan could be devised for them, Bar and Bench reported. The court will also look into the question of whether the cadets can be considered for non-field roles once they recover. The counsel appearing for the cadets said that they do not have insurance cover and sometimes, they do not even get the ex-gratia compensation. The counsel told the court that since the cadets have not been commissioned as ex-servicemen, they cannot get the resultant benefits, according to Bar and Bench. The court, however, said that the cadets could be given some benefits even if they are not ex-servicemen. 'But for the disability, they would have joined the forces,' the court said. 'But this is unfortunate that they meet with an accident during training not owing to their negligence.' Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, told the court that she would consult with the departments concerned and submit a detailed affidavit. The matter will be heard next on September 4.
