In News:

In a landmark judgment in The State of Tamil Nadu v. The Governor of Tamil Nadu & Anr., the Supreme Court of India decisively addressed the issue of Governors withholding assent to state bills without justification or within a reasonable time.

The case arose after the Tamil Nadu Governor delayed or reserved for the President’s consideration 10 re-enacted Bills passed by the State Assembly, prompting the State Government to move the Court. The Supreme Court declared such delays unconstitutional and laid down a time-bound framework for gubernatorial assent, thereby reinforcing the federal fabric and legislative autonomy of states.

Constitutional Framework and Issues

Under Article 200, when a Bill is presented to the Governor after being passed by the State Legislature, the Governor has four options: grant assent, withhold assent, return the Bill (except money Bills), or reserve it for the President. However, the proviso to Article 200 mandates that once a Bill is re-passed by the Legislature, the Governor “shall not withhold assent.” Article 163 requires the Governor to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (CoM), except in limited discretionary matters.

The crux of the problem lies in the absence of any timeline in Article 200, enabling some Governors to indefinitely delay or withhold assent—often termed a “pocket veto.” Such delays, especially in opposition-ruled states, have sparked accusations of political misuse and erosion of democratic norms. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, and Telangana have faced similar issues, resulting in constitutional gridlock and litigation.

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

In its verdict, the Supreme Court declared that:

• The Governor's delay in granting assent or reserving re-passed Bills is illegal and violates constitutional provisions.
• The ten re-enacted Bills in Tamil Nadu are deemed to have received assent under Article 142, which empowers the Court to ensure "complete justice."
• The Governor has no discretion to reserve or withhold assent once a Bill is re-passed by the Assembly unless its content has materially changed.
• Indefinite inaction by the Governor amounts to a subversion of democracy and disrespect to the will of the people.

Time-bound Guidelines Laid Down

For the first time, the Court laid down clear timelines:

• 1 month to act (assent/reserve) on the aid and advice of CoM.
• 3 months to return a Bill if withholding assent without CoM's advice.
• 1 month to assent to a Bill re-passed by the legislature.
• 3 months maximum to reserve a Bill for the President, with justification.

Failure to comply renders the Governor’s inaction subject to judicial review, introducing a mechanism of constitutional accountability.

Significance for Federalism and Governance

The judgment is a milestone in reaffirming cooperative federalism, ending the misuse of gubernatorial discretion to obstruct state legislation. It upholds the supremacy of the elected legislature and enforces the constitutional principle that Governors are not political actors but facilitators of governance. It also ensures that democratic processes cannot be sabotaged by unelected constitutional functionaries.

Conclusion

By reinforcing time-bound gubernatorial actions and curbing arbitrary delays, the Supreme Court has safeguarded India’s constitutional architecture. As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had warned, the effectiveness of the Constitution depends on its implementers. This verdict echoes that caution, ensuring that constitutional morality prevails over partisan politics.

In News:

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently released the 26th edition of “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”, a flagship publication that offers a gender-disaggregated statistical portrait of India. This comprehensive document provides valuable insights into the progress, challenges, and opportunities in achieving gender equality across various socio-economic spheres.

Purpose and Scope

Drawing from official statistics across Ministries and Departments, the publication covers vital areas such as population dynamics, education, health, economic participation, and political representation, highlighting disparities and gains across gender lines. It also reflects urban-rural divides and regional variations, thus enabling data-driven policymaking for inclusive development.

Education: Moving Towards Gender Parity

India has shown consistent improvements in Gender Parity Index (GPI) in education. Primary and higher secondary levels have maintained high GPI values, indicating strong female enrolment rates. While upper primary and elementary levels witnessed some fluctuations, they largely remained close to parity, demonstrating the impact of initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and expanding access to girls’ education.

Labour Force and Financial Inclusion

Women’s Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has seen a marked improvement, rising from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24 (usual status for ages 15+). This indicates a gradual integration of women into the formal and informal workforce, though structural and cultural barriers persist.

In the financial sector, women now own 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of total deposits. Their participation is especially prominent in rural India, where they make up 42.2% of account holders, showcasing the success of financial inclusion efforts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

Digital and Entrepreneurial Engagement

A notable trend is the sharp rise in DEMAT accounts, suggesting increased retail participation in capital markets. From March 2021 to November 2024, the total DEMAT accounts quadrupled from 33.26 million to 143.02 million. While men still dominate in terms of numbers, female participation also grew fourfold, rising from 6.67 million to 27.71 million in this period.

Encouragingly, female-led proprietary establishments across sectors such as manufacturing, trade, and services have shown a rising trend over 2021–24, indicating growing entrepreneurial confidence.

Additionally, startups with at least one woman director recognized by DPIIT rose from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024, underscoring the rise of women in innovation and enterprise.

Political Participation and Electoral Empowerment

Electoral data reflects the deepening roots of women’s political empowerment. The number of total electors rose from 173.2 million in 1952 to 978 million in 2024, with increasing female voter registration. Female voter turnout, which was 67.2% in 2019, stood at 65.8% in 2024. Notably, the gender gap in voting has narrowed, with female turnout surpassing male turnout in 2024, signaling a positive shift in political engagement.

Conclusion

The “Women and Men in India 2024” report is more than a statistical compendium—it is a mirror to India’s gender realities. While progress is evident in domains like education, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship, persistent gaps remain. For India to achieve true gender equity, these insights must inform targeted, data-driven policies that empower women across all sectors, making gender equality central to the nation’s development discourse.

In News:

As India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy and a global powerhouse, it must confront a growing public health crisis — the rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Often called the "silent epidemic," NCDs are now the leading cause of death in India, responsible for approximately two-thirds of all mortalities. A preventive health-care mindset is the need of the hour — one that aims to "heal before there is a need to heal."

The Burden of NCDs: A Growing Threat

India has undergone a significant epidemiological transition, with communicable diseases declining but NCDs surging. Chronic ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory conditions now claim 5–6 million lives annually. Worryingly, these diseases are increasingly affecting younger populations, with 22% of Indians over the age of 30 at risk of dying from an NCD before 70.

This threatens India’s demographic dividend and economic productivity. Young patients in their 30s and 40s are presenting with heart ailments and diabetic complications, reflecting a national health crisis.

Economic Impact: A Drain on Development

The economic cost of NCDs is staggering. Reduced workforce participation and productivity losses are already costing India 5–10% of its GDP annually. A joint study by the World Economic Forum and Harvard School of Public Health estimated that India could lose $3.5–4 trillion due to NCDs between 2012 and 2030. Clearly, investment in preventive care is not a burden, but a strategic economic necessity.

Lifestyle and Environmental Triggers

Most NCDs are preventable. Key risk factors include:

• Sedentary lifestyles
• Unhealthy diets
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Air pollution
• Genetic predisposition

About 80% of premature cases of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes can be prevented by lifestyle modification. With 22–23% of Indian adults overweight, tackling obesity is critical. Regular 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, healthy diets low in sugar and fat, and pollution control are essential pillars of preventive health.

Early Detection and Screening: A Lifesaver

Early diagnosis through regular screenings from age 40 (or earlier with family history) enables timely intervention. This includes:

• Hypertension and diabetes checks
• Mammography for breast cancer
• HPV testing for cervical cancer
• Colon polyp screening

Early detection helps prevent complications — e.g., controlling blood pressure to prevent stroke, or detecting early-stage cancer.

Technology and AI: Catalysts for Preventive Care

India’s 750+ million smartphone users present a unique opportunity. Mobile apps, wearables, and health trackers can promote awareness and monitor health in real time.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can:

• Predict individual disease risk through data modelling
• Generate health risk scores
• Detect anomalies in X-rays or CT scans (e.g., lung nodules, fatty liver)

Used responsibly, AI enhances accuracy and access while keeping care humane and patient-centric.

Creating a Preventive Ecosystem

Preventive care must become a national mindset. Key stakeholders include:

• Individuals: Adopt healthy habits and regular check-ups.
• Workplaces: Implement employee wellness programmes.
• Healthcare providers: Shift from curative to preventive approaches.
• Government: Expand initiatives like the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs and Health and Wellness Centres.

Policy measures must also be aligned — urban design should promote exercise, school curricula should include nutrition education, and food industry norms must limit unhealthy ingredients.

Conclusion

Preventive medicine is more than a health intervention — it is a development imperative. By encouraging early detection, healthy lifestyles, and technology-enabled care, India can reduce disease burden, enhance productivity, and safeguard its economic ambitions. Every individual’s choice matters. Scaled across 1.4 billion people, these choices will shape not just personal well-being but the health and prosperity of the nation.