In News:

Cancer has emerged as one of India’s most pressing public health challenges. Globally, in 2022, nearly 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths were recorded. In India, cancer incidence is rising sharply: in 2023, more than 14 lakh new cases were reported, and in 2024, 15.6 lakh cases with 8.74 lakh deaths were registered. The lifetime risk of developing cancer in India is now 11%, making cancer control a critical priority for health policy, infrastructure, and research.

Trends in India’s Cancer Burden

The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), based on 43 population-based registries across 23 states and UTs, has mapped incidence and mortality patterns. Between 2015–2019, 7.08 lakh cancer cases and 2.06 lakh deaths were recorded.

• Gender Disparities: Women account for 51% of cases but only 45% of deaths, as breast and cervical cancers—the most common among women—are more detectable and treatable. Men suffer higher mortality due to difficult-to-diagnose cancers like lung and gastric cancer.
• Oral Cancer Surge: Oral cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common among men, despite a decline in tobacco use, due to latency effects and risk multipliers like alcohol.
• Regional Hotspots: The Northeast, especially Mizoram (21.1% lifetime risk for men, 18.9% for women), shows the highest burden, linked to tobacco, dietary habits, and infections (HPV, H. pylori, hepatitis).
• Geographical Variations:
  • Breast cancer highest in Hyderabad (54/100,000).
  • Cervical cancer peaks in Aizawl (27.1/100,000).
  • Lung cancer most common in Srinagar men (39.5) and Aizawl women (33.7).
  • Oral cancer highest in Ahmedabad men (33.6) and East Khasi Hills women (13.6).

Government Response: Policy and Infrastructure

India has adopted a multi-pronged approach:

• NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke) – Community-level screening for oral, breast, and cervical cancers, awareness, and infrastructure strengthening.
  • 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units, 372 Day Care Centres, 6,410 CHC-level NCD clinics.
• Tertiary Care Expansion – 19 State Cancer Institutes, 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres, and apex centres like the National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar and CNCI, Kolkata.
• Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY – Covers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, with 90% of registered patients receiving treatment.
• Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) – Up to ?15 lakh assistance per patient at 27 Regional Cancer Centres.
• National Cancer Grid (NCG) – World’s largest cancer network (287 centres), treating 7.5 lakh new patients annually, ensuring standardized evidence-based care.

Budget and Innovation

The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated nearly ?1 lakh crore for health, including Day Care Cancer Centres in all districts and customs duty exemptions on 36 lifesaving cancer drugs.

Breakthroughs include:

• NexCAR19 CAR-T Cell Therapy (2024) – India’s first indigenous gene therapy for blood cancers.
• Quad Cancer Moonshot (2024) – India, US, Japan, and Australia collaborating to eliminate cervical cancer through HPV vaccination and screening.
• ACTREC Expansion (2025) – Enhancing advanced cancer research and treatment capacity.

Awareness and Prevention

WHO estimates 30–50% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes and early detection. Campaigns like Eat Right India, Fit India Movement, and Yoga programmes promote healthy habits. National Cancer Awareness Day and World Cancer Day are leveraged for mass outreach.

Conclusion

India’s cancer map highlights both epidemiological challenges and systemic gaps. While government schemes, financial aid, and research innovations mark progress, the rising burden demands greater investment in awareness, early detection, and equitable access. A sustained multi-sectoral approach, integrating prevention, affordable care, and cutting-edge research, will be crucial for India to move towards a cancer-resilient future.

In News:

The Supreme Court of India, in a recent case concerning derogatory remarks by comedians, observed that social media influencers commercialise free speech, often blurring the line between legitimate expression and harmful speech. It stressed that while humour and satire are constitutionally protected, derogatory jokes against vulnerable groups perpetuate stigma and undermine inclusivity. The Court urged the Union Government to frame effective guidelines with enforceable consequences to ensure accountability in the digital space. This development underscores the growing debate on the regulation of social media in India.

Judicial Observations and Recommendations

• Commercialisation& Accountability: Free speech is increasingly monetised by influencers, creating overlaps with prohibited speech. Such expression cannot become a shield for targeting disadvantaged groups.
• Humour vs. Dignity: The Court emphasised that humour should not compromise dignity, particularly of persons with disabilities, women, children, minorities, and senior citizens.
• Guidelines with Consequences: Directed the Union Government, in consultation with industry bodies, to frame proportionate and enforceable rules.
• Digital Responsibility: Called for sensitisation and ethical conduct on social media, along with unconditional apologies for derogatory remarks.

Existing Legal and Regulatory Framework

• Information Technology Act, 2000 – Principal legislation for digital communication.
  • Section 79(1): Provides safe harbour to intermediaries if they act neutrally.
  • Section 69A: Allows government to block content for sovereignty, security, and public order.
• IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 – Mandates due diligence, grievance redressal, and removal of unlawful content.
• 2023 Amendment – Required intermediaries to remove false/misleading content about the government; however, its enforcement was stayed by SC.
• Key Judicial Precedents:
  • Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015): Struck down Section 66A of IT Act for vagueness, reaffirming free speech under Article 19(1)(a).
  • K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017): Recognised privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, shaping later data protection measures.

Need for Regulation

• Protecting Vulnerable Groups: Prevents cyberbullying, trolling, and derogatory content.
• Curbing Misinformation & Hate Speech: Essential to check fake news, deepfakes, and extremist propaganda that threaten social harmony and security.
• Mental Health Safeguards: Addresses anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviours linked to excessive use.
• Influencer Accountability: Prevents consumer harm through undisclosed endorsements and fraudulent promotions.
• Data Privacy & Security: Ensures user rights under Article 21 are not compromised by exploitative data practices.
• Balancing Free Speech & Responsibility: Draws boundaries within Article 19(2) restrictions (public order, morality, security).

Challenges in Regulation

• High Volume & Anonymity: Makes monitoring difficult.
• Transparency Gaps: Platforms’ opaque moderation policies lack accountability.
• Defining Harmful Content: Subjectivity and cultural sensitivities complicate consensus.
• Risk of Overreach: Regulations can be misused as censorship.
• Cross-Border Jurisdiction: Large share of harmful content originates outside India.
• Political Neutrality Concerns: Allegations of bias in content moderation decisions.

Way Forward

• Comprehensive Legal Framework: Update IT Act with the proposed Digital India Act, ensuring balance of rights and responsibilities.
• Algorithmic Transparency: Mandate audits, reporting, and oversight of AI-driven content moderation.
• Institutional Capacity: Invest in cyber forensic labs and AI-enabled monitoring.
• Digital Literacy Campaigns: Encourage ethical online behaviour and awareness of misinformation.
• Global Cooperation: Strengthen cross-border regulatory partnerships and multi-stakeholder governance.

Conclusion

Regulating social media in India requires a balanced approach—one that safeguards freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) while addressing harms that erode dignity, social harmony, and democratic discourse. A mix of robust laws, technological innovation, ethical guidelines, and digital literacy can build a safe, inclusive, and accountable digital ecosystem aligned with India’s constitutional vision of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Introduction

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) form the third pillar of democracy beyond the state and market, playing a crucial role in mobilizing communities, protecting rights, and addressing gaps in governance. From social reform movements of the 19th century to present-day advocacy for rights, CSOs have evolved into indispensable actors shaping India’s democratic landscape.

Evolution of Civil Society in India

• Ancient–Medieval roots: Guided by concepts of dharma, daan, and karma, religious and social movements emphasized community service.
• Pre-independence era: Organizations like Brahmo Samaj (1828), Theosophical Society (1879), and Ramakrishna Mission (1897) linked voluntary action with reform. Gandhiji’s philosophy of constructive work and self-reliance inspired mass mobilization.
• Post-independence: The First Five-Year Plan (1951–56) recognized voluntary action in development. The Panchayati Raj system deepened community participation. During the 1965–67 droughts, foreign aid through NGOs strengthened India’s civil society base.
• Contemporary era: CSOs shifted from welfare delivery to a rights-based approach, visible in the Chipko (1973) and Narmada Bachao (1985) movements, and campaigns for RTI, MGNREGA, RTE, and food security.

Today, India has around 1.5 million NGOs engaging over 19 million volunteers, though most remain small and resource-constrained.

Role of Civil Society in a Democracy

• Accountability and Transparency: Groups like Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan spearheaded the RTI Act (2005), strengthening citizen oversight. CSOs monitor elections, detect fraud, and counter corruption.
• Citizen Empowerment: They spread awareness of laws and rights, enabling participation of marginalized groups. For instance, Jagori and Swayam advanced women’s rights, while SEWA empowered informal sector workers.
• Social Justice and Inclusion: CSOs amplify voices of women, Dalits, Adivasis, and persons with disabilities. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) was shaped through sustained advocacy.
• Service Delivery and Humanitarian Work: During COVID-19, organizations like Goonj launched relief programmes. In healthcare, civil society has been pivotal in palliative care, advocating for dignity of terminally ill patients by mobilising volunteers, spreading awareness, and supplementing public health gaps.
• Leadership and Political Socialization: CSOs nurture grassroots leadership, especially among women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, challenging entrenched hierarchies.
• Global Governance: Indian CSOs engage with international human rights, climate change, and sustainable development discourses, influencing domestic reforms.

Challenges Facing Civil Society

• Regulatory hurdles: The FCRA (2010) and its 2020 amendment have restricted foreign funding, reducing financial independence.
• Funding constraints: Overdependence on international donors and weak domestic philanthropy limit sustainability.
• Internal undemocracy: Lack of transparency and inclusive decision-making undermines credibility.
• State–CSO friction: Governments often view rights-based activism as adversarial, creating tensions.
• Representation gaps: Elite capture and urban bias may sideline grassroots voices.
• Volunteer retention and professionalism remain persistent challenges.

Way Forward

• Enhancing transparency: Mandatory impact audits and a national CSO database can strengthen trust.
• Institutionalized consultation: Formal representation of CSOs in policy committees ensures evidence-based policymaking.
• Diversified funding: Domestic philanthropy, CSR initiatives, and social impact investing must be promoted.
• Simplified regulation: A single-window digital compliance system for registrations and reporting can reduce bureaucratic friction.
• Boosting volunteerism: Integrating service into school and university curricula can create a culture of civic participation.

Conclusion

Civil society in India has evolved from religious charity to rights-based activism, standing as a bridge between state and society. From advocating landmark legislations like RTI to ensuring the dignity of palliative care patients, CSOs embody participatory democracy in action. Strengthening their autonomy, inclusivity, and accountability is essential for a resilient, equitable, and responsive democracy.

In News:

The Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education (CMS:E), 2025, conducted under the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), provides valuable insights into household expenditure, enrolment trends, and private coaching patterns in school education.

Covering 52,085 households and 57,742 students, this survey, conducted through Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI), offers nationally representative data at a critical juncture when India’s education sector is undergoing reforms under NEP 2020 and rapid digital transformation.

Key Findings of CMS: Education 2025

1. Enrolment Patterns

• Government schools dominate enrolment at 55.9%, with higher presence in rural areas (66%) compared to urban (30.1%).
• Private unaided schools account for 31.9% of enrolment, with stronger urban dominance.

2. Education Expenditure

• Average household spending per student:
  • Government schools – ?2,863
  • Non-government schools – ?25,002
• Overall, expenditure is significantly higher in urban areas (?23,470) than in rural areas (?8,382).
• Course fees constitute the largest expense (?7,111), followed by textbooks and stationery (?2,002).

3. Private Coaching

• Nearly 27% of students availed coaching, higher in urban areas (30.7%) than rural (25.5%).
• Expenditure gap: ?3,988 per student annually in urban areas vs ?1,793 in rural areas.
• At the higher secondary level, coaching costs rise to ?9,950 in urban areas compared to ?4,548 in rural areas.

4. Sources of Education Finance

• 95% of educational expenses were funded by household members.
• Only 1.2% students cited government scholarships as their primary funding source, highlighting weak institutional financial support.

Structural Developments in India’s Education Sector

• Digital and STEM Education: Initiatives like PM e-Vidya and Atal Tinkering Labs (8,000+ labs) promote digital and innovation-driven learning. India’s edtech sector attracted USD 3.94 billion (FY22), projected to grow further.
• Vocational and Skill Integration: NEP 2020 emphasizes skilling; the Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ?500 crore for AI Centres of Excellence in education.
• Rising Private Investment: With 100% FDI permitted, the Indian education market is projected to reach USD 125.8 billion by 2032.
• Higher Education Expansion: India now has 1,362 universities and 52,538 colleges, with Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) rising to 28.4% (FY25).
• Multilingual & Inclusive Education: Under NEP 2020, focus on regional languages and digital content aims to bridge disparities.

Challenges in Indian Education

• Infrastructure Gaps – Only 47% schools have drinking water; 53% have separate girls’ toilets (2023 data).
• Teacher Shortage – Over 4,500 secondary teachers lack proper training; sanctioned positions declined by 6% (2021–24).
• Low Public Spending – India spends 3–4% of GDP on education, below NEP’s target of 6%.
• Socio-Economic Disparities – Tribal and disadvantaged children face linguistic and access barriers.
• Learning Outcomes – 75% of Class 3 students cannot read Grade 2 text, highlighting rote learning dependence.
• Digital Divide – Only 18.47% of rural schools have internet, compared to 47.29% in urban areas.
• Gender Barriers – 33% of girls drop out due to domestic responsibilities (UNICEF).

Way Forward

• Enhanced Investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and digital access.
• Targeted scholarships and financial aid to reduce household burden.
• Curriculum reforms to shift from rote learning to competency-based assessments (e.g., PARAKH).
• Inclusive education policies for tribal, rural, and girl students.
• Public-Private Partnerships to leverage innovation, funding, and technology.

Conclusion

The CMS: Education 2025 survey underscores the centrality of government schools, the rising cost burden on families, and the growing role of private coaching in shaping education outcomes. While India is witnessing rapid expansion, digitalization, and global investment, challenges of equity, quality, and access persist. Addressing these gaps through sustained policy focus, enhanced funding, and inclusive reforms is essential for realizing the NEP 2020 vision and achieving SDG 4: Quality Education.