DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 5th August – 2025

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  • August 5, 2025
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IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Analysis

rchives


(PRELIMS  Focus)


Pollution Control Boards

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Context:  The Supreme Court has ruled that Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) have the authority to impose and collect restitutionary and compensatory damages to restore polluted air and waterbodies to their original state.

This power is derived from Sections 33A and 31A of the Water and Air Acts, respectively.

The Court directed that such powers must be exercised only after appropriate subordinate legislation (rules and regulations) is framed, ensuring the principles of natural justice are followed.

The ruling came in response to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee appeal, where the Delhi High Court had earlier ruled that it lacked authority to impose such damages.

Justice P.S. Narasimha emphasized the “polluter pays” principle, noting that restoration should closely resemble the damaged ecosystem. Justice Manoj Misra added that PCBs hold broad statutory powers and responsibilities under the Water and Air Acts, including the ability to regulate or shut down polluting industries and services.

The judgment strengthens PCBs’ role in environmental protection and enforcement actions.

Learning Corner:

Pollution Control Boards (PCBs):

Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) are statutory bodies established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to prevent, control, and abate pollution in India. There are two main types:

  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – Functions at the national level under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
  • State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) – Function at the state level.

Key Functions:

  • Monitor and regulate pollution levels in air and water.
  • Grant or revoke consent to industries for discharge of pollutants.
  • Enforce environmental laws and standards.
  • Promote pollution abatement technologies.
  • Advise governments on environmental matters.

Source: THE HINDU


IPO

Category: ECONOMICS

Context : Lenskart, a major eyewear unicorn, is preparing for a ₹2,150 crore IPO after becoming profitable in FY25

Key Trends:

  • Worsening Eye Health:
    Refractive errors among children have surged (from 21% in FY20 to 39% in FY25 for under-19s). For all ages, it’s expected to hit 62% by FY30.
  • Causes:
    Excessive screen time, reduced outdoor play, poor lighting, and incorrect posture are primary contributors.

Optometrist Shortage:

  • India has low access to prescription eyewear (only 35% of affected people wear glasses).
  • The country has just 15–20 optometrists per million people, compared to 80–100 in the US and Japan.

Eyewear Access Gaps:

  • Over 70% of eyewear is sold via unorganised channels.
  • Availability and awareness of optometrists are especially low in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Learning Corner:

IPO (Initial Public Offering):

The process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time and becomes a publicly listed company on a stock exchange.

DRHP (Draft Red Herring Prospectus):

A preliminary document submitted to SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) containing details about the company’s business, financials, risks, and purpose of the IPO. It invites public feedback before the final prospectus.

Red Herring Prospectus (RHP):

The final version of the DRHP that includes the issue price and other final details. It is filed before the IPO opens for subscription.

Fresh Issue:

New shares issued by the company to raise capital. The money goes directly to the company and is often used for expansion, debt repayment, etc.

Offer for Sale (OFS):

Shares sold by existing shareholders (e.g. promoters, venture capitalists) as part of the IPO. The proceeds go to the selling shareholders, not the company.

Book Building:

A price discovery mechanism where investors bid within a price band, and the final issue price is decided based on demand.

Price Band:

The range within which investors can place their bids. The upper and lower limits are set by the issuer.

Lot Size:

The minimum number of shares that can be applied for in an IPO. Investors must bid in multiples of the lot size.

Underwriters:

Financial institutions that manage the IPO process, ensure regulatory compliance, and often guarantee the sale of a certain number of shares.

Listing:

The process of getting the company’s shares admitted to trade on a stock exchange (like NSE or BSE in India) after the IPO is complete.

Source:  THE INDIAN EXPRESS


Article 370

Category: POLITY

Context: August 5, 2025, marks six years since the abrogation of Article 370.

Key Themes:

Politics: Limited Representation

  • Democratic process restored, but with curtailed powers.
  • The elected government lacks full control over police and services, which lie with the Lieutenant Governor.
  • Political parties like NC and PDP have returned to electoral politics but differ in strategy and tone.

Security: Mixed Outcomes

  • One key goal of the abrogation was to reduce terrorism.
  • Civilian deaths have decreased significantly: 24 in 2024 vs. 129 in 2015.
  • However, the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 dealt a blow to security gains and tourism confidence.
  • Ongoing infiltration and militant activity remain concerns.

Investment and Development

  • Industrial development is progressing: 359 industrial units operational; 1,424 in the pipeline.
  • Government investment rose sharply with ₹2.15 lakh crore in 2024–25 alone.
  • Revenue indicators improving: GST collections up by 39%, and per capita income has risen.

Tourism: Growth and Setback

  • 2023 saw record tourism (2.21 crore tourists), contributing 7% to GSDP.
  • But post-Pahalgam attack, the perception of normalcy has been shaken again.
  • Ongoing events like G20 and Miss World pageant hosted to project normalcy.

Learning Corner:

Article 370:

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted special autonomous status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It was a temporary provision inserted in Part XXI of the Constitution under “Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.”

Key Features:

  • Autonomy: J&K had its own Constitution, flag, and decision-making powers in all matters except defence, foreign affairs, finance, and communications.
  • Limited applicability of Indian laws: Laws passed by Parliament applied to J&K only if the state assembly agreed.
  • Permanent Residents: Only permanent residents of J&K could own property and get government jobs under Article 35A (inserted via Article 370).

Abrogation (August 5, 2019):

  • The Government of India abrogated Article 370 using Presidential Order C.O. 272 and passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which:
    • Revoked J&K’s special status
    • Split the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature)

Implications:

  • Indian laws now apply uniformly across J&K.
  • Land ownership and job eligibility are open to all Indian citizens.
  • Political and legal integration of J&K with the rest of India is complete.
  • Critics argue it weakened federalism and democratic representation, while supporters see it as promoting national integration and development.

Special Status of Different States in the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution provides for special status or special provisions for certain states to address their unique historical, cultural, economic, or geographical conditions. These provisions are primarily covered under Articles 371 to 371J in Part XXI of the Constitution.

Key Articles and Special Provisions:

Article 370 (Now abrogated)

  • Granted special autonomous status to Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Abrogated in 2019; J&K is now a Union Territory.

Article 371

  • Applies to Maharashtra and Gujarat.
  • Provides for development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Saurashtra regions.

Article 371A

  • Nagaland: Protects Naga customs, religious practices, and ownership of land and resources.
  • Parliament cannot legislate on these matters without the State Assembly’s consent.

Article 371B

  • Assam: Provides for a committee of legislators to safeguard the interests of tribal areas.

Article 371C

  • Manipur: Similar committee to protect the interests of the hill tribes.

Article 371D & 371E

  • Andhra Pradesh & Telangana:
    • Ensures equitable opportunities in public employment and education.
    • Empowers the President to issue orders on local reservation and administrative tribunals.

Article 371F

  • Sikkim: Protects Sikkim’s laws and grants special rights to old settlers post its merger with India (1975).

Article 371G

  • Mizoram: Similar to Nagaland; protects religious/social customs and local laws.

Article 371H

  • Arunachal Pradesh: Provides special powers to the Governor regarding law and order.

Article 371I

  • Goa: Deals with the composition of the Legislative Assembly.

Article 371J

  • Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka region):
    • Special development board and reservations in education and jobs for locals.

Purpose of Special Status:

  • To accommodate regional diversity, protect tribal customs, ensure balanced development, and safeguard socio-economic interests of backward or sensitive regions.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS


Rhisotope Project

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Context: Attempt to Save Rhinos by Giving Them Radioactive Horns

To combat rhino poaching, scientists in South Africa have begun injecting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns as part of the Rhisotope Project. Developed by the University of the Witwatersrand and supported by the IAEA, this method makes horns detectable at borders and toxic for human use without harming the animals.

Key Points:

  • Low-dose radioactive isotopes are injected non-invasively, detectable by radiation scanners at airports and borders.
  • The procedure is safe for rhinos and renders horns “useless” and “poisonous” for illegal use.
  • Successfully tested on rhinos in the Waterberg Biosphere, with no negative health impact.
  • Targets international wildlife trafficking by leveraging radiation detection infrastructure.
  • Tackles rampant poaching: Over 27,000 rhinos killed since 2008, driven by illegal horn trade.

This innovative approach represents a scientific and security-based strategy to protect endangered rhinos by reducing the commercial value of their horns.

Learning Corner:

Rhinos

Rhinoceroses (Rhinos) are large, herbivorous mammals known for their thick skin and prominent horns. They are native to parts of Africa and Asia and are among the world’s most endangered animals due to habitat loss and poaching for their horns, which are falsely believed to have medicinal value.

Key Species:

  1. African Rhinos:
    • White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum) – Larger, with a broad mouth for grazing.
    • Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) – Smaller, hook-lipped for browsing shrubs.
  2. Asian Rhinos:
    • Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) – Also called the Great One-Horned Rhino, mostly found in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
    • Javan Rhino – Critically endangered, found in Indonesia.
    • Sumatran Rhino – Smallest and most endangered, with only a few dozen individuals left.

Conservation Status:

  • Most species are endangered or critically endangered (IUCN Red List).
  • Protected under CITES Appendix I, banning international trade in rhino horns.
  • Conservation efforts include habitat protection, anti-poaching laws, and rhino translocation programs.

Threats:

  • Poaching for horns, primarily driven by demand in Asia.
  • Loss of habitat due to agriculture and urban development.
  • Weak law enforcement and illegal wildlife trade networks.

Rhinos play a crucial ecological role by maintaining grassland and forest balance, and their protection is vital for broader biodiversity conservation.

Radioisotopes

Radioisotopes, or radioactive isotopes, are atoms that have unstable nuclei and emit radiation as they decay into more stable forms. These isotopes can be naturally occurring or artificially produced in reactors or particle accelerators.

Key Features:

  • Unstable nucleus emits alpha (α), beta (β), or gamma (γ) radiation.
  • Decay occurs at a predictable rate (half-life).
  • Used in medicine, industry, research, and now even in wildlife conservation.

Major Applications:

  1. Medical:
    • Diagnosis (e.g., Technetium-99m in imaging).
    • Treatment (e.g., Cobalt-60 for cancer radiotherapy).
  2. Industrial:
    • Detecting leaks in pipelines.
    • Gauging thickness of materials.
  3. Agriculture:
    • Improving crop varieties via mutation breeding.
    • Tracing nutrient pathways.
  4. Research:
    • Tracing chemical and biological processes.
  5. Wildlife Conservation:
    • As seen in the Rhino isotope tagging project, low-dose radioisotopes are used to make horns detectable at borders and less valuable for poachers.

Safety & Regulation:

  • Handled under strict guidelines due to health and environmental risks.
  • Regulated by bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and national atomic regulatory boards.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS


Global Plastics Treaty

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Context: Over 190 countries are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 5th round of talks (INC-5) under the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to finalize a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty.

  • Objective: To address plastic pollution at every stage—production, usage, and disposal—including capping production, reducing harmful chemicals, and improving recycling.
  • Context:
    • Talks follow a breakdown in Busan (Dec 2023) due to disagreements on production limits and chemical additives.
    • A resolution to create this treaty was passed in Nairobi (2022) at the UN Environment Assembly.
  • Plastic Crisis:
    • Global plastic production has doubled in two decades.
    • Plastic waste rose from 156 MT (2000) to 353 MT (2019).
    • OECD warns production may triple by 2060.
    • Health impacts include links to cancer, infertility, and cardiovascular diseases, costing the world $1.5 trillion annually.
  • Significance: If adopted, the treaty could become the most impactful global environmental agreement since the Paris Climate Accord (2015).

Learning corner:

Global Plastics Treaty

The Global Plastics Treaty is a proposed legally binding international agreement under negotiation by the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to address the full lifecycle of plastics—from production to disposal.

Background:

  • Initiated by a resolution at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi (2022).
  • Aims to tackle the growing plastic pollution crisis, which threatens ecosystems, human health, and economies.
  • The process is being coordinated through a series of negotiation rounds called INC-1 to INC-5.

Objectives:

  • To cap and reduce plastic production.
  • Eliminate harmful chemicals in plastic products.
  • Strengthen recycling and waste management systems.
  • Promote a circular economy and sustainable alternatives.
  • Hold producers accountable through extended producer responsibility (EPR).

Global Significance:

  • Plastic waste has more than doubled in two decades.
  • Production is projected to triple by 2060 under a business-as-usual scenario (OECD).
  • The treaty is considered as significant as the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement for its potential environmental impact.

Challenges:

  • Disagreements on binding commitments, especially production caps.
  • Divergence between developed and developing countries on responsibility and financing.
  • Influence of the petrochemical and plastics industry.

Source:  THE INDIAN EXPRESS


(MAINS Focus)


Battery Waste Management (GS Paper III – Science and Technology

Introduction (Context)

India, with its focus on decarbonisation, has witnessed rapid electrification, particularly in the realm of electric vehicle (EV) adoption. There are projections that India’s EV lithium battery demand may skyrocket to nearly 139 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by 2035 from 4 GWh in 2023. India’s expanding renewable energy sector is also catalysing demand for lithium batteries.

But the absence of a robust battery recycling ecosystem, particularly fair EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) floor pricing, threatens both environmental safety and economic sustainability.

Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022

In 2022, Lithium batteries alone accounting for 7,00,000 of the 1.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste generated 

Recognising these risks, the government notified the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022 to ensure sustainable management and recycling.

Salient provisions of Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022 are:

  • Comprehensive Coverage:
    • The rules cover all types of batteries, viz. Electric Vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries and industrial batteries.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
    • The rules are based on the EPR framework, where producers, including importers, are responsible for the collection, recycling/refurbishment, and incorporation of recovered materials into the production of new batteries.
    • Producers must ensure 100% collection of waste batteries and their proper processing.
    • Disposal of batteries in landfills or incineration is strictly prohibited.
  • Flexibility in Compliance:
    • To meet their EPR obligations, producers may either set up their own recycling/refurbishment mechanisms or authorize third parties (recyclers, refurbishers, or collection agencies).
  • EPR Certificate Mechanism:
    • A centralized online portal will be established for seamless registration, tracking, and exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers to ensure accountability and transparency.
  • Boost to Recycling Industry and Innovation:
    • The rules encourage the creation of new industries and entrepreneurship in battery collection and recycling.
    • Mandated recovery targets for valuable materials (like lithium, cobalt, and nickel) will promote technological innovation and investment in the recycling ecosystem.
  • Use of Recycled Content:
    • Producers are required to use a minimum percentage of recycled materials in manufacturing new batteries, reducing dependency on virgin raw materials and conserving natural resources.
  • Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanisms:
    • The rules provide for: Online registration and reporting, Audits and inspections
    • A dedicated monitoring committee to oversee implementation and address grievances or bottlenecks.
  • Environmental Compensation (Polluter Pays Principle):
    • Financial penalties (environmental compensation) will be levied for failure to meet EPR targets or comply with responsibilities.
    • The collected funds will be used for managing uncollected or improperly recycled battery waste.

Issues

  • Skewed EPR Floor Price
    • India’s Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to make producers responsible for battery recycling.
    • However, the EPR floor price — the minimum price recyclers should receive to process waste — is too low to support safe, high-quality recycling.
    • Proper disposal of lithium battery waste is expensive, requiring advanced processing technologies, safe transportation, and skilled labour to prevent hazardous materials from leaching into ecosystems.
    • Without viable pricing, legitimate recyclers struggle, while informal and fraudulent operators thrive, issuing fake certificates and dumping toxic waste.
    • Further, Lithium-ion batteries contain valuable minerals (lithium, cobalt, nickel). Efficient recycling can reduce India’s dependence on imports and support energy security and green tech

Without fair EPR floor pricing, India faces severe environmental degradation from improper battery recycling or dumping.

 The financial repercussions are equally alarming. Experts estimate that by 2030, inadequate battery recycling could cost India over $1 billion in foreign exchange losses.

  • Resistance to compliance
    • Large multinational producers often follow double standards, complying in developed nations but neglecting environmental responsibilities in developing countries like India.
    • This trend risks undermining the establishment of resilient and sustainable battery ecosystems across the global south.
  • Informal sector
    • Informal recyclers lack capacity and regulation, yet handle a bulk of the battery waste.
    • Weak enforcement, lack of audits, and manual certificate tracking lead to rampant malpractice in the recycling value chain.

Steps needed

  • India must consider adopting a fair and globally comparable EPR floor price that reflects the real costs of recycling and industry building
  • Policymakers, industry and recyclers should establish a viable pricing structure after analysing global pricing structures and best practices.
  • The EPR floor price for recycling battery waste should cover the full spectrum of recycling expenses, from collection to material recovery, ensuring that recyclers can operate sustainably without resorting to shortcuts.
  • Digitise the EPR certificate system to prevent fraud.
  • Impose strict audits and penalties for non-compliance.
  • Encourage producers to verify recyclers’ actions through independent audits.
  • Train and certify informal recyclers to follow environmental safety norms.
  • Offer technical and financial support to integrate them into the formal recycling economy.
  • Policy design must involve recyclers, producers, and regulators to ensure practicality.
  • Study international benchmarks and best practices for price-setting and enforcement.

Key terminologies

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A policy tool where producers are held responsible for the treatment and disposal of post-consumer products (e.g., batteries), including collection, recycling, and safe disposal.
  • EPR Floor Price: The minimum rate recyclers should receive from producers for every kg of battery waste recycled — ensures recycling remains financially viable and sustainable.
  • Circular Economy: An economic model focused on reducing waste by reusing, recycling, and regenerating products and materials, thereby minimising resource extraction and environmental impact.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Systems that store energy using rechargeable batteries, crucial for renewable energy integration and grid stability.

Conclusion

Battery waste is a growing environmental and economic challenge for India. A weak recycling structure, low EPR pricing, and unregulated informal practices pose significant threats. What’s needed is a fair pricing framework, digitised enforcement, and formalisation of recyclers to transform battery waste from a liability into a strategic asset. India cannot afford to miss this opportunity on its path to Net Zero.

Mains Practice Question

Q Discuss the challenges in managing battery waste in India in the context of EV adoption and renewable energy growth. What reforms are needed to ensure sustainable recycling under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework? (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The missing link in India’s battery waste management – The Hindu


Breastfeeding – Structural Challenges, Support Systems, and Reforms (GS Paper II – Governance)

Introduction (Context)

Experts have flagged the persistent gap between breastfeeding awareness and its sustained practice in India. Despite good initiation rates, only 63.7% of infants are exclusively breastfed for six months (NFHS-5). Hence, this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, is ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Build Sustainable Support Systems’, highlighting the need for systemic reforms and science-backed support systems.

Key Data

  • According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) -5 only 63.7% of infants meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines of breastfeeding for first 6 months.
  • The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding in India is 4.9 months.

Significance of breastfeeding

  • According to WHO, initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth (the “golden hour”) provide colostrum, boost newborn immunity and reduce infant mortality. 
  • It is the perfect food for infants as it contains all the nutrients a baby needs for the first 6 months, in the right proportions and is easily digestible.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months should be there– no water, food, or other fluids to ensure optimal growth, immunity and brain development. 
  • Breastmilk protects against infections, reduces the risk of diarrhoea, pneumonia and other common childhood illnesses.
  • Breastmilk contains antibodies and bioactive factors that boost the baby’s immune system and aid healthy gut development.
  • WHO estimates that widespread breastfeeding could save over 820,000 children under five every year globally and for mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and supports mental well-being.

Structural Issues

Despite campaigns and awareness drives, exclusive breastfeeding in India still drops sharply after the first few months.

Experts argue that this isn’t a failure of mothers—it’s a failure of the system. 

Issues are discussed below:

  • Poor post-natal awareness

    • In most tertiary care centres, delivery is followed by rapid discharge, leaving mothers without structured postnatal guidance. 
    • Without interventions, challenges like poor latch, delayed milk let-down and infant crying are often misinterpreted as insufficient milk, leading to early supplementation.\
    • Skin-to-skin contact and antenatal lactation counselling are proven to improve breastfeeding outcomes but remain inconsistently applied.
  • Physical and emotional challenges

    • Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. Many new mothers face difficulties with latching, nipple pain, or the fear of not producing enough milk. They’re medical issues that need trained help. 
    • Unfortunately, most health facilities don’t have dedicated lactation counselors.
    • Further home and workplace stress disrupts milk production. Cortisol (the stress hormone) interferes with prolactin and oxytocin and reduces milk production.
  • Training and Capacity Deficit in Field Workers

    • ASHAs and ANMs receive limited training on lactation techniques, infant weight issues, poor latch correction.
    • Lack of visual tools, referral pathways, or helplines.
  • Marginalisation and Lack of Tailored Communication

    • Tribal, migrant, and urban poor women face poor access to counselling, malnutrition, and information gaps.
    • Absence of multilingual, culturally sensitive, audio-visual educational content.
  • Informal sector

    • Informal sector women face early weaning due to lack of maternity leave, clean spaces for breastfeeding.
    • Absence of lactation pods, mobile crèches, or peer support in community settings.
    • India’s Maternity Benefit Act mandates breastfeeding breaks and crèche facilities, compliance is low. 

Steps needed

  • Breastfeeding support should be built into every level of healthcare—from hospitals to homes to workplaces.
  • Counselling on breastfeeding must be made routine during antenatal visits and immunisation check-ups.
  • PHC nurses, ASHAs, and Anganwadi workers should receive practical, hands-on training on breastfeeding support.
  • Breastfeeding must be treated not as a mother’s personal responsibility, but as a public health right.
  • Clean, private feeding rooms in public spaces and informal work hubs are essential, not optional.
  • Factories, markets, and rural workplaces can be supported through CSR or public-private partnerships to create mother-friendly spaces.
  • Use folk media, local languages, and audio-visual aids to spread messages that resonate.
  • Engage community leaders to build trust and improve uptake of breastfeeding support.
  • Creating supportive systems including skilled healthcare, family encouragement and workplace policies significantly improves breastfeeding outcomes. From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond.

Government Schemes

  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): A maternity benefit scheme providing a conditional cash incentive of ₹5,000 to pregnant and lactating women for the first live birth, aimed at improving maternal and child health and encouraging institutional delivery.
  • Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA) Program: A nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Health to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding through mass media campaigns, training of frontline health workers, and community-level awareness.
  • Matritva Sahyog Yojana: A maternity benefit scheme (now subsumed under PMMVY) that provided cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women above 19 years of age for the first two live births to improve nutrition and health outcomes.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is not just a behavioural act it is a biological process requiring scientific, emotional, and structural support. Mere awareness campaigns are insufficient. 

India needs integrated, evidence-backed interventions embedded into maternal and child healthcare delivery. Protecting breastfeeding is protecting national health and human capital.

Mains Practice Question

Q Discuss the systemic and structural challenges that hinder exclusive breastfeeding in India. What policy and programmatic reforms are necessary to improve breastfeeding rates and maternal health outcomes? (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: Why breastfeeding needs structural reform, not just awareness: experts call for science-backed, system-level support – The Hindu

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