The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed World AIDS Day 2025 under the theme:
“Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.”
The event highlighted India’s progress in AIDS control and reaffirmed the commitment to end HIV as a public health threat.

Background:

• The first World AIDS Day was marked by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 1st December 1998 to recognize the role of civil society in combating HIV/AIDS globally.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / AIDS

About HIV

• HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, primarily CD4 cells (white blood cells), weakening the body and making it vulnerable to infections and cancers.

Transmission

• HIV spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, including blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal fluids.

• Common modes include unprotected sexual contact, shared needles, or unsterilized tattooing equipment.

• It cannot spread through casual contact like hugging or shaking hands.

Symptoms

• Early signs: fever, rash, and fatigue.

• Later stages: swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, diarrhea, and opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, meningitis, or cancers like lymphoma.

Treatment

• There is no cure for HIV, but lifelong Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) effectively controls the virus, preventing progression to AIDS.

Global Response

• UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 aims to end the HIV epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)

About NACP

• The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) is India’s central initiative for prevention, control, and management of HIV/AIDS.

• Implemented by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the advanced stage of HIV infection.

Evolution of NACP

1. NACP I (1992–1999): Launched India’s first comprehensive programme to slow HIV spread.

2. NACP II (1999–2006): Focused on reducing transmission and strengthening national capacity.

3. NACP III (2007–2012): Aimed to halt and reverse the epidemic by scaling up prevention and integrating services. Established District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs).

4. NACP IV (2012–2017, extended to 2021): Accelerated reversal with integrated care; aimed 50% reduction in new infections compared to the 2007 baseline.

   • Key initiatives:

     • HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 prohibiting discrimination.

     • Mission Sampark to re-engage People Living with HIV (PLHIV) lost to follow-up.

     • ‘Test and Treat’ policy and universal viral load monitoring.

5. NACP V (2021–2026): A Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of over ₹15,000 crore, aligning with SDG 3.3 to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Achievements of NACP

• HIV Prevalence: Dropped from 0.33% in 2010 to 0.20% in 2024, below the global average of 0.70%.

• New HIV Infections: Declined from 1.25 lakh in 2010 to 64,500 in 2024 (a 49% reduction), outperforming the global decline of 40%.

• Global Share: India now accounts for only 5% of global new infections (1.3 million in 2024).

• Testing and Treatment under NACP V:

  • HIV testing increased from 4.13 crore (2020–21) to 6.62 crore (2024–25).

  • People on ART rose from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh, reflecting expanded access and effective government interventions.

The Union Government recently sanctioned only ₹260 crore in disaster relief to Kerala following the Wayanad landslides of July 2024, despite the State’s estimated losses of ₹2,200 crore.
This stark disparity has reignited debates about the weakening of cooperative federalism and the increasing centralisation of disaster-risk finance in India.

India’s Current Disaster-Financing Framework

15th Finance Commission (2021–26)

The 15th Finance Commission expanded India’s disaster-financing architecture beyond the traditional relief-only funds: the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

• It recommended the creation of separate mitigation funds at both central and state levels, leading to the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and State Disaster Risk Management Funds (SDRMF).

• These funds integrate relief and mitigation into a unified disaster-risk management framework.

• Allocation of disaster-management funds is primarily based on population, total geographical area, and historical spending trends.

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)

• Provides immediate relief such as food, shelter, medical aid, and compensation.

• Funding ratio: 75:25 for general states; 90:10 for Northeast and Himalayan states.

• Covers notified disasters like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides.

• States can use up to 10% for local disasters as per state-defined norms.

• The central contribution is released in two equal installments annually.

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

• Supplements SDRF when a disaster is declared “severe” and SDRF funds are insufficient.

• Fully funded by the Central Government.

National and State Disaster Risk Management Funds (NDRMF & SDRMF)

• The National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) was established in 2021, with all states (except Telangana) setting up SDMF.

• Centre contributes 75% for general states and 90% for North-Eastern and Himalayan states.

• These funds support mitigation projects like flood control, landslide prevention, and seismic safety.

Concerns with India’s Disaster-Financing Framework

1. Widening Union–State Fiscal Asymmetry: States often receive far less than reported losses, weakening cooperative federalism.

2. Outdated Relief Norms: Compensation (e.g., ₹4 lakh per life lost, ₹1.2 lakh for fully damaged houses) has not kept pace with inflation.

3. Ambiguous ‘Severe Disaster’ Classification: Lack of clarity in the Disaster Management Act, 2005 creates scope for discretionary approvals.

4. Procedural Delays: Multiple approvals slow down fund release, as seen in delayed classification of Wayanad landslides.

5. Distorted Allocation: Finance Commission allocations based on population and area, not hazard exposure, and misinterpretation of committed SDRF funds.

6. Inadequate Local Capacity: Many DDMAs and urban bodies lack staff, GIS tools, and planning capacity.

7. Centralisation Trends: Increasing reliance on conditional approvals indicates a shift away from cooperative federalism.

Disaster Risk Financing Across the Globe

• United States: Uses data-driven triggers like per-capita damage thresholds for automatic federal aid.

• Mexico: Funds released automatically when hazard thresholds (rainfall, wind speed) are crossed.

• Philippines: Activates Quick Response Funds using rainfall and fatality indices.

• African & Caribbean Risk Insurance Pools: Use parametric insurance powered by satellite data.

• Australia: Links federal assistance to state relief expenditure as a share of revenue.

Recommended Reforms for India

1. Objective, Rule-Based Triggers: Automatic fund release based on rainfall intensity, crop loss, fatalities, or loss-to-GSDP, supported by a Disaster Risk Index.

2. Expand Hazard Coverage: Include landslides, cloudbursts, avalanches, and pest attacks; promote parametric insurance and regional risk pools.

3. Update Relief Norms: Revise compensation amounts for death, house damage, and livelihood loss to match current costs.

4. Strengthen Federal Balance: Ensure timely, transparent, and predictable NDRF/SDRF allocations, avoiding conditional releases.

5. Improve Finance Commission Criteria: Replace population-based allocations with scientific multi-hazard vulnerability indices, GIS risk maps, and climate exposure data.

6. Enhance Local-Level Capacity: Strengthen DDMAs, urban local bodies, and panchayats with trained staff, GIS tools, fire services, and emergency operation centers.

7. Expand SDMF/NDMF Utilisation: Support flood protection, slope stabilization, cyclone shelters, early-warning systems, and resilient infrastructure.

8. Scale-Up Local Volunteer Networks: Programs like Aapda Mitra can strengthen first response and last-mile disaster governance.

Conclusion

India’s disaster-financing system faces growing strain, with widening gaps between assessed losses and central aid, weakening cooperative federalism. As climate shocks intensify, a predictable, rules-based, and equitable funding framework is essential to protect states and citizens during future disasters.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued global guidelines on the use of popular GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.

About GLP-1 Drugs

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are synthetic drugs used primarily for the treatment of obesity in adults.

• These drugs are mainly injectables, although oral versions are under development.

• Leading examples include Semaglutide and Tirzepatide (developed by Eli Lilly).

• Both drugs have been introduced in India and are transforming obesity and diabetes treatment.

How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?

GLP-1 drugs function through multiple mechanisms:

1. Increase insulin secretion when blood glucose levels are high.

2. Inhibit glucagon release, reducing glucose output by the liver.

3. Slow gastric emptying, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar.

4. Suppress appetite, making individuals feel full sooner.

Key Facts About Glucagon-like Peptide-1

• GLP-1 is both an incretin hormone and a neurotransmitter.

• It is a naturally occurring gut hormone, released after food intake.

• GLP-1 is secreted from the small intestine and the hindbrain after a meal.

• It travels to the pancreas, where it helps regulate blood sugar by increasing insulin and decreasing glucagon.

• Its natural effect lasts only a few minutes, giving immediate but short-term regulation of blood sugar after meals.

• GLP-1 also has beneficial effects on organs like the kidney, liver, and cardiovascular system.

Members of the Bonda community in Odisha’s Malkangiri district are set to transition from fragile thatched huts to permanent pucca houses under the Union government’s PM-Janman scheme, aiming to improve living conditions for this particularly vulnerable tribal group.

About the Bonda Tribe

Location and Population

• The Bondas are exclusively found in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, mostly in the Khairaput block.

• They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and are considered one of India’s oldest tribes.

• Alternate names include Bondo, Bondas, Bonda Paraja, and Bhonda.

• The tribe has a population of approximately 7,000 people living in mountainous and forest ecosystems.

• They are considered among the first settlers in India, with lineage tracing back to the Austroasiatic race.

Language

• The Bonda people speak Remo, an Austroasiatic language.

• Their language is distinct from mainstream Indian languages, making communication difficult for outsiders.

Groups and Social Structure

• The Bondas are divided into two groups:

  1. Lower Bondas: Live in southern Odisha near Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

  2. Upper Bondas: Reside in remote hilly villages of Malkangiri.

• They have a hierarchical social organization, with a council of elders making key community decisions.

• Villages are small and organized around communal spaces for ceremonies and meetings.

Culture and Lifestyle

Architecture

• Traditional Bonda houses are made of mud with thatched roofs, suited to mountainous terrain and local climate.

Art and Dress

• Bondas express art through decorative tools, utensils, colorful fabrics, and jewelry.

• Their dressing style is unique: women wear semiclad clothing with multiple jewelry pieces, while men wear distinctive traditional attire.

Religion

• The Bonda religion is animistic, emphasizing worship of nature and ancestral spirits.

Occupation and Economy

• The Bondas practice subsistence agriculture, hunting, and gathering.

• They follow a unique shifting cultivation system called dangar chas.

• Crops grown include paddy, millet, pulses, and vegetables.

Education and Health

• Only 6% of the Bonda population is literate.

• Life expectancy is low, and the community is considered nearly extinct due to small population and challenging living conditions.

The Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command recently stated that the Indian Navy is setting up a detachment on Bitra Island, and the project is nearly complete.

About Bitra Island

Location and Geography

• Bitra Island is situated in the northern region of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.

• It is the smallest inhabited island in the Lakshadweep territory, with a land area of 0.105 sq.km, a length of 0.57 km, and a width of 0.28 km at its broadest point.

• Despite its small land area, its lagoon area spans 45.61 sq.km.

Cultural Significance

• The island hosts a shrine of Malik Mulla, an old Arab saint buried there.

• This shrine is a pilgrimage site for people from other islands in Lakshadweep.

Population

• According to the 2011 Census, Bitra Island has a population of 271 residents.

Climate

• Bitra Island experiences a climate similar to Kerala, with March to May being the hottest period.

• Temperature range: 25°C to 35°C.

• Humidity: 70%–76% for most of the year.

Ecology and Environment

• Historically, the island was covered with thick shrubs and served as a breeding ground for seabirds.

• In the early 19th century, human activity led to departure of seabirds from the island.

Strategic Importance

• Bitra Island is strategically significant for India due to its key location in the Arabian Sea.

• The upcoming naval detachment will make Bitra the third island in Lakshadweep with a defence establishment.

• Existing naval bases in the archipelago include:

  1. INS Dweeprakshak – Kavaratti, capital of Lakshadweep.

  2. INS Jatayu – Minicoy Island.