What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the 'percentage of districts at risk' or 'labour hours lost' with close but incorrect numbers. They might also confuse the report's publisher (Dasra) with a government body like NITI Aayog or confuse NAPCC with the National Health Policy.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 40% of districts at high risk; 160 billion labour hours lost (2021); 16% increase in preterm birth odds during heatwaves. 2. Target this Nodal Body: The report is by Dasra (a philanthropy fund organization). 3. Target this Policy: National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health; Heat Action Plans (HAPs).

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40% Indian Districts at High Climate-Health Risk; Report Links Heatwaves to 16% Higher Preterm Birth Odds

Q: The report 'Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience' was published by which organization?

Dasra, The article explicitly states that the report is by Dasra, described as a philanthropy fund organization. NITI Aayog is a government policy think tank, WHO is a UN agency, and MoHFW is a ministry, none of which are mentioned as the publisher here.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the findings of the report 'Under the Weather': 1. It states that climate change is expanding the range of vector-borne diseases like dengue to regions including Shimla and parts of Jammu & Kashmir. 2. It estimates that India lost 180 billion labour hours in 2021 due to heat exposure. 3. It links exposure to extreme heat with a 16% increase in the odds of preterm birth during heatwaves. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the report notes a loss of 160 billion labour hours, not 180 billion. Statement 3 is correct as explicitly mentioned. Hence, both 1 and 3 are correct.

Q: According to the report 'Under the Weather', what percentage of districts in India are at high risk from extreme weather events?

Nearly 40%, The article states the report finds climate change is "placing nearly 40% of districts at high risk from extreme weather events." The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Q: What is the primary significance of climate change being termed a 'health-risk multiplier' in the report?

It amplifies both the burden of diseases and the pressure on healthcare systems., The article explains that as a 'health-risk multiplier', climate change increases disease burden (both communicable and non-communicable) and simultaneously strains healthcare infrastructure. The other options are either incomplete or misrepresent the concept described.

Environment Social Issues PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

06 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:40% districts high risk160 billion labour hours lost (2021)16% increase in preterm birth odds1°C temperature rise increases risks

Bodies:Dasra

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Report 'Under the Weather' by Dasra highlights climate change as a public health threat, placing 40% of Indian districts at high risk from extreme weather.

2.Climate change is expanding vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria to new regions (e.g., Shimla, J&K) and is linked to a 16% increase in preterm birth odds during heatwaves.

3.Examiners will focus on the specific data points, the concept of 'health-risk multiplier', and the intersection of climate policy (NAPCC, Heat Action Plans) with health outcomes.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

Climate change is now a major public health threat in India, acting as a 'health-risk multiplier' by expanding vector-borne diseases, increasing non-communicable disease burden, and disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities. A new report highlights that nearly 40% of districts face high risk from extreme weather, which strains healthcare systems and deepens inequalities.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Districts at High RiskNearly 40%

Labour Hours Lost (2021)160 billion

Preterm Birth Risk Increase16% during heatwaves

Report Name"Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience"

OrganizationDasra (philanthropy fund)

1-Minute Revision

›Districts at High Risk: Nearly 40%
›Labour Hours Lost (2021): 160 billion
›Target this Data: 40% of districts at high risk; 160 billion labour hours lost (2021); 16% increase in preterm birth odds during heatwaves.
›Target this Nodal Body: The report is by Dasra (a philanthropy fund organization).
›Target this Policy: National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health; Heat Action Plans (HAPs).

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News Snapshot

🌡️

Health-Risk Multiplier

Climate change acts as a 'health-risk multiplier', increasing both communicable (dengue, cholera) and non-communicable (cardiovascular, respiratory) disease burdens.

⚖️

Unequal Burden

Vulnerable communities like rural populations, informal workers, women, and children face the greatest health risks, deepening existing inequalities.

🛡️

Policy Response

Initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health and city-level Heat Action Plans are being implemented to build resilience.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The link between climate and health is a growing policy focus globally and in India. India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes a human health component. This report provides a data-driven assessment of how extreme weather (heatwaves, floods, cyclones) is no longer an isolated event but a continuous cycle disrupting health systems and livelihoods.

Core Analysis & Implications

The report identifies a dual burden: expanding vector-borne diseases into new geographies (e.g., Himalayan foothills) and exacerbating non-communicable diseases via heat stress and air pollution (PM2.5). The economic impact is severe, with 160 billion labour hours lost in 2021. Health systems are strained as climate disasters damage infrastructure and disrupt supply chains, especially in remote areas.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The report calls for integrating health centrally into climate policy, not as a secondary concern. Solutions include investing in climate-resilient health infrastructure, improving local data systems for targeted intervention, and enhancing funding for adaptation. Innovations like AI-based disease tracking and solar-powered health facilities, piloted by NGOs, need scaling up through government-civil society-private sector collaboration.

Key Facts at a Glance

Districts at High RiskNearly 40%

Labour Hours Lost (2021)160 billion

Preterm Birth Risk Increase16% during heatwaves

Report Name"Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience"

OrganizationDasra (philanthropy fund)

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The report 'Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience' was published by which organization?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the findings of the report 'Under the Weather':

1. It states that climate change is expanding the range of vector-borne diseases like dengue to regions including Shimla and parts of Jammu & Kashmir.

2. It estimates that India lost 180 billion labour hours in 2021 due to heat exposure.

3. It links exposure to extreme heat with a 16% increase in the odds of preterm birth during heatwaves.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

According to the report 'Under the Weather', what percentage of districts in India are at high risk from extreme weather events?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary significance of climate change being termed a 'health-risk multiplier' in the report?

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40% Indian Districts at High Climate-Health Risk; Report Links Heatwaves to 16% Higher Preterm Birth Odds

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Health-Risk Multiplier

Unequal Burden

Policy Response

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance