What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

Confusing the 'World Health Assembly' (WHA) with the 'World Health Organization' (WHO) secretariat, or mixing up the conditions for adoption (by WHA) vs. entry into force (60 ratifications). They may also swap the '10% donation' demand between the Equity Group and the EU stance.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted on May 20, 2025. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the Pandemic Agreement. 3. Target this Legal Point: Agreement enters force 30 days after 60 ratifications.

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News 17 of 29

WHO Pandemic Agreement Adopted May 2025, India Pushes for Legally Binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System

Q: Which global body's assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement discussed in the news?

World Health Assembly, The article explicitly states that 'The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the World Health Assembly on May 20, 2025.' The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the supreme decision-making body of the WHO.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the WHO Pandemic Agreement: 1. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025. 2. It will enter into force immediately upon adoption by the World Health Assembly. 3. A key point of negotiation is the legally binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system. 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 article clarifies the agreement will enter into force '30 days after 60 countries have ratified it', not immediately. Statement 3 is correct as the negotiation of the PABS system forms the core of the news report.

Q: According to the news, what is the minimum percentage of pandemic products that manufacturers should donate to WHO under the proposed benefit-sharing system?

10%, The article states that non-monetary benefits include 'requirements that manufacturers reserve a percentage of real-time production of pandemic products for WHO (with at least 10% donated)'. The EU also agrees with this '10% donation floor'.

Q: What is a primary objective of India's stance in the Pandemic Agreement negotiations as per the news article?

To create a legally binding system ensuring benefits for countries providing pathogens., The article details India's push for a 'system of standard legally binding contracts' and an enforceable PABS system to ensure benefit-sharing, countering the current 'extractive system' where supplying countries get 'very little benefit'. This contrasts with the EU's preference for voluntary agreements.

Intl. Relations PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

14 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:May 20, 202530 days after 60 ratifications10% donation floor

Bodies:World Health Organization (WHO)World Health AssemblyIntergovernmental Working Group (IGWG)Third World Network (TWN)

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.India is negotiating for a legally binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system under the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

2.The agreement, adopted on May 20, 2025, will enter into force 30 days after 60 countries ratify it.

3.Developing countries seek enforceable contracts ensuring monetary and non-monetary benefits (like 10% product donation) from commercialized pandemic products.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

India is advocating for a legally binding system for sharing pathogens and their genetic sequences at WHO Pandemic Agreement talks, aiming to ensure equity and benefits for developing countries. This is a critical development in global health governance, directly relevant to UPSC GS Paper II (International Relations) and III (Disaster Management).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

WHO Pandemic Agreement Adoption DateMay 20, 2025

Entry into Force Condition30 days after 60 ratifications

Proposed Donation Floor10% of pandemic products

Negotiating BodyIntergovernmental Working Group (IGWG)

1-Minute Revision

›WHO Pandemic Agreement Adoption Date: May 20, 2025
›Entry into Force Condition: 30 days after 60 ratifications
›Target this Data: WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted on May 20, 2025.
›Target this Nodal Body: Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the Pandemic Agreement.
›Target this Legal Point: Agreement enters force 30 days after 60 ratifications.

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News Snapshot

🌍

Global Health Equity Push

India is leading the charge for a legally binding benefit-sharing system to address global health inequities exposed by COVID-19.

⚖️

Legally Binding PABS System

The proposed Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system would mandate enforceable contracts for sharing pathogen samples and data.

🤝

EU vs Equity Group Stance

While the EU favors voluntary manufacturer agreements, India and the Equity Group demand mandatory obligations, including 10% product donation.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed stark inequalities in global pandemic preparedness and response, particularly in access to vaccines and therapeutics. This prompted the World Health Assembly to adopt a Pandemic Agreement on May 20, 2025, to create a legally binding international framework for prevention, preparedness, and response. A key unresolved issue is establishing a fair system for sharing pathogens (samples and genetic data) and the resulting benefits.

Core Analysis & Implications

India, represented by Health Ministry officials and Geneva diplomats, is advocating for a robust, legally binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system as an annex to the Agreement. This system would require all entities (including private pharmaceutical companies) using shared materials to sign contracts with benefit-sharing obligations. Benefits include monetary payments (percentage of revenue) and non-monetary ones like reserving 10% of production for WHO donation and granting non-exclusive licenses to developing country manufacturers. The 'Equity Group' also demands traceability to the source country and prior informed consent. This pits developing nations seeking enforceable rules against the EU's preference for voluntary incentives.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) is currently negotiating the PABS details. The full Pandemic Agreement is expected to be adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2026, after which countries can sign and ratify it. The success of these negotiations will determine whether future pandemic responses are characterized by equitable collaboration or continued 'extractive' practices, as criticized by groups like the Third World Network.

Key Facts at a Glance

WHO Pandemic Agreement Adoption DateMay 20, 2025

Entry into Force Condition30 days after 60 ratifications

Proposed Donation Floor10% of pandemic products

Negotiating BodyIntergovernmental Working Group (IGWG)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC

Which global body's assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement discussed in the news?

Q2Statement-basedMediumUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the WHO Pandemic Agreement:

1. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025.

2. It will enter into force immediately upon adoption by the World Health Assembly.

3. A key point of negotiation is the legally binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the news, what is the minimum percentage of pandemic products that manufacturers should donate to WHO under the proposed benefit-sharing system?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC

What is a primary objective of India's stance in the Pandemic Agreement negotiations as per the news article?

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WHO Pandemic Agreement Adopted May 2025, India Pushes for Legally Binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Global Health Equity Push

Legally Binding PABS System

EU vs Equity Group Stance

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance