India Achieves 95% Measles Vaccine Coverage; 4.53 Lakh Children Still Miss Dose in 2025

India's Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate Drops to 55.8% in NFHS-6, Reversing NFHS-5 Gains

India's exclusive breastfeeding rate for infants under six months has declined to 55.8% in NFHS-6 (2023-24), reversing the gains from NFHS-5 (63.7%). The decline varies by state, with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh seeing the steepest drops. The article explores potential causes: reduced postnatal support, rising C-section rates (27.2%), and women's return to work. This is a key data point for UPSC prelims and a case study for mains on maternal and child health policy.

India's Food Safety Rulebook Under Scrutiny: 5.18 Lakh Samples Tested, 88,192 Penalties (2022-25)

The article examines gaps in India's food safety enforcement despite the comprehensive Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Key issues include licensing, inspections, testing, traceability, and the rise of quick-commerce. Over 5.18 lakh samples were tested between 2022-25, with 88,192 penalties but only 3,614 convictions, highlighting enforcement weaknesses.

NEET-PG Threshold Cut to 0 Percentile, NMC Flags 100+ Medical Colleges Over Quality Concerns

India's rapid expansion of medical education—doubling medical colleges and lowering NEET-PG thresholds to zero percentile—is compromising training quality and endangering patient safety. The NMC has flagged over 100 colleges for deficiencies, but deeper issues like faculty shortages and inadequate patient volume persist.

SC Pushes FSSAI for Front-of-Pack Warning Labels; Expert Flags 'Two or More' Threshold Loophole

FSSAI has proposed red hexagonal warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, or saturated fat, but a critical loophole exists: warnings are triggered only when a product is high in two or more of these nutrients. This allows many unhealthy products to escape scrutiny. The Supreme Court is monitoring the issue with the next hearing on September 10, 2026. For exams, this is relevant to food safety regulation, consumer rights, and judicial activism.

Gender Disparity in Organ Transplantation: 63.8% Women Donors, 69.8% Male Recipients (2019-2023)

A glaring gender bias in India's organ transplant system reveals that between 2019 and 2023, 63.8% of living organ donors were women, yet 69.8% of transplant recipients were men. This exposes deep-rooted patriarchal norms where women are expected to sacrifice for family while men are prioritised to receive life-saving organs.

Union Health Ministry Mandates CCTV at Medical Stores for Schedule H, H1, X Drug Sales; 3-Month Recordings

The Union Health Ministry has proposed mandatory CCTV installation at medical stores selling prescription and habit-forming drugs (Schedule H, H1, X) to curb unauthorized sale and drug abuse, especially among children. Chemists oppose citing cost, privacy, and rural connectivity issues. The move involves CDSCO and the Drugs Consultative Committee.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: 60 Cr Beneficiaries, 13 Cr Treatments, ₹2 Lakh Crore Savings in 8 Years

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the world's largest health insurance scheme, completes 8 years with 60 crore beneficiaries, 13 crore hospitalisations, and ₹2 lakh crore in savings. The scheme provides ₹5 lakh cashless cover per family annually, with 48.5 crore Ayushman cards issued. This news is significant for exams as it tests understanding of India's health infrastructure and government welfare schemes.

NCAHP Notifies 2026 Registration Regulations: Mandatory UID for 57 Allied Healthcare Professions

The NCAHP has notified the Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026, making it mandatory for 57 categories of professionals to register with State and Central registers and obtain a Unique Identification (UID) number. This regulation aims to bring transparency, verification, and standardization in allied healthcare services, with penalties including jail term for non-compliance. Students and existing unqualified practitioners have interim and provisional registration pathways.