• NEWS:Union Minister withdraws ‘objectionable’ word after sparring with DMK MPs
• GS-2 POLITY
• ISSUE: union government not releasing funds for the PM SHRI scheme.
• constitutional obligation of union government to release fund for state
• Tax Devolution (Article 270):
• The Constitution provides for the distribution of net proceeds of certain taxes and duties between the Union and the States.
• The Finance Commission,

                   constituted under Article 280, plays a crucial role in recommending the principles for this distribution. 

• Grants-in-Aid (Article 275):

                   The Union government is obligated to provide grants-in-aid to states in need of assistance, as determined by Parliament. 

• Article 282 – Discretionary Grants
• The Union Government can provide discretionary grants to states for public purposes. While these are not mandatory, they are often released for specific schemes or projects

Central Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)

• The Union Government funds various central and centrally sponsored schemes, where it shares the financial burden with states. The release of funds for these schemes is based on predefined guidelines and conditions.
• While these funds are not a constitutional obligation, they are part of the cooperative federalism framework, and delays or non-release can impact state finances and governance.

Judicial Intervention

• In case of non-release or undue delay in the release of funds, states can approach the courts. The judiciary has, in certain cases, intervened to ensure that the Union Government fulfills its financial obligations to states.

The PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SRI) Scheme

• it is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at transforming and upgrading schools across the country to meet the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The scheme focuses on improving the quality of school education by creating model schools that serve as exemplars for others.

Alignment with NEP 2020

• The PM-SRI Scheme is closely aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes:
• Universal access to quality education.
• Equitable and inclusive education.
• Focus on foundational literacy and numeracy.
• Integration of vocational education and skill development.
• Use of technology in education.
• Funding:
  • The funding pattern is 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature (except J&K).
  • The sharing pattern is 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States and UT of J&K and 100% central funding for the Union Territories without legislature.
  • States must confirm their participation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education Ministry.
• NEWS:‘Over six lakh cases identified as part of TB control campaign’

GS-3 HEALTCARE POLICY AND DELIVERY SYSTERM

 Tuberculosis (TB)

      it is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.It commonly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.

• It is a treatable and curable disease.

Over 6.1 lakh tuberculosis patients have been notified across the country

• 4.3 lakh have been diagnosed in the 455 intervention districts
• that were part of the Union Health Ministry’s 100-day intensifid TB elimination campaign
• The campaign was launched in 33 States and Union Territories to screen and test for TB among people belonging to the vulnerable or high-risk groups
• The 100-day TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is an outcome of a new strategy for early TB identification
• it involvies offering X-ray screening to high-risk populations, such as individuals with diabetes and people living with HIV
• By deploying ultraportable hand-held X-ray units and conducting door-to-door screenings
• both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals were tested
• Positive X-ray results were then confirmed with NAAT (an advanced diagnostic test), leading to the identi- cation of multiple asymptomatic TB patients
• India faces the world’s largest TB epidemic with the infection still a major public health problem.
• The country’s TB incidence has declined by 17.7% from 2015 to 2023, according to the WHO.

The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (TB-Free India Campaign) is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India to achieve the goal of eliminating tuberculosis (TB) from the country by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The campaign is part of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), previously known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).

Objectives of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

1. Eliminate TB by 2025: Reduce the incidence of TB to less than 1 case per 1,00,000 population by 2025.
2. Early Detection and Diagnosis: Ensure early detection and diagnosis of TB cases to prevent transmission.
3. Universal Access to Treatment: Provide free and high-quality treatment to all TB patients.

4.Preventive Measures: Focus on preventive measures, including vaccination and addressing social determinants of TB.

5.Community Engagement: Involve communities, civil society, and private sector stakeholders in the fight against TB.

6.Digital Initiatives: Leverage technology for better monitoring, reporting, and patient support.

• Key Strategies and Components

1. Ni-kshay Portal: A web-based platform for monitoring TB cases and ensuring timely treatment.
2. Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: Direct financial assistance of ₹500 per month to TB patients for nutritional support during their treatment.
3. Active Case Finding: Systematic screening of high-risk populations to detect TB cases early.

4.Private Sector Engagement: Encouraging private healthcare providers to notify TB cases and provide free treatment under the NTEP.

5.Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST): Ensuring all TB patients are tested for drug resistance to provide appropriate treatment.

6.TB Preventive Therapy (TPT): Providing preventive therapy to high-risk groups, such as household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV.

7.Digital Tools: Use of mobile apps and digital platforms for patient support, adherence monitoring, and reporting.

8.Awareness Campaigns: Mass media campaigns to raise awareness about TB symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

• NEWS:X owner Musk says platform is affected by ‘massive cyberattack

GS-3 SCIENCE AND TECH

A cyber attack is a malicious attempt by an individual, group, or organization to breach, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or devices. These attacks are typically carried out to steal, alter, or destroy sensitive data, extort money, or disrupt normal operations. Cyber attacks can target individuals, businesses, governments, or critical infrastructure.

• Types of Cyber Attacks

    Cyber attacks come in various forms, each with its own methods and objectives. Here are some of the most common types:

1.Malware Attacks

           Malware (malicious software) is designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a system

Example: WannaCry ransomware attack (2017)

2.Phishing Attacks

                 Attackers impersonate legitimate entities to trick victims into revealing sensitive information (e.g., passwords, credit card numbers).

Example: Fake emails from “banks” asking for login credentials.

3.Denial-of-Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks

          Overwhelm a system, server, or network with excessive traffic, making it unavailable to users.

  Example: DDoS attack on Dyn (2016), disrupting major websites like Twitter and Netflix.

4. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

• Definition: Attackers intercept and alter communication between two parties without their knowledge.
• Methods:
  • Eavesdropping: Listening to private conversations.
  • Session Hijacking: Taking over a user’s session.
• Example: Intercepting unsecured Wi-Fi communications.

6.SQL Injection

        Attackers insert malicious SQL code into a database query to gain unauthorized access to data.

• Impact: Can lead to data theft, deletion, or manipulation.
• Example: Stealing user credentials from a website’s database.

7.Zero-Day Exploits

• Definition: Attackers exploit unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware before developers can fix them.
• Impact: Highly dangerous as there is no defense until a patch is released.
• Example: Stuxnet worm (2010), which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities.

• NEWS:India second-largest arms importer after Ukraine in 2020-24, says SIPRI

GS-3 INTERNAL SECURITY

findings

• India was the second largest arms importer, though the trade figures decreased by 9.3% between 2015-19 and 2020-24
• India is the biggest arms export destination for both Russia and France, though the volume with Moscow has significantly reduced
• China dropped out of the list of top 10 arms importers for the first time since 1990-94, showcasing its expanding domestic industrial base
• The largest share of Indian arms imports (36%) came from Russia, a significantly smaller share than in 2015-19 (55%) and 2010- 14 (72%)

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 

• SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
• Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
• MAINS QUESTION

      INDIA is a union of states . discuss the lacunas in estabilishing cooperative federalism regarding financial assistance