Headline: SC Directs All High Courts to Publicly Disclose Time Taken by Judges to Deliver Judgments

1. Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Judicial Directive: The Supreme Court has directed all High Courts to publicly disclose the time taken by judges to pronounce verdicts after reserving them.
• Context: The order came during a hearing on a plea by four life convicts from ST/OBC communities who had been waiting 2-3 years for the Jharkhand High Court to deliver its judgment on their appeals.
• Key Demand: The SC wants a public dashboard on High Court websites showing:
  1. Number of judgments reserved by a judge.
  2. Time taken between reservation and pronouncement.
  3. Time taken to upload the judgment online after pronouncement.
• Objective: To enhance transparency and accountability in judicial functioning.

2. Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)

• GS Paper II:
  • Polity: Judiciary – Structure, organization, and functioning.
  • Governance: Transparency & accountability, e-governance.

3. Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. The Problem: Inordinate Delay in Pronouncing Judgments

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: A delayed judgment, especially in criminal appeals where the accused is in custody, effectively negates the Right to a Speedy Trial (a part of Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
• No Statutory Timeline: While the convention suggests a “reasonable time” of 2-6 months, there is no binding law. This has led to judgments being reserved for years, causing immense hardship to litigants.
• Erosion of Public Trust: Long delays undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system and contradict the principle of “justice delayed is justice denied.”

B. The SC’s Solution: Leveraging Transparency as a Tool

• Performance Metric: By making the time taken public, the SC is introducing a soft but powerful performance metric. Public scrutiny is expected to act as a self-correcting mechanism for the judiciary.
• E-Governance in Judiciary: The directive for a public dashboard aligns with the broader push for digitization and transparency in governance, extending it to the traditionally opaque functioning of the courts.
• Balancing Act: The SC has wisely asked High Courts to also voice their “apprehensions” about this disclosure, acknowledging that factors like case complexity and judicial workload must be considered. This ensures the process is consultative and not purely punitive.

C. Broader Implications for Judicial Reforms

• From Autonomy to Accountability: This move signifies a shift from absolute judicial autonomy towards greater judicial accountability to the public it serves.
• Data-Driven Policy: The data collected will be invaluable for future policymaking. It can help identify systemic bottlenecks, guide the optimal allocation of judges, and inform decisions on increasing judicial strength.
• Complementing Existing Initiatives: This directive complements other reforms like e-courts, live-streaming of proceedings, and the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), which already provides data on case pendency.

4. Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)

• Reservation of Judgment: The stage in a trial or appeal where the court has heard all arguments and takes time to consider its decision before pronouncing it.
• Judicial Accountability: The principle that judges are responsible for their conduct and decisions, and should be subject to scrutiny.
• Dashboard: A data visualization tool that displays key metrics and performance indicators.
• Article 21: The Fundamental Right to Life and Personal Liberty, interpreted by the SC to include the right to a speedy trial.

5. Mains Question Framing

• GS Paper II (Polity): “The Supreme Court’s recent directive for High Courts to disclose the time taken to pronounce judgments is a significant step towards judicial accountability. Discuss its potential benefits and challenges.”
• GS Paper II (Governance): “Transparency is a key pillar of good governance. Examine how the introduction of performance dashboards in the judiciary can enhance its efficiency and accountability.”

6. Linkage to Broader Policy & Initiatives

• e-Courts Project: A mission mode project to digitize the Indian judiciary, of which this dashboard would be a natural extension.
• National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG): A platform that provides data on pending cases in district and subordinate courts. The SC’s directive aims to create a similar system for the post-hearing stage in High Courts.
• Malimath Committee Report (2003): On reforms in the criminal justice system, which highlighted delays as a major problem.
• Law Commission Reports: Various reports have discussed case management and reducing delays.

Conclusion & Way Forward
The Supreme Court’s directive is a progressive and much-needed intervention to address a critical gap in the justice delivery system. It empowers citizens and litigants by giving them a window into the judicial process after the final hearing.

The Way Forward:

1. Develop a Robust Framework: High Courts should collaborate to design a uniform, user-friendly dashboard that provides meaningful data without being overly simplistic.
2. Contextualize the Data: The system should allow for context, such as noting if a case involves a particularly complex legal question, to ensure fair assessment of judges.
3. Implement in a Phased Manner: Start with the disclosure of data as directed, and gradually use the insights to set internal, non-punitive benchmarks for timely judgment delivery.
4. Extend to Lower Judiciary: Once successfully implemented in High Courts, a similar mechanism should be considered for district and subordinate courts, where the backlog is most severe.

This reform, if implemented in the right spirit, can significantly reduce the uncertainty and agony for litigants and reinforce the judiciary’s role as a truly accountable institution in a democratic setup.

Headline: India’s Retail Inflation Hits a Record Low of 0.25% in October 2025

1. Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Key Data Point: India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation plummeted to 0.25% in October 2025.
• Historical Context: This is the lowest inflation rate since the current CPI series began in January 2012.
• Primary Driver: The dramatic fall is largely attributed to a sharp deflation in the Food & Beverages category (-3.7%).
• Official Reasons: The government cites the full impact of GST rate cuts, a favourable base effect, and a drop in prices of specific items like vegetables and fruits.

2. Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)

• GS Paper III:
  • Indian Economy: Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• GS Paper I:
  • Society: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

3. Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Deconstructing the Record Low: Base Effect vs. Actual Price Change

• The Dominant Base Effect: The primary reason for the low headline number is the statistical “base effect.” In October 2024, food inflation was very high (9.7%). Comparing current, relatively stable prices to last year’s high prices creates a mathematically low (or negative) inflation rate. This doesn’t necessarily mean prices fell drastically in absolute terms, but that they are much lower relative to the same month last year.
• GST Rate Cuts: The government’s reduction in GST rates provided a genuine one-time downward push to prices, particularly in categories like clothing and footwear.
• Seasonal Factors: Improved supply conditions for vegetables and fruits, typical in the post-monsoon period (October), contributed to lower food inflation.

B. The Underlying Story: Core Inflation and Divergent Trends

• The Core Inflation Narrative: While headline inflation is very low, the data reveals a different story when we look at core inflation (headline inflation excluding volatile food and fuel prices).
  • Housing inflation accelerated to 3.0%.
  • Miscellaneous category (which includes services like health, education, and personal care) saw inflation jump to 5.7%.
  • Fuel and light inflation turned positive at 2.0%.
• Interpretation: This indicates that underlying price pressures in the non-food, non-fuel economy remain persistent. The cost of services, which is closely linked to domestic demand and wage pressures, is still rising at a significant pace.

C. Macroeconomic Implications and Policy Dilemma

• Positive Spin: Low headline inflation boosts real incomes for consumers, especially the poor who spend a larger portion of their income on food. It provides a sense of macroeconomic stability.
• The Risk of “Too Low” Inflation: Persistently very low inflation, or deflation (negative inflation, as seen in the food basket), can be a warning sign of weak demand in the economy. If consumers expect prices to fall further, they may postpone spending, which can hurt corporate profits and investment, leading to an economic slowdown.
• Dilemma for the RBI: This creates a complex scenario for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The low headline number argues for a dovish stance (lower interest rates to boost growth). However, the stickiness of core inflation suggests underlying demand is still strong, arguing for a cautious or hawkish stance (keeping rates higher to prevent inflation from flaring up again).

4. Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)

• Retail Inflation: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services consumed by households is rising, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• Base Effect: The impact of the price level from a year ago (the base) on the calculation of the current year’s inflation rate. A high base leads to lower current inflation.
• Core Inflation: A measure of inflation that excludes volatile items like food and fuel to understand the underlying, long-term trend in prices.
• Deflation: A decrease in the general price level of goods and services, the opposite of inflation.

5. Mains Question Framing

• GS Paper III (Economy): “The recent record low retail inflation figure in India presents a paradox of low headline inflation amidst persistent core inflation. Analyze the implications of this trend for monetary policy and economic growth.”
• GS Paper III (Economy): “Distinguish between headline and core inflation. Why is core inflation considered a more reliable indicator of underlying inflationary trends by policymakers?”

6. Linkage to Broader Policy & Initiatives

• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Framework: The RBI’s mandate is to keep CPI inflation at 4% within a band of +/- 2%. The current data will be a key input in the MPC’s next decision on the repo rate.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST): The role of the GST Council in influencing inflation through rate changes is highlighted here.
• Food Supply Chain Management: The volatility in food inflation underscores the importance of government initiatives like Operation Greens and infrastructure like Kisan Rails to stabilize prices.

Conclusion & Way Forward
The record low inflation number is a positive headline but requires a nuanced understanding. It is more a reflection of past high prices (base effect) and specific fiscal measures (GST cuts) rather than a broad-based collapse in price pressures.

The Way Forward:

1. Look Beyond the Headline: Policymakers and analysts must focus on core inflation to gauge the true state of demand in the economy.
2. RBI’s Cautious Stance: The RBI is likely to maintain a pause on interest rates, watching for signs of whether the low food inflation persists and if core inflation begins to moderate.
3. Monitor Demand Conditions: The government needs to carefully assess whether the deflation in food prices signals weak rural demand, which could have implications for the broader economy.
4. Supply-Side Reforms: Continue long-term reforms in agriculture and logistics to reduce the volatility of food prices, which is the primary source of inflation shocks in India.

This data point is a temporary relief rather than a permanent victory over inflation, and economic management must remain vigilant.

Headline: SEBI Panel Proposes Stricter Conflict of Interest Rules, Expands Definition of ‘Family’

1. Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Regulatory Body: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• Committee: A high-level committee chaired by former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Pratyush Sinha.
• Objective: To overhaul and strengthen the regulations governing conflict of interest for SEBI officials and board members.
• Trigger: The committee was formed following allegations (later cleared) against former SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch.
• Key Proposal: Establishment of an Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) headed by an Executive Director.

2. Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)

• GS Paper III:
  • Economy: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment; Effects of liberalization on the economy.
  • Security: Challenges to internal security (through corruption in institutions).
• GS Paper II:
  • Governance: Transparency & accountability, e-governance, citizens charters.

3. Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Key Recommendations of the Committee

• 1. Expanded Definition of ‘Family’:
  • Old Rule: Limited to spouse and children (2008 guidelines).
  • New Proposal: Expands to include any legal guardian-dependent relationship and persons related by blood or marriage who are “substantially dependent” on the employee. This closes a major loophole used to hide beneficial interests.
• 2. Stricter Disclosure Regime:
  • Multi-level Disclosures: Mandates initial, annual, event-based, and exit disclosures of assets, liabilities, and trading activities.
  • Tiered Application: The most stringent disclosures (assets & liabilities) are for top brass (Chairperson, Whole Time Members, Executive Directors), while other employees make internal disclosures.
• 3. Investment Restrictions:
  • Restrictions will apply to the newly defined “family members.”
  • Top officials are allowed to invest in mutual funds and similar products, capped at one-fourth of their portfolio, to align their interests with the general market while preventing speculation in individual stocks.
• 4. Institutional Mechanism – Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC):
  • A dedicated office headed by an Executive Director to oversee the entire framework, moving from ad-hoc compliance to institutionalized oversight.
• 5. Robust Recusal Framework:
  • A clear process for officials to recuse themselves from decisions where a conflict exists, overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer.
  • Transparency Measure: Summary of recusals to be published in SEBI’s annual report for public scrutiny.

B. The Rationale: Strengthening Institutional Integrity

• Pre-empting Conflicts: The proposals aim to move from a reactive to a proactive and preventive approach. By defining conflicts broadly and mandating continuous disclosures, SEBI seeks to prevent ethical breaches before they occur.
• Building Public Trust: As the country’s premier markets regulator, SEBI’s integrity is paramount for investor confidence. These measures are designed to bolster public trust by demonstrating a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Aligning with Global Best Practices: The recommendations bring SEBI’s internal governance in line with international standards for financial regulators, which often have strict personal trading and disclosure rules.

C. Potential Challenges and Implications

• Implementation Hurdles: Ensuring compliance across a large organization and verifying the authenticity of disclosures will be a significant administrative task for the proposed OEC.
• Privacy Concerns: The extensive disclosure requirements, especially for family members, could raise legitimate privacy concerns among employees.
• Deterring Talent: Overly stringent rules might deter talented individuals from taking up positions at SEBI, particularly lateral hires from the private sector.

4. Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)

• Conflict of Interest: A situation where a person’s personal interests could improperly influence the performance of their official duties and responsibilities.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI): The statutory regulatory body for the securities and commodity market in India.
• Recusal: The act of a public official abstaining from participation in an official action, such as a case, due to a potential conflict of interest.
• Lateral Entry: The induction of private sector specialists into government positions.

5. Mains Question Framing

• GS Paper III (Economy): “A robust conflict-of-interest framework is essential for the credibility of a market regulator. In light of this, discuss the significance of the recent proposals made by the SEBI committee.”
• GS Paper II (Governance): “Ethical governance in public institutions is non-negotiable for ensuring public trust. Examine how the proposed SEBI reforms aim to achieve this objective.”

6. Linkage to Broader Policy & Initiatives

• Mission Karmayogi: A government program for civil service capacity building, which emphasizes ethical governance and integrity.
• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: The broader legal framework against corruption that such internal regulations support.
• Corporate Governance: SEBI enforcing stricter rules on itself sets a powerful precedent for the listed companies it regulates, promoting a trickle-down effect of good governance.

Conclusion & Way Forward
The SEBI committee’s report is a comprehensive and timely effort to fortify the ethical foundations of India’s financial markets regulator. By proposing a shift from narrow rules to a principles-based, institutionally-backed framework, it addresses modern governance challenges.

The Way Forward:

1. Public Consultation: SEBI should invite public comments on the report to incorporate feedback and ensure the rules are practical and effective.
2. Digital Governance: The OEC should leverage technology to create a seamless digital platform for filing and monitoring disclosures, reducing the compliance burden.
3. Striking a Balance: The final regulations must carefully balance the need for transparency with the right to privacy and the need to attract top talent.
4. Replication by other Regulators: Successful implementation at SEBI could serve as a model for other financial sector regulators like RBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA.

Ultimately, these proposals, if implemented effectively, will not just protect SEBI’s integrity but will also strengthen the entire Indian financial ecosystem by ensuring that its watchdog is beyond reproach.

Headline: Cabinet Approves Rationalised Royalty Rates for Critical Minerals to Boost Domestic Mining

1. Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Decision: The Union Cabinet has approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals: Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium, and Zirconium.
• Objective: To reduce import dependence and address supply chain vulnerabilities for these strategic minerals.
• Key Change: A shift for Graphite from a fixed per-tonne royalty to an ad valorem basis (a percentage of the sale price), with rates varying based on carbon content.

2. Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)

• GS Paper III:
  • Indian Economy: Mobilization of resources, Growth and Development.
  • Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, etc. (as critical minerals are key inputs).
  • Security: Challenges to internal security through economic vulnerabilities.

3. Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Understanding the Policy Shift: From Fixed to Ad Valorem

• Old Regime (Graphite): A fixed royalty fee per tonne of ore mined. This was a rigid system that did not reflect the mineral’s market value or quality.
• New Regime (Ad Valorem): Royalty is now a percentage of the average sale price.
  • Graphite with <80% Carbon: 4% royalty. (Lower quality, higher processing cost, hence higher royalty rate).
  • Graphite with ≥80% Carbon: 2% royalty. (Higher quality, more valuable, incentivizes mining of better ore).
  • Caesium & Rubidium: 2% royalty.
  • Zirconium: 1% royalty.
• Rationale for Ad Valorem: This method is more equitable. It ensures that the government’s revenue (royalty) increases when mineral prices are high, and the burden on miners is lower when prices fall, creating a more sustainable and market-linked fiscal regime.

B. Strategic Significance: Boosting the Domestic Critical Minerals Sector

• Addressing Import Dependence: India is heavily import-dependent for most of these minerals, which are essential for modern technologies. This policy is a key part of the National Mineral Policy and the Critical Minerals Strategy.
• Promoting Auction of Mineral Blocks: By providing clear and rational royalty rates before auctions, the government reduces uncertainty for potential bidders. This makes it easier for them to calculate costs and submit competitive financial bids, thereby accelerating the auction process and bringing mines into production faster.
• Aligning with Broader Goals: This move directly supports initiatives like:
  • Make in India: By securing raw materials for advanced manufacturing (e.g., batteries, electronics, aerospace).
  • Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India): By building resilient domestic supply chains for strategic sectors.
  • Clean Energy Transition: Graphite is crucial for lithium-ion batteries used in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and energy storage.

C. Critical Minerals and Their Applications

• Graphite: Anode material in lithium-ion batteries, crucibles, refractories.
• Caesium & Rubidium: Used in atomic clocks, photoelectric cells, and medical research.
• Zirconium: Used in nuclear reactors (as cladding for fuel rods), ceramics, and space industry.

4. Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)

• Royalty: A payment made to the owner of a resource (here, the state government) for the right to extract and sell it.
• Ad Valorem Royalty: A royalty calculated as a percentage of the value of the mineral produced, as opposed to a fixed fee per unit.
• Critical Minerals: Minerals that are essential for economic development and national security, and whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption.
• Average Sale Price (ASP): The weighted average price at which minerals are sold, used as the benchmark for calculating ad valorem royalties.

5. Mains Question Framing

• GS Paper III (Economy): “A rational and predictable royalty regime is crucial for attracting investment in the mining sector. Discuss the significance of the recently approved ad valorem royalty rates for critical minerals in India.”
• GS Paper III (Economy/Security): “Critical minerals form the bedrock of modern industry and clean energy. Analyze the steps taken by the Indian government to secure a domestic supply of these minerals.”

6. Linkage to Broader Policy & Initiatives

• MMDR Act Amendment: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act provides the legislative framework for such reforms and the auction of mineral blocks.
  • Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL): A joint venture to secure strategic mineral assets abroad, which is complemented by domestic mining reforms.
  • Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme: Boosts demand for critical minerals like graphite.
  • National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage.

Conclusion & Way Forward
The Cabinet’s decision is a targeted and strategic reform that addresses a key bottleneck in India’s critical minerals ecosystem. By creating a transparent and market-friendly fiscal regime, it aims to unlock the country’s mineral potential and enhance its industrial and energy security.

The Way Forward:

1. Expedite Auctions: State governments must now swiftly identify and put up blocks of these minerals for auction.
2. Exploration and Resource Assessment: Enhance exploration activities through the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to discover new reserves of critical minerals.
3. Downstream Industries: Policy must also focus on developing downstream processing and manufacturing industries to create a complete value chain within India.
4. Continuous Review: The list of critical minerals and their royalty regimes should be periodically reviewed to align with technological changes and global market dynamics.

This reform is a critical step towards reducing external vulnerabilities and building a self-reliant, technologically advanced India.

Headline: India’s TB Incidence Declining at 21% Annually, Outpacing Global Average: WHO Report

1. Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)

• Report: World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report, 2025.
• Key Finding: India’s Tuberculosis (TB) incidence is falling at 21% per year, almost double the global decline rate of 12%.
• Data: Incidence reduced from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024.
• Flagship Initiative: TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in December 2024, has screened over 19 crore vulnerable individuals.

2. Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)

• GS Paper II:
  • Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, Issues relating to health.
• GS Paper I:
  • Society: Social empowerment, Development and associated issues.

3. Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Decoding India’s Success in TB Control

• Drastic Reduction in “Missing Cases”: This is the cornerstone of India’s success. The number of undetected/unreported TB cases plummeted from an estimated 15 lakh in 2015 to less than 1 lakh in 2024. This indicates a vastly improved surveillance and diagnostic system.
• Surge in Treatment Coverage: Treatment coverage jumped from 53% in 2015 to over 92% in 2024. This means that of the estimated 27 lakh new cases in 2024, 26.18 lakh were diagnosed and brought into the treatment fold.
• High-Tech & Community-Led Approach:
  • Technology: Swift uptake of molecular diagnostic tests like CB-NAAT and Truenat for accurate and rapid diagnosis.
  • Decentralisation: Making diagnostic and treatment services available at the grassroots level (e.g., Ayushman Arogya Mandirs).
  • Community Mobilisation: Involving NGOs, community health workers (ASHAs), and survivors to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

B. Impact on Mortality and Drug Resistance

• Reduced Mortality: The TB mortality rate fell from 28 to 21 per lakh population between 2015 and 2024, reflecting better case management and treatment adherence.
• Containing Drug Resistance: The report notes no significant increase in Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB. This is a critical achievement, as MDR-TB is more difficult and expensive to treat. It points to the success of programs ensuring patients complete their full course of first-line medication.
• Treatment Success Rate: India’s treatment success rate is 90%, higher than the global average of 88%, indicating effective patient support systems.

C. The Role of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

• Aggressive, Proactive Screening: Unlike passive case finding, this mission actively screens vulnerable populations, leading to the detection of 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases that would have otherwise been missed and continued to spread the disease.
• Holistic Approach: The Abhiyan integrates various government initiatives and leverages a whole-of-society approach, which is essential for tackling a disease deeply linked with poverty and malnutrition.

4. Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)

• TB Incidence: The number of new cases of TB occurring in a given population during a specified time.
• Missing TB Cases: People with TB who are not notified to the National TB Program, representing a gap in detection and a source of continued transmission.
• Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB): A form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the two most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs.
• Nikshay Portal: A web-based platform for the management of TB patients and monitoring of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

5. Mains Question Framing

• GS Paper II (Governance): “India’s significant progress in TB control, as highlighted in the recent WHO report, is a result of strategic policy interventions. Discuss the key factors behind this success and the challenges that remain.”
• GS Paper II (Health): “The reduction in ‘missing TB cases’ is critical for the elimination of Tuberculosis. Examine the measures taken by India to achieve this and their impact.”

6. Linkage to Broader Policy & Initiatives

• National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP): The overarching program guiding India’s TB control efforts, aiming to eliminate TB by 2025.
• Nikshay Poshan Yojana: A direct benefit transfer scheme providing nutritional support to TB patients.
• Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Provides health insurance that covers TB treatment.
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3: Aims to end the TB epidemic by 2030. India’s accelerated progress puts it on track to meet this target early.

Conclusion & Way Forward
India’s performance in TB control, as validated by the WHO, demonstrates that a well-funded, technologically driven, and community-centric public health program can yield transformative results. The country has successfully transitioned from a high-burden to a high-performance phase in its fight against TB.

The Way Forward:

1. Sustain Momentum: Continue the aggressive screening and high treatment coverage under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to maintain the rapid decline in incidence.
2. Address Comorbidities: Intensify focus on TB-HIV co-infection and TB-diabetes comorbidity management.
3. Private Sector Engagement: Further strengthen the engagement of the private healthcare sector to ensure all cases are notified and treated as per standard guidelines.
4. Research & Development: Invest in the development of new vaccines, shorter drug regimens, and more sensitive point-of-care diagnostics.
5. Address Social Determinants: Continue to link TB elimination with poverty alleviation, improved nutrition, and better living conditions to attack the root causes of the disease.

This success story provides a robust model for other high-burden countries and reinforces the potential of India’s public health system to achieve ambitious targets.