UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 : Questions on demand for autonomy by the Eastern Nagaland and WHO report on TB (Week 76)

QUESTION 2

The demand for autonomy by the Eastern Nagaland districts has sparked a debate about regional governance and the political aspirations of indigenous communities in India. Discuss.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: The recent World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights India’s progress in addressing tuberculosis (TB) care, but also flags concerns related to funding gaps that could hinder the country’s goal of TB eradication by 2025. Discuss.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) report highlights the country’s success in decreasing the gap between detected and undiagnosed cases during the last eight years.

— India’s dedicated journey to tuberculosis (TB) elimination has been recognised globally, with a notable 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, more than doubling the global average decline of 8.3%, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its Global Tuberculosis Report 2024.

— The study includes results in limiting multidrug resistant tuberculosis, demonstrating the efficiency of several of the government’s recent efforts, such as decreasing the treatment term.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— According to WHO data, India’s tuberculosis incidence has decreased by 18% over the last eight years. This is more than double the rate of decline compared to the global decline of 8%. However, at this rate, the country will struggle to meet its aim of eradicating the disease by 2025.

— The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) goal 3.3 proposes to “End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases by 2030.” India, as a party to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), has vowed to meet the “End TB” targets by 2025, five years before the SDG deadline of 2030.

— The indicators for TB under this target include:

(i) An 80% drop in tuberculosis incidence (new cases per lakh population) compared to 2015.

(ii) A 90% reduction in tuberculosis mortality rates compared to 2015.

(iii) No TB-affected households are incurring catastrophic disease-related expenses.

— Certain obstacles, such as a lack of awareness, limited medical facilities, and malnutrition, continue to plague the TB elimination project.

— According to a Lancet article published last year, poor eating in adults accounts for 35 to 45 percent of all new cases each year, while undernutrition in tuberculosis patients is a key risk factor for mortality.

— The government does provide a nutritional support program for patients with the bacterial condition. Though the number of TB patients covered by the programme has expanded significantly over the last six decades, experts argue the sum is insufficient to appropriately help the economically disadvantaged. According to government data, more than a fifth of those infected with tuberculosis still lack access to support.

— The WHO flags a significant fall in funding to eradicate the disease in India — from $ 432.6 million in 2019 to $ 302.8 million in 2023.

Conclusion:

— Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial illness caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mostly affects the lungs. It spreads from person to person through droplets from the throat and lungs of persons who have an active respiratory condition. India has the largest TB burden, with two people dying from tuberculosis (TB) every three minutes.

— In response to increasing medical insights, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) implemented comprehensive care packages and decentralised TB services, including an extended rollout of shorter oral regimens for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

(Source: WHO reports shows India has plugged gaps in TB care. Funding deficits could delay eradication, http://www.who.int, pib.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)

World TB Day

What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?

Related Previous Year Questions

To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronised with the anticipated outcomes’. Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (2017)

Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest? (2015)

QUESTION 2: The demand for autonomy by the Eastern Nagaland districts has sparked a debate about regional governance and the political aspirations of indigenous communities in India. Discuss.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Eastern Nagaland refers to the state’s six eastern districts: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang.

— The long-standing call for a breakaway state or increased autonomy for this region has gained traction in recent years. For example, in this year’s Lok Sabha elections, the region had a complete lack of voter turnout.

— These districts are home to people of seven tribes — Konyak, Khiamniungan, Chang, Sangtam, Tikhir, Phom, and Yimkhiung — who make up more than 30% of the state’s population. They also account for 20 of the Assembly’s 60 seats.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— A demand for the creation of a separate state of Nagaland’s eastern districts has been a long-standing one. It escalated more than a decade ago when the influential Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office in November 2010.

— Due to a “development deficit” in the region, the group requested a separate state with special status and provisions. The lack of development in the region has continued to fuel the demand for a separate state.

— The demand flared up again before last year’s Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections, which were held in February. As early as August 2022, the ENPO resolved to boycott the Assembly elections unless the independent state demand was met.

— However, weeks before the state’s elections, the ENPO retracted its boycott demand, citing assurances from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that a “mutually agreed-upon solution” would be reached and implemented following the election.

— According to sources who have been part of meetings between the ENPO and Centre, including a tripartite meeting with representatives of the Nagaland government, the discussions have been towards a “unique arrangement” called ‘Frontier Naga Territory’ within Nagaland with a separate legislature, and executive and financial powers.

Conclusion:

— The Naga People’s Convention and the Union of India reached a 16-point agreement in 1963 to create the state of Nagaland from Assam. The new state has a special constitutional provision under Article 371(A) that protects Naga customary law.

— Because of its relative backwardness, the then undivided Tuensang district – which ultimately formed the six modern districts – is managed directly by the Governor under both the agreement and Article 371(A).

— The agreement provided for this arrangement for 10 years “until such time when the tribes in the Tuensang District are capable of shouldering more responsibility for the advanced system of administration in other parts of Nagaland.”

(Source: Explained: The demand for greater autonomy for Eastern Nagaland districts by Sukrita Baruah)

Points to Ponder

Article 371 and its sub-parts of the Constitution of India

On what subjects Nagaland can make laws under Article 371(A)?

Related Previous Year Questions

To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity. (2016)

Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism? (2023)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 75)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 74)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 73)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 74)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 76)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 75)

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