SNIPPETS: 4 DECEMBER 2025

SOCIAL ISSUE

• The Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA) marks a major shift toward integrated governance by linking health + nutrition + sanitation + welfare through 20-ministry collaboration, while large-scale community mobilisation via Panchayats + SHGs + students strengthens women as active rights-claiming agents. Rapid uptake of digital health tools (e.g., eSanjeevani, MCTS, breast cancer screening) expands access, though digital gaps + privacy risks + Aadhaar failures A gender-just digital health future requires low-tech solutions + co-design + stronger consent + empowered frontline workers.
• India’s doctor-population ratio of 1:811 shows progress + exposes major healthcare disparities; modern medicine and AYUSH widen the workforce + access remains weak in rural/remote areas; hard-area allowances try to attract specialists + challenges – poor infrastructure, uneven distribution, and heavy patient loads persist; bridging this gap needs sustained investment + stronger primary healthcare + equitable deployment to ensure universal, quality care for all.

ECONOMY

• Dakshina Kannada of Karnataka – designated a District Export Hub (DEH)+ seafood + cashew export base and supporting balanced + Focus – sustainable regional development + District Export Action Plan (DEAP) focuses on improving logistics + first-mile port connectivity, expanding warehousing, and strengthening processing infrastructure + A District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) coordinates action among administration + exporters + port/customs agencies to resolve bottlenecks

ENVIRONMENT

• The Government has approved the National Coral Reef Research Institute (NCRRI) in South Andaman + India’s nodal monitoring agency for coral research, conservation, restoration + Coral reefs – 450-million-year ecosystems, support high biodiversity, provide $375-billion ecosystem services, and act as natural coastal barriers + Rising temperatures cause coral bleaching, as seen in 1998 + 2010 + 2014–17 + ongoing global events + India’s reefs span 2,375 sq km (Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep, A&N), protected under CRZ 2019 + WPA 1972 + EPA 1986.
• Cyclone Ditwah, formed south of Sri Lanka on 26 November, caused unusual large-scale damage + Causes – rare genesis near the equator ; slow, parallel track along Sri Lanka’s east coast prolonged impact + country’s low cyclone exposure, limited evacuation capacity, and geography intensified losses.

TECHNOLOGY

• The DoT’s new directive mandates SIM binding for messaging apps +  continuous IMSI verification instead of one-time OTP to curb rising digital fraud +  Rule under Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules 2025 + aims to prevent impersonation and cloned-number misuse but raises privacy + usability concerns due to frequent logouts and challenges for travellers