1. Rising Demand for Compulsory Licensing in India: A Lifeline for Rare Disease Patients

Context: A growing number of rare disease patients in India are calling on the government to invoke compulsory licensing provisions under the Indian Patents Act, 1970, in a desperate effort to gain access to affordable and often life-saving treatments.

What is Compulsory Licensing?

Compulsory licensing (CL) is a legal mechanism outlined in Section 84 of the Indian Patents Act, 1970, allowing the manufacture and sale of a patented product or process by someone other than the patent holder—without their consent—under specific conditions.

It serves as a vital tool to balance public health needs with intellectual property rights. A compulsory license may be issued three years after a patent is granted if any of the following conditions are met:

• The patented drug is not available to the public at a reasonable price.
• The public’s needs are not being adequately met.
• The patent is not being utilized effectively within Indian territory.

This provision plays a crucial role in ensuring access to essential medicines, especially when high prices create barriers for the most vulnerable populations.

India’s Progressive Patent Framework:

India’s legal framework has historically supported affordable healthcare through innovative patent policies:

• Initially, the Patents Act of 1970 recognized only process patents, enabling Indian companies to develop affordable generic alternatives. This led to India’s reputation as the “Pharmacy of the World”.
• Section 3(d) of the Act discourages “evergreening”, a practice where pharmaceutical companies make minor changes to extend patent life and delay generics.
• India allows both pre-grant and post-grant opposition to challenge questionable patents, enhancing transparency and public interest protections.

International Obligations and Flexibilities:

As a WTO member, India is bound by the TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights). This agreement mandates product and process patents but includes flexibilities for public health emergencies.

The Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001) affirmed that:

• Public health concerns, including rare diseases, can justify the use of compulsory licensing.
• An emergency is not a prerequisite for issuing a CL.
• Nations have the sovereign authority to define their own grounds for licensing.
• The patent holder is entitled to adequate remuneration, based on the economic value of the license.

A 2003 waiver (made permanent in 2017) enables countries to import affordable drugs produced under compulsory licenses from other nations, thereby supporting global access to essential medicines.

Understanding Rare Diseases:

Rare diseases, also called orphan diseases, are conditions that affect a very small segment of the population—often less than 1 in 2,000 individuals. They typically exhibit:

• Low prevalence
• Limited research
• Scarce or non-existent treatment options

There are over 7,000 known rare diseases globally, but fewer than 5% have approved treatments, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Due to the high cost of orphan drugs, many patients—especially in developing countries—remain untreated.

India’s Efforts for Rare Disease Management:

India has launched several initiatives to support individuals suffering from rare diseases:

• National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021: Offers financial aid up to ₹50 lakh for treatment at designated Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
• Digital Crowdfunding Portal: Allows individual donors to contribute to patient care, directly selecting both CoE and patient for targeted support.
• Rare Disease Funds: Each CoE manages its own fund, utilized with appropriate approvals for patient treatment.
• PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals: The Department of Pharmaceuticals offers incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme to encourage domestic manufacturing of orphan drugs, reducing dependence on costly imports.

The Urgent Case for Compulsory Licensing in Rare Diseases:

For many patients with rare diseases, time is running out. The cost of treatment for some conditions can run into crores of rupees annually, making it impossible for most families to afford without intervention. Moreover, global pharma companies often do not launch these therapies in India due to low commercial incentive, despite high unmet need.

Compulsory licensing, in such cases, emerges as a moral and legal imperative, especially when:

• The patent holder is not supplying the drug in India.
• The prices are exorbitantly high and unaffordable.
• No domestic manufacturing or technology transfer has been initiated.

Global Examples and Precedents:

India issued its first compulsory license in 2012 to Natco Pharma for the cancer drug Nexavar, originally priced at 2.8 lakh per month. Natco offered it at just ₹8,800, demonstrating the life-saving impact of CL.

Countries like Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa have also used compulsory licenses to improve access to critical medicines.

Conclusion: A Call for Equity in Healthcare

As rare disease patients in India continue their fight, invoking compulsory licensing could pave the way for greater access, affordability, and justice in healthcare. It’s a lifesaving policy tool that needs stronger political will, faster decision-making, and active public support to ensure that no life is lost due to the inaccessibility of medicine.

2. India Set to Update Base Year for Key Economic Indicators by 2026

Context: In a major move aimed at making economic data more relevant and reflective of current realities, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced that new base years for GDP, IIP, and CPI will be adopted beginning early 2026. This recalibration is crucial for capturing structural changes, shifting consumption patterns, and ensuring more accurate economic policy planning.

Advisory Panel Formed to Guide Transition:

To oversee this transition, MoSPI has constituted a 26-member Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics, chaired by renowned economist Dr. Biswanath Goldar. This expert group will provide recommendations on the appropriate methodologies and structural adjustments needed to revise national data series.

New Base Years: What’s Changing and When:

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
   • New Base Year: 2022–23
   • Scheduled Release: February 27, 2026
   • The revised GDP will better reflect the current economic composition, including emerging sectors, technological advancements, and digital services.
2. Index of Industrial Production (IIP):
   • Proposed New Base Year: 2022–23
   • Expected Rollout: From financial year 2026–27
   • This will offer a more contemporary picture of industrial output, accounting for newer industries and shifts in manufacturing trends.
3. Consumer Price Index (CPI):
   • Revised Base Year: 2024
   • First Release: Expected in Q1 of 2026
   • Based on the latest Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24, the revised CPI will incorporate changes in the item basket and weightages, capturing more accurately the cost of living and retail inflation.

Understanding the Base Year: Why It Matters

A base year is the reference year used in statistical and economic calculations to compare present-day values. It sets the benchmark index value—usually at 100—against which all subsequent data is measured. Changing the base year ensures that:

• Inflation-adjusted (real) growth is accurately calculated.
• New and relevant goods and services are included in measurements.
• Data reflects the current economic structure and consumer behavior.

Typically, countries revise their base year every 7 to 10 years to maintain the relevance and reliability of official statistics.

Why the Update is Necessary Now:

India’s current base years—2011–12 for GDP and IIP, and 2012 for CPI—are now over a decade old. Since then, the economy has undergone transformative changes:

• A surge in digital services, e-commerce, fintech, and gig economy.
• Consumption patterns influenced by rising income, urbanization, and lifestyle changes.
• New products and services have entered the market while many older ones have declined in relevance.
• Industrial diversification, driven by schemes like Make in India and PLI (Production Linked Incentive).

Updating the base years ensures that economic indicators remain robust tools for both policy design and economic forecasting.

Key Economic Indicators: A Quick Refresher:

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

Measures the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within the country in a given period.

• Helps understand overall economic performance.
• Current base year: 2011–12
• Released by: National Statistical Office (NSO)

2. Index of Industrial Production (IIP): Tracks the volume of industrial output, including manufacturing, mining, and electricity.

• Reflects industrial growth trends.
• Base year: 2011–12 (soon to be revised)
• Released monthly by: NSO

3. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Monitors retail inflation by tracking price changes in a fixed basket of goods and services.

• Key indicator for assessing cost of living.
• Current base year: 2012
• Released monthly by: NSO

Global Practice: Keeping Data Up to Date:

Countries around the world regularly revise their statistical frameworks to keep pace with dynamic economies. For instance:

• The United States updates its GDP benchmarks every 5 years.
• Japan and Germany have moved toward chained volume indices to avoid abrupt shifts in economic readings.

India’s shift is in line with such international practices and will enhance the credibility and comparability of its economic data globally.

Conclusion: A Timely and Strategic Shift:

By adopting new base years for GDP, IIP, and CPI, India is taking a timely step to modernize its statistical systems and ensure that economic indicators are accurate, up-to-date, and policy-relevant. This revision will help policymakers, analysts, and investors gain better insights into the health of the Indian economy and enable more targeted interventions for inclusive growth.

3. Kerala Seeks Wildlife Act Amendment to Tackle Escalating Human-Animal Conflicts

Context: Amid growing incidents of human-wildlife conflict, the Kerala government has urged the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to revise the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). The demand aims to simplify procedures for managing aggressive and invasive wildlife, particularly species that pose a direct threat to human life, livestock, and agriculture.

Kerala’s Key Requests to the Central Government:

1. Simplify Culling Procedures: Kerala wants the law amended to allow for faster decision-making and reduced bureaucracy when dealing with man-eating or dangerous wild animals that enter human settlements.
2. Declare Wild Boars as ‘Vermin’: The state seeks to include wild boars under Section 62 (Schedule V) of the Act, which would allow controlled hunting in specified zones and for limited durations.
3. Downgrade Bonnet Macaques from Schedule I: By removing bonnet macaques from Schedule I, the state would gain flexibility to capture, relocate, or control their populations without navigating through intense legal barriers.

Why Human-Wildlife Conflict is on the Rise: 

The increasing number of wild animal incursions into farmlands and villages is not random—it is the result of deep-rooted ecological and anthropogenic issues:

• Shrinking Natural Habitats: Rapid deforestation, urban expansion, and infrastructure projects have caused massive habitat fragmentation, forcing animals to venture into human spaces.
• Population Surge of Certain Species: Species like wild pigs and bonnet macaques have seen a rapid rise in numbers due to lack of natural predators and favorable human-dominated landscapes.
• Agricultural Practices: Cattle grazing in forest zones and changes in crop patterns (e.g., planting fruit-bearing trees) are inadvertently attracting wildlife.
• Collapse of Predator Populations: A significant drop in apex predators such as leopards and tigers, often due to past hunting practices or habitat loss, has led to unchecked growth in prey species.

Understanding the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:

The WLPA was enacted to protect India’s rich biodiversity and prevent illegal hunting and trade. It classifies animals into six schedules, each offering varying degrees of protection:

• Schedules I & II: Highest protection (e.g., tigers, elephants). Offences attract severe penalties.
• Schedule V: Animals declared as ‘vermin’ (e.g., rats, fruit bats) can be legally hunted.

How Can a Species Be Declared as Vermin?

1. State Government Proposal: States must submit a formal request if an animal is causing major agricultural damage, threatening human lives, or disturbing local ecosystems.
2. Centre’s Approval: The Central Government can issue a temporary notification, declaring the animal as vermin for a specific region and period.
3. Loss of Legal Protection: Once declared vermin, the species can be culled without legal consequence, but only under defined conditions.

Concerns Around Wildlife Culling: 

While Kerala’s demand stems from growing frustration among farmers and rural communities, several ecological, ethical, and procedural concerns surround the culling of wild animals:

• Ecological Consequences: Mass removal of a species can disturb the delicate food chain and may trigger unintended consequences like increased crop damage from secondary species.
• Risk to Other Wildlife: Lethal traps set for wild boars, for instance, have unintentionally harmed leopards and tigers in states like Karnataka.
• Lack of Reliable Data: Many policy decisions are made without scientific population assessments, conflict mapping, or studies on the actual extent of crop damage.
• Ethical and Moral Issues:
  • Right to Life: Unjustified killing raises questions about the intrinsic value of animal life.
  • Species Bias: Labelling certain animals as ‘vermin’ may lead to indiscriminate extermination, driven more by convenience than conservation.
  • Welfare Concerns: Inhumane methods of killing cause immense suffering, affecting both targeted and non-targeted species.

A Balanced Approach is Needed:

Rather than immediate culling, experts advocate for humane, data-backed, and ecologically sound strategies such as:

• Translocation and Sterilization Programs for overpopulated species.
• Use of early warning systems, electric fencing, and crop insurance schemes.
• Community-based conservation that empowers local people while protecting biodiversity.

Conclusion: The Dilemma of Coexistence

Kerala’s request reflects a genuine struggle faced by many Indian states where rural livelihoods and wildlife conservation increasingly come into conflict. However, any amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act must balance ecological integrity with human safety.

As India moves forward, it’s vital to promote science-driven policies, public participation, and ethical standards in managing its incredible yet increasingly fragile wildlife heritage.

4. India Leads Global Push for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure at International Conference 2025

5. Rwanda in the Spotlight: Strategic Exit from Central African Bloc

Context: Rwanda, with its capital Kigali, has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), signaling a shift in its regional diplomatic and economic alignment. The country’s exit from this regional bloc underscores changing political dynamics and Rwanda’s growing focus on East African cooperation platforms.

About ECCAS: A Brief Overview

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is a regional organization established to promote economic integration, peace, and development among Central African nations. Formed in 1983, ECCAS focuses on enhancing intra-regional trade, infrastructure development, and political cooperation. With Rwanda’s departure, questions arise over the cohesiveness and future influence of this regional alliance.

Geopolitical Landscape of Rwanda:

Located in east-central Africa, Rwanda is a landlocked country positioned just south of the Equator. Its strategic geographical location allows it to act as a bridge between Central and East Africa.

• Bordering Nations:
  • Uganda to the north
  • Tanzania to the east
  • Burundi to the south
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west

This central positioning has historically made Rwanda a crossroads of cultures and trade routes in the region.

Natural and Geographical Highlights:

• Lake Kivu: One of Africa’s renowned Great Lakes, Lake Kivu sits on the western border between Rwanda and the DRC. It is notable for its scenic beauty and vast methane gas reserves, which Rwanda is tapping into for renewable energy production.
• The Great Rift Valley: The eastern part of Rwanda lies within the Great Rift Valley, a major tectonic fault system that extends across East Africa. This region is geologically active and plays a role in the country’s diverse topography of hills, mountains, and lakes.
• Mineral Wealth: Rwanda possesses significant mineral resources, including cassiterite (tin ore) and wolframite (tungsten ore), both of which are vital to global electronics and manufacturing industries.

Cultural and Ethnic Composition:

Rwanda is primarily home to two major ethnic groups:

• Hutu (majority)
• Tutsi (minority, historically influential)

The country has made significant strides in reconciliation and unity following the tragic 1994 genocide, emerging as one of Africa’s most stable and rapidly developing nations.

Additional Facts About Rwanda:

• Kigali, the capital, is known for its cleanliness, safety, and efficient urban planning.
• Rwanda is often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” due to its lush, undulating landscape.
• The country is a leading advocate of digital innovation in Africa, with policies promoting technology, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
• Rwanda has also been a strong contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, reflecting its commitment to international cooperation.

Conclusion: Rwanda’s Path Forward

Rwanda’s exit from ECCAS reflects a broader strategic realignment as the nation seeks stronger integration within the East African Community (EAC) and more globally connected economic partnerships. Backed by a vision of resilient development, regional leadership, and technological advancement, Rwanda continues to shape its own distinct path in the African continent and on the world stage.

6. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection: A Bold Climate Experiment Edges Closer to Reality

Context: A recently published study in the journal Earth’s Future has shed new light on the controversial yet increasingly discussed climate intervention method known as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI). The research outlines a more affordable approach to this technology, potentially bringing it closer to real-world application, even as debates around its ethical, environmental, and geopolitical implications continue to intensify.

What is Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)?

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection is a geoengineering technique designed to cool the Earth by injecting reflective particles into the stratosphere (the second layer of Earth’s atmosphere, located about 10–50 km above the surface).

Inspired by volcanic eruptions, this method seeks to mimic the natural cooling effect observed when large quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are released into the atmosphere. When injected, SO₂ reacts to form sulfate aerosols that reflect sunlight back into space, thus lowering global temperatures.

How Nature Inspires This Technology:

The concept draws heavily from historic volcanic events:

• The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines released millions of tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to a global temperature drop of about 0.5°C over the following year.
• Similarly, earlier eruptions like Krakatoa (1883) and Tambora (1815) had significant short-term cooling effects.

Scientists believe replicating this phenomenon artificially could offer a temporary measure to buy time for carbon reduction and climate adaptation efforts.

Understanding Aerosols: Nature’s Tiny Climate Engineers

• Aerosols are microscopic solid or liquid particles suspended in air or gas.
• They occur naturally (e.g., sea spray, volcanic ash, fog) or artificially (e.g., industrial emissions, smoke).
• Aerosols are classified into:
  • Primary aerosols: Emitted directly (e.g., dust, soot).
  • Secondary aerosols: Formed from chemical reactions in the atmosphere (e.g., sulfate aerosols from SO₂).
• Typical aerosol sizes range from a few nanometers to around 1 micrometre in diameter.
• Ultrafine particles (less than 0.1 micrometre) are called Aitken nuclei.
• Visible effects include haze, smog, dust clouds, and smoke plumes.

Why the Debate Around SAI?

While the potential benefits of SAI are promising, the method is highly controversial:

• Environmental Risks: Unintended changes in weather patterns, monsoon disruption, and ozone depletion.
• Moral Hazard: It may reduce urgency in cutting carbon emissions by offering a technological fix.
• Global Governance Challenges: No international framework currently exists to regulate deployment, raising concerns over unilateral actions by nations or private actors.
• Equity Issues: Some regions might benefit, while others suffer adverse consequences, leading to global tension.

What’s Next for Stratospheric Aerosol Injection?

As climate challenges grow more urgent, SAI is gaining traction as a potential last-resort solution. The new study’s findings on cost-effectiveness could make experimental deployment more feasible, prompting calls for:

• Transparent international dialogue
• Robust scientific modeling and monitoring
• Public engagement and ethical consideration

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other international agencies have urged caution, recommending small-scale research and strong governance structures before any real-world application.

Conclusion: Innovation Meets Controversy

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection remains one of the most ambitious and contentious ideas in the fight against climate change. While recent research offers hope for practical implementation, the technique raises complex questions about ethics, safety, and geopolitics.

As the climate clock ticks, the world must weigh technological innovation against the need for equitable and sustainable solutions—balancing short-term relief with long-term responsibility.