Students selling blood to pay coaching fees, says complaint
A complaint to the National Human Rights Commission says poor students in Prayagraj and other cities of Uttar Pradesh are selling blood. They do it to pay coaching and hostel fees. Some gave blood two to four times a month, which can cause anaemia. Read it to revise the Commission’s powers, safe blood donation and Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
- Where
- Prayagraj and other UP cities
- Complaint to
- National Human Rights Commission
- Coaching fee
- ₹1.20-1.80 lakh a year
- Hostel and mess
- ₹3,500-5,000 a month
The blood-selling complaint: what happened?
Prayagraj is a city of dreams for lakhs of aspirants. For some poor students, the price of that dream is now being paid in blood.
- A Congress delegation asked the National Human Rights Commission to act on the reports.
- It cited a report in a leading Hindi daily from October 25 to 27.
- Agents and brokers near blood banks approached students; some gave blood two to four times a month.
- The Commission’s Chairperson assured a probe, the delegation said.
Why are students under such pressure?
Most of these students prepare for medical entrance and Staff Selection Commission exams and come from poor rural farming families.
Coaching fees of ₹1.20 lakh to ₹1.80 lakh a year, often in a lump sum, plus hostel and mess costs, are a heavy burden.
Selling blood is illegal in India. Blood can only be donated voluntarily, and frequent donation can cause anaemia and weakness.
Which laws and Articles apply?
- Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993: set up the National Human Rights Commission.
- The Commission is a statutory body; its advice is recommendatory.
- Drugs and Cosmetics Rules: regulate blood banks; paid donation is banned (Supreme Court, 1996).
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat: national programme to cut anaemia.
Why does the blood-selling complaint matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Human rights | Poverty forcing unsafe choices. |
| Health | Frequent donation risks anaemia. |
| Education | Coaching costs exclude the poor. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Prayagraj is a major coaching hub. |
What are the problems with the blood-selling complaint?
- Coaching is costly and lump-sum fees are hard.
- Brokers exploit needy students.
- Weak checks at some blood banks.
- Few cheap, quality coaching options.
What should be done next on the blood-selling complaint?
- Probe brokers and blood banks.
- Track donor gaps strictly.
- Expand free coaching schemes for poor students.
- Offer instalment payments and hostel aid.
What can Prelims ask on the blood-selling complaint?
Prelims probability: Expect a question on the National Human Rights Commission (statutory body, recommendatory powers) or Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
- National Human Rights Commission: statutory, under the 1993 Act.
- Its recommendations are not binding.
- Paid blood donation is banned in India.
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat: under the Ministry of Health.
- Prayagraj: major coaching hub in Uttar Pradesh.
How to write about the blood-selling complaint in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): The coaching economy reflects deep inequality in access to opportunity. Discuss with reference to recent reports from Uttar Pradesh.
- Intro: blood-selling complaint.
- Cost of coaching.
- Health and rights angle.
- Role of NHRC and State.
- Conclusion: make opportunity affordable.
Ready lines for your answer
- No dream should cost a student his blood.
- Opportunity must not be sold only to those who can pay.
Quotable data pointCoaching fees of ₹1.20 lakh to ₹1.80 lakh a year.
Photo: Chigurupati vimala, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Exam angle
Prelims: NHRC, Anaemia Mukt Bharat. · Mains GS-II: education access and human rights.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (the 2019 amendment allows a former Supreme Court Judge as Chairperson). The Commission's recommendations are not binding.
Questions students ask about this
What does the complaint say?
Poor students in Prayagraj and other UP cities sell blood to pay coaching and hostel fees.
Which body received the complaint?
The National Human Rights Commission.
Are the NHRC's recommendations binding?
No. They are recommendatory.
What is the health risk?
Giving blood two to four times a month can cause anaemia and weakness.