Health (Science & Technology).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: General Science; Mains GS3: S&T developments
One Health for UPSC: meaning, zoonoses and spillover, drivers, Quadripartite of FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH, India's National One Health Mission, gaps,…
Antimicrobial resistance for UPSC: how resistance develops, deaths and burden, causes in India, Red Line, colistin ban, AWaRe, NAP-AMR 2.0 and way…
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has de-notified the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER-2023) by a notification dated 14 October 2026, published in the Gazette on 16 October. Its fixed penalties, including seat cuts and fines of up to ₹5 lakh for false records, go with it. The Annual Disclosure Report stays.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NMC Act 2019, autonomous boards, Concurrent List Entry 25. · Mains GS-II: regulation of medical education.
19 Oct 2026
On 17 October 2026 the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) capped trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30%, using its special public-interest power under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The Government expects the retail price of these medicines to fall by up to 70%, and the new prices apply from 9 November 2026. The list includes costly immunotherapy drugs such as pembrolizumab and durvalumab.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NPPA, DPCO 2013 Para 19, trade margin, scheduled vs non-scheduled drugs. · Mains GS-II: affordable medicines and health equity.
18 Oct 2026
On 17 October 2026 FSSAI explained a draft rule that would stop companies from adding sucrose (table sugar) or fructose (fruit sugar) to any product meant for babies up to six months old. The draft amends the Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations, 2020, was published in the Gazette on 16 October, and is open for public comments for 60 days. The idea is simple: in the first six months a baby needs the right nutrients, not an early taste for sugar.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FSSAI, FSS Act 2006, infant nutrition regulations, IMS Act 1992. · Mains GS-II: child nutrition, preventive health and food regulation.
17 Oct 2026
On 17 October 2026 FSSAI explained draft limits for two insecticides in tea: 20 ppm for acetamiprid and 50 ppm for imidacloprid. The draft, published in the Gazette on 16 October, amends the rules on contaminants, toxins and residues. India’s proposed acetamiprid limit is lower than Japan’s 30 ppm and the USA’s 50 ppm.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MRL, neonicotinoids, Insecticides Act 1968, FSS Act 2006. · Mains GS-III: pesticide regulation and food safety.
17 Oct 2026
A PIB backgrounder on 13 October 2026 says India's yearly emerging TB cases fell 21% from 2015 to 2024, against a 12% global fall. Treatment coverage is 92% versus 78% worldwide. The same day a JOSH youth campaign began in 11 States and 55 districts to push screening, treatment and stigma reduction.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NTEP, BPaLM, Nikshay Poshan, JOSH, WHO report figures. · Mains GS-II: health programmes; SDG 3; community mobilisation.
13 Oct 2026
On 12 October 2026 the Union Health Secretary asked all States and UTs to make Clinical Establishments display the rates for their services prominently. The Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 require rates to be shown at a conspicuous place in the local language and in English.
UPSC angle: Prelims: the Act and Rules; Medical and Ayush Visas. · Mains GS-II: patient rights and regulation of private health care.
12 Oct 2026