Current Affairs 18 April 2025

Content:

1. Are Indian startups not scaling up on innovation?
2. Is the once-extinct dire wolf back?
3. How can V2G technology help India’s power sector?
4. Prisons plagued by lack of medical, mental health professionals: report
5. Environment Ministry must roll back order on desulphurising coal plants’
6. Scientists using James Webb telescope find ‘strongest sign of life’ on alien planet
7. Making primary health care visible, accessible and affordable

Are Indian startups not scaling up on innovation?

Context :

• Startups in India are increasingly venturing into deep-tech sectors like AI, blockchain, and electric mobility, which shows a focus on higher-order innovation beyond basic services like grocery delivery.
• However, despite this interest, many startups face challenges in scaling up their innovations due to higher capital requirements and the early-stage risks involved.

Relevance : GS 3(Economic Development)

Capital and Risk in Deep-Tech Startups:

• Deep-tech startups require significant capital in their initial phases, and this is often not available from early-stage funding sources. While government schemes like the Startup India Seed Fund provide some support, they often fall short in meeting the higher funding needs for scaling deep-tech innovations.
• There is a need for private sector investments to complement initial government funding, especially in high-risk, high-capital sectors.

Venture Capital and Innovation:

• Venture capitalists have shifted focus from e-commerce-driven innovations to deep-tech fields. Investment trends indicate a growing interest in AI, blockchain, and electric mobility, reflecting a broader definition of innovation.
• Successful innovation, from an investor’s perspective, involves not only the novelty of the technology but also its commercial viability and ability to solve real market needs.

Growth of Startups in India:

• India has seen a significant rise in the number of startups, with thousands of new companies emerging across diverse sectors. This growth has been fueled by government initiatives and increased availability of capital, both equity and debt.
• While larger companies often attract more funding, there is potential for smaller startups to benefit from increased access to risk capital and a more supportive ecosystem.

Challenges in Scaling Startups:

• One key challenge is the distribution of funding—should government and venture capital focus on a large number of small startups or provide significant support to a few larger ventures that have the potential for large-scale impact?
• The current model tends to favor smaller amounts of funding across many startups, but larger, more concentrated funding could help scale up the most promising innovations.

Barriers to Growth:

• Bureaucracy and regulatory processes remain a challenge for many startups, hindering their ability to operate smoothly and efficiently.
• Simplifying administrative processes and ensuring better implementation of supportive policies can help alleviate some of these operational hurdles.

Inclusivity in Startups:

• The initial wave of tech-driven startups primarily catered to urban and upper-middle-class consumers, leading to concerns about inclusivity.
• To truly scale, startups need to focus on addressing the needs of a broader, more diverse population, including rural and underserved markets.

Keys to Success for Startups:

• Continuous innovation and strong corporate governance are essential for startups aiming to grow and sustain their businesses.
• Building foundational products that can create lasting value is crucial for achieving long-term success. Success stories like Freshworks, which listed on NASDAQ, show the potential for Indian startups to make a global impact if they scale up effectively.

Conclusion:

• Indian startups are innovating in multiple sectors, but scaling up remains a significant challenge. High capital requirements, access to funding, and bureaucratic obstacles need to be addressed to enable deeper technological innovation and broader market impact.

Is the once-extinct dire wolf back?

Overview of the Technology:

• Colossal Biosciences recently announced the successful “resurrection” of the extinct dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) using the genome of the gray wolf (Canis lupus).
• The company claimed the birth of three pups, genetically modified to closely resemble the dire wolf, a predator that vanished over 12,000 years ago.
• The genetic editing involved precise alterations across 20 loci in the gray wolf genome to recreate key characteristics such as size and fur color of the extinct species.

Relevance : GS 3(Science ,Technology)

Scientific Basis and Limitations:

• The genomes of the two species are 99.94% identical, with only a 0.06% difference. This small genetic gap still corresponds to 1.47 million base pairs.
• Despite the high genetic similarity, the modified gray wolf pups are not true dire wolves. The genetic edits made are mainly cosmetic, affecting traits like size and fur color, which implies the current animals are more like modified gray wolves than resurrected dire wolves.
• Genetic reclassification: Some studies suggest dire wolves were not true wolves but part of a distinct evolutionary lineage, adding further complexity to the claim of resurrection.

De-Extinction Debate:

• Ecological Risks: While the idea of bringing back extinct species like the woolly mammoth or dire wolf seems intriguing, the modern environment has drastically changed. Ecosystems today are fragmented and human-altered, making the reintroduction of ancient species potentially harmful. These species might struggle to survive or disrupt existing ecosystems.
• Ethical and Practical Concerns: There are fundamental issues with whether de-extinct species can thrive in the current world. The ecosystems and ecological roles these species once occupied have evolved, and reintroducing them could lead to unforeseen ecological consequences.
• Conservation Priorities: The focus should arguably be on preserving existing species rather than focusing resources on reviving extinct ones. Claims of de-extinction could detract from urgent conservation efforts and may influence policymakers to divert attention from protecting endangered species in favor of high-profile projects.

The Larger Picture of Conservation:

• Colossal’s mission aims to “secure the health and biodiversity of the planet” by reintroducing extinct species, but critics argue this could exacerbate environmental issues rather than solve them.
• Historical evidence shows that species like the dire wolf likely went extinct due to changes in prey availability and climate shifts at the end of the Ice Age.
• A shift in conservation strategies toward preserving existing ecosystems may be more beneficial in addressing current biodiversity crises than focusing on the resurrection of species no longer adapted to modern conditions.

Key Takeaways:

• Ecological Concerns: Reintroducing extinct species into modern ecosystems could lead to unintended consequences.
• Genetic Modifications: While Colossal Biosciences’ work is groundbreaking, the genetic modifications made to create “dire wolves” are still far from replicating the original species.
• Conservation Priorities: Focusing on protecting and restoring current ecosystems and species should take precedence over reviving extinct ones.

How can V2G technology help India’s power sector?

What is V2G Technology?

• Definition: Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a technology that enables Electric Vehicles (EVs) to send power back to the electricity grid. This is possible when an EV is connected to a bi-directional charger.
• Functionality: When EVs are idle (not in use), their batteries can act as decentralized energy storage systems. V2G allows for the discharging of stored energy from EVs back to the grid to stabilize supply and demand, especially during peak times.
• Types: The key uses include V2G, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), with V2G being the most common for grid support.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology , Energy)

Global Status of V2G

• Mature Markets: In regions like the U.K. and the Netherlands, V2G has already been implemented, where EV owners are incentivized to send excess power back to the grid during peak hours.
• Incentives and Market Mechanisms: In places like California, EV users contribute to grid stability, particularly during fluctuations in renewable energy generation, and are compensated for this service.
• Distributed Energy: EVs serve as a form of decentralized energy storage, becoming a critical resource for grid support during emergencies or natural disasters.

V2G in India: Current Scenario

• Nascent Stage: While the concept of V2G has gained momentum in mature EV markets, India is still in the early stages of integrating V2G technology into the power grid.
• Focus Areas:
  • EV charging infrastructure planning is a major priority in response to the growing number of EVs on the roads.
  • Pilot projects are being initiated by Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) for smart charging, with a focus on V2G integration.

• Challenges:
  • India’s electricity market structure is different from countries like the U.S. and Europe, and is not yet conducive to decentralized solutions like V2G.
  • The current grid system faces challenges due to the variable nature of renewable energy and the imbalance between supply and demand.

Key Project: KSEB-IIT Bombay Collaboration

• Kerala’s EV Adoption: Kerala is seeing rapid adoption of EVs, which has raised concerns about increasing electricity demand, particularly during peak hours in the evening.
• Project Focus:
  • The KSEB-IIT Bombay project aims to assess the ability of EVs to provide support to the grid, particularly during periods of peak demand when renewable solar energy is unavailable.
  • The collaboration will explore V2G as a means to utilize EVs as decentralized energy resources and ensure a stable supply to the grid.

Potential Benefits for India’s Power Sector

• Grid Stability: V2G can enhance grid reliability by acting as a distributed storage solution. This becomes critical for balancing grid demand, especially during peak hours or when renewable energy generation is low.
• Renewable Energy Integration: EVs can help integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind by storing excess energy and providing it to the grid when needed, thus reducing the intermittency of renewable power.
• Support to the Energy Transition: The deployment of V2G could facilitate India’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system, supporting both the growing adoption of EVs and the country’s renewable energy targets.

Prisons plagued by lack of medical, mental health professionals: report

Overview of the Issue:

• India’s prison system faces severe overcrowding, with the national average occupancy rate exceeding 131%. This leads to a projection of India’s prison inmate population reaching 6.8 lakh by 2030, against a capacity of just 5.15 lakh. The overcrowding exacerbates multiple health challenges, both physical and mental, for inmates.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)

Health Staffing Crisis:

• Mental Health Care Shortage:
  • There is a critical shortage of mental health professionals, with only 25 psychologists for the entire nation’s prisoners. The number of prisoners diagnosed with mental illnesses has nearly doubled from 4,470 in 2012 to 9,084 in 2022, yet the mental health care response remains insufficient.
  • The absence of psychologists and psychiatrists in most states further highlights the disparity in the mental health services available in prisons.

• Medical Staff Deficiency:
  • The report reveals that 43% of medical officer positions in prisons are vacant. The prescribed prisoner–doctor ratio according to the model prison manual (2016) is 300:1, but the actual national average is 775 prisoners per doctor, far surpassing the benchmark.
  • This lack of adequate healthcare staffing contributes to the worsening health conditions of inmates, especially in overcrowded prisons where basic healthcare services are stretched thin.

Overcrowding and Health Risks:

• Overcrowding not only makes it difficult to provide adequate medical care but also increases the transmission of communicable diseases within prisons. Lack of proper space and sanitation, along with a shortage of healthcare personnel, makes the situation even more dire, increasing the vulnerability of inmates to health issues.

Key Gaps in Mental Health and Disability Care:

• Psychiatric Support:
  • The significant shortage of psychologists and psychiatrists is alarming. As per the India Justice Report, no state or union territory meets the benchmark of one psychologist or psychiatrist per 500 inmates. The country’s prison population (5.7 lakh inmates in 2022) is only supported by 69 sanctioned positions for mental health professionals, of which less than half are filled.
  • This gap in mental health services leads to inadequate care for those suffering from mental health disorders, contributing to worsened conditions and recidivism rates.

• Disability Support:
  • The report points to a lack of health data regarding prisoners who enter jails with disabilities or develop disabilities during their incarceration. The absence of a robust mechanism to monitor and address the needs of disabled prisoners underlines a broader issue of neglect in providing comprehensive care to vulnerable inmate populations.

Long-term Implications:

• If the prison system does not address the shortage of medical and mental health professionals, the lack of proper care could further degrade the mental and physical health of inmates, potentially worsening recidivism rates.
• Overcrowded prisons with insufficient healthcare infrastructure may also fuel public health crises, with outbreaks of diseases potentially spilling over into the broader community.

Recommendations for Reform:

• Increase Investment in Healthcare Staffing:
  • Immediate steps should be taken to increase the recruitment of medical professionals, including doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Additionally, training programs to build capacity for dealing with the unique mental health and medical needs of prisoners should be prioritized.
• Strengthen Health Data Collection and Management:
  • Establishing robust health data systems to track the health conditions of prisoners, especially those with disabilities or mental illnesses, will ensure better-targeted interventions.
• Address Overcrowding:
  • Addressing the root cause of overcrowding by improving prison infrastructure and exploring alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders could alleviate some of the health burdens currently experienced in the system.

‘Environment Ministry must roll back order on desulphurising coal plants’

Context:
A recent study commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser suggests that the Union Environment Ministry should roll back its 2015 mandate requiring all coal-fired power plants to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) units. The recommendation is based on India’s coal sulphur content, emissions behavior, and the cost-benefit analysis of FGD installations.

Relevance :GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Key Points from the Study:

FGD Mandate (2015):

• All 537 coal-based power plants in India were mandated to installFGD units by 2018 to control Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) emissions.
  • Compliance is extremely poor: only 8% of plants have installed FGDs.
  • Deadlines now extended to 2027-2029 based on plant categories.

Cost Implications:

• ₹1.2 crore per MW to install FGD.
  • For the current 218 GW coal capacity, estimated cost is massive.
  • Would increase freshwater use and power consumption within the plants.

Emission Composition:

• 92% of Indian coal has low sulphur content (0.3%-0.5%).
  • SO₂ disperses due to tall chimneys (220m+) and Indian climatic conditions.
  • Acid rain is “not a significant issue” in India per IIT-Delhi (2024).

Environmental Trade-Off:

• FGD installation (2025-30) would:
  • Cut SO₂ by 17 million tonnes.
  • But emit 69 million tonnes of CO₂ additionally.
  • SO₂ has a cooling effect (masks global warming by ~0.5°C): IPCC insight cited.

Arguments for Rollback:

• Localized emissions impact is limited due to stack height and weather.
• Huge capital & operational costs, with low marginal gain in Indian context.
• Resource intensity (water, electricity) contradicts sustainability goals.
• Emission reduction vs. climate warming acceleration via increased CO₂ is counterproductive.

Arguments Against Rollback:

• SO₂ still a hazardous pollutant, linked to respiratory illnesses.
• Health externalities (not quantified here) might outweigh costs.
• Potential rise in imported/high-sulphur coal in future.
• Sends weak signals on environmental regulation compliance.
• International commitments under Paris Agreement may require tighter norms.

 Policy Implications:

• A selective FGD mandate for high-sulphur or imported coal-based plants may be more viable.
• Reassess environment vs. climate trade-offs using region-specific pollution data.
• Explore alternative technologies or hybrid emission controls.
• Balance between economic, health, and climate objectives is crucial.

Scientists using James Webb telescope find ‘strongest sign of life’ on alien planet

Context:

• Astrophysical Discovery: Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists have detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, a planet 120 light-years away in the constellation Leo.
• These gases are biosignatures on Earth, typically produced by marine phytoplankton and other microbial life.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

Highlights:

Biosignature Detection:

• DMS and DMDS are only known to be produced biologically on Earth.
  • Their detection in an exoplanet’s atmosphere marks a significant potential sign of extraterrestrial microbial life.

Nature of the Exoplanet – K2-18 b:

• Super-Earth: Mass is 8.6 times that of Earth, diameter is 2.6 times larger.
  • Lies in the habitable zone of its star (where liquid water could exist).
  • Considered a Hycean world – a class of planets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres and water-rich surfaces.

Scientific Caution:

• Researchers emphasize this is not a confirmation of life, but a possible biosignature.
  • Further data and peer verification needed to rule out abiotic (non-living) sources of these gases.

Significance:

Breakthrough in Astrobiology:

• Marks a shift towards observational astrobiology — the study of life in the universe through direct observation of planets.
  • Opens avenues for targeted searches for life on exoplanets with similar atmospheric chemistry.

Role of James Webb Space Telescope:

• JWST’s advanced spectroscopic capabilities allow chemical analysis of distant planetary atmospheres.
  • Reinforces the technological leap in space observation.

Broader Implications:

• May influence future space exploration priorities.
  • Could shape astroethics, interstellar communication policies, and planetary protection protocols.

Making primary health care visible, accessible and affordable

Context

The National Health Accounts (NHA) 2021–22 reveal marginal increases in public healthcare expenditure, even as India faces complex public health challenges like NCDs, AMR, and mental health issues. This necessitates reforms for a holistic, trusted, and accessible public health system.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Governance)

Key Issues in India’s Public Health System

• Emerging Challenges:
  • Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) (60%+ of deaths globally).
  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), zoonotic outbreaks, and mental health concerns.
  • Urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors affecting health-seeking behaviour.

• Structural Gaps:
  • Marginal rise in public health expenditure (as per NHA 2021–22).
  • High reliance on private sector for healthcare due to better infrastructure and trust.
  • Persistent out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPHE) though declining.

Government Initiatives

• Ayushman Bharat (2018): Three components—
  • PM-JAY: ₹5 lakh health insurance for economically weaker sections.
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): Focus on primary health care through 1.75 lakh+ operational Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) offering holistic care.
  • PM-ABHIM (2021): Strengthening public health infrastructure for long-term resilience.

• National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS):
  • Based on ISQua benchmarks.
  • Emphasises patient rights, infection control, clinical care, and overall service quality.

• National Health Mission (NHM):
  • Complements State efforts for rural and urban health care development.

Concerns Highlighted

• Trust Deficit:
  • Public preference for private healthcare due to perceived better quality and consistency.
  • Trust in healthcare affects health-seeking behaviour and service utilisation.

• Visibility and Experience:
  • Absence of user experience metrics in current data reporting.
  • Need to publicly publish findings to build community confidence.

• Basic Infrastructure ≠ High Quality:
  • As per Lancet Global Health Commission, merely having physical infrastructure doesn’t guarantee quality.
  • Need systems that are responsive, valued, and outcome-oriented.

Way Forward

Revise Public Health Standards:

• Shift focus from Indian Public Health Standards (2007) to NQAS-based upgrades.

Build Trust through Transparency:

• Collect and disseminate user experience and satisfaction data.
  • Enable citizen feedback mechanisms for accountability.

Strengthen Primary Healthcare:

• Expand AAMs with community engagement and continuous care (preventive to palliative).
  • Promote health literacy and behavioural change programs.

Integrated, Holistic Approach:

• Address social determinants of health (sanitation, nutrition, education, environment).
  • Adopt a “One Health” approach for zoonotic and AMR challenges.

Increase Public Health Spending:

• Aim for the National Health Policy 2017 target of 2.5% of GDP on health.

Prelims Pointers

• Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHO) – WHO defines it as OOPHE >40% of the capacity to pay.
• PM-JAY – World’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme.
• NQAS – Based on ISQua standards; ensures quality across 8 domains.