PIB Summaries 07 April 2025
Content: World Health Day 2025 The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025: An overview of the Act vs Bill World Health Day 2025 Theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” Date: 7th April 2025 Focus: Maternal and newborn health Relevance : GS 2(Health) Government Vision Reaffirmed commitment to quality and accessible healthcare. Focus on maternal & child health, digital health, wellness, disease elimination, and mental health. Key Achievements in Maternal & Child Health Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): ↓ from 130 (2014–16) to 97 (2018–20) ⇒ 83% reduction since 1990 (vs global 42%) Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): ↓ from 39 (2014) to 28 (2020) Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): ↓ from 26 (2014) to 20 (2020) Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR): ↓ from 45 (2014) to 32 (2020) Major Maternal & Child Health Interventions Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR):: Tracks maternal deaths & implements corrective action. Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card & Safe Motherhood Booklet: Info on pregnancy health & schemes. Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal: Digital tracking of pregnant women & newborns. Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Testing & prevention in pregnant women & teens. Birth Waiting Homes: In remote/tribal areas for safe deliveries. Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Day (VHSND) & Outreach Camps: Grassroots delivery of maternal services. Access to Quality Health Services Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): 1.76 lakh centers; 107.1 cr BP & 94.5 cr diabetes screenings; 5.06 cr wellness sessions (incl. yoga). NQAS-Certified Facilities: 17,000+ public health institutions. Digital Health Initiatives Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Unified digital health ecosystem 76 cr Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) accounts 5.95 lakh+ verified professionals 3.86 lakh+ verified facilities 52 cr+ linked health records U-WIN: Digital platform that streamlines and tracks immunization for pregnant women and children (0–16 years) 7.90 cr beneficiaries 1.32 cr sessions, 29.22 cr doses eSanjeevani:(India’s National Telemedicine Service) 36 cr+ teleconsultations 130+ specialities, 17,051 hubs, 1.3 lakh spokes Disease Elimination & Control Malaria: ↓ 69% cases, ↓ 68% deaths (2017–2023) Exited WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024 Trachoma: Eliminated in 2024 (WHO-certified) Measles-Rubella: 50 districts measles-free, 226 rubella-free (2024) TB (NTEP): ↓ from 237 to 195 cases/lakh (2015–2023) TB deaths ↓ from 28 to 22/lakh Missing cases ↓ 83% 2.5 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras supporting 15 lakh patients Kala-azar: Eliminated in Oct 2024 in all endemic blocks Affordable Healthcare AB-PMJAY: 55 cr beneficiaries ₹5 lakh/family insurance 40 cr Ayushman cards 8.5 cr+ hospital admissions 31,846 empanelled hospitals (17,434 govt, 14,412 pvt) ASHA/Anganwadi workers included 25 lakh+ Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards issued Mental Health: Tele-MANAS 53 cells across 36 States/UTs 20+ lakh calls handled ₹230+ cr allocated (last 3 years) 440+ Rehabilitation/Halfway Homes (as of Apr 2025) Conclusion India’s efforts in maternal health, disease elimination, digital health, and inclusive access reflect its push toward Universal Health Coverage and health equity — aligned with SDG 3 and the 2030 agenda. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025: An overview of the Act vs Bill Introduction The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 updates the Waqf Act, 1995 to improve efficiency, reduce disputes, and modernize waqf property management. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025 seeks to repeal the outdated Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 to eliminate redundancy and legal confusion. Relevance : GS 2(Polity , Constitution , Governance) Major Issues in Existing Framework Irrevocability of Waqf: The principle “once a waqf, always a waqf” has caused complex legal disputes (e.g., Bet Dwarka). Legal Disputes & Mismanagement: Illegal occupation of Waqf land. Delays in surveys and property registration. Poor governance and large-scale litigations. No Judicial Oversight: Tribunal decisions are final, with minimal judicial appeal. Reduces accountability and legal recourse. Incomplete Surveys: Surveys pending or not started in several states (e.g., Gujarat, UP, Uttarakhand). Poor coordination with Revenue Departments. Misuse of Section 40: Private properties wrongly declared as waqf. Only 8 out of 30 States/UTs provided data; 515 such properties identified. Constitutional Validity Questioned: Law applies only to Muslims, with no equivalent for other communities. PIL filed in Delhi HC questioning Article 14 violation. Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Feature Waqf Act, 1995 Amendment (2025) Name of Act Waqf Act, 1995 Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act Formation of Waqf Via declaration, user, endowment Removes “user”, mandates ownership & practice by donor, protects women’s inheritance Government Property as Waqf No clarity Gov. property can’t be waqf; disputes handled by Collector Power to Determine Waqf Held by Waqf Boards Removed Survey Responsibility Survey Commissioners Empowered Collectors under revenue laws Central Waqf Council Composition All Muslim members Includes 2 non-Muslims, MPs, judges; 2 Muslim women mandatory Waqf Board Composition Elected Muslim members State can nominate non-Muslims; inclusion of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani, BCs, 2 Muslim women Tribunal Composition Judge, Muslim law expert, state officer Removes Muslim law expert; adds joint secretary Appeals on Tribunal Orders Tribunal decisions final Appeals allowed in HC within 90 days Audit & Central Powers State audits only CAG/designated audit by Centre; rules on registration & publication Separate Boards for Sects Shia-Sunni only if >15% share Also includes Bohra & Agakhani sects Inclusivity Muslim-majority boards Mandates non-Muslim and women representation Impact of Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025 Removes the outdated 1923 Act, streamlining legal framework. Eliminates duplication/confusion with the Waqf Act, 1995. Ensures one uniform law governing all waqf properties in India. Improves legal clarity, transparency, and administrative efficiency. Conclusion The 2025 reforms modernize waqf governance with better legal recourse, inclusivity, and government oversight. Enhances transparency by improving surveys, registration, and accountability. Introduces progressive provisions like women representation, non-Muslim inclusion, and removal of misuse-prone clauses. Marks a significant shift towards a balanced, secular, and efficient Waqf management system.