WHO’s “3 by 35” Initiative to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the “3 by 35” initiative, urging all countries to substantially increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages by 2035. These health taxes aim to mitigate the growing global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which now account for over 75% of global deaths.

This push comes amidst growing concern over strained public health financing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Rising public debt, pandemic aftermaths, and shrinking development aid have created fiscal bottlenecks in health systems globally.

According to WHO-backed studies, a one-time 50% price hike on these harmful commodities could prevent 50 million premature deaths in the next 50 years and generate nearly USD 1 trillion in public revenue over the next decade. The potential of this policy lever is further evidenced by the record of 140 countries between 2012 and 2022 that raised tobacco taxes—resulting in over 50% increase in real prices on average.

India already has strong policy infrastructure like sin taxes on tobacco, GST on aerated beverages, and campaigns under Ayushman Bharat, but there is scope for improvement in tax rates, especially on sugary drinks. The WHO’s call urges India and others to embed fiscal health policies into climate and development agendas. For India, which ranks among the top 3 in global NCD-related mortality, this initiative could support both preventive healthcare and macroeconomic stability.

IOC Asks India to Address Structural Concerns for 2036 Olympics Bid

India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games has been met with constructive criticism from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has flagged structural governance issues in Indian sports bodies, and a sharp rise in doping violations.

India’s sporting ecosystem has expanded significantly over the last decade through initiatives such as:

• Khelo India – Launched in 2018, this flagship scheme aims to nurture grassroots talent, improve infrastructure, and establish talent identification programs in schools and colleges.
• National Sports Policy 2025 – Focuses on athlete welfare, scientific training, and stakeholder collaboration to increase India’s global sporting footprint.
• Sports Authority of India (SAI) – Acts as the apex training institution, managing stadiums and elite coaching programs.
• National Sports Awards – Recognize excellence through Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, and others.

Despite these programs, challenges persist in doping control enforcement, bureaucratic delays, gender equity in sports governance, and lack of transparency in sports federation elections. India ranks high on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) violations list and has seen increasing athlete suspensions. The IOC’s observation thus compels India to reform its regulatory environment if it wishes to emerge as a viable and respected Olympic host.

Hosting the Olympics could boost India’s soft power, infrastructure, and youth engagement, but only if matched with institutional accountability, robust anti-doping frameworks, and decentralization in sports administration.

NITI Aayog Report: Powering India’s Chemical Industry in Global Value Chains

NITI Aayog has released a comprehensive strategic document titled “Chemical Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains”, positioning India to capitalize on its growing capabilities in this high-potential sector. India is currently the sixth-largest producer of chemicals globally but only holds a 3.5% share in global trade—far behind China’s 13.5%.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• Trade Deficit: India’s chemical sector had a USD 31 billion deficit in FY23, dominated by imports of specialty chemicals and intermediates.
• Vision: The sector is projected to grow into a USD 1 trillion industry by 2040, backed by an annual 10–12% growth rate.
• Recommendations:
  • Develop 8 port-centric chemical mega-clusters with plug-and-play infrastructure.
  • Establish a Chemical Industry Fund to de-risk R&D and capital expenditure.
  • Ease environmental clearances through single-window fast-track systems.
  • Incentivize R&D by mandating a minimum of 2% of capital expenditure for innovation.
  • Promote a domestic chemical logistics and warehousing network to reduce costs.

The sector also plays a pivotal role in defence, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agrochemicals, and electronics. India must address skill shortages, environmental compliance, and import dependence on intermediates (especially from China) to become a leading player in global value chains. The roadmap aligns with India’s Make in India, PLI, and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions and will have long-term implications for trade, employment, and export competitiveness.

Concerns over IPS Appointments in CAPFs

A significant administrative debate has been reignited following the continued appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to senior leadership positions in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)—despite a recent Supreme Court directive calling for reforms.

CAPF officers—who undergo their own recruitment and training—report:

• Career Stagnation: Due to reservation of 50% of Inspector General (IG) posts for IPS officers, CAPF officers experience delayed promotions. On average, it takes 25 years for them to reach the Commandant rank, instead of the ideal 13 years.
• Organizational Autonomy Issues: The deputation of IPS officers often sidelines career CAPF officers, undermining morale and affecting operational command culture.
• Legal Implications: The Supreme Court in 2019 recognized CAPF Group A services as Organized Services, making them eligible for Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) and mandatory cadre reviews.

Despite the ruling, implementation lags due to bureaucratic resistance. The issue raises wider concerns about institutional fairness, dual hierarchies, and the need for cadre parity between All-India and Central services. CAPFs—including the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB—form the backbone of India’s internal and border security and deserve a governance model that reflects professional autonomy, clear command chains, and long-term institutional integrity.