Note: Please note that some inputs have been given by our team in order to make the topic more relevant to UPSC.

 

Topics covered from the syllabus: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: Corona pandemic and the resultant social distancing has led to an enhanced focus on emerging technologies in the global digital world. 

Quantum Computing

• Meaning: Quantum computing refers to increase in computing power of systems due to the use of quantum theory in computing. Classical computers perform computing on the basis of binary digits, i.e. 0 and 1. However, quantum computing can have states based on superposition of 0 and 1. Thus, quantum computing is based on qubits, which can have four states 1, 0, 01 and 10.
• Increase in Power: Utilizing the power of superposition of states and quantum entanglement, quantum computers can perform complex tasks that are impossible for computers based on binary computers. The state when quantum computers perform a task that is impossible for any supercomputer (based on 0,1) is called quantum supremacy.
• Applications of Quantum Computing:

• Cryptography and cybersecurity: Quantum computers can perform complex mathematical calculations in much less time than the classical computers. This means that the present encryption algorithms will become redundant with the arrival of quantum computing. They will need to be replaced by quantum encryption, which will be commensurate to the complexity of quantum computers.
• Industrial revolution 4.0: Quantum computers can be used as an integral part of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is stipulated that quantum computing based neural networks will help AI in making rational decisions based on its ability to handle large amounts of data and fast processing.
• Weather Predictions: Quantum computers can analyze the data for multiple years and arrive at the weather patterns in a particular year based on the relevant conditions.
• Space Technology: Similarly, quantum computers will be able to perform a multitude of calculations in lesser time and provide necessary assistance to astronauts for making complex space maneuvers.
• Pharmaceutical: Disease behaviour, protein unfolding, genetic diseases and other such pharma applications can be better understood by quantum models. This will reduce development time for vaccines and increase their efficiency.
• Other Areas: Quantum computing finds application in almost all fields. For e.g., in the financial arena, quantum computers can predict financial patterns, trends and risks, helping decision makers to arrive at best decisions. Similarly, in Logistics and Scheduling, quantum computers can be used to optimize the supply chain, thus, adding efficiency to resource management.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning

• Meaning: Artificial intelligence refers to the attempts to simulate human intelligence in a machine. Through reinforced learning, a machine is programmed to mimic human intelligence. The process of training machines is called machine learning.
• Applications:
  • Medical: AI can predict a disease much before critical symptoms occur. Similarly, AI-based robots can perform critical surgery. Also, AI can be used in management of medical records and other data. By analysing this data, AI can provide optimum treatment plans. AI can be used for post-operational care to monitor patients’ vitals after treatment. It can alert designated persons in case of emergency. AI is already in use to understand protein unfolding, which is crucial for drug development.
  • Transportation: AI is already in use in self-driving automobiles and airplanes. AI can also be used in traffic management, identifying accident prone zones. 
  • Management: AI robots are used by companies for grievance redressal, AI programs are used in prediction of share market trends and automated trading. AI is used in management of financial data.
  • Security: AI is helpful in face identification, forensic analysis and CCTV monitoring.
  • Education: AI can provide adaptive learning by understanding gaps in learning of students and modelling courses on the basis of such gaps and cognitive ability of respective students.
  • Agriculture: AI is used for real-time monitoring of farms, as well as the process of processing and marketing. AI-based Agri-drones can be used for soil and crop monitoring.

Cloud Computing

• Meaning: Unlike traditional computing where data is kept in a local storage device, cloud computing stores data in remote storage that can be accessed from anywhere around the globe, using internet. Cloud computing uses data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software for delivery of services.
• Its Applications:

• Social media and Email: Social media applications and email clients use cloud computing to retrieve data anywhere, anytime. 
• Storage, backup, and data retrieval: Cloud servers can be used to host a backup copy of data. Therefore, data security can be achieved in case of failure of local hardware. 
• Collaboration in a Team: Multiple users can contribute simultaneously on cloud computing for app development and testing, without any need for physical proximity. 
• Delivering software on demand: Cloud computing allows renting costly software on demand basis. 
• Audio and video streaming: YouTube, Netflix and prime video are examples of audio video streaming sites which use cloud computing.Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACIC) may turn out to be one of the most important factors in the economic growth of rural and backward areas of the country. With its focus on backward regions and sections, it holds the potential to harness the energy of youth. If implemented well, ACICs may be the harbinger of inclusive growth in the country.

Space Technology

• Use of Quantum computing in Communication: Quantum communication is based on superposition of quantum states. These states are difficult to copy, making quantum satellite communication secure from eavesdropping. Recently, China launched a quantum communication satellite to secure its military communication.  

• Quantum Radar:  Quantum radars are stealthy radars which are not detected or jammed by the enemy systems. Quantum radar devices generate entangled photons that work at such low power that they can hide behind background noise, making it useful for biomedical and security applications.

• Clearing Space Debris: To counter the issue of increasing space debris, scientists are working in the direction of crating Self-eating Rockets which will be self-destroyed after use. Similarly, Self-Vanishing Satellites will be self-destroyed after life term is over, thus, preventing space debris.
• Self-Healing Materials: These are smart materials that can repair themselves in case of damage. Thus, any damage to satellites and space missions will be self-healed in space. It will be helpful in enhancing the safety of space crew who have to spacewalk to repair space vehicles. 
• Humanoid Robotics: These are AI based robots that look like humans and mimic human behaviour. They can be companion to humans in space missions and provide company, as well as, perform difficult tasks in a space environment. 

Biotechnology

• Meaning: Biotechnology is a branch of biology that uses cellular and bimolecular processes to develop technologies and products to help improve human lives.
• Applications of Biotechnology:

• Synthetic DNA: Biotechnology includes construction of new genes by using simple molecules like amino acids and sugars. Synthetic genes find application in DNA fingerprinting, gene therapy and vaccine development. 
• Tissue Engineering: Tissue engineering uses cells and engineering to produce functional tissue which can be used in place of bio-tissue. It is used in the production of artificial organs, bio reactors etc. 
• Gene Sequencing and Gene Editing: DNA sequencing technique is used to determine the nucleotide sequence of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Nucleotide sequence is the most fundamental level of knowledge of a gene or genome. It can then be spliced at a particular place for relevant modification by the use of gene editing technique.
• Quantum Microscope: Quantum microscopy allows microscopic properties of matter and quantum particles to be measured and photographed for further analysis. 

Agrifood Technology

• Meaning: Agrifood technology refers to the use of technologies used to improve agricultural productivity and enhance food processing.
• Benefits of Agrifood Technology:

• Climate resilient farming: Agrifood technology includes the development of climate resilient crops. Such seeds can sustain extreme temperatures and are being developed by inserting adaptive genes. 
• High yielding varieties: High yielding varieties of food crops and other crops are produced by application of biotechnology and genetic engineering. This is critical in order to ensure food security.
• Enhancing nutrients: Agrifood technology also includes the use of technology to fortify food grains. Crops like golden rice have been developed to ensure nutrient security in vulnerable sections of the population. 
• Agri-robotics: Similarly, Agrifood technology uses drones and survey equipment for farm management and remote monitoring of crops.

Blockchain

• Meaning:  Blockchain is a digital record, encrypted and stored on a network of computers as blocks. This data can be accessed from anywhere in the world. It is decentralized as it is stored on multiple computers globally. The decentralized nature and encryption make it difficult for the data to be manipulated by any person.
• Applications:

• Financial Services like Money distribution: Blockchain may act as a distributed ledger of currency. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are already using blockchain technology. As data cannot be manipulated in blockchain, no fake currency record can be generated.
• Public services: The blockchain network can be used to keep record of public service data. For e.g., to promote accountability of public servants, blockchain can be used in Swacch Bharat Mission to maintain the records of toilet construction on a public ledger. This will prevent any data manipulation and also promote transparency.
• Supply Chains networks: Blockchain can be used in management of supply chains. It stores and traces information about every single step in the supply chain network. For instance, diamond trading companies are using it to trace the origin of diamonds in order to prevent crime related to illegal diamond mining.

 

Metaverse

• Meaning: Metaverse is conceptualized as a digital universe, which can be accessed through digital devices. It allows for every possible experience in the digital world, which a user can access in the real universe. A person can spend virtual life inside the metaverse.

• Metaverse can be accessed through the Virtual reality devices through a digital avatar of a person. In this digital world, a person’s digital avatar can interact with another person, can own digital property, have business relationships etc. Companies like Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), Decentraland, Nvidia and Unity are engaged in creation of metaverse.

Other Technologies

• Smart Manufacturing: Smart manufacturing (SM) is technology-driven manufacturing in which Internet-connected machinery is used to monitor, control and enhance the production process. The aim of smart manufacturing is to automate production lines, improve quality and impart efficiency by using automation and data analytics.
• Internet of Things (IoT): The Internet of Things (IOT) is a connected web of physical devices that can be automated as per need and can be controlled from remote locations. These devices collect and share data with each other, as well as with humans by using sensors.

• Use in Daily Lives: IoT can make decisions based on the environment around them according to the needs, without any need for human intervention. For instance, sensors in bed can analyse the movement of user and can communicate with the lights to turn them on when a user wakes up. Similarly, they can further communicate with coffee machines to make coffee.
• Use in Industry: Interconnected machines in smart manufacturing can smoothen the assembly lines, reduce idle time and change the setup, according to needs of the customers. 

• Big data Analytics: Big data analytics involves collecting, storing and processing large amounts of data by intelligent systems. This data helps in machine learning as it can assist the machines to train themselves. Through Big data analysis, AI can identify inaccuracies, and suggest improvements and modifications in the manufacturing process. 
• Industry 4.0: It combines AI, IoT, Big data analytics and blockchain technology to enhance efficiency in the manufacturing industries.

Practice Question

• Discuss recent advancements in modern technology which find relevance in human lives. Also, analyze their importance in socio-economic development of society.

UPSC PYQs

• Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (GS3 – 2018)
• Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development? (GS3 – 2017)
• What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation. (GS3 – 2015)

 

Topics covered from the syllabus: GS-3: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

 

Context: Use of technology has grown fast in multiple fields including education and learning. Healthy growth of startup culture in India has expanded to include the use of new technologies like Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine learning (ML) in learning.

Artificial Intelligence and Learning

• Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) mimics human intelligence by using neural network algorithms in computers or computer-enabled systems. AI uses machine learning and reinforced learning to process information and produce outcomes similar to human behavior for solving the problem and making rational decisions.
• Machine Learning: Machine learning (ML) refers to the use of large amounts of data for training of machines. For example, AlphaGo Zero learned to play chess and GO just by using rules of the game. They trained themselves for just a few hours and defeated the best human players in the world.
• AI in Education: Education sector is also influenced by technology. AI is not only helping in tutoring, but by taking advantage of adapting learning, it is also helping in data management, curriculum design and grading of students. AI adapts the course speed as per the need of the child and provides a comfortable learning experience as per the cognitive ability of the child.

Benefits of AI in Education

• Learning environment: AI has the potential to enhance the learning ability of the students, through the use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Through argumentative reality, an art student may visualize paintings made by Picasso or Leonardo da Vinci. Similarly, a science student can have a feel of the environment of Mars while sitting on Earth through virtual reality.
• Teaching and Teachers’ Assistant: The pandemic forced students to study from home. The dynamic smart content, 24/7 availability has made quality education available to even remote locations in their own language. At the same time, it was an opportunity for edutech startups which used AI-based teaching courses and AI-based tools to teach lessons as well as solve queries and doubts of students on their platforms. Also, unlike the limitations imposed on humans, AI-based tools are available 24x7 to the students, thus minimizing waiting time for the student.
• Personalized Teachers: AI-based Learning also has the benefit of being adaptive. Every student is different with each one having a different level of cognitive ability and interest. However, it is difficult for a single teacher to understand the cognitive ability of all students and adapt accordingly. On the other hand, AI can understand its user and can adapt according to her needs. AI also understands gap areas in learning and designs curriculum keeping such areas as its focus areas.
• Automated Grading: Grading is an important part of academics. It helps in creating a sense of competition among students and provides impetus to work hard in order to improve in future exams. Also, continuous evaluation is required to understand the gaps in understanding of students. However, grading of subjective papers is a cumbersome process, which drains energy and time. Again, different teachers grade the same paper differently. At the same time, students complain of teachers favoring one student over another. However, AI, with the help of natural language processing, can grade student papers while ensuring uniform evaluation standards.
• Administration: Administrative work is an integral part of education and educational institutions. It includes scheduling of classes, as well as allocation of teachers and resources, such as labs and other instruments, among different classes. It also includes managing student data related to attendance, grading and other activities. However, administrative tasks are generally repetitive and time consuming. Therefore, energy of teachers is invested in administrative tasks instead of focusing on teaching. AI can handle such tasks easily, saving energy and time.
• Content Creation: With the advent of technology, education is on the pathway to being interactive in nature. The traditional book-based education is being replaced by Smart board, Innovative audio-videos, digital models and graphics. This not only helps students acquire conceptual clarity, but also invokes students’ interest in learning. AI is also being used in the creation of smart content like digital books, animated videos, digital models etc. They are revolutionizing the education environment of students. The Regular update of content by adapting learning is making education dynamic just suited to needs of students.
• Language Processing: A diverse country like India has many languages, including 22 scheduled languages and numerous dialects. This creates issues of communication as it is difficult for a person to understand the structure and context of words and their meaning in languages other than in which she is proficient. AI can come in handy in such situations. Through natural language processing, it can make it easy for a person to understand content in other languages in following ways:

• Translation: AI based apps can translate books, journals, magazines and research papers in a language understood by the user. This is especially helpful as a person understands much more in her mother tongue.
• Grammar: Apps like Grammarly can be used to correct the mistakes in reports and documents, as such apps even understand the context in which a particular statement has been written. With the passage of time, such apps would become more refined and would offer tremendous help in content creation.
• Content in mother tongue: New education policy makes it mandatory to offer primary education to children in their mother tongue. Through AI based tools, it is possible to create such content or translate existing content of one language to another with minimal effort.

Conclusion

• India has huge demographic potential. With the help of AI based education, we can reap its benefits. The role of technology is focused upon in the new education policy of India. In fact, Indian government and companies are also adopting AI based education. AI is making education accessible and affordable in a safe and healthy environment in the country.

Practice Question

• Analyze the impact of increasing use of technology in Education and Learning. Do you think the pandemic has speeded up the process of absorption of online learning in the system of mainstream education? Critically discuss.

UPSC PYQs

• “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (GS3 – 2016)
• The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss. (GS3 – 2015)
• Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges. (GS3 – 2014)

 

Topics covered from the syllabus: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. GS-3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Context: Blockchain technology has already been leveraged to create cryptocurrencies, which has changed the way international financial system works. Yet another emerging system based on blockchain is Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), which may prove to be disruptive technology as far as asset management is concerned.

 

Non Fungible Tokens

• Non Fungible Token (NFT): NFT is a blockchain-technology based distributed ledger, which stores the information related to digital assets of the respective owners. The literal meaning of Non Fungible Token (NFT) is attributed to two words, viz. non-fungible and token.

• Token: A token is a reference to any asset, majorly digital, which is being pointed to by the token. The assets could be anything, from a piece of art, music, image, game, video or, sometimes, even a physical object. The tokens are generated through complex mathematical calculations and get added to the distributed ledger, based on blockchain technology. Each of these tokens is assigned a unique serial number and added to the NFT network.
• Non-Fungible: It refers to the characteristic of being non-replaceable. For e.g., a Rupees five-hundred note may be replaced by another similar note, without affecting its value. Therefore, it is replaceable and fungible. On the other hand, each NFT has its unique serial number, and cannot be replaced, copied or exchanged for another. This makes the token non-fungible.

• Blockchain Technology: NFTs use blockchain technology to store data. This provides the benefits of blockchain technology to use of NFTs. For instance, blockchain technology makes NFTs secure, adds an element of authenticity and allows storage for perpetual memory. Again, blockchain technology is decentralized. Therefore, it bestows control upon the users rather than a central authority, improving user privacy and decreasing the transaction costs.
• Applications of NFT:

• Arts: Artists can use NFTs to sell their art products. It has the potential to increase their earnings as well as savings them from revenue loss due to piracy. Similarly, enthusiasts will have access to art products and they can interact directly with the artists to discover the real value of products.
• Collectibles: Collectibles are those items which have an emotional value attached to them. For instance, a bat used by a batsman to score winning runs in a global event. Bored Ape Yacht Club, Cool Cats and CryptoPunks are some of the companies that collect NFT. In fact, NFT technology has the potential to confer and store medals and trophies in the future. For e.g., IIT Kanpur offered Degrees to its students in the form of NFT. 
• Commercial uses: NFTs can be used for online selling of products. For e.g., tickets for events can be sold and distributed through NFT. Domain names can be registered and copyrighted as NFT. NFTs can also be used to purchase and show ownership of carbon credits. This can create an online market for carbon credits and would help to reduce emissions from businesses and individuals.
• Future Technologies: NFTs can play an important role in establishing and popularizing metaverse. Metaverse is a virtual world in which digital assets can be created and sold. For e.g., one can own a digitally-created house in Metaverse. Facebook recently renamed its platform Meta.

Benefits of NFT

• Secure: As mentioned before, NFTs are based on blockchain technology. This means that considerable resources are spent by the systems around the world to maintain the sanctity of the distributed ledger. Therefore, it is not easy to break the encryption applied in the technology, making NFTs secure and protecting the system from the onslaught of hackers.
• Authenticity: Again, by their very nature, NFTs cannot be duplicated, as they are based on blockchain technology. Therefore, they are unique and their value is based on the underlying asset. Similarly, NFTs are based on distributed ledger technology and all the information pertaining to NFTs is available easily on the internet, improving the transparency of NFTs.
• Removal of intermediaries: It has been the complaint of artists that they do not have commercial sense and are exploited by the intermediaries like art galleries. Such intermediaries charge a heavy commission from the artists, leaving them underpaid. However, NFTs remove the intermediaries and the Artist or owner of asset can directly sell the respective to the buyer without being dependent upon art gallery owner, music distributors or other such intermediaries.
• Portable: NFTs are globally available and can be transferred between users with one-click. This makes NFTs portable. Also, NFT transactions take place through cryptocurrency and are not subject to heavy charges laid upon the international transactions by payment intermediaries. Thus, such transactions are cheaper and faster than the formal, regulated system.
• Indestructible: Assets have limitations of their own. For instance, physical items are subject to destruction, while digital items may be deleted by mistake or may be lost due to data corruption. However, NFTs are not subject to such challenges as no one can change the metadata of NFT. They are stored on multiple computers across the world network in a decentralized blockchain, thus, making them virtually indestructible.

Issues with NFT

• Speculation: One of the most critical issues faced in the use of NFTs is the claim that it’s a ‘bubble’. It means that, unlike a physical asset, NFTs may not be correctly valued by the buyers. It is possible that the buyers may pay a heavy price, consistent with the latest trend, but not at par with the actual value of the asset. This may put savings of many innocent customers at risk, who may not be able to resist the irresistible pull of making a quick buck.
• Money Laundering: Many authorities have flagged NFTs as possible instruments of money laundering, which may be used by illegal and/or illicit organizations to move money from one location to another. Similarly, due to the inflow of a high amount of money into the NFT based marketplaces, they may become vulnerable to cyber-frauds and hackers.
• Lack of Central Authority: Unlike an official currency, NFTs are not regulated by the government or any government-backed authority. This leaves them vulnerable to fraud, without any avenues for grievance redressal. Any disputes arising between parties in the NFT ecosystem are not subject to legal redressal or claims by the respective parties, due to their anonymity and globalized nature.
• Copyright Protection: Multiple incidents have been reported where digital art made by an artist has been put up for sale in the NFT market by other persons. This raises the prospects of rightful attribution as well as copyright claims of an individual over her intellectual property. Since there is no scope for intervention by an authority, it seems difficult to resolve the issue.
• Plagiarism and Fraud: With the rapid expansion of user base in the NFT market, media reports have indicated a rise in NFT related fraud across the digital world. For instance, users accessing the NFT market have been click baited to part with their sensitive financial details, subsequently, leading to substantial financial loss.
• Environment Conservation: Just like cryptocurrency, NFTs are based on blockchain technology. This means that NFT ledger is stored in a decentralized manner on different computers across the world. These systems need to do complex calculations to add, update and check the details of the plethora of transactions happening in the NFT markets. This process consumes a high amount of energy, leading to an increase in emissions as a part of energy production.

NFT vs Cryptocurrency

• Similarities: Both NFTs as wells as cryptocurrencies use block chain technology as their base. Similarly, being of almost same character, both NFTs and cryptocurrency are sold and purchased on digital platforms like Opensea and WazirX (India). Both are considered secure and anonymous, while both lack any central authority.
• Differences: Cryptocurrencies are fungible tokens, which means one bitcoin can be replaced by another bitcoin, without affecting its value. However, each NFT is unique and has a unique serial number on the block chain. Thus, NFTs are non-fungible and cannot be replaced by another NFT.  At the same time, cryptocurrency have an inherent value, which they denote themselves, while NFTs do not have any inherent value. Their value depends on the underlying asset to which they are referenced.

Conclusion

• NFTs have taken the market by storm and offer vast opportunities in multiple application areas. NFT has become a technology for digital asset management and can be used in a variety of ways to influence our lives in multiple areas, ranging from security to commerce. The need of the hour is to explore the full potential of NFT technology and expand it to other areas for improving security, reliability and trustworthiness of the system.

Practice Question

• Explain the working mechanism of Non Fungible Token, emphasizing on the meaning of term ‘non-fungible’. Also, discuss the shortcomings of NFT technology.

UPSC PYQs

• Electronic cash transfer system for the welfare schemes is an ambitious project to minimize corruption, eliminate wastage and facilitate reforms. Comment. (GS2 - 2013)
• Questions are asked on new technologies like: How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. (GS2 - 2013)

 

Topics covered from the syllabus: GS-2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. GS-2: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens’ charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

Context: Onset of COVID has put a renewed focus on the state of health infrastructure to deal with the burgeoning population in the country. Ayushman Bharat- PM Jan Arogya Yojana is a timely step which integrates public healthcare system with a digital system and leverages the presence of private healthcare to a healthier India.

Universal Health Insurance in India

• National Health Policy 2017: Universal Healthcare and provision of secondary and tertiary care to the people is the objective of National Health Policy of 2017. It also proposes to raise the annual public health expenditure of the government to 2.5% of the GDP in a time-bound manner to ensure adequate availability of funds in the health care sector.
• Earlier Schemes: Ayushman Bharat is not the first attempt by the government of India or a state government to provide universal health insurance in the country. Earlier schemes include pan-India schemes like Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and State schemes like Aarogyashri in Andhra Pradesh and Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana in Maharashtra.
• AB-JAY: Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) aims to cover 10 crore poor and vulnerable families in the country. It provides health insurance coverage for an amount of Rs 5 lakh per family per year, in case of hospitalization for secondary and tertiary care.

• World’s largest universal healthcare scheme: Ayushman Bharat - National Health Protection Mission is a pan India scheme, which has been touted as World’s largest healthcare scheme. It subsumes its predecessor schemes viz., Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS).

Features of AB PM-JAY

• Comprehensive: At present, AB PMJAY covers 14 crore families with 70 crore individuals, with 1670 treatment packages. The scheme covers both pre hospitalization and post hospitalization expenses. The benefits of the scheme are portable across all the states and registered hospitals.

• Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY are selected on the basis of Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011. There is no restriction on the basis of family size, age or gender.

• Flexibility: Health is a state subject under schedule 7 of the Indian constitution. Therefore, States and Union territories are provided flexibility with respect to mode of implementation, beneficiary database and choosing network of hospitals to be empanelled in the scheme.
• Integration: The National Health Authority is a national level implementation agency. The State health authorities oversee the scheme at State level. District implementation units (DIU) have responsibility for implementation of the scheme at the district level.
• Platform: Platform of AB PMJAY has been developed by National Health Authority (NHA). The platform manages beneficiary identification, transaction management and hospital empanelment. To make the platform secure, NHA has leveraged technology to institute robust anti-fraud protocols in the platform. At the same time, a National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU) has been set up with institutional support from the multilateral development community.
• Public Private partnership: To give comprehensive coverage to the citizens under AB PMJAY, both public and private hospitals have been empanelled. It will decrease the patient load of public hospitals and allow them to provide quality healthcare.
• Regular Upgradation: The Scheme is regularly upgraded and new treatment packages are being included from time to time. NHA adopted the International Classification of Diseases (ICD11) system for patient and disease classification. The ICD 11 is a costing tool that is internationally used in hospitals. It ensures standardization and uniformity in treatment plans and costs across various hospitals.
• Efficient treatment: AB PM-JAY is the first insurance Scheme in India and amongst the first few in the world to implement a provider payment mechanism through Diagnosis Related Grouping (DRG). The DRG system entails that the hospital gets paid based on the admitted patient’s diagnosis and prognosis, rather than paying on the basis of a booked Health Benefits Package. The DRG system ensures complete and efficient treatment of patients, while addressing the concerns of hospitals regarding increased package costs due to complications and comorbidities.
• Awareness: Ayushman aapke dwar has been launched to provide door to door Ayushman cards to beneficiaries. Its aim is to cover States such as Assam, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh where coverage ratio is less compared to other states.

Challenges

• High Out of Pocket Expenditure: Catastrophic expenditure due to unforeseen health emergency is one of the most critical reasons for people slipping below poverty line in India. Multiple reports have indicated that the government schemes to eradicate or, at least, decrease poverty in the country have been frustrated by such emergencies.
• Poor public healthcare infrastructure: Media reports as well as government data itself has highlighted that India has poor availability of hospital beds with reference to the requirements of huge population. Therefore, public hospitals are overcrowded and have inadequate infrastructure.

• State of other institutions: The hospitals at sub-district levels lack equipment and have insufficient number of professionals to cater to the needs of AB PMJAY. At the same time, private sector health institutions are either too expensive for the general public, or lack properly trained staff for complex procedures.

• Inadequate number of Healthcare professionals: India has one of the lowest doctor to population ratios in the world. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s doctor-population ratio is 1:834, assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathic doctors.

• Total registered Healthcare Professionals: As per the data from National Medical Commission and State Medical Councils, there are almost 13 lakh registered allopathic doctors, 2.89 lakh dentists and 1.3 million allied and healthcare professionals in India.

• Unavailability in Rural areas: There is a Rural-Urban divide in healthcare facilities in India. As per a report by Lancet, more than 8% of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in India are without a doctor. Similarly, 38% of PHCs do not have a lab technician and 22% had no pharmacist. Almost 50% of posts for female health assistants and 61% for their male counterparts remain vacant. This points to a lack of good healthcare institutions in rural areas.

Conclusion

• PM-JAY is the largest health care insurance scheme in the world. It is a Comprehensive health care intervention aimed to achieve India’ targets under SDG 3. The scheme focuses on the 3As of healthcare Accessibility, Affordability, and Availability. Elements like Center-state cooperation, use of advanced technology and integration of public-private healthcare system across India make this scheme unique. The scheme is undoubtedly a step in the right direction to realize the dream of Universal Health care for all.

Practice Question

• Discuss the main features of Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana. What are the challenges being faced in its implementation?

UPSC PYQs

• Implementation of information and Communication Technology (ICT) based Projects / Programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors, and suggest measures for their effective implementation. (GS3 - 2019)
• Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest? (GS3 - 2015)