On July 13, 2026, Rajnath Singh, India's Defence Minister, addressed the 22nd
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India's progress in indigenous medical manufacturing and advanced therapies like gene therapy and nanomedicine during the 22nd convocation of King George's Medical University.
Background
India has developed indigenous gene therapy for haemophilia and nanomedicine for breast cancer. The government has expanded medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh from 17 to 81 since 2017 and operates over 19,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TGene therapy: A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat disease.
- SchemeJan Aushadhi Kendras: Government initiative to provide affordable generic medicines to the public.
- FactUttar Pradesh medical college expansion: Increased from 17 to 81 between 2017 and 2026.
- S&TMacrolide antibiotics: A class of antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections.
For Mains
Q. Examine the role of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in the medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Supply chain resilience: Reducing dependence on imported medical equipment and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
- Technological leapfrogging: Transitioning from basic healthcare to high-end gene therapy and nuclear medicine capabilities.
- Accessibility vs. Innovation: Balancing the high cost of advanced nanomedicine with the goal of universal affordable healthcare.
Keywords: Atmanirbhar Bharat · Indigenous manufacturing · Gene therapy · Public health infrastructure · PLI Scheme
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.