-Livemint.com * The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) slipped in 15 states and UTs in comparison to NFHS-4 (2015-16) * The survey also found considerable improvement in vaccination coverage among children age 12-23 months across all states/UTs The Under 5 and infant mortality rate (IMR) has come down in 18 states and union territories but in parallel 16 states recorded an increase in underweight and severely wasted under 5 children among 22 states that...

-Livemint.com Politics in India has been based on caste in recent decades. But a rising middle class and increasing inequality within caste groups is paving the way for a class-based faultline. One cliché looms large in every election campaign in India: that caste politics may finally give way to class politics. But as counting begins on the day of the election verdict, caste subsumes every other factor, even in serious analyses of...

-IANS/ Business Standard The health ministry has emphasised India can achieve the goal of population stabilisation and at present India is knocking at the door of achieving replacement level fertility India is witnessing a constant decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), and as per Census 2001-2011, the sharpest decline in population has been recorded in this decade, in the last 100 years, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court. "Furthermore, as per...

-The Indian Express The realities of torture and its prosecution in India would temper our expectations from this one development. The Supreme Court needs to ensure robust implementation of its order and simultaneously plug the gaps so that incidents of torture are curtailed. In a bid to curb torture, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court recently mandated that CCTV cameras be installed in police stations and offices of other investigative agencies....

-Livemint.com India has adopted a cautious approach in granting approval to covid-19 vaccines as fast tracking, safety and efficacy remain primary concern NEW DELHI: Safety and efficacy are the primary concerns of the government while granting emergency use authorization (EUA) to any covid-19 vaccine in the country. The government's cautious approach before approving a vaccine is apparent. The meeting of the subject expert committee of Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation on Wednesday asked...