About RAMP Programme:

• The Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme was launched in 2022.
• It aims at improving access to market and credit, strengthening institutions and governance at the Centre and State, improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships, addressing issues of delayed payments and greening of MSMEs.
• It is assisted by the World Bank.
• Objectives of RAMP Programme:
  • Improving access to market and credit for MSMEs
  • Strengthening institutions and governance at the central and state levels
  • Improving center-state linkages and partnerships
  • Addressing issues of delayed payments
  • Greening of MSMEs
• The National MSME Council has been set up by the Ministry to work as an administrative and functional body of the RAMP Programme.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) over the five year period 2022-23 to 2026-27.
• It provides grants to States for preparation of Strategic Investment Plan (SIP).
• Sub schemes under RAMP:
  • MSME GIFT Scheme: MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme intends to help MSMEs adopt green technology with interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
  • MSE SPICE Scheme:The MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy aims to support circular economy projects which will be done through credit subsidy and will lead to realising the dream of MSME sector towards zero emissions by 2070.
  • MSE ODR Scheme: The MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments is a first of its kind scheme to synergise legal support with modern IT tools and Artificial Intelligence to address the incidences of delayed payments for Micro and Small Enterprises.

About Staphylococcus aureus:

• It is a type of bacteria belongs to the family Staphylococcaceae. 
• Characteristics:
  • It stains Gram positive and is non-moving small round shaped or non-motile cocci.
  • It is found in grape-like (staphylo-) clusters.
  • It may occur commonly in the environment.
  • It affects all known mammalian species, including humans.
• Further due to its ability to affect a wide range of species, S. aureus can be readily transmitted from one species to another.
• Transmission:
  • aureus is transmitted through air droplets or aerosol. When an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • It can also transmit through direct contact with objects that are contaminated by the bacteria or by bites from infected persons or animals. 
• It causes
  • Minor skin infections, such as pimples, impetigo etc.
  • It may cause boils (furuncles), cellulitis folliculitis, carbuncles
  • It is the cause of scalded skin syndrome and abscesses
  • It may lead to lung infections or pneumonia
• Treatment: Healthcare providers can treat most staph infections with antibiotics.

About Epstein - Barr virus:

• It is a common and highly contagious infection.
• Transmission: It spreads through bodily fluids, especially saliva.
• EBV is a type of herpesvirus called herpesvirus 4.
• It has been found to be widely present in the human population.
• Most cases of Epstein-Barr virus affect children, teenagers and young adults, but anyone can get the virus.
• It usually does not cause any harm, but the virus gets reactivated inside the body in some unusual conditions like immunological stress or immunocompetence.
• This may further lead to various complications like a type of blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, stomach cancer, multiple sclerosis.
• Symptoms: Sore throat and throat inflammation, Fatigue or feeling extremely tired, Fever, Swollen lymph nodes, Rashes on your skin, Enlarged spleen and liver.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for EBV. However, some things like drinking fluids to stay hydrated, getting plenty of rest can be done to help relieve symptoms.

About Employees’ State Insurance Corporation:

• It is a statutory body formed under the ESI Act 1948.
• It is functioning under the aegis of Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• It manages the ESI scheme, which provides medical, maternity, and financial benefits to employees.
• Functions: ESIC provides various social security benefits like Medical Benefit, Monetary benefits to the workmen and their family working in the private and public sector.
• Composition of ESIC:
  • The Union Minister of Labour heads the ESIC as its Chairman.
  • The Central Government appoints a Director General as the Chief Executive Officerof ESIC.
  • The ESIC comprises members representing crucial interest groups, including employers, employees, the Central and State Governments, representatives of the Parliament and the medical profession. 

Why in news?

The Union government is preparing to launch a nationwide single-dose HPV vaccination drive targeting 14-year-old girls to curb cervical cancer in India.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, and nearly 90% of cases are caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Since HPV-related cancers are vaccine-preventable, widespread immunisation can significantly reduce disease burden.

Beyond cervical cancer, HPV vaccination can also lower the incidence of anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and throat cancers. The campaign is therefore a major public health step toward reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality in India.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• HPV Vaccination Drive: Eligibility and Rollout Plan
• HPV Vaccination Drive: Vaccine Choice and Supply
• Is a Single Dose of the HPV Vaccine Sufficient
• Why the HPV Vaccination Campaign Matters?
• Is This India’s First HPV Immunisation Programme?

HPV Vaccination Drive: Eligibility and Rollout Plan

• The HPV vaccine targets a common sexually transmitted infection, with certain strains responsible for cervical and other cancers.
• Vaccination during early adolescence — before sexual activity begins — provides stronger and longer-lasting immunity.
• The upcoming 90-day nationwide campaign will offer a single-dose HPV vaccine to all 14-year-old girls across India.
• Eligible beneficiaries must book appointments at government health centres through the U-Win digital platform, similar to the Co-Win system used during the Covid-19 vaccination drive.
• After the initial campaign phase, HPV vaccination will continue under the routine immunisation programme at health and wellness centres.
• Each year, around 1.15 crore girls turning 14 will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

HPV Vaccination Drive: Vaccine Choice and Supply

• Types of HPV and Cancer Risk - There are at least 14 cancer-causing HPV strains, with types 16 and 18 responsible for nearly 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. HPV vaccines prevent infection from the most common high-risk strains.
• Vaccine Being Used: Gardasil - For the current nationwide campaign, the government will use Gardasil, manufactured by MSD Pharmaceuticals. The vaccine has established global efficacy and safety data.
• Why Not the Indigenous Vaccine Yet?
  • India’s locally developed vaccine, Cervavac by the Serum Institute of India, is not being used at present because:
    • It is awaiting WHO approval.
    • The ICMR is still evaluating its effectiveness as a single-dose vaccine.
  • Officials indicate that a shift to Cervavac may occur in about two years, once regulatory approvals are completed.
• Role of GAVI and Supply Plan
  • The GAVI Vaccine Alliance will supply 2.6 crore doses to India for the campaign, sufficient for two years.
  • One crore doses have already arrived.
  • The remaining doses will be delivered over this year and the next.

Is a Single Dose of the HPV Vaccine Sufficient

• In 2022, the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommended a single-dose HPV vaccine for girls and women up to 20 years of age, citing strong and lasting protection.
• The group found “strikingly high efficacy” among children aged 9–14 years.
• Women above 21 are advised to take two doses six months apart, while immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV, should ideally receive three doses — or at least two if three are not feasible.

Why the HPV Vaccination Campaign Matters?

• India’s High Cervical Cancer Burden - India accounts for nearly 20% of global cervical cancer cases. Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among Indian women, affecting about 1.25 lakh women and causing 75,000 deaths annually.
• Proven Effectiveness of the HPV Vaccine - Research initially showed that the HPV vaccine prevents infection and pre-cancerous lesions. Subsequent studies confirmed that it significantly lowers cervical cancer incidence.
• Indirect Protection (Herd Immunity) - Vaccinating girls also reduces transmission of HPV to boys, protecting them against other HPV-related cancers and strengthening community-level immunity.
• Global Evidence: The Australia Example
  • Australia introduced HPV vaccination in 2007 (and extended it to boys in 2013). Within a decade:
    • HPV prevalence among young women dropped from 22.7% to 1.5%.
    • Among older unvaccinated women, it fell from 11.8% to 1.1%.
  • This demonstrates strong direct and indirect protection effects.
• Long-Term Public Health Gains
  • Although cervical cancer rates in India are gradually declining, widespread HPV vaccination could dramatically reduce mortality and ease pressure on healthcare systems, allowing better focus on other cancers.
  • Since the first HPV vaccine approval in 2006, nearly 158 countries have introduced national immunisation programmes, underscoring its global public health importance.

Is This India’s First HPV Immunisation Programme?

• The upcoming nationwide campaign is not India’s first HPV vaccination effort. Several states have previously introduced targeted immunisation programmes.
• State-Level Initiatives
  • Sikkim (2018) - Sikkim became the first state to launch a statewide HPV vaccination drive in 2018, achieving over 95% coverage for the recommended two doses.
  • Punjab (2016) - Punjab initiated its programme in Mansa and Bhatinda districts, later expanding to other high-burden areas. The initial phase recorded more than 97% coverage.
  • Delhi (2016) - Delhi launched vaccination through the Delhi State Cancer Institute. However, the programme saw limited uptake as beneficiaries had to visit the hospital to receive the vaccine.

Why in news?

Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) involves technologies that capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions or directly from the air and convert it into useful products such as fuels, chemicals, construction materials, or polymers.

Unlike carbon capture and storage (CCS), which stores CO₂ underground permanently, CCU reuses the captured carbon within the economy, turning emissions into productive inputs instead of waste.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why India Needs Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)
• India’s Progress on CCU
• Global Efforts to Advance CCU
• Risks and Challenges in Scaling CCU in India
• Way Forward

Why India Needs Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)?

• India is the world’s third-largest CO₂ emitter, with major emissions coming from power generation, cement, steel, and chemical industries.
• While renewable energy can curb future emissions, several industrial sectors remain hard to decarbonise due to their carbon-intensive processes.
• CCU provides a solution by reducing emissions from these “hard-to-abate” sectors while creating new industrial value chains.
• It also supports India’s net-zero target for 2070 and promotes a circular, low-carbon economy.

India’s Progress on CCU

• Policy and Research Support - India has begun advancing CCU through research funding by the Department of Science and Technology, which has developed a dedicated R&D roadmap.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also released a draft 2030 CCUS roadmap identifying potential projects.
• Industry-Led Pilot Projects
  • Ambuja Cements (Adani Group), in collaboration with IIT Bombay and Swedish partners, is piloting technology to convert captured CO₂ into fuels and materials.
  • JK Cement is developing a CCU testbed to use captured CO₂ in products like lightweight concrete blocks and olefins.
  • Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL) is leading India’s first pilot-scale Bio-CCU platform, converting CO₂ from biogas streams into bioalcohols and specialty chemicals.

Global Efforts to Advance CCU

• European Union: Linking CCU to Circular Economy - The EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy and Circular Economy Action Plan promote CCU as a tool to convert CO₂ into fuels, chemicals, and materials, supporting sustainability and circularity goals.
• United States: Incentives and Funding Support - The US encourages CCU through tax credits and public funding, particularly for projects producing CO₂-derived fuels and chemicals, helping scale industrial applications.
• United Arab Emirates: Integrating CCU with Green Hydrogen - The UAE’s Al Reyadah project and proposed CO₂-to-chemicals hubs combine CCU with green hydrogen, aiming to decarbonise heavy industry while creating new value chains.
• China - China is rapidly scaling CCUS projects, particularly in coal-based power and chemical industries. It is investing in pilot projects that convert captured CO₂ into fuels and building materials.

Risks and Challenges in Scaling CCU in India

• Cost Competitiveness - Capturing, purifying, and converting CO₂ is energy-intensive and expensive. Without policy incentives or carbon pricing, CCU-derived products may struggle to compete with cheaper fossil-based alternatives.
• Infrastructure Gaps - Effective CCU deployment requires co-located industrial clusters, CO₂ transport systems, and integration with downstream industries. Such infrastructure remains unevenly developed across India.
• Regulatory and Market Uncertainty - The lack of clear standards, certification systems, and stable market signals creates uncertainty for investors and limits demand for CO₂-based products.

Way Forward

• Although India has developed policy roadmaps for CCU, successful implementation, supportive regulations, and financial incentives will be crucial to achieving long-term climate and industrial goals.