As on 8th February 2026, 11.12 cr. children and 3.78 cr. pregnant women are registered on U-WIN portal.

After every vaccination event, beneficiaries can download the QR code-based vaccination certificate from U-WIN portal. In the year 2025, 8.01 crore beneficiaries were registered in U-WIN and the digital QR code-based certificates were made available to them.

A total of 29.42 crore SMSs including reminder SMSs were sent to the beneficiaries during the year 2025 from U-WIN portal across the Country.

U-WIN has helped in line-listing of children due for vaccination. These children are digitally mapped on the portal for regular follow-ups with SMS alerts for ensuring their due doses. These children as identified also by the front-line workers, are provided their due vaccination which is duly recorded on U-WIN platform for ensuring completion of their routine immunization.

To improve health service delivery U-WIN is presently integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), POSHAN Tracker and SAFEVAC online platforms.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

The present status of 12 new greenfield industrial cities/nodes [(i)Integrated Manufacturing Clusters (IMC), Khurpia (ii) IMC, Rajpura-Patiala (iii) Dighi Port Industrial Area (iv) Palakkad Industrial Area (v) Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area (vi) IMC, Hisar (vii) IMC, Agra (viii) IMC, Prayagraj (ix) IMC, Gaya (x) Orvakal Industrial Area (xi) Kopparthy Industrial Area (xii) Zaheerabad Industrial Area] approved in the year 2024 is as below:

As of January 2026, a total of 08 cities were successfully awarded EPC contracts for the construction of internal trunk infrastructure works. Since then EPC contract for one more project has been awarded and another one project has been finalised.

The internal trunk infrastructure including roads, water supply, sewerage and power distribution is provided as part of the development of the industrial city/node. External connectivity infrastructure—such as bulk water supply, power, telecom and roads—has been comprehensively mapped and examined on the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) portal and is provided by concerned state SPVs as per Shareholder Agreement (SHA)/State Support Agreement (SSA) conditions.

In 04 completed industrial cities (Dholera Special Investment Region, Shendra Bidkin Industrial Area, Integrated Industrial Township at Greater Noida, Integrated Industrial Township at Vikram Udyogpuri) a total of 434 domestic and global companies have been allotted plots, admeasuring 4,641 acres. The major domestic/global companies alloted plots include HYOSUNG (South Korea), NLMK (Russia), TATA Chemicals, Toyota Kirloskar (Japan), Renew Power, Coatall Films (US collaboration), Fuji Silvertech (Japanese), J-World (South Korea) and AMUL, etc. The 12 new greenfield industrial cities, approved by the Government of India in August 2024, are currently at various stages of development. Commitments from investors for these greenfield industrial cities are not yet sought.

For all the approved projects under NICDP, the comprehensive development plans include construction of adequate housing and other social infrastructure within the industrial areas.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

 Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme, a total of 17,990 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across the country as on 31.12.2025. With a view to further expand the coverage of the scheme, the Government has set a target to open 25,000 JAKs by March 2027. The State-wise /Union Territory-wise and district-wise number of JAKs opened across the country is at Annexure.

 Number of steps have been taken to ensure effective and regular supply of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), including the following:

  1. Since September 2024, stocking by JAKs of 200 commonly used medicines, consisting of the 100 top-selling medicines in the scheme product basket and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market, has been incentivised, under which JAK owners are eligible for monthly incentive based on the stocks that they maintain of these medicines.
  2. An end-to-end information-technology-enabled supply chain system is in place to connect a robust supply chain system consisting of 5 warehouses and a growing network of distributors across the country.
  3. In addition, with a view to ensure availability of commonly used products, 400 fast-moving products are monitored regularly by the scheme implementing agency {Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)} and demand for the same is forecasted on an ongoing basis. Further, steps have been taken to digitise the forecasting method to augment the procurement process.

An internal committee of PMBI periodically reviews and fixes the MRP of medicines available in the Janaushadhi basket. The broad parameters while fixing the prices of medicines is as follows:

Jan Aushadhi Kendras are inspected by the marketing officers of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India on surprise check basis to prevent occurrence of any malpractice.

Any person may lodge complaint regarding overcharging, quality and availability of generic medicines supplied through JAKs in the country using the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal of the Government of India, or by emailing to complaints@janaushadhi.gov.in, or calling the PMBJP helpline number 1800 180 8080.

The Janaushadhi product basket consists of 2,110 medicines and 315 medical devices and consumables and it covers major therapeutic groups including cardiovascular disease, oncology, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines. The maximum retail prices (MRP) of Jan Aushadhi medicines are about 50% to 80% cheaper than those of leading branded medicines.

To promote acceptability of medicines supplied through JAKs, targeted awareness campaigns about the benefits of Janaushadhi medicines are conducted on a regular basis:

  1. Awareness campaigns: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which is the implementing agency for PMBJP conducts awareness campaigns in coordination with bodies and platforms such as the Central Bureau of Communication, PIB, MyGov and MY Bharat, in various modes such as print, television, radio, social media platforms, outdoor hoardings, community engagement, etc.
  2. Interactive messages: Outreach and citizen engagement are also pursued through WhatsApp chatbot to inform citizens regarding the quality and affordability of Janaushadhi products.
  3. Jan Aushadhi Week: Jan Aushadhi Week is celebrated every year in the first week of March during which special campaigns such as public rallies, health camps, seminars in pharmacy colleges, etc. are conducted across the nation to educate citizens about the benefits of Janaushadhi generic medicines.
  4. Messages from eminent persons: Audio/video messages from well-known persons such as public representatives and eminent doctors are disseminated on social media platforms to highlight the benefits of Janaushadhi medicines and dispel myths associated with respect to their quality.
  5. Public engagement programme in rural areas: To educate citizens in local languages/dialects, publicity is also done through health camps, nukkad-natak, audiovisual display etc. in association with local JAKs in rural areas.

Further, following concrete mechanisms are in place to ensure quality of medicines available at JAKs:

  1. Supply only from WHO Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified plants: Only plants that are certified as WHO-GMP compliant by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) are eligible for supply of Janaushadhi medicines.
  2. Distribution only after 100% pre-testing of all medicine batches: Samples are drawn from 100% of batches supplied at PMBI’s warehouses for anonymised testing, and medicines are dispatched for supply to JAKs only after the quality test is passed.
  3. Testing only at labs compliant with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP): Samples are tested only at labs accredited and periodically inspected by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and, in addition, assessed by PMBI for GLP compliance.
S. No.State/UTDistrictNo. of JAKs opened
1Andaman and NicobarNicobar1
2North and Middle Andaman2
3South Andaman3
4Andhra PradeshAlluri Sitharama Raju2
5Anakapalli7
6Ananthapuramu12
7Annamayya7
8Bapatla8
9Chittoor12
10Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema8
11East Godavari14
12Eluru11
13Guntur22
14Kakinada5
15Krishna9
16Kurnool20
17Nandyal7
18NTR16
19Palnadu11
20Parvathipuram Manyam3
21Prakasam16
22Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore6
23Sri Sathya Sai10
24Srikakulam9
25Tirupati15
26Visakhapatnam10
27Vizianagaram9
28West Godavari14
29YSR Kadapa9
30Arunachal PradeshAnjaw1
31Changlang3
32Dibang Valley1
33East Kameng2
34East Siang3
35Kamle1
36Kra Daadi2
37Kurung Kumey2
38Leparada1
39Lohit1
40Longding1
41Lower Dibang Valley2
42Lower Siang1
43Lower Subansiri1
44Namsai1
45Pakke Kessang1
46Papum Pare2
47Shi Yomi1
48Siang1
49Tawang1
50Tirap1
51Upper Siang1
52Upper Subansiri1
53West Kameng2
54West Siang1
55AssamBaksa1
56Barpeta4
57Biswanath2
58Bongaigaon4
59Cachar38
60Charaideo2
61Chirang2
62Darrang3
63Dhemaji3
64Dhubri3
65Dibrugarh9
66Dima Hasao1
67Goalpara2
68Golaghat3
69Hailakandi10
70Hojai2
71Jorhat4
72Kamrup7
73Kamrup Metropolitanpolitan17
74Karbi Anglong2
75Karimganj17
76Kokrajhar4
77Lakhimpur1
78Majuli1
79Morigaon4
80Nagaon11
81Nalbari2
82Sivasagar2
83Sonitpur4
84South Salmara-Mankachar2
85Tinsukia7
86Udalguri2
87BiharAraria7
88Arwal3
89Aurangabad14
90Banka5
91Begusarai55
92Bhagalpur23
93Bhojpur19
94Buxar7
95Darbhanga48
96Gaya32
97Gopalganj30
98Jamui7
99Jehanabad7
100Kaimur (Bhabua)8
101Katihar10
102Khagaria10
103Kishanganj1
104Lakhisarai6
105Madhepura8
106Madhubani53
107Munger12
108Muzaffarpur114
109Nalanda13
110Nawada2
111Pashchim Champaran35
112Patna142
113Purbi Champaran85
114Purnia9
115Rohtas16
116Saharsa14
117Samastipur41
118Saran44
119Sheikhpura4
120Sheohar11
121Sitamarhi52
122Siwan54
123Supaul16
124Vaishali41
125ChandigarhChandigarh19
126ChhattisgarhBalod8
127Balodabazar-Bhatapara22
128Balrampur-Ramanujganj6
129Bastar9
130Bemetara10
131Bijapur3
132Bilaspur20
133Dakshin Bastar Dantewada2
134Dhamtari10
135Durg58
136Gariyaband7
137Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi5
138Janjgir-Champa10
139Jashpur9
140Kabirdham7
141Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai7
142Kondagaon7
143Korba12
144Koriya3
145Mahasamund11
146Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur6
147Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chouki4
148Mungeli8
149Narayanpur3
150Raigarh12
151Raipur42
152Rajnandgaon19
153Sakti5
154Sarangarh-Bilaigarh4
155Sukma1
156Surajpur7
157Surguja4
158Uttar Bastar Kanker4
159DelhiCentral21
160East55
161New Delhi6
162North59
163North East60
164North West118
165Shahdara62
166South55
167South East107
168South West26
169West18
170GoaNorth Goa8
171South Goa10
172GujaratAhmedabad117
173Amreli16
174Anand21
175Arvalli12
176Banas Kantha14
177Bharuch14
178Bhavnagar23
179Botad10
180Chhotaudepur5
181Dahod6
182Dangs1
183Devbhumi Dwarka8
184Gandhinagar14
185Gir Somnath24
186Jamnagar20
187Junagadh24
188Kachchh45
189Kheda25
190Mahesana24
191Mahisagar7
192Morbi12
193Narmada5
194Navsari11
195Panch Mahals13
196Patan15
197Porbandar7
198Rajkot101
199Sabar Kantha22
200Surat117
201Surendranagar13
202Tapi6
203Vadodara77
204Valsad15
205Vav-Tharad4
206HaryanaAmbala27
207Bhiwani13
208Charki Dadri7
209Faridabad41
210Fatehabad6
211Gurugram73
212Hisar33
213Jhajjar27
214Jind12
215Kaithal13
216Karnal32
217Kurukshetra17
218Mahendragarh20
219Nuh5
220Palwal11
221Panchkula13
222Panipat15
223Rewari14
224Rohtak31
225Sirsa15
226Sonipat34
227Yamunanagar15
228Himachal PradeshBilaspur4
229Chamba3
230Hamirpur8
231Kangra21
232Kinnaur1
233Kullu2
234Lahaul And Spiti1
235Mandi12
236Shimla6
237Sirmaur3
238Solan5
239Una8
240Jammu and KashmirAnantnag33
241Bandipora8
242Baramulla21
243Budgam23
244Doda7
245Ganderbal7
246Jammu73
247Kathua13
248Kishtwar6
249Kulgam15
250Kupwara13
251Poonch11
252Pulwama22
253Rajouri10
254Ramban8
255Reasi8
256Samba18
257Shopian9
258Srinagar37
259Udhampur9
260JharkhandBokaro28
261Chatra2
262Deoghar17
263Dhanbad13
264Dumka4
265East Singhbhum13
266Garhwa2
267Giridih6
268Godda2
269Gumla4
270Hazaribagh5
271Jamtara3
272Khunti3
273Koderma4
274Latehar3
275Lohardaga1
276Pakur3
277Palamu8
278Ramgarh4
279Ranchi24
280Sahebganj4
281Seraikela-Kharsawan7
282Simdega3
283West Singhbhum3
284KarnatakaBagalkote30
285Ballari30
286Belagavi31
287Bengaluru Rural40
288Bengaluru Urban442
289Bidar31
290Chamarajanagara13
291Chikkaballapura19
292Chikkamagaluru27
293Chitradurga21
294Dakshina Kannada142
295Davangere40
296Dharwad43
297Gadag18
298Hassan31
299Haveri52
300Kalaburagi42
301Kodagu19
302Kolar21
303Koppal24
304Mandya48
305Mysuru84
306Raichur31
307Ramanagara16
308Shivamogga44
309Tumakuru50
310Udupi78
311Uttara Kannada30
312Vijayanagar16
313Vijayapura53
314Yadgir19
315KeralaAlappuzha135
316Ernakulam211
317Idukki58
318Kannur97
319Kasaragod41
320Kollam110
321Kottayam109
322Kozhikode150
323Malappuram177
324Palakkad168
325Pathanamthitta58
326Thiruvananthapuram168
327Thrissur204
328Wayanad28
329LadakhKargil1
330Leh Ladakh2
331LakshadweepLakshadweep District1
332Madhya PradeshAgar-Malwa5
333Alirajpur2
334Anuppur9
335Ashoknagar3
336Balaghat9
337Barwani9
338Betul10
339Bhind3
340Bhopal39
341Burhanpur5
342Chhatarpur25
343Chhindwara8
344Damoh8
345Datia3
346Dewas24
347Dhar16
348Dindori2
349Guna3
350Gwalior32
351Harda4
352Indore100
353Jabalpur32
354Jhabua4
355Katni9
356Khandwa (East Nimar)6
357Khargone (West Nimar)13
358Maihar2
359Mandla9
360Mandsaur12
361Mauganj3
362Morena6
363Narmadapuram8
364Narsimhapur11
365Neemuch11
366Niwari2
367Pandhurna1
368Panna4
369Raisen6
370Rajgarh6
371Ratlam23
372Rewa14
373Sagar15
374Satna7
375Sehore11
376Seoni6
377Shahdol6
378Shajapur9
379Sheopur3
380Shivpuri6
381Sidhi4
382Singrauli7
383Tikamgarh6
384Ujjain23
385Umaria3
386Vidisha7
387MaharashtraAhilyanagar15
388Akola11
389Amravati11
390Beed23
391Bhandara4
392Buldhana27
393Chandrapur6
394Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar14
395Dharashiv15
396Dhule3
397Gadchiroli1
398Gondia8
399Hingoli9
400Jalgaon13
401Jalna28
402Kolhapur22
403Latur46
404Mumbai71
405Mumbai Suburban20
406Nagpur18
407Nanded25
408Nandurbar4
409Nashik33
410Palghar33
411Parbhani17
412Pune53
413Raigad12
414Ratnagiri4
415Sangli28
416Satara18
417Sindhudurg3
418Solapur29
419Thane64
420Wardha5
421Washim7
422Yavatmal13
423ManipurBishnupur5
424Chandel2
425Churachandpur1
426Imphal East11
427Imphal West22
428Jiribam1
429Kakching3
430Kamjong1
431Kangpokpi1
432Noney3
433Pherzawl1
434Senapati3
435Tamenglong3
436Tengnoupal2
437Thoubal7
438Ukhrul2
439MeghalayaEast Garo Hills1
440East Jaintia Hills2
441East Khasi Hills6
442Eastern West Khasi Hills1
443North Garo Hills1
444Ri Bhoi3
445South Garo Hills1
446South West Garo Hills2
447South West Khasi Hills1
448West Garo Hills3
449West Jaintia Hills3
450West Khasi Hills1
451MizoramAizawl5
452Champhai1
453Hnahthial3
454Khawzawl1
455Kolasib1
456Lunglei1
457Mamit1
458Saitual1
459Serchhip2
460NagalandMon4
461Chumoukedima1
462Dimapur2
463Kiphire2
464Kohima2
465Longleng1
466Mokokchung2
467Niuland1
468Peren1
469Phek2
470Shamator1
471Tuensang1
472Wokha1
473Zunheboto1
474OdishaAnugul16
475Balangir14
476Baleshwar75
477Bargarh22
478Bhadrak32
479Boudh4
480Cuttack142
481Deogarh2
482Dhenkanal27
483Gajapati2
484Ganjam69
485Jagatsinghapur44
486Jajapur51
487Jharsuguda9
488Kalahandi4
489Kandhamal3
490Kendrapara41
491Kendujhar15
492Khordha109
493Koraput3
494Malkangiri2
495Mayurbhanj13
496Nabarangpur4
497Nayagarh13
498Nuapada1
499Puri34
500Rayagada5
501Sambalpur19
502Sonepur11
503Sundargarh17
504PuducherryKaraikal5
505Puducherry28
506PunjabAmritsar23
507Barnala13
508Bathinda45
509Faridkot9
510Fatehgarh Sahib11
511Fazilka11
512Ferozepur10
513Gurdaspur13
514Hoshiarpur17
515Jalandhar45
516Kapurthala14
517Ludhiana107
518Malerkotla4
519Mansa13
520Moga15
521Pathankot30
522Patiala71
523Rupnagar10
524S.A.S Nagar28
525Sangrur16
526Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar6
527Sri Muktsar Sahib16
528Tarn Taran5
529RajasthanAjmer10
530Alwar28
531Balotra6
532Banswara1
533Baran4
534Barmer8
535Beawar2
536Bharatpur8
537Bhilwara12
538Bikaner9
539Bundi4
540Chittorgarh8
541Churu15
542Dausa12
543Deeg3
544Dholpur4
545Didwana-Kuchaman17
546Dungarpur3
547Ganganagar17
548Hanumangarh24
549Jaipur203
550Jaisalmer3
551Jalore13
552Jhalawar2
553Jhunjhunu28
554Jodhpur35
555Karauli10
556Khairthal-Tijara5
557Kota15
558Kotputli-Behror10
559Nagaur23
560Pali9
561Phalodi5
562Pratapgarh2
563Rajsamand6
564Salumbar2
565Sawai Madhopur13
566Sikar24
567Sirohi6
568Tonk13
569Udaipur10
570SikkimGangtok4
571Gyalshing2
572Mangan1
573Namchi5
574Pakyong3
575Tamil NaduAriyalur8
576Chengalpattu65
577Chennai211
578Coimbatore99
579Cuddalore37
580Dharmapuri26
581Dindigul41
582Erode52
583Kallakurichi13
584Kancheepuram26
585Kanniyakumari96
586Karur20
587Krishnagiri25
588Madurai79
589Mayiladuthurai19
590Nagapattinam26
591Namakkal26
592Perambalur9
593Pudukkottai30
594Ramanathapuram14
595Ranipet17
596Salem56
597Sivaganga18
598Tenkasi21
599Thanjavur64
600The Nilgiris11
601Theni27
602Thiruvallur61
603Thiruvarur34
604Thoothukkudi19
605Tiruchirappalli73
606Tirunelveli41
607Tirupathur11
608Tiruppur43
609Tiruvannamalai16
610Vellore42
611Viluppuram15
612Virudhunagar24
613TelanganaAdilabad11
614Bhadradri Kothagudem3
615Hanumakonda5
616Hyderabad22
617Jagtial14
618Jangaon8
619Jayashankar Bhupalapally2
620Jogulamba Gadwal3
621Kamareddy1
622Karimnagar3
623Khammam3
624Kumuram Bheem Asifabad4
625Mahabubabad3
626Mahabubnagar7
627Mancherial7
628Medak1
629Medchal Malkajgiri34
630Mulugu3
631Nagarkurnool2
632Nalgonda2
633Narayanpet1
634Nirmal4
635Nizamabad13
636Peddapalli4
637Rajanna Sircilla1
638Ranga Reddy19
639Sangareddy6
640Siddipet3
641Suryapet3
642Vikarabad6
643Wanaparthy4
644Warangal7
645Yadadri Bhuvanagiri3
646The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and DiuDadra And Nagar Haveli21
647Daman16
648Diu3
649TripuraDhalai3
650Gomati2
651Khowai2
652North Tripura4
653Sepahijala4
654South Tripura4
655Unakoti4
656West Tripura10
657Uttar PradeshAgra108
658Aligarh55
659Ambedkar Nagar30
660Amethi27
661Amroha27
662Auraiya13
663Ayodhya44
664Azamgarh64
665Baghpat25
666Bahraich31
667Ballia53
668Balrampur24
669Banda27
670Barabanki71
671Bareilly60
672Basti34
673Bhadohi21
674Bijnor15
675Budaun41
676Bulandshahr59
677Chandauli35
678Chitrakoot14
679Deoria136
680Etah26
681Etawah24
682Farrukhabad19
683Fatehpur35
684Firozabad26
685Gautam Buddha Nagar108
686Ghaziabad128
687Ghazipur58
688Gonda41
689Gorakhpur165
690Hamirpur16
691Hapur31
692Hardoi56
693Hathras17
694Jalaun33
695Jaunpur32
696Jhansi49
697Kannauj28
698Kanpur Dehat22
699Kanpur Nagar111
700Kasganj15
701Kaushambi13
702Kheri80
703Kushinagar86
704Lalitpur12
705Lucknow286
706Mahoba13
707Mahrajganj74
708Mainpuri33
709Mathura40
710Mau40
711Meerut145
712Mirzapur26
713Moradabad38
714Muzaffarnagar69
715Pilibhit26
716Pratapgarh48
717Prayagraj101
718Rae Bareli36
719Rampur42
720Saharanpur103
721Sambhal22
722Sant Kabir Nagar21
723Shahjahanpur42
724Shamli22
725Shravasti6
726Siddharthnagar40
727Sitapur76
728Sonbhadra29
729Sultanpur48
730Unnao27
731Varanasi107
732UttarakhandAlmora11
733Bageshwar5
734Chamoli5
735Champawat8
736Dehradun86
737Haridwar69
738Nainital61
739Pauri Garhwal13
740Pithoragarh7
741Rudra Prayag4
742Tehri Garhwal9
743Udham Singh Nagar31
744Uttarkashi10
745  West BengalAlipurduar5
746Bankura34
747Birbhum8
748Cooch Behar14
749Dakshin Dinajpur2
750Darjeeling16
751Hooghly98
752Howrah94
753Jalpaiguri16
754Jhargram3
755Kalimpong1
756Kolkata118
757Malda12
758Murshidabad15
759Nadia22
760North 24 Parganas176
761Paschim Bardhaman49
762Paschim Medinipur33
763Purba Bardhaman40
764Purba Medinipur35
765Purulia10
766South 24 Parganas51
767Uttar Dinajpur6
Total17,990

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

During the last five years (i.e. April 2020 to January 2026), approximately 35.69 crore Ayushman cards have been created under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The State/UT-wise details of Ayushman cards created under the scheme can be accessed at: https://dashboard.nha.gov.in/public/card

As on 31.01.2026, 5.77 crore hospital admissions amounting to Rs. 1.15 lakh crore have been authorized for private hospitals, under the scheme.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri. Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the School of Law, Bennett University, organised the 3rd CTIL–Bennett International Moot Court Competition 2026 from 6–8 February 2026 at Greater Noida under the aegis of the WTO Chairs Programme.

The three-day international moot court competition served as an academic platform for law students to engage with contemporary issues in international trade law and labour standards. Teams from universities across India and abroad participated in the competition. The rounds were evaluated by experts drawn from the legal profession, academia and policy institutions.

The moot proposition focused on issues relating to alleged violations of labour standards and occupational safety obligations under a Free Trade Agreement, following an industrial accident and subsequent regulatory developments.

Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Rajesh Bindal, addressed the inaugural session and underscored the importance of constitutional values, judicial reasoning and the role of legal institutions in upholding the rule of law. Vice Chancellor, Bennett University, Dr. Raj Singh, spoke on the role of universities in advancing policy-oriented legal education. Speakers also highlighted the importance of WTO law moots in capacity building and strengthening understanding of international trade governance. Academic publications were also released during the programme.

Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Pankaj Mithal, addressed the valedictory session and emphasised the role of legal education in strengthening justice delivery systems, highlighting constitutional principles, judicial integrity and professional responsibility. The valedictory session also included the announcement of results and presentation of awards recognising excellence in research, advocacy and overall performance.

The competition reaffirmed the role of academic and policy institutions in promoting advanced study and practical engagement in international trade law and global economic governance.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments. While FSSAI, is responsible for laying down science-based standards and ensuring overall coordination, the State Food Safety Authorities are primarily responsible for enforcement at the field level.

To ensure compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the Act and regulations made thereunder, FSSAI, through its 4 (four) Regional Offices and State/UT food safety authorities conducts regular localized/targeted special enforcement and surveillance drives, inspections and sampling activities for various food products including milk and milk products throughout the year. If any deviations from the standards or violations to the Food Safety and Standards Regulation (FSSR) are observed, the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) are subjected to regulatory actions, including punitive measures, as stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and regulations made thereunder.

FSSAI is organising Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings at regular intervals to facilitate focused deliberations on emerging issues, policy reforms, and strengthening of food safety implementation mechanisms. Through meetings of the Central Advisory Committee, regular engagements are held with State Food Safety Commissioners to review the status of enforcement machinery and to ensure the proper implementation of food safety measures.

Details of the action taken against the defaulting FBOs for milk and milk products for non-compliance in the FY 2024-25 is as under:-

Financial YearNo of Sample AnalysedNo. of samples found Non-ConformingNo of Cases Launched
2024-25334051278012,057

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri. Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme, a total of 474 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened in the State of Haryana as on 31.12.2025, of which 35 JAKs opened in Hisar Parliamentary Constituency and 45 JAKs opened in Sonipat Parliamentary Constituency.

The details of the approved and opened Jan Aushadhi Kendra in last three financial years in Hisar and Sonipat Parliamentary Constituencies are as under:-

S. No.Financial YearHisar Parliamentary ConstituencySonipat Parliamentary Constituency
No. of JAKs openedNo. of JAKs opened
1.2022-23165
2.2023-24118
3.2024-25814

Under the scheme, a one-time special incentive of ₹2 lakh for setting up JAK is given for JAKs opened in the North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, island territories and backward areas notified as Aspirational Districts by NITI Aayog, and to those JAKs that are opened by entrepreneurs of certain eligible categories, including ex-servicemen, divyangjan and members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The JAKs are opened by inviting applications from individual entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations, societies, trusts, firms, private companies, etc. Online applications have been invited from all districts of the country including the said parliamentary constituency through the website www.janaushadhi.gov.in.

Number of steps have been taken to ensure effective and regular supply of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), including the following:

  1. Since September 2024, stocking by JAKs of 200 commonly used medicines, consisting of the 100 top-selling medicines in the scheme product basket and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market, has been incentivised, under which JAK owners are eligible for monthly incentive based on the stocks that they maintain of these medicines.
  2. An end-to-end information-technology-enabled supply chain system is in place to connect a robust supply chain system consisting of 5 warehouses and a growing network of distributors across the country.
  3. In addition, with a view to ensure availability of commonly used products, 400 fast-moving products are monitored regularly by the scheme implementing agency {Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)} and demand for the same is forecasted on an ongoing basis. Further, steps have been taken to digitise the forecasting method to augment the procurement process.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

An economic evaluation published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research has demonstrated that shorter, six-month all-oral treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) are cost-effective and offer improved health outcomes compared to the currently used longer regimens in India.

The study was conducted by ICMR–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR-NIRT). It assessed the cost-effectiveness of bedaquiline-based regimens—BPaL (bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid) and BPaLM (with moxifloxacin)—in comparison with the existing bedaquiline-containing shorter (9–11 months) and longer (18–20 months) treatment regimens used under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

The analysis revealed that the BPaL regimen is both more effective and cost-saving. For each additional Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained, the health system spends INR 379 less per patient compared to the standard regimen, indicating better health outcomes at lower costs.The BPaLM regimen was also found to be highly cost-effective, with an additional expenditure of only INR 37 per patient per additional QALY gained compared to the standard regimen. Both regimens were associated with lower or comparable overall healthcare costs, including medicines, hospital visits, and follow-up care.

MDR/RR-TB poses significant treatment challenges due to prolonged treatment duration, adverse effects, and higher costs. Shorter all-oral regimens can improve treatment adherence, reduce patient morbidity, and enable faster return to normal life, while also lowering the burden on the health system. The findings provide important economic evidence to support the use of shorter, all-oral regimens for MDR/RR-TB management in India. By reducing treatment duration from 9–18 months or longer to six months, these regimens align with national priorities to optimise resource utilisation and accelerate progress towards TB elimination.

The study concludes that BPaL-based regimens are likely to be cost-saving or highly cost-effective and may be considered for programmatic adoption under the NTEP to strengthen India’s response to drug-resistant TB. The full study can be accessed at: https://ijmr.org.in/cost-effectiveness.pdf

Geneva, 11 February 2026 —The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to accelerate efforts to ensure that millions of people living with cataract can access simple, sight restoring surgery—one of the most effective and affordable interventions to prevent avoidable blindness.

A new study published today in The Lancet Global Health  highlights the scale of the challenge: nearly half of all people across the world facing cataract related blindness still need access to surgery. 

Cataract--the clouding of the eye’s lens that causes blurred vision and can lead to blindness--affects more than 94 million people globally. Cataract surgery--a simple 15-minute procedure--is one of the most cost-effective medical procedures, providing immediate and lasting restoration of sight.

Over the past two decades, global coverage of cataract surgery has increased by about 15%, even as ageing populations and rising cataract cases have increased overall demand. The latest modelling predicts the coverage for cataract surgery to rise by about 8.4% for this decade. However, progress needs to accelerate sharply to meet the World Health Assembly target of a 30% increase by 2030. 

 “Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore vision and transform lives,” said Dévora Kestel, Director a.i., WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. “When people regain their sight, they regain independence, dignity, and opportunity.” 

The study, which analyzed reports from 68 country estimates for 2023 and 2024 shows that the African Region faces the greatest gap, with three in four people who need cataract surgery remaining untreated. Women are disproportionately affected across all regions, consistently experiencing lower access to care than men.

These gaps reflect long-standing structural barriers, including shortages and unequal distribution of trained eye-care professionals, high out-of-pocket costs, long waiting times, and limited awareness or demand for surgery, even where services exist.

In addition, while age is the primary risk factor for cataract, other contributors such as prolonged UV-B exposure, tobacco use, corticosteroid use, and diabetes can accelerate its development. 

Solutions for closing the gap

Ending unnecessary blindness from cataract is essential and achievable. Countries can accelerate progress by integrating vision screening and eye examinations into primary health care, investing in essential surgical infrastructure, and expanding and better distributing the eye-care workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Targeted efforts to prioritize women and marginalized communities will be critical to reducing persistent inequities and ensuring that gains in access benefit everyone.

WHO is calling on governments, civil society, and partners to build on existing momentum, address gender and geographic inequities, and prioritize underserved populations. With sustained commitment, cataract surgery can move from being out of reach for millions to a universally accessible intervention, helping to end avoidable blindness worldwide.

Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda today launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) through a video conference with State Health Ministers and senior officials from 12 identified LF-endemic States, marking a significant step towards achieving the national goal of eliminating LF as a public health problem. The nationwide campaign seeks to accelerate efforts to interrupt disease transmission, reduce morbidity, and ensure equitable access to preventive healthcare interventions for vulnerable populations across the country. 

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis (Haatipaon), is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the female Culex mosquito, which breeds in polluted and stagnant water. The infection damages the lymphatic system and can lead to chronic morbidity, disability and social stigma. The Government of India has accorded high priority to eliminating LF as a public health problem by end-2027, ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030. Currently, LF is endemic in 348 districts across 20 States and Union Territories. Of these, 41 per cent (143 districts) have successfully stopped Mass Drug Administration (MDA) after clearing Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS-1), while 50 per cent (174 districts across 14 States) continue to implement annual MDA due to microfilaria rates above 1 per cent. The remaining 9 per cent (31 districts) are at various stages of transmission assessments. As of 2024, over 6.20 lakh cases of lymphoedema and 1.21 lakh cases of hydrocele have been reported from endemic districts, underscoring the need for sustained and intensified efforts.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda reaffirmed the Government of India’s unwavering commitment to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by 2027, well ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030. He highlighted that LF not only affects the health and quality of life of patients, but also severely impacts their livelihood, economic productivity, and social well-being, often leading to social stigma and long-term hardship for entire families. He emphasized that eliminating LF is therefore not merely a health objective, but a critical social and economic imperative.

The Union Health Minister also underscored the significant progress achieved through mission-mode implementation of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, particularly through directly observed treatment, which has yielded encouraging on-ground results. He stressed the need to strengthen the ecosystem for vector control, alongside sustained MDA, to effectively interrupt disease transmission. Highlighting last-mile challenges, Shri Nadda pointed out that ensuring direct observation of drug consumption and addressing public hesitancy towards medication remain key concerns, which must be tackled through intensive awareness, community engagement, grievance redressal, and trust-building measures.

Shri Nadda further emphasized the importance of Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP), including timely hydrocele surgeries and distribution of medicines, to improve quality of life for affected individuals. He noted that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) can play a pivotal role in early screening, detection and prompt treatment, thereby preventing disease progression. He also highlighted that hydrocele surgery has been included under Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), ensuring financial protection and improved access to care for patients.

Referring to the current campaign being implemented across 719 blocks in 124 districts of 12 States, Shri Nadda stressed the need to consistently bring down the microfilaria prevalence rate to below one per cent in all endemic areas. He called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with active involvement of Panchayat representatives, particularly Pradhan of all 719 blocks, along with allied ministries and departments, to ensure seamless implementation, strong community participation, and accelerated progress towards achieving a filariasis-free India by 2027.

About Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign

India has intensified efforts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) through the adoption of an Enhanced Five-Pronged Strategy, with the India Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign as its central pillar. From February 2026, the National LF Programme has transitioned to a unified annual MDA campaign, replacing the earlier biannual rounds conducted on 10th February and 10th August alongside National Deworming Day (NDD). This strategic shift addresses challenges related to monsoon disruptions, logistical constraints, limited time for surveillance, and the operational burden of two annual rounds, while enabling streamlined operations, stronger supervision, higher coverage, and adequate time for critical surveillance activities such as Night Blood Surveys, Pre-TAS, TAS, Impact Surveys, and Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) interventions. The transition aims to improve programme efficiency and accelerate progress towards achieving elimination of LF by 2027.

As a result of sustained programme efforts, MDA coverage among the total population improved from 75 per cent in 2014 to 85 per cent in 2025, supported by an emphasis on directly observed consumption. The proportion of LF-endemic districts that successfully stopped MDA after clearing Transmission Assessment Survey-1 (TAS-1) increased from 15 per cent (39 districts) in 2014 to 41 per cent (143 districts) in 2025 among the 348 endemic districts. Engagement of medical colleges in Coverage Evaluation Surveys expanded from 1 per cent in 2019 to 96 per cent in 2024, with 199 colleges actively involved, while endemic States reported MDA data online through the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) and updated line lists of microfilaria/antigen-positive, lymphoedema and hydrocele cases. Between 2023 and 2025, a 32 per cent decline in blocks conducting MDA was recorded, with the 2025 campaign covering 14 States, 161 districts and 1,090 blocks, targeting 21.71 crore population, achieving 96 per cent coverage against eligible population, and ensuring 18.48 crore individuals consumed anti-filarial drugs.

Achieving over 90 per cent drug compliance necessitates extensive community outreach and sustained household-level awareness efforts. In this regard, allied ministries and departments including Panchayati Raj, Rural Development (NRLM), Women and Child Development, Education, Youth Affairs, Tribal Affairs and Agriculture have been actively engaged, ensuring strong multi-sectoral collaboration. For the 10th February 2026 MDA campaign, 124 districts (55 DA and 69 IDA) across 12 States have been provisionally identified, with the campaign launch aimed at securing high-level commitment, strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, enhancing visibility, and mobilizing communities to accelerate progress towards a filariasis-free India by 2027.

Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ms. Aradhna Patnaik ,AS & MD, NHM, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Shri Nikhil Gajraj, Joint Secretary (VBD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were present on the occasion.

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