UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 30 December 2025

Alleged Fake Rabies Vaccines: A Test for India’s Health Governance

December 30, 2025

Fake Rabies Vaccine Latest News

Health authorities in Australia have advised citizens vaccinated for rabies in India to check whether they require replacement doses, following concerns about counterfeit rabies vaccines.
Similar advisories have been issued by the United Kingdom and the United States.
This episode highlights critical issues of drug supply chain integrity, regulatory enforcement, and public confidence in vaccines—especially significant for India, which bears a high rabies burden and plays a key role in global vaccine supply.

Rabies: Transmission and Prevention

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected animals.
Human infection can occur through bites, scratches, or saliva contact with open wounds, commonly involving dogs, cats, monkeys, and bats.
Symptoms range from fever, headache, and nausea to excessive salivation, hydrophobia (fear of water), hallucinations, and partial paralysis.
Importantly, rabies is preventable through timely post-exposure vaccination, which is why prompt medical treatment after animal exposure is essential.

India’s Rabies Burden

According to India’s National Rabies Control Programme, 6,644 clinically suspected human rabies cases and deaths were reported between 2012 and 2022, though this is believed to be an under-estimate.
The World Health Organisation estimates 18,000–20,000 rabies deaths annually worldwide, with one-third to two-thirds occurring in children under 15 years.
India alone accounts for nearly 36% of global rabies deaths, highlighting the public health significance of vaccine safety and regulatory oversight.

Background: Concerns Over Abhayrab Vaccine

Health authorities in Australia, the UK, and the US have issued advisories urging citizens who received rabies vaccinations in India to verify whether they require replacement doses.
The alerts point to possible circulation of counterfeit rabies vaccines in India since 2023.
The advisories stem from concerns that fake batches of Abhayrab, a rabies vaccine manufactured by the Human Biologicals Institute (a key division of PSU Indian Immunologicals), may be in circulation.
The issue has triggered international alarm because rabies is almost 100% fatal once symptoms appear, making vaccine efficacy critical.

Company’s Response and Identification of Counterfeit Batch

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) stated that in January 2025, it detected one counterfeit batch (#KA24014) with altered packaging.
The company informed Indian regulators and law enforcement immediately.
It maintains that no other counterfeit batches have been found.

Nature of the Counterfeit: Packaging Diversion, Not Fake Vaccine

Investigations revealed that:
- Counterfeit products were detected in Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Patna.
- Raids were conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, and Agra.
- Tests conducted at the Central Drug Testing Laboratory, Kasauli, found the seized vaccines to contain the genuine product.
Experts clarified that the issue involved tampered outer packaging, allegedly used to divert government-supplied vaccines into the open market, rather than fake or substandard vaccine contents.

Why Abhayrab Is Central to the Concern

Abhayrab is among the most widely used rabies vaccines in India, holding around 40% market share.
IIL is the largest rabies vaccine producer globally, supplying vaccines for over 25 years.
Company officials warned that international advisories could fuel vaccine hesitancy, particularly in rural areas where Abhayrab may be the only available option.

Expert Reassurance on Public Health Impact

Experts in India sought to allay fears:
- In India, patients usually receive five doses of rabies vaccine after an animal bite.
- Even if one dose were ineffective, protection is likely ensured through remaining doses and rabies immunoglobulin.

WHO-Recommended Vaccination Protocol

As per World Health Organisation guidelines:
Unimmunised persons: At least three intramuscular doses or Two intradermal doses, plus immunoglobulin on day zero.
Previously immunised persons: Only two booster doses are required.

Recent Rabies Cases and Vaccine Failure Concerns

In Kerala, a spike in rabies deaths was reported in 2022, raising public concern as several deceased individuals had reportedly received rabies vaccines.
This led to suspicions of vaccine failure or ineffective vaccines.

Findings of the Union Health Ministry Committee

A committee constituted by the Union Health Ministry investigated the cases and ruled out vaccine failure as the primary cause.
It concluded that deaths occurred due to:
- Improper wound washing after animal bites
- Non-administration of rabies immunoglobulin in Category 3 bites
  - Category 3 bites include multiple bites or scratches breaking the skin, or situations where broken skin is licked by an animal, which carry the highest risk of infection.
The committee highlighted limited availability of rabies immunoglobulin and vaccines as a major systemic challenge, which compromised timely and complete post-exposure prophylaxis.

Source: IE | NDTV | FP

Fake Rabies Vaccine FAQs

Q1: Why have countries issued alerts on rabies vaccines received in India?

Ans: Australia, the UK, and the US warned travelers due to concerns about counterfeit Abhayrab vaccines circulating in India since 2023, raising doubts about vaccine efficacy.

Q2: What is the issue related to the Abhayrab rabies vaccine?

Ans: Authorities flagged tampered packaging of one Abhayrab batch, allegedly diverting government supply to private markets, though vaccine contents were found genuine.

Q3: Why is rabies a major public health concern in India?

Ans: Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear. India accounts for about 36% of global rabies deaths, with children forming a large proportion.

Q4: Have recent rabies deaths been linked to vaccine failure?

Ans: Investigations into Kerala’s 2022 rabies deaths found causes linked to poor wound washing and lack of immunoglobulin, not vaccine failure.

Q5: Why does this controversy matter for India globally?

Ans: It tests India’s drug regulation credibility, supply-chain oversight, and vaccine confidence, crucial given India’s role as a major global vaccine producer.

INSV Kaundinya Sets Sail: Reviving India’s Ancient Maritime Heritage

December 30, 2025

INSV Kaundinya Latest News

INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel built using traditional shipbuilding techniques, has begun its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman.
The voyage symbolically retraces ancient maritime routes that once linked India with the wider Indian Ocean world.
Constructed with wooden planks stitched using coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, the vessel reflects an indigenous shipbuilding tradition prevalent along India’s coasts.
This technology enabled Indian mariners to undertake long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia long before modern navigation methods.

The project was executed under a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, as part of India’s broader effort to revive and showcase its indigenous knowledge systems and maritime heritage.

INSV Kaundinya: Revival of an Ancient Indian Vessel

INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sail ship inspired by a 5th century CE vessel depicted in the paintings of the Ajanta Caves.
It represents an effort to recreate India’s early maritime traditions using historically authentic methods.

Traditional Construction and Craftsmanship

After the keel laying in September 2023, the ship was built using the traditional stitching technique by a team of skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran.
Wooden planks forming the hull were stitched together with coir rope, coconut fibre, and sealed using natural resin.
The vessel was launched in February 2025 at Goa.
Navy formally inducted the naval sailing vessel in May 2025 at the Karwar Naval base, in Karnataka.

Indian Navy’s Role and Interdisciplinary Design

The Indian Navy played a central role by overseeing the vessel’s design, technical validation, and construction.
With no surviving blueprints or physical remains, the design was extrapolated from two-dimensional artistic depictions.
The project required an interdisciplinary approach, combining archaeological interpretation, naval architecture, hydrodynamic testing, and traditional craftsmanship.

Dimensions, Crew, and Tankai Method

INSV Kaundinya is about 19.6 metres long, 6.5 metres wide, with a draft of 3.33 metres.
Powered solely by sails, it is operated by a crew of around 15 trained sailors.
Construction follows the indigenous Tankai method, where the hull is stitched first and ribs are added later—completely avoiding the use of metal.

INSV Kaundinya: A Ship Built Without Engines or Metal

INSV Kaundinya is a non-combat sailing vessel constructed entirely using a stitched shipbuilding technique dating back to at least the 5th century CE.
Wooden planks are stitched together with coir rope made from coconut fibre and sealed with natural resins, cotton, and oils.
This flexible hull design allows the vessel to absorb wave energy—an essential feature for ancient sailors navigating the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Hydrodynamic testing and stability studies were carried out with assistance from academic institutions, including IIT Madras, to ensure seaworthiness for open-ocean voyages.

Symbolism Embedded in INSV Kaundinya’s Design

INSV Kaundinya’s structure incorporates culturally rich elements that reflect India’s ancient maritime heritage.
Her sails carry motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, symbolising power and continuity, while the bow features a sculpted Simha Yali, a mythical guardian figure associated with strength and protection.
A symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor placed on the deck evokes the subcontinent’s early seafaring traditions.
Named after Kaundinya, the Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the vessel stands as a living representation of India’s long history of maritime exploration, trade networks, and cultural exchange, underscoring the civilisational depth of India’s engagement with the seas.

Reviving Ancient Maritime Highways

The Porbandar–Muscat route retraced by INSV Kaundinya was once a vital maritime corridor for trade in spices, textiles, and ideas across West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
By sailing this route again, the vessel demonstrates the sophistication of ancient Indian shipbuilding and reaffirms India’s identity as a historic maritime civilisation.

Source: TH | ToI

INSV Kaundinya FAQs

Q1: What is INSV Kaundinya and why is it significant?

Ans: INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sailing vessel inspired by 5th-century designs, reviving ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques without engines or metal.

Q2: What route is INSV Kaundinya sailing and why?

Ans: The Porbandar–Muscat route retraces historic Indian Ocean trade corridors that once connected India with West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Q3: How was INSV Kaundinya constructed?

Ans: The vessel was built using the Tankai method, stitching wooden planks with coir rope and natural resins, reflecting ancient indigenous craftsmanship.

Q4: What role did the Indian Navy play in the project?

Ans: The Indian Navy oversaw design validation, hydrodynamic testing, and construction, combining archaeology, naval architecture, and traditional craftsmanship.

Q5: Why is INSV Kaundinya important for India’s soft power?

Ans: The voyage highlights India’s maritime civilisation, indigenous knowledge systems, and historical cultural exchanges across the Indian Ocean region.

Aravalli Hills and Environmental Protection – Explained

December 30, 2025

Aravalli Hills Latest News

The Supreme Court has paused its earlier judgment accepting a restrictive definition of the Aravalli Hills and has proposed a re-examination through a high-powered expert committee.

About the Aravalli Mountain Range

The Aravalli Mountain Range is one of the oldest surviving fold mountain systems in the world, with geological origins dating back nearly 1.5 billion years.
Stretching over 690 km, the range runs from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi, forming a crucial natural barrier in north-western India.
Ecologically, the Aravallis play a vital role in:
- Preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert
- Regulating regional climate and rainfall patterns
- Recharging groundwater aquifers
- Acting as a green buffer against air pollution, particularly for the Delhi-NCR region
The hills host tropical dry deciduous forests, support diverse flora and fauna, and sustain rural livelihoods.
Despite their importance, the Aravallis have faced severe degradation due to mining, urbanisation, and infrastructure expansion, making legal and policy protection critical.
Over the years, multiple court orders and expert committees have attempted to define and protect the Aravallis, but ambiguities in their legal definition have remained a major challenge.

Legal Background to the Aravalli Definition Issue

Environmental protection of the Aravallis has largely evolved through judicial interventions rather than a single comprehensive statute. Courts have relied on:
- The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Forest conservation principles
- Earlier Supreme Court rulings restricting mining activities
However, the absence of a scientifically precise and uniform definition of what constitutes the Aravalli range has led to disputes over which areas qualify for environmental protection.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court upheld a government expert panel’s definition that restricted the Aravallis to:
- Hills with an elevation of 100 metres or more
- Hill clusters, slopes, and hillocks located within 500 metres of each other
- This definition significantly narrowed the geographical scope of the protected area.

News Summary

In December 2025, the Supreme Court kept its own November judgment in abeyance, citing serious environmental and regulatory concerns. Key developments include:
- The Court directed that no irreversible administrative or ecological actions should be taken based on the restrictive definition until further review.
- Fresh or renewed mining leases in the Aravalli region were prohibited without prior approval of the apex court.
- Widespread public concern was noted that the 100-metre elevation rule could exclude a large number of ecologically significant hills, particularly in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
- The Court observed that if lower hill ranges were excluded, it could create a “significant regulatory lacuna”, enabling unregulated mining and environmental degradation.
The Bench proposed constituting a high-powered expert committee to:
- Reassess whether “regulated” or “sustainable” mining in newly excluded areas could still harm ecological integrity
- Evaluate the short-term and long-term environmental impacts of the restrictive definition
- Examine whether the 500-metre clustering rule creates a structural paradox, where ecologically contiguous hills remain unprotected due to technical gaps
The Court emphasised that any final definition must be based on exhaustive scientific and geological assessment, ensuring holistic protection of the entire mountain system rather than fragmented pockets.

Environmental and Policy Implications

Over-reliance on technical definitions can undermine ecological objectives
Mining regulation must balance economic activity with inter-generational environmental equity
Judicial oversight remains critical in the absence of comprehensive legislative clarity
For policymakers, the issue underscores the need for scientifically grounded, ecosystem-based approaches rather than narrow physical thresholds.

Source: TH | IE

Aravalli Hills FAQs

Q1: Why are the Aravalli Hills environmentally important?

Ans: They prevent desertification, recharge groundwater, and act as a pollution buffer for north-western India.

Q2: What was controversial about the 100-metre rule?

Ans: It excluded many ecologically significant hills from legal protection.

Q3: Why did the Supreme Court pause its own judgment?

Ans: Due to concerns that the definition could weaken environmental safeguards.

Q4: What is the role of the proposed expert committee?

Ans: To scientifically reassess the definition and ecological impact of mining in the Aravallis.

Q5: Why is this issue relevant for UPSC preparation?

Ans: It links geography, environment, judiciary, and governance—core GS topics.