Science Reporter’s April 2026 issue (CSIR-NIScPR, Vol 63) leads with the cover story “Climate Change: A Health Emergency?” by Parul R. Sheth, an Earth Day issue connecting climate science to public health, alongside features on light pollution, obesity, 3D food printing and the DST’s gender-in-science schemes.
Articles in This Issue
- Climate Change: A Health Emergency? (cover story) - vector-borne disease shifts, heat-stress mortality, NPCCHH and Heat Action Plans
- The Impact of Urban Illumination on Health and the Natural Environment - light pollution and circadian disruption
- Obesity is a Disease - India’s double burden of malnutrition
- Targeted Schemes Bridging Gender Gaps in S&T Research - WISE-KIRAN, GATI, Vigyan Jyoti
- 3D Food Printing: Engineering the Future of Edible Innovation - additive manufacturing of food
- Legalome: When Microbes might Force you to Commit Crimes - gut microbiome meets law
- Dr B.R. Chatterjee: An Unsung Architect of the Leprosy Eradication Programme - history of Indian public health
- Plus: stroke recovery, forensic science aboard space stations, Earth Day quiz features
Key Concepts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NPCCHH | National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health, run by NCDC under MoHFW |
| Heat Action Plan | City/state advisory and response framework against heat-wave mortality (Ahmedabad pioneered) |
| Light pollution | Excess artificial light disrupting circadian rhythms and ecosystems |
| WISE-KIRAN / GATI / Vigyan Jyoti | DST schemes for women and girls in science; GATI is modelled on the UK’s Athena SWAN |
| 3D food printing | Layer-by-layer additive fabrication of food from edible “inks” |
| Legalome | Emerging idea that the gut microbiome may influence behaviour and legal responsibility |
Prelims Pointers
- Earth Day: April 22
- NPCCHH operates under the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), MoHFW
- GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions) is a DST scheme modelled on Athena SWAN
- Vigyan Jyoti targets girl students of Classes 9-12 for STEM
- WHO classes obesity as a disease; India carries a double burden of under- and over-nutrition
UPSC GS Relevance
- GS3: climate-health linkages, food technology
- GS2: health programmes (NPCCHH), women-in-science schemes
- GS1: society (gender gaps in research)
