IIT Kharagpur’s DSIR-CRTDH Healthcare Hub Enters Sustainable Phase, Strengthening Lab-to-Market Transition for Last-Mile Delivery
Distilled Policy Brief
- The hub has facilitated over 20 technology transfers to support MSMEs and startups, and it now covers its operational expenses through user fees, industry sponsorships, and collaborative partnerships.
- In alignment with Skill India and the National Health Mission, the hub trains rural health workers to operate rural health units and provide diagnostic screening in remote areas like the Sundarbans and Birbhum.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) scheme and its nodal department (DSIR).
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the role of industry-academia collaboration and self-sustaining models in promoting indigenous medical technology and last-mile healthcare delivery in India.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) on Affordable Healthcare at IIT Kharagpur, consider the following statements: 1. It has transitioned to a self-sustaining phase, covering its operational expenses through user fees, industry sponsorships, and collaborative partnerships. 2. In alignment with Skill India and the National Health Mission, it trains rural health workers to operate rural health units and provide diagnostic screening in remote areas like the Sundarbans. 3. It is an initiative established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to primarily regulate medical devices in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The CRTDH at IIT Kharagpur has successfully entered its sustainable phase, covering its operational expenses through user fees, industry sponsorships, and collaborative partnerships, and it trains rural health workers in remote areas like the Sundarbans and Birbhum. Statement 3 is incorrect because the CRTDH scheme is established under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, to support MSMEs, startups, and affordable healthcare technology development, rather than under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.