Q12. Describe the steps taken by the Government of India to face the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Add a brief note on the issues and challenges involved in tackling the situation.

“No one is safe until everyone is safe.”- WHO, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic tested India’s health, governance, and economic resilience. Confronting the world’s second-largest population, India adopted a comprehensive approach preventive, healthcare, and economic combining central coordination with local implementation.

Preventive and Public Health Measures

• Nationwide Lockdown (March 2020): Contained initial spread; allowed healthcare system preparation.
• Aarogya Setu App: Digital contact tracing and awareness tool.
• ICMR-led Testing Network: Scaled up from 100 labs (2020) to 3,000+ labs by 2022.
• Mask and vaccination mandates under Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Vaccination and Medical Response

• ‘Vaccine Maitri’ Mission: India produced and exported over 200 million doses to 100 countries.
• CoWIN Platform: Enabled real-time vaccination tracking.
• Covishield and Covaxin: Indigenous vaccine development under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Economic and Social Support Measures

• PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (2020): ₹1.70 lakh crore relief for poor households.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Package (₹20 lakh crore): Support for MSMEs, migrants, and rural economy.
• MGNREGA allocation increased to ₹1 lakh crore (2020–21) largest ever.
• PM-CARES Fund: Used for ventilators, PPE kits, and vaccine R&D.

Example:

• The Haryana COVID Relief Fund (2020) provided free ration and ₹5,000 aid to daily-wage workers.
• State achieved 95% vaccination rate by 2022 (Haryana Health Dept.).

Challenges Faced

• Second Wave (2021): Oxygen shortages and hospital overload.
• Migrant Crisis: 12 million migrants displaced (NSSO).
• Digital Divide: Rural population faced barriers to vaccine registration.
• Learning Loss: School closures affected 250 million students (UNESCO 2022).

India’s COVID-19 response demonstrated resilience, innovation, and solidarity, though gaps in health infrastructure and preparedness remain.

Haryana’s community vaccination drives and India’s vaccine diplomacy highlighted the nation’s capacity to combine local action with global leadership, turning crisis into an opportunity for systemic reform.