Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
- India has released the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) for 2025-29.
- AMR affects human health, veterinary practices, aquaculture, agriculture, waste systems, and the entire food chain.
- Antibiotic residues and resistant organisms link sectors through soil, water, livestock, markets and food systems, making AMR a One Health challenge.
Evolution from the First Action Plan
- The 2017 NAP-AMR built national awareness, expanded surveillance, strengthened laboratories and promoted stewardship.
- It introduced a One Health framework connecting human, animal and environmental sectors.
- Implementation gaps emerged at the State level, with only seven States preparing formal plans and few achieving meaningful execution.
- Key determinants of AMR lie under State jurisdiction, including health services, pharmacy regulation, veterinary oversight, agricultural use and waste governance.
Advances in NAP-AMR 2.0
- The new plan provides clearer timelines, defined responsibilities and focused resource planning.
- It highlights private-sector participation, acknowledging its major role in healthcare and veterinary services.
- Greater emphasis is placed on innovation, including rapid diagnostics, alternatives to antibiotics and environmental monitoring.
- Surveillance becomes more integrated across human, veterinary, agricultural and environmental sectors.
- Governance is strengthened through NITI Aayog’s Coordination and Monitoring Committee and mandatory creation of State AMR Cells supported by a national dashboard.
Persistent Gaps
- The plan lacks mechanisms to ensure State compliance.
- There is no Centre-State AMR platform, no joint reviews, no statutory requirements and no financial pathways tied to performance.
- Without structured accountability, the plan risks remaining a technical document rather than an operational programme.
Need for Coordinated Centre-State Architecture
- A national-State AMR council, chaired by the Union Health Minister, can enable joint review and decision-making.
- States must be formally requested to prepare and notify AMR plans with annual assessments.
- Conditional NHM grants can strengthen surveillance, stewardship and laboratory systems.
- Stronger coordination is essential because AMR arises from real-world practices across the entire One Health continuum.
Conclusion
- NAP-AMR 2.0 offers a strong strategic foundation, but success depends on effective Centre-State partnership.
- With coordinated governance and sustained State engagement, India can make measurable progress and emerge as an international leader in AMR control.