WHO Declares End of Global Health Emergency for New Viral Strain
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the recent viral outbreak.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- WHO declares end of PHEIC for the recent viral outbreak.
- Decision based on declining cases and high global immunity.
- Virus to be managed as a long-term health threat.
- Highlights the importance of international cooperation in health.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 5–8 | UPSC tests Science & Technology through governance: space policy, biotech regulations, cyber security. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–8 | Basic science, space missions, ISRO launches, and defence technology are standard SSC GK topics. |
| Banking (IBPS / SBI) | Low | 1–2 | Occasionally tested via banking technology, fintech, or climate-science crossovers. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Space missions, defence acquisitions, and health research appear regularly. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- ISRO missions: satellite name, purpose, launch date, orbit type
- Defence acquisitions: system name, origin country, inducted into which force
- COVID/health research: vaccine names, institutes involved, approval status
- Technology achievements: first-ever milestones, world records, India-specific achievements
- Scientific organizations: HQ, head, purpose (CSIR, DRDO, BARC, ICAR)
Practice Questions
Q1. What does the acronym PHEIC stand for in the context of WHO?
- Public Health Emergency of International Concern
- Private Health Emergency in Cities
- Public Health Entry in Countries
- Primary Health Emergency International Code
Explanation: PHEIC stands for Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Q2. Who is the current Director-General of the World Health Organization?
- Soumya Swaminathan
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Margaret Chan
- Ban Ki-moon
Explanation: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the Director-General of the WHO.
How to Prepare Science & Technology for Government Exams
For Railway exams, make flashcards for every major ISRO launch — name, payload, purpose, date. These repeat frequently.
For SSC, focus on defence acquisitions and their strategic significance rather than technical specs.
For UPSC, connect every scientific development to policy — climate targets, digital India, health policy.
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