State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 08 Jul 2025

India’s First Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC)

Why in News? 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has officially recognized India’s first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC): 
  • Definition: 
    • An EDFC is a specially designated, biosecure zone for horses that ensures protection from serious equine diseases, enabling safe movement for sports, breeding, or trade. 
    • It is established under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 
  • Features: 
    • The EDFC is part of a wider initiative to establish disease-free zones across sectors.  
      • India is also working on creating Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)-Free Compartments for the safe export of poultry products. 
    • The EDFC follows detailed SOPs covering disease prevention, pest control, security, hygiene, health monitoring, waste management, and constant surveillance, in line with global best practices. 
    • The approval aligns with WOAH’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code, which outlines science-based guidelines for managing disease-free animal sub-populations through strict biosecurity and care practices. 
  • Certified Disease-Free: 
    • The EDFC has been declared free from major equine diseases such as Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra. 
      • India has also remained free from African Horse Sickness since 2014. 
• Significance: 
  • International Participation: Indian sport horses can now compete in international equestrian events, enhancing India's visibility and participation in the global equestrian arena. 
  • Boost to Equine Trade and Breeding: The EDFC will strengthen India’s position in the equine trade and breeding sectors, opening up global markets for Indian horses. 
  • Animal Health Excellence: India’s commitment to strengthening animal health systems with globally accepted practices positions it as a leader in veterinary excellence. 

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) 

• WOAH is the leading international body dedicated to animal health and welfare. 
• Established in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the organisation adopted its current name in May 2003. 
• It operates as an intergovernmental organisation, with members from around the world collaborating on shared goals in animal health. 
• It works to improve global animal health and is headquartered in Paris, France. 
• As of 2025, WOAH had 183 member countries, including India. 
• It creates guidelines, such as the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, to help countries prevent disease entry. 
• The World Trade Organization (WTO) acknowledges WOAH standards as international sanitary guidelines.

Uttar Pradesh Targets Global Manufacturing Shift

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is intensifying its global outreach to attract multinational manufacturers, particularly through the China+1 strategy, as part of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision to transform the state into a USD 1 trillion economy.

Key Points 

• About China+1 Strategy: 
  • It refers to the global trend where companies diversify their manufacturing and supply chains by establishing operations in countries other than China.  
  • This approach aims to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single country, especially in light of geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. 
• Global Outreach to Attract Investment: 
  • As part of its China+1 strategy, Invest UP, the state’s nodal investment promotion agency, is leading a global outreach initiative. 
  • The campaign includes roadshows and strategic business engagements across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom to attract Fortune 500 companies and global industrial leaders. 
  • The outreach will feature Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings and roundtable discussions in global business hubs such as New York, London, Paris, among others. 
  • These events are being organised in collaboration with Indian embassies and leading trade associations like US-India Business Council (USIBC), Confederation of Indian Industries CII, and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). 
• Sectoral Growth and Key Investments in UP: 
  • Electronics: Rs 3,700 crore HCL–Foxconn OSAT investment marks a milestone in the state’s semiconductor ambitions. 
  • Textiles: UP is strengthening its textile value chain through PM MITRA Mega Textile Park and mini parks focused on synthetic, defence, and medical textiles. 
  • Electric Vehicles (EVs): Under the EV Policy 2023, UP targets 36 Gigawatt hours (GWh) battery production capacity by 2028. 
  • Digital Infrastructure: Noida–Greater Noida is emerging as India’s leading data centre hub, with plans to develop an integrated AI City. 

Invest UP 

• About: 
  • Invest UP, formerly known as Udyog Bandhu, is the investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. 
  • It is dedicated to attracting new investments and resolving issues faced by existing and upcoming industries in the state. 
• Vision: 
  • Invest UP envisions transforming UP into India’s most preferred investment destination. 
  • It aims to serve as an effective driver of investment policies and provide a world-class business environment and infrastructure, thereby fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for the people of the state. 
• Mission: 
  • As state’s Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, Invest UP aims at attracting investment in the state through proactive contribution in policy formulation for rapid development of industries and infrastructure in the State.  
  • The organization facilitates the resolution of problems of prospective and existing entrepreneurs by providing them the advisory services.