BharatNotes India's Health Profile — Key Indicators
India has made significant progress on health outcomes over the past three decades, but continues to face challenges of inequity, underfunding, and infrastructure gaps. Understanding the key health indicators is essential for both GS-I (Indian Society) and GS-II (Governance) dimensions.
Latest Health Indicators
| Indicator | Value | Source/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | 24 per 1,000 live births (SRS 2024, released May 2026); 25 per 1,000 (SRS 2023) | SRS Statistical Report 2024 (ORGI, May 2026) |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) | 88 per 1,00,000 live births | SRS Special Bulletin on MMR 2021–23 (released Sept 2025) |
| Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) | 28 per 1,000 live births (SRS 2024); declined 78% from 1990 to 2023, surpassing global decline of 61% | SRS 2024; UN IGME 2023 |
| Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) | 19 per 1,000 live births (declined 70% from 1990 to 2023 vs 54% globally) | SRS 2021 |
| Total Fertility Rate (TFR) | 1.9 (SRS 2024, confirmed; NFHS-5 2019-21 value was 2.0) — below the replacement level of 2.1 for the fifth consecutive year | SRS 2024; NFHS-5 |
| Crude Birth Rate | 18.3 per 1,000 population (SRS 2024) — down from 21.0 in 2014 and 36.9 in 1971 | SRS Statistical Report 2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth | ~70.6 years (2023) — Males: ~68.5 years; Females: ~72.5 years (SRS-based Abridged Life Tables 2019-23; up from 47.7 years in 1970) | SRS / UN estimates |
| Sex ratio at birth | 929 females per 1,000 males (NFHS-5) — improving but still skewed | NFHS-5 |
Regional Disparities
| High-performing States | Lagging States |
|---|---|
| Kerala (IMR: 6, MMR: 19) | Madhya Pradesh (IMR: 43) |
| Tamil Nadu (IMR: 13) | Uttar Pradesh (IMR: 40, TFR: 2.4 in 2023) |
| Maharashtra (IMR: 16) | Bihar (TFR: 3.0 in 2023, highest in India) |
| Telangana, Karnataka | Assam, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh |
For Prelims: India's TFR has fallen below the replacement level (2.1) to 2.0 as per NFHS-5. As of 2023, all Indian states except Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have achieved below-replacement fertility. Bihar is projected to be the last state to reach replacement fertility, by 2039.
Disease Burden in India
The Epidemiological Transition
India is undergoing a dual burden of disease — communicable diseases remain significant while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rapidly rising. This epidemiological transition is incomplete and uneven across states.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Share of deaths | NCDs account for approximately 63% of all deaths in India |
| Major NCDs | Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes |
| Risk factors | Tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, air pollution |
| Economic impact | NCDs disproportionately affect working-age populations, reducing productivity and increasing household health expenditure |
| Government response | National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke (NPCDCS) — aims to integrate NCD screening at primary care level |
Communicable Diseases
| Disease | Status in India |
|---|---|
| Tuberculosis (TB) | India has the highest TB burden globally — 25% of the world's TB cases (WHO Global TB Report 2025; down from 27% in earlier years; incidence fell 21% — from 237 per lakh in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024 — nearly double the global decline rate of 12%). India set an ambitious target of TB elimination by 2025 (5 years ahead of the global SDG target of 2030), but this target was missed — the 2030 global target is now India's revised goal. The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana provides ₹1,000/month nutritional support to TB patients (raised from ₹500/month effective 1 November 2024). |
| Malaria | Significant decline — India reported a 69% drop in malaria cases from 2015 to 2023. National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030) targets elimination by 2030 |
| HIV/AIDS | India has the third-largest number of people living with HIV globally (approximately 24 lakh). The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has achieved significant reduction in new infections |
| Vector-borne diseases | Dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis remain endemic in many states — exacerbated by urbanisation, poor sanitation, and climate change |
| COVID-19 legacy | India was among the most affected countries; the pandemic exposed critical gaps in health infrastructure, oxygen supply, ICU capacity, and surveillance systems |
Malnutrition — The Persistent Challenge
Note: NFHS-5 (2019–21) remains the latest published national family health survey with complete results. NFHS-6 (2023-24) — covering 6,79,238 households across all states/UTs using a fully digital CAPI methodology — was conducted in 2023-24; results are expected to be released in June 2026 (Ministry of H&FW and IIPS, Mumbai announcement as of May 2026). All figures below are from NFHS-5. Note: NFHS-6 has moved anaemia measurement to ICMR's Diet and Biomarkers Survey (DABS-I), so anaemia comparisons with NFHS-5 will need to use the DABS-I baseline going forward.
| Indicator | NFHS-5 (2019–21) |
|---|---|
| Stunting (low height for age) | 35.5% of children under 5 |
| Wasting (low weight for height) | 19.3% of children under 5 |
| Underweight | 32.1% of children under 5 |
| Anaemia in women (15–49) | 57% |
| Anaemia in children (6–59 months) | 67.1% |
For Mains: India faces a "triple burden" of malnutrition — undernutrition (stunting, wasting), micronutrient deficiencies (anaemia, vitamin A deficiency), and rising overnutrition (obesity, particularly in urban areas). The POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission, launched 2018) targets a 2% annual reduction in stunting, underweight, and anaemia. Despite progress, India still has the highest number of stunted children in the world.
National Health Policy 2017
Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adopted | March 2017 — replaces the previous National Health Policy of 2002 |
| Vision | Attainment of the highest possible level of health and well-being for all, through a preventive and promotive healthcare approach |
| Key financial target | Raise public health expenditure progressively to 2.5% of GDP by 2025 (from approximately 1.15% at the time of formulation) |
| Primary care focus | Allocate two-thirds or more of public health resources to primary healthcare |
Key Provisions and Targets
| Target Area | Specific Goal |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy | Increase from 67.5 to 70 years by 2025 |
| IMR | Reduce to 28 per 1,000 live births by 2019 and 25 by 2025 |
| TFR | Achieve replacement level (2.1) at sub-national and national level by 2025 — achieved ahead of schedule |
| Free drugs and diagnostics | Free essential drugs and diagnostics in all public health facilities |
| Hospital beds | Achieve 2 beds per 1,000 population — distributed to enable access within the "golden hour" |
| Out-of-pocket expenditure | Reduce from 65% to 30% of total health expenditure |
| Health and Wellness Centres | Strengthen comprehensive primary healthcare through HWCs offering an expanded package of services |
| District hospitals | Upgrade district hospitals to provide multi-speciality services |
Assessment of Progress
| Target | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Public health expenditure | Approximately 1.9% of GDP in FY26 — still below the 2.5% target |
| IMR | 24 per 1,000 (SRS 2024) — target of 25 by 2025 exceeded; now below target |
| TFR | 1.9 (SRS 2024) — below replacement level for 5th consecutive year; original NFHS-5 value was 2.0 |
| Out-of-pocket expenditure | Government share of health expenditure increased from 29% in FY15 to 48% in FY22 — a significant improvement but OOP spending remains high |
| Hospital beds | 1.3 beds per 1,000 population — far below the target of 2 per 1,000 and the WHO benchmark of 3.5 per 1,000 |
| Doctor-to-population ratio | 1:811 (including AYUSH practitioners) — closer to the WHO recommendation of 1:1,000 when AYUSH is included |
For Mains: The NHP 2017's target of 2.5% GDP spending on health by 2025 remains unmet. India's public health expenditure at approximately 1.9% of GDP is among the lowest in the world. This underfunding is the root cause of most health system failures — inadequate infrastructure, shortage of healthcare workers, high out-of-pocket spending, and poor quality of care. Compare with the UK (7.5%), Germany (9.4%), or even Thailand (3.0%).
Ayushman Bharat — Two Pillars
Pillar 1: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Health and Wellness Centres)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announced | Budget 2018 |
| Concept | Transform existing Sub-Centres and Primary Health Centres into comprehensive Health and Wellness Centres providing an expanded package of primary healthcare services |
| Services offered | Maternal and child health, NCDs (screening and management), dental care, eye care, ENT care, mental health, geriatric care, palliative care, emergency medical services |
| Centres operational | 1,84,235 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational across rural, urban, and tribal regions as of February 2026 |
| Significance | Shifts India's health system from a hospital-centric curative model to a primary-care-led comprehensive model — addressing the root cause of overcrowded hospitals |
Pillar 2: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 23 September 2018 (Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Jayanti) |
| Coverage | Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation |
| Target beneficiaries | Bottom 40% of the population — approximately 12 crore families (55 crore individuals) identified through SECC 2011 data |
| Ayushman cards issued | 43.52 crore total Ayushman cards (28 Feb 2026): 42.38 crore regular + 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards (70+ seniors); up from 36.9 crore (March 2025) |
| Hospital admissions authorised | 11.69 crore total (28 Feb 2026), including 6.74 crore in private hospitals; total claims worth ₹1.73 lakh crore sanctioned |
| Empanelled hospitals | 36,229 hospitals (28 Feb 2026) — 19,483 government and 16,746 private facilities |
| State coverage | All 36 States and UTs (as of May 2026; West Bengal joined after BJP election victory, May 2026, covering ~1.24 crore additional families) |
| Portability | Fully portable across India — a beneficiary can access treatment at any empanelled hospital in any state |
| No premium | Entirely government-funded — no premium paid by beneficiaries |
| Cost savings | Estimated Rs 1.52 lakh crore saved for beneficiary families (as of late 2025) |
Expansion: Ayushman Bharat for Senior Citizens (2024)
On 29 October 2024, the government expanded AB-PMJAY to provide free treatment benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to approximately 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
For Prelims: Ayushman Bharat has two pillars — Health and Wellness Centres (now called Ayushman Arogya Mandirs) and PMJAY. PMJAY provides Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation. Over 1.84 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational as of February 2026. In 2024, coverage was extended to all senior citizens aged 70+.
Health Infrastructure in India
Current Status
| Parameter | Value | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital beds | 1.3 per 1,000 population | WHO recommends 3.5 per 1,000 |
| Doctors (allopathic) | 13,86,150 registered (as of April 2025) | Doctor-to-population ratio: 1:811 (with AYUSH) |
| AYUSH practitioners | 7,51,768 registered | Significant supplementary healthcare workforce |
| Primary Health Centres | ~30,000 | Many lack basic equipment, medicines, and staff |
| Community Health Centres | ~6,000 | Specialist vacancies remain high — 75% of CHCs lack a surgeon |
| District hospitals | ~760 | Being upgraded under various NHM programmes |
| AIIMS | 23 AIIMS sanctioned (including the original AIIMS Delhi, 1956) | New AIIMS under various stages of construction |
| Medical colleges | Over 700 medical colleges — India added over 300 medical colleges between 2014 and 2025 | Annual MBBS intake crossed 1.1 lakh seats |
Urban-Rural Divide
| Parameter | Urban | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare facilities | Concentrated in urban areas; private sector dominates | Sub-Centres and PHCs are backbone; but many are non-functional or understaffed |
| Specialists | Available in district and tertiary hospitals | CHCs severely short of specialists — 75% shortfall in surgeons, OB-GYN, physicians, and paediatricians |
| Out-of-pocket spending | Relatively lower (more insurance options) | Higher — catastrophic health expenditure pushes families into poverty |
| Preference | Private hospitals preferred by those who can afford | Government facilities used out of necessity, not choice — quality concerns |
PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 25 October 2021 by the Prime Minister |
| Financial outlay | Rs 64,180 crore for 2021–2026 |
| Focus | Building a resilient, pandemic-ready public health system from primary to tertiary levels |
| Key components | 3,382 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs); 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (one per district); 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks in districts with population over 5 lakh |
| Surveillance | IT-enabled real-time disease surveillance network integrating laboratories at block, district, regional, and national levels |
| National institutions | Strengthening of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), and 15 Health Emergency Operation Centres |
National Digital Health Mission (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — ABDM)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 27 September 2021 |
| Core component | Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) — a 14-digit unique health ID for every citizen |
| ABHA IDs generated | 84.79 crore as of January 2026 |
| Health records linked | 6.7 crore health records securely linked to ABHA IDs |
| Key registries | Health Facility Registry (HFR), Health Professional Registry (HPR), and ABHA create the digital backbone |
| Interoperability | ABDM enables seamless sharing of health records across hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and insurance — with patient consent |
| Vision | Create a comprehensive digital health ecosystem enabling longitudinal health records, telemedicine, and data-driven public health planning |
For Mains: India's digital health mission (ABDM) addresses a critical infrastructure gap — the absence of comprehensive, portable health records. Currently, patients carry paper records, repeat tests, and lose medical history when changing providers. ABHA aims to solve this through a consent-based digital health record system. However, challenges remain — data privacy (DPDP Act implementation), digital literacy of patients, interoperability across diverse health IT systems, and ensuring that the digital divide does not exclude the most vulnerable.
Mental Health
Scale of the Problem
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prevalence | The National Mental Health Survey (2016) estimated that approximately 10.6% of adults in India suffer from mental health disorders |
| Treatment gap | Over 80% of people with mental health conditions in India do not receive treatment |
| Suicide | India accounts for approximately one-third of global female suicides; the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 decriminalised suicide (Section 115 — suicide attempt presumed to be a result of severe stress) |
| Psychiatrist shortage | India has approximately 0.3 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 population — against the WHO recommendation of at least 3 per 1,00,000 |
Key Programmes
| Programme | Detail |
|---|---|
| National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) | Launched in 1982 — India's first mental health programme; restructured in 2003 to include District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) |
| Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 | Rights-based legislation — guarantees access to mental healthcare and treatment; establishes Central and State Mental Health Authorities; decriminalises suicide; recognises advance directives |
| Tele-MANAS | National Tele-Mental Health Programme launched in Budget 2022; 53 Tele-MANAS cells operational across 36 States/UTs; services in 20 languages; over 20 lakh calls handled; mobile app launched on World Mental Health Day (10 October 2024) |
| Government allocation | Over Rs 230 crore allocated for NTMHP in the last three years |
One Health Approach
Concept
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Definition | An integrated approach recognising that human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected and interdependent |
| Origin | Gained global prominence after zoonotic disease outbreaks (SARS, H5N1, Ebola, COVID-19) — approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic |
| Key areas | Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety, vector-borne diseases, environmental contamination |
| Quadripartite alliance | WHO, FAO, WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health), and UNEP jointly promote One Health |
One Health in India
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| National One Health Programme | India established a National One Health Programme for prevention and control of zoonoses |
| Institutional structure | National Standing Committee on Zoonoses; National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the nodal agency |
| Challenges | Fragmented governance — human health (MoHFW), animal health (Department of Animal Husbandry), environment (MoEFCC) operate in silos |
| COVID-19 lesson | The pandemic demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of ignoring the animal-human-environment interface |
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The Threat
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Global impact | AMR is estimated to cause approximately 4.95 million deaths annually worldwide (associated with drug-resistant infections) |
| India's vulnerability | India is among the highest consumers of antibiotics globally; widespread over-the-counter sale without prescription; irrational antibiotic use in human healthcare, animal husbandry, and agriculture |
| Key concern | India has detected bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics (carbapenems, colistin) — raising the spectre of untreatable infections |
Government Response
| Initiative | Detail |
|---|---|
| National Action Plan on AMR 1.0 | Launched in 2017 — covered awareness, surveillance, infection control, and research |
| National Action Plan on AMR 2.0 | Launched on 18 November 2025 — five-year plan (2025–2029); strengthens inter-sectoral coordination, expands private sector engagement, and ensures accountability across ministries |
| AMR Surveillance Network | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) operates a network of AMR surveillance labs across India |
| Red Line campaign | Visual indicator on antibiotic packaging — a red line distinguishes prescription-only antibiotics to discourage over-the-counter sales |
| One Health approach | AMR requires addressing antibiotic use in humans, animals, and agriculture simultaneously — central to NAP-AMR 2.0 |
India as "Pharmacy of the World"
Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Generic drugs | India supplies approximately 20% of the world's generic medicines by volume |
| Vaccines | India manufactures approximately 60% of the world's vaccines; the Serum Institute of India is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by doses produced |
| COVID-19 contribution | India supplied vaccines to over 100 countries during the pandemic — through the "Vaccine Maitri" initiative and COVAX facility |
| Pharma market | India's pharmaceutical market is the third-largest by volume and 14th-largest by value globally |
| Export | India exports pharmaceuticals to over 200 countries; the USA is the largest market for Indian generic drugs |
| Key enabler | India's Patents Act, 1970 (as amended in 2005) — Section 3(d) prevents evergreening of patents; allows India to produce affordable generic versions of essential medicines |
For Mains: India's role as the "pharmacy of the world" is a strategic asset with ethical dimensions. The TRIPS Agreement creates tension between patent protection (which incentivises innovation) and access to affordable medicines (which saves lives). India's use of TRIPS flexibilities — compulsory licensing, Section 3(d), and parallel imports — has been critical in keeping medicine prices affordable for developing nations. This raises the ethical question: should life-saving medicines be treated as commodities subject to patent monopolies, or as public goods?
Cross-paper relevance
- GS2 (primary) — NHP 2017; PM-JAY/Ayushman Bharat; ABDM; National Health Mission; public-private partnerships in health; universal health coverage (UHC)
- GS3 — Generic medicines and TRIPS flexibilities; pharmaceutical industry; health as human capital investment
- GS4 (Ethics) — Right to health as a fundamental right; equitable access to medicines; doctor–patient ethics; public vs private healthcare trade-offs
- Essay — "Universal health coverage — India's unfinished agenda"; "COVID-19 and India's public health infrastructure"
Recent Developments (2024–2026)
Ayushman Bharat Expanded to All Senior Citizens (70+) — October 2024
The Union Cabinet on 29 October 2024 approved extending AB-PMJAY to all Indian citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income. Approximately 6 crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore families now receive ₹5 lakh annual health cover under the "Ayushman Vay Vandana Card." Families already enrolled in AB-PMJAY get an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh for senior family members — enabling up to ₹10 lakh in annual health coverage.
As of 28 February 2026, 43.52 crore Ayushman cards have been created overall — comprising 42.38 crore regular cards and 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana (senior citizen) cards; 36,229 hospitals empanelled (19,483 public + 16,746 private); 11.69 crore hospital admissions authorised (including 6.74 crore in private hospitals; total claims worth ₹1.73 lakh crore sanctioned) — all as of 28 February 2026. Budget 2026-27 targets 30 million (3 crore) hospital admissions under PMJAY in FY27. The AB-PMJAY budget was raised from ₹7,300 crore in 2024–25 to ₹9,406 crore in 2025–26. The National Health Mission (NHM) was allocated ₹39,435 crore in 2025–26 (up 7% from the revised estimates of 2024–25). Total health spending remained at approximately 1.9% of GDP — below the NHP 2017 target of 2.5% of GDP.
West Bengal joins PMJAY — May 2026: Following the BJP's victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections (results: 4 May 2026), the new state government approved implementation of AB-PMJAY in its first Cabinet meeting — extending coverage to approximately 1.24 crore additional households in West Bengal. AB-PMJAY is now operational in all 36 States and Union Territories (West Bengal had opted out in January 2019 under the previous TMC government). This completes the national universalisation of the scheme.
UPSC angle: Prelims — AB-PMJAY expanded to 70+ (October 2024); Ayushman Vay Vandana Card; 43.52 crore total Ayushman cards; 11.69 crore hospital admissions (Feb 2026); West Bengal joins May 2026 — all 36 states/UTs covered; NHM allocation ₹39,435 crore (FY 2025-26). Mains (GS2) — universalisation pathway for health coverage; political economy of PMJAY (West Bengal opt-out 2019, opt-in 2026); elderly healthcare challenge; gap between NHP 2017 targets and current spending.
TB Elimination Target — Status (2024–2025)
India's target to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 — the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan goal, set 5 years ahead of the global 2030 target — was not met. India notified 26.1 lakh TB cases in 2024 — the highest in the world by volume, accounting for approximately 25% of global TB burden (WHO Global TB Report 2025; released November 2025). Incidence fell 21% from 2015 to 2024 (237 per lakh → 187 per lakh) — nearly double the global decline rate, but still insufficient for elimination. India now aligns efforts toward the global 2030 elimination target.
The Central TB Division's 2024 data shows treatment coverage surging from 53% (2015) to 92% (2024), with "missing cases" reduced from 15 lakh (2015) to under 1 lakh (2024). Challenges include: high proportion of drug-resistant TB (India has 32% of global MDR-TB burden — WHO 2025), nutritional co-morbidity (malnutrition accelerates TB progression), delayed diagnosis in rural areas, and stigma preventing early care-seeking. The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana provides ₹1,000/month nutritional support to TB patients (raised from ₹500/month effective 1 November 2024; MoHFW announcement; additional ₹1,040 crore allocated) and reached over 24 lakh patients in 2023–24.
UPSC angle: Prelims — PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan; India: 25% global TB burden; incidence 187 per lakh (2024) (WHO Global TB Report 2025); Nikshay Poshan Yojana ₹1,000/month (raised from ₹500 from Nov 2024); TB elimination target 2025 missed — India now targets 2030; MDR-TB: 32% global burden. Mains (GS2) — disease burden vs elimination targets; nutrition-infection nexus in TB; One Health approach to infectious disease.
India's Infant and Maternal Mortality — Latest Data (SRS 2023)
The SRS Statistical Report 2024 — released by the Registrar General of India in May 2026 — shows India's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has improved to 24 per 1,000 live births (down from 25 in SRS 2023, and 32 in 2018). The Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality 2021–23 (released September 2025) confirmed the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) at 88 per 1,00,000 live births — down from 97 in 2018–20 and 103 in 2017–19. Both figures represent significant progress: India's NHP 2017 target of MMR below 100 by 2020 was achieved; the SDG 3.1 target of MMR below 70 by 2030 and IMR below 23 remain active goals.
The SRS 2024 also confirms the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at 1.9 — below the replacement level of 2.1 for the fifth consecutive year, with crude birth rate at 18.3 per 1,000 population and U5MR at 28. The Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) was 28 per 1,000 live births (SRS 2024). Wide regional disparities persist: Bihar's TFR remains 3.0, UP is 2.4, while Kerala and Tamil Nadu are 1.8 and 1.7 respectively. State-level IMR: Kerala 8 (lowest), Tamil Nadu 11, Maharashtra 13, Chhattisgarh/MP/UP 37 (highest). The gap between high-performing southern states and lagging northern states in health outcomes remains the central challenge for the National Health Mission.
UPSC angle: Prelims — IMR 24 (SRS 2024, released May 2026); IMR 25 (SRS 2023); MMR 88 (SRS 2021-23, released Sept 2025); TFR 1.9 (SRS 2024); CBR 18.3; U5MR 28. Mains (GS1) — demographic transition implications; regional health disparities; connection between education, women's empowerment and reproductive health outcomes.
SRS Statistical Report 2024 — IMR Hits 24, TFR 1.9 Confirmed (May 2026)
The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) in May 2026, is the most recent official vital statistics publication. Key findings:
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): 24 per 1,000 live births — down from 25 (SRS 2023) and 32 (2018); a drop of 6 points in five years. Rural IMR: 28; Urban IMR: 18. Lowest state: Kerala (8); Highest: Chhattisgarh/MP/UP (37).
- Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR): 28 per 1,000 live births (SRS 2024).
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): 1.9 — confirmed below replacement level of 2.1 for the fifth consecutive year.
- Crude Birth Rate (CBR): 18.3 per 1,000 population — down from 21.0 in 2014 and 36.9 in 1971.
- Crude Death Rate: 6.4 per 1,000 population (SRS 2024).
The SRS Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality 2021–23 (released September 2025) placed MMR at 88 per 1,00,000 live births — confirming India has achieved NHP 2017's target of MMR below 100, but the SDG 3.1 target of below 70 by 2030 requires further acceleration.
UPSC angle (Prelims 2027): IMR 24 (SRS 2024 — latest); IMR 25 (SRS 2023); MMR 88 (SRS 2021-23); TFR 1.9 (SRS 2024, 5th consecutive year below replacement); CBR 18.3; U5MR 28. Mains (GS1/GS2) — demographic transition; regional health disparities; IMR reduction as indicator of NHM progress; SDG 3 targets.
National Dental Commission (NDC) — Replacing Dental Council of India (March 2026)
The National Dental Commission Act (NDC Act) came into force on 19 March 2026, dissolving the Dental Council of India (DCI) and simultaneously repealing the Dentists Act, 1948 — the colonial-era law that had governed dental regulation for 78 years. The NDC is the new apex statutory body for regulation of dental education and the dental profession in India, structured along the lines of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2020 — the landmark reform that replaced the Medical Council of India in 2020.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| NDC Act in force | 19 March 2026 |
| Dissolved body | Dental Council of India (DCI) — dissolved 19 March 2026 |
| Repealed law | Dentists Act, 1948 |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Chairperson | Dr. Sanjay Tewari (first Chairperson of NDC) |
| Part-Time Member | Dr. Mousumi Goswami |
| Model | Structurally aligned with NMC (National Medical Commission) — 2020 precedent |
The NDC is supported by three autonomous boards:
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board — sets curriculum standards, accredits dental colleges, and oversees dental education at UG and PG levels
- Dental Assessment and Rating Board — conducts institutional assessments, inspections, and ratings; ensures quality of dental colleges
- Ethics and Dental Registration Board — maintains the National Register of Dentists; governs professional conduct, disciplinary proceedings, and ethics in dental practice
The NDC reform addresses long-standing criticisms of the DCI: opacity in college approvals, regulatory capture, inadequate quality control, and misaligned incentives. Like the NMC for medicine, the NDC introduces more transparent accreditation, a unified national register, and separation of education regulation from the examining function.
UPSC angle: The NDC (March 2026) mirrors the NMC (2020) reform pathway — replacing a legacy professional council with a multi-board commission for regulatory separation and transparency. For GS-2: the pattern of replacing MCI → NMC (2020) and now DCI → NDC (2026) represents India's systematic overhaul of health professional regulation. Prelims — NDC Act force: 19 March 2026; Dentists Act 1948 repealed; DCI dissolved; Chairperson: Dr. Sanjay Tewari; three boards (Undergraduate/PG Education Board, Assessment and Rating Board, Ethics and Registration Board).
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission — 6 Crore Screened (2025)
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 July 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission targets elimination of sickle cell disease (SCD) in India by 2047 through universal screening of 7 crore individuals aged 0–40 years in affected tribal areas by FY 2025–26, followed by counselling and management.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch | 1 July 2023; Shahdol, MP |
| Target | Screen 7 crore individuals in tribal areas by FY 2025–26; eliminate SCD by 2047 |
| Screened so far | 6 crore individuals (as of May 2026, MoHFW) — ~86% of FY 2025–26 target |
| SCD diagnosed | 2.15 lakh individuals identified with the disease |
| Carriers identified | 16.7 lakh carriers identified |
| Health cards distributed | 2.6 crore health cards issued to screened individuals |
| Disease burden | India has the 3rd-highest SCD birth burden globally (after Nigeria and DRC); highest incidence states: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat |
| RPwD linkage | Sickle cell disease is one of the 21 recognised disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016 |
Leading states by screening coverage: Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand.
UPSC angle: Prelims — National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission; launched 1 July 2023; target: 7 crore screened by FY 2025-26; 6 crore screened (May 2026); elimination target 2047; sickle cell disease under RPwD Act 2016. Mains (GS2) — tribal health equity; preventive health through mass screening; SCD as an example of genetic disease requiring community-level public health intervention.
U-WIN — Universal Immunisation Programme Goes Digital (2024–2025)
U-WIN (Universal Immunisation Programme Web Interface) is India's digital platform for tracking vaccinations under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) — designed as a replication of the COVID-19 Co-WIN vaccine management system.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Concept | Digital registry for UIP vaccinations — registers pregnant women and children, tracks vaccination schedules, issues digital certificates |
| Rollout | Pan-India rollout completed (announced by government, November 2024; Business Standard report 29 November 2024) |
| Coverage | Tracks immunisation services for approximately 3.2 crore pregnant women and 9.7 crore children |
| Beneficiaries | The UIP covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases for children under 5 and pregnant women |
| Digital certificate | QR-based, digitally verifiable vaccination certificate generated after each dose; linked to ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) |
| Languages | Platform available in 11 Indian languages |
| eVIN linkage | Integrated with eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) for cold-chain and vaccine stock monitoring |
| UNDP support | UNDP India has supported both U-WIN and eVIN platforms as part of digital health strengthening |
Significance: U-WIN is designed to become the world's largest electronic immunisation registry when fully scaled. It addresses the key gaps of the earlier UIP system: paper-based records, dropout tracking failure, and no portability of immunisation history. Families can track their child's vaccination schedule via SMS and download digital certificates.
UPSC angle: Prelims — U-WIN: digital platform for Universal Immunisation Programme; pan-India rollout completed November 2024; QR-based vaccination certificates; 11 languages; linked to ABHA and eVIN. Mains (GS2) — digital public health infrastructure; Co-WIN as template for routine immunisation digitalisation; interoperability across health platforms; equity concerns in digital exclusion.
Key Terms for Quick Revision
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IMR | Infant Mortality Rate — deaths of infants under 1 year per 1,000 live births |
| MMR | Maternal Mortality Ratio — maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births |
| TFR | Total Fertility Rate — average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime; replacement level is 2.1 |
| NCD | Non-Communicable Disease — chronic diseases not transmitted from person to person (CVD, cancer, diabetes) |
| PMJAY | Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana — health insurance for Rs 5 lakh per family per year |
| ABHA | Ayushman Bharat Health Account — 14-digit unique digital health ID |
| PM-ABHIM | PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission — Rs 64,180 crore for pandemic-ready health infrastructure |
| AMR | Antimicrobial Resistance — resistance of microorganisms to drugs that previously treated infections caused by them |
| One Health | Integrated approach linking human, animal, and environmental health |
| NFHS | National Family Health Survey — India's primary source for demographic and health data |
| NCDC | National Centre for Disease Control — India's nodal agency for disease surveillance |
| U-WIN | Universal Immunisation Programme Web Interface — digital platform for UIP vaccination tracking; pan-India rollout completed November 2024; QR-based certificates; 11 languages |
| Sickle Cell Mission | National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission — launched 1 July 2023; target: 7 crore screened by FY 2025-26; 6 crore screened (May 2026); elimination by 2047 |
Exam Strategy
For Mains Answer Writing: Health questions appear frequently in both GS-I (Indian Society — population, urbanisation, social issues) and GS-II (Governance — government policies, welfare schemes). For GS-I, focus on the demographic transition, disease burden, and social determinants of health. For GS-II, discuss specific schemes (Ayushman Bharat, PM-ABHIM, ABDM), their design, implementation challenges, and impact. Always cite latest data (IMR, MMR, TFR) and compare India's spending with global benchmarks. The NHP 2017's unmet targets and the health infrastructure deficit provide critical analytical content.
For Prelims: Key numbers to remember — TFR 1.9 (SRS 2024, confirmed); IMR 24 (SRS 2024, released May 2026); IMR 25 (SRS 2023); MMR 88 (SRS 2021-23, released Sept 2025); PMJAY cover Rs 5 lakh; over 1.84 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs; ABHA 84.79 crore IDs (Jan 2026); NHM allocation ₹39,435 crore (FY 2025-26); PM-ABHIM outlay Rs 64,180 crore; India's health spending approximately 1.9% of GDP; PMJAY: 43.52 crore cards; 11.69 crore hospital admissions (Feb 2026); all 36 states/UTs covered after West Bengal joined May 2026. India's 2025 TB elimination target was missed (incidence 187/lakh; 25% global burden); now targeting 2030; MDR-TB 32% global burden. NCDs cause 63% of deaths. SRS 2024: CBR 18.3; Death rate 6.4; U5MR 28. U-WIN pan-India rollout completed November 2024 (digital UIP vaccination tracking; QR certificates; 11 languages). National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (launched 1 July 2023; 6 crore screened of 7 crore FY 2025-26 target; elimination target: 2047).
Key Terms
Stunting and Wasting
- Definition: Stunting and wasting are the two principal anthropometric indicators of child undernutrition: stunting is low height-for-age (height-for-age Z-score below −2SD of WHO standards), reflecting chronic or recurrent undernutrition, while wasting is low weight-for-height (weight-for-height Z-score below −2SD), reflecting acute, recent or severe weight loss.
- Context: Both indicators are measured among children under five years against WHO Child Growth Standards. Stunting signals long-term cumulative deprivation (poor maternal nutrition, repeated infection, inadequate feeding in the first 1,000 days), whereas wasting signals a short-term acute crisis such as food shortage or illness; severe wasting (Z-score below −3SD) is termed Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and carries a sharply elevated mortality risk. India tracks these through the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and they form core sub-indicators of the Global Hunger Index. A third composite measure, underweight (low weight-for-age), overlaps with both.
- UPSC Relevance: This is a foundational GS2 (Social Justice — issues relating to health, malnutrition, vulnerable sections) and GS3 (food security) concept. Prelims commonly tests the precise distinction — stunting = height-for-age/chronic, wasting = weight-for-height/acute — plus the agency behind each measure (WHO standards, NFHS, GHI) and linked schemes (POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission Poshan 2.0, ICDS). Mains questions probe the determinants of persistent malnutrition despite economic growth, the first-1,000-days window, and convergence-based policy design. No verified PYQ exists for this exact term, but it underpins recurring questions on the malnutrition–public-health–child-welfare topic family.
Universal Health Coverage
- Definition: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people can access the quality health services they need — promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative — when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardship. It is enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.8.
- Context: UHC rests on three dimensions: population coverage (who is covered), service coverage (which services are included) and financial protection (what proportion of costs is covered). The UN unanimously endorsed UHC on 12 December 2012, now marked annually as International UHC Day. In India, UHC has no standalone fundamental right but draws on Article 47 (a Directive Principle making improvement of public health a State duty) and the judicially-read right to health under Article 21. The National Health Policy 2017 set the goal of UHC and of raising public health spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
- UPSC Relevance: UHC is a foundational GS2 concept under Health and Social Justice — it underpins questions on health-sector schemes, SDG attainment, and the welfare-state role. Prelims tends to test factual anchors (SDG 3.8, indicators 3.8.1 service-coverage index and 3.8.2 financial hardship, UHC Day, Ayushman Bharat components). Mains framing is analytical: evaluating India's progress toward UHC, the persistence of high out-of-pocket expenditure, and primary versus tertiary care priorities. No direct PYQ is cited here; treat it as a foundational concept that connects health financing, federalism in health delivery, and SDG monitoring.
