Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
UPSSSC Junior Assistant Admit Card 2025 Fastag Annual Pass 2025 UGC NET Exam Analysis 2025 UGC NET Question Paper 2025 AP LAWCET Result 2025 UGC NET City Slip 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 Rajasthan PTET Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Interview Date 2024 UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025 Indian Navy MR Result 2025 Indian Navy SSR Result 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / National Health Mission (NHM)

National Health Mission (NHM): Goals, Components & Achievements - UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Feb 28, 2025
Also Read National Health Mission (NHM) in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

Initiated by the Government of India, the National Health Mission (NHM) was designed to tackle the severe malnutrition crisis facing the country. This mission, launched in 2013, subsumed two pre-existing missions aimed at addressing malnutrition in rural and urban populations. The NHM was implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

This article provides a detailed overview of the National Health Mission's four key components, its main objectives and goals, as well as the major initiatives and significant successes of the National Health Mission. This topic is important from the point of view of General Studies Paper 2 of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Download the Daily Current Affairs for UPSC Here!

Syllabus

General Studies - Paper II

Topics for Prelims

National Rural Health Mission, National Urban Health Mission, National Immunization Program

Topics for Mains

India’s public health system

About the National Health Mission

The NHM is a public health initiative introduced by the Government of India in 2005. It includes the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission. It was born out of an affront to the health care needs of underserved rural and urban populations. It commits itself for universalization vis-a-vis provision of affordable, equitable, and quality health care services. The programme pays close attention to reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health, as well as communicable and non-communicable diseases. The NHM is realized into a series of initiatives and programs. All of them contain constituents of community participation and inter-sectoral convergence to enhance the health outcomes across the country.

Background of the National Health Mission

The National Health Mission (NHM) was launched in 2005 by the Government of India. It was a consolidation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The NRHM was initiated in 2005 to address the healthcare needs of under-served rural areas. The NUHM was launched to focus on urban areas. The mission aims to establish a decentralized health delivery system. It has a focus on improving health indicators in vulnerable states and regions. NHM has been extended many times and continues to be a significant public health initiative in India.

Read the article on the Boost for Immunisation Drive in India!

National Health Mission Objectives 

The mission seeks to extend beyond the focus of previous missions on reproductive and child health.

  • It aims to combat two categories of diseases – Communicable and Non-Communicable.
  • The mission has the goal of significantly enhancing health infrastructure facilities at District and Sub-District levels.
  • The following are some of the key goals of the National Health Mission.
    • Total Fertility Rate (TFR) – Aims to lower it to 2.1
    • Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) – Strives to decrease it to 25 per 1000 live births
    • Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) – Aims to reduce it to 1 per 1000 live births
    • Aims to reduce the incidence of malaria to less than 1 per 1000 population.
    • Aims to prevent and decrease anemia in women aged between 15 years to 49 years.
    • Strives to halve the incidence and mortality rate of tuberculosis.

Learn more about the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)!

Components of the National Health Mission

The major components of the National Health Mission include the following:

Funding Pattern of the National Health Mission

The funding pattern of the National Health Mission (NHM) is a shared responsibility between the central and state governments. The central government provides financial assistance to the states and union territories in the form of grants-in-aid. The funding follows a defined ratio. The central government usually bears 60% to 90% of the total funding. It depends on the state's category (special category, northeastern states, or other states). The remaining share is contributed by the respective state governments. The funds allocated are utilized for various health programs, infrastructure development, capacity building, and service delivery improvement under NHM.

Read the article on the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0!

Achievements of the National Health Mission (NHM)

Some of the major achievements of the National Health Mission include the following:

  • Improved Healthcare Access: As of 2022, there are over 1.6 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) set up under NHM across the country, improving healthcare access, especially in rural and remote areas.
  • Better Maternal and Child Health: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has significantly decreased from 374 per 100,000 live births in 2001-03 to 113 per 100,000 live births in 2016-18, as per the Sample Registration System (SRS).
    • The under-5 mortality rate has also dropped from 74 per 1,000 live births in 2012 to 37 per 1,000 live births in 2021, showing improved child health.
  • Vaccination Drives: The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), supported by NHM, has helped increase national vaccination coverage to about 89% as of 2021, up from 61% in 2001.
    • Polio eradication: India has been declared polio-free since 2014, thanks to vaccination programs under NHM.
  • Health Centers in Rural Areas: NHM has set up more than 1.6 lakh Health and Wellness Centers as of 2022, which provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including treatment for common ailments, maternal care, and childhood vaccinations.
  • Focus on Clean Water and Sanitation: Through the NHM’s Swachh Bharat Mission, more than 60 million households have been provided with toilets, leading to an increase in rural sanitation coverage from 39% in 2014 to over 100% in 2021.
  • Increased Awareness about Health: NHM has launched campaigns like the "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" program, leading to an improvement in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR), which increased from 919 girls per 1,000 boys in 2011 to 919 girls per 1,000 boys in 2021, according to Census 2021.
  • Reducing Malnutrition: The National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyan) launched under NHM aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, and low birth weight. As of 2020, it has reached over 10 crore beneficiaries, with a focus on improving maternal and child nutrition.
  • Improved Healthcare Infrastructure: As of 2021, NHM has contributed to the construction and upgrading of over 700 district hospitals and 5,000 sub-district hospitals to enhance healthcare delivery.
  • Improved Immunization Rates: The Mission Indradhanush launched under NHM in 2014 has targeted to cover unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children. By 2021, it successfully covered almost 3.5 crore children in its phases.
  • Better Family Planning Services: Family Planning efforts under NHM have led to an increase in contraceptive prevalence from 54% in 2015-16 (National Family Health Survey) to 67% in 2020-21.
  • Better Mental Health Services: The National Mental Health Program (NMHP), a part of NHM, has provided mental health care services to over 2 million people through tele-counseling and outreach services as of 2021.
  • Control of Diseases:
    • TB Control: NHM’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has treated over 2.5 crore TB patients and aims to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025.
    • Malaria: The number of malaria cases has dropped significantly due to interventions like indoor spraying and the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, with cases reducing by 85% between 2000 and 2020.

Learn more about the Health Care Sector in India!

Major Initiatives under the National Health Mission

The National Health Mission includes approximately 24 major initiatives.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)

Community health volunteers who act as a bridge between the community and the health system, particularly in rural areas. Over 9.15 lakh ASHA activists are deployed across the country. These activists have positively impacted institutional delivery, immunization, and disease control programmes.

Rogi Kalyan Samiti/Hospital Management

Management structures that oversee hospital affairs and work towards patient welfare. 31,673 Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) has been established across District and Sub District Hospitals, Community and Primary Health Care Centres. This society is registered and its members are responsible for ensuring adequate facilities for patients at the hospital.

United Grants to Sub Centres (SC)

Funding for grassroots improvements in healthcare. This includes enhancing the efficacy of healthcare workers and empowering local health committees. These centres are well-equipped to provide improved health care to patients.

Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC)

The committee comprises members from Panchayati Raj. There are 5 Lakh VHSNCs across the country. They are responsible for monitoring and planning public services.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

A scheme promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality. This scheme encourages pregnant women to give birth in government health facilities, thereby helping to reduce maternal mortality. 8.55 crore women have benefitted from this scheme.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSY)

Under this scheme, pregnant women do not incur any expenses for delivery in public health institutions. Health services are provided free of cost to sick infants under the age of 1 year.

National Mobile Medical Units

Mobile healthcare units providing medical services in remote and underserved areas. Support has been provided in 333 out of 672 districts for 1107 Mobile Medical Units.

National Ambulance Service

Emergency medical services to ensure timely access to healthcare in critical situations. This service can be accessed through a toll-free number.

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 

Child health program focusing on early identification and intervention for birth defects, diseases, and deficiencies.

Comprehensive Primary Health Care

This initiative aims to improve access to Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). It seeks to enhance the Quality of Care. It provides improved access to technology, drugs, and diagnostics.

  • Free drugs and free diagnostic services
  • Provision of essential medicines and diagnostic services at public health facilities.

Learn more about the National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM)!

Key Takeaways on the National Health Mission for UPSC Aspirants

  • Introduction to NHM: The National Health Mission (NHM) was launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to address the health needs of the rural and urban population in India. It consolidates and improves two previous health programs: the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
  • Objective: NHM's primary goal is to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural and urban populations, especially vulnerable groups, including women, children, and marginalized communities.
  • Key Components:
    • Rural Health Care (NRHM): Focuses on strengthening the rural healthcare infrastructure, improving maternal and child health, immunization, and reducing the burden of diseases like malaria and TB.
    • Urban Health Care (NUHM): Focuses on delivering quality healthcare services in urban areas, particularly to slum populations, improving sanitation, and addressing issues such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Download the Key Takeaways PDF for the National Health Mission!

We hope all your doubts regarding this topic have been addressed after going through this article. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App! For a comprehensive understanding of the general pattern of competitive exams, please visit the Syllabuspage.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

National Health Mission UPSC FAQs

The goals of NHM are to improve healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality, focus on vulnerable populations, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, reduce maternal and child mortality, and control both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

The programs under NHM aim to reduce maternal and infant mortality, ensure universal immunization, increase average life expectancy, strengthen the healthcare system, and focus efforts on preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases.

NHM is a broader initiative that combines the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). NRHM focused solely on rural healthcare, while NHM now includes both rural and urban areas, aiming for universal health coverage and improved healthcare services across India.

You can download NHM notes from various educational websites, UPSC preparation portals, or government resources such as the official Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice