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A national programme aimed at reducing the prevalence of anaemia using a lifecycle approach, integrated nutrition, and digital tracking of beneficiaries.
Target Beneficiaries: All age groups, with a specific focus on low‑birth‑weight infants.
15400
Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 general states, 90:10 NE/Himalayan states, 100% for UTs without legislature (funded under National Health Mission)
GS Paper: GS2
Anaemia Mukt Bharat was launched in 2018 as a revamped version of the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) of 2013. It was integrated into the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan to accelerate the decline of anaemia by 3 percentage points annually compared to the historical 1 percentage point.
A multi-pronged framework involving 6 target age groups, 6 interventions, and 6 institutional mechanisms to combat anaemia.
A campaign-based approach involving testing for anaemia using digital haemoglobinometers, treating with appropriate iron dosage, and counseling (talking) on iron-rich foods.
Supervised distribution of IFA tablets to school-going boys and girls and out-of-school adolescent girls.
Metric
67.1%
Source: NFHS-5
Metric
52.2%
Source: NFHS-5
Metric
Over 90% (reporting states)
Source: AMB Dashboard
Anaemia Mukt Bharat represents a paradigm shift from a purely clinical approach to a lifecycle-based public health strategy. By targeting six distinct age groups—from infants to women of reproductive age—it acknowledges that anaemia is not just a maternal health issue but a systemic nutritional deficit. The '6x6x6' framework is structurally sound, yet its success is heavily dependent on the convergence of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The maturity of the scheme is evident in its digital-first monitoring, which allows for state-wise ranking and accountability. However, the NFHS-5 data showed a surprising spike in anaemia levels across several demographics, which critics attribute to both improved screening (more cases found) and persistent gaps in dietary diversity and sanitation (preventing iron absorption). The scheme's transition toward 'Test, Treat, Talk' (T3) camps marks an evolution toward active case-finding rather than passive supplementation. Ultimately, while AMB provides the necessary pharmaceutical interventions, its long-term impact remains tethered to broader socio-economic factors like female literacy, age at marriage, and the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission in reducing enteric diseases.
Intro: Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) is a flagship initiative under the MoHFW aimed at addressing the 'silent pandemic' of anaemia, which affects over half of India's women and children. Body: Use the '6x6x6' framework as a structural argument for comprehensive health governance. Argue that anaemia is a barrier to India's 'Demographic Dividend' as it leads to cognitive impairment and reduced physical productivity. Mention the 'Test, Treat, Talk' strategy as a model for participatory health. Conclusion: To achieve the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat', the pharmaceutical approach of AMB must be supplemented with 'Poshak Aahar' (nutritional diversity) and 'Swachhata' (cleanliness) to ensure effective iron absorption and long-term health resilience.
This scheme was AI-promoted and verified against the following source articles.