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National Health Mission (NHM) — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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National Health Mission (NHM)

Ministry of HealthactivehealthLaunched: 2005-04-12

About the Scheme

National Health Mission (NHM) is India's largest public health programme comprising National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). Budget FY2025-26: ₹37,000 crore. Key achievements: MMR reduced from 254 (2004-06) to 97 (2018-20); IMR from 58 to 28; full immunization 93.4%.

Target Beneficiaries: 1.4 billion Indians; special focus on rural poor, women, children, tribal, urban slum populations

Implementing Agency: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in coordination with State Health Departments.

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Comprises NRHM (2005) + NUHM (2013) = NHM (2013); largest health programme
  • Budget FY2025-26: ₹37,000 crore; 60:40 Centre-State funding (90:10 for NE/hilly)
  • 1.73 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) under NHM
  • Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs): 10.58 lakh ASHAs nationwide
  • MMR: 97 (2018-20) from 254 (2004-06); IMR: 28 from 58; U5MR: 32 from 74
  • JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojana): 95 lakh+ institutional deliveries supported annually
  • Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): free delivery for all women at public facilities

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • All citizens seeking public health services are direct or indirect beneficiaries.
  • Pregnant women and new mothers for maternal and child health services.
  • Children for immunization and child health programs.
  • Individuals requiring primary and secondary healthcare at government facilities.

★Benefits

  • Improved access to primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services.
  • Reduced out-of-pocket expenditure for health services.
  • Better maternal and child health outcomes.
  • Enhanced disease surveillance and control mechanisms.
  • Strengthened public health infrastructure and human resources.

▶Application Process

  • Visit the nearest public health facility (Sub-Centre, Primary Health Centre, Community Health Centre, District Hospital).
  • Register at the facility counter providing necessary identification documents.
  • Consult with healthcare providers for diagnosis, treatment, and preventive services.
  • Avail free or subsidized medicines, diagnostics, and other services as per NHM guidelines.

₹ Budget Allocation

37000

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (General); 90:10 (NE/Hilly States/UTs with legislature); 100% (UTs without legislature).

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS2

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

HealthNRHMMaternal HealthChild HealthGS2

Historical Context

NRHM launched in 2005; NUHM launched in 2013; both merged into NHM in 2013.

Exclusion Criteria

  • None (Universal program targeting all residents, with focus on vulnerable groups)

Sub-Schemes

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Financial assistance for institutional delivery.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)

Cashless delivery and treatment for sick infants.

Challenges

  • High vacancy rates of specialist doctors in CHCs
  • Uneven performance across 'Empowered Action Group' (EAG) states
  • Fragmented data systems despite the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP)
  • Dependence on contract labor for key clinical positions

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Regularization of the ASHA workforce with social security benefits
  • Shifting focus from 'outreach' to 'quality of care' (LaQshya initiative expansion)
  • Mandatory rural service for medical post-graduates to address specialist shortages

Performance Statistics

Metric

88.6%

Source: NFHS-5

Metric

₹37,000 Crore

Source: Union Budget 2025-26

Critical Analysis

NHM is the world's largest public health program, successfully decentralizing healthcare through 'District Health Action Plans'. Its biggest achievement is the institutionalization of deliveries and the creation of the ASHA workforce. However, it faces 'vertical-scheme' fatigue and continues to struggle with the urban-rural divide in specialist availability. The transition from MDGs to SDGs requires NHM to move beyond maternal/child health toward systemic strengthening through the 'One Health' approach and pandemic preparedness.

SDG Linkages

SDG 2: Zero Hunger (Nutrition)SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingSDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Constitutional Backing

Article 243G: Powers and responsibilities of Panchayats (includes health)73rd and 74th Amendments for decentralized health planning

Technology Used

IHIP (Integrated Health Information Platform)MCTS (Mother and Child Tracking System)Cold Chain Management System (eVIN)

Success Stories

Elimination of Major Diseases

Key Takeaways

  • Comprises NRHM (Rural) and NUHM (Urban)
  • Focus on RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Adolescent)
  • Strengthens health infrastructure and human resources
  • Free Drugs and Free Diagnostic Initiatives

Probable Questions

Examine the role of the National Health Mission in achieving the targets of the National Health Policy 2017.

Hard95%

Mains Answer Fodder

NHM is the umbrella framework for India's health goals. It uses a 'Communitization' strategy (ASHA, VHSNC) to bring health to the doorstep. Keywords: Communitization, RMNCH+A, Flexi-pool funding, ASHA workers, Health systems strengthening.

Convergence Schemes

  • Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
  • Mission Indradhanush
  • Ayushman Bharat
  • PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

Sector Tags

HealthRural DevelopmentUrban Development