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Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram 2.0 Launched: Adds Mental Health & NCD Screening, Digital Health Cards for Children (0-18 Years)

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
03 May 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Age group: Birth to 18 years
Bodies:Union Health Ministry
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) has been revamped to version 2.0, expanding its scope to screen for mental health conditions and NCD risk factors in children.

2.The revised guidelines were released at the National Summit on Good Practices and Innovations in Public Healthcare Service Delivery, emphasizing a digital-first approach with digital health cards.

3.The program now offers a preventive, promotive, and curative continuum of care for children from birth to 18 years, a critical update for questions on social sector schemes and child welfare.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Union Health Ministry has launched RBSK 2.0, a major overhaul of the national child health screening program. The key upgrade is the inclusion of screening for mental health conditions and risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension for children from birth to 18 years. This strategic expansion aligns with the government's digital health push, integrating digital health cards and real-time data systems.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Scheme NameRashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0
Age Group CoveredBirth to 18 years
New Screening ComponentsMental Health & NCDs (Diabetes, Hypertension)
Launch VenueNational Summit on Good Practices and Innovations in Public Healthcare Service Delivery

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Scheme Name: Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0
  • ›Age Group Covered: Birth to 18 years
  • ›Target this Data: Age group covered is 'Birth to 18 years'.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The Union Health Ministry.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: RBSK is a program under the National Health Mission (NHM).

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is responsible for the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) scheme?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the revamped Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK 2.0):

1. It now includes screening for mental health conditions in children.

2. The program's guidelines were released during the National Summit on Good Practices and Innovations in Public Healthcare Service Delivery.

3. The revised program focuses only on curative care for children aged 6 to 18 years.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the revised RBSK 2.0 guidelines, what is the age group of children covered under the program?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary new feature introduced in the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0, as per the news?

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