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Kerala Achieves Record Low Infant Mortality Rate of 5 (Per 1000 Births), Lowest in India Through Schemes like Hridayam, KARE

Social IssuesPolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
14 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:IMR: 5 (Kerala)IMR: 25 (National Avg)KARE Budget: ₹250 croreAttappadi IMR: 28.6 to 6.3
Bodies:Kerala Health DepartmentIndian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP)World Health Organisation (WHO)
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What This Article Covers

1.Kerala's IMR is 5 (SRS 2023), the lowest in India and lower than the USA's 5.6, achieved through focused schemes and community health networks.

2.Key schemes like Hridayam (pediatric cardiac care), KARE (rare diseases), and Shalabham (birth defect screening) were instrumental in this achievement.

3.The 'Kerala model' of healthcare, rooted in historical female literacy and early public health initiatives, demonstrates a successful template for other states.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Kerala has achieved India's lowest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 5, surpassing even the USA, due to decades of social investment and a robust, multi-layered health system. This case study is vital for GS-II questions on health governance, social determinants, and the role of community health workers in achieving SDG targets.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Kerala's IMR (2023 SRS)5 (per 1000 live births)
National Average IMR25 (per 1000 live births)
KARE Project Budget₹250 crore
Attappadi IMR Reduction (10 yrs)28.6 to 6.3

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Kerala's IMR (2023 SRS): 5 (per 1000 live births)
  • ›National Average IMR: 25 (per 1000 live births)
  • ›Target this Data: Kerala's IMR is 5 (SRS 2023), National Average is 25.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Kerala Health Department and Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) partnered for the project.
  • ›Target this Scheme: 'Hridayam' for pediatric cardiac care, 'KARE' (₹250 Cr) for rare diseases, 'Shalabham' for birth defect screening.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which national-level demographic survey provides the annual estimates for Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India, as cited in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding Kerala's health initiatives:

1. The 'Hridayam' scheme provides free heart disease screening and treatment for children up to 18 years of age.

2. The 'KARE' project, with a budget of ₹250 crore launched in 2024, focuses on the prevention and management of common infectious diseases.

3. The 'Shalabham' project conducts bi-annual screening for birth defects in children from birth to 18 years.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the 2023 Sample Registration Survey (SRS) report mentioned in the article, what is the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of Kerala?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is identified as the primary reason for Kerala's sustained success in achieving a low Infant Mortality Rate, according to the State Nodal Officer quoted in the article?

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