What is the common examiner trap about Social Issues in UPSC exams?

They may ask the trend (increase/decrease) by swapping NFHS-5 (35.5% stunting) and NFHS-6 (29.3%) figures or confuse 'underweight' with 'wasting' (which is 5.2%). They may also ask which ministry conducts the survey versus which institute provides technical assistance.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Social Issues for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 29.3% (Stunting) and 31.8% (Underweight) from NFHS-6. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) releases NFHS. 3. Target this Report: National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is conducted by IIPS for MoHFW.

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News 5 of 25

NFHS-6 Data: 29.3% Children Stunted, 31.8% Underweight Amid Gains in Maternal Health & Immunisation

Q: Which ministry released the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) data discussed in the article?

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, The article explicitly states that the NFHS-6 survey was 'Released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare'. This ministry is the nodal agency for conducting the National Family Health Survey.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding findings of NFHS-6: 1. Stunting among children under five years has increased compared to the previous survey round. 2. Only about half of newborns are breastfed within one hour of birth. 3. The coverage of the second dose of the measles-containing vaccine is above 80%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 2, Statement 1 is incorrect: Stunting has declined from 35.5% (NFHS-5) to 29.3% (NFHS-6). Statement 2 is correct: The article states 'Only half of newborns are breastfed within one hour of birth'. Statement 3 is incorrect: Coverage for the second measles dose is 71.8%, not above 80%.

Q: According to NFHS-6 data, what percentage of households are covered by any health insurance or financing scheme?

60.2%, The article states 'Health insurance or financing scheme coverage has increased significantly from 41 per cent to 60.2 per cent of households'. 41% was the previous round's figure, and 71.8% is the coverage for the second measles dose, making 60.2% the correct current figure.

Q: What is the primary significance of the NFHS-6 data highlighting that 40.5% of infants aged six to eight months do not receive complementary foods?

It highlights a gap in the implementation of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices., The WHO and national guidelines recommend introducing complementary foods at six months alongside continued breastfeeding. The reported gap indicates a failure in counselling and support for proper IYCF practices, which is crucial for preventing undernutrition, not a PDS failure or a reflection of other indicators.

Social Issues PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

30 May 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:29.3% stunting31.8% underweight65.2% antenatal visits87.1% full vaccination60.2% health insurance coverage

Bodies:Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.NFHS-6 shows 29.3% stunting and 31.8% underweight among children under five, highlighting a major policy challenge.

2.While maternal healthcare and immunisation coverage improved, gaps remain (e.g., only 65.2% complete antenatal visits).

3.Examiners will focus on trends, specific data points, and linkage with national nutrition programs.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The NFHS-6 survey reveals persistent child undernutrition (29.3% stunting, 31.8% underweight) despite improvements in maternal healthcare and immunisation. For aspirants, this data is critical for GS Paper 1 (Social Issues) and GS Paper 2 (Governance) questions on health indicators and flagship schemes like Poshan Abhiyaan.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Stunting (Children <5)29.3%

Underweight (Children <5)31.8%

Antenatal Care (4+ visits)65.2%

Full Vaccination (12–23 months)87.1%

Health Insurance Coverage60.2% Households

1-Minute Revision

›Stunting (Children <5): 29.3%
›Underweight (Children <5): 31.8%
›Target this Data: 29.3% (Stunting) and 31.8% (Underweight) from NFHS-6.
›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) releases NFHS.
›Target this Report: National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is conducted by IIPS for MoHFW.

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News Snapshot

📉

Persistent Undernutrition

Nearly 1 in 3 Indian children are underweight (31.8%) and nearly 3 in 10 are stunted (29.3%), per NFHS-6.

🤰

Maternal Health Gaps

Only 65.2% of pregnant women completed 4+ antenatal visits, and just 37.8% consumed IFA for 180 days.

🛡️

Incomplete Universalisation

Despite gains, 13% children are not fully immunised and 40% of households lack health insurance coverage.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It provides essential data on fertility, mortality, maternal and child health, and nutrition, forming the basis for evaluating flagship schemes like Poshan Abhiyaan and Anaemia Mukt Bharat.

Core Analysis & Implications

The data reveals a dual challenge: significant progress in service coverage (institutional deliveries at 90.6%, full vaccination at 87.1%) coexists with stubborn nutritional deficits. The high underweight and stunting rates, coupled with low IFA consumption (54.9% for 100 days), indicate systemic failures in the last-mile delivery of nutrition-specific interventions, impacting human capital formation.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Policymakers must address the 'final mile' problem by strengthening community-based monitoring, integrating nutrition services with health systems, and focusing on the first 1000 days of life. The emerging dual burden of undernutrition and adult obesity necessitates a shift towards preventive healthcare and dietary diversification.

Key Facts at a Glance

Stunting (Children <5)29.3%

Underweight (Children <5)31.8%

Antenatal Care (4+ visits)65.2%

Full Vaccination (12–23 months)87.1%

Health Insurance Coverage60.2% Households

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which ministry released the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) data discussed in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding findings of NFHS-6:

1. Stunting among children under five years has increased compared to the previous survey round.

2. Only about half of newborns are breastfed within one hour of birth.

3. The coverage of the second dose of the measles-containing vaccine is above 80%.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to NFHS-6 data, what percentage of households are covered by any health insurance or financing scheme?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary significance of the NFHS-6 data highlighting that 40.5% of infants aged six to eight months do not receive complementary foods?

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NFHS-6 Data: 29.3% Children Stunted, 31.8% Underweight Amid Gains in Maternal Health & Immunisation

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Persistent Undernutrition

Maternal Health Gaps

Incomplete Universalisation

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance