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

They may ask about the 'mean OOPE' (which doubled) versus the 'median OOPE' (which dropped), testing the understanding of statistical measures and their different implications for health financing.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Social Issues for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Median OOPE of ₹11,285 per hospitalisation (80th NSO round) 2. Target this Nodal Body: National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI 3. Target this Scheme: Ayushman Bharat PMJAY (Launched 2018)

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News 2 of 30

Household Health Survey (80th Round) Shows 3X Insurance Rise, Hospitalization Rate Below 2014 Level, Median OOPE ₹11,285

Q: Which government body conducts the Household Social Consumption (Health) survey mentioned in the news?

National Statistical Office (NSO), The article explicitly states that the 80th round of the household social consumption (health) survey was conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO). The NSO, under MoSPI, is responsible for major socio-economic surveys in India.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the findings of the 80th round of the Household Social Consumption (Health) survey: 1. Health insurance coverage in India has expanded around threefold since the launch of the PMJAY scheme. 2. The hospitalisation rate in India has recovered and surpassed the level recorded in the year 2014. 3. The median out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for hospitalisation has dropped to ₹11,285. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article: insurance coverage expanded threefold since PMJAY's launch. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article clearly states 'the hospitalisation rate has not recovered to the 2014 level'. Statement 3 is correct as the median OOPE is given as ₹11,285 per hospitalisation.

Q: According to the 80th round survey, what is the median out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for a hospitalisation episode in India?

₹11,285, The article provides the exact figure: 'the median OOPE has dropped, to ₹11,285 per hospitalisation'. The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Q: What is identified as a key challenge for the next phase of healthcare reform in India, based on the survey findings?

Strengthening public sector hospital capacity for tertiary care, The article concludes that 'the next phase of health-care reform... will need to strengthen public sector hospital capacity to compete with the private sector for tertiary care.' While insurance coverage has expanded (option A), the core challenge now is building public capacity to ensure actual access.

Social Issues PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

01 May 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:80th Round₹11,2852018

Bodies:National Statistical Office (NSO)

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.80th NSO survey reveals health insurance coverage tripled since PMJAY launch, but hospitalisation rate remains below 2014 level, indicating access barriers.

2.Median out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for hospitalisation is ₹11,285; public outpatient care is nearly free, showing improved affordability for primary care.

3.The survey indicates a shift from infectious to non-communicable diseases and exposes gaps where insurance coverage does not translate to practical benefits, especially for the poor.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The first major health survey post-pandemic and post-PMJAY maturity reveals a threefold expansion in health insurance coverage, yet hospitalisation rates have not recovered to 2014 levels. While median out-of-pocket expenses have dropped, the system faces challenges like hidden costs, underfunded public infrastructure, and rising catastrophic costs for the middle class, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen public hospital capacity for tertiary care.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Survey Round80th Round

Conducted byNational Statistical Office (NSO)

Median OOPE (Hospitalisation)₹11,285

PMJAY Launch Year2018

1-Minute Revision

›Survey Round: 80th Round
›Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO)
›Target this Data: Median OOPE of ₹11,285 per hospitalisation (80th NSO round)
›Target this Nodal Body: National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI
›Target this Scheme: Ayushman Bharat PMJAY (Launched 2018)

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News Snapshot

📈

Insurance Expansion

The 80th NSO survey shows health insurance coverage has expanded threefold since PMJAY's launch in 2018.

🏥

Access Paradox

Despite increased insurance, hospitalisation rates have not recovered to 2014 levels, revealing persistent barriers to accessing hospital beds.

💰

OOPE Trend

Median out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalisation dropped to ₹11,285, while public outpatient care is nearly free, improving financial protection.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The 80th round of the Household Social Consumption (Health) survey by the NSO is the first comprehensive assessment in the post-pandemic era and after the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme reached maturity. Previous surveys highlighted that most Indians lacked health insurance and faced high out-of-pocket expenses, a leading cause of poverty.

Core Analysis & Implications

The survey reveals a paradox: while insurance coverage has tripled, hospitalisation rates remain below 2014 levels, indicating insurance alone doesn't guarantee access. Hidden costs and reimbursement rates below market rates in private hospitals create barriers. The doubling of the 'Proportion of Population Reported Ailing' signals a shift towards non-communicable diseases and potentially greater care-seeking. The drop in median OOPE shows public sector success in primary care, but high mean OOPE indicates persistent catastrophic costs for some, exacerbated by an underfunded AAM network for chronic diseases.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The next phase of health reform must move beyond providing financial shields and focus on strengthening public sector hospital capacity, particularly for tertiary care, to compete with the private sector. This involves adequate funding for infrastructure, enforcing regulated prices in public-private partnerships, and expanding the Ayushman Bharat network for diagnostics and medicines to manage the growing burden of chronic diseases effectively.

Key Facts at a Glance

Survey Round80th Round

Conducted byNational Statistical Office (NSO)

Median OOPE (Hospitalisation)₹11,285

PMJAY Launch Year2018

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which government body conducts the Household Social Consumption (Health) survey mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the findings of the 80th round of the Household Social Consumption (Health) survey:

1. Health insurance coverage in India has expanded around threefold since the launch of the PMJAY scheme.

2. The hospitalisation rate in India has recovered and surpassed the level recorded in the year 2014.

3. The median out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for hospitalisation has dropped to ₹11,285.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the 80th round survey, what is the median out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for a hospitalisation episode in India?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is identified as a key challenge for the next phase of healthcare reform in India, based on the survey findings?

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Household Health Survey (80th Round) Shows 3X Insurance Rise, Hospitalization Rate Below 2014 Level, Median OOPE ₹11,285

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Insurance Expansion

Access Paradox

OOPE Trend

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance