Important Indian Scheme · Health
National Health Mission (NHM)
India’s flagship health programme combining rural and urban health missions to deliver accessible healthcare.
Overview
The National Health Mission (NHM) was launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as an overarching mission combining the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM, launched in 2005) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). It aims to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to both rural and urban populations, with a special focus on vulnerable groups. NHM works to strengthen health systems, reduce maternal and infant mortality, control communicable and non-communicable diseases, and bring health services to the doorstep through community health workers known as ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists).
Quick Snapshot
Launched2013
MinistryHealth & Family Welfare
Rural ArmNRHM (2005)
Urban ArmNUHM (2013)
Key Features & Objectives
1
Combines the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
2
Deployment of ASHA workers as community-level health volunteers.
3
Focus on reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR).
4
Strengthening public health infrastructure and free essential services.
5
Control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and universal health access.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Launch Year (NHM) |
2013 |
| Nodal Ministry |
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Rural Component |
NRHM (launched 2005) |
| Urban Component |
NUHM (launched 2013) |
| Key Workforce |
ASHA – Accredited Social Health Activists |
| Focus |
Maternal, child & disease control |
| Objective |
Accessible, affordable quality healthcare |
Exam Focus: Remember NHM (2013) = NRHM (2005) + NUHM (2013), under MoHFW, with ASHA workers as key community health volunteers.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The National Health Mission (NHM) combines NRHM with:
A. NUHM ✔
B. Ayushman Bharat
C. PMJAY
D. Mission Indradhanush
Q2. ASHA workers under NHM are:
A. Accredited Social Health Activists ✔
B. Auxiliary Senior Health Assistants
C. Anganwadi Service Helpers
D. Area Sanitation Health Aides
Q3. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched in which year?
A. 2003
B. 2005 ✔
C. 2008
D. 2010
Q4. NHM is implemented by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ✔
B. Ministry of Rural Development
C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
D. Ministry of AYUSH
Q5. A key objective of NHM is to reduce:
A. Inflation
B. Maternal and infant mortality ✔
C. Fiscal deficit
D. Carbon emissions
