NFHS-6 reveals progress amid nutrition challenges

* Statement 1: Incorrect. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a minimum package of antenatal care (ANC) services only during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It does not cover post-delivery health care services for six months. The focus is on ensuring safe pregnancies through early detection and management of high-risk cases. * Statement 2:  Correct. Under PMSMA, private sector health care providers (such as gynecologists, radiologists, and physicians) can volunteer to provide free services at nearby government health facilities on the 9th of every month. This public-private partnership enhances access to specialized care for pregnant women.

Mission Indradhanush launched by the Government of India pertains to immunization. Specifically, it's a special immunization program that aims to - Increase full immunization coverage - Mission Indradhanush targets children under two years old and pregnant women to ensure they receive all the recommended vaccines for protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. - Focus on low-coverage areas - Improve routine immunization By focusing on these aspects, Mission Indradhanush aims to improve overall child health and reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in India. Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). It is a central intervention implemented by states, not an intervention of the State Health Departments. Statement 2 is correct: The primary objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by encouraging safe, institutional births. Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides a cash incentive to mothers to promote institutional delivery, particularly among those from BPL, SC, and ST households. Statement 4 is incorrect: While care for sick infants is a priority under the National Health Mission, the provision of free facilities for sick infants up to one year of age is specifically a feature of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched in 2011. JSY, launched in 2005, is primarily a conditional cash transfer scheme for delivery.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.

The National Nutrition Mission, also known as Poshan Abhiyaan, has several objectives. - The first objective is to create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. - The second objective is to reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. These two objectives are clearly stated in the mission's goals. Hence, statements 1 & 2 are correct. However, the promotion of the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice, and the promotion of the consumption of poultry eggs are not explicitly stated as objectives of the mission. Hence, statement 3 & 4 are incorrect.

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, here's the breakdown of the statements: * Statement 1:  Incorrect. The eligible age group for enrolment in the scheme is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years. This allows younger workers to join early and contribute for a longer period. * Statement 2: Correct. Beneficiaries are required to make age-specific monthly contributions, which increase with age. For instance, contributions start at ₹55 for an 18-year-old and go up to ₹200 for a 40-year-old. * Statement 3: Correct. Subscribers will receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age. This provides social security for workers in the unorganized sector. * Statement 4: Incorrect. Family pension is available only to the spouse, who will receive 50% of the pension amount after the subscriber's death. Unmarried daughters are not eligible for this benefit.

* Statement I is correct: India's public healthcare system prioritises curative care, which focuses on treating existing illnesses. Preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative care, which aims to prevent diseases, promote good health, and help people recover from illness, receive less emphasis. * Statement II is correct: India's healthcare system follows a decentralised approach. The central government sets policies and provides financial assistance, but individual states are responsible for organising and delivering health services to their populations. This allows for flexibility based on local needs and contexts.
Therefore, the answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Statement 1 is Correct: Both the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and India's National MPI are calculated using the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology. This method measures acute poverty by counting the overlapping deprivations that individuals experience simultaneously. Statement 2 is Correct: India's National MPI, calculated by NITI Aayog, consists of 12 indicators. It retains the 10 standard indicators from the Global MPI and adds two new ones to better reflect India's specific development priorities. Statement 3 is Incorrect: The two additional indicators in the National MPI are Maternal Health (added to the Health dimension) and Bank Account (added to the Standard of Living dimension). Therefore, these two are exclusive to NITI Aayog's National MPI and are not present in the UNDP's Global MPI, which only has 10 indicators. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2013, NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67% of the population in the form of highly subsidized food grains at Rs. 2 and 3 per Kg for wheat and rice respectively. Beneficiaries are identified using Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) methodology so even non-BPL will also benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Under the NFSA, to issue ration cards the eldest woman of a household aged 18 years or above would be considered as head. Hence, this statement is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious take home ration of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months, says the official act.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Career Service is not an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. It is actually implemented by the Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour & Employment. Statement 2 is incorrect. The National Career Service has indeed been launched in a Mission Mode, but it is not specifically targeted at improving the employment opportunities for uneducated youth of the country. It is a comprehensive platform providing a wide array of employment and career related services to all citizens of India, aiming to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, candidates seeking training and career guidance, and agencies providing training and career counselling.

Statement 1 is correct: The article states, 'stunting levels (for children under five)... have declined from 35.5% to 29.3%.' Statement 2 is incorrect: The article mentions, 'Wasting levels... show no change, except for severe forms of wasting.' Statement 3 is correct: The article states, 'Institutional births have reached 90%, with public health facilities accounting for 58% of births.' Statement 4 is correct: The article notes, 'vaccination coverage for children — 87% of children between 12 and 23 months of age are now fully vaccinated.' Therefore, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct.

1. Poor feeding practices: The article explicitly states, 'feeding practices and access to quality diets remain weak and continue to limit progress.' It also mentions 'only 15% between six to 23 months receive an adequate diet.' So, this is a limiting factor. 2. Maternal time poverty: The article highlights, 'A growing and under-explored determinant of child nutrition in India is maternal time poverty.' So, this is a limiting factor. 3. Shift towards processed foods: The article notes, 'households are spending less on cereals and more on dairy, processed foods and beverages... Processed foods, in contrast, are easily available, ready to eat and packaged in affordable packs,' implying this is a challenge to nutritional adequacy. So, this is a limiting factor. 4. Lack of frontline health workers: The article praises 'the strong outreach efforts of frontline workers — Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi workers (AWW), and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM),' indicating their presence and effectiveness, not a lack. The suggestion is to strengthen their skills, not to address a shortage. So, this is not identified as a limiting factor in terms of their presence. Thus, 1, 2, and 3 are the correct factors.

A. The article states, 'Strengthening their skills in data collection would improve data quality' (referring to AWWs). This is mentioned. B. The article emphasizes the need to 'promote crèche models for sustained progress in child nutrition.' This is mentioned. C. The article suggests, 'Prevention of growth faltering must receive greater priority' in the context of POSHAN Abhiyaan. This is mentioned. D. While increased budget allocation might be an underlying need, the article does not explicitly mention 'increasing the budget allocation' for POSHAN Abhiyaan. It focuses on reorienting its strategy and strengthening frontline workers. Therefore, this is the measure NOT explicitly mentioned.