**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released an update on the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a program designed to improve the health and quality of life for children in India. RBSK provides comprehensive care to children from birth to 18 years of age, focusing on early detection and free treatment of 32 common health conditions categorized under four "Ds": Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Development delays. The program includes interventions and follow-up care at the district level, and surgeries at the tertiary level. Data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) report by the Registrar General of India indicates a significant decline in the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) in rural areas, from 51 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 34 per 1,000 live births in 2022. This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. The press release was posted by PIB Delhi on August 5, 2025, at 4:27 PM, Release ID: 2152541.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram: A program focused on improving the health and quality of life of children by addressing defects, diseases, deficiencies, and development delays (4Ds).
SRS Report: Sample Registration System report, a demographic survey conducted by the Registrar General of India, used to estimate vital rates like mortality.
Under5 Mortality Rate: Mortality rate of children under the age of 5.
Registrar General of India: The authority responsible for conducting the Sample Registration System (SRS) report.
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Parliament of India, where a written reply was given.
Anupriya Patel: The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
Delhi: Location where the press release was posted, likely the location of Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram covers children
from birth to 18 years for 4Ds: Defects, Diseases,
Deficiencies & Development Delays
Under-5 Mortality Rate in Rural India Drops from 51
to 34 Per 1,000 Live Births Between 2014 and 2022:
SRS Report
Posted On: 05 AUG 2025 4:27PM by PIB Delhi
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is a program to improve the overall quality of life of children
and provide comprehensive care to all the children in the community. This program involves screening of
children from birth to 18 years of age for four Ds- Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies and Development
delays, spanning 32 common health conditions for early detection and free treatment and management,
including surgeries at tertiary level. Children diagnosed with identified health conditions are provided early
intervention services and follow-up care at the district level.
According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) report by the Registrar General of India at national level,
the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) in the rural areas has declined from 51 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 34
per 1,000 live births in 2022.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply
in the Rajya Sabha today.
****
MV
HFW/ PQ/Update on the RBSK/5 August 2025/4
(Release ID: 2152541)