2013 · GS Paper 2 · Q15 · 10 marks
Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health. Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the same.
In short
India's government actions met the health MDGs on communicable disease and came close on child and maternal survival. Under-five mortality reached 49 in 2013 against a target of 42, while MMR stood at 167 against 109.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 292 words
MDG 4, Child Mortality
Cut under-five mortality by two-thirds, a target of 42 per 1,000 live births for India.
MDG 5, Maternal Health
Cut MMR by three-quarters, to 109 for India, with universal reproductive health access.
MDG 6, Communicable Diseases
Halt and reverse HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB; MDG 1C (underweight children) and 7C (sanitation) are indirect health targets.
Child Survival, Near Miss
NRHM (2005) placed an ASHA in every village and expanded immunisation and newborn care, cutting under-five deaths sharply, but stubborn neonatal deaths kept India just short of the target.
Maternal Health, Partial Success
Janani Suraksha Yojana and JSSK raised institutional deliveries from 39% (NFHS-3) to 79% (NFHS-4), yet weak emergency obstetric care kept MMR above target.
Disease Control, Clear Success
Pulse Polio won WHO polio-free certification (2014), NACO reversed HIV, and DOTS reversed TB incidence.
Structural Gaps
Public health spending near 1.1% of GDP (NHA 2014-15), open defecation and child undernutrition slowed progress and left wide inter-state gaps.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.