Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. NFHS-6 shows India’s progress in maternal and child health, nutrition and financial protection. Discuss the significance of these findings and the challenges that remain.
- Q. Green hydrogen can strengthen India’s energy security and industrial decarbonisation only if it becomes commercially viable. Discuss.
Q. NFHS-6 shows India’s progress in maternal and child health, nutrition and financial protection. Discuss the significance of these findings and the challenges that remain.
(GS Paper II: Social Justice, Health, Government Policies, Women and Child Development)
Introduction:
The National Family Health Survey-6, conducted during 2023–24, provides important evidence on India’s health, nutrition and family welfare indicators. It covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts. The findings show that India has made significant progress in maternal and child health, immunisation, nutrition, financial protection and women empowerment.
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Significance of NFHS-6 Findings
- Improvement in maternal healthcare:
Antenatal care coverage increased to 95.9%, while institutional deliveries reached 90.6%. This shows better access to pregnancy and childbirth services. - Better child immunisation:
Full vaccination coverage among children aged 12–23 months increased from 83.8% to 87.1%. Rotavirus vaccine coverage also increased sharply from 36.4% to 85.4%. - Progress in child nutrition:
Stunting declined from 35.5% to 29.3%, and severe wasting declined from 7.7% to 5.2%. This indicates improvement in long-term nutritional outcomes. - Expansion of financial protection:
Health insurance coverage increased from 41.0% to 60.2% at the household level. This reflects the role of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and other health protection measures. - Women empowerment:
Women’s internet use nearly doubled, and women having bank accounts that they themselves use increased to 89.0%. This indicates progress in digital and financial inclusion.
Challenges
- Persistent malnutrition:
Stunting and underweight remain serious concerns despite improvement. - Dual burden of nutrition:
India now faces both undernutrition and rising overweight or obesity. - Non-communicable diseases:
Lifestyle-related risks need stronger preventive healthcare. - Regional disparities:
National averages may hide gaps between states, districts and rural-urban areas. - Quality of healthcare:
High institutional delivery must be matched with respectful, safe and quality care.
Way Forward
India must strengthen primary healthcare, improve nutrition delivery and focus on the first 1,000 days of life. Digital tools such as U-WIN should be used for immunisation tracking. Health insurance must be linked with quality healthcare. Behaviour change campaigns are needed for nutrition, hygiene, breastfeeding and lifestyle disease prevention.
Conclusion:
NFHS-6 reflects India’s steady progress towards better health and SDG outcomes. The next phase must focus on quality, equity and preventive healthcare so that every citizen benefits from India’s public health progress.
Q. Green hydrogen can strengthen India’s energy security and industrial decarbonisation only if it becomes commercially viable. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Energy Security, Environment, Industrial Growth)
Introduction:
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water through electrolysis using renewable energy. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, 2023 aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, use and export. It targets at least 5 MMT annual green hydrogen production by 2030, with expected reduction of fossil fuel imports and greenhouse gas emissions.
However, green hydrogen can become a real solution for India only when it becomes commercially viable for industries.
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Role in Energy Security
- Reduces fossil fuel imports:
India imports large quantities of crude oil, natural gas and coal. Green hydrogen can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, especially in sectors where fossil fuels are deeply used. - Supports domestic clean energy economy:
Green hydrogen uses renewable energy such as solar and wind. This links India’s renewable energy expansion with industrial use. - Strengthens strategic autonomy:
Lower dependence on imported fuels can protect India from global price shocks and geopolitical supply disruptions.
Role in Industrial Decarbonisation
- Fertiliser sector:
Green hydrogen can be used to produce green ammonia, reducing natural gas-based ammonia production. - Oil refineries:
Refineries use hydrogen for desulfurisation and fuel processing. Green hydrogen can replace grey hydrogen. - Steel industry:
Green hydrogen can replace coking coal in the Direct Reduced Iron process, reducing emissions from one of the most carbon-intensive sectors. - Heavy transport and shipping:
Hydrogen fuel cells and green ammonia can support decarbonisation of long-distance transport and maritime fuel use.
Commercial Viability Challenges
- High cost:
Green hydrogen is still costlier than grey hydrogen. - Delivered cost problem:
The cost of transport, storage, purification and distribution can make hydrogen expensive even if production cost falls. - Infrastructure gaps:
India lacks sufficient hydrogen-ready pipelines, storage systems and refuelling stations. - Technology dependence:
Electrolysers, membranes and catalysts still require high-end technology and imported components. - Water and safety concerns:
Green hydrogen needs high-purity water and strong safety systems for handling and storage.
Way Forward
- Expand SIGHT incentives and PLI support for electrolysers.
- Promote modular electrolysers for MSMEs and dispersed industries.
- Develop hydrogen valleys near fertiliser, refinery and steel clusters.
- Introduce Green Hydrogen Purchase Obligations for hard-to-abate sectors.
- Ensure cheap, reliable and dispatchable renewable power.
- Build hydrogen safety standards, storage and transport infrastructure.
Conclusion:
Green hydrogen can transform India’s energy and industrial future. But its success depends on reducing delivered cost, creating assured demand and building domestic technology. If made commercially viable, it can strengthen energy security, support Net Zero 2070 and make Indian industry cleaner and more competitive.
