ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) provides health services to a population of:

Correct option is B

ASHA workers are trained female health volunteers instituted under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), now part of the National Health Mission (NHM). They serve as a link between the community and the public health system. According to official guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), one ASHA is assigned per 1,000 population in rural areas.
In tribal or hilly regions, this may be relaxed to 1 per 500 population due to terrain and population dispersion. This norm ensures accessible and equitable healthcare outreach at the grassroots level.

Explanation of Each Option:

• (a) 500 –
  This is only applicable in tribal, hilly, or desert regions where terrain and sparse populations require a lower coverage ratio. While valid in special cases, it is not the standard national norm for general rural areas.
• (b) 1,000 –
  This is the correct and standard norm for assigning ASHA workers in most rural areas of India. As per ASHA Guidelines (2011) and NHM documents, one ASHA is appointed per 1,000 rural population to ensure effective community-level care.
• (c) 2,500 –
  This number is associated with Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), not ASHA workers. One ANM typically covers 5,000 population in plain areas and 3,000 in difficult areas, but this does not apply to ASHAs.
• (d) 5,000 –
  This figure usually relates to the coverage area of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in hilly areas or Sub-Centres in urban setups. It is far too high for individual ASHA coverage, making it inappropriate here.