In which year was the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) passed in the Indian Parliament?

Correct option is C

✅ (c) 2005
Explanation:
The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched in India on April 12, 2005, by the Government of India under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It aimed to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to rural populations, especially in states with weak public health indicators.
Key Objectives of NRHM:
1. Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure
· Upgrade Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and District Hospitals.
· Ensure availability of medical staff, medicines, and medical equipment.
2. Improving Maternal and Child Health
· Promoting safe institutional deliveries through Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
· Reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
3. Recruitment of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA Workers)
· ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers were introduced to promote community healthcare, immunization, and maternal care.
4. Reducing Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates
· Focus on reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR).
5. Providing Free Medicines and Diagnostics
· Ensuring availability of essential medicines and diagnostic services at government health centers.
6. Combating Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
· Strengthening programs for tuberculosis (TB), malaria, leprosy, and HIV/AIDS.
· Introducing awareness campaigns on diabetes, hypertension, and mental health.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect?
❌ (a) 2003
· The NRHM was conceptualized in the early 2000s, but it was officially launched in 2005.
❌ (b) 2008
· By 2008, NRHM was already in operation and had introduced many reforms, including ASHA workers and free maternal care programs.
❌ (d) 2006
· NRHM was launched in April 2005, not in 2006. However, many states began implementing NRHM reforms in 2006.
Additional Information:
In 2013, NRHM was merged into the National Health Mission (NHM), which now includes both:
1. NRHM – Focuses on rural health.
2. NUHM (National Urban Health Mission) – Focuses on urban health.
Conclusion:
The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was officially launched in 2005 to improve healthcare access in rural areas. It played a crucial role in reducing maternal and infant mortality, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and recruiting ASHA workers.
Thus, the correct answer is (c) 2005. ✅