National Family Health Survey-6 to Be Released Soon, Covers 6.79 Lakh Households Nationwide

India is set to release the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) , a crucial dataset expected to shape the country’s public health, nutrition, and population policies . Conducted during 2023–24 , the survey covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across all states and Union Territories, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive health surveys in India.

Carried out by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with technical guidance from the International Institute for Population Sciences, NFHS provides district-level insights into fertility, mortality, nutrition, disease burden, and healthcare access , while linking them to socio-economic and gender disparities . This enables more targeted and evidence-based policymaking .

The previous round, NFHS-5 (2019–21), showed mixed progress . India’s Total Fertility Rate declined to 2.0 , signalling population stabilisation , while institutional deliveries rose to about 89% and immunisation coverage improved significantly . However, major challenges persisted. Around 35% of children were stunted and 32% underweight , reflecting continued malnutrition concerns . Even more alarming was the rise in anaemia , affecting nearly 57% of women and a large share of children , pointing to widespread iron and micronutrient deficiencies .

At the same time, India faces a growing nutrition paradox . Nearly one in four adults is overweight or obese , driven by calorie-rich but nutrient-poor diets , increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Despite dietary benchmarks set by the Indian Council of Medical Research, only about 10–20% of Indians consume a balanced, near-ideal diet . While many meet basic calorie needs, diet quality remains poor , with heavy dependence on carbohydrates and insufficient protein and micronutrient intake . Studies suggest 36–44% of Indians do not meet adequate protein requirements , alongside widespread deficiencies in iron and Vitamin D .

This has resulted in a double burden of malnutrition , where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist , often across the same populations. The issue is further deepened by rural-urban, regional, and gender inequalities , with women and economically weaker groups more vulnerable.

NFHS-6 gains added importance as the first comprehensive post-pandemic assessment , expected to reveal the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare access, immunisation, and nutrition . It will also evaluate the effectiveness of key programmes like Ayushman Bharat and Poshan Abhiyan .

Notably, NFHS-6 has adopted a fully digital data collection system (CAPI) , enabling real-time validation, improved accuracy, and faster processing . With enhanced methodology and broader coverage, the survey is expected to provide more precise and actionable insights , guiding India’s next phase of health and human development planning .