Mission Indradhanush launched by the Government of India pertains to
Contents17
- Aimmunization of children and pregnant women
- Bconstruction of smart cities across the country
- CIndia’s own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
- DNew Educational Policy
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Answer: (A) immunization of children and pregnant women
Answer: (a) Immunization of children and pregnant women
Mission Indradhanush (launched December 25, 2014) by Ministry of Health covers 7 vaccine-preventable diseases (7 colours of the rainbow):
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Tetanus
- Tuberculosis
- Polio
- Measles
- Hepatitis B
Target: Full immunization of all children under 2 years and pregnant women.
Goal: 90% coverage (was around 65% at launch).
Later, Intensified Mission Indradhanush (2017) added Japanese Encephalitis and Rotavirus vaccines.
Why not others?
(b) Smart cities = Smart City Mission.
(c) Earth-like planets = Not an Indian programme.
(d) Educational policy = NEP.
Memory: Indradhanush = Rainbow = 7 colours = 7 diseases.
Mission Indradhanush targets 90% immunization coverage across India, focusing on children under 2 years and pregnant women against 7 vaccine-preventable diseases.
The mission was launched in 2014 when India's immunization coverage was only around 65%, making it a critical public health initiative.
UPSC tests whether students can distinguish between major government missions by their specific focus areas - immunization, urban development, space, or education.
Mission Indradhanush
Science And Technology Mission Indradhanush
Mission Indradhanush: India's Universal Immunization Programme
Launched December 25, 2014 by Ministry of Health for universal immunization
Covers 7 vaccine-preventable diseases (like 7 colours of rainbow)
Target: 90% immunization coverage for children under 2 and pregnant women
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (2017) added more vaccines and districts
What & Why
Mission Indradhanush is India's flagship immunization programme targeting children under 2 years and pregnant women. Named after the rainbow (Indradhanush), it initially covered 7 vaccine-preventable diseases, aiming to achieve 90% full immunization coverage from the existing 65% at launch.
The 7 Diseases Covered
Disease | Vaccine Given | Key Risk Group |
|---|---|---|
Diphtheria | DPT vaccine | Children under 5 |
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | DPT vaccine | Infants and children |
Tetanus | DPT vaccine | Children and pregnant women |
Tuberculosis | BCG vaccine | Newborns and infants |
Polio | OPV/IPV | Children under 5 |
Measles | Measles vaccine | Children 9-15 months |
Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B vaccine | Newborns and high-risk groups |
Key Features & Approach
Phased implementation: Started with 201 high-priority districts with low immunization coverage
Special immunization sessions: Conducted on predetermined days in areas with low coverage
Catch-up strategy: Identifies and vaccinates children who missed routine immunization
Focus on dropouts: Targets children who received some vaccines but didn't complete the schedule
Real-time monitoring: Uses technology for tracking and coverage assessment
Mission Evolution
Phase | Launch Year | Key Addition | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
Mission Indradhanush | 2014 | Original 7 diseases | 201 districts |
Intensified Mission Indradhanush | 2017 | Japanese Encephalitis, Rotavirus vaccines | 652 districts |
Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 | 2019 | Additional focus on urban areas | 272 districts |
Question Context
This PYQ tests knowledge of India's major health programmes. The rainbow connection (Indradhanush = 7 colours = 7 diseases) is the key memory hook that distinguishes it from other government missions like Smart Cities or educational reforms.
Memory trick: Indradhanush = Rainbow = 7 colours = 7 diseases (not 5 or 10)
Don't confuse with Pulse Polio Programme (only polio) or Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (broader child health)
Smart City Mission is for urban development, not health immunization
Mission Indradhanush is about vaccines, Mission Shakti is about women empowerment
Major Government Health Missions
Science And Technology
Key Government Health Missions & Programmes
National Health Mission (2013) is the umbrella programme for health
Ayushman Bharat (2018) provides health insurance and wellness centres
Janani Suraksha Yojana focuses on safe motherhood and institutional delivery
Major Health Missions Comparison
Mission/Programme | Launch Year | Primary Focus | Target Group |
|---|---|---|---|
Mission Indradhanush | 2014 | Universal immunization | Children under 2, pregnant women |
Ayushman Bharat | 2018 | Health insurance + primary care | Poor and vulnerable families |
Janani Suraksha Yojana | 2005 | Safe motherhood | Pregnant women (BPL families) |
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram | 2013 | Child health screening | Children 0-18 years |
Pulse Polio Programme | 1995 | Polio eradication | Children under 5 |
National TB Elimination Programme | 1997 | Tuberculosis control | All age groups |
National Health Mission Structure
# National Health Mission (NHM)
## National Rural Health Mission
- ASHA workers
- Primary Health Centres
- Community Health Centres
## National Urban Health Mission
- Urban Primary Health Centres
- Slum health programmes
- Urban ASHA
## Key Components
- Mother and Child Health
- Immunization
- Disease Control
- Health System StrengtheningAyushman Bharat has 2 components: PM-JAY (insurance) + Health & Wellness Centres (primary care)
NRHM (2005) and NUHM (2013) merged to form National Health Mission (2013)
Don't mix up Janani Suraksha Yojana (safe delivery) with Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (free treatment)
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in India
Science And Technology immunization vaccine-preventable diseases
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: India's Immunization Strategy
India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) covers 12+ diseases through routine vaccination
Mission Indradhanush specifically targets 7 core diseases with low coverage
Herd immunity requires 85-95% coverage depending on disease
India's Immunization Context
India runs the world's largest immunization programme covering 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women annually. The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) provides free vaccines against multiple diseases, but coverage gaps led to targeted missions like Indradhanush.
Key Vaccines in India's Programme
Vaccine | Disease(s) Prevented | Schedule | Mission Indradhanush Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
BCG | Tuberculosis | At birth | ✓ |
OPV/IPV | Polio | 6, 10, 14 weeks + boosters | ✓ |
DPT | Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus | 6, 10, 14 weeks + boosters | ✓ |
Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B | At birth, 6, 10, 14 weeks | ✓ |
Measles/MMR | Measles (+ Mumps, Rubella) | 9-12 months | ✓ |
JE vaccine | Japanese Encephalitis | 9-12 months (endemic areas) | Added in IMI |
Rotavirus | Rotavirus diarrhea | 6, 10, 14 weeks | Added in IMI |
Pneumococcal | Pneumonia, Meningitis | 6, 10, 14 weeks | Not in original 7 |
Immunization Schedule Flow
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Birth**
**BCG** (TB) + **Hepatitis B** + **OPV-0**`"]
s2["`**6 Weeks**
**DPT-1** + **OPV-1** + **Hepatitis B-2** + **Rotavirus-1**`"]
s3["`**10 Weeks**
**DPT-2** + **OPV-2** + **Hepatitis B-3** + **Rotavirus-2**`"]
s4["`**14 Weeks**
**DPT-3** + **OPV-3** + **Rotavirus-3**`"]
s5["`**9-12 Months**
**Measles/MMR** + **JE vaccine** (if applicable)`"]
s6["`**16-24 Months**
**DPT Booster** + **OPV Booster** + **MMR-2**`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5
s5 --> s6Hepatitis B is in Mission Indradhanush, but Hepatitis A vaccine is not part of routine UIP
Japanese Encephalitis was added in Intensified Mission Indradhanush (2017), not the original 2014 mission
Pneumococcal and Rotavirus vaccines are in UIP but only Rotavirus was added to Mission Indradhanush
MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) replaced single Measles vaccine, but Mission Indradhanush originally focused on Measles component
Other Major Government Missions
Indian Economy smart cities New Educational Policy
Major Government Missions: Distinguishing Features
Smart Cities Mission (2015): Urban development with technology integration
New Education Policy (2020): Comprehensive education reform framework
Each mission has distinct launch years, ministries, and objectives
Mission Comparison for UPSC
Mission | Launch Year | Ministry | Primary Objective | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mission Indradhanush | 2014 | Health & Family Welfare | Universal immunization | 7 diseases, rainbow theme |
Smart Cities Mission | 2015 | Housing & Urban Affairs | Urban development | 100 smart cities, technology focus |
Digital India Mission | 2015 | Electronics & IT | Digital transformation | 3 pillars: infrastructure, governance, empowerment |
Skill India Mission | 2015 | Skill Development | Skill training | 40 crore people by 2025 |
Swachh Bharat Mission | 2014 | Jal Shakti | Sanitation & cleanliness | Open defecation free India |
Make in India | 2014 | Commerce & Industry | Manufacturing promotion | 25% GDP from manufacturing |
Smart Cities Mission Details
100 smart cities selected through competition-based process across states/UTs
Area-based development: Focus on specific areas within cities for comprehensive improvement
Technology integration: IoT, data analytics, digital governance, smart utilities
PPP model: Public-Private Partnership for implementation and financing
₹2.05 lakh crore total investment planned over 5 years
New Education Policy 2020 Highlights
5+3+3+4 structure: Replaces 10+2 system (Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, Secondary)
Mother tongue/local language as medium of instruction till Class 5
Multiple entry-exit options in higher education with credit system
6% GDP allocation target for education sector
Holistic development: Focus on critical thinking, creativity, scientific temper
Mission Indradhanush is health (immunization), Digital India is technology transformation
Smart Cities Mission targets 100 cities, AMRUT covers 500 cities for urban infrastructure
NEP 2020 replaced NEP 1986 (revised 1992) — there's a 34-year gap between policies
Don't confuse Skill India (skill development) with Startup India (entrepreneurship promotion)