NFHS-7 Report Highlights Significant Decline in Maternal Mortality
The preliminary findings of the National Family Health Survey-7 (NFHS-7) indicate a sharp decline in India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and an increase in institutional births.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- NFHS-7 report shows a significant decline in India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).
- Institutional births in India have increased to 92%.
- The survey is conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The report noted an increase in lifestyle diseases like obesity among the youth.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Low | 2–5 | UPSC focuses on depth, not breadth. General items are tested only when they have policy relevance. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 2–4 | Miscellaneous GK including appointments, books, summits, and records appears in SSC. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Miscellaneous GK is tested across all state exam categories. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Appointments: new heads of organizations, ministries, and international bodies
- Books and authors in the news — especially by current heads of state or notable personalities
- First-ever achievements: India's firsts, world firsts, records broken
- Summits and their dates, venue, and key declarations
- Obituaries: notable personalities, their field, and contribution
Practice Questions
Q1. What is the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)?
- Less than 100
- Less than 70
- Less than 50
- Less than 30
Explanation: The SDG target 3.1 aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
Q2. Which ministry is responsible for conducting the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)?
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Ministry of Statistics
Explanation: The NFHS is conducted under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with IIPS as the nodal agency.
How to Prepare Current Affairs for Government Exams
For general current affairs, read the PIB (Press Information Bureau) daily digest. It covers government announcements that directly map to exam questions.
Maintain a 'Monthly Top 50' list — the 50 most important facts from the month. Revise this before every mock test.
Focus on news from the last 6–8 months before your exam date. Older news rarely appears unless it was a landmark event.