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India's Health Policy: A 2026 Scorecard
25 Jan
Summary
- National Health Policy 2017 targets were set for 2025.
- Progress varied, with successes in maternal health but stagnation in public spending.
- Pandemic preparedness and environmental factors need future policy focus.
India's National Health Policy (NHP) 2017, established with a 2025 horizon, is due for a comprehensive review. As of January 2026, a new policy is anticipated, necessitating an assessment of progress made. The 2017 policy acknowledged shifts towards non-communicable diseases, private sector expansion, and the impact of out-of-pocket expenditure on households.
Analysis of the NHP 2017 scorecard reveals uneven progress. Measurable indicators like maternal mortality and immunization showed improvement. However, public health expenditure and out-of-pocket spending indicate stagnation. Ambiguities persist in areas with weak measurement systems.
The policy's broader reform agenda, including tobacco control and community health platforms, also faces challenges in quantification and implementation. Institutional and workforce developments, such as emergency response systems and a public health cadre, have seen mixed results.
Looking ahead, future policies must embed pandemic preparedness as routine infrastructure. Furthermore, commercial and environmental determinants of health, including air pollution and ultra-processed foods, require central focus. A recalibration of the NHP is crucial for the coming decade.
