How many districts were included in category C under the RCH phase-1 programme?
Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2025
Explanation
The RCH Phase-I programme utilized a differential strategy, categorizing districts to prioritize and allocate resources effectively.
Districts were classified into three groups (A, B, and C) based on their performance on key health indicators like crude birth rate and female literacy.
Category C represented the districts with the poorest health indicators, and this category comprised a total of 265 districts.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
Option A: The number 100 does not correspond to the number of districts in any of the categories (A, B, or C) defined under the RCH Phase-I programme.
Option B: 184 was the number of districts included in Category B, not Category C. Category B districts had moderate health indicators, whereas Category C had the poorest.
Option D: This option is for non-attempts. A correct answer is available among the choices.
Related Visual
Visual 1: Infographic: A map of India from the late 1990s highlighting the districts belonging to Category A, B, and C under the RCH Phase-I programme. This would visually demonstrate the geographical concentration of high-priority areas that required focused public health interventions.
Clinical Relevance
Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain District categorization under the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Phase-I programme as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding historical public health program structures like RCH categorization helps nurses appreciate the evolution of targeted healthcare delivery and resource allocation in India.
This targeted approach ensures that areas with the greatest need (like Category C districts) receive intensified support, including more funding, staff, and specialized interventions for maternal and child health.
What if? If a district improved its health indicators significantly over a few years (e.g., moving from Category C to B), it would signify the success of the targeted interventions. This would lead to a re-evaluation and potential adjustment of the resource allocation strategy for that district in subsequent health programs.
How to Approach the Question
This is a factual recall question concerning a major national health programme in India.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'RCH phase-1' and 'category C districts'.
Access your knowledge about the structure and implementation of the RCH programme.
Recall that the programme categorized districts to allocate resources based on need. The categories were A, B, and C.
Remember the specific number of districts assigned to each category during Phase I.
Evaluate the given options against the known facts: Category A had 58 districts, Category B had 184, and Category C had 265. Select the option that matches the number for Category C.
Concept Tested & Keywords
Concept Tested: District categorization under the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Phase-I programme.