In India, health care is included under which list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India?

RML PRE 2025

Forensic Nursing & Indian laws

Easy

Appeared in: RML PRE 2025

Explanation

The Constitution of India, under the Seventh Schedule, places 'Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries' in the State List (List II).
This provision grants state governments the primary authority and responsibility to legislate, plan, and manage healthcare services for their populations.
While the central government has roles in policy-making and coordination, the core delivery of public healthcare is a state responsibility.

Option A: The Union List covers health matters of national and international importance, such as international health treaties, port quarantine, and regulation of medical education standards, but not the general provision of public health services.
Option B: The Concurrent List includes some health-related subjects like population control and preventing the inter-state spread of diseases, allowing both central and state governments to legislate. However, the fundamental responsibility for hospitals and public health lies with the states.
Option D: The Residuary List is for subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists (Union, State, or Concurrent). Since 'health' is explicitly mentioned in the State List, this option is incorrect.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Constitutional provisions for healthcare in India helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding this constitutional division is crucial as it explains the variations in healthcare policies, infrastructure, and public health initiatives across different states in India.
It clarifies why nurses and healthcare professionals may work under different service rules, pay scales, and regulations depending on whether they are employed by a central government institution (like AIIMS) or a state government hospital.
This framework impacts the funding and administration of national health programs, which are often centrally sponsored but implemented by state machinery, requiring coordination between different levels of government.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key terms in the question: 'health care', 'Seventh Schedule', and 'Constitution of India'.
Recall the three-list structure of the Seventh Schedule: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
Associate the core components of public healthcare delivery—'public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries'—with their designated list.
Differentiate this from health-related topics on the Union List (international health, professional standards) and Concurrent List (family planning, disease spread).
Select the list that holds the primary responsibility for the subject mentioned, which in this case is the State List.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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