The normal range of population covered by a PHC in plain areas is:

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Explanation

According to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), a Primary Health Centre (PHC) is established to serve a population of 30,000 in plain areas.
This norm ensures a standardized level of primary healthcare access for a defined population group.
The population norm is different for difficult terrains; in hilly, tribal, or remote areas, a PHC covers a smaller population of 20,000.

Option A: This figure is not the standard for a rural PHC. A population of 15,000-20,000 is the norm for an Urban-Health and Wellness Centre (UHWC).
Option C: This is an incorrect value for PHC population norms in any designated area type in the rural health mission.
Option D: This population norm applies to an Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), not a rural PHC in a plain area.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Population norms for Primary Health Centres (PHC) in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For community health officers and nurses, knowing these population norms is fundamental for planning and implementing health programs, allocating resources, and managing healthcare delivery.
These standards help in assessing the workload of a health center and identifying the need for establishing new centers in underserved areas.
What if? If a question asked for the population covered by a Community Health Centre (CHC) in a plain area, the answer would be 1,20,000.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question common in Community Health Nursing.
First, identify the key components of the question: 'PHC' (Primary Health Centre) and 'plain areas'.
Recall the three-tier rural healthcare structure in India: Sub-Centre, PHC, and CHC.
Remember the specific population norms for each tier, differentiating between plain and hilly/tribal areas.
The norm for a PHC in a plain area is 30,000. Select the option that matches this fact.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 125-127

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 80-82

E6 Nursing_Management_and_leadership_Johny_Kutty_JosephCbs_Publishers (pp 16-364 of 374) p. 16-18

Practise the full AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.