Which of the following programs was launched first in India?

Appeared in: NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

Explanation

The National Family Planning Program (NFPP) was launched in 1952.
This makes it the earliest program among the given options.
India holds the distinction of being the first country globally to launch a nationwide family planning program.
The primary objective was to moderate population growth through education and access to contraceptive services.

Option A: The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was formally established in 1992, which is 40 years after the NFPP.
Option B: The National Health Mission (NHM) was launched much later, in 2013. Its predecessor, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), was launched in 2005, still over 50 years after the NFPP.
Option D: This option is incorrect because a correct answer, NFPP, is present in the options.

Visual 1: Timeline Infographic - A timeline showing the launch years of major national health programs in India, including NFPP (1952), NRHM (2005), NACO (1992), and NHM (2013), to visually represent the chronological order.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Chronology of National Health Programs in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of national health programs helps community health nurses appreciate the evolution of public health priorities in India, from population control to disease-specific interventions and comprehensive healthcare access.
Knowledge of these programs is essential for implementing public health initiatives, providing client education, and utilizing resources available under different government schemes.
What if the question asked about the program that introduced ASHA workers? The answer would be the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched in 2005, which created the cadre of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to improve healthcare access in rural areas.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on the history of public health in India.
Step 1: Read the question and identify the core task, which is to find the program that was launched first.
Step 2: Recall or look up the launch year for each program listed: NACO, NHM, and NFPP.
Step 3: Compare the launch years: NFPP (1952), NACO (1992), and NHM (2013).
Step 4: Identify the earliest year, which is 1952, corresponding to the National Family Planning Program.
Step 5: Select the option for NFPP as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q91VDKq1BWvOdsy2L7nEHs

Practise the full NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

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