Mission Indradhanush (Immunization)
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Health and Nutrition Schemes · Topic 4.7
Mission Indradhanush is an immunisation drive of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched on 25 December 2014, to reach children under two years and pregnant women who are unvaccinated or partly vaccinated under the Universal Immunisation Programme. The first phase covered seven vaccine-preventable diseases and was later expanded to cover twelve. Special rounds, called Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI), followed in 2017, 2019 (version 2.0), 2021 (3.0), 2022 (4.0) and 2023 (5.0). The aim is full immunisation coverage above 90 per cent. The U-WIN digital platform records vaccination, and NFHS-5 put full immunisation at 76.4 per cent.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Health and Nutrition Schemes
At a Glance
- Ministry Health and Family Welfare
- Launched 25 December 2014
- Target group Children under 2, pregnant women
- Diseases 7 at start, now 12
- Digital tool U-WIN
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Health and Nutrition Schemes
Where Does It Fit?
This is the seventh topic of the macro on health and nutrition. It builds on the delivery system of the National Health Mission and the routine immunisation programme. Previous topic: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Next topic: POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission).
Which Diseases Does Routine Immunisation Cover?
| Disease group | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original seven | Diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and measles, covered in the first phase of 2014 |
| Added later | Hib meningitis and pneumonia through the pentavalent vaccine, rubella, rotavirus diarrhoea, pneumococcal pneumonia and Japanese encephalitis in endemic districts |
| Count | The Universal Immunisation Programme protects against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, nine nationwide and three in selected areas |
| Vaccines named | BCG, hepatitis B birth dose, oral polio vaccine, inactivated polio vaccine, pentavalent, rotavirus, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, measles-rubella, DPT booster and Td for adolescents and pregnant women |
| Target group | Children up to two years of age and pregnant women, extended to five years in IMI 5.0 |
| Age schedule | Vaccines are given at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 9 to 12 months and 16 to 24 months |
| Full immunisation | A child who has received BCG, three doses of pentavalent and polio and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine in the first year |
How Did the Mission Evolve?
- Origin: the Universal Immunisation Programme began in 1985, and by 2013 only about 65 per cent of children were fully immunised, with coverage improving by only 1 per cent a year
- Launch: Mission Indradhanush was launched on 25 December 2014 and targeted 201 high-focus districts in the first phase
- Target year: the goal of 90 per cent full immunisation was advanced to December 2018 for the mission
- Intensified Mission Indradhanush: IMI was launched in 2017 for 173 districts and urban areas with low coverage, and IMI 2.0 followed in 2019 to 2020
- IMI 3.0 and 4.0: rounds in 2021 and 2022 covered pockets of low coverage and areas hit by the Covid-19 disruption
- IMI 5.0: held in August to October 2023, it covered all districts and focused on measles and rubella elimination
- Mission style: special rounds run for about seven days in a month with house-to-house surveys, microplans, and monitoring by district task forces
- Link to NHM: the campaign runs through the mission machinery, as in National Health Mission (NHM)
What Else Should You Remember?
- New vaccines: rotavirus vaccine, measles-rubella vaccine, inactivated polio vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were added through the mission period
- Digital platform: U-WIN, a digital platform like CoWIN, records vaccination of pregnant women and children and gives digital certificates, after a pilot from 2023
- Link to digital health: records can link to the health ID, as in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
- Coverage data: NFHS-5 for 2019 to 2021 showed full immunisation of 76.4 per cent among children aged 12 to 23 months, up from 62 per cent in NFHS-4
- Zero-dose children: the global agency estimates have flagged India among countries with a large number of children who miss even the first dose of the vaccine, and coverage gaps remain in some states
- Polio: India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in March 2014, and Pulse Polio drives continue to prevent re-importation
- Maternal and neonatal tetanus: India was declared free of maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015
- Measles and rubella: India aims at eliminating measles and rubella, and the measles-rubella vaccine campaign covers children 9 months to 15 years
- Cold chain: the electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network, called eVIN, tracks vaccine stocks and cold chain temperatures
- Hesitancy: rumours, fear of side effects and weak outreach in urban slums and migrant groups reduce coverage
- HPV: a vaccine against cervical cancer is under discussion for national roll-out, and the position should be checked in current Health Ministry releases
- Link to nutrition and outreach: Anganwadi workers help mobilise families, as in Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Date: launched on 25 December 2014
- Scope: children under two and pregnant women
- Phases: IMI 2.0 in 2019, 3.0 in 2021, 4.0 in 2022 and 5.0 in 2023
- Programme: the Universal Immunisation Programme began in 1985
- Traps: Mission Indradhanush is not a vaccine but a campaign to raise coverage of the routine schedule
As an analytical point, campaign mode helps cover missed children but cannot replace a strong routine system. Reliable microplanning, real-time digital tracking and community trust are the lasting fixes.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Facts Date, phases, diseases
- Policy Child health and vaccines
- Mains Coverage gaps
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the national programme against undernutrition. Next topic: POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission).
Key People and Terms
- UIP Routine immunisation programme
- IMI Intensified drive
- Zero-dose Never vaccinated
- U-WIN Digital vaccination record
- eVIN Vaccine stock tracking
- Pentavalent Five-in-one vaccine
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Launched: 25 December 2014.
- Group: children under 2, pregnant women.
- Diseases: 7 at first, 12 in the UIP.
- IMI 5.0: 2023.
- Platform: U-WIN.
Do Not Confuse With
- Mission Indradhanush and the Universal Immunisation Programme A campaign versus the routine schedule
- Pulse Polio and Mission Indradhanush One disease versus many
- U-WIN and CoWIN Routine immunisation record versus Covid-19 vaccination platform
Memory Hook
Seven colours at the start, twelve diseases now, no child left behind.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the gaps in immunisation and how to close them. These points give a frame.
- Gains Higher coverage, new vaccines
- Gaps Zero-dose, hesitancy
- Way Digital tracking and trust
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the role of Mission Indradhanush in improving immunisation coverage in India and the challenges that remain.”
How to Answer
- Intro State the 2014 launch and the aim.
- Gains Coverage rise and new vaccines.
- Challenges Zero-dose children, hesitancy, urban gaps.
- Way U-WIN, microplans, outreach.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mission Indradhanush?
Mission Indradhanush is a Health Ministry immunisation drive launched on 25 December 2014 to vaccinate children under two years and pregnant women who are unvaccinated or partly vaccinated. It works inside the Universal Immunisation Programme and aims at over 90 per cent full immunisation coverage.
Which diseases does Mission Indradhanush cover?
The first phase covered seven diseases: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and measles. The routine programme now protects against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, adding Hib disease, rubella, rotavirus diarrhoea, pneumococcal pneumonia and Japanese encephalitis in endemic districts.
Who is eligible for Mission Indradhanush?
Children up to two years and pregnant women who have missed vaccines are eligible, and all services are free at government facilities and outreach sessions. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 in 2023 extended the target group to children up to five years of age.
What is Intensified Mission Indradhanush?
Intensified Mission Indradhanush is a set of special rounds started in 2017 that focus on districts and urban pockets with low coverage. Versions 2.0 in 2019, 3.0 in 2021, 4.0 in 2022 and 5.0 in 2023 added house-to-house surveys and focused on measles and rubella.
What is the latest status of immunisation coverage in India?
NFHS-5 for 2019 to 2021 recorded full immunisation of 76.4 per cent among children aged 12 to 23 months, up from 62 per cent in NFHS-4. The U-WIN platform now records doses digitally, and the Health Ministry continues campaign rounds to reach zero-dose children.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Mission Indradhanush was launched on 25 December 2014.
It targeted unvaccinated children.
2 The first phase covered seven vaccine-preventable diseases.
More were added later.
3 Mission Indradhanush gives a new vaccine against Covid-19.
It is a campaign for routine vaccines.
4 The Universal Immunisation Programme began in 1985.
Mission Indradhanush came in 2014.
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