India has recorded significant progress in women’s health, maternal care access, and digital inclusion, according to findings highlighted in the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6). The results, released by the Health Ministry in May, indicate broad-based improvements across key health and social indicators, particularly in reproductive health, child nutrition, and women’s financial empowerment. The report has been further analysed by SBI Research, which notes sustained momentum in India’s social development indicators over the past few years.

The NFHS-6 findings show measurable gains in maternal healthcare access and reproductive health services, alongside improvements in child vaccination coverage. The report also points to a broader fertility transition and better health delivery outcomes for women across states. However, it highlights that despite progress, certain child nutrition indicators such as wasting and underweight levels have improved only modestly, signalling the need for continued investment in child-focused healthcare and nutrition programmes.

A key highlight of the report is the growing role of state-level health expenditure in driving outcomes. States that allocate a higher share of gross state domestic product (GSDP) to healthcare have recorded sharper reductions in child undernutrition indicators such as stunting and underweight prevalence. The analysis underscores the importance of sustained public investment in healthcare infrastructure to ensure equitable and long-term improvements across regions.

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The report also points to a significant shift in women’s health profiles in India, particularly the rise in overweight and obesity rates. The proportion of women classified as overweight or obese has increased from 12.6 per cent in 2005–06 to 30.7 per cent in 2023–24. Experts note that this trend signals a growing risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions, adding a new dimension to India’s public health challenges.

At the same time, the survey highlights notable social gains, including a decline in child marriage rates. The proportion of women aged 20–24 married before the legal age has dropped significantly from 47.4 per cent in 2005–06 to 20.1 per cent in 2023–24. Despite this improvement, the report notes that one in five women still enters marriage early, which continues to impact education outcomes, workforce participation, and long-term health indicators.

The NFHS-6 data also reflects rapid progress in women’s financial and digital inclusion, which is increasingly linked to improved health access. The share of women holding their own bank or savings accounts has risen to 89 per cent, while internet usage among women has nearly doubled to 64.3 per cent. Officials and analysts suggest that this growing digital and financial access is becoming a key enabler of healthcare delivery and awareness, marking a significant shift in India’s development landscape.

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