Measures Taken to Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases

1. At a Glance

• NCDs (cardiovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes) account for over 65% of all deaths in India (Global Burden of Disease, 2019) [3].
• India runs the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), delivered through National Health Mission (NHM) [1][4].
• Examinable for GS-II (health policy) and GS-III (science/health); WHO SDG 3.4 targets a one-third reduction in premature NCD mortality by 2030.

2. Why in the News

• 13 March 2026 PIB release on NP-NCD expansion: 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 Day Care Cancer Centres, and 6,410 CHC-level NCD Clinics established [1].
• 297 additional District Day Care Cancer Centres approved for FY 2025-26 to widen district-level cancer access [1].
• February 2025: MoHFW launched an Intensified Special NCD Screening Drive for 100% coverage of all individuals aged ≥30 years [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 2008 — Pilot of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) in 10 states/100 districts.
• 2010 — NPCDCS scaled up under the 11th Plan.
• 2023 — NPCDCS renamed NP-NCD; scope expanded to include COPD, CKD and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
• 2023 — Health & Wellness Centres rebranded as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), mainstreaming NCD screening at sub-centre/PHC level [2].
• 2025 — Intensified Special NCD Screening Drive launched (Feb 2025) [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Department of Health & Family Welfare, MoHFW; funding via National Health Mission (Centrally Sponsored) [1].
• Cost-sharing: 60:40 Centre:State (90:10 for NE & Himalayan states).
• Infrastructure (as on Mar 2026): 770 District NCD Clinics; 364 Day Care Cancer Centres; 6,410 CHC NCD Clinics; 233 Cardiac Care Units [1][4].
• Population-Based Screening (PBS) target group: all individuals aged ≥30 years for 5 NCDs — Hypertension, Diabetes, Oral, Breast & Cervical cancers [2].
• Cumulative screenings (NP-NCD portal, till 31.10.2025): Hypertension 38.79 cr, Diabetes 36.05 cr, Oral cancer 31.88 cr, Breast cancer 14.98 cr, Cervical cancer 8.15 cr [2].
• Four shared behavioural risk factors (WHO): tobacco, harmful alcohol use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity [3].
• Biological risk factors: raised BP, blood glucose, cholesterol, BMI [3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Health / Administrative

• NP-NCD operates through three-tier model: AAMs (screening) → CHC NCD clinics → District NCD Clinics & Day Care Cancer Centres (diagnosis/treatment) [1][4].
• Convergence with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for tertiary cancer/cardiac coverage.

Economic

• NCDs cause heavy out-of-pocket expenditure; chronic care drives medical-poverty trap, undermining UHC goals.
• Fiscal tools: high GST and cess on tobacco; sugar-sweetened beverages taxed at 28%+ cess.

Social

• Screening at AAMs improves equity for rural and women (cervical/breast cancer detection) [2].
• NE/Himalayan states get 90:10 funding under NHM to address geographic disparities.

Scientific / Technological

• NP-NCD IT portal captures real-time screening data, enabling longitudinal care [2].
• AI-based oral/cervical cancer screening tools being piloted under ICMR.

Legal / Constitutional

• Health is a State subject (Entry 6, List II) — hence Centre acts via NHM grants.
• COTPA 2003 (tobacco), Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 (trans-fats <2% limit by FSSAI), and Cigarettes & OTPA Amendment support NCD prevention.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Mar 2026: 297 new District Day Care Cancer Centres approved for FY 2025-26 [1].
• Feb 2025: Intensified Special NCD Screening Drive launched targeting 100% screening of 30+ population [2].
• 2024-25: Wellness/Yoga sessions at AAMs scaled up with NHM support for NCD awareness [1].
• 2024: FSSAI tightened trans-fat limit to ≤2% in all fats/oils.

7. Prelims Hooks

• NP-NCD is implemented under the National Health Mission, not as a stand-alone scheme [1].
• NPCDCS was renamed NP-NCD in 2023 and expanded to COPD, CKD, NAFLD.
• Population-Based Screening covers 5 NCDs — Hypertension, Diabetes, Oral, Breast, Cervical cancers [2].
• Target age for universal NCD screening: 30 years and above [2].
• 770 District NCD Clinics and 6,410 CHC NCD Clinics functional as of Mar 2026 [1].
• 364 Day Care Cancer Centres + 297 newly approved for FY 2025-26 [1].
• 233 Cardiac Care Units set up under NP-NCD [4].
• Hypertension screenings till 31 Oct 2025: 38.79 crore [2].
• Health & Wellness Centres rebranded as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in 2023 [2].
• NCDs cause >65% of deaths in India (GBD 2019) [3].
• WHO four behavioural risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity [3].
• SDG Target 3.4: cut premature NCD mortality by one-third by 2030.
• Centre:State funding ratio under NHM = 60:40 (90:10 for NE & hilly states).
• FSSAI cap on industrial trans-fats: ≤2% (2022, fully effective 2024).

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Issues relating to health; Government policies and interventions.
• GS-III: Science & Technology — health; Inclusive growth.
• Possible stems:
• "Non-communicable diseases now constitute the dominant share of India's disease burden. Critically examine the adequacy of NP-NCD in addressing this transition." (15 marks)
• "Population-based screening alone cannot prevent NCDs without parallel action on behavioural and commercial determinants. Discuss." (10 marks)
• "Discuss the role of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in mainstreaming comprehensive primary health care for NCD prevention." (15 marks)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY + AAMs) — tertiary financial protection feeds NP-NCD.
• National Tobacco Control Programme & COTPA, 2003 — biggest preventable NCD risk.
• FSSAI trans-fat & front-of-pack labelling rules — dietary determinants.
• Fit India & Eat Right movement — behavioural intervention scaffolds.
• National Mental Health Programme — NCD comorbidity.
• WHO Global Action Plan for NCDs 2013-30 — international benchmark.
• SDG 3 (Good Health) — target 3.4 directly aligned.
• India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) — ICMR-MoHFW-WHO collaboration.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing NPCDCS with the renamed NP-NCD (2023); also mistaking inclusion of COPD/CKD as original.
• Mis-attributing NP-NCD to AYUSH Ministry — it is under MoHFW.
• Confusing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (primary care) with PM-JAY (insurance).
• Listing HIV/TB as NCDs — they are communicable.
• Stating screening age as 18+ or 40+ — correct cut-off is 30 years [2].