NSO 80th Round health survey: government insurance coverage more than triples, institutional deliveries cross 95%
Findings of the NSO 80th Round Household Social Consumption: Health survey, highlighted by the Health Ministry on 29 April 2026, show government health insurance coverage rising from 12.9% to 45.5% in rural areas and institutional deliveries at 95.6% (rural) and 97.8% (urban).
Summary
The National Statistical Office's 80th Round Household Social Consumption: Health survey canvassed 1,39,732 households — 76,296 rural and 63,436 urban — and its findings were highlighted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 29 April 2026. Coverage under government health insurance or financing schemes rose from 12.9% to 45.5% in rural areas and from 8.9% to 31.8% in urban areas. The proportion of population reporting ailment rose from 6.8% in 2017–18 to 12.2% in 2025 in rural areas and from 9.1% to 14.9% in urban areas, which the ministry linked to stronger health-seeking behaviour. Institutional deliveries reached 95.6% in rural and 97.8% in urban areas, and the median out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalisation at public facilities was ₹1,100.
Key facts
- Survey
- NSO 80th Round – Household Social Consumption: Health
- Sample
- 1,39,732 households (76,296 rural; 63,436 urban)
- Govt insurance coverage
- Rural 12.9% → 45.5%; urban 8.9% → 31.8%
- Reported ailing (PPRA)
- Rural 6.8% → 12.2%; urban 9.1% → 14.9% (2017–18 to 2025)
- Institutional deliveries
- Rural 95.6%; urban 97.8%
- Public hospitalisation OOPE
- Median ₹1,100
Practice MCQs 3 questions
As per the NSO 80th Round health survey, coverage under government health insurance/financing schemes in rural areas rose from 12.9% to what level?
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Correct answer: C — 45.5%
Rural coverage rose from 12.9% to 45.5%, while urban coverage rose from 8.9% to 31.8%.
Consider the following statements about the NSO 80th Round Household Social Consumption: Health survey: 1. The survey canvassed more urban households than rural households. 2. Institutional deliveries reached 97.8% in urban areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: 76,296 rural and 63,436 urban households were surveyed. Statement 2 is correct.
According to the NSO 80th Round health survey, what was the median out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalisation cases at public health facilities?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,100
The Health Ministry said the out-of-pocket expenditure in more than half of hospitalisation cases at public facilities stands at ₹1,100, i.e. the median.