The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released the findings of its 80th Round survey on Household Social Consumption: Health, showing major improvements in healthcare access, affordability, and public health utilisation across India between 2017 and 2025. Based on a sample of 1.39 lakh households, the survey captures how public health infrastructure and government-backed insurance have changed household health outcomes.
One of the strongest findings is the sharp rise in government-financed health insurance coverage. In rural India, coverage increased from 12.9% to 45.5%, while urban coverage rose from 8.9% to 31.8%. This reflects the expanding reach of schemes such as Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY and state insurance programmes, reducing dependence on high out-of-pocket spending for treatment.
The survey also shows a clear increase in the use of public healthcare facilities. In rural areas, outpatient treatment at government facilities rose from 28% in 2014 to 35% in 2025, supported by the expansion of over 1.84 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) across the country. A major affordability milestone is that the median out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for outpatient care at public facilities is now zero, meaning that for at least half of patients, treatment required no direct payment.
Healthcare awareness has also improved. The Proportion of Population Reporting Ailments (PPRA) nearly doubled to 12.2% in rural areas and 14.9% in urban areas. This is interpreted less as a rise in illness and more as evidence of better diagnosis, awareness, and willingness to seek treatment.
Utilisation of public healthcare for outpatient care in rural areas rose from 28% (2014) to 35% (2025), anchored by 1.84 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). Furthermore, India has achieved near-universal maternal care, with institutional deliveries climbing to 95.6% in rural areas, reflecting the success of schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
Key Statistical Benchmarks (NSO 80th Round)
Insurance Coverage: Threefold expansion; rural coverage at 45.5% and urban at 31.8%.
Median OOPE (Public): Zero for outpatient care; only ₹1,100 for over half of hospitalization cases.
Health-Seeking Behavior: PPRA rose from 6.8% to 12.2% (Rural) and 9.1% to 14.9% (Urban).
Institutional Deliveries: Reached 95.6% (Rural) and 97.8% (Urban).
Primary Care Footprint: Over 1.84 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational nationwide.
Epidemiological Shift: Notable decline in infectious diseases with a rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
What is the "Proportion of Population Reporting Ailments (PPRA)"?
PPRA is a statistical measure that tracks the percentage of people who admit to having a health problem or seeking medical advice during a specific period. In the NSO 80th Round, the doubling of this figure is actually considered a positive sign of "Health-Seeking Behaviour."
It suggests that because healthcare has become more affordable and accessible (via free drugs and diagnostics), people are no longer ignoring minor symptoms or "suffering in silence." Instead, they are actively reporting ailments to medical professionals, leading to earlier diagnosis and better long-term health outcomes.
Policy Relevance
Validates Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Path: The threefold increase in insurance coverage demonstrates that India is successfully transitioning from "out-of-pocket" financing to a government-backed assurance model, protecting the bottom two quintiles from catastrophic debt.
Strengthens Primary Healthcare (PHC) Trust: The rise in public facility utilization to 35% in rural areasproves that the rebranding of sub-centers into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs has successfully restored community trust in state-led primary care.
Optimises Maternal Outcomes: Achieving 95.6% institutional deliveries in rural India is a critical win for reducing Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR), moving India closer to the SDG 3.1 targets.
Drives Data-Led NCD Management: The survey’s highlight of the NCD transition (diabetes, cardiovascular issues) provides MoHFW with the evidence needed to pivot IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) efforts toward lifestyle and preventive screening.
Monetises Digital Health Infrastructure: The hub-and-spoke model and digital health innovations mentioned in the survey are reducing the cost of diagnostics, ensuring that the "Zero Median OOPE" for outpatients remains sustainable.
Follow the Full Report Here: NSO 80th Round Survey on Health Highlights Transformative Progress