What is the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)?

RKSK is a government programme launched in 2014 aimed at improving the health and well-being of adolescents aged 10-19 years.

Who are the target groups of the RKSK programme?

The programme targets adolescents aged 10-14 and 15-19, covering both genders, rural and urban, in-school and out-of-school, married and unmarried.

What health issues does RKSK address?

RKSK focuses on nutrition, reproductive and sexual health, mental health, substance abuse, and preventing injuries and violence.

How is the RKSK programme implemented?

RKSK is implemented through community-based interventions, peer educators, and partnerships with various ministries and state governments.

Is there a registration process for RKSK?

No, state officials gather data through field visits and surveillance; there is no formal registration process.

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How Does The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram Help In Improving Adolescent Health In India?

Pragya Pathak

Author

Updated: 26-03-2025 at 3:30 PM

There are over 200 million adolescents in India with serious health problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible. The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (राष्ट्रीय किशोर स्वास्थ्य कार्यक्रम) caters to these needs and is working towards realising its primary vision.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a government health programme for adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years that addresses nutrition, reproductive health, and substance abuse, among others.

Read the article to learn more details about the government program, ranging from its objectives and vision to its implementation strategy.

Overview

Name of the program	Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram
Launched by	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoFHW)
Launched in	2014
Objective	To improve the lives of adolescents of India by focusing on various aspects of their lives, such as medical, educational, etc.
Target group	Adolescents between the ages of 10-19 years

Condition Of Adolescents In India

In India, 22.5 % of the population are adolescents. During adolescence, the peak of growth and development of girls takes place. Although the mortality rate is lower in this age group, they suffer from various health and nutritional problems that can lead to morbidity and nutritional deficiencies. Many mental health problems also occur in late childhood and early adolescence.

Common mental health problems include conduct disorders, anxiety, depression and eating disorders, as well as other risk behaviours such as sexual behaviour, drug use and violent behaviour. In adulthood, it plays a role in the increased risk of non-communicable diseases. Tobacco use — both smoked and smokeless— in adolescence increases the risk of persistent nicotine addiction, which leads to regular and persistent tobacco use in adulthood.

What Is Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (राष्ट्रीय किशोर स्वास्थ्य कार्यक्रम)?

The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram was inaugurated on 7 January 2014. The main premise of this government program is youth participation and leadership equality, along with gender inclusion and strategic partnerships with various sectors and other stakeholders.

The programme aims to empower all people in India to realise their full potential by making conscious and responsible choices for their well-being and health and availing the support and assistance they need to do so.

The government scheme includes measures aimed at the community through peer educators. It is supported by partnerships with various ministries and state governments. In addition, RKSK focuses on addressing the health problems of millions of adolescents through community-based interventions. The programme is jointly supported by state governments and other ministries, including the health, education, and labour sectors, as well as adolescent families and communities.

Vision Of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram

The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram operates as per the vision curated for the program. Its vision can be broken down into some points, such as:

All young people should be empowered to make responsible and informed life choices.
Utilisation of services and support is essential for young people to maintain their health and well-being.
Understanding the challenges associated with their health and development.
Ensuring an effective transition to adulthood.
Addressing the multidimensional health needs and concerns of adolescents at different stages.

Objectives

The government program comprises several objectives that outline its ultimate goals. Some of its key objectives are mentioned below:

To focus on improving the overall quality of lives of adolescents of the nation by targeting various components such as medical care, quality education, proper nutrition, etc.
The program aims to reduce the number of teen pregnancies as it can have severe consequences for both the teenagers and the expected baby.
The govt initiative also spreads awareness about serious and taboo topics like mental health, substance use and its effects, sex education, and others.
RKSK also aims to help students who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community to provide them with the support they need.
The program uses the principle of 6 Cs to establish clinics in various settings, such as schools, communities, and homes.

Beneficiaries

The adolescent health (AH) policy focuses on the 10-14 and 15-19 age groups, with universal coverage, i.e., both genders, urban and rural, in-school and out-of-school, married and unmarried, and at-risk and unserved.

Implementation Strategy

The ministry has established an implementation strategy for the efficient working of the govt program for adolescents. The strategy is comprised of some agendas, and those agendas are described below in brief for one’s reference:

Beginning of a peer education program in more than 200 districts (districts will be selected based on the adolescents’ health records).
Establishment of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) in govt health facilities.
Providing the youth with weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplements.
To aid local authorities in the supply of sanitary pads for girls. The funds for the same will be transferred through the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme.

The govt program works in collaboration with various other ministeries as well, like:

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport
Ministry of Labour and Employment
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Ministry of Human Resource Development

National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases

The National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases is a govt program aimed at preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases in India. The sub-programs covered under it are laid down below:

National Tobacco Control Program
Child Health
Maternal Health
National AIDS Control Program
National Mental Health Program
Family Planning
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram

What Is The Application Process For RKSK?

There is no set process to register under RKSK; state officials conduct field visits and collect information through careful surveillance, with implementation methods likely differing between states. Initiatives like RKSK aim at meeting challenges faced by teenagers directly; thus, government guidelines issued must provide accurate data.

Conclusion

The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) is a key player in improving adolescent health in India. By focusing on preventive health, including sexual and reproductive health, psychological well-being, and addiction prevention, RKSK addresses the specific needs of adolescents. In addition, the inclusion of health insurance in the programme could further increase its effectiveness.

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