NFHS collected data on COVID deaths, toilets and fuel, but information missing from factsheets
The latest iteration of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) has sparked significant discussion among researchers and policy analysts after several key health and demographic indicators were omitted from the recently released factsheets. While the survey represents a massive undertaking—conducted in two phases between May 28, 2023, and December 31, 2024, by 27 field agencies—much of the granular data gathered from 679,238 households, 716,397 women, and 100,977 men remains unpublished.
The survey broke new ground by incorporating questions on modern challenges, including digital literacy, migration status, and experiences with COVID-19. However, although the survey included seven specific questions regarding the pandemic—ranging from household infection status and hospitalization to out-of-pocket medical expenses—this information was absent from the final summary released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Did You Know?
The NFHS-6 survey process included seven specific questions focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, such as whether household members were hospitalized for treatment and the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses for both survivors and the deceased.
A Shift in Data Transparency
The scope of the NFHS-6 factsheets has narrowed compared to its predecessor. While the NFHS-5 report featured 131 parameters, the current version contains only 101. Notably, critical metrics such as neonatal mortality rates, infant mortality rates, and under-five mortality rates have been excluded from the latest release. Similar omissions affect data on sanitation, such as household toilet accessibility, and household cooking fuel usage, which would have provided insights into the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
According to U. V. Somayajulu, CEO and executive director of Sigma, a Delhi-based social research organization that conducted fieldwork in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the survey was designed to adapt to current situations. He noted that certain questions were modified or omitted, and biomarker testing for anemia was dropped in favor of awareness-based questions.
Expert Insight:
The exclusion of specific mortality and socioeconomic data limits the ability of the public health community to assess the long-term demographic impacts of recent crises. By omitting metrics that were previously standard, the current factsheets create a disconnect between the breadth of fieldwork conducted and the transparency of the resulting public health policy insights.
Implications for Future Research
The lack of published COVID-19 data is particularly significant given the ongoing debate regarding the true death toll of the pandemic. With the official government count at 533,849 and international agencies estimating figures at least four times higher, the NFHS-6 data could have provided a clearer picture of the disease’s reach and its economic consequences on Indian families.
As researchers continue to analyse the available information, pressure will mount for the release of the withheld datasets to reconcile these discrepancies. Without access to these findings, scholars may struggle to fully evaluate the efficacy of national flagship programs or track health trends with the same precision as in previous years. The International Institute for Population Sciences, which served as the nodal agency for the survey, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the changes in data sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the timeframe for the NFHS-6 data collection?
The survey was conducted in two phases: the first from May 28, 2023, to February 26, 2024, and the second from February 7, 2024, to December 31, 2024.
Which key indicators were excluded from the NFHS-6 factsheets?
The factsheets omitted data on neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates, as well as information on sanitation access, cooking fuel usage, and adult literacy. Biomarker-based anemia testing was removed.
How many households participated in the survey?
The survey gathered information from 679,238 households, alongside data from 716,397 women and 100,977 men.
How do you believe the omission of specific health indicators will impact future public health policy and research in the country?