Previous Year Question

In the Union Budget 2023–24, a budgetary allocation of ₹89,155 crore was provided for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This was approximately 12.6% higher than the Revised Estimate of ₹79,145 crore for the financial year 2022–23. The allocation covered both the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Health Research.

Option (a) is incorrect. The Department of Health Research was allocated ₹2,980 crore in 2023–24, not ₹9,155 crore. The department conducts activities related to medical and health research. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) functions under this department.

Option (b) is correct. A total provision of ₹89,155 crore was made for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This included ₹86,175 crore for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and ₹2,980 crore for the Department of Health Research.

Option (c) is incorrect. The actual budgetary allocation for the Department of Health and Family Welfare was ₹86,175 crore, not ₹80,000 crore. The department covers the National Health Mission (NHM), expansion of healthcare services, and various public health programmes.

Option (d) is incorrect. The Union Budget 2023–24 allocated ₹7,200 crore for Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), not ₹5,000 crore. The scheme provides eligible families with health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation services.

Major health allocations in the Union Budget 2023–24:

Budget Estimate (BE) represents the proposed expenditure for the upcoming financial year, while Revised Estimate (RE) represents the revised expenditure estimate based on information available during the current financial year. Budget allocations and Actual Expenditure may differ.