2 minGeographical Feature
Geographical Feature

Public Health and Sanitation

What is Public Health and Sanitation?

Public Health refers to the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized community efforts. Sanitation encompasses the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and feces, as well as the maintenance of hygienic conditions through services like waste collection and wastewater treatment. Both are critical for a healthy society.

Historical Background

Historically, public health initiatives in India gained momentum post-independence with a focus on communicable disease control and maternal & child health. Sanitation efforts, though present, received significant policy push with programs like the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) in 1986 and later the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The link between sanitation and public health has been recognized globally since the 19th century.

Key Points

6 points
  • 1.

    Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) mandates the State to 'raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health'.

  • 2.

    Public health and sanitation are primarily subjects under the State List (Entry 6) of the Seventh Schedule, giving states primary responsibility.

  • 3.

    Key components of public health include: disease surveillance, immunization programs, health education, maternal and child health, and environmental health (including water quality and sanitation).

  • 4.

    Sanitation includes: safe drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and hygiene promotion.

  • 5.

    Various national programs like National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Jal Jeevan Mission aim to improve public health and sanitation outcomes.

  • 6.

    Lack of proper sanitation and contaminated water are major causes of waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera, typhoid, dysentery) and contribute to high infant mortality and morbidity.

Recent Developments

4 developments

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), launched in 2014, significantly improved access to toilets and promoted cleanliness, with its second phase (SBA 2.0) focusing on Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status and solid/liquid waste management.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.

Increased focus on One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Challenges remain in wastewater treatment, sewerage infrastructure, and faecal sludge management in urban areas.

This Concept in News

3 topics

Bihar Government Bans Meat Sales Near Temples

24 Feb 2026

The Bihar government's ban on open meat sales near religious places highlights the complex interplay between public health, religious beliefs, and economic activities. While the government frames the ban as a measure to improve hygiene and prevent the spread of disease, it also raises questions about the impact on the livelihoods of meat vendors and the dietary choices of consumers. This news event applies the concept of public health and sanitation in practice, demonstrating how governments can use public health concerns to justify policies that may have broader social and economic implications. The news reveals that public health concerns can be used to regulate or restrict certain activities, even if those activities are legal and contribute to the economy. The implications of this news for the future of public health and sanitation are that governments may increasingly use public health arguments to justify policies that are driven by other considerations, such as religious or political beliefs. Understanding the concept of public health and sanitation is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it allows you to critically evaluate the government's justification for the ban and to consider the potential consequences for different stakeholders.

Delhi MCD Budget 2026-27 Focuses on Sanitation, Education, Health

14 Feb 2026

This news highlights the practical application of the concept of public health and sanitation at the local government level. The MCD budget demonstrates how financial resources are allocated to different sectors to address public health needs. The emphasis on sanitation underscores its importance in preventing disease and maintaining a healthy environment. The budget also reflects the challenges faced by local governments in balancing competing priorities and allocating resources effectively. The news reveals the ongoing efforts to improve public health and sanitation in urban areas and the need for continued investment in these areas. Understanding the concept of public health and sanitation is crucial for analyzing the news and evaluating the effectiveness of government policies and programs in this area. It also helps in understanding the broader context of urban development and the challenges of providing essential services to a growing population.

Stray Dog Management: ABC Rules Not a Panacea, Experts Say

7 Feb 2026

The news about stray dog management highlights the interconnectedness of public health, animal welfare, and environmental sanitation. (1) It demonstrates that public health is not just about human health but also includes the health of animals and the environment. (2) The news challenges the notion that ABC programs alone are sufficient for managing stray dog populations, suggesting that a more holistic approach is needed. (3) It reveals the importance of community participation and responsible pet ownership in addressing the stray dog problem. (4) The implications of this news are that public health interventions need to be multi-faceted and address the root causes of problems. (5) Understanding the concept of public health and sanitation is crucial for analyzing the stray dog problem because it provides a framework for understanding the various factors that contribute to the problem and for developing effective solutions. Ignoring sanitation can lead to increased disease transmission, undermining the effectiveness of ABC programs and posing a greater risk to public health.

Source Topic

Bihar Government Bans Meat Sales Near Temples

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Crucial for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Social Justice, Governance, Health) and GS Paper 1 (Social Issues). Questions often relate to government schemes, challenges in health and sanitation, their impact on human development indicators, and policy recommendations. Essential for understanding India's development challenges.

This Concept in News

3 news topics

3

Bihar Government Bans Meat Sales Near Temples

24 February 2026

The Bihar government's ban on open meat sales near religious places highlights the complex interplay between public health, religious beliefs, and economic activities. While the government frames the ban as a measure to improve hygiene and prevent the spread of disease, it also raises questions about the impact on the livelihoods of meat vendors and the dietary choices of consumers. This news event applies the concept of public health and sanitation in practice, demonstrating how governments can use public health concerns to justify policies that may have broader social and economic implications. The news reveals that public health concerns can be used to regulate or restrict certain activities, even if those activities are legal and contribute to the economy. The implications of this news for the future of public health and sanitation are that governments may increasingly use public health arguments to justify policies that are driven by other considerations, such as religious or political beliefs. Understanding the concept of public health and sanitation is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it allows you to critically evaluate the government's justification for the ban and to consider the potential consequences for different stakeholders.

Delhi MCD Budget 2026-27 Focuses on Sanitation, Education, Health

14 February 2026

This news highlights the practical application of the concept of public health and sanitation at the local government level. The MCD budget demonstrates how financial resources are allocated to different sectors to address public health needs. The emphasis on sanitation underscores its importance in preventing disease and maintaining a healthy environment. The budget also reflects the challenges faced by local governments in balancing competing priorities and allocating resources effectively. The news reveals the ongoing efforts to improve public health and sanitation in urban areas and the need for continued investment in these areas. Understanding the concept of public health and sanitation is crucial for analyzing the news and evaluating the effectiveness of government policies and programs in this area. It also helps in understanding the broader context of urban development and the challenges of providing essential services to a growing population.

Stray Dog Management: ABC Rules Not a Panacea, Experts Say

7 February 2026

The news about stray dog management highlights the interconnectedness of public health, animal welfare, and environmental sanitation. (1) It demonstrates that public health is not just about human health but also includes the health of animals and the environment. (2) The news challenges the notion that ABC programs alone are sufficient for managing stray dog populations, suggesting that a more holistic approach is needed. (3) It reveals the importance of community participation and responsible pet ownership in addressing the stray dog problem. (4) The implications of this news are that public health interventions need to be multi-faceted and address the root causes of problems. (5) Understanding the concept of public health and sanitation is crucial for analyzing the stray dog problem because it provides a framework for understanding the various factors that contribute to the problem and for developing effective solutions. Ignoring sanitation can lead to increased disease transmission, undermining the effectiveness of ABC programs and posing a greater risk to public health.