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National family health survey (NFHS-6): Key health indicators and challengesThe recently published data, released on 29 May 2026, from the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) for the 2023-24 period (https://www.nfhsiips.in/nfhsuser/assets/National%20Family%20Health%20Survey%20(NFHS-6)%202023-2024%20Fact%20Sheets.pdf) offers critical insights into population, health, and nutrition for India and each state/union territory (except Manipur) and the evolving social development landscape.Given that there has been an absence of updated census results since the 2011 census, NFHS-6 serves as a key statistical resource.Although census 2027 is currently underway, its population enumeration is scheduled for 2027, and final results are not yet available.The survey was conducted in two phases across India from May 2023 to December 2024, gathering data from 679 238 households, 716 397 women, and 100 977 men.The findings highlight substantial advances in maternal healthcare, digital connectivity, and financial inclusion, as well as notable public health challenges and demographic shifts.A major demographic milestone is the stabilization of the population growth.India's total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to 2.0, falling below the standard replacement-level benchmark of 2.1 and matching the TFR recorded in NFHS-5 .This change indicates that the nation is transitioning into a phase of long-term demographic stabilization.Maternal care metrics show encouraging progress toward universal coverage.90.6% of childbirths are now conducted in institutional settings, representing a massive shift from the 25.5% recorded during the first NFHS round in 1992-93.However, while overall hospital births increased, deliveries within public sector medical facilities fell from 61.9% to 58.6%, suggesting a changing preference in healthcare providers.Additionally, births managed by trained healthcare professionals reached 91.3% (up from 89.4% in NFHS-5), and the coverage of postnatal care for mothers within the critical 48-hour post-delivery window climbed to 82.8% (up from 78.0% in NFHS-5).Similarly, postnatal care for children within 2 days of delivery rose to 85.3% (up from 79.1% in NFHS-5).The NHFS-6 brings to light socio-economic progress and digital inclusion.The survey highlights significant improvements in gender-focused financial independence and technology adoption, driven largely by targeted welfare programs.Female financial inclusion has risen, with 89% of women now independently managing a bank or savings account-a substantial increase from 78.6% in NFHS-5 and 53% in 2015-16.Digital access has also seen rapid expansion.The percentage of women who have ever used the internet nearly doubled, jumping from 33.3% in NFHS-5 to 64.3% in NFHS-6.Similarly, male internet adoption grew to 80.5% from 51.2% in the previous round.Furthermore, household healthcare security has strengthened, with 60.2% of families now having at least one member covered by a medical insurance or financial assistance program, up from 41% in the 2019-21 survey period.