Infant Protection Day – 7 November 2026: focus on infant safety

9 November 2026 · English Important Days

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Current affairs of 9 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

Infant Protection Day is observed every year on 7 November to raise awareness about the safety, health and well-being of infants (children under one year) and to reduce infant deaths. It is not an official UN or Government of India day; it is an awareness day observed by hospitals, health groups and the media. Media reports say European countries started it; no firm record of the founding year or body is available. India's Health Ministry officially observes National Newborn Week from 15 to 21 November. As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2023 report, India's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) was 25 per 1,000 live births (40 in 2013); the SRS 2024 report released in May 2026 puts it at 24 (Tamil Nadu: 11). In SRS 2023, Tamil Nadu's IMR was 12; Keralam 5; Manipur 3 (lowest); Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh 37 each (highest).

Key facts for the exam

Background

• Measures: the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is deaths within the first year per 1,000 live births. Deaths within 28 days of birth give the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR); under five years, the U5MR. The Office of the Registrar General of India estimates these through the Sample Registration System (SRS); the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is run by IIPS, Mumbai for the Health Ministry. India's IMR was 129 in 1971 and 25 in 2023.
• Facility-based care (National Health Mission): a Newborn Care Corner (NBCC) at every delivery point; a Newborn Stabilisation Unit (NBSU) at Community Health Centres and First Referral Units; and a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) with 12 or more beds at district/sub-district hospitals with over 3,000 deliveries a year.
• Immunisation: Mission Indradhanush was launched on 25 December 2014 against seven diseases – diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B – aiming at full immunisation of at least 90% of children in five years. BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) is given at birth against tuberculosis.
• Global goal: SDG target 3.2 – end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five by 2030. Breastfeeding, kangaroo mother care, institutional delivery, immunisation and safe sleep are the basics of infant survival.

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Sources: ETV Bharat; Free Press Journal; Millennium Post; The South First; The Policy Edge; NHM SNCU report; NHM Newborn Week note; PIB via Business Standard; DT Next; BCGVL. Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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