ABSTRACT
The complex challenges of caring for 1.2 billion people, during a period of rapid demographic, economic and epidemiological transition, can be daunting for any health system. The federal nature of India’s political constitution places the responsibility for delivery mostly on the states, while the central government deals with design of national health programmes, policies related to health professional education and international health relations. The performance of the states and union territories has varied widely in economic and social development, resulting in huge health disparities. Such inequalities exist not only between states but also across urbanrural, gender, social class and caste divides.
