Which of the following is the correct population norm for establishment of a Community Health Centre (CHC) in the Indian Public Health System?

Explanation

## Population Norms for CHC in India **Key Point:** According to the **Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines**, the correct population norm for a Community Health Centre (CHC) in **plain areas** is **one CHC per 1,20,000 population**. ### CHC Establishment Guidelines (IPHS) | Area Type | Population Norm | |-----------|----------------| | **Plain areas** | **1 CHC per 1,20,000 population** | | **Hilly/Tribal/Difficult terrain** | 1 CHC per 80,000 population | - CHC is a **block-level facility** providing secondary-level care. - Each CHC is supported by approximately **4 PHCs** (each covering ~30,000 population in plains). **High-Yield:** The IPHS (revised) norms specify **1,20,000** for plains and **80,000** for hilly/tribal areas — a commonly tested distinction in NEET PG / INI-CET PSM. The older norm of 1,00,000 is outdated; current IPHS guidelines use 1,20,000. ### PHC to CHC Hierarchy (IPHS Norms) | Parameter | Sub-Centre | PHC | CHC | |-----------|-----------|-----|-----| | Population (plain) | 5,000 | 30,000 | 1,20,000 | | Population (hilly) | 3,000 | 20,000 | 80,000 | | Level | Peripheral | Primary | Secondary | | Bed capacity | — | 4–6 beds | 30 beds | | Key services | Basic preventive, MCH | Curative, immunization | Surgery, obstetrics, emergency | **Clinical Pearl:** A CHC serves as a **first referral unit (FRU)** and provides secondary-level care including obstetric and surgical services, making it a crucial link between primary (PHC) and tertiary (District Hospital) care. Per Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine (25th ed.) and IPHS guidelines, the norm for plains is **1,20,000**. **Mnemonic:** **CHC = 1.2 Lakh** (plain) and **80K** (hilly) — "**Twelve** for the plains, **Eight** for the hills."