PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT CADRE IN INDIA: PROGRESS, BARRIERS, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The introduction of the Public Health Management Cadre (PHMC) under India’s National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 represents a transformative structural reform aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies in healthcare administration. The study examines the implementation framework of the PHMC, operationalized through guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2022, and evaluates its progress and challenges across Indian states. By analyzing historical precedents, structural pillars, and regional disparities in adoption, the paper highlights the cadre’s potential to enhance disease surveillance, health equity, and emergency response. However, challenges such as interstate disparities, governance fragmentation, and financial constraints hinder uniform implementation. A case study of Tamil Nadu’s integrated model demonstrates the benefits of decentralized governance and multidisciplinary collaboration, while lagging states like Bihar underscore the need for political commitment and capacity building. Recommendations include legislative reforms, centralized funding mechanisms, and digital integration to strengthen the PHMC framework. KEYWORDS: Public Health Management Cadre, National Health Policy 2017, Health Systems Strengthening, Decentralized Governance, Health Equity