For Prelims: Pulse Polio Programme, Polio (Poliomyelitis), India's Polio-Free Status
For Mains: Background GK: Health schemes and programmes; Governance: State health initiatives
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Bihar Pulse Polio campaign starts on November 22, 2026.
- 1.56 crore children are targeted for vaccination.
- 1.98 crore vaccine doses were provided by the central government.
- About 64,000 polio workers will be deployed.
- 31 districts of Bihar are covered; 7 districts are excluded.
The news
Bihar will launch a Pulse Polio campaign from November 22, 2026, targeting 1.56 crore children across 31 districts, the state health department said. The campaign aims to maintain India's polio-free status by vaccinating children under five years. The state has received 1.98 crore vaccine doses from the central government and will deploy about 64,000 polio workers.
The campaign will cover all districts except Banka, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Purnia, Rohtas, Sheikhpura and Sheohar. Preparations were reviewed at a meeting chaired by Naval Kishore Chaudhary, Executive Director of the Bihar State Health Society. He directed that special attention be given to remote settlements, brick kilns, and migrant and nomadic populations to ensure every child is reached, and that monitoring remains regular.
Why in the news?
The Bihar State Health Society has announced the Pulse Polio campaign dates and targets for November 2026, making it a fresh operational update for a key public health drive in a high-risk state.
When did India's Pulse Polio programme begin?
India launched the Pulse Polio Immunization programme in 1995 as a nationwide drive to eradicate poliomyelitis. The World Health Organization declared India polio-free in 2014 after the last wild poliovirus case was reported in Howrah, West Bengal, in January 2011. The programme uses oral polio vaccine to immunize all children under five years of age through mass campaigns conducted multiple times a year. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, launched in 1988, provided the international framework for this effort.
Why is Pulse Polio still needed in Bihar?
India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014 after no new wild poliovirus cases were reported for three consecutive years. However, states with large populations and high mobility, such as Bihar, remain at risk of importation of the poliovirus. The Pulse Polio Programme, launched in 1995, continues as a mass immunization strategy to vaccinate all children under five years with the oral polio vaccine and sustain the country's polio-free status.
How will the campaign reach every child?
The health department has directed polio workers to focus on hard-to-reach groups, including families living in remote settlements, workers at brick kilns, and migrant and nomadic populations. About 64,000 polio workers will be deployed across the 31 districts to administer the doses. The state has received 1.98 crore doses from the central government, which exceeds the target of 1.56 crore children, allowing for a buffer.
Bihar connection
Facts and terms for exams
- Pulse Polio Programme:
- A government initiative launched in 1995 to eradicate polio from India through mass immunization drives, targeting children under five years with oral polio vaccine.
- Polio (Poliomyelitis):
- A highly infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis. It is preventable through vaccination.
- India's Polio-Free Status:
- The WHO certified India as polio-free in 2014 after no new wild poliovirus cases were reported for three consecutive years.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: BPSC, BSSC
Syllabus: Background GK: Health schemes and programmes; Governance: State health initiatives
Common mistake: Examiners may ask the number of districts covered (31) and ask for the excluded districts (Banka, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Purnia, Rohtas, Sheikhpura, Sheohar) or vice versa. Students often confuse the target children number (1.56 crore) with the vaccine doses (1.98 crore).
Mains question
India has maintained its polio-free status since 2014, yet mass Pulse Polio campaigns continue in high-risk states. Examine the rationale and challenges of sustaining such campaigns.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Pulse Polio is a government campaign to give polio vaccine drops to children under five. In Bihar, it will run from November 22 in 31 districts. The goal is to vaccinate 1.56 crore children. The central government has sent 1.98 crore doses, and 64,000 workers will give the drops.
- Bihar Pulse Polio campaign starts on November 22, 2026.
- 1.56 crore children are targeted for vaccination.
- 1.98 crore vaccine doses were provided by the central government.
- About 64,000 polio workers will be deployed.
- 31 districts of Bihar are covered; 7 districts are excluded.
- Background GK: Health schemes and programmes
- Governance: State health initiatives
Related concepts: Pulse Polio Programme, Polio (Poliomyelitis), India's Polio-Free Status
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which body is responsible for conducting the Pulse Polio campaign in Bihar?
Explanation: Preparations were reviewed by the State Health Committee chaired by the Executive Director.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Pulse Polio campaign in Bihar:
- 1.The campaign will cover all 38 districts of Bihar.
- 2.The campaign targets approximately 1.56 crore children.
- 3.About 64,000 polio workers will be deployed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the campaign covers only 31 districts, excluding 7 districts. Statement 2 is correct: the target is 1.56 crore children. Statement 3 is correct: about 64,000 polio workers will be deployed. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
How many vaccine doses did the central government provide for the Pulse Polio campaign in Bihar?
Explanation: The central government provided 1.98 crore vaccine doses for the campaign. 1.56 crore is the target number of children, not the doses. 64,000 is the number of polio workers, and 31 is the number of districts.
- Q4Medium
Why does the Pulse Polio campaign in Bihar focus on reaching migrant populations and brick kiln workers?
Explanation: Migrant populations and brick kiln workers are highly mobile and often miss routine immunization drives. Targeting them ensures complete coverage and prevents the re-emergence of polio. The other options are incorrect: these groups do not have higher immunity, and they are not the only at-risk groups.
Frequently asked questions
1. When does the Pulse Polio campaign start in Bihar?
The campaign starts on November 22, 2026.
2. How many children are targeted in the Bihar Pulse Polio campaign?
The campaign targets approximately 1.56 crore children.
3. How many districts are covered in the Bihar Pulse Polio campaign?
The campaign covers 31 districts of Bihar.
4. How many polio workers will be deployed for the campaign?
About 64,000 polio workers will be deployed.
All sources
- Original11 November 2026 · Read story
