RKSK
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) is a flagship adolescent health programme designed to address the comprehensive health needs of adolescents aged 10–19 years. The programme ensures universal coverage irrespective of gender, educational status, or location and focuses on six priority areas including nutrition, reproductive health, mental health, injuries and violence, substance misuse, and non-communicable diseases.
Phased Implementation in Tamil Nadu
Phase I (2014–15)
Implemented in 9 priority districts including Ariyalur, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Virudhunagar.
Phase II (2017–18)
Expanded to 15 additional districts across Tamil Nadu.
Phase III (2024–25)
Extended to the remaining 14 districts, ensuring statewide coverage.
Facility-Based Interventions
Adolescent Friendly Health Centres (AFHCs)
AFHCs provide medical consultation, counselling and referral services for adolescents. These centres function at Block Primary Health Centres, District Headquarters Hospitals, Sub-District Government Hospitals and District Early Intervention Centres in Medical College Hospitals.
758
Functional AFHCs
School-Based Interventions
Peer Educator Programme
Peer Educators serve as a bridge between adolescents and health services. Two peer educators are selected from each school to promote adolescent health awareness and healthy practices.
30,994
Peer Educators
15,497
Government & Government-Aided Schools
6–12
Classes Covered
Adolescent Health Days & Club Meetings
- Adolescent Health Days are conducted once every three months.
- Parents, teachers, Village Health Nurses, RBSK Medical Officers, Panchayat representatives and community stakeholders participate.
- Monthly Adolescent Health Club Meetings include health education sessions, quizzes and awareness activities.
Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)
Under Anaemia Mukt Bharat, Iron and Folic Acid tablets are provided to school-going and out-of-school adolescents through schools and Anganwadi centres.
74,65,648
School-going Adolescents Benefited
2,27,568
Out-of-School Adolescents Benefited
Menstrual Hygiene Programme
Implemented since 2011, the programme provides free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls and promotes safe menstrual hygiene practices.
Improve awareness on menstrual hygiene.
Promote access to quality sanitary napkins.
Ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins.
Empower adolescent girls through health education.
34,00,136
Adolescent Girls Benefited
Ayushman Bharat – School Health & Wellness Programme
Two teachers from every Government and Government-Aided School are designated as Health & Wellness Ambassadors to conduct weekly health sessions and support peer-led health promotion activities.
16,300
Teachers Trained
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