New Delhi | Special Correspondent Arun Sharma

In a significant shift towards context-driven healthcare, Indian children will soon be assessed on health parameters rooted in domestic realities rather than Western benchmarks. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is set to develop a new framework of “normal” health standards specifically tailored for Indian children, taking into account the country’s vast geographical, social and nutritional diversity.


So far, several key health indicators — including height, weight, haemoglobin levels, blood sugar and cholesterol — have largely been measured using reference values derived from Western populations. Medical experts have long argued that these parameters often fail to reflect the true health status of Indian children, at times leading to unnecessary anxiety, misinterpretation of reports and even incorrect diagnoses.


Once the new ICMR standards are implemented, paediatric health assessments across government and private hospitals, laboratories and health centres will become more accurate and scientifically aligned with Indian conditions. Doctors are expected to benefit from clearer diagnostic guidance, while parents will find it easier to understand test results and make informed decisions about their children’s health.


Health specialists believe this initiative could mark a major reform in paediatric care in India. Beyond improving individual diagnosis and treatment, the revised benchmarks are likely to strengthen policymaking, nutrition programmes and national child health schemes, ensuring they are based on data that truly represents Indian children.


By replacing imported health norms with indigenous, evidence-based standards, ICMR’s move signals a decisive step towards a more inclusive, realistic and effective healthcare system — one that measures Indian children by Indian standards, not borrowed yardsticks.