Mukhyamantri Anmol Yojana (Mission ANMOL) is live and moving forward in Delhi. Under this scheme, 56 types of medical tests are done on every newborn baby using just a single drop of blood from the baby's heel, completely free of cost. The Delhi government has expanded coverage to 2.5 lakh infants every year, up from the earlier target of 1.5 lakh. ANMOL stands for Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Life Care.
CM Rekha Gupta announced Mission ANMOL during the Delhi Budget 2026-27 speech on 24 March 2026, with a budget of ₹25 crore. On 8 April 2026, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh confirmed that the government approved the expanded rollout across government health facilities and outreach centres, along with 148 new staff positions to support it. The goal is to detect genetic and metabolic diseases early, before any symptoms show up, so that treatment can start on time and the child's life can be protected.
CM Rekha Gupta summed it up well while presenting the budget: "Children are dear to all, they are anmol (invaluable). To prevent genetic disorders, which are very expensive to treat, we are launching this scheme." This captures the spirit behind the scheme - catching a problem early costs far less, both in money and suffering, than treating it after it has already affected a child's development.
What Is Newborn Screening and Why Does It Matter
Newborn screening means taking a tiny blood sample from a baby's heel within the first 48 to 72 hours of birth and testing it for conditions that may not show any outward signs at that early stage. Conditions like congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (PKU), G6PD deficiency, sickle cell anaemia, congenital heart defects, hearing problems, and retinopathy of prematurity can all be picked up through these tests. If caught early, many of these conditions can be managed or treated well, preventing permanent damage to the child's brain, body, or other organs.
In many developed countries, newborn screening is standard practice. But in India, it has not been widely available or affordable for common families. Private newborn screening panels can cost anywhere from ₹3,000 to ₹15,000 or more depending on the number of tests. Under Mission ANMOL, all 56 screening tests will be done completely free at Delhi government hospitals as well as private hospitals in the capital.
Key Highlights of Mukhyamantri Anmol Yojana Delhi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Mukhyamantri Anmol Yojana (Mission ANMOL) |
| Full Form | Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Life Care |
| Announced In | Delhi Budget 2026-27 (24 March 2026) |
| Announced By | CM Rekha Gupta |
| Budget Allocated | ₹25 crore |
| Purpose | Free newborn screening to detect genetic, metabolic and congenital diseases early |
| Number of Free Tests | 56 types of tests (using a single drop of blood) |
| Annual Coverage Target | 2.5 lakh newborns per year (expanded from 1.5 lakh) |
| Who Is Covered | Newborn babies at both government and private hospitals in Delhi |
| When Is Testing Done | Within 48 to 72 hours after birth, before discharge |
| Cost to Parents | Zero (completely free) |
| Staff Approved | 148 positions (73 existing + 60 staff nurses + 15 optometrists) |
| Implementation Status | Approved and rollout underway (expanded on 8 April 2026) |
Diseases Covered Under Mission ANMOL
Mission ANMOL covers a wide range of metabolic, endocrine, functional and visible congenital conditions. The screening is done with a technology-driven and integrated approach aligned with national health guidelines. Here are some of the key conditions that the 56 tests can detect early:
- Congenital Hypothyroidism - A condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. If not treated early, it can lead to serious intellectual disability and growth problems in the child.
- Congenital Heart Defects - Structural problems in the heart that are present from birth. Early detection allows doctors to plan surgery or medication before the condition becomes life-threatening.
- Hearing Impairment, G6PD Deficiency, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Retinopathy of Prematurity, PKU - These are other conditions where early treatment can prevent lifelong disability or complications. For example, retinopathy of prematurity can cause blindness in premature babies if not caught early.
Who Benefits from Anmol Yojana
Every newborn baby delivered at a Delhi government hospital will be eligible for the 56 free tests under Mission ANMOL. The scheme has also been extended to cover private hospitals in Delhi. Parents do not need to apply separately for this. The tests will be part of the standard post-birth care process at the hospital itself. The hospital staff will collect the blood sample, send it for testing, and share the results with the parents.
The scheme is particularly helpful for families from low-income backgrounds, migrant workers, and other at-risk groups who may not be aware of the need for or cost of newborn genetic screening. With private screening costing ₹3,000 to ₹15,000, this scheme removes a big money barrier for families delivering in Delhi.
Staff and Infrastructure for Mission ANMOL
To make sure the expanded screening programme runs smoothly, the Delhi government has approved 148 staff positions under Mission ANMOL. This includes keeping 73 existing staff members and adding 60 new staff nurses and 15 optometrists. The nurses will help with sample collection, especially for pre-term and critically ill babies, and also help with coordinating care and transport. The optometrists will focus on screening for retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that mostly affects premature babies and can cause blindness if not caught on time.
There will also be better coordination between hospitals, labs, and programme units to make sure every newborn is screened before being discharged. Special attention will be given to hospitals with a high number of deliveries and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Delhi's Broader Health Budget for 2026-27
Mission ANMOL is part of a much bigger health push in Delhi's 2026-27 budget. The total health allocation is ₹13,034 crore, which is over 12.5% of the overall ₹1,03,700 crore budget. Some key health measures alongside Anmol include: ₹515 crore to complete ongoing hospital construction (LNJP and Harishchandra hospitals), ₹787 crore for uninterrupted medicine and equipment supply, ₹202 crore to extend Ayushman Bharat coverage to the transgender community, and 750 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to be set up with ₹1,500 crore. A real-time ICU bed and ventilator tracking system is also being launched so the public can check hospital availability instantly.
Other notable Delhi Budget 2026-27 schemes include Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana for girl children, Delhi Mahila Samriddhi Yojana with ₹5,100 crore allocation for women, and ₹450 crore for free bus travel for women and transgender persons.
FAQ's
What is Mukhyamantri Anmol Yojana Delhi?
It is a newborn monitoring scheme announced in Delhi Budget 2026-27. Under this scheme, 56 types of free medical tests will be done on newborn babies at Delhi government and private hospitals to detect genetic, metabolic, and congenital diseases early. The full name is Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Life Care (ANMOL).
How many newborns will be screened under Mission ANMOL every year?
The Delhi government has expanded the coverage target from 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh infants per year, moving towards near-universal newborn screening at government health facilities and outreach centres.
What types of diseases can be detected through newborn screening?
Genetic, metabolic and congenital conditions like congenital hypothyroidism, congenital heart defects, phenylketonuria, G6PD deficiency, sickle cell anaemia, hearing impairment, and retinopathy of prematurity. These are conditions that may not show symptoms at birth but can cause serious harm if left undetected.
Is there any cost for parents?
No. All 56 tests under Mission ANMOL are completely free for newborns delivered at both government and private hospitals in Delhi.
Do parents need to apply for Anmol Yojana?
No separate application is needed. The screening will be done as part of the standard post-delivery care process at the hospital. A small blood sample will be taken from the baby's heel within 48 to 72 hours of birth.
How much budget has been allocated for Anmol Yojana?
₹25 crore has been allocated in Delhi Budget 2026-27 for Mission ANMOL.
When did Anmol Yojana get official approval?
It was announced in the Delhi Budget on 24 March 2026 by CM Rekha Gupta. The expanded implementation was officially approved by the Delhi government on 8 April 2026, with Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh confirming the scale-up.