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Public Health

Strengthening the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) Program in Odisha

Ongoing | March 2026 – Present

About

An ICMR-funded implementation research project to improve the reach, quality, and delivery of adolescent health services in Rayagada and Angul districts of Odisha.
Schedule
  • Duration: 36 months (March 2026–February 2029)
  • Geography: Rayagada & Angul districts, Odisha
  • Funder: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi.
  • Partners: KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU)
  • Delivery Model: Implementation research
InOrder – The Health Systems Institute, in collaboration with KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), is implementing an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-funded implementation research project in the Rayagada and Angul districts of Odisha to strengthen the implementation of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), the Government of India’s flagship programme for adolescent health launched in 2014.

RKSK marked a significant shift in India’s approach to adolescent health, moving beyond a curative, clinic-based model towards a comprehensive health promotion approach. This 36-month implementation research project examines how effectively the programme is being implemented on the ground and identifies strategies to strengthen its delivery, utilisation, and impact.
RKSK is structured around six interlinked priority areas of adolescent health.
  • Nutrition
  • Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
  • Substance abuse
  • Mental health
  • Injuries and violence (including gender-based violence)
  • Sexual and reproductive health


Our Objectives
  • Assess the prevalence of dominant health issues among adolescents in Odisha.
  • Examine the coverage of adolescent-specific schemes in the state.
  • Identify the enablers and systemic bottlenecks affecting RKSK implementation.
  • Co-design and implement an optimised model to strengthen service delivery, demand, and coverage.
Phase Focus
Phase I – Formative Situational analysis: availability, quality, and coverage of RKSK services (community and facility-based); bottleneck and enabler identification
Phase II – Co-design & Implementation Develop and implement an optimised service-delivery model; strengthen demand and coverage
Phase III – Dissemination End-line evaluation; sharing findings with state and district administrations; policy brief and strategic roadmap
Principal Investigator:
Prof. (Dr.) Bhuputra Panda, Professor, KIIT Deemed to be University and Senior Advisor, ACCESS Health International

Co-Principal Investigators:
  • Dr. N. Krishna Reddy, CEO, ACCESS Health International & President, InOrder – The Health Systems Institute
  • Prof. (Dr.) Pranab Mahapatra, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT-DU
By strengthening service delivery and community engagement, this project aims to achieve the following outcomes to advance adolescent health across the state:
  • An evidence-informed, optimised RKSK service-delivery model for Odisha.
  • Increased demand and coverage for adolescent health services in Rayagada and Angul.
  • A policy brief for the Government of Odisha.
  • A strategic roadmap for adolescent health in the state, supporting RKSK’s evolution toward a fuller health-promotion model.