Mission Indradhanush was launched by Union Health Minister J.P Nadda on December 25, 2014. It aims to immunize all children against seven vaccine preventable diseases namely diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B by 2020. By doing so, the government wants to bring down the infant and maternal mortality rates. It has been given its name because Indradhanush means rainbow, depicting the 7 colors of life.

Enumerating on the Mission, the Health Minister said, "We have identified 201 high focus districts in the country in the first phase which have nearly 50% of all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children. These districts will be targeted by intensive efforts to improve the routine immunization coverage."

Out of the 201 districts, 82 districts are in the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.