The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is organizing a nation-wide Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Awareness Week from October 13 to 17, 2025. This major public health initiative aims to boost the general public’s awareness, preparedness, and capacity to perform CPR, a critical skill in combating preventable mortality from sudden cardiac arrest.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) have both issued notices urging all medical colleges, institutions, principals of nursing colleges/schools, and students to ensure their full participation.
Why the Focus on CPR?
Sudden cardiac arrest remains a major cause of death, and timely CPR can dramatically improve survival chances.
- Studies indicate that immediate bystander CPR can increase survival by two to three times.
- Every minute of delay without CPR decreases the chance of survival by 10%.
- In India, the rate of bystander CPR remains alarmingly low, ranging only between 1.3% and 9.8%.
Key Activities for the Awareness Week
The week is packed with activities designed for sensitization, training, and community engagement across the country:
| Date | Time | Core Activity | Focus |
| Mon, Oct 13 | 10:30 AM | Nation-wide Pledge by Secretary (H) | Pledge to learn CPR and assist in emergencies. |
| Mon-Fri, Oct 13-17 | Weeklong | Online Pledge & Quiz | Available on the MyGov Portal. |
| Tue, Oct 14 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Pan-India Panel Discussion | “CPR techniques and role of bystanders” (Virtual platform). |
| Mon-Fri, Oct 13-17 | Ongoing | Capacity Building and Demonstrations | Physical demonstrations on compression-only CPR organized by medical and nursing institutes. |
| Mon-Fri, Oct 13-17 | Ongoing | Awareness Activities | Mass demonstrations, Street Plays, Poster/Quiz Competitions, and Awareness Booths at various centers. |
Call to Action for Institutions
- All institutions under the administrative domain of NMC are requested to ensure participation and share activities on social media using the hashtag #CPR4Life2025.
- All Principals of nursing colleges and schools must ensure the participation of all nursing students, trainee nursing officers, and faculty. Nodal Officers must upload data and photographs of activities to a dedicated INC link.
- Training is specifically focused on compression-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, a life-saving technique effective during sudden cardiac arrest. An online video tutorial and a set of Dos and Don’ts have been provided for training purposes.
A solemn pledge will be administered, committing participants to learn, practice, and provide assistance with courage and compassion until professional medical help arrives.
For any clarification, Dr. Pradeep Khasnobis, DDG, Disaster Management Cell, MoHFW, may be contacted.