The first National Family Health Survey (NFHS-1) was an important component of the project to strengthen the survey research capabilities of the Population research Centres (PRCs) in India, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, New Delhi, in 1991. The MOHFW designated the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the nodal agency for providing co-ordination and technical guidance for NFHS-1. The data collection for the NFHS-1 in each state was undertaken by the field organizations, selected for this purpose, in collaboration with the PRCs of the respective state. The East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA and Macro International, Calverton, Maryland, USA provided technical assistance for all of the survey operations. Funding for the NFHS-1 was provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), New Delhi. UNICEF and Plan International provided the weighing scales for the survey.

Interviews were conducted with a nationally representative sample of 88,562 households and 89,777 ever-married women in the age group 13-49, from 24 states and the then National Capital Territory of Delhi (which later attained statehood) using uniform questionnaire, sample design and field procedures. The main objective of the survey was to collect reliable and up-to-date information on fertility, family planning, mortality, and maternal and child health. Data collection was carried out in three phases from April 1992 to September 1993. The NFHS-1 was a major landmark in the development in the demographic database for India.