Reproductive health programme threw a completely new challenge before the earlier functionaries of Family Welfare Programme or Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in the country, especially those from highly populous north Indian states like Uttar Pradesh. With several new elements, high inclusiveness and multipronged approach, implementation of the programme at ground level became a difficult task. At grass root level the only hope was ANMs who were expected to translate the envisaged policies into practice and make the programme a reality. This, however remained a dream and the current paper tries to identify the reasons why ANMs could not act as a change agent in RCH programme in Uttar Pradesh with the major objective, “To identify the status of participation of ANM as change agent under RCH Programme and reasons why ANMs could not act as effective change agent in bringing desirable change in RCH programme components”. Data was collected with the help of quantitative tool (pre- tested interview schedule) and qualitative method (in- depth discussion on key points) of data collection from 295 eligible women selected through random sampling technique from 08 villages of 02 development blocks situated in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh. Views of ANMs covering the selected villages were also taken on identified points. Trivedi’s Scale for socio- economic status with required modification was administered to understand the socio-economic status of respondents. Views of ANMs covering the selected villages were also taken on identified points. Results revealed underutilization of such important and useful source as ANM in bringing change so far services related to RCH components are concerned and recommends more meticulous and well-designed professional training to ANMs not only on technical aspect but also for their attitudinal change and enhancing their motivation levels.

Keyword: Role of ANM; Rural Women; Reproductive Health Programme; Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs).