Overview
The CRS 2024 data released on 1 July 2026 indicates that registration coverage is now almost universal, reaching 99.1% for births and 99.4% for deaths. While overall registration has improved, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) remains uneven across States and Union Territories (UTs).
Key Developments
- Registered births rose from 252.1 lakh (2023) to 254.7 lakh (2024).
- Registered deaths increased from 86.6 lakh to 89.4 lakh.
- Thirteen States achieved >90% birth registration; fifteen States achieved >90% death registration.
- National SRB improved to 917 females per 1,000 males.
- Top‑performing regions: Kerala (970), Arunachal Pradesh (1,050), Andaman & Nicobar (984), Meghalaya (974), Mizoram (972).
- Lowest SRB: Nagaland (865), Lakshadweep (865), Jharkhand (890).
- Stillbirths in 2024 numbered 81,117, with 69% occurring in urban areas.
Important Facts
The improvement in registration is largely due to the simplification of forms in December 2006 under the RBD Act. However, the uneven SRB highlights persistent son‑preference in parts of the country, especially in historically low‑SRB states like Haryana and Punjab, which recorded 834 and 846 girls per 1,000 boys respectively in the 2011 Census.
A stillbirth count with a strong urban tilt suggests better reporting in cities but also points to urban health challenges that need attention.
Exam Relevance
Understanding CRS data is vital for GS‑3 (Society & Economy) as it informs demographic transition, health‑policy design, and gender‑equity measures. The SRB figures tie directly to GS‑4 (Ethics) discussions on gender justice and the effectiveness of schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. Moreover, the legal framework of the RBD Act exemplifies federal‑state coordination, a key theme in GS‑2.
Way Forward
To translate high registration rates into better outcomes, the government should:
- Strengthen enforcement of the RBD Act in low‑coverage regions.
- Intensify gender‑sensitivity campaigns in states with SRB below the biological norm, leveraging community health workers.
- Improve urban health infrastructure to address the high proportion of stillbirths.
- Use the near‑complete CRS database for evidence‑based planning in education, health, and social welfare.
Continued monitoring of CRS data will provide a reliable basis for policy adjustments and help India move closer to gender parity at birth.