Overview Haryana has witnessed a notable improvement in its Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) , reaching 923 in 2025 . This marks a 13-point increase from 910 in 2024 . Officials attribute this progress to stringent measures taken to curb prenatal sex determination and illegal abortions. Key Developments Improved Sex Ratio SRB in 2025: 923 , the highest in the past five years. Birth Statistics: In 2025 , the state recorded 5,19,691 births , comprising 2,70,281 males and 2,49,410 females . Comparison with Previous Years: The SRB was 910 in 2024 , with 2,46,048 females born out of 5,16,402 total births . Government Initiatives Crackdown on Illegal Activities: Measures included strict action against sex-selective abortions and the illegal sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits. Task Force Formation: Following a dip in SRB in 2024 , a task force was established under the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal . Regular Review Meetings: The task force conducted weekly reviews with officials from various departments, including health, AYUSH, women and child development, and the National Health Mission. District-wise Performance Highest SRB: Panchkula recorded the highest SRB at 971 females per 1,000 males , a 56-point gain from 915 in 2024 . Other High-Performing Districts: Fatehabad (961) and Panipat (951) also recorded SRBs above 950 . Districts Above State Average: These include Ambala (926) , Bhiwani (926) , Hisar (926) , Kaithal (924) , Karnal (944) , Kurukshetra (927) , Mewat (935) , Sirsa (937) , and Yamunanagar (943) . Districts with Marginal Improvement or Decline: Gurugram saw a slight increase to 901 , while Sonipat declined to 894 , and Jind to 918 . Enforcement and Legal Actions FIRs Registered: A total of 114 FIRs were registered under the MTP Act , with 83 chargesheets filed in courts. Raids Conducted: In 2025 , 154 raids were carried out for violations of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act . Sealing of Chemist Shops: 41 chemist shops were sealed for violations. Closure of MTP Centers: 395 MTP centers were shut down due to violations. Historical Context SRB in 2014: When the BJP government came to power in 2014 , Haryana’s sex ratio was 871 , among the lowest in the country. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign: Launched from Panipat in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , this campaign spurred the state government to take concrete steps to improve the sex ratio. Reverse Tracking of Abortions Strategy: Reverse tracking of abortions involving 12-week pregnant women with a previous girl child was implemented to prevent illegal abortions. Impact: This strategy contributed significantly to the 13-point rise in SRB in 2025 . UPSC Relevance This news is highly relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam , particularly for GS Paper 1 (Social Issues) and GS Paper 2 (Government Policies & Interventions, Social Justice) . It highlights the importance of government initiatives and legal frameworks in addressing gender imbalance and promoting social justice. Key Terms for UPSC Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Number of females born for every 1000 males. A key demographic indicator reflecting gender equality. PC-PNDT Act: Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994. Prevents sex-selective abortions. MTP Act: Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Regulates abortion services in India. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Government initiative to address declining child sex ratio and promote education of girls. Potential UPSC Questions Analyze the factors contributing to the improvement in Haryana's sex ratio. What policy interventions have been most effective? Evaluate the impact of the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign on addressing gender imbalance in India, with specific reference to Haryana's experience. Discuss the challenges in enforcing the PC-PNDT Act and MTP Act in preventing sex-selective abortions. What measures can be taken to strengthen implementation?