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?