India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) Improves to 88 per 1 lac Live Births The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the latest bulletin (2021‑23) showing a reduction of the national MMR to 88 . Over the past three fiscal years, more than 5.93 crore institutional deliveries were recorded, reflecting the impact of multiple health‑sector interventions. Key Schemes Driving the Decline JSY : Cash incentives for pregnant women to deliver in health facilities. JSSK : Zero‑expense delivery and post‑natal care in public hospitals. PMSMA and its extended version: Quality ANC for high‑risk pregnancies with additional ASHA visits. LaQshya : Enhances infrastructure and service standards. SUMAN : Guarantees no‑cost, quality care for every pregnant woman. NHM : Provides the overarching framework for maternal health interventions. Infrastructure Strengthening Investments in FRUs , dedicated MCH Wings , Obstetric HDUs/ICUs, and Birth Waiting Homes have expanded access, especially in tribal and hard‑to‑reach regions. Important Statistics National MMR : 88 (down from 93 in 2019‑21). State‑wise variation: Lowest in Kerala (30) , highest in Madhya Pradesh (142) (2021‑23 SRS data). Institutional deliveries: FY 2022‑23 – 20,165,533; FY 2023‑24 – 19,799,153; FY 2024‑25 – 19,355,420. UPSC Relevance Understanding these schemes is vital for GS 1 (Society) and GS 4 (Ethics) as they illustrate government efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health & Well‑being). The data also serve as a case study for policy analysis in GS 3 (Governance) – assessing programme design, cash‑transfer mechanisms, and health‑system strengthening. Way Forward Strengthen ASHA incentives for early detection of postpartum danger signs. Scale up VHSND to improve coverage in remote areas. Expand high‑dependency obstetric units and ensure 24‑hour specialist availability at FRUs. Enhance data‑driven monitoring of high‑risk pregnancies through digital health platforms. Collectively, these measures aim to sustain the downward trend in maternal deaths and move India closer to the SDG target of MMR below 70 per 1 lac live births by 2030.