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Key Points

India has made remarkable progress in improving its sex ratio at birth. The latest data shows 917 females born for every 1000 males, marking an 18-point improvement. This positive change is attributed to better enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act against sex selection. Health officials emphasize focusing on prevention rather than just legal action.

Key Points: India Sex Ratio at Birth Improves to 917 Females Per 1000 Males

  • Sex ratio improved by 18 points from 819 to 917 females per 1000 males
  • Strengthened PC-PNDT Act implementation credited for positive change
  • Focus shifts from legal action to prevention of gender-biased selection
  • Emerging challenges include online violations and technology misuse
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India's sex ratio at birth improved with 917 females per 1,000 males in 2021-23: Centre

India's sex ratio at birth shows significant improvement, reaching 917 females per 1000 males in 2021-23 due to strengthened PC-PNDT Act implementation.

"The country has recorded a positive improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth - Aradhana Patnaik, Ministry of Health"

New Delhi, Oct 6

Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act has led to an improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), with 917 females per 1,000 males recorded in 2021-23, said Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Monday.

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act has led to an improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), with 917 females per 1,000 males recorded in 2021-23, said Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Monday. Speaking at a National Sensitisation Meeting on Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, here she highlighted the progress made in the SRB over the last decade.

“The country has recorded a positive improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2023, the SRB has increased by 18 points -- from 819 females per 1,000 males during 2016-18 to 917 females per 1,000 males in 2021-23. The National Sex Ratio at Birth for the period 2021-23 thus stands at 917 females per 1,000 males, reflecting the progress made through strengthened implementation of the PC&PNDT Act and related interventions,” Patnaik said.

Patnaik emphasised that the PC&PNDT Act is not just a legal instrument but a moral and social safeguard against gender-biased sex selection.

“Women by birth are more resilient and have a stronger immune system, hence the survival of a female child is more possible naturally than a male child.”

“Instead of taking action against gender-biased sex selection, we should focus on the prevention part of the PC&PNDT Act. The focus of the society or an Individual should be on having a healthy child rather than the gender of the child,” she added.

The meeting focused on reinforcing the effective implementation of the PC&PNDT Act in view of emerging challenges, with an emphasis on coordinated efforts to address gaps, ensure compliance, and uphold the objectives of the legislation.

It also highlighted the pressing issue of online violations and misuse of new technologies, reinforcing the urgent need for proactive engagement with digital intermediaries and stronger compliance mechanisms to uphold the spirit of the Act.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the improvement is good, we're still far from the natural ratio of 950+ females per 1000 males. We need stronger enforcement in rural areas where sex determination tests still happen secretly.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in healthcare, I've seen the mindset change firsthand. More families are celebrating daughters now. The awareness campaigns are making a real difference! 💕
A
Arjun K
The focus on online violations is crucial. Many illegal sex determination services have moved to encrypted apps and social media. We need better digital monitoring systems.
M
Meera T
Daughters are blessings! In my family, we have two girls and they bring so much joy. The government should continue education programs to change deep-rooted mindsets. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao! ✨
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David E
Respectfully, while the numbers show improvement, I wonder how accurate the reporting is. In many states, there's still significant underreporting of female infanticide. We need independent verification.
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Kavya N
This progress gives me hope for my daughter's generation. But we need to ensure girls get equal opportunities in education and careers too. The journey doesn't end at birth! 👧🎓

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