Why in News?
Haryana recorded a sex ratio at birth (SRB) of 923 in 2025. This is the highest in the last five years. It marks a 13-point improvement over 2024. This reflects sustained administrative action against sex-selective practices.
Latest SRB Data and Birth Statistics
According to official figures for 2025:
- Total births: 5,19,691
- Male births: 2,70,281
- Female births: 2,49,410
- Sex Ratio at Birth: 923 females per 1,000 males
This represents a clear recovery from the 2024 SRB of 910. It surpasses all annual figures recorded between 2020 and 2024. This indicates a positive demographic trend.
District-Level Performance Across Haryana
Performance across districts showed wide variation:
- Panchkula: 971 (highest in the state; up from 915 in 2024)
- Fatehabad: 961
- Panipat: 951
Districts recording SRB above the state average included Ambala, Bhiwani, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Mewat, Sirsa, and Yamunanagar.
However, challenges persist:
- Gurugram: marginal increase to 901
- Sonipat: decline to 894
This highlights the need for district-specific interventions.
Crackdown on Sex-Selective Practices
Officials attributed the improvement primarily to strict enforcement of legal provisions:
- 154 raids conducted under the PCPNDT Act
- 41 chemist shops sealed
- 395 MTP centres shut down for violations
- 114 FIRs registered under the MTP Act
- 83 chargesheets filed
These actions targeted illegal prenatal sex determination and unsafe abortions, reinforcing deterrence.
Conclusion
Haryana’s improved sex ratio at birth demonstrates that consistent enforcement, administrative vigilance, and accountability can gradually reverse entrenched gender bias. Sustaining this progress will require continued legal action, community engagement, and targeted interventions in lagging districts.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- Haryana SRB 2025: 923
- Increase from 2024: +13 points
- Best-performing district: Panchkula (971)
- Legal framework: PCPNDT Act, MTP Act
- Total births (2025): 5.19 lakh
- Key strategy: Enforcement + monitoring + prosecution
Summary
The improvement in Haryana’s SRB signals a gradual but meaningful shift in social behaviour. This shift is supported by strict enforcement of laws. Monitoring of medical facilities is also a factor. Additionally, there are sustained awareness efforts to curb gender discrimination.
For Prelims:
Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), PCPNDT Act, MTP Act, Gender Justice, District-wise SRB
For Mains:
Role of governance and law enforcement in correcting adverse sex ratios, challenges in addressing gender bias, lessons from Haryana’s model
Source: State Government Data
Share this Article with your friends :
Discover more from Srishti IAS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
