India's sex ratio at birth improved to 917 females per 1,000 males in 2021-23, up 18 points from 819 in 2016-18, according to health official Aradhana Patnaik on Monday. The Additional Secretary spoke at a national meeting focused on strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act of 1994, which prohibits sex selection. Sample Registration System data from 2023 shows the gains resulting from better enforcement of the legislation and related government programs.
Patnaik urged society to prioritize healthy births over gender preferences, and described the law as a moral safeguard against discrimination. The meeting addressed emerging challenges from online violations and misuse of new technologies that threaten compliance. Officials emphasized prevention strategies and called for stronger oversight of digital platforms to uphold legal protections.
Patnaik urged society to prioritize healthy births over gender preferences, and described the law as a moral safeguard against discrimination. The meeting addressed emerging challenges from online violations and misuse of new technologies that threaten compliance. Officials emphasized prevention strategies and called for stronger oversight of digital platforms to uphold legal protections.
