Introduction

Sex ratio at birth reflects deep-rooted social preferences, access to technology, and effectiveness of governance. Haryana’s demographic profile was historically distorted due to entrenched son preference and misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies. The recent improvement indicates a shift driven by administrative vigilance, legal enforcement, and behavioural correction mechanisms, rather than mere awareness campaigns.

Why in the News

Haryana’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) rose to 923 females per 1,000 males in 2023, bringing the state close to the national average of 933. This marks a sharp reversal from its historical position among India’s worst-performing states. The improvement follows two decades of sustained interventions, including enforcement against illegal sex selection, medical monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and district-level surveillance. The state also recorded its best SRB performance in five years, signalling structural rather than episodic change.

How severe was Haryana’s demographic imbalance earlier?

1. Historically low SRB: Haryana ranked among the worst Indian states during the 2000s due to female foeticide.
2. Technology misuse: Easy access to ultrasound and weak regulation facilitated sex-selective abortions.
3. Structural bias: Son preference reinforced by inheritance practices and patriarchal norms.
4. National comparison: Haryana consistently performed below the national SRB average for years.

What institutional measures drove the turnaround?

1. Legal enforcement: Strict implementation of the (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, including registration checks and surprise inspections.
2. Criminal accountability: Filing of over 1,375 FIRs against illegal practitioners since 2014.
3. Administrative coordination: Weekly reviews involving health, police, and district administrations.
4. Tracking mechanisms: Continuous monitoring of ultrasound centres and pregnancy outcomes.

How did district-level governance contribute?

1. District surveillance: Identification of high-risk districts and targeted enforcement.
2. Best-performing districts: Panchkula, Jhajjar, and Rewari crossed 940 SRB.
3. Worst-performing districts: Palwal, Faridabad, and Panipat remained below the state average, indicating uneven progress.
4. Outcome-based reviews: Regular district rankings created competitive accountability.

What role did monitoring of medical practices play?

1. Ultrasound regulation: Tight scrutiny of ultrasound centres and equipment movement.
2. Pregnancy audits: Tracking of repeat abortions and abnormal sex ratios at facility levels.
3. Professional deterrence: Suspension and prosecution of erring doctors.
4. Sustained vigilance: Monitoring continued even during COVID-19 disruptions.

Why is this shift considered structurally significant?

1. Consistency over time: Improvement sustained across multiple years rather than isolated spikes.
2. Behavioural correction: Reduced acceptance of sex-selective practices at the community level.
3. Policy credibility: Demonstrates effectiveness of law when combined with administrative resolve.
4. Replication potential: Offers a governance model for other demographically stressed states.

Value Addition: Sex Ratio at Birth in India 

1. National SRB: Approximately 933 females per 1,000 males.
2. Regional variation: Northern and north-western states historically record lower SRB.
3. Underlying causes: Son preference, declining fertility, and access to diagnostic technology
4. Policy instruments: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PCPNDT Act, and conditional cash transfer schemes.
5. Trend: Gradual national improvement, but inter-state disparities persist.

Conclusion

Haryana’s improvement in sex ratio at birth underscores that deep-rooted gender bias is not irreversible when governance moves beyond symbolic welfare to sustained enforcement and accountability. The experience demonstrates that demographic correction requires a long-term, law-driven, and institutionally coordinated approach, reinforcing that gender justice must be ensured at the earliest stage of life for social transformation to be durable.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?

Linkage: Persistent patriarchal attitudes, reflected in practices like female foeticide and skewed sex ratios at birth, show that women’s progress has not translated into social acceptance. Haryana’s SRB turnaround demonstrates that strict legal enforcement, behavioural regulation, and institutional accountability are critical interventions.

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