"Focusing on critical districts, the initiative's primary goal was to improve the Sex Ratio at Birth by addressing gender imbalances at the grassroots level. (DT file photo)"
On January 22, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative with the aim of addressing the alarming decline in the child sex ratio across India. The program was conceived as a multi-dimensional approach to promote the welfare of girls, focusing on improving their access to education, healthcare, and safety, while also challenging deep-seated societal biases that undervalued the girl child. The launch of BBBP marked a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to foster gender equality, ensuring that girls are not only protected but also empowered to reach their full potential.
What started as a targeted intervention in 100 districts soon gained momentum, leading to its expansion in 2015-16 to cover an additional 61 districts. Recognizing the widespread need for gender-sensitive policies, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative was eventually rolled out across all 640 districts of India. This nationwide reach aimed to ensure that every corner of the country, from urban hubs to remote rural areas, received the necessary support to combat gender discrimination, improve the child sex ratio, and promote the education and empowerment of girls.
“Understanding the Core Objectives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”
One of the key objectives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was to curb gender-biased sex selection, which had led to a skewed sex ratio in many parts of the country. The initiative also sought to ensure the survival of the girl child by improving access to healthcare and nutrition, while simultaneously advocating for her education and overall empowerment. By fostering a supportive environment for girls, the program aimed to break societal stereotypes, encourage gender equality, and provide girls with the tools and opportunities to thrive in every aspect of life.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative set ambitious targets focused on improving the nutritional status of girls, increasing their school attendance, and ensuring schools were equipped with the necessary infrastructure to support their education. To achieve these goals, the program relied on a combination of awareness campaigns, strict inspections, and raids aimed at curbing illegal sex determination practices in clinics. These measures were designed to create a more supportive and equitable environment for girls across India. Now, a decade later, we assess where key indicators stand in terms of progress and the challenges that remain.
“1. Sex Ratio at Birth: Gains in Some States, Setbacks in Others”
The primary focus of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative was to improve the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)—the ratio of male to female births—in select critical districts, with a goal of increasing it by 2 points each year. This target was designed to counter the persistent issue of gender imbalance, especially in regions with alarming disparities between the number of male and female births. By prioritizing these districts, the program aimed to create localized impact, reduce gender discrimination, and foster a more balanced and equitable start for every child.
Although district-level Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) data remains unavailable to the public, the Economic Survey for 2023-24 highlighted a positive trend at the national level. It reported an improvement in the SRB from 918 females per 1000 males in 2014-15 to a provisional figure of 930 in 2023-24. This data, sourced from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, reflects progress in addressing gender imbalances. However, it is worth noting that HMIS data itself is not publicly accessible, limiting transparency and further analysis at the grassroots level.
Data from the Sample Registration System (SRS), which covers larger states and Union Territories with populations of 10 million and above, provides further insight into the progress of the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) across India. According to the latest available data for the period 2018-20, the national SRB improved by 9 points compared to 2014-16. Of the 22 states with SRS data, 13 experienced an increase in SRB, while 9 saw a decline, and Maharashtra’s SRB remained unchanged. Notable improvements were seen in Rajasthan, which recorded the largest increase of 54 points, followed by Haryana (38 points), Himachal Pradesh (33 points), and Gujarat (29 points), underscoring the impact of targeted interventions in these regions.
Among the states that experienced a decline in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), Odisha saw the largest drop, with a decrease of 23 points. This was followed by Karnataka, which recorded a 19-point decline, and Bihar, where the SRB fell by 13 points. These setbacks highlight the challenges that remain in addressing gender bias and improving the SRB, particularly in certain regions where cultural and societal factors continue to influence the birth ratio. The disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions and sustained efforts to reverse negative trends and achieve gender balance across the country.
“Sex Ratio at Birth: Trends, Challenges, and Regional Disparities”
| States | 2014-16 | 2018-20 |
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
913 | 926 |
| Assam | 896 | 923 |
| Bihar | 908 | 895 |
|
Chhattisgarh
|
963 | 958 |
| Delhi | 857 | 860 |
| Gujarat | 848 | 877 |
| Haryana | 832 | 870 |
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
917 | 950 |
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
906 | 921 |
| Jharkhand | 918 | 914 |
| Karnataka | 935 | 916 |
| Kerala | 959 | 974 |
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
922 | 919 |
| Maharashtra | 876 | 876 |
| Odisha | 948 | 925 |
| Punjab | 893 | 897 |
| Rajasthan | 857 | 911 |
| Tamil Nadu | 915 | 917 |
| Telangana | 901 | 892 |
| Uttarakhand | 850 | 844 |
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
882 | 905 |
| West Bengal | 937 | 936 |
| India | 898 | 907 |
“Data Insights: Sample Registration System Report & Women and Men in India, 2023”
“2. Bridging the Gender Gap in Under-Five Child Mortality”
The second key objective of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative was to reduce gender disparities in under-five child mortality, which refers to the likelihood of a newborn dying before reaching the age of five, expressed per 1,000 live births. By targeting this critical issue, the program aimed to ensure that girls received the same level of care, nutrition, and medical attention as boys in their early years of life. Reducing these gender gaps in child survival is crucial not only for improving public health but also for promoting equality and better outcomes for girls across the country.
In 2014, just prior to the launch of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative, the national under-five mortality rate revealed a gender gap, with girls experiencing a higher rate of 49 per 1,000 live births compared to 42 for boys—resulting in a differential of 7 points. The program aimed to reduce this gap by 1.5 points annually. By 2020, the gender differential had narrowed to just 2 points, with girls’ under-five mortality at 33 and boys’ at 31. However, this progress has not been uniform across all states, with some regions witnessing faster improvements than others, highlighting the need for continued focus and targeted interventions in areas still grappling with higher gender disparities in child mortality.
Among the 22 states and Union Territories for which data is available, there are varying trends in the gender differential in under-five child mortality rates. In states like Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, the differential is negative, meaning girls have a lower under-five mortality rate than boys. In three states, the mortality rates for boys and girls are equal. However, in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, the gender differential is higher than the national average, indicating that girls face a disproportionately higher risk of early mortality in these areas. This regional variation underscores the need for targeted strategies to address the specific challenges faced by girls in different parts of the country.
“Gap in Under-Five Child Mortality Rates Between Females and Males”
| States | 2014 | 2020 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 | 1 |
| Assam | 7 | 5 |
| Bihar | 9 | 5 |
| Chhattisgarh | 11 | 8 |
| Delhi | 5 | -3 |
| Gujarat | 3 | -2 |
| Haryana | 6 | 0 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 2 | -9 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 4 | 3 |
| Jharkhand | 8 | 2 |
| Karnataka | 3 | 1 |
| Kerala | 3 | -8 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 10 | -1 |
| Maharashtra | 1 | 1 |
| Odisha | 3 | 2 |
| Punjab | 7 | 4 |
| Rajasthan | 10 | 6 |
| Tamil Nadu | -1 | 0 |
| Telangana | 3 | 1 |
| Uttarakhand | 7 | 1 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 11 | 1 |
| West Bengal | 4 | 0 |
| India | 7 | 2 |
“3. Rise in Institutional Births: A Step Towards Safer Deliveries”