Why this matters now
Sex ratio is examined in GS-1 (society, role of women) and prelims (Census data). The declining child sex ratio is the analytical heart of the topic — it reveals son-preference and sex-selective abortion, and connects to the PCPNDT Act and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao response.
Key definitions
- Sex ratio — females per 1,000 males (India uses this convention; many countries use males per 100 females).
- Child sex ratio (CSR) — girls per 1,000 boys in the 0-6 age group; the most sensitive indicator of sex selection because it is unaffected by migration or differential mortality at older ages.
- Sex ratio at birth (SRB) — girls per 1,000 boys among births; the natural SRB is roughly 952 (about 105 boys per 100 girls).
The data
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Overall sex ratio | 943 | Census 2011 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6) | 919 | Census 2011 (down from 927 in 2001) |
| Sex ratio (survey) | 1020 | NFHS-5 (2019-21) — females per 1,000 males in the surveyed population |
NFHS-5 was the first major survey to record more women than men per 1,000 in the population — a notable milestone, though the sex ratio at birth remained skewed in several states, so vigilance continues. Kerala and the North-East tend to have favourable ratios; several northern/north-western states have historically low CSR.
The policy response
- PCPNDT Act 1994 (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act) — bans sex determination and regulates diagnostic clinics; amended 2003 to tighten enforcement.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015) — a campaign to improve the CSR and the value placed on the girl child, with a strong focus on low-CSR districts.
- Other measures: conditional cash-transfer schemes for girls, stronger registration of clinics and ultrasound machines, and awareness drives.
UPSC angle
Distinguish the three measures (overall sex ratio vs child sex ratio vs sex ratio at birth). The CSR is the key analytical indicator for son-preference. Pair the data with PCPNDT and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao for Mains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sex ratio in India as per Census 2011?
943 females per 1,000 males overall, with a child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 919.
What is the child sex ratio and why does it matter?
The child sex ratio is the number of girls per 1,000 boys aged 0-6. It is the most sensitive indicator of sex selection because it is not affected by migration or adult mortality. Its decline signals son-preference and sex-selective abortion.
What did NFHS-5 find about the sex ratio?
NFHS-5 (2019-21) recorded a sex ratio of about 1020 females per 1,000 males in the surveyed population — the first time a major survey found more women than men per 1,000 — though the sex ratio at birth remained skewed in several states.
What is the PCPNDT Act?
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994 bans sex determination before or after conception and regulates diagnostic clinics, to curb sex-selective abortion.