Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Governance
Why in News?
The Office of the Registrar General of India released the Civil Registration System (CRS) report for 2024 on July 1, 2026.
Key Findings of CRS, 2024
- Near-Universal Coverage - India has edged closer to full coverage with birth registration reaching 99.1% and death registration reaching 99.4% in 2024.
- Registration Spurt - Registered births rose to 254.7 lakh (from 252.1 lakh in 2023), and registered deaths increased to 89.4 lakh (from 86.6 lakh in 2023).
- An increase in registered numbers reflects improved systemic efficiency and data capture, not necessarily a sudden spike in actual fertility or mortality rates.
- State-wise Performance - 13 States recorded above 90% birth registration, while 15 States achieved above 90% death registration.
Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)
- The Sex Ratio at Birth (number of girls born per 1,000 boys) serves as a critical proxy to measure the prevalence of sex-selective abortions and gender bias.
- National Average - Standing at 917 females per 1,000 males, indicating a continuing masculine skew compared to the natural biological norm (which is globally around 950–952).
- Top Performers
- Arunachal Pradesh leads the country with a sex ratio of 1,050.
- Followed by Andaman & Nicobar Islands (984), Meghalaya (974), Mizoram (972), and Kerala (970).
- Bottom Performers
- Nagaland and Lakshadweep recorded the lowest SRB at 865.
- Jharkhand follows closely behind at 890.
- States like Haryana (834) and Punjab (846) historically held the lowest indicators during Census 2011, making the current underperformance of northeastern and island territories a notable shift.
Stillbirth Data
- A total of 81,117 stillbirths were registered in 2024.
- Urban-Rural Divide - The data reveals a heavy urban tilt, with 69% of all recorded stillbirths occurring in urban healthcare centers.
- It is likely due to higher institutional delivery and reporting rates in cities.
Legal Framework
- Registration Act - The registration of births and deaths is mandatory under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.
- Implementing Authority- The CRS operates under the aegis of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (ORGI).
- Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs.
Reference
The Hindu | Births, deaths registered in 2024 report
