Delhi is facing a concerning demographic trend as the sex ratio at birth has declined for the fourth consecutive year. According to a recent government report, the number of females born per 1,000 males in 2024 has fallen to 920, a decrease from 922 in 2023, 929 in 2022 and 933 in 2020. This continuous dip has raised alarms among health experts, who suspect the prevalence of illegal prenatal sex determination tests in Delhi-NCR.
The data, released by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and the Office of Chief Registrar (Births & Deaths) in its annual report on births and deaths in Delhi for 2024, reveals a concerning trend. While government officials have termed the fall as marginal, experts emphasize the significance of the continued decline since 2020. Sabu George, a researcher and activist, stated that a one percent fall in the sex ratio at birth translates to a dip of almost 1,800 females. He also pointed out the existence of clinics in Delhi that are still carrying out sex determination and abortion.
This declining sex ratio in Delhi is below the national average of 940 females per 1,000 males. As per international practice, a sex ratio of around 105 males per 100 females is considered an acceptable level. Ratios above 1,000 indicate more females than males, while ratios below 1,000 signify a deficit of females. The declining sex ratio has long-term societal implications, from skewed demographics to increased gender-based violence and discrimination.
Adding to the concern, Delhi has also experienced a decrease in registered births, with 3,06,459 births in 2024 compared to 3,15,087 in 2023. The average daily birth count has decreased to 837 from 863 the previous year. Simultaneously, the death rate per thousand of population rose to 6.37 during 2024 from 6.16 in 2023.
A senior Delhi government health official stated that the declining sex ratio reflects the low priority given to inspections by district authorities. The lack of inspections has resulted in fewer show-cause notices and suspensions of registrations, weakening the deterrent system. This has allowed for the rapid growth of illegal labs offering Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) and karyotyping through home collection services, with reports being delivered directly to patients.
Arun Yadav, former director of hospital administration of MCD, said that the continuous decline in the sex ratio indicates prenatal sex determination happening in the city. He stressed the need for continuous crackdowns on these illegal units rather than sporadic raids.
In response to these concerns, it's important to note that the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (PC-PNDT) was enacted in 1994 and further upgraded in 2003, bans sex determination, advertisements related to pre-conception and prenatal determination of sex, as well as the use of sex selection technologies on the unborn child. Despite this act, illegal prenatal gender testing continues to occur. For example, in January 2024, a joint operation by the health departments of Gurugram and Delhi led to the apprehension of individuals involved in prenatal sex determination, including a doctor and an ASHA worker.
