Girl child smiles: How Haryana’s sex ratio rose from 834 to 923, inching closer to national average

• Haryana's sex ratio at birth rose to 923 in 2025, nearing the national average
• Strict law enforcement, tech tracking, and inter-state raids led to the improvement.
• Challenges remain with portable ultrasound machines and illegal MTP kits

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Behind Haryana recording its best sex ratio at birth in five years is a sustained, decade-long effort that combined strict law enforcement, close monitoring of medical practices and large-scale coordination across districts and states. Once among the worst performers in the country, the state has slowly but steadily improved its numbers through focused action.

In the 2011 Census, Haryana had one of the poorest sex ratios at birth in India, with just 834 girls born for every 1,000 boys. Over the years, the state has made significant progress.

By 2024, the ratio had reached 910, though this marked a worrying dip after eight years of steady improvement. In 2025, the figure rose sharply to 923, close to the national average of 933, according to data cited by the government in Parliament.

Since 2015, officials estimate that more than 65,000 girls have been “saved”, a term used to describe the number of female births that may not have occurred without these interventions.

What strategy did the government follow?

Senior officials say the turnaround came from a “concerted and focused approach.” According to Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal, the state moved beyond just enforcing the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act on paper.

“We monitored initiatives weekly, involved multiple departments, including the police, and refined strategies whenever required,” Rajpal was quoted by The Indian Express as saying. He added that the effort had full political backing, from the Chief Minister to the Health Minister, which helped ensure consistency over time.

The programme gained national attention when Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Haryana to launch the ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’ campaign in 2015.

How strict was action against doctors and centres?

One of the clearest indicators of enforcement is the number of criminal cases registered. Between 2015 and 2025, Haryana filed 1,375 FIRs under the PNDT and MTP Acts against doctors and ultrasound centre owners accused of violating the law.

Even during the Covid-hit year of 2020, the crackdown did not slow. Around 100 FIRs were registered that year. The number rose to 142 in 2021. While there was a slight dip in 2023 and 2024, enforcement picked up again in 2025, with 154 cases filed.

Action was not limited to a few areas. Urban districts such as Faridabad (126 FIRs), Sonipat (115) and Gurugram (112) recorded the highest number of cases. Interestingly, these districts still have sex ratios below the state average, showing that enforcement and social change often move at different speeds.

Which districts are performing better?

While some urban districts continue to lag, others have shown strong improvement. Panchkula currently tops the state with a sex ratio at birth of 971 girls per 1,000 boys, followed by Fatehabad (961) and Panipat (951).

Officials say local monitoring and accountability have played a key role. District authorities are now directly questioned if there is a sudden dip in sex ratio numbers, creating pressure to act quickly.

Why were inter-state raids necessary?

As enforcement tightened within Haryana, many residents allegedly began travelling to neighbouring states for illegal sex-determination tests. Haryana borders Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan, prompting authorities to expand operations beyond state lines.

In 2025 alone, Haryana conducted 218 inter-state raids in Uttar Pradesh, 89 in Delhi, 83 in Punjab and 26 in Rajasthan. Officers admit these operations were not easy. “There were challenges like information leaks and logistical issues,” a senior official was quoted by The Indian Express as saying. He added that cooperation from neighbouring states helped overcome many hurdles.

Role technology and grassroots workers

At the ground level, closer tracking of pregnancies became a key tool. For example, in Panchkula, all 57 ultrasound centres are part of a common monitoring system, including regular inspections and meetings.

In 2024, the district introduced the Reproductive and Child Health Identity (RCHID), a unique 12-digit number for every pregnant woman visiting a government or private health facility. This led to a 37% increase in pregnancy registrations. Every abortion is now tracked, with reasons recorded across hospitals, MTP centres and ultrasound facilities.

Another initiative, ‘Saheli’, launched in April 2025, involved anganwadi and ASHA workers closely monitoring pregnant women who already had at least one daughter. Within a year, this reportedly led to a 57% drop in trimester abortions.

What role did informers play?

The state also encouraged public participation by offering rewards of up to Rs 1 lakh for tips on illegal sex-determination or abortion centres. Over the past decade, around Rs 5 crore has been paid out to informers.

Police also used decoys, including women constables and volunteers, to catch offenders. One Sonipat-based widow and mother of four daughters said she joined the programme voluntarily. “Because I have four daughters, I understand the value of a girl child,” she said, adding she had taken part in over a dozen raids.

What challenges remain?

Despite progress, officials warn that new threats are emerging. Portable ultrasound machines are now easily available online, and illegal MTP kits that cost Rs 50-60 are being sold in the black market for up to Rs 2,500.

“Operators keep changing locations or conduct tests outside registered centres,” said Dr G L Singhal, a consultant with the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme. While authorities say they have curbed many malpractices, they admit that sustained vigilance will be crucial to protect the gains made so far.