Tackling India’s Gender Imbalance: Successes and Challenges of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

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India recently marked the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, which was launched in 2015 to address the declining child sex ratio (CSR) and promote gender equality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the remarkable progress achieved under this flagship program, particularly in districts with historically low CSR. However, a review of broader trends reveals that India still faces significant challenges in reversing the preference for male children, as indicated by declining sex ratio at birth (SRB) figures in some states.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme:

Launched on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana.
A tri-ministerial initiative involving the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Education.
Aimed to address declining CSR, prevent gender-biased sex selection, and promote women empowerment.
Implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act to prevent illegal sex determination and selective abortions.
Nationwide awareness campaigns to educate people on gender equality.
Focused action in 100 districts with the lowest CSR during the first phase.
National sex ratio at birth (SRB): Improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24.
Gross enrolment ratio of girls in secondary education: Increased from 75.51% to 78%.
Institutional deliveries: Rose from 61% to 97.3%.
First-trimester antenatal care registrations: Increased from 61% to 80.5%.

Challenges in India’s Sex Ratio:

The NITI Aayog reported a drop in SRB from 906 (2012-14) to 900 (2013-15).
Newer data (2014-16) from India’s Sample Registration System shows SRB further declined to 898, with Gujarat witnessing the sharpest drop (53 points).
Cultural preference for male children persists, driven by socio-economic factors.
Technological misuse: Sex determination through amniocentesis, ultrasounds, and pre-conception techniques led to selective abortions.
Poor implementation of the PC-PNDT Act, with inadequate convictions and training gaps in enforcement.
Skewed sex ratios contribute to:
- Increased violence and human trafficking.
- Male-dominated villages, particularly in Haryana and Punjab, relying on “imported brides.”
Estimated 63 million ‘missing’ girls due to selective abortions and infanticide.

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act:

The PC-PNDT Act, enacted in 1994, aims to prohibit sex selection before or after conception and regulate pre-natal diagnostic techniques to prevent their misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide.
Bans determination and disclosure of the sex of the foetus.
Allows the use of pre-natal diagnostic methods only for detecting genetic abnormalities or disorders, not for sex determination.
Mandates registration of all genetic counselling centres, laboratories, and clinics offering pre-natal diagnostic services.
Imposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations such as conducting or aiding in sex selection and unregistered clinics.
The Act was amended in 2003 to include pre-conception sex selection techniques, strengthening its scope to prevent misuse of emerging technologies for sex selection.

About Sex Ratio:

The sex ratio is the ratio between the number of males and females in a population, typically expressed as the number of males per 100 females.
Under natural circumstances, the sex ratio at birth is approximately 105 males for every 100 females.
The sex ratio is a crucial demographic indicator reflecting underlying socio-economic and cultural patterns, including gender equity and the status of women in society.

About Child Sex Ratio:

The child sex ratio refers to the number of females per 1,000 males in the age group of 0–6 years.
2001 Census: The child sex ratio was recorded at 927 females per 1,000 males.
2011 Census: It declined to 919 females per 1,000 males, indicating a worsening trend in gender imbalance among children.