Kerala has once again emerged as the top-performing state in India in terms of maternal and child health, according to the 2021 Sample Registration System (SRS) Report (2021 SRS Report) released by the Registrar General of India (RGI). The data highlights Kerala’s consistent success in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, particularly maternal and child mortality reduction.
Key Highlights from 2021 SRS Report:
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Kerala recorded the lowest IMR in the country at 6 deaths per 1,000 live births, far better than the national average of 28.
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): The state’s maternal health outcomes are equally impressive, contributing significantly to India’s reduction in MMR, which dropped from 130 deaths per 1 lakh live births (2014-16) to 97 in 2018-20.
Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): Kerala also leads in reducing neonatal deaths, achieving less than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births, well within the SDG target.
Highlights of the SRS Report 2021
| Indicator | 2014–16 | 2019–21 |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) | 130 per lakh live births | 93 per lakh live births |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | 39 per 1000 live births | 27 per 1000 live births |
| Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) | 26 per 1000 live births | 19 per 1000 live births |
| Under-Five Mortality Rate | 45 per 1000 live births | 31 per 1000 live births |
| Sex Ratio at Birth | 899 per 1000 male children | 913 per 1000 male children |
| Total Fertility Rate (TFR) | 2.3 | 2.0 |
SDG Goals and Their Status in India
The United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, aiming to build a world free from poverty, hunger, and disease by 2030. These goals provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 SDGs, with several health-related targets particularly relevant to maternal and child health.
Key Health-Related SDG Targets and India’s Status (as per SRS 2021):
| Indicator | SDG Target (by 2030) | India’s Current Status (2019–21) |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) | 70 per 1,00,000 live births | 93 per 1,00,000 live births |
| Under-Five Mortality Rate | 25 per 1,000 live births | 31 per 1,000 live births |
| Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) | 12 per 1,000 live births | 19 per 1,000 live births |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | No specific SDG target set | 27 per 1,000 live births |
Progress of Indian States Towards SDG Health Targets
India has made measurable strides in maternal and child health, as reflected in the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 report. Several states have already met the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets set for 2030.
Eight states have successfully achieved the SDG target for Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), which aims to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 1,00,000 live births. These states include Kerala (20), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (45), Andhra Pradesh (46), Tamil Nadu (49), Jharkhand (51), Gujarat (53), and Karnataka (63).
Similarly, twelve states and union territories have met the target for Under-Five Mortality Rate, which should be below 25 deaths per 1,000 live births. These include Kerala (8), Delhi (14), Tamil Nadu (14), Jammu & Kashmir (16), Maharashtra (16), West Bengal (20), Karnataka (21), Punjab (22), Telangana (22), Himachal Pradesh (23), Andhra Pradesh (24), and Gujarat (24).
Furthermore, six states and UTs have achieved the SDG target for Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), which is set at 12 or fewer deaths per 1,000 live births. These include Kerala (4), Delhi (8), Tamil Nadu (9), Maharashtra (11), Jammu & Kashmir (12), and Himachal Pradesh (12).
National Progress:
India has shown overall progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, but there is still a gap to bridge before meeting the 2030 SDG targets. The report stresses the need for improved antenatal care, institutional deliveries, and nutrition support to sustain the momentum.
Government Initiatives:
Programs such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), and Poshan Abhiyan have contributed to improving maternal and child health indicators. The report emphasizes the importance of sustained political will and community-level health engagement.
Definitions
Total Fertility Rate (TFR):
- The average number of children a woman is expected to have over her reproductive lifespan.
Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR):
- The number of deaths of newborns within the first 28 days of life per 1,000 live births in a given year.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR):
- The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year.
Under-5 Mortality Rate:
- The probability of a child dying between birth and their fifth birthday, expressed per 1,000 live births.
FAQ
Q1. What was India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021?
Answer: 27 per 1,000 live births.
Q2. What was India’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021?
Answer: 93 per 100,000 live births.
Q3. What was India’s Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021?
Answer: 19 per 1,000 live births.
Q4. What was India’s Under-Five Mortality Rate according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021?
Answer: 31 per 1,000 live births.
Q5. What was India’s Sex Ratio at Birth according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021?
Answer: 913 female births per 1,000 male births.
Q6. What was India’s Total Fertility Rate according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021?
Answer: 2.0.
Follow Josh Studies WhatsApp Channel
Follow Josh Studies Telegram Channel
Share this articles
