Sex ratio improves to 917 as govt cracks down on illegal abortions

Under the leadership of Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao, the State Task Force (STF) for improving the sex ratio convened its weekly meeting today, which was chaired by Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Manish Bansal.

Key statistics at a glance

Gender ratio (July 14-21, 2025)  917 (up from 860 in 2024)

Sex ratio (Jan 1-July 21, 2025)   904 (up from 902 in 2024)

Reverse trackings done   690

FIRs registered    18 (13 more under process)

District with most trackings   Ambala

Action against negligence     Officers to be chargesheeted, licences revoked

The meeting focused on intensifying the state’s ongoing efforts under the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign to curb illegal abortions and strengthen implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

Officials reported a marked improvement in the state’s sex ratio, which rose to 917 during the week of July 14 to 21, up from 860 in the same week last year. Between January 1 and July 21, the cumulative sex ratio has climbed to 904, compared to 902 in the corresponding period last year.

DGHS Manish Bansal directed strict action against erring medical professionals.

“Doctors found complicit in illegal abortions will face punitive action, including licence cancellation,” he warned.

He emphasised reverse tracking of all medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and abortion cases beyond 12 weeks, especially when the woman already has daughters. So far, 690 reverse tracking cases have been completed across the state, with Ambala reporting the highest number. This has led to 18 FIRs, with 13 more under process.

Show-cause notices have been served to several private clinics, hospitals, ASHAs, ANMs, SAHELIs, and even medical officers linked to the women involved.

DGHS Kuldeep Singh instructed CMOs to submit MTP data for the past three months and to complete reverse tracking within 24 hours of receiving information.

“Coordinate with OPD gynaecologists and seek police assistance where necessary,” he directed.

The STF also decided to chargesheet negligent officers and mandated all CMOs and PNDT officials to conduct field raids and report Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PIGT) requests within five days to prevent misuse.

Haryana Tribune