India registers decline in female IMR; PM lauds collective commitments of 130 crore Indians to strengthen Nari Shakti

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the collective commitments of 130 crore Indians to strengthen Nari Shakti in the country. India has registered decline in female infant mortality rate. The country’s female Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropped to same level as males. However in sixteen states, IMR remained higher for female babies than male but the gap had reduced since 2011.

According to Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2020, Chhattisgarh had the highest gap in 2020, with a male infant mortality rate of 35 compared to female infant mortality rate of 41.

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has said that efforts made towards Beti Bachao Beti Padhao through an integrated approach encompassing advocacy, healthcare and education is breaking the gender bias and resulting in improved numbers across all parameters. Infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths for every one thousand live births.