India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio Improves, But Challenges Remain
- vidyarthee2021
- May 10
- 2 min read
The Office of the Registrar General of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has released the latest Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) for the period 2019–21. This bulletin highlights India’s progress toward reducing maternal deaths, in line with global health targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What is MMR?
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births during a specific time period.
It is a key indicator of maternal health and the effectiveness of a country’s healthcare system, especially regarding women’s reproductive care.
India’s Progress on MMR
India’s MMR has improved to 93, down from 103 during the previous 2017–19 assessment.
This decline reflects better healthcare access, improved institutional deliveries, and more effective implementation of maternal health programs.
State-wise Performance
Top Performers:
Kerala: MMR of 20, leading the country.
Telangana: MMR of 45
Tamil Nadu: MMR of 49
Lagging States (Mostly from the Empowered Action Group – EAG):
Madhya Pradesh: MMR of 175
Assam: MMR of 167
Uttar Pradesh: MMR of 151
India’s SDG Commitment
India is committed to achieving the UN SDG target of an MMR below 70 by 2030.
Although the national average is improving, regional disparities must be addressed to meet this goal uniformly across the country.
UPSC Prelims Question
Consider the following statements regarding Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR):
MMR refers to the number of maternal deaths per 1,000 live births in a year.
Kerala has the lowest MMR among all Indian states according to the 2019–21 Special Bulletin.
India has already achieved the UN SDG target for MMR.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (a) 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect – MMR is measured per 1,00,000 live births, not per 1,000.
Statement 2 is correct – Kerala has the lowest MMR (20) as per the bulletin.
Statement 3 is incorrect – India’s current MMR is 93, which is above the SDG target of 70.
UPSC Mains Question
Q. India has shown significant improvement in reducing maternal mortality, yet regional disparities remain a major challenge." Discuss the causes for regional imbalance and suggest targeted policy interventions. (GS Paper 2)
Comments