India is demonstrating progress in reducing maternal and child mortality rates, steadily moving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for 2030. The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India on May 7, 2025, reveals improvements across key health indicators, outpacing global averages in several areas.
The Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India (2019-21) based on the SRS shows a notable decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), dropping by 37 points from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 93 in 2019-21.
Similarly, the SRS Statistical Report 2021 highlights a continued downward trend in child mortality indicators:
| Indicator | 2014 (per 1000 live births, unless specified) | 2021 (per 1000 live births, unless specified) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | 39 | 27 | Declined |
| Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) | 26 | 19 | Fell |
| Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) | 45 | 31 | Dropped |
| Sex Ratio at Birth | 899 (per 1000 males) | 913 (per 1000 males) | Improved |
| Total Fertility Rate | 2.3 | 2.0 | Consistent (down from 2014) |
The SRS 2021 Report indicates that several states have already achieved the SDG targets for 2030:
- MMR (<=70): Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
- U5MR (<=25): Kerala, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- NMR (<=12): Kerala, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
Furthermore, the data reveals that India’s progress in reducing maternal and child mortality surpasses global averages. According to the United Nation Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group (UN-MMEIG) Report 2000-2023, India’s MMR reduced by 23 points from 2020 to 2023, a decline of 86% since 1990, compared to the global reduction of 48% over the same period.
“Four countries accounted for almost half of all maternal deaths in 2023 (in order starting from the highest number): Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Pakistan.” – UN-MMEIG) Report 2000-2023
The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) Report 2024 also highlights India as a top performer in reducing child mortality rates, achieving a 78% decline in U5MR, 70% in NMR, and 71% in IMR since 1990, all exceeding global reduction rates.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare attributes these sustained improvements to strategic interventions and the government’s unwavering commitment, including flagship health schemes like Ayushman Bharat, which provides significant health coverage. Focused interventions ensure free institutional deliveries, including C-sections, along with transport, medication, diagnostics, and nutrition support in public facilities. The government has also significantly strengthened health infrastructure and focused on training skilled birth attendants and community health workers.
The Ministry is also reinforcing health data systems and real-time surveillance through digital platforms to facilitate data-driven policy decisions, further solidifying India’s progress towards achieving its maternal and child health goals.
