Civil Registration System (CRS) Report 2024: Key Findings, Sex Ratio & Significance

Subject: GS 2: Polity & Governance

Context: The Civil Registration System (CRS) Report 2024 shows that India has achieved 99.1% birth registration and 99.4% death registration, marking a significant improvement in the completeness of civil registration. 

• The report also indicates gradual improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in several States, though regional disparities continue to persist.

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Key Findings of the CRS Report 2024

• Near Universal Registration: Birth registration reached 99.1% and death registration 99.4%, indicating that India is approaching universal civil registration.
• Increase in Registered Births: Registered births increased from 252.1 lakh (2023) to 254.7 lakh (2024), reflecting improved registration coverage rather than a sharp increase in fertility.
• Increase in Registered Deaths: Registered deaths rose from 86.6 lakh (2023) to 89.4 lakh (2024), largely due to better reporting and registration.
• High State-Level Coverage: Thirteen States achieved more than 90% birth registration, while fifteen States recorded more than 90% death registration.
• Still Births: India recorded 81,117 still births in 2024, with nearly 69% occurring in urban areas, indicating the need to strengthen maternal and neonatal healthcare.

Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)

• The Sex Ratio at Birth measures the number of female live births per 1,000 male live births and serves as an important indicator of gender equity and the prevalence of sex-selective practices.
• National Average: India’s Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) stands at 917 females per 1,000 males, showing gradual improvement but remaining below the natural biological range.
• Top Performing States/UTs: Arunachal Pradesh (1050), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (984), Meghalaya (974), Mizoram (972) and Kerala (970) recorded the highest sex ratios at birth.
• Lowest Performing States/UTs: Nagaland (865), Lakshadweep (865) and Jharkhand (890) reported the lowest Sex Ratio at Birth.

Significance of Improving Civil Registration

• Evidence-Based Governance: Reliable registration data supports informed policymaking in healthcare, education, nutrition, social protection and population management.
• Strengthening Public Health: Accurate birth and death registration improves disease surveillance, mortality assessment and maternal-child health planning.
• Tracking Demographic Transition: Comprehensive registration provides a clearer understanding of fertility, mortality, age structure and population dynamics.
• Legal Identity: Birth registration establishes an individual’s legal identity, facilitating access to education, healthcare, social welfare and citizenship-related services.
• Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Civil registration data contributes to monitoring SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16.9 (Legal Identity for All).

Factors Contributing to Improved Registration

• Digital Governance: Expansion of online registration systems and digitisation has simplified registration procedures and improved accessibility.
• Administrative Reforms: Simplification of registration forms and greater institutional coordination have enhanced compliance.
• Improved Institutional Deliveries: Rising institutional births have strengthened timely birth registration through healthcare facilities.
• Greater Public Awareness: Increased awareness regarding the legal and welfare benefits of registration has improved public participation.

Challenges Highlighted by the Report

• Persistent Gender Bias: Continued son preference and sex-selective practices in some regions contribute to an imbalanced Sex Ratio at Birth.
• Regional Disparities: Significant interstate variations indicate uneven implementation of gender-sensitive policies and registration systems.
• Urban Concentration of Still Births: The disproportionately high share of still births in urban areas calls for improved maternal healthcare, antenatal services and quality obstetric care.
• Quality of Registration: While coverage has improved, ensuring timeliness, accuracy and completeness of civil registration remains an ongoing challenge.

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Way Forward

• Achieve Universal Registration: Strengthen outreach in underserved and remote areas to achieve 100% timely registration of births and deaths.
• Improve Sex Ratio at Birth: Intensify enforcement of the PCPNDT Act, promote gender-sensitive awareness campaigns and strengthen schemes supporting the girl child.
• Strengthen Maternal Healthcare: Improve antenatal care, institutional deliveries and neonatal services to reduce still births and maternal mortality.
• Enhance Digital Integration: Integrate the Civil Registration System with health, education and social welfare databases for seamless service delivery.
• Promote Data Quality: Improve verification, timely reporting and interoperability of civil registration data for robust evidence-based policymaking.

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Conclusion

India’s near-universal registration of births and deaths marks a major milestone in strengthening population data systems and public administration. However, sustained efforts are needed to improve the Sex Ratio at Birth, eliminate gender bias and ensure that high-quality civil registration translates into better governance, inclusive development and equitable access to public services.

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