India’s MMR Falls to 93 per Lakh Live Births in 2019-21
Why in the news
Fresh data from the Registrar General and Census Commissioner’s office, based on the Sample Registration System, showed another fall in India’s maternal mortality ratio.
Key facts
- MMR counts maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in a period.
- Trend: 103 (2017-19), 97 (2018-20), 93 (2019-21).
- Maternal deaths are most frequent among women aged 20-29, then those aged 30-34.
- WHO definition: a woman’s death while pregnant or within 42 days after the pregnancy ends, from causes related to the pregnancy or its handling.
| State | MMR |
|---|---|
| Haryana | 106 |
| West Bengal | 109 |
| Chhattisgarh | 132 |
| Odisha | 135 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 151 |
| Assam | 167 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 175 |
Global picture (WHO, 2023)
- SDG goal: MMR under 70 per 100,000 live births.
- More than 700 women died daily from preventable causes, about one death every 2 minutes.
- Global MMR fell roughly 40% since 2000; 90% of deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.
National Health Mission and RMNCAH+N
The NHM works through the RMNCAH+N strategy covering reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition.
| Scheme | Start | Core idea |
|---|---|---|
| Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) | 2005 | Cash incentive for institutional delivery among SC/ST/BPL households |
| Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) | 2011 | Free delivery including C-section, tests, medicines, transport, diet |
| Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) | 2016 | Free antenatal check-ups on the 9th of each month, focus on high-risk pregnancies; e-PMSMA tracks them |
| LaQshya | 2017 | Better care in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres |
| Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) | 2019 | Respectful, zero-cost care with no denial of service |
| PMMVY | Pregnancies from 01.01.2017 | ₹5,000 for first live birth; extra benefit for a second girl child (PMMVY 2.0, Mission Shakti, April 2022) |
Supporting systems
- Training MBBS doctors in LSAS (anaesthesia) and EmOC (obstetric care) for rural areas.
- MDSR finds causes of maternal deaths and suggests fixes.
- VHSND outreach, IEC/BCC awareness, the MCP Card and Safe Motherhood Booklet, and the web-based RCH Portal for tracking.
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat targets anaemia in pregnant women and adolescents.
Exam angle
- MMR 2019-21: 93; highest state among those listed: Madhya Pradesh (175).
- PMSMA service day: 9th of every month.
- JSSK started 2011; LaQshya 2017; SUMAN 2019.