What the Latest SRS 2024 Data Reveals

According to the newly released Sample Registration System (SRS) report, the Infant Mortality Rate India records shows a notable decline. Specifically, India reduced its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) from 30 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 24 in 2024. This reflects an average annual drop of about one point over the five-year period. However, despite this positive trajectory, a wide disparity persists across different states. While some regions have achieved single-digit figures, others continue to struggle with high infant mortality rates.

Furthermore, the data highlights that rural areas experienced a slightly higher rate of decline compared to urban areas. Rural IMR decreased by 36%, whereas urban IMR saw a 35% reduction. Nevertheless, the absolute numbers remain concerning because one in every 42 infants still dies before reaching their first birthday nationwide. In rural regions, this ratio stands at one in 37, while in urban centers, it is one in 59.

Disparities in the Infant Mortality Rate India

State-wise statistics reveal massive gaps in healthcare outcomes across the country. Chhattisgarh reported the highest IMR of 36, while Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh each recorded 35 deaths per 1,000 live births. In contrast, Kerala recorded the lowest IMR at 8, followed closely by Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, which all registered an IMR of 11. These figures demonstrate that economic development and healthcare infrastructure directly impact survival rates.

Additionally, historical progress shows that India reduced its overall IMR by 37.4% between the 2012–14 and 2022–24 periods. This represents an improvement from the 33.2% decline recorded between 2002–04 and 2012–14. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir showed the most dramatic improvement during this timeframe, slashing its IMR by 62.7% from 37 to 14. On the other hand, Chhattisgarh registered the slowest progress, with a decline of only 18.3%.

The Role of Institutional Deliveries and Neonatal Care

Public health experts attribute the sharp reduction in IMR primarily to a significant increase in institutional deliveries. Nationally, the percentage of live births where mothers received medical attention in hospitals rose from under 83% in 2019 to over 95% in 2024. Consequently, more mothers are giving birth in safer, sterile environments. However, Chhattisgarh proves that institutional delivery alone cannot solve the problem, as its hospital births jumped from 77% to 97%, yet its IMR remains the highest.

Therefore, clinical focus must expand to address neonatal mortality, which represents deaths within the first 28 days of life. Alarmingly, neonatal deaths constitute 73% of all infant deaths in India, up from 67.6% in 2014. The overall neonatal mortality rate (NMR) stands at 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. While Kerala leads with a low NMR of 6, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh struggle with a rate of 26, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 25.

Gender and Regional Gaps in Infant Survival

Moreover, the report highlights significant differences between male and female infant survival rates. Among the larger states, Bihar showed the highest gender gap, with a female IMR of 25 compared to a male IMR of 21. Conversely, Jammu and Kashmir bucked this trend, registering a higher male IMR of 16 against a female IMR of 12. These findings suggest that socio-cultural factors still play a powerful role in healthcare access and child nutrition.

Additionally, regional differences between rural and urban sectors remain prominent. Assam reported the starkest rural-urban divide, with a rural IMR of 31 and an urban IMR of 14. This gap emphasizes the urgent need for targeted rural healthcare interventions, better neonatal intensive care units, and stronger postnatal support systems in remote villages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the current Infant Mortality Rate India recorded in the SRS 2024 report?

According to the 2024 report, India's overall Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is a decline from 30 in 2019.

Q2: Why did Chhattisgarh show poor IMR improvement despite high institutional deliveries?

Although institutional deliveries in Chhattisgarh reached 97%, the state still recorded the highest IMR of 36. This indicates that while safe hospital births are crucial, other factors like postnatal care, infant nutrition, and neonatal emergency services require significant improvement.

Q3: What percentage of infant deaths occur during the neonatal period in India?

Neonatal mortality (deaths within the first 28 days of life) constitutes approximately 73% of total infant deaths in India, highlighting the critical need for specialized newborn care.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or replace professional judgment. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.

References

1. Infant deaths fall, but gap across states remains wide - ETHealthworld


2. Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024 - Office of the Registrar General of India


3. SRS indicates India in throes of demographic transition - The Hindu