Source: News on Air
Context:
The Government of India’s flagship initiative, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), has emerged as a nationwide movement promoting behavioural change and empowering the girl child. Launched in January 2015, the scheme was designed to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and gender-based discrimination. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, key indicators have improved over the decade: the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has improved from 918 (2014-15) to 929 (2024-25) per HMIS data, and girls’ enrolment at secondary level has risen from 75.51 per cent (2014-15) to 80.2 per cent (2024-25) per UDISE data. The scheme continues to focus on community engagement, awareness, and inter-ministerial convergence.
The Scheme at a Glance
- Name: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).
- Launched: 22 January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana by PM Narendra Modi.
- Implementing ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
- Convergent ministries: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Education (MoE).
- Aim: Address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and promote girls’ education and empowerment.
Three-Pillar Objective
- Prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
- Ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
- Ensure education and participation of the girl child.
Key Achievements Over the Decade
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): improved from 918 (2014-15) to 929 (2024-25) per HMIS data.
- Girls’ enrolment at secondary level: increased from 75.51 per cent (2014-15) to 80.2 per cent (2024-25) per UDISE data.
- Greater institutional deliveries preventing gender-biased sex selection.
- Significant community awareness and behaviour change across India.
Linked Schemes for Girl Child
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY, 2015): Small savings scheme for girls.
- Mahila Shakti Kendra (2017): Convergent women empowerment platform.
- PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Cash transfer for first-time mothers.
- Anganwadi-based pre-school and ICDS: Early childhood development.
- Kishori Shakti Yojana / SAG (Scheme for Adolescent Girls): For adolescent girls.
- One Stop Centres (Sakhi): For women in distress.
- Mission Shakti: Umbrella scheme covering “Sambal” (safety) and “Samarthya” (empowerment) sub-schemes.
Why is the Sex Ratio at Birth Important?
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): The number of girls born per 1,000 boys.
- A natural SRB is around 950 girls per 1,000 boys.
- India’s historical SRB has been skewed against girls due to gender-biased sex selection.
- A declining SRB signals deep-rooted gender discrimination.
Sex Ratio vs Child Sex Ratio vs Sex Ratio at Birth
- Sex Ratio (SR): The number of females per 1,000 males in the entire population.
- Child Sex Ratio (CSR): The number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0-6 years age group.
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): The number of girls born per 1,000 boys in a given year.
India’s Key Indicators (Latest)
- Overall Sex Ratio (Census 2011): 943 females per 1,000 males.
- Census 2011 Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years): 919 girls per 1,000 boys.
- SRS data (latest): SRB around 929-930 girls per 1,000 boys.
- NFHS-5 (2019-21): Sex Ratio at 1,020 females per 1,000 males (in households).
India’s Performance on Global Gender Indicators
- WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2024: India ranked 129 out of 146 countries.
- UNDP Gender Inequality Index 2024: India improved in recent years.
- UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality): India has made steady progress in education and health, though economic participation remains a challenge.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, consider the following statements:
- BBBP was launched on 22 January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana by PM Narendra Modi.
- It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, with convergence from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare and Education.
- The scheme aims to address the declining Child Sex Ratio and gender-based discrimination.
- BBBP is a state government scheme with no role for the central government.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; BBBP is a central government scheme, NOT a state government scheme.)
Q2. With reference to BBBP’s achievements per the recent Ministry update, consider the following statements:
- India’s Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) per HMIS data has improved from 918 (2014-15) to 929 (2024-25).
- Girls’ enrolment at secondary level per UDISE data has increased from 75.51 per cent (2014-15) to 80.2 per cent (2024-25).
- The scheme has expanded from 100 initial districts to all districts of India.
- The Sex Ratio at Birth has declined over the past decade.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; the SRB has improved, NOT declined.)
Q3. With reference to sex ratio concepts, consider the following statements:
- Sex Ratio (SR) is the number of females per 1,000 males in the entire population.
- Child Sex Ratio (CSR) is the number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0-6 years age group.
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is the number of girls born per 1,000 boys in a given year.
- According to Census 2011, India’s overall Sex Ratio was 943 females per 1,000 males.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q4. With reference to the PCPNDT Act and related laws, consider the following statements:
- The PCPNDT Act stands for the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act.
- The Act was passed in 1994 and amended in 2003.
- The Act prohibits the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex selection or determination.
- The PCPNDT Act mandates compulsory prenatal sex determination for all pregnant women.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; the PCPNDT Act prohibits prenatal sex selection, NOT mandates it.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because BBBP is a central government scheme.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the SRB has improved, not declined.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the PCPNDT Act prohibits prenatal sex selection.
Exam Relevance
| Exam | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UPSC Prelims | GS Paper II on Government Schemes (BBBP, SSY, Mission Shakti, PMMVY); GS Paper I on Society |
| UPSC Mains | GS Paper II on Welfare, Women and Child; GS Paper I on Society, Gender |
| BPSC and State PCS | Schemes, Women and Child, Current Affairs |
| Banking and NABARD | General Awareness on schemes |
| SSC, Insurance, Railway | Static and Current GK on BBBP, SRB, CSR, PCPNDT |
