India has recorded substantial progress in improving maternal and child health, as highlighted by recent official reports. According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India, the nation continues to show encouraging trends across key health parameters.
The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has seen a noteworthy decline. Data from the Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality (2019–21) reveals that MMR dropped from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014–16 to 93 in 2019–21, marking a 37-point improvement.
Child mortality indicators also reflect a positive trajectory. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) decreased from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 27 in 2021. Similarly, the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) reduced from 26 to 19, while the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) declined from 45 to 31 over the same period. The Sex Ratio at Birth also saw improvement, rising from 899 females per 1,000 males in 2014 to 913 in 2021. Meanwhile, the Total Fertility Rate stabilized at 2.0 in 2021, an advance from 2.3 in 2014.
Several states have already surpassed Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets well ahead of the 2030 deadline. For MMR (≤70), the following eight states have achieved the goal: Kerala (20), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (45), Andhra Pradesh (46), Tamil Nadu (49), Jharkhand (51), Gujarat (53), and Karnataka (63).
In terms of child mortality, twelve states/UTs have met the SDG target for U5MR (≤25): Kerala (8), Delhi (14), Tamil Nadu (14), Jammu & Kashmir (16), Maharashtra (16), West Bengal (20), Karnataka (21), Punjab (22), Telangana (22), Himachal Pradesh (23), Andhra Pradesh (24), and Gujarat (24).
For NMR (≤12), six states/UTs have achieved the target: Kerala (4), Delhi (8), Tamil Nadu (9), Maharashtra (11), Jammu & Kashmir (12), and Himachal Pradesh (12).
India’s progress has not only been significant nationally but also outpaces global averages. The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group (UN-MMEIG) report (2000–2023), released on April 7, 2025, indicates a 23-point drop in India’s MMR from 2020 to 2023. Over the 33-year span since 1990, India's MMR has decreased by 86%, outperforming the global reduction rate of 48%.
The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) Report 2024, published on March 24, 2025, ranks India among the leading nations in reducing child mortality. From 1990 to 2023, India achieved a 78% decline in U5MR, compared to a global drop of 61%; a 70% fall in NMR, versus 54% globally; and a 71% reduction in IMR, surpassing the global figure of 58%.
These accomplishments reflect India’s continued commitment to enhancing maternal and child health outcomes and aligning with global health targets.