In a significant public health achievement, Haryana has dramatically improved its sex ratio at birth, bringing it close to the national average after a decade of relentless effort. The state, once notorious for one of the worst gender imbalances, recorded a ratio of 923 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2025, a substantial leap from 910 in 2024 and a far cry from the dismal 834 recorded in the 2011 Census.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy: Law Enforcement and Monitoring
The turnaround is attributed to a concerted and focused approach that evolved over ten years. State officials shifted from merely implementing laws to a comprehensive strategy involving multiple departments. Between 2015 and 2025, Haryana registered a staggering 1,375 FIRs against medical practitioners and ultrasound centre owners under the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Acts. This crackdown continued even during the pandemic year of 2020.
Action was widespread across both urban and Tier-II districts. Faridabad led with 126 FIRs over the decade, followed by Sonipat (115) and Gurugram (112). Interestingly, these three districts still have ratios below the state average. The top performers are Panchkula (971), Fatehabad (961), and Panipat (951). Officials estimate that this push has "saved" more than 65,000 girls since 2015, preventing potential female foeticide.
Crossing Borders and Tracking Pregnancies
Recognizing that residents often sought sex-determination tests in neighbouring states, Haryana expanded its raids beyond its borders. In 2025 alone, it conducted 218 inter-state PNDT raids in Uttar Pradesh, along with 89 in Delhi, 83 in Punjab, and 26 in Rajasthan. Despite challenges like information leaks, cooperation from other states proved crucial.
At the ground level, innovative monitoring systems were put in place. Dr. Arun, a PNDT nodal officer in Panchkula, explained the introduction of the 'RCHID' or 'Reproductive and Child Health Identity'—a unique 12-digit ID for every pregnant woman examined at any healthcare institute. This led to a 37 percentage point increase in registrations and allowed officials to track every abortion, recording reasons meticulously.
Community Involvement and Decoy Operations
The state also launched the 'Saheli' project in April 2025, engaging anganwadi and ASHA workers to specifically monitor pregnant women who already had at least one daughter. This initiative resulted in a 57 percentage point drop in the trimester abortion rate within a year.
Financial incentives played a key role. The government's offer of Rs 1 lakh for tips on illegal sex-determination centres has led to payouts of around Rs 5 crore to informers over the last decade, according to Dr. G L Singhal, a consultant for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme.
Police extensively used decoy operations, often involving women constables or volunteers. A Sonipat-based widow and mother of four daughters, who has been a decoy for eight-nine years, stated she joined voluntarily because she understands the importance of a girl child.
Ongoing Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the success, officials remain vigilant about new challenges. The availability of portable ultrasound machines online and the black-market sale of MTP kits at inflated prices pose fresh threats. Operators also attempt to evade capture by frequently changing locations or conducting tests outside registered centres.
"We have been able to curb these malpractices to a large extent. Of course, there is much more to be done," admitted Dr. Singhal. The state's journey from a national laggard to a model of improvement showcases the impact of sustained political will, inter-departmental coordination, and community engagement in tackling deep-rooted social issues. The focus now is on consolidating these gains and addressing emerging loopholes.
