India's Skewed Sex Ratio: Online Sex Determination Concerns Rise
Photo by Mathieu Stern
Key Facts
The sex ratio in Delhi has been falling consistently since 2020, reaching 922 females per 1,000 males in 2023.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
UPSC Exam Angles
PCPNDT Act and its effectiveness
Social factors contributing to skewed sex ratio
Role of technology in exacerbating social issues
Visual Insights
Skewed Sex Ratio in India: Focus on Delhi
Highlights Delhi's declining sex ratio and the broader issue of son preference in India, linking it to online sex determination.
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More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994: 1. The Act prohibits sex selection before and after conception. 2. It regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques solely for detecting genetic abnormalities. 3. The Central Supervisory Board (CSB) constituted under the Act is chaired by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Act prohibits sex selection *before* and *during* conception, not after. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
2. In the context of India's skewed sex ratio, which of the following factors contribute significantly to the persistence of son preference? 1. Socio-cultural norms emphasizing patrilineal inheritance. 2. Economic contributions of sons in agricultural societies. 3. Lack of awareness regarding the legal consequences of sex determination. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
While lack of awareness might be a factor, the primary drivers are socio-cultural norms and economic factors related to sons. The legal consequences are generally known, but not always a deterrent.
3. Assertion (A): The increasing availability of online platforms offering sex determination services poses a significant challenge to the effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act. Reason (R): The decentralized nature of the internet makes it difficult to monitor and regulate content related to sex determination. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why online platforms present a challenge to the PCPNDT Act.
4. Which of the following initiatives is NOT directly aimed at improving the child sex ratio in India?
- A.Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- B.Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- C.Janani Suraksha Yojana
- D.National Rural Health Mission
Show Answer
Answer: D
While the National Rural Health Mission contributes to overall maternal and child health, it is not specifically targeted at improving the child sex ratio like the other options.
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