The State that has least sex ratio is ____________.

Answer: The state that has least sex ratio is option B. Haryana. According to data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) updated until April 22, 2025, Haryana’s sex ratio at birth (number of girls born per 1,000 boys) is 911.   

However, earlier in the year, in January 2025, the sex ratio at birth in Haryana had dropped to 910, which was the lowest it had been since 2016 when it stood at 900. This 2024 figure marked an eight-year low for the state after peaking at 923 in 2019.   

Complete Answer:

The historical imbalance in Haryana’s sex ratio can be attributed to several factors:

• Strong cultural preference for sons: Sons are traditionally favored for carrying on the family name, performing religious rites, and providing financial support.
• Dowry system: The practice of dowry contributes to seeing daughters as a financial burden.  
• Female foeticide: The misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies for sex-selective abortions has been a major contributor.  
• Socio-economic factors: In agrarian societies, the labor of sons was often seen as more valuable.
• Loosening enforcement of anti-foeticide laws: Some reports suggest that the strict enforcement of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act may have slackened in recent years.
• Emerging trend of “only boy” preference: Due to decreasing land holdings, some families are reportedly opting for only one child, and that preference leans towards a male child.  

Government Initiatives to Improve Sex Ratio in Haryana

The government has been actively working to improve the sex ratio in Haryana. Key initiatives include:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Campaign
• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994
• Aapki Beti Hamari Beti Scheme 
• Mahri Laado radio program 
• Monitoring IVF Births and Abortion Kits by the Haryana government

While Haryana has made progress in improving its sex ratio over the years, the recent dip in 2024 to an eight-year low indicates that sustained and more intensive efforts are needed to address the deep-rooted societal preferences and ensure a balanced sex ratio in the state. The government is focusing on stricter enforcement of laws, increasing awareness, and addressing emerging issues like potential misuse of IVF technology to further improve the situation.

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