Pune’s child sex ratio fell from 940 girls per 1,000 boys in 2014 to 911 in 2024.
Illegal prenatal sex determination continues despite PCPNDT laws.
Authorities monitor sonography centres, but enforcement faces challenges.
Pune, 25 September 2025: Over the past ten years, Pune has witnessed a worrying decline in its child sex ratio, which measures the number of girls born per 1,000 boys. In 2014, there were 940 girls for every 1,000 boys. By December 2024, this number had dropped to 911, highlighting growing concerns about gender imbalance in the city.
Vivek Velankar, President of the Vigilant Citizens Forum, obtained this information through a Right to Information (RTI) request and wrote to the Pune Municipal Commissioner, urging attention.
According to him, the ideal ratio should be at least 950 girls per 1,000 boys. While the city reached 946 in 2020 due to municipal initiatives, the ratio has steadily declined in subsequent years, particularly in the last four years.
The decline is partly linked to illegal prenatal sex determination. Despite the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act of 1994 banning sex determination before and during pregnancy, violations continue. Under this law, all sonography and ultrasound centres must be registered with the health department. Non-compliance can lead to license cancellation, fines, and imprisonment.
Dr. Kalpana Balivant, Deputy Health Officer of Pune Municipal Corporation, explained that the PCPNDT committee regularly inspects registered centres. Actions include temporary suspension of registration, sealing of centres, and penalties if Form F is not maintained or if unauthorized personnel operate machines. However, secret investigations often face obstacles as pregnant women are reluctant to participate in undercover checks.
City’s Child Sex Ratio Data (2014–2024):
2014: 29,785 boys, 28,009 girls – 940
2015: 31,579 boys, 29,190 girls – 924
2016: 32,604 boys, 30,208 girls – 926
2017: 32,511 boys, 30,174 girls – 928
2018: 31,819 boys, 29,550 girls – 928
2019: 27,407 boys, 26,262 girls – 921
2020: 25,967 boys, 24,577 girls – 946
2021: 26,250 boys, 23,903 girls – 910
2022: 25,630 boys, 23,321 girls – 910
2023: 25,315 boys, 22,928 girls – 906
2024: 23,480 boys, 21,384 girls – 911
Sonography Centres in Pune:
Registered centres: 1,651
Currently operational: 870
New applications pending: 130
Certificates issued: 73
Centres issued violation notices: 68
Despite strict laws and regular monitoring, Pune continues to face challenges in maintaining a healthy gender balance. Authorities stress that more awareness and stringent enforcement are required to protect the city’s girls from illegal prenatal practices.
