SC reiterated need for strict enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, highlighting the continued prevalence of sex-selection practices leading to imbalance in sex ratio.

• PCPNDT Act, 1994: Enacted in 1994 and came into force in 1996 to address declining sex ratios and curb sex-selective practices.

Reasons for Inverted Sex Ratio

• Patriarchal Son Preference: Deep-rooted gender norms assign greater social and economic value to boys, reinforced by expectations of old-age support. 
• Marriage Customs: Dowry and patrilocality increase the perceived economic burden of daughters and reduce their role in family support.
• Systemic Gender Inequality: Persistent discrimination and unequal opportunities for women perpetuate skewed sex ratios.
  • India's ranking in Global Gender Gap Report 2025 slipped from 129th to 131st out of 148 countries, indicating continuing gender inequality.
• Misuse of Technology: Prenatal diagnostic techniques facilitate sex determination and female foeticide.
• Lack of enforcement of law: Even the strict provisions under BNS and earlier IPC their implementation remains underutilized and therefore sex ration is not improved as expected.
  • Census figures showed a fall from 945 girls per 1,000 boys in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and further to 919 in 2011.