Infant mortality rate falling slowest in states with worst track record

SRS data shows that infant mortality in rural areas had declined faster than urban centres between 2011-15; the situation has reversed again in favour of urban areas

India undoubtedly has something to celebrate; the new Sample Registration Survey (SRS) data shows that the infant mortality rate—infants who die before turning one, out of 1,000 childbirths—in the country came down to 30 in 2019 compared to 44 in 2011 and 50 a decade ago.

However, a further analysis of SRS data shows that seven states still have higher infant mortality than the rest of the country.

While India has set a target of an IMR of 25 for itself, 13 states still have a higher IMR than 25.

Of the 7 states with a higher infant