SYLLABUS

GS-1: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the 27th edition of “Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data” at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development” in Bhubaneswar.

About the Report

• Women and Men in India is an annual publication brought out by the National Statistical Office under MoSPI since 1995, providing a comprehensive gender-disaggregated statistical compendium. 

• The 2025 edition compiles data from multiple ministries, departments, and organisations, covering key domains such as population, health, education, economic participation, decision-making, and violence against women. 

• It includes 50 key indicators with metadata, improving clarity on definitions, sources, and methodology, and aligns with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN gender indicators. 

• The report presents data across rural–urban, state/UT, and time-series dimensions, enabling evidence-based policymaking and tracking of gender disparities. 

Key Findings of the Report

• Demography and Population:  The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) at the all-India level improved from 904 during 2017–19 to 917 in 2021–23, indicating a gradual improvement in the survival and overall status of female children in the country. 

• This upward trend reflects positive changes in societal attitudes and policy interventions aimed at addressing gender imbalance at birth.

• Health Indicators: The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) recorded a consistent and sustained decline for both male and female infants between 2008 and 2023, highlighting significant progress in maternal and child healthcare systems. 

• This decline suggests better access to healthcare services, improved nutrition, and strengthened public health interventions across the country.

• Education: Gender parity has been achieved across all levels of school education, from primary to higher secondary, reflecting balanced participation of boys and girls in the schooling system. 

• In higher education, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for females increased from 28.5 in 2021–22 to 30.2 in 2022–23, while for males it rose from 28.3 to 28.9 during the same period.
• This shows improving female participation and a gradual narrowing of the gender gap.

• Economic Participation: The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased for both men and women aged 15 years and above, demonstrating a broader expansion of workforce engagement.

• Rural women, in particular, recorded the sharpest increase, with their participation rising from 37.5% in 2022 to 45.9% in 2025, suggesting a significant rise in female involvement in economic activities, especially in rural areas.

• Leadership and Decision-Making: Women’s representation in managerial positions increased by 102.54% between 2017 and 2025, compared to a 73.80% increase for men during the same period.

• This indicates that the growth rate of women in leadership roles has outpaced that of men, reflecting gradual but meaningful improvements in gender representation within decision-making positions in the workplace.

• Data Systems and Gender Statistics: The introduction of metadata for 50 indicators has enhanced conceptual clarity, improved methodological transparency, and enabled better interpretation of gender statistics. 

• Strengthening of gender-disaggregated data systems help identify structural inequalities and improve targeted interventions. 
• It also supports tracking of national and global commitments, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principle of “Leaving No One Behind.”

• Broader Structural Insights: Gender statistics are increasingly recognised as cross-cutting and essential across sectors such as health, education, economy, and governance, underscoring their importance in holistic development planning. 

• The report emphasises the need for data-driven gender analysis to support effective policy formulation, programme implementation, and monitoring of development outcomes.
• Continued institutional efforts, such as the Expert Committee on Gender Statistics (2025), aim to bridge data gaps and expand the overall coverage of gender-related data systems.

Sources:
PIB
MOSPI
DD News