Society · 30 Sep 2026

NFHS-6 sterilisation data

With reference to family planning in India, consider the following statements:

  1. According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), female sterilisation declined compared with NFHS-5, while male sterilisation increased compared with NFHS-5.
  2. Between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6, the share of married women using modern contraceptive methods rose along with overall contraceptive use.
  3. India was the first country in the world to launch a national family planning programme, in 1952.
  4. During 1966-70, vasectomies accounted for the majority of sterilisations performed in India.
AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll four
This question is based on: The Transition Women Carried: How Vasectomy Vanished as India Reached Replacement Fertility
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 30 Sep 2026
About this question

Why in news

The WHO has issued new guidelines on expanding contraceptive choice, including its first Target Product Profile for reversible male contraceptives. At the same time, NFHS-6 shows the gender gap in sterilisation persisting even after India reached below-replacement fertility.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests NFHS indicators that move in opposite directions, such as overall use versus modern-method use. It also pairs a fresh survey figure with static history like the 1952 programme and the post-Emergency policy shift.

Prelims summary

NFHS-6: female sterilisation 36.5%, male sterilisation 0.5%, overall contraceptive use 69.1%, modern methods down to 52.7%.
India launched the world's first national family planning programme in 1952. Vasectomies made up about 80.5% of sterilisations in 1966-70 but fell sharply after the Emergency.
India reached the National Population Policy 2000 goal of TFR 2.0 in 2021 and TFR fell to 1.9 in 2025.

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