Srinagar, Aug 06: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a significant improvement in its Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), which has increased from 936 in 2014-15 to 957 in 2025-26 (provisional), the Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha, attributing the progress to the expansion of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, replying to a question raised by Rajya Sabha member Sat Paul Sharma, said the BBBP scheme has been instrumental in addressing the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) while promoting the empowerment of girls and women.
She said the scheme seeks to bring about behavioural and societal change towards the girl child by informing, influencing, motivating, engaging and empowering various stakeholders.
During the 15th Finance Commission period, the BBBP scheme has been expanded to cover all districts across the country as a component of the SAMBAL vertical under Mission Shakti, with greater emphasis on multi-sectoral interventions that deliver measurable outcomes at the grassroots level, the minister said.
Thakur said the initiative has evolved from a policy programme into a nationwide movement by mobilising government agencies, media, civil society organisations and the public to improve the status of the girl child.
Citing the latest data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, she said Jammu and Kashmir’s Sex Ratio at Birth has shown a steady upward trend, reaching 957 in 2025-26 (provisional) from 936 in 2014-15.
The minister also highlighted gains in girls’ education. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) of the Ministry of Education, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls at the secondary school level in Jammu and Kashmir increased from 62.03 per cent in 2014-15 to 68.8 per cent in 2025-26.
Thakur informed the House that BBBP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with the Centre providing 100 per cent financial assistance to States and Union Territories, while implementation is carried out by the respective State Governments and UT Administrations. Funds are released in accordance with the Department of Expenditure guidelines through the Single Nodal Agency (SNA)/SNA-SPARSH mechanism under the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
According to the financial details shared by the minister, Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 250.67 lakh under the BBBP scheme during 2025-26. In 2024-25, the Union Territory reported utilisation of Rs 579.10 lakh, exceeding the amount released as it included unspent balances carried forward from previous years.
