Mysuru: Karnataka recorded 725 pregnancies among girls aged 14 to 17 years between April and July 2026, according to data shared by the state govt.The figures, updated as of Aug 5, show that girls aged 17 accounted for the highest number of cases. According to data shared by CM DK Shivakumar in response to a question raised by BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar during the ongoing session, of the 725 cases reported during the period, 21 involved 14-year-old girls, 56 were among 15-year-olds, 127 among 16-year-olds and 521 among 17-year-olds.Raichur recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancies, with 100 cases in the 14-17 age group. Among 14-year-old girls, Hassan reported the highest number, with three cases.However, the data shows a decline in teenage pregnancies since 2024-25. The state recorded 4,579 teenage pregnancies in 2024-25 and 3,308 cases in 2025-26. With 725 cases reported during April-July 2026, the cumulative number of pregnancies among girls aged 14-17 stands at 8,612 during the period covered by the data.Girls aged 17 accounted for the overwhelming majority of the cases.According to feminist activist and writer Roopa Hassan, multiple factors are responsible for teenage pregnancies.“Child marriage incidents are coming down. But teenage pregnancies continued due to other causes including cheating and human trafficking,” she said.The writer based in Hassan said child marriages are still happening, but other factors also drive the numbers. “But definitely a majority of the victims of teenage pregnancies are the girls from the weaker sections of society. In many instances, poverty in the families and family disputes drive the girls out of home. This is adding to the burden of teenage pregnancies,” she explained.
