Against WHO norm, India records 25% C-sec deliveries: Experts

Varanasi: Recent health data from National Family Health Survey highlights steady rise in C-section births across the country. In 2022–23, 23.8% babies were delivered by C-section operation, while in 2023–24, the figure rose to 25.27%. During 2024–25, India recorded around 1.97 crore births, of which nearly 54 lakh babies (about 27.46%) were delivered through surgical procedures. Experts believe the increase is partly linked to better access to hospital deliveries, improved detection of high-risk pregnancies and advanced obstetric care.Medical official Dr Shivshakti Prasad Dwivedi said according to National Family Health Survey conducted under ministry of health and family welfare, around 21.5% of births in India take place through Caesarean section and nearly 78% of deliveries still occur through normal vaginal birth. In UP, the data shows a similar trend. The rate of Caesarean deliveries increased from 9.4% in 2015–16 to 21.5% in 2019–21. Despite this rise, majority of births in the state still occur through normal delivery. World Health Organization recommends rate of Caesarean deliveries in a population should ideally remain around 10–15%, noting that higher rates do not necessarily improve maternal or newborn health outcomes.He said normal delivery remains most natural option, though C-section plays a vital, life-saving role when medically required. Modern medical science considers both methods safe when performed under proper medical supervision.Experts, however, emphasise that when there are no medical complications, normal delivery is generally regarded as the more beneficial option for mother and baby.Dr Dwivedi said normal delivery is birth of a baby through vaginal birth canal, a natural process that follows body's biological mechanisms. In most cases, the method does not require major surgical intervention and allows the mother's body to recover faster after childbirth. He said health specialists point out several advantages of normal delivery. Women usually recover sooner and have shorter hospital stays. Unlike C-sections, normal delivery does not involve surgical complications such as infections, anaesthesia risks, or excessive bleeding.