Telangana records over 900% rise in abortions in 5 years, highest among all states
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Hyderabad: Telangana recorded an over 900% rise in abortions (medically terminated pregnancies) over the past five years, shows data tabled in the Rajya Sabha recently. This is the highest increase that any state has witnessed in India during this period — with abortion numbers increasing from 1,578 in 2020-21 to 16,059 in 2024-25.
During the intervening years, the count rose from 4,071 in 2022-23 to a staggering 12,365 in 2023-24.
The records were presented by Union minister of state for health and family welfare, Anupriya Patel.
Doctors from Telangana attributed this sharp rise to a host of reasons ranging from medical conditions, unplanned pregnancies, higher living costs to more women wanting to delay motherhood.
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"Majority of abortions during this period were performed before completion of 12 weeks of pregnancy, due to medical complications.
There were spontaneous abortions because of genetics, chromosomal and congenital abnormalities — detected in the developing fetus. These natural pregnancy losses represented a significant portion of the overall figures," said Dr VK Sumithra, programme joint director, state's maternal health and nutrition department.
She said, in some cases, failure to comply with use of contraceptives — including missing trimesterly injections — led to MTPs.
"Economic reasons too are reshaping family planning choices, particularly in urban areas, with couples choosing to delay or limit childbirth," she added.
Dr Hem Lata, senior gynaecologist and additional deputy district medical and health officer (DMHO), Hyderabad, reiterated the changing family planning patterns in Telangana. "Till a few years ago, people would undergo family planning operations after having two children, but now they are getting it done after one child only due to high living costs and other expenses," she said, adding, "This shows how economic pressures are driving reproductive decisions.
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Improved data collection and increased awareness are also factors that have added to this surge, say doctors. Earlier, many MTP cases went unreported due to lack of streamlined systems. "Now, with the integration of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) reporting mechanisms have significantly improved. This, along with greater awareness around the provisions of the MTP Act, 2017, has led to more accurate and consistent documentation of medical terminations across the state," said Dr Sumithra.
"To add to that is the age of abortion being increased from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, and in special circumstances abortion above 24 weeks," she added.
Some also pegged it to changing demographic patterns, particularly post Covid-19. "More women are part of the workforce and prioritise career growth, stability, and family planning," said Dr Rupa Banu, a gynaecologist from a private hospital.
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