RGI released three reports – CRS, SRS and MCCD 2021; Life expectancy in India Drops

Current Context: The Registrar General of India (RGI), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, released three reports for 2021 on May 7, 2025, highlighting key demographic trends.

1. Civil Registration System (CRS) 2021

• Content: Records registered births and deaths in India.
• Findings: Registered deaths increased from 8.1 million (2020) to 10.2 million (2021), marking a 26% rise, with 574,198 deaths linked to COVID-19.

2. Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021

• Content: Estimates birth and death rates, covering unregistered cases.
• Findings: Crude Death Rate (CDR) rose to 7.5 per 1,000 people, making 2021 the deadliest year of the pandemic. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined to 93 per 100,000 live births, showing a 37-point drop since 2014-16.

3. Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) 2021

• Content: Captures medically certified deaths.
• Findings: 413,580 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in 2021, compared to 160,618 in 2020. Circulatory diseases and COVID-19 were the leading causes of death among 25-44-year-olds.

Life Expectancy Decline

• Life expectancy at birth dropped to 69.8 years, marking the first decline in 50 years.
• Urban areas saw a sharper decline (0.3 years) compared to rural areas (0.1 years).
• Delhi recorded the highest life expectancy (73 years for males), while Kerala led for females (77.9 years).

Question:

Q.1 What was the percentage increase in registered deaths in India from 2020 to 2021, as per the Civil Registration System (CRS) 2021 report?
a) 15%
b) 20%
c) 26%
d) 30%

Answer: c) The CRS 2021 report states that registered deaths increased from 8.1 million (2020) to 10.2 million (2021), marking a 26% rise. This was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.