Why Are Indian Women Still Bearing The Contraception Burden? NFHS-6 Reveals Stark Reality

Agreed, childbirth falls 98% on women, but does family planning have to as well?

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) 2023-24 has highlighted a striking reality about family planning in India. While female sterilisation continues to be one of the most widely used contraceptive methods across the country, male sterilisation remains extremely rare.

According to the survey, 36.5% of currently married women aged 15 to 49 have undergone female sterilisation, compared to just 0.5% of men who have opted for male sterilisation. The data points to a significant gender imbalance in family planning responsibilities, with women continuing to shoulder most of the burden.

Andhra Pradesh Records Highest Female Sterilisation Rate

The NFHS-6 data shows major differences between states in the use of female sterilisation.

Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest rate in the country at 69.5%, meaning nearly seven out of every ten currently married women aged 15-49 have undergone the procedure.

PTI INFOGRAPHICS | NFHS 6: How Widely Is Female Sterilisation Used (n/2)

The utilisation of female sterilisation among currently married women aged 15 to 49 stands at a national average of 36.5%, vastly exceeding the male sterilisation average of 0.5%. At the state level, female… pic.twitter.com/7eqkH1Oy0W

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2026

Other states with high female sterilisation rates include:

• Telangana - 62.5%
• Karnataka - 56.9%
• Tamil Nadu - 56.6%
• Puducherry - 53%
• Maharashtra - 49%
• Madhya Pradesh - 47.8%

These states have long relied on female sterilisation as a key family planning method, particularly after families achieve their desired number of children.

Meghalaya Reports The Lowest Usage

At the other end of the spectrum, Meghalaya reported the lowest female sterilisation rate at just 7.1%.

Other states with relatively low rates include:

• Assam - 7.7%
• Nagaland - 11%
• Tripura - 11.6%
• Sikkim - 11.7%
• Lakshadweep - 12.5%
• Ladakh - 13.5%

Experts often attribute lower sterilisation rates in these regions to differences in family planning preferences, cultural practices and access to healthcare services.

Male Sterilisation Remains Rare Across India

One of the most notable findings of the survey is the extremely low participation of men in permanent contraception. The national average for male sterilisation stands at only 0.5%, far below the female rate of 36.5%.

Even in states where male sterilisation is comparatively higher, the numbers remain small:

• Andhra Pradesh - 0.8%
• Telangana - 3.6%
• Karnataka - 0%
• Tamil Nadu - 0.1%
• Maharashtra - 1.1%
• Himachal Pradesh - 2.3%

The data highlights how family planning continues to be viewed largely as a woman's responsibility in many parts of the country.

What Is Female Sterilisation?

Female sterilisation is a permanent birth control method in which a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked, cut or sealed to prevent pregnancy.

The procedure is commonly known as tubal ligation or "getting the tubes tied."
Once completed, it permanently prevents eggs from reaching the uterus, making pregnancy highly unlikely.

Male sterilisation, known as a vasectomy, is a simpler and less invasive procedure, yet its adoption remains extremely limited across India.

The NFHS-6 findings underline the need for greater awareness and shared responsibility in family planning.

Health experts have long argued that increasing male participation in contraception can reduce the physical and medical burden placed on women. The survey also raises important questions about access to contraceptive choices and whether couples are receiving balanced information about available options.