India Cracks Down on Online Sex Determination Violations Amid Persistent Son Preference
December 14, 2025
Sex determination is illegal in India under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. Yet, online videos and posts claiming to reveal signs of a baby’s sex attract millions of views. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has alerted States and Union Territories about this growing problem and asked them to list and remove such online content.
Videos by influencers, religious leaders, and even people claiming medical knowledge share myths like “If you feel lazy, it’s a baby boy” or “chanted mantras to conceive a male child.” One such popular video has over 14 lakh views. Experts warn these unscientific claims can lead to dangerous illegal abortions and health risks for women.
Rizwan Parvez from Girls Count calls these videos "non-scientific" and says, “They normalize son preference and daughter unwantedness, perpetuating harmful mindsets.” The PCPNDT Act explicitly bans sex selection and advertisement of related content, with punishments including 5 to 10 years in jail.
Recent data shows mixed progress. The sex ratio at birth in India improved from 904 females per 1,000 males in 2019 to 917 in 2023. However, some states like Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal have seen declines. Delhi’s sex ratio has steadily fallen since 2020.
Doctors and health workers note that open requests for sex selection have decreased. Dr. Rashmi Gera of Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital says, "Everyone knows it is wrong now." Still, social and family pressures fuel hidden son preference, often pushing women to seek online methods.
The government established the PCPNDT Nodal Agency in 2017 to block sex determination content online and auto-block related keywords. However, activists say more legal changes are needed to cover digital platforms and 'services' aiding sex prediction.
Some influencers refuse to remove videos, claiming these are harmless guesses or cultural norms. Yet authorities continue efforts to remove illegal content. Online comments reflect mixed attitudes, with many praying for boys and some opposing son preference.
Pushpa, a Delhi woman who endured family pressure for a son after having daughters, sees change. "My eldest daughter fights back if I say anything about a son. Now things are changing slowly." The fight against digital promotion of sex determination continues as India pushes for gender equality and the eradication of female foeticide.
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Tags:
Sex Determination
Pcpndt Act
Female Foeticide
Online Sex Prediction
Gender Ratio
India
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