Kerala's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and demographic trends

Current MMR Situation

• Kerala's MMR is the lowest in India at 19 per lakh live births.
• Recent trends show a steady increase in MMR, primarily due to a decrease in the number of live births rather than an increase in maternal deaths.
• The State's live births have dropped significantly from an annual average of 5-5.5 lakh to 3,93,231 in recent records.

Impact of Declining Birth Rates

• Fertility levels and demographics shifts are impacting Kerala's social structure.
• The birth rate fell below the five-lakh mark in 2016 and has continued to decrease.
• The total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.46 in 2021, indicating that most couples have one or no children.

Challenges in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Kerala's MMR target of 20 by 2030 appears unreachable due to falling birth rates.
• Addressing medical causes of maternal mortality is not sufficient as demographic changes influence MMR.
• Factors like low fertility rates and societal attitudes towards marriage and childbirth are significant contributors.

Demographic Transition and Its Consequences

• Kerala led demographic transition in South India, achieving replacement level fertility in 1987-88.
• The elderly population is expected to surpass the child population in the next decade, posing challenges for care and welfare.
• Higher age at marriage and delayed childbearing lead to increased pregnancy-related morbidities among older mothers.

Concerns and Future Implications

• The reproductive age group's female population is dwindling, with many opting against marriage or childbirth.
• Projected decline in birth rate and its stark consequences are expected within two decades.
• Errors in birth registration and lack of data on abortions impact understanding of live birth numbers.

In summary, Kerala's rising MMR, despite being relatively low, is attributed to declining live births rather than increased maternal deaths. The state faces challenges from demographic shifts, falling fertility rates, and societal changes, which affect its ability to maintain a stable population and achieve its MMR targets. These trends underscore the need for comprehensive policy responses to address the evolving demographic landscape.

Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025

On January 3, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, marking a significant step in India’s efforts to regulate digital personal data. This follows the passing of the DPDP Act, 2023, and represents a shift from the previously criticized Personal Data Protection Bill.

Principles-Based Framework

• India's approach departs from the EU’s GDPR, favoring a less prescriptive, principles-based framework.
• Emphasis on simplicity and clarity is intended to reduce "consent fatigue" among users.
• The framework focuses on outcomes rather than prescribing processes, thereby empowering users without overwhelming businesses.

Protection for Children's Data

• Stricter protections are established for processing children's data.
• Exemptions are provided for educational institutions and health services for activities like behavioral monitoring, which benefit children’s educational outcomes.

Flaws and Challenges

• The rules introduce complexities concerning cross-border data flows.
• Potential data localisation mandates for Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs) could lead to regulatory arbitrage.
• Ambiguities remain regarding how businesses can authenticate data requesters or charge for excessive requests.
• Concerns exist about whether the government can access sensitive business data.

Need for Procedural Integrity

• Procedural integrity is crucial to ensure sensitive data remains secure.
• Businesses need safeguards to manage information requests effectively.
• The rules should address data protection as a critical aspect of business reputation and continuity, not just a regulatory obligation.

Future Considerations

• India needs to move beyond notice-and-consent mechanisms to protect privacy, especially as technologies like IoT, 5G, and AI evolve.
• Public consultations are essential to refine the draft rules, balancing innovation, economic growth, and individual rights.

The article emphasizes that while the DPDP rules offer a more flexible approach compared to the EU’s GDPR, certain areas require further clarity and refinement. This includes addressing procedural integrity and ensuring the rules accommodate industry-specific needs without stifling innovation.