Transition in Sex Differentials in Mortality in India: 1970-2010

This paper analyses the transition in mortality sex differentials in India and in its selected constitutent States using the life tables prepared on the basis of the Sample Registration System during the period 1970 through 2010. Mortality sex differentials in India are widening and getting more and more favourable to females. The paper attempts to answer whther the widening of female-male differentials in mortality in India and in its constitutent State is due to a change in the mortality sex ratios or is due to the transition in the age pattern of mortality in males and females. The paper also discusses policy and programme implications of the transition in mortality sex differentisl.