Examination of completeness of death registration by sample registration system in India and selected states

The reliable data on vital events from Civil registration system is the key to track the progress of MDG IV and V. In India, Sample Registration System (SRS) is taken as a substitute to Civil Registration System and provide information to measure MDG. There has been some efforts to examine the completeness of SRS data until 2001. This paper examines completeness of registration of death by SRS, India for the period 1990-2009.The completeness of death registration is assessed using the method proposed by Bennett and Horiuchi (1981). Finding of the study suggested over registration of deaths during 1990-99 and under registration of death during 2000-09 by Sample Registration System of India. Result show that, at national level, during 1990-99, 22% deaths among men and 11% among female were over registered while during 2000-09, 1% of death among men and 13% among women were under registered by the sample registration system in India.