Maharashtra records highest number of abortions in India, experts stress counselling
Maharashtra logged over 2 lakh medical abortions in 2024-25, the highest in India, with experts calling for stronger family planning counselling.
Making contraceptives available is not enough. Their correct and consistent use, accurate information and conversations between couples about family planning are just as important. World Contraception Day on September 26 has once again highlighted the need for awareness about contraceptive methods and the importance of family planning to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
According to 2024-25 data from the Union Health Ministry's Health Management Information System, 2,07,019 medical abortions were recorded in Maharashtra, the highest number among all states in the country. This makes clear that alongside contraceptive use, counselling is also needed.
According to the Family Welfare Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, 20,950 abortions were recorded in Mumbai between April 2024 and March 2025. Of these, 716 cases involved girls under 19 years of age. The reason for the abortion was recorded in 20,685 of Mumbai's cases. Of these, 19,495 cases cited incomplete or incorrect use of contraceptives or failure of the contraceptive method as the reason. However, this does not mean that only the contraceptive methods failed. Choosing the right method, using it correctly, maintaining regularity, being aware of possible side effects and seeking medical counselling when needed are equally important.
Varsha Deshpande said abortion is a woman's health right, but men also need to adopt responsible sexual behaviour. The suffering a woman experiences from an abortion is as much as that of a delivery. She said family planning surgery has to be undergone by women alone, and asked when men would become sensitive enough to come forward for surgery and contraceptive use.
According to 2023-24 data from the National Family Health Survey-6, the prevalence of use of any family planning method among married women aged 15 to 49 in Maharashtra is 69.1 percent, while use of modern contraceptive methods stands at 52.7 percent. The total unmet need for family planning is stated at 8.5 percent. Given these figures, World Contraception Day is an opportunity to widen the scope of awareness.
