India has made encouraging progress in women's health, financial independence and digital inclusion, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6).
The survey, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and analysed by SBI Research, highlights several positive shifts in the lives of Indian women over the last three years. From better maternal healthcare and reproductive health services to improved financial and digital inclusion[NJ1] , the findings suggest that more women are gaining access to resources that can improve their health and quality of life.
Better Healthcare For Women
The report points to continued improvements in maternal healthcare and reproductive health services across the country. Women are increasingly accessing healthcare during pregnancy, using family planning methods and benefiting from improved health delivery systems.
India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has remained stable at 2.0, while contraceptive use has increased from 66.7 per cent in NFHS-5 to 69.1 per cent in NFHS-6. This indicates that more women are able to make informed reproductive health choices.
Child Marriage Continues To Decline
One of the most significant social gains has been the reduction in child marriage.
In 2005-06, nearly half (47.4 per cent) of women aged 20-24 were married before the legal age. By 2023-24, that number had fallen to 20.1 per cent.
While the progress is encouraging, one in five young women still marry before the legal age, showing there is more work to be done.
Women Are Becoming More Financially Independent
Financial inclusion among women has risen sharply. The percentage of women operating their own bank or savings accounts increased from 78.6 per cent in NFHS-5 to 89 per cent in NFHS-6.
Having control over finances can improve decision-making, healthcare access and economic security, making it a key indicator of women's empowerment.
Digital Inclusion Is Growing
Internet access among women has seen one of the biggest jumps. The proportion of women who have ever used the internet nearly doubled, reaching 64.3 per cent.
Digital access plays an increasingly important role in education, healthcare information, financial services and employment opportunities, helping women participate more fully in society.
New Health Challenges Are Emerging
While several indicators have improved, the report also highlights growing health concerns. The proportion of women who are overweight or obese has risen from 12.6 per cent in 2005-06 to 30.7 per cent in 2023-24. Experts warn that this may increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
The survey also notes that although child stunting has declined, rates of underweight children and wasting still require attention.
The Bigger Picture
The NFHS-6 findings paint a picture of gradual but meaningful progress. More women are accessing healthcare, managing their finances, using digital tools and marrying later than previous generations.
At the same time, the report reminds us that improving women's health requires continued investment, not only in maternal care, but also in nutrition, preventive healthcare and long-term wellbeing.
As India moves forward, these gains in women's health and inclusion could have a lasting impact on families, communities and the country's future development.