Agartala, 21st May 2026: Tripura has achieved its best-ever public health performance, recording the lowest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in its history, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin released by the Registrar General of India.
As per the 2024 data cited by the state health department, Tripura registered an IMR of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births, well below the national average of 24. This marks a notable improvement compared to 2023, when the rate stood at 15, which was previously the lowest recorded for the state.
Among neighbouring northeastern states, Assam reported an IMR of 29, Meghalaya recorded 31, and Arunachal Pradesh stood at 17, highlighting Tripura’s relatively stronger performance in child health indicators.
The bulletin also points to broader demographic improvements in the state. Tripura’s birth rate is now 15 per 1,000 population, which is lower than the national average of 18.3. The death rate has declined to 5.9 per 1,000, also below the national average of 6.4, resulting in a natural growth rate of 9.1 compared to the national figure of 11.9.
Officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department credit this progress to sustained expansion of healthcare services, including strengthened antenatal and postnatal care, improved immunisation coverage, better nutrition support, and increased institutional deliveries.
The report notes that coordinated efforts by healthcare workers, doctors, and frontline staff have helped bring essential services closer to communities, particularly in rural and remote areas, contributing to improved maternal and child health outcomes.
Health experts, while welcoming the decline in infant mortality, emphasize the need to further strengthen nutrition programs, rural healthcare infrastructure, and early childhood interventions to ensure continued progress in the coming years.
Manik Saha stated that sustained improvements in maternal and child health services, strengthening of SNCU and NBSU facilities, expanded immunisation coverage, and community-based health initiatives have played a key role in achieving this milestone.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda for their continued support in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Tripura.
