Despite advancements in healthcare access, India continues to grapple with a critical gap in mortality reporting: only 22.3% of registered deaths in 2022 were medically certified, according to the latest report by the Office of the Registrar General. Of the 86.5 lakh recorded deaths that year, just 19.32 lakh had medically certified causes—an alarming statistic that hinders effective health policy planning. Heart disease remained the top cause among certified deaths, followed by respiratory illnesses, infectious diseases, and diabetes, raising concerns over young and middle-aged mortality patterns in India.
Heart Disease Dominates, Certification Coverage Remains Sparse
Diseases of the circulatory system, particularly ischemic heart disease, accounted for over 40% of medically certified deaths in 2022. This trend held true across age groups, but was particularly concerning among younger populations aged 15–34, who were also vulnerable to injuries and external causes. Perinatal conditions were the dominant cause of infant mortality. Meanwhile, states showed wide disparities in certification rates—Goa reported 100% certification, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lagged at just 5.4% and 10.4% respectively. The national average fell from 23.4% in 2021 to 22.3% in 2022.
Systemic Gaps in Medical Attention and Reporting
Even among the 41.5 lakh people who received medical attention before death, only 46.5% had their deaths medically certified. This suggests a compliance failure in hospitals and among medical professionals. Out of over 87,000 hospitals with in-patient facilities, just 54% reported certified cause-of-death data. Gender disparities also persisted, with 64% of certified deaths being male and only 36% female. The report emphasizes that without full implementation of the Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) scheme—including in rural areas, private hospitals, and non-institutional settings—India risks missing vital health trends necessary for policy response and disease prevention.
