June 14, 2026

Representative image The proportion of babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months has dropped from 64% in 2019-21 to about 56% in 2023-24, reversing the rising trend of the decade and more before that. This fact, revealed by National Family Health Survey-6 has alarmed public health and nutrition experts who point out that exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is the most cost-effective nutrition intervention with lifelong benefits for mothers and babies.The reduction in breastfeeding rates is in almost all states barring a few like Kerala, Gujarat and West Bengal.Interestingly, however, the proportion of babies under three years who were breastfed within the first hour of birth has gone up significantly from about 42% in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) and 2019-21 (NFHS-5) to 50% in the latest survey. While most states have shown a marked improvement on this parameter, some like Punjab and West Bengal have recorded a decline.Some of the states with the highest number of births showed a sharp fall in the proportion of babies exclusively breastfed in the first six months. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh the proportion fell from almost 60% in 2019-21 to just 35% in 2023-24.In the same period, it fell from 74% to 56% in Madhya Pradesh, from over 70% to 54% in Rajasthan and from 64% to 54% in Assam. Haryana saw the sharpest fall from almost 70% to 41%. Uttarakhand too recorded a fall from almost 53% to 41%.In many states where breastfeeding within the first hour of birth was very low earlier, such as Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the proportion has jumped – from 22% in 2019-21 to 46.8% in Jharkhand, from 31% to 52% in Bihar, and from 32% to almost 52% in Chhattisgarh.In Kerala, the proportion of babies breastfed within the first hour has crossed 82%, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 67%. Kerala also has among the highest proportion of babies exclusively breastfed for the first six months, close to 73%, second to Chhattisgarh (76%).End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNTA To Hold Re-Exam For CUET-UG 2026 Candidates Affected By Tech GlitchMamata Banerjee Meets Hospitalised Abhishek Banerjee After Sonarpur AttackBrahMos Export Push Gains Pace With Vietnam Deal Signed, Indonesia Next In Line | WatchDK Shivakumar Meets Karnataka Governor, To Take CM Oath On June 3Delhi Police Foils Major Attack Plot, Arrests 9 Linked To ISI-Dawood Ibrahim Terror Network‘Not pointing fingers…’: Pete Hegseth’s witty reply to Pak journo over India’s AGNI-6 ICBM | WatchDoval’s Moscow Mission: India-Russia Defence, Energy & Arctic Cooperation In Focus | WatchTMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee Asked To Appear Before CID Amid Fresh Political Storm’Pakistan Navy Remained Confined To Its Ports’: Rajnath Singh Hails Navy’s Role During Op SindoorIndia’s Gold Demand Plunges 70% After Import Duty Rises To 15%123PhotostoriesLove quote of the day by Aristotle: “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”From Sarah Jessica Parker to Jon Bon Jovi, here are all of the celebrities who flaunt their gray hair like a crownParkinson’s before 50? Doctor explains the early warning signs most people ignore’Spider-Noir’ to ‘Deli Boys’: Latest Hollywood series and films to watch over the weekendDon’t throw away your potato peels: 5 smart ways to repurpose themYou’re walking, not running, so why are you breathless? Doctor explains what your body may be trying to tell youOne workout a week can help you lose weight, new study findsAsthma is no longer just about dust and pollution: Doctor warns stress, poor sleep and modern lifestyles are triggering more attacks5 lessons of perfect marriage we all need to learn from Preity Zinta and Gene GoodenoughWhy thousands of Indian children with Autism are diagnosed late: Doctors explain what early intervention can change123Hot PicksSimone BilesVinesh PhogatMonsoon ForecastHenry Nowak murderFrancisco CerundoloDonald TrumpGold price predictionTop TrendingGhaziabad Student MurderD GukeshVaibhav sooryavanshi IPL auctionPunjab Local Body Election ResultCockroach Janta PartySupreme CourtNEET UG 2026 fee refundBSEB Bihar Sakashmta Pariksha Admit CardNTANEET Paper Leak

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Representative image The proportion of babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months has dropped from 64% in 2019-21 to about 56% in 2023-24, reversing the rising trend of the decade and more before that. This fact, revealed by National Family Health Survey-6 has alarmed public health and nutrition experts who point out that exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is the most cost-effective nutrition intervention with lifelong benefits for mothers and babies.The reduction in breastfeeding rates is in almost all states barring a few like Kerala, Gujarat and West Bengal.Interestingly, however, the proportion of babies under three years who were breastfed within the first hour of birth has gone up significantly from about 42% in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) and 2019-21 (NFHS-5) to 50% in the latest survey. While most states have shown a marked improvement on this parameter, some like Punjab and West Bengal have recorded a decline.Some of the states with the highest number of births showed a sharp fall in the proportion of babies exclusively breastfed in the first six months. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh the proportion fell from almost 60% in 2019-21 to just 35% in 2023-24.In the same period, it fell from 74% to 56% in Madhya Pradesh, from over 70% to 54% in Rajasthan and from 64% to 54% in Assam. Haryana saw the sharpest fall from almost 70% to 41%. Uttarakhand too recorded a fall from almost 53% to 41%.In many states where breastfeeding within the first hour of birth was very low earlier, such as Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the proportion has jumped – from 22% in 2019-21 to 46.8% in Jharkhand, from 31% to 52% in Bihar, and from 32% to almost 52% in Chhattisgarh.In Kerala, the proportion of babies breastfed within the first hour has crossed 82%, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 67%. Kerala also has among the highest proportion of babies exclusively breastfed for the first six months, close to 73%, second to Chhattisgarh (76%).End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNTA To Hold Re-Exam For CUET-UG 2026 Candidates Affected By Tech GlitchMamata Banerjee Meets Hospitalised Abhishek Banerjee After Sonarpur AttackBrahMos Export Push Gains Pace With Vietnam Deal Signed, Indonesia Next In Line | WatchDK Shivakumar Meets Karnataka Governor, To Take CM Oath On June 3Delhi Police Foils Major Attack Plot, Arrests 9 Linked To ISI-Dawood Ibrahim Terror Network‘Not pointing fingers…’: Pete Hegseth’s witty reply to Pak journo over India’s AGNI-6 ICBM | WatchDoval’s Moscow Mission: India-Russia Defence, Energy & Arctic Cooperation In Focus | WatchTMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee Asked To Appear Before CID Amid Fresh Political Storm’Pakistan Navy Remained Confined To Its Ports’: Rajnath Singh Hails Navy’s Role During Op SindoorIndia’s Gold Demand Plunges 70% After Import Duty Rises To 15%123PhotostoriesLove quote of the day by Aristotle: “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”From Sarah Jessica Parker to Jon Bon Jovi, here are all of the celebrities who flaunt their gray hair like a crownParkinson’s before 50? Doctor explains the early warning signs most people ignore’Spider-Noir’ to ‘Deli Boys’: Latest Hollywood series and films to watch over the weekendDon’t throw away your potato peels: 5 smart ways to repurpose themYou’re walking, not running, so why are you breathless? Doctor explains what your body may be trying to tell youOne workout a week can help you lose weight, new study findsAsthma is no longer just about dust and pollution: Doctor warns stress, poor sleep and modern lifestyles are triggering more attacks5 lessons of perfect marriage we all need to learn from Preity Zinta and Gene GoodenoughWhy thousands of Indian children with Autism are diagnosed late: Doctors explain what early intervention can change123Hot PicksSimone BilesVinesh PhogatMonsoon ForecastHenry Nowak murderFrancisco CerundoloDonald TrumpGold price predictionTop TrendingGhaziabad Student MurderD GukeshVaibhav sooryavanshi IPL auctionPunjab Local Body Election ResultCockroach Janta PartySupreme CourtNEET UG 2026 fee refundBSEB Bihar Sakashmta Pariksha Admit CardNTANEET Paper Leak


Breastfeeding rates for infants have fallen sharply, shows NFHS

The proportion of babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months has dropped from 64% in 2019-21 to about 56% in 2023-24, reversing the rising trend of the decade and more before that. This fact, revealed by National Family Health Survey-6 has alarmed public health and nutrition experts who point out that exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is the most cost-effective nutrition intervention with lifelong benefits for mothers and babies.The reduction in breastfeeding rates is in almost all states barring a few like Kerala, Gujarat and West Bengal.Interestingly, however, the proportion of babies under three years who were breastfed within the first hour of birth has gone up significantly from about 42% in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) and 2019-21 (NFHS-5) to 50% in the latest survey. While most states have shown a marked improvement on this parameter, some like Punjab and West Bengal have recorded a decline.Some of the states with the highest number of births showed a sharp fall in the proportion of babies exclusively breastfed in the first six months. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh the proportion fell from almost 60% in 2019-21 to just 35% in 2023-24.In the same period, it fell from 74% to 56% in Madhya Pradesh, from over 70% to 54% in Rajasthan and from 64% to 54% in Assam. Haryana saw the sharpest fall from almost 70% to 41%. Uttarakhand too recorded a fall from almost 53% to 41%.In many states where breastfeeding within the first hour of birth was very low earlier, such as Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the proportion has jumped – from 22% in 2019-21 to 46.8% in Jharkhand, from 31% to 52% in Bihar, and from 32% to almost 52% in Chhattisgarh.In Kerala, the proportion of babies breastfed within the first hour has crossed 82%, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 67%. Kerala also has among the highest proportion of babies exclusively breastfed for the first six months, close to 73%, second to Chhattisgarh (76%).



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PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi (R) NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday turned up the heat on Centre and EAM Jaishankar over US secretary of state Marco Rubio’s remark after his phone-call with external affairs minister on Middle East crisis.Other Congress leaders also joined the attack, questioning both Washington’s tone and New Delhi’s response after three mariners were killed in US military strike.Rahul opened a fresh front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi arguing that the government’s response to the deaths of Indian mariners and Rubio’s response.In a strongly worded post, the Congress leader said Washington had shown neither remorse nor regret and had instead continued to dictate terms.He wrote on X: “Just days after the murder of three Indian sailors in American attacks—no remorse, no apology. On the contrary, America has continued issuing orders. Read their words: “Comply immediately with the orders of the US military.” No violation “will be tolerated”.””A free country would never tolerate such language. But our Compromised PM? Silent. They listen like an obedient servant and comply with the orders. Compromised PM will not defend the country’s honor—because those who insult the country are under their control,” he added.The largest-opposition party seized on Rubio’s comments, arguing that instead of expressing regret over the deaths of three Indian mariners in a recent US military strike, Washington chose to issue a “warning” to India.Leading the attack, Congress leader Pawan Khera said the Modi government should have demanded an unconditional apology from the United States.”India should have demanded an apology from the United States for the killing of three young Indian sailors in the American military strike—and that demand should have been accepted unconditionally,” he said.Khera said Rubio’s remarks reflected a tone of command rather than contrition.”Instead, Secretary Rubio deemed it appropriate to issue a warning and stated that failing to follow US military orders “will not be tolerated.” This is the language of issuing commands, not of remorse.”The Congress leader reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Jaishankar’s response, arguing that the government’s language did not match the gravity of the incident.He said “New Delhi’s response made the entire episode even more shameful. Instead of presenting the attack in its true light, the foreign minister merely said that lethal actions against commercial ships are “not justified.””Not justified”? That’s what you say about an overpriced sandwich at an airport, not about a military strike that takes the lives of innocent civilians. The right words for America’s action are: illegal, reckless, and unacceptable,” he added further.Congress MP Manish Tewari also joined the offensive, describing Rubio’s comments as unusually combative and devoid of empathy.”No regret , No remorse, no empathy, no sympathy. Abrupt, abrasive confrontational. @SecRubio could not have been more belligerent. The sub text in between the lines – is Indian sailors were responsible for what happened to them. Hardly the language you use with a country you call a friend,” Tewari said in a post on X.He further challenged Jaishankar to release India’s version of the conversation.”Rather than being namby pamby and wishy washy Jaishankar must put out his read out of the call . It would be interesting to know whether EAM Jaishankar stood upto this coarseness,” Tewari added.The political storm erupted after the US state department disclosed details of Rubio’s call with Jaishankar. According to Washington, Rubio stressed that commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz must comply with directives issued by US forces.”Secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz. The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated,” the office of spokesperson said.Jaishankar, however, said he used the conversation to convey India’s strong protest over the attack that claimed the lives of three Indian mariners.”Spoke to US secretary of state Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.The political fire at the Centre and Jaishankar’s phone-call with Rubio came amid constantly evolving situation in the Middle East.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIAF An-32 Crashes During Landing In Assam’s Jorhat, Co-Pilot Survives, Five Personnel KilledUP Government Constitutes SIT To Investigate Alleged Irregularities In Ram Temple DonationsModi-Trump Meeting At G7 Comes Amid India-US Tensions Over Sailors’ Deaths And Iran ConflictIndia’s Russian Oil Imports Rise 6.6% In May; Russia Remains India’s Second-Largest Crude SupplierStone-Pelting Rocks Patliputra Station As Students Demand More TrainsDRDO’s Three Successful Missile Tests Put India Among Nations Capable Of Countering ICBM ThreatsCong Leaders Demand Accountability, Apology From US After Three Indian Sailors Killed In StrikeRubio Tells EAM All Vessels Must Follow US Orders In Hormuz; India Protests Death Of 3 MarinersKalyan Banerjee Targets Rebel TMC Leaders: ‘If TMC Wins In 2029, Will They Resign?’Joint Tribes’ Council Accuses Kuki Cadres Of Killing Six Naga Captives, Seeks Immediate Arrests123PhotostoriesSuccess quote of the day by football GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo: “Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me…”7 traditional Indian foods that have been used to make alcohol for centuriesWhat happens when you eat 1 banana daily for 45 daysThis wild cat can crush a skull with one bite10 baby boy names symbolising fortune and good luck6 most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Thane for homebuyersNot every cancer begins with pain: Doctors reveal the everyday symptoms people often ignore for too longCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvels123Hot PicksStephen A SmithUS Trade DealNEET Admit CardJoSAA CounsellingKerala HSCAP 1st allotment resultPatliputra station protestCJP Bengaluru ProtestTelangana SIRDelhi restaurant fireTop TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi (R) NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday turned up the heat on Centre and EAM Jaishankar over US secretary of state Marco Rubio’s remark after his phone-call with external affairs minister on Middle East crisis.Other Congress leaders also joined the attack, questioning both Washington’s tone and New Delhi’s response after three mariners were killed in US military strike.Rahul opened a fresh front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi arguing that the government’s response to the deaths of Indian mariners and Rubio’s response.In a strongly worded post, the Congress leader said Washington had shown neither remorse nor regret and had instead continued to dictate terms.He wrote on X: “Just days after the murder of three Indian sailors in American attacks—no remorse, no apology. On the contrary, America has continued issuing orders. Read their words: “Comply immediately with the orders of the US military.” No violation “will be tolerated”.””A free country would never tolerate such language. But our Compromised PM? Silent. They listen like an obedient servant and comply with the orders. Compromised PM will not defend the country’s honor—because those who insult the country are under their control,” he added.The largest-opposition party seized on Rubio’s comments, arguing that instead of expressing regret over the deaths of three Indian mariners in a recent US military strike, Washington chose to issue a “warning” to India.Leading the attack, Congress leader Pawan Khera said the Modi government should have demanded an unconditional apology from the United States.”India should have demanded an apology from the United States for the killing of three young Indian sailors in the American military strike—and that demand should have been accepted unconditionally,” he said.Khera said Rubio’s remarks reflected a tone of command rather than contrition.”Instead, Secretary Rubio deemed it appropriate to issue a warning and stated that failing to follow US military orders “will not be tolerated.” This is the language of issuing commands, not of remorse.”The Congress leader reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Jaishankar’s response, arguing that the government’s language did not match the gravity of the incident.He said “New Delhi’s response made the entire episode even more shameful. Instead of presenting the attack in its true light, the foreign minister merely said that lethal actions against commercial ships are “not justified.””Not justified”? That’s what you say about an overpriced sandwich at an airport, not about a military strike that takes the lives of innocent civilians. The right words for America’s action are: illegal, reckless, and unacceptable,” he added further.Congress MP Manish Tewari also joined the offensive, describing Rubio’s comments as unusually combative and devoid of empathy.”No regret , No remorse, no empathy, no sympathy. Abrupt, abrasive confrontational. @SecRubio could not have been more belligerent. The sub text in between the lines – is Indian sailors were responsible for what happened to them. Hardly the language you use with a country you call a friend,” Tewari said in a post on X.He further challenged Jaishankar to release India’s version of the conversation.”Rather than being namby pamby and wishy washy Jaishankar must put out his read out of the call . It would be interesting to know whether EAM Jaishankar stood upto this coarseness,” Tewari added.The political storm erupted after the US state department disclosed details of Rubio’s call with Jaishankar. According to Washington, Rubio stressed that commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz must comply with directives issued by US forces.”Secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz. The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated,” the office of spokesperson said.Jaishankar, however, said he used the conversation to convey India’s strong protest over the attack that claimed the lives of three Indian mariners.”Spoke to US secretary of state Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.The political fire at the Centre and Jaishankar’s phone-call with Rubio came amid constantly evolving situation in the Middle East.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIAF An-32 Crashes During Landing In Assam’s Jorhat, Co-Pilot Survives, Five Personnel KilledUP Government Constitutes SIT To Investigate Alleged Irregularities In Ram Temple DonationsModi-Trump Meeting At G7 Comes Amid India-US Tensions Over Sailors’ Deaths And Iran ConflictIndia’s Russian Oil Imports Rise 6.6% In May; Russia Remains India’s Second-Largest Crude SupplierStone-Pelting Rocks Patliputra Station As Students Demand More TrainsDRDO’s Three Successful Missile Tests Put India Among Nations Capable Of Countering ICBM ThreatsCong Leaders Demand Accountability, Apology From US After Three Indian Sailors Killed In StrikeRubio Tells EAM All Vessels Must Follow US Orders In Hormuz; India Protests Death Of 3 MarinersKalyan Banerjee Targets Rebel TMC Leaders: ‘If TMC Wins In 2029, Will They Resign?’Joint Tribes’ Council Accuses Kuki Cadres Of Killing Six Naga Captives, Seeks Immediate Arrests123PhotostoriesSuccess quote of the day by football GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo: “Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me…”7 traditional Indian foods that have been used to make alcohol for centuriesWhat happens when you eat 1 banana daily for 45 daysThis wild cat can crush a skull with one bite10 baby boy names symbolising fortune and good luck6 most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Thane for homebuyersNot every cancer begins with pain: Doctors reveal the everyday symptoms people often ignore for too longCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvels123Hot PicksStephen A SmithUS Trade DealNEET Admit CardJoSAA CounsellingKerala HSCAP 1st allotment resultPatliputra station protestCJP Bengaluru ProtestTelangana SIRDelhi restaurant fireTop TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna 0
AI-generated image Uttar Pradesh has provided functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to over 1.2 crore rural households, achieving nearly 90 per cent coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), according to data from the ministry of jal shakti, as the scheme approaches its 2024 target of “Har Ghar Jal”, piped water to every rural home.Launched in August 2019, JJM aims to deliver potable water at 55 litres per capita per day to all rural households through individual tap connections, replacing the earlier system of shared standposts. The programme, with a combined central and state outlay exceeding Rs 3.6 lakh crore.In UP, which has 1.3 crore rural households, the state’s Jal Nigam (Rural) is the nodal implementing agency, executing the scheme across 822 blocks and over 59,000 Gram Panchayats. Officials said multi-village water supply schemes, connecting clusters of villages to shared treatment and pumping units, have driven rapid progress, particularly in the Terai region and eastern UP.Each village under the scheme has a Paani Samiti, or Village Water and Sanitation committee, responsible for overseeing construction, collecting user charges for maintenance, and managing operations. A Jal Sahiyya, typically a woman from the village, conducts mandatory quarterly water quality testing at multiple points across the village to ensure compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards and World Health Organisation drinking water standards.The expansion of piped water access is expected to significantly ease the burden on women and girls in rural households, who have traditionally spent hours collecting water from distant sources, time that development researchers say could now be redirected toward education, work, and health.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUP Government Constitutes SIT To Investigate Alleged Irregularities In Ram Temple DonationsModi-Trump Meeting At G7 Comes Amid India-US Tensions Over Sailors’ Deaths And Iran ConflictIndia’s Russian Oil Imports Rise 6.6% In May; Russia Remains India’s Second-Largest Crude SupplierStone-Pelting Rocks Patliputra Station As Students Demand More TrainsDRDO’s Three Successful Missile Tests Put India Among Nations Capable Of Countering ICBM ThreatsCong Leaders Demand Accountability, Apology From US After Three Indian Sailors Killed In StrikeRubio Tells EAM All Vessels Must Follow US Orders In Hormuz; India Protests Death Of 3 MarinersKalyan Banerjee Targets Rebel TMC Leaders: ‘If TMC Wins In 2029, Will They Resign?’Joint Tribes’ Council Accuses Kuki Cadres Of Killing Six Naga Captives, Seeks Immediate ArrestsCentre’s High-Level Committee On Demographic Changes Begins Work With Focus On Border Regions123PhotostoriesWhat happens when you eat 1 banana daily for 45 daysThis wild cat can crush a skull with one bite10 baby boy names symbolising fortune and good luck6 most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Thane for homebuyersNot every cancer begins with pain: Doctors reveal the everyday symptoms people often ignore for too longCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day123Hot PicksStephen A SmithUS Trade DealBullet Train ProjectBeijing ProtestYogi AdityanathPM ModiSpaceX IPORohit SharmaFortnite Gold Sprite Power Hour Start TimingTop TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

AI-generated image Uttar Pradesh has provided functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to over 1.2 crore rural households, achieving nearly 90 per cent coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), according to data from the ministry of jal shakti, as the scheme approaches its 2024 target of “Har Ghar Jal”, piped water to every rural home.Launched in August 2019, JJM aims to deliver potable water at 55 litres per capita per day to all rural households through individual tap connections, replacing the earlier system of shared standposts. The programme, with a combined central and state outlay exceeding Rs 3.6 lakh crore.In UP, which has 1.3 crore rural households, the state’s Jal Nigam (Rural) is the nodal implementing agency, executing the scheme across 822 blocks and over 59,000 Gram Panchayats. Officials said multi-village water supply schemes, connecting clusters of villages to shared treatment and pumping units, have driven rapid progress, particularly in the Terai region and eastern UP.Each village under the scheme has a Paani Samiti, or Village Water and Sanitation committee, responsible for overseeing construction, collecting user charges for maintenance, and managing operations. A Jal Sahiyya, typically a woman from the village, conducts mandatory quarterly water quality testing at multiple points across the village to ensure compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards and World Health Organisation drinking water standards.The expansion of piped water access is expected to significantly ease the burden on women and girls in rural households, who have traditionally spent hours collecting water from distant sources, time that development researchers say could now be redirected toward education, work, and health.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUP Government Constitutes SIT To Investigate Alleged Irregularities In Ram Temple DonationsModi-Trump Meeting At G7 Comes Amid India-US Tensions Over Sailors’ Deaths And Iran ConflictIndia’s Russian Oil Imports Rise 6.6% In May; Russia Remains India’s Second-Largest Crude SupplierStone-Pelting Rocks Patliputra Station As Students Demand More TrainsDRDO’s Three Successful Missile Tests Put India Among Nations Capable Of Countering ICBM ThreatsCong Leaders Demand Accountability, Apology From US After Three Indian Sailors Killed In StrikeRubio Tells EAM All Vessels Must Follow US Orders In Hormuz; India Protests Death Of 3 MarinersKalyan Banerjee Targets Rebel TMC Leaders: ‘If TMC Wins In 2029, Will They Resign?’Joint Tribes’ Council Accuses Kuki Cadres Of Killing Six Naga Captives, Seeks Immediate ArrestsCentre’s High-Level Committee On Demographic Changes Begins Work With Focus On Border Regions123PhotostoriesWhat happens when you eat 1 banana daily for 45 daysThis wild cat can crush a skull with one bite10 baby boy names symbolising fortune and good luck6 most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Thane for homebuyersNot every cancer begins with pain: Doctors reveal the everyday symptoms people often ignore for too longCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for $1 a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day123Hot PicksStephen A SmithUS Trade DealBullet Train ProjectBeijing ProtestYogi AdityanathPM ModiSpaceX IPORohit SharmaFortnite Gold Sprite Power Hour Start TimingTop TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna 0
Image: AP For Yogi Adityanath, law and order was never merely governance. It has always been central to his political image. The imagery of a saffron-clad monk governing India’s most populous state with an iron administrative grip has remained one of the defining motifs of contemporary Uttar Pradesh politics.The “Bulldozer Baba” image, once used derisively by the opposition, has since been appropriated by the UP administration as a badge of honour. It carries a simple message: the state intends to project zero tolerance towards criminality and illegal activity. But political rhetoric often travels far ahead of official evidence.The politics of law and orderSo a TOI analysis of five selected categories from National Crime Records Bureau violent-crime tables was undertaken to examine how Uttar Pradesh has performed on some of the most sensitive crime indicators. The categories examined were murder, attempt to commit murder, rape, kidnapping and abduction, and rioting.The result is emphatic.The data shows UP outperformed the national trend in all five categories between 2022 and 2024. In four categories, the decline was sharp and consistent. In the fifth, attempt to murder, the decline was modest, though India as a whole recorded an increase during the same period.The NCRB caveatHowever, every NCRB dataset comes with an important caveat. NCRB numbers reflect police-recorded crime, not the total incidence of crime. Better registration can push numbers upward. Underreporting can pull them downward.There is also a 2024-specific caveat. NCRB notes that after the new criminal laws came into force from July 1, 2024, its data formats were revised to collect IPC and BNS cases separately, while police and court disposal were tabulated collectively for comparability. It also says some shifts in overall numbers may reflect legal reclassification. So the trend is useful, but it should not be read as a pure policing outcome without allowing for changes in reporting and classification.Even with those caveats, the broad direction of the UP trend is difficult to miss.Rioting sees the sharpest fallThe sharpest decline among the five categories comes in rioting. UP recorded 4,478 rioting cases in 2022. The number fell to 3,160 in 2023 and then further to 2,610 in 2024. That represents a 41.7% decline in two years. Nationally, rioting cases declined from 37,816 to 30,348, a smaller fall of roughly 19.8%.Few crime categories carry as much symbolic weight in Uttar Pradesh as rioting. Memories of communal violence in places like Muzaffarnagar in 2013 still shape political narrative in the state. Governments in UP have long been judged through the prism of curfews, communal flare-ups, caste clashes, street violence and administrative paralysis.Adityanath’s government has repeatedly projected itself as the regime that restored fear of the law. Critics, meanwhile, describe the same policing style as selective, aggressive and deeply intertwined with muscular majoritarian politics.Kidnapping and abduction, the largest category in this basket, also shows a steep decline. UP’s count rose slightly from 16,263 in 2022 to 16,663 in 2023 before falling sharply to 12,163 in 2024. That marks a 25.2% decline from 2022. Nationally, kidnapping and abduction cases fell 10.7% during the same period.The category itself is broader than its popular image. NCRB classifications include cases linked to elopement and marriage disputes, not merely violent abductions. Even so, the downward movement remains politically significant because kidnapping is among the crimes that shape public fear most directly.Decoding the rape numbers The rape figures tell a more layered story.UP recorded 3,690 rape cases in 2022, 3,516 in 2023 and 3,209 in 2024. That is a decline of 13%. Nationally, recorded rape cases fell 6.3%, from 31,516 to 29,536.At first glance, the numbers appear reassuring. But the deeper NCRB tables reveal a darker pattern that extends far beyond Uttar Pradesh..In 2024, of UP’s 3,209 recorded rape cases, the accused was known to the victim in 3,114 cases. Unknown or unidentified offenders accounted for only 95 cases. Nationally too, NCRB data shows the same pattern. Of India’s 29,536 rape cases, offenders were known to the victim in 28,597 cases.The dominant public image of sexual violence still revolves around the stranger lurking outside. NCRB’s tables tell a very different story. In most recorded cases, the violence comes not from strangers, but from familiarity.Which means a decline in recorded rape cases cannot automatically be read as a complete resolution of women’s safety concerns.The weak linkMurder presents a steadier pattern.UP recorded 3,491 murder cases in 2022, 3,206 in 2023 and 3,218 in 2024. The figure rose slightly last year, but still remained 7.8% below the 2022 count. Nationally, murder cases declined 5.2% during the same period. Murder data is often treated as relatively more reliable because homicide leaves behind physical evidence and is harder to conceal entirely from official records..Attempt to commit murder remains the state’s weakest category among the five examined.UP recorded 3,788 such cases in 2022, 3,312 in 2023 and 3,728 in 2024. That still leaves the state 1.6% below its 2022 count. India, meanwhile, recorded a 2.8% rise, from 57,256 to 58,844.So while UP still performs better than the national trend, the category does not show the same clean downward trajectory visible in rioting or kidnapping.Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state. Absolute numbers alone can distort perception. According to NCRB’s 2024 projections, UP had a population of roughly 2,388.8 lakh against India’s 14,049.1 lakh, or around 17% of the country’s total population.Yet in all five selected categories, UP’s share of national cases remained below that population share. UP accounted for 11.9% of murders, 6.3% of attempt-to-murder cases, 10.9% of rape cases, 12.7% of kidnapping and abduction cases, and 8.6% of rioting cases.The rate comparison also favours the state. In 2024, UP recorded 1.3 murders per lakh population against India’s 1.9. Attempt to murder stood at 1.6 against roughly 4.1 nationally. Kidnapping and abduction was 5.1 against India’s 6.8. Rioting stood at 1.1 against 2.2 nationally. Rape, calculated per lakh women population, stood at 2.8 against India’s 4.3.Politics versus perceptionDGP Rajeev Krishna has cited the 2024 NCRB figures as evidence that UP’s policing model is working. The government has increasingly leaned on NCRB statistics to counter the opposition’s attacks.The opposition remains unconvinced.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly accused the BJP government of masking insecurity behind spectacle. His critique focuses less on NCRB trendlines and more on police encounters, selective enforcement, women’s safety and whether state power is applied evenly across communities and political affiliations.Both readings find resonance because crime data is not only about dry numbers. It is also about how a citizen feels.Yet one trend remains difficult to ignore. Across five major categories, UP’s recorded serious-crime trajectory has outperformed the national curve between 2022 and 2024. That gives the Yogi government substantial political ammunition.However, NCRB figures remain, ultimately, a measure of recorded crime, not the complete geography of fear. That gap between statistics and lived experience is where the political battle over law and order in Uttar Pradesh will continue to unfold.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCong Leaders Demand Accountability, Apology From US After Three Indian Sailors Killed In StrikeRubio Tells EAM All Vessels Must Follow US Orders In Hormuz; India Protests Death Of 3 MarinersKalyan Banerjee Targets Rebel TMC Leaders: ‘If TMC Wins In 2029, Will They Resign?’Joint Tribes’ Council Accuses Kuki Cadres Of Killing Six Naga Captives, Seeks Immediate ArrestsCentre’s High-Level Committee On Demographic Changes Begins Work With Focus On Border RegionsYogi Orders FIR Over Remarks on Akhilesh’s Daughter, Says No Insult Against Women Is AcceptableHyderabad Cadet Nidhi Makes History With AIR 6, Fulfills Father’s Dream Of Serving The NationAssam Notifies New Excise Rules With Stricter Liquor Norms And Support For Indigenous BeveragesGovernment Appoints Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth As Next Army Chief, To Take Charge On June 30India, France Expected To Deepen Defence Cooperation With Focus On Submarines And Fighter Jets123Photostories10 baby boy names symbolising fortune and good luck6 most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Thane for homebuyersNot every cancer begins with pain: Doctors reveal the everyday symptoms people often ignore for too longCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbest123Hot PicksStephen A SmithUS Trade DealBullet Train ProjectBeijing ProtestYogi AdityanathPM ModiSpaceX IPORohit SharmaFortnite Gold Sprite Power Hour Start TimingTop TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultNFL Trade RumorFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Image: AP For Yogi Adityanath, law and order was never merely governance. It has always been central to his political image. The imagery of a saffron-clad monk governing India’s most populous state with an iron administrative grip has remained one of the defining motifs of contemporary Uttar Pradesh politics.The “Bulldozer Baba” image, once used derisively by the opposition, has since been appropriated by the UP administration as a badge of honour. It carries a simple message: the state intends to project zero tolerance towards criminality and illegal activity. But political rhetoric often travels far ahead of official evidence.The politics of law and orderSo a TOI analysis of five selected categories from National Crime Records Bureau violent-crime tables was undertaken to examine how Uttar Pradesh has performed on some of the most sensitive crime indicators. The categories examined were murder, attempt to commit murder, rape, kidnapping and abduction, and rioting.The result is emphatic.The data shows UP outperformed the national trend in all five categories between 2022 and 2024. In four categories, the decline was sharp and consistent. In the fifth, attempt to murder, the decline was modest, though India as a whole recorded an increase during the same period.The NCRB caveatHowever, every NCRB dataset comes with an important caveat. NCRB numbers reflect police-recorded crime, not the total incidence of crime. Better registration can push numbers upward. Underreporting can pull them downward.There is also a 2024-specific caveat. NCRB notes that after the new criminal laws came into force from July 1, 2024, its data formats were revised to collect IPC and BNS cases separately, while police and court disposal were tabulated collectively for comparability. It also says some shifts in overall numbers may reflect legal reclassification. So the trend is useful, but it should not be read as a pure policing outcome without allowing for changes in reporting and classification.Even with those caveats, the broad direction of the UP trend is difficult to miss.Rioting sees the sharpest fallThe sharpest decline among the five categories comes in rioting. UP recorded 4,478 rioting cases in 2022. The number fell to 3,160 in 2023 and then further to 2,610 in 2024. That represents a 41.7% decline in two years. Nationally, rioting cases declined from 37,816 to 30,348, a smaller fall of roughly 19.8%.Few crime categories carry as much symbolic weight in Uttar Pradesh as rioting. Memories of communal violence in places like Muzaffarnagar in 2013 still shape political narrative in the state. Governments in UP have long been judged through the prism of curfews, communal flare-ups, caste clashes, street violence and administrative paralysis.Adityanath’s government has repeatedly projected itself as the regime that restored fear of the law. Critics, meanwhile, describe the same policing style as selective, aggressive and deeply intertwined with muscular majoritarian politics.Kidnapping and abduction, the largest category in this basket, also shows a steep decline. UP’s count rose slightly from 16,263 in 2022 to 16,663 in 2023 before falling sharply to 12,163 in 2024. That marks a 25.2% decline from 2022. Nationally, kidnapping and abduction cases fell 10.7% during the same period.The category itself is broader than its popular image. NCRB classifications include cases linked to elopement and marriage disputes, not merely violent abductions. Even so, the downward movement remains politically significant because kidnapping is among the crimes that shape public fear most directly.Decoding the rape numbers The rape figures tell a more layered story.UP recorded 3,690 rape cases in 2022, 3,516 in 2023 and 3,209 in 2024. That is a decline of 13%. Nationally, recorded rape cases fell 6.3%, from 31,516 to 29,536.At first glance, the numbers appear reassuring. But the deeper NCRB tables reveal a darker pattern that extends far beyond Uttar Pradesh..In 2024, of UP’s 3,209 recorded rape cases, the accused was known to the victim in 3,114 cases. Unknown or unidentified offenders accounted for only 95 cases. Nationally too, NCRB data shows the same pattern. Of India’s 29,536 rape cases, offenders were known to the victim in 28,597 cases.The dominant public image of sexual violence still revolves around the stranger lurking outside. NCRB’s tables tell a very different story. In most recorded cases, the violence comes not from strangers, but from familiarity.Which means a decline in recorded rape cases cannot automatically be read as a complete resolution of women’s safety concerns.The weak linkMurder presents a steadier pattern.UP recorded 3,491 murder cases in 2022, 3,206 in 2023 and 3,218 in 2024. The figure rose slightly last year, but still remained 7.8% below the 2022 count. Nationally, murder cases declined 5.2% during the same period. Murder data is often treated as relatively more reliable because homicide leaves behind physical evidence and is harder to conceal entirely from official records..Attempt to commit murder remains the state’s weakest category among the five examined.UP recorded 3,788 such cases in 2022, 3,312 in 2023 and 3,728 in 2024. That still leaves the state 1.6% below its 2022 count. India, meanwhile, recorded a 2.8% rise, from 57,256 to 58,844.So while UP still performs better than the national trend, the category does not show the same clean downward trajectory visible in rioting or kidnapping.Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state. Absolute numbers alone can distort perception. According to NCRB’s 2024 projections, UP had a population of roughly 2,388.8 lakh against India’s 14,049.1 lakh, or around 17% of the country’s total population.Yet in all five selected categories, UP’s share of national cases remained below that population share. UP accounted for 11.9% of murders, 6.3% of attempt-to-murder cases, 10.9% of rape cases, 12.7% of kidnapping and abduction cases, and 8.6% of rioting cases.The rate comparison also favours the state. In 2024, UP recorded 1.3 murders per lakh population against India’s 1.9. Attempt to murder stood at 1.6 against roughly 4.1 nationally. Kidnapping and abduction was 5.1 against India’s 6.8. Rioting stood at 1.1 against 2.2 nationally. Rape, calculated per lakh women population, stood at 2.8 against India’s 4.3.Politics versus perceptionDGP Rajeev Krishna has cited the 2024 NCRB figures as evidence that UP’s policing model is working. The government has increasingly leaned on NCRB statistics to counter the opposition’s attacks.The opposition remains unconvinced.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly accused the BJP government of masking insecurity behind spectacle. His critique focuses less on NCRB trendlines and more on police encounters, selective enforcement, women’s safety and whether state power is applied evenly across communities and political affiliations.Both readings find resonance because crime data is not only about dry numbers. It is also about how a citizen feels.Yet one trend remains difficult to ignore. Across five major categories, UP’s recorded serious-crime trajectory has outperformed the national curve between 2022 and 2024. That gives the Yogi government substantial political ammunition.However, NCRB figures remain, ultimately, a measure of recorded crime, not the complete geography of fear. That gap between statistics and lived experience is where the political battle over law and order in Uttar Pradesh will continue to unfold.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCong Leaders Demand Accountability, Apology From US After Three Indian Sailors Killed In StrikeRubio Tells EAM All Vessels Must Follow US Orders In Hormuz; India Protests Death Of 3 MarinersKalyan Banerjee Targets Rebel TMC Leaders: ‘If TMC Wins In 2029, Will They Resign?’Joint Tribes’ Council Accuses Kuki Cadres Of Killing Six Naga Captives, Seeks Immediate ArrestsCentre’s High-Level Committee On Demographic Changes Begins Work With Focus On Border RegionsYogi Orders FIR Over Remarks on Akhilesh’s Daughter, Says No Insult Against Women Is AcceptableHyderabad Cadet Nidhi Makes History With AIR 6, Fulfills Father’s Dream Of Serving The NationAssam Notifies New Excise Rules With Stricter Liquor Norms And Support For Indigenous BeveragesGovernment Appoints Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth As Next Army Chief, To Take Charge On June 30India, France Expected To Deepen Defence Cooperation With Focus On Submarines And Fighter Jets123Photostories10 baby boy names symbolising fortune and good luck6 most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Thane for homebuyersNot every cancer begins with pain: Doctors reveal the everyday symptoms people often ignore for too longCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for $1 a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbest123Hot PicksStephen A SmithUS Trade DealBullet Train ProjectBeijing ProtestYogi AdityanathPM ModiSpaceX IPORohit SharmaFortnite Gold Sprite Power Hour Start TimingTop TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultNFL Trade RumorFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna 0