According to a study published in Scientific Reports, India continues to struggle with major gaps in reliable data on the medical causes of death, even as death registration has improved over the years. Conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the study reveals that only a small fraction of deaths in the country receive a Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD), a process in which a physician formally records the medical reason leading to death. This shortfall significantly undermines health planning, disease surveillance, and evidence-based policymaking.
The study is the first nationwide analysis to examine MCCD reporting patterns across all Indian states and Union Territories over a 15-year period. It highlights deep systemic weaknesses and striking regional disparities in India’s mortality data system. Despite being home to nearly 18 percent of the world’s…
