Karnataka’s Cesarean section (C-section) deliveries have seen a steady climb over the past five years, with nearly half of all births now surgical—almost double the national average of 21%. According to the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department, C-sections rose from 34% in 2020–21 to 47% in 2024–25, driven largely by private hospitals, where rates have touched 62%, compared with 36% in government facilities. Districts such as Tumakuru (66%) and Chitradurga (61%) top the charts, while several others in the Kalyana Karnataka region also report elevated figures.
Health experts attribute this sharp rise to lifestyle changes, delayed pregnancies, larger babies, and an increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes. The proportion of high-risk pregnancies has grown to about 25%, further influencing the decision toward surgical deliveries . However, what was once a medical necessity is…
