Introduction: Caesarean section (C-section) delivery is a critical maternal health intervention when medically indicated; however, its rapid increase beyond recommended levels (range of 10–15%) raises concerns about unnecessary surgical births. India has witnessed a substantial rise in C-section deliveries, with pronounced urban–rural differentials, reflecting inequalities in healthcare access, service provision, and socioeconomic status. Understanding how place of residence interacts with demographic and socioeconomic factors is essential for addressing inequities in delivery care. Data and Methods: This study used data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), covering 155,624 most recent institutional births among currently married women aged 15–49 years in India. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were followed by stratified (urban, rural and total) multilevel logistic regression models (individuals nested within PSUs, districts, and states) to assess contextual variation and determinants. Model fit was evaluated using AIC, BIC, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Furthermore, to understand the factors associated with differential pattern in Caesarean delivery in rural and urban Fairlie decomposition technique has been applied. Results Overall, 26.6% of deliveries occurred by C-section, with a substantially higher prevalence in urban areas (36.6%) compared to rural areas (22.3%). Multilevel analysis showed significant clustering at PSU, district, and state levels. Deliveries in private hospitals had markedly higher odds of C-section (AOR = 5.02; 95% CI: 4.84–5.20). Higher maternal age, education, wealth status, ≥ 4 ANC visits, and pregnancy complications increased the likelihood of C-section, while higher birth order and longer birth intervals reduced it. Even after adjustment, rural residence remained associated with lower odds of C-section. Fairlie decomposition analysis revealed that 93.8% of the urban–rural gap in caesarean section deliveries is explained by observed characteristics, with maternal factors contributing the largest share. Place of delivery alone accounted for nearly half of the explained disparity (49.9%), followed by household wealth (15.7%) and region (8.3%). Conclusion C-section delivery in India is strongly patterned by place of residence, healthcare sector, and socioeconomic advantage. The findings highlight growing urban–private sector dominance in C-section use and persistent contextual inequalities. Policy efforts should focus on regulating private facilities, improving quality of obstetric care in rural areas, and promoting evidence-based delivery practices to ensure medically appropriate and equitable maternal healthcare.

While the average height of the Indian population has increased over time, research on the intergenerational relationships in parents’ and children’s heights remains limited. This study investigated the relationship between parental height and sons' height across socioeconomic characteristics in India. Data from the India Human Development Survey 2011–12 (IHDS-2) were analyzed, including 4,939 parent-son pairs. Bivariate analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients examined associations between parents' and sons' heights across socioeconomic variables. Quantile regression models assessed parent and son height relationships at the 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 quantiles. Multivariate decomposition analysis evaluated contributions to height differences between poor and non-poor populations. Sons' height was significantly associated with parents' height. The results show that a one-year increase in sons’ education is associated with greater height: 1.28 cm (95

Women’s education is among the significant factors contributing to the reduction in fertility rates in developing countries. India has experienced a rapid decline in total fertility rates and significant improvements in women’s educational attainment over the past several decades. However, little is known about the cohort-specific implications of educational expansion on fertility decline in India. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the pattern of fertility differentials based on education level and assess the contribution of changes in women’s educational attainment to the fertility decline across different cohorts in India. Education-based differences in cohort fertility rates (CFRs) were analysed among the birth cohorts of 1945–1949 to 1975–1979, utilising data from five rounds of the Indian National Family Health Survey conducted between 1992–1993 and 2019–2021. Demographic decomposition methods were employed to examine the contribution of changes in women’s educational composition to fertility decline. The results suggest that the differences in fertility based on educational attainment have gradually declined over birth cohorts. The decomposition results show that the composition changes in women’s education contributed to approximately one-fifth of the decline in CFRs in India. However, within urban and rural areas of Indian macro-regions, the composition changes in women’s education were minimal. Uneducated women were the primary driver of CFR decline across social groups and macro-regions. Thus, the role of education in fertility decline lies more in the diffusion of reproductive behaviours, which has contributed to reducing fertility differentials across social strata.

Background Women’s health is usually looked upon in terms of their reproductive health. However, cardio-vascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability among women, globally as well as in India. Risk factors of today can be disease of tomorrow. Gradience in level of epidemiological transition is observed across different states. The study aims to estimate the national and regional prevalence, and sociodemographic determinants of biological and behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Materials and methods The present study was conducted among women in the age group of 15 to 49 years using nationally representative sample from fifth round National Family Health Survey in India. The data analysis in the current study included 7,24,115 women in the age group of 15 to 49 years. SPSS version 20 was used for the purpose of analysis. Weighted prevalence was computed for the studied behavioral and biological (dependent variable) risk factors using women specific weights as provided in the dataset. Binary logistic regression model was employed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) to study the sociodemographic determinants (independent variables) of these risk factors. Results Highest prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases was reported to be central obesity (78.2%), followed by overweight/obesity (23.9%), oral contraceptive use (13.4%), raised blood pressure (11.8%), raised blood sugar (8.6%), tobacco use (4.0%), and alcohol use (0.7%). Higher odds of all the studied risk factors were reported with increasing age. All of the studied risk factors, except for alcohol consumption [OR (95%CI): 0.9 (0.8–0.96)], had higher odds in rural areas compared to urban areas. Compared to other castes, the odds of tobacco [OR (95% CI): 2.01 (1.91–2.08)] and alcohol consumption [OR (95% CI): 5.76 (5.12–6.28)], and raised blood pressure [OR (95% CI): 1.07(1.04–1.11)] was significantly higher among the people belonging to schedule tribe. Conclusion and recommendation The present study highlights the state-wise disparities in the burden and predictors of risk factors for cardio-vascular diseases among women of reproductive age. The study provides insights to these disparities, and focuses on the need of tailoring the disease prevention and control measures suiting to the local needs.

Objectives To describe the prevalence of anaemia among currently married women with high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB) based on age, parity and birth spacing indicators.Design Cross-sectional study.Settings and participants Fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) was conducted in India (2019–2021) and included a nationally representative sample of 724, 115 women in the reproductive age group (15–49). Our analysis focused exclusively on married women who had given birth in the preceding 5 years.Primary and secondary outcome measures The prevalence of anaemia with HRFB was the primary outcome, and the likelihood of having anaemia due to HRFB was the secondary outcome.Data and methods Secondary data analysis of the NFHS-5 (2019–2021) datasets was done using a weighted analysis to determine anaemia prevalence in different HRFB categories. Bivariate analysis was done using the χ2 test, and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were done to estimate the odds of having anaemia due to HRFB after adjusting for known confounders. A p value <0.05 was reported as statistically significant.Results The final analysis comprised 145,468 women, of whom 59.1% had anaemia. About 53.1% of women depicted ‘No risk’ fertility behaviour, and 34.6% and 12.3% had single and multiple HRFB. Women with ‘no-risk,’ single and multiple HRFB had anaemia prevalence rates of 58.1%, 59.4% and 63.1%, respectively. Women with ‘Single risk’ had an 18% higher likelihood (1.18; 1.13–1.22) of having anaemia after controlling for confounding variables, compared with the HRFB category with ‘No risk.’ Women with ‘Multiple risks’ showed a 6% higher likelihood (adjusted OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08).Conclusions Anaemia remains a prevalent issue in India, and HRFB is observed as a significant contributing factor. This vulnerable group can be targeted through multiple interventions and further our efforts to realise our anaemia-related goals.

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem. The burden of CKD in children and adolescents in India is not well described. We used data from the recent Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) to estimate the prevalence of impaired kidney function (IKF) and its determinants in children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19. Methods CNNS 2016–18 adopted a multi-stage sampling design using probability proportional to size sampling procedure after geographical stratification of urban and rural areas. Serum creatinine was tested once in 24,690 children and adolescents aged 5–19 years. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was derived using the revised Schwartz equation. The eGFR value below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 is defined as IKF. Bivariate analysis was done to depict the weighted prevalence, and multivariable logistic regression examined the predictors of IKF. Results The mean eGFR in the study population was 113.3 + 41.4 mL/min/1.73 m2. The overall prevalence of IKF was 4.9%. The prevalence in the 5–9, 10–14, and 15–19 year age groups was 5.6%, 3.4% and 5.2%, respectively. Regression analysis showed age, rural residence, non-reserved social caste, less educated mothers, Islam religion, children with severe stunting or being overweight/obese, and residence in Southern India to be predictors of IKF. Conclusions The prevalence of IKF among children and adolescents in India is high compared to available global estimates. In the absence of repeated eGFR-based estimates, these nationally representative estimates are intriguing and call for further assessment of socio-demographic disparities, genetics, and risk behaviours to have better clinical insights and public health preparedness.

Background: Sleep problems are a critical issue in the aging population, affecting quality of life, cognitive efficiency, and contributing to adverse health outcomes. The coexistence of multiple diseases is common among older adults, particularly women. This study examines the associations between specific chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and insomnia symptoms among older Indian men and women, with a focus on the interaction of sex in these associations. Methods: Data were drawn from 31,464 individuals aged 60 and older in the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, Wave-1 (2017-18). Insomnia symptoms were assessed using four questions adapted from the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS-4), covering difficulty falling asleep, waking up, waking too early, and feeling unrested during the day. Multivariable logistic regression models, stratified by sex, were used to analyze the associations between chronic diseases and insomnia symptoms. Results: Older women had a higher prevalence of insomnia symptoms than men (44.73% vs 37.15%). Hypertension was associated with higher odds of insomnia in both men (AOR: 1.20) and women (AOR: 1.36). Women with diabetes had lower odds of insomnia (AOR: 0.80), while this association was not significant in men. Neurological or psychiatric disorders, stroke, and bone and joint diseases were linked to higher odds of insomnia in both sexes. Chronic lung disease was associated with insomnia in men (AOR: 1.65), but not in women. Additionally, having three or more chronic diseases significantly increased the odds of insomnia in both men (AOR: 2.43) and women (AOR: 2.01). Conclusion: Hypertension, bone and joint diseases, lung diseases, stroke, neurological or psychiatric disorders, and multimorbidity are linked to insomnia symptoms in older Indian adults. Disease-specific management and routine insomnia screening are crucial for promoting healthy aging in this vulnerable population.

Background The primary public health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is early pregnancy loss driven by miscarriage. Understanding early pregnancy losses and the characteristics of mothers who have miscarriages is essential to creating effective reproductive health strategies. Thus, this study’s primary goal is to delve into the factors which impact miscarriages that take place prior to and following the first 12 weeks of gestation. Methods The bivariate analysis was employed to determine the frequency of miscarriages. The factors associated with miscarriages in the first (≤12 weeks) and second & above (> 12 weeks) trimesters of pregnancy were then examined using a generalised linear regression model, with 95% confidence intervals. Finally, we use ArcGIS to illustrate the prevalence of miscarriage in the districts of India. Results Our result shows that miscarriages occur often in India (4.9%), with 23% of cases occurring in the first trimester (≤12 weeks). In our bivariate analysis, we identified several factors associated with a higher prevalence of miscarriages in India. It was found that mothers aged thirty years or older, residing in urban areas, with less than ten years of education, belonging to the richest wealth quantile, expressing a desire for more children, having no demand for contraception, and possessing no parity experienced a higher prevalence of miscarriage in total pregnancies in India. On the other hand, the generalised linear model’s findings show that mothers who are thirty years of age or older, practise other religions, live in urban areas, are members of other castes, want more children, marry before the age of eighteen, and meet their contraceptive needs are more likely to have miscarriages in total pregnancy. However, there is a larger likelihood of miscarriage in the first trimester (≤12 weeks) for mothers who follow other religions, live in urban areas, are from Other Backward Class (OBC), get married before the age of eighteen, and fall into the middle and upper wealth quantiles. A mother is more likely to miscarriage in the second & above (> 12 weeks) trimesters if she is older than thirty, from other castes, wants more children, has moderate media exposure, marries before turning eighteen, meets her contraceptive needs, and does not feel the need for contraception. After accounting for socioeconomic characteristics, all results were statistically significant. Conclusions Given the substantial number of miscarriages in India, police need to improve planning and guidance in order to lower pregnancy loss due to miscarriage. Miscarriage rates may be significantly decreased by enhancing the availability and quality of reproductive health care infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

Despite India’s remarkable economic progress, teenage pregnancy continues to pose significant public health challenges, with adverse implications for both maternal and child health outcomes. Socioeconomic inequalities play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of teenage pregnancy, given India’s diverse demographic and regional disparities in education, healthcare access, and women’s empowerment. This study aims to address a notable gap in the existing literature by assessing the extent of inequality in teenage pregnancy in India, focusing on socioeconomic determinants often overlooked in previous research. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, utilizing data from the third (NFHS-3 (2005–06)) and fifth (NFHS-5 (2019–21)) rounds of the Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS). Concentration curves and decomposition methods were employed to analyze the data, allowing for an evaluation of the degree of inequality based on various socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the sample. The analysis revealed significant disparities in adolescent pregnancy rates, particularly evident in rural-urban divides and disparities between socio-economic strata. Factors such as wealth quintiles, educational attainment, and exposure to mass media emerged as key contributors to the widening gap between disadvantaged and affluent populations. Our findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive policy approach to address the dual challenge of reducing teenage pregnancies and mitigating socioeconomic inequalities. Such an approach should incorporate cultural and health-promoting components to effectively tackle the underlying determinants of teenage pregnancy and promote equitable maternal and child health outcomes in India.

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most addressed preventable diseases of public health importance. However, the risk estimates and use of these risk scores for CVD prevention are the least explored areas. So, in this study, we explored the different categories of Framingham heart study (FHS) 10-year-CVD risk score and their associated factors among the adult male population in Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: We used the risk factor level data for male adults aged 18 years and above from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) of Tamil Nadu state, India. Sociodemographic variables, behavioral factors, and physiological/biochemical factors were considered as the risk factor and were estimated using the world health organization (WHO) STEPS categories. FHS 10-year-CVD risk score was calculated using a body-mass index-based published Cox regression equation. Results: Out of 2289 adult males, only 1.12% of the participants had a 10-year CVD risk score greater than 30% and similar to 4% of the total participants require statin treatment (FRS-CVD risk score >20). Educational status (aOR:14.21, 95 CI: 4.36-46.22- no formal schooling when compared to 10th and above standard), weekly fruit intake (aOR:0.51, 95 CI: 0.27-0.97 when compared to daily fruit intake) and abdominal obesity (aOR:2.43, 95 CI: 1.58-3.74) were found to be associated with higher FRS scores when adjusted for all other factors not involved in FRS calculation. Conclusion: Widespread use of this score needs to be encouraged in clinical practices and patients with a higher risk of CVD events should be counselled for lifestyle modifications and compliance with treatment for decreasing the burden due to CVDs. (c) 2023 Cardiological Society of India. Published by Elsevier, a division of RELX India, Pvt. Ltd.

Introduction Unmanaged Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) substantially contributes to the multi-morbidity of the elderly. Fewer research has concentrated on understanding the determinants of treatment utilization among older people, with even lesser concerns about missing data in outcome variables leading to biased estimates. The present study intends to evaluate the epidemiology of T2DM in the elderly in India and explore the socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors determining the treatment utilization among the elderly > 60 years in India by addressing the missing data to generate robust estimates. Methods The secondary analysis used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India. The key dependent variables were the presence or absence of T2DM and treatment utilization. Descriptive statistics were used to understand the differences in the prevalence of diabetes and the utilization of treatment across various socio-demographic characteristics. Heckman’s statistical technique evaluated the predictors of T2DM and treatment utilization. Analysis was done using STATA software version 14.0. Results Almost 14% elderly reported to be living with T2DM. The odds of living with T2DM increased with non-working status, a sedentary lifestyle, and a higher BMI. A higher proportion of the elderly was on oral drugs than insulin and had been practicing lifestyle modifications to control their disease. The probability of developing T2DM was lower among females than males, but females had better odds for treatment utilization of health medication than males. Lastly, treatment utilization was significantly affected by socio-demographic characteristics like education and monthly per capita expenditure. Conclusions Treatment utilization by the elderly living with T2DM is significantly affected by socio-demographic characteristics. Keeping in mind the increasing proportion of the geriatric population in our country, it is pertinent to tailor-made counseling sessions for the elderly to improve medication utilization and adherence and realize our goals concerning non-communicable diseases.

Abstract Background: Abortions are the most common causes of pregnancy loss among women of reproductive age. In a country like India, there is not enough effort being done to address this problem.Methods: The National Family Health Survey (2015-16) was used in this study, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. The GIS map is used to understand the spatial distribution of abortions.Results: Our results show that the rates of abortions rise with women's age, education, and place of residency, according to our findings. Muslim women have a lower risk of abortion than Hindu women. The rich women have a higher chance of having an abortion than the poor women. The socioeconomic characteristics were also linked to the loss of pregnancy.Conclusions: Abortion care for women that is both affordable and well-informed can improve women's reproductive health. In the backward districts, the government should strengthen the use of contraceptives.

Abstract Background One in three women from lower and middle-income countries are subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in their life span. Prior studies have highlighted a range of adverse health impacts of sexual IPV. However, less is known about the link between multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and sexual intimate partner violence. The present study examines the statistical association between multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and sexual intimate partner violence among women in India. Methods The present study used a nationally representative dataset, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015–16. A total of 23,597 women were included in the study; a subsample of married women of reproductive age who have had at least one child 5 years prior to the survey and who had valid information about sexual IPV. Logistic regression models were employed alongside descriptive statistics. Results Approximately 7% of women who are or had been married face sexual IPV. The prevalence of sexual violence was higher among women who had short birth intervals and women who had given birth more than three times (12%). Around 11% of women who had experienced any high-risk fertility behaviours also experienced sexual violence. The unadjusted association suggested that multiple high-risk fertility behaviours were 32% (UORs = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.50) higher for those women who experienced sexual violence. After adjusting for other sociodemographic variables, except for women’s education and wealth quantile, the odds of multiple high-risk fertility behaviours were 16% (AOR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.02–1.34) higher among women who faced sexual violence. The inclusion of women’s educational attainment and wealth status in the model made the association between sexual IPV and high-risk fertility behaviours insignificant. Conclusion Sexual intimate partner violence is statistically associated with high-risk fertility behaviours among women in India. Programs and strategies designed to improve women’s reproductive health should investigate the different dimensions of sexual IPV in India.

Background Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices determine child nutrition in resource-constrained countries and are influenced by regional water availability. We assessed any relationship between malnutrition and WASH practices among under-5 children in India's areas as per water availability. Methods We did a secondary data analysis of the National Family Health Survey-IV. Stunting, wasting and being underweight were the significant outcomes. Regional water availability, households' source of water, sanitation and disposal of the child stool were the major independent variables. We report the prevalence estimates, bivariate associations and adjusted odds ratio to predict the child's malnutrition per regional water availability after using appropriate sampling weight. Results Of the 186 875 children, 41%, 20% and 36% were stunted, wasted and underweight. Only 26% of children had access to improved drinking water sources, whereas 50.0% were defecating in open. Around 65% of children's stools were disposed of in unhygienic ways. Undernutrition depicted a significant association with independent variables. There were higher chances of stunting with a decrease in regional water availability, unimproved sanitation and unhygienic ways of stool disposal. Wasting was intensified by all these factors, except the safe disposal of stools. Conclusions WASH indicators exert a protective effect on undernutrition.

Abstract Background: The share of out-of-pocket health spending (OOPS) to household consumption expenditure is very high, around 67 percent, making health care costs catastrophic and leading to impoverishment effects in the medium to longrun. In this study, we have examined the impoverishment effects of OOPS on households with elderly and without elderly.Methods:Our study extracted households with the hospitalized member in the last 365 days (N=80105) in the first phase and thereafter, it divided households with elderly (N = 23708), and households without elderly (N = 56397). Further, we have categorized a household’s impoverishment as a binary variable (Yes or No) after paying health services. The study has employed bivariate and logistics regression to examine the relationship between outcome variables and selected socio-demographic characteristics of households. Results. Our findings show that OOPS among elderly households is on the upswing. By controlling for other factors, households with two elderly individuals are 6% more likely to be impoverished than the households without elderly. The prevalence of poverty among households with at least one elderly person is 10.5%, while it is 9.8% among households with elderly. As a result of the greater out-of-pocket expenditure, a higher percentage of elderly households in most Indian states are impoverished than households without elderly.Conclusion:The findings of the current study call for financial protection and regional level policies for the identified households. There is also a need to expand the insurance coverage, especially the households with elderly.

Background and aims: Hypertension (HTN) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially among women. Literature suggests an association between height and hypertension. We did this study to ascertain an association between hypertension and height and explore their determinants among Indian women of reproductive age group (15-49 years). Methods: We did a secondary data analysis of the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) and included 5,36,093 women between 20 and 49 years. Blood pressure and height were measured using the standard procedures. Weighted analysis was done to depict the association between the two variables. Results: Overall prevalence of HTN was 13.49%. We observed an inverse association between height and mean blood pressure of the women, and shorter women had a higher prevalence of HTN. The height of women was found to be associated with lower systolic blood pressure but not with diastolic blood pressure. Women's height depicted significant associations with age and other socio-economic and geographical parameters. Prevalence of HTN depicted a significant association with height and across other subgroups stratified by these parameters. Conclusion: We observed a positive association between the systolic BP and the height of the female. Height is one of the most convenient forms of identifying target groups that should not be missed during screening women for NCDs, especially during pregnancy to prevent premature morbidity and mortality. We recommend disseminating this concept to our primary health care workers, who are also the point of first contact for early screening and halt the burden of disease. (c) 2022 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract Background Sexual Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a public health problem globally, with about one in three women experiencing sexual IPV ever in their lifetime. Unintended pregnancy is one of the consequences of sexual IPV and has its repercussions that can span generations. The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and assess the association between sexual IPV and unintended childbirth in India among married women aged 15–49 years. Methods The National Family Health Survey-India (NFHS-4) fourth-round dataset was used for the present study. Pregnancies intention was the primary outcome variable, and the main predictor variable was self-reported sexual IPV in the past 12 months. Women’s current age, age at marriage, education and occupation, place of residence, wealth quintile, parity, religion, caste, region, mass media exposure, and husband’s education were other control variables. Weighted analysis depicted the prevalence of unintended pregnancies and their association with different socio-demographic variables. Binary logistic regression was done in two steps respecting a hierarchical approach for potential confounders. Results Approximately 6.4% of study participants had ever experienced sexual IPV in India. Prevalence of sexual IPV was significantly higher when the age of marriage was < 19 years, among uneducated, in the lowest wealth index quintile, belonging to scheduled caste, having multiparity, and not having mass media exposure. About 12.1% of pregnancies were considered unintended by the respondents, and 22.9% of women who ever had a history of sexual IPV considered the last pregnancy to be unintentional. Women who experienced sexual IPV were in younger age groups, having parity ≥1, and bigger families had significantly higher odds of having an unintended pregnancy compared to their reference groups. Conclusions We observed that sexual IPV has a significant role in unintended pregnancies. Effective counseling means should be rolled out for victims of sexual IPV as it is a taboo subject. The significant factors that can predict unintended pregnancies highlighted in our study should be acknowledged while counseling.

Adolescents' sex-typed cognitive ability is said to be shaped by gender norms and gender roles. Gender discrimination is displayed in every sphere given the persistence of conservative societal values in India. This study used data from the most recent round of the Young Lives survey to investigate the impact of gender norms and gender stereotypes on sex-typed cognitive abilities in quantitative aptitude, receptive vocabulary, and reading ability among Indian adolescents living in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As regards perception of gender norms, girls were more in favour of egalitarian society as against boys in favour of masculinity in the society. Boys outperformed girls in quantitative aptitude and receptive vocabulary when the effect of gender stereotypes and other socio-demographic influences on sex-typed cognitive abilities were controlled. Wealth status of household, educational qualification, medium of instruction and the perception of masculinity were found to have significant bearing on all three types of cognitive ability. Such a difference in cognitive abilities favouring boys call for an emphasis on promoting girls’ education in terms of quality and avoiding gender stereotype in the educational environment.