C-section deliveries rise across Karnataka, rural areas catching up with trend
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Bengaluru: A recent data shows a marked increase in the number of Caesarean (C-section) deliveries in Karnataka is increasing, both in private and government facilities. Rural districts that traditionally recorded higher rates of vaginal births are also following the new trend.
According to statewide figures accessed by Deccan Herald, as of September in the 2025–26 financial year, 63 per cent of deliveries in private hospitals were C-sections. Government facilities reported 40 per cent deliveries through c-section. In 2022–23, the corresponding figures were 60 per cent and 35 per cent. Contrary to the belief that C-sections are primarily an urban phenomenon, several districts in North Karnataka have now recorded higher rates than Bengaluru Urban.
Health department officials attribute the trend to changing lifestyles, reduced pain tolerance, and an increase in high-risk pregnancies. “Lifestyle in rural areas has changed significantly. Sedentary habits, malnutrition due to processed food consumption, higher BMI, hypertension, and diabetes among women have increased pregnancy risks, leading to more C-sections,” said Dr. Rajkumar N, Deputy Director, Maternal Health.
Doctors in rural areas also note a shift in perception among expectant mothers. “Many women believe C-sections are safer after hearing stories of complications during normal delivery in earlier generations. With improved medical facilities, they prefer a planned procedure to avoid prolonged labour,” said a government doctor from northern Karnataka.
In urban centres, the reasons differ. Doctors say career and educational priorities have led many women to delay pregnancy, increasing the likelihood of complications. “Older mothers face higher pregnancy risks, which often necessitate C-sections,” DH quoted Dr. Tasneem Nishah Shah, Lead Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Robotic Surgery at a hospital in Whitefield, as saying.
Many women choose scheduled deliveries due to beliefs about auspicious timing or concerns that vaginal birth could affect sexual satisfaction later. Experts say these misconceptions, along with fear of labour pain, have contributed to the normalisation of elective C-sections.
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BJP to fight Assam polls on twin planks of development, secure state
Guwahati (PTI): In a bid to win the Assam Assembly elections for the third time in a row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday advised the state BJP brass to fight on twin planks: development and a secure state.
Shah, who wound up a two-day visit to Assam, held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with senior leaders of the BJP state unit at the party headquarters here, with a focus on discussing strategy for the state elections, expected in March-April.
Briefing reporters after the closed-door meeting, BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia said, "Development and a secure Assam will be our twin electoral planks."
He also said that Shah, known for his expertise in electoral politics, has offered valuable suggestions, and based on it, an action plan to retain power in the state will be formulated soon.
“Discussions were held in detail on our organisational and political calendars. Shah ji offered some very valuable suggestions, and we will implement those at the earliest…We will share more details on the action plan soon,” Saikia said.
He further said that the Union minister exhorted the state party leadership to ensure that not only do they secure a ‘massive landslide victory’ but also bag more seats than in the previous election.
The BJP currently leads a coalition government in Assam with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) has also extended support.
In the 126-member Assembly, the BJP now has 64 legislators, while its allies AGP, UPPL and BPF have nine, seven and three memnbers, respectively. In the opposition camp, the Congress’ strength is 26, while AIUDF has 15 members and CPI(M) one. There is an Independent legislator also, belonging to Raijor Dal.
Saikia said that the party will continue to contest the state polls in coalition with its NDA allies, which was also favoured by Shah.
Dismissing reports of chinks in the ruling coalition, the Lok Sabha MP said, “As far as the NDA is concerned, we are united in Assam. There could be discussions about some issues on individual party forums.”
The saffron party has maintained that its alliance with the regional parties will continue, and formalities like seat-sharing arrangements are being worked out.
Shah, who was on his second visit to the state within a month, attended two other events in Dibrugarh and Dheamji earlier in the day. He left for West Bengal after the meeting at the Guwahati state party headquarters.
