Which state has the lowest life expectancy at birth ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh. Life expectancy at birth is a critical indicator of public health and overall socio-economic development within a region, reflecting the quality of healthcare, nutrition, sanitation, and living standards. Based on official data from India’s Sample Registration System (SRS) and other demographic surveys, Madhya Pradesh often registers one of the lower life expectancies among the major states listed. This lower ranking is typically attributed to poorer performance on key development indicators, including lower literacy rates, inadequate access to specialized healthcare in rural areas, higher infant mortality rates (IMR), and challenges related to poverty and nutritional deficiency, all of which suppress the average lifespan.

The incorrect option is 1: Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu generally ranks well above the national average for life expectancy. The state has invested heavily in its public health system, which has led to better overall outcomes, lower infant and maternal mortality rates, and improved access to nutritional services, thereby ensuring a comparatively longer average lifespan.

The incorrect option is 2: Kerala
Kerala consistently holds the highest life expectancy at birth among all major Indian states, comparable to some developed nations. This superior performance is due to its high levels of literacy, particularly among women, universal access to healthcare, and strong social welfare infrastructure, which collectively contribute to excellent demographic indicators.

The incorrect option is 3: Bihar
While Bihar also traditionally has a low life expectancy, often ranking among the bottom three states in India due to high poverty levels and poor public health infrastructure, the official answer specifies Option 4 (Madhya Pradesh). Recent data sometimes places Bihar slightly above or on par with other low-ranking states like Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh; however, within the choices provided and the established answer key, Madhya Pradesh is considered the correct option for the lowest life expectancy among the four listed states.