Explain Sample Registration System.

The Sample Registration System (SRS) is a vital demographic surveillance system used in India to collect reliable and representative data on vital events like births and deaths. It covers a sample of the population across all states and union territories and provides crucial inputs for policy formulation, program evaluation, and academic research.

Under the SRS, a sample of enumeration blocks (or clusters) is selected to represent various geographical and socio-economic segments of the population. Births and deaths occurring in these selected areas are continuously monitored and recorded by trained enumerators. The data collected is used to estimate various demographic indicators such as birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, and total fertility rate.

The SRS is managed by the Registrar General of India and operates in collaboration with the various state governments. It serves as a key source of information for assessing population trends, health outcomes, and socio-economic indicators, thereby supporting evidence-based policymaking and public health interventions in India.