Regional variations in age pattern of mortality in India.

"Using the cluster analysis technique and Heligman-Pollard mortality model, the present paper analyses the regional variations in age pattern of mortality in India around 1986-88. The paper identifies three broad patterns of age-specific mortality rates in the country--the Central-India Pattern; the South-India Pattern; and the North-West India Pattern. In addition, Kerala has its own typical pattern of age-specific mortality. Similarly, Assam (Males) and Jammu and Kashmir (Males) have their own typical pattern of age-specific mortality rates while the same is also true for Rajasthan (Females). The implications of age patterns of mortality identified in this analysis have also been discussed."