Application of Multiple Classification Analysis Technique for Exploring Nuptiality Scenario in Uttaranchal, India
by
Niyati Joshi
Research Scholar,International Institute for Population Sciences (Deemed university),Govandi Station Road,Deonar,Mumbai-400088
Coauthors: R.K.Sinha, Department of Mathematical Statistics and Demography,International Institute for Population Sciences (Deemed university),Govandi Station Road,Deonar,Mumbai-400088

The hilly State of Uttaranchal in the lap of Central Himalayan region is symbolic to beautiful landscape attracting tourists from all over the world. The opportunities brought forth by developmental milieu and openness of society rank it high on various human developmental indicators like marriage, fertility and reproductive health status in comparison to erstwhile state of Uttar Pradesh from which it was carved out in 2000. In this context, this paper is an attempt to examine Singulate Mean Age at Marriage (SMAM, Agarwala, 1960) in Uttaranchal by utilizing the technique of ANOVA validated by Multi Classification Analysis (MCA) technique. The analysis is done to see how the category means of a predictor variable differ from the grand mean. Unit of analysis is individual women. Analysis is done at micro-level and relates to National Family Health Survey Data (IIPS and ORC Macro,1998-99).The analysis shows that education plays a dominant role in determining the age at marriage emphasizing the role of sustainable education for females in Uttaranchal while childhood place of residence does not strongly explain the mean age at marriage (SMAM). Caste of women is more significantly accounting for variation in SMAM.The study reveals that SMAM is higher in Uttaranchal than Uttar Pradesh. The SMAM of Uttaranchal women has opened up new vistas of opportunities and provided life time free space to realize their full human capital potential contributing verily a to a healthy and wealthy Uttaranchal and suggests that policy makers should emphasize on sustainable educational programs to improve nuptiality scenario contributing to womens’ reproductive rights in the larger context.

Date received: November 29, 2004