Differential sex ratio refers to a significant imbalance in the number of males and females in a population, particularly a deficit of females, often measured as the number of females per 1000 males. From a sociological perspective, this imbalance is not merely a demographic statistic but a profound indicator of deep-seated societal biases and has far-reaching implications. The primary causes in India include a strong cultural preference for sons (driven by economic security, old-age support, religious rituals, and dowry burdens for daughters), leading to sex-selective abortions facilitated by the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies, and neglect of the girl child resulting in higher mortality rates. The implications of a skewed sex ratio are severe and multi-dimensional. Demographically, it leads to a 'marriage squeeze,' where a shortage of brides results in delayed marriages for men, increased trafficking of women, and in some extreme cases, polyandry or cross-regional marriages. Socially, it exacerbates gender inequality, reinforces patriarchal norms, and can lead to increased violence against women, including abduction, sexual exploitation, and domestic abuse, as women become a 'scarce commodity.' It can also contribute to social instability, increased crime rates, and a breakdown of traditional family structures. Economically, it can affect labor force participation and agricultural productivity. Psychologically, it creates stress and anxiety for men unable to find partners and for women facing increased societal pressures. Addressing this requires not just legal interventions against sex determination but also fundamental shifts in societal attitudes towards women, promoting gender equality through education, economic empowerment, and challenging patriarchal values.