India has the largest number of sterilized women in the world; as of 2005-06, two thirds of Indian women of reproductive age had undergone sterilization. This paper reviewed literature both from peer-reviewed publications and soft literature to understand issues surrounding such pervasive use of the method. Four major thematic areas emerged: the use of incentives and targets in promoting female sterilization (FS), socio-demographic factors influencing FS use, quality of care in sterilization camps, and sterilization regret. Following the advice of public health advocates, the government should commit to improving informed choice and access to a variety of methods as well as increase efforts to educate on and provide vasectomy services. Future academic research should address the use of incentives and targets in promoting FS at the expense of other methods.Master of Public Healt
