The correct answer is: a) Significantly lower than the national average.
The sex ratio in Andhra Pradesh is 993 females per 1000 males, which is significantly lower than the national average of 940 females per 1000 males. This means that there are 53 fewer females for every 1000 males in Andhra Pradesh.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the low sex ratio in Andhra Pradesh, including female infanticide, sex-selective abortion, and early marriage. Female infanticide is the practice of killing female infants at birth or shortly thereafter. Sex-selective abortion is the practice of aborting a fetus based on its sex. Early marriage is the practice of marrying girls at a young age.
All of these practices are harmful to women and girls and contribute to the low sex ratio in Andhra Pradesh. It is important to address these issues in order to improve the lives of women and girls in the state.
Option b) is incorrect because the sex ratio in Andhra Pradesh is not slightly lower than the national average. It is significantly lower.
Option c) is incorrect because the sex ratio in Andhra Pradesh is not about the same as the national average. It is significantly lower.
Option d) is incorrect because the sex ratio in Andhra Pradesh is not higher than the national average. It is significantly lower.