Objective: This study aims to assess the contributions of various factors towards the change in life expectancy at birth in India and some of its selected states from various zones during 1970 and 2010 by age, sex and place of residents.

Methods: Arriaga (1984) decomposition method is used to estimate the age specific contribution of the difference in life expectancy at birth. Abridged life tables of the Sample Registration System in India from 1970–1975 and 2006–2010 were used to fulfil the research goals.

Results: In India under age 1,males contribute 5.32 years of life to the total gain of 10.93 years and females contribute 5.83 years of life to the total gain in life expectancy of 15.02 years. These indicate the improvement of infant mortality rates for both sexes during 1970 and 2010. Orissa achieved highest gain in life expectancy at birth in both sexes. Contributions of older ages (up to 65 ages) increased for both urban and rural residents of India and its selected states for 1970 and 2010 regardless of sex.

Conclusion: The study highlights that the highest contribution to change in life expectancy at birth came from reduction in infant and under-5 mortality rates in both sex and residents.