Could many of those C-sections be at the request of the mother? I know quite a few professional women who have scheduled C-sections (or just induced births) so they can "manage" the delivery better. Seems crazy to me, but not my body, child, or career.

Unless there's a medical need it's not ethical to give a c-section as it creates greater risk of complication (including and especially death), more long-term effects, worse effects on the child, and just so happens to make the hospital more money. Of course if there is a medical need then they should be done, but it's not like tonsilectomy.

That also seems horrifying & cyperpunk to me but I doubt a significant chunk of women choose it, let alone independently.

In India, it's something of a fashion and women choose it because its convenient, etc.

India is cheating

Based on time-of-day data, it seems the scheduling is more likely to convenience the doctors.

It could be a ward that specializes in handling risky pregnancies, so a desired result.