POPULATION AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES

Published on 30 Jan 2025

As per World Population Prospects 2022, the Indian population is nearly 1.412 billion, which is nearly 17.5% of total world population. With a substantial share of the global population, India has a significant opportunity for growth and development. However, this demographic advantage is accompanied by several challenges linked to population expansion.

Important Indicators of Population

Indicator	Source	Data
Population composition	Census 2011	0 -14 years: 26% 15-54 years: 59% 55-64 years: 8% 65 years and above: 7%
Rural-Urban composition	World Bank, 2022 Report	Urban population is 35.9% Rural population is 64.1%
Population growth rate	World Bank, 2022 Report	Population growth is 0.7%
Life expectancy at birth	WHO report, 2019	It changed from 62.1 in 2000 to 70.8 in 2019
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)	NFHS - 5	TFR rate was 2 in 2019-2021, just below the replacement level of 2.1
Internal migration	2011 census	450 million people or 37% of the population are internal migrants
International migration	World Migration Report 2022	18 million people living abroad
Workforce	World Population Report 2023	India’s working-age population is 68%
Sex Ratio	2011 census	Overall sex ratio is 943 Child sex ratio is 918
Literacy rate	2011 census	Overall literacy rate is 74.04% ✔     82.14% for males. ✔     65.46% for females.
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)	Report of Registrar General of India 2020	MMR is 97. The target is to reduce MMR to 70/100000 live births by 2030
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)	Statistical Report, 2020 of Registrar General of India	IMR is 28. The target is reducing IMR to 25/1000 live births

 

Factors Influencing Distribution and Growth of Population

✔     Economic aspects

●      Industrialization: Industrialization prompts rural-to-urban migration as people pursue jobs in industrial hubs, causing a notable population shift from rural to urban areas.

o   Example: Kanpur is a major industrial region which is also highly populous.

●      Mineral-rich regions: Due to mining-related job opportunities and the growth of supporting industries, mineral-rich regions experience high population density.

o   Example: High population density in mineral-rich regions of Chotanagpur, Jharkhand

●      Urbanization: Urban areas attract people from rural areas to cities in search of economic opportunities and improved living standards.

o   Example: Mumbai, one of India's most urbanized regions, is also among its most populous cities.

●      Infrastructure and accessibility: The presence of transportation networks, including roads, railways, and ports, influences population distribution.

o   Example: Himalayan regions with limited transportation networks and difficult terrain are scarcely populated.

✔     Demographic factors

●      Fertility: The fertility rate, which measures the average number of children born to women during their reproductive years, is a key factor influencing population distribution.

o   Example: Post World War baby boom linked to rise in fertility rate

●      Mortality: Number of deaths per unit of population in a given time period, can influence population distribution by shaping age structures and population growth.

o   Example: Decreased mortality rate due to improved health services is one of the reasons for the increased population in India especially between 1921 and 1951

●      Migration: Migration redistributes people from one geographic area to another, affecting population distribution.

o   Example: Rohingya crisis, induced migration affected the demography of Myanmar & Bangladesh.

✔     Physical geography

●      Soil fertility: Soil fertility affects the growth of agriculture which leads to increased population density.

o   Example: High population seen in fertile North Indian plains.

●      Water availability: Water is required for agriculture, domestic and industrial purposes. Thus fresh water availability attracts the population.

o   Example: Ancient population centres like Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro were near river banks.

●      Climate: People tend to settle in areas with favourable weather conditions that support agriculture, habitation, and economic activities.

o   Example: Ladakh with its harsh climate has less population density.

●      Natural disasters: Areas prone to frequent disasters may experience reduced population density as people relocate to safer regions.

o   Example: Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused widespread destruction in New Orleans and forced many residents to relocate to other parts of  United States

✔     Political

●      Political stability: The level of political stability in a region can impact people's decisions regarding where to live, work, and raise a family.

o   Example: Due to the political instability in Afghanistan many people migrated to other countries

●      Wars: Conflict often leads to displacement, refugees, and the abandonment of homes and communities.

o   Example: Refugees fleeing to other countries from conflict-prone regions like Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, etc.

●      Government policy: Migrant friendly policy of government attracts people. This happens within the country and internationally.

o   Example: Migrant-friendly policies of the Kerala government like Project Roshni, for meeting education needs of migrant children, Awaz health insurance for migrant workers attract more migrants.

●      Historical factors: Past events, such as historical migrations, wars, or colonization, can have a lasting impact on population distribution patterns.

o   Example: Delhi was significant during the Delhi Sultanates, Mughals and British period. It thus turned out to be one of the most populous city in India

✔     Social Factors

●      Religion: Religious practices and traditions, historical migrations, religious persecution and displacement may influence the choice of settlement, leading to the formation of religiously homogeneous communities.

o   Example: The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 provided a homeland for many Jews, attracting religious immigrants from various parts of the world.

●      Culture: Shared cultural identity often influences where people choose to live, fostering communities with common linguistic and ethnic backgrounds.

Causes of Increasing Population in India

✔     Decline in death rates: Reduction of death rates due to improved health helped in population growth

●      Example: The death rate of India reduced to 9 per 1000 people in 2021 from 16 in 1973 (World Bank report)

✔     Improved healthcare: Increased health technology helped in improving overall healthcare outcomes, reducing mortality rates, and increasing life expectancy.

●      Example: As per the Statistical Report of the Registrar General of India, IMR was 58 in 2005 and it decreased to 27 in 2021.

✔     Migration: Immigration from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka affects population growth.

●      Example: As of 2015 nearly 5.2 million immigrants live in India (Pew Research)

✔     Role of religions: Family planning initiatives in India face resistance from various religious groups.

✔     Son-meta preference: Due to the patriarchal mindset of people, son is mostly believed to continue the lineage. So constant attempt to have a male child result in increase in number of female children.

●      Example: Higher male sex ratio, and male literacy rate are reflections of the same.

✔     Illiteracy: Due to illiteracy, people have less information about family planning. Belief of ‘Children are god’s blessings’ is still prevalent in illiterate people.

✔     Child marriages: Longer reproductive span resulting from early marriages can increase the number of childbirths, contributing to overall population growth.

●      Example: Programs to curb child marriage in Bangladesh contributed to a 0.25% absolute reduction in the annual population growth rate in 2015. (World Bank report)

✔     Poverty: Many impoverished families believe that having a large family will augment their income by sending children to work

Opportunities Related to Population Growth

✔     Demographic dividend: The expansion of the working-age population, i.e. demographic dividend, provides an opportunity for a rise in the per-capita economic growth of the country.

●      Example: As per World Population Report 2023, India’s working-age population is at 68% and is still rising.

✔     Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): A sizable domestic market is a compelling factor for international investors, resulting in a surge of foreign investment into the domestic economy.

●      Example: As per Ministry of Commerce and Industry, FDI inflow was $83 billion in FY21-22

✔     Consumption-driven economy: A growing population contributes to an economy driven by domestic consumption, reducing the necessity for heavy reliance on exports for its survival and growth.

●      Example: According to the Economic Survey 2023, India’s economic growth in FY23 has been principally led by private consumption and capital formation.

✔     Immigration to other nations: The influx of immigrants into other nations contributes to the generation of additional foreign exchange reserves through remittance and enhances a country's influence and soft power on the international stage.

●      Example: India is the top remittance recipient country in the world with total remittance of $87 billion in 2021 (World Bank)

Demographic dividend

A demographic dividend occurs when there is a transition in a country's population composition, moving from a higher percentage of dependents (including children and the elderly) to a greater proportion of adults in the working-age range.

Demographic Dividend Trend in India

✔     Young population: India has one of the youngest populations in the world, with a median less than other developed nations.

●      Example: India has a median age of 28 years, contrasting with China's 38, the US's 39, and Japan's 49 years. (NFHS-5)

✔     High working-age population: The working-age population (between ages 15 and 59) is increasing in India and is expected to continue to rise in the near future.

●       Example: India’s working-age population is at 69% of the total population and rising. (CII report)

✔     Regional differences: Southern states, which are advanced in demographic transition, already have a higher percentage of older people.

●      Example: As per census 2011, the median age of Kerala is 31 and that of Uttar Pradesh is 20.

Challenges in fully Utilising Demographic Dividend

✔     Lack of quality education: For the demographic dividend to materialize, there needs to be a focus on providing quality education

●      Example: As per reports of UNESCO in 2019, 55% of children at late primary age is facing learning poverty i.e. children unable to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic.

✔     Lack of skilling: Lack of essential skills among the working-age population leads to structural unemployment, impeding the full economic potential of a youthful demographic

●      Example: National Skill Development Policy in 2020 has estimated that only 5.4 percent of the workforce in India has undergone formal skill training whereas South Korea 96% is skilled.

✔     Lack of job creation: India's expanding population requires ample employment opportunities, yet the economy struggles to create an adequate number of jobs to meet this need.

●      Example: Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons of age 15 years and above in urban areas is only 49.4% during 2022-2023 (PLFS)

✔     Lack of proper health and nutrition: Issues of lack of access to health care facilities, and prevalence of malnutrition affect the ability and productivity of people to contribute to the economy.

●      Example: In Human Development Index, India ranked at 132 out of 191 countries, with a score of 0.633

✔     Gender inequality: Societal patriarchy, stereotypes, and the digital divide hinder women's equitable participation in the workforce and society, impacting the full utilization of the demographic dividend.

●      Example: Female Labour Force Participation rate is only 37% (MWCD)

✔     Infrastructure development: Insufficient infrastructure, including transportation, communication, and energy, hinders in utilising the demographic potential

Measures to be taken to utilise demographic dividend

✔     Improving education standards: There is a need to prioritize delivering quality education, improving employability through formal skill training, and concurrently increasing investment in the education sector to foster comprehensive development.

●      Example: As per the World Bank, the current spending on education in India is 4.6% of GDP. Whereas the National Education policy targets 6% of GDP

✔     Investment in public health services: Access to affordable healthcare fosters a healthier population, lowering mortality rates and promoting individual well-being, essential for a productive workforce.

●      Example: As per Economic Survey 2023, the government spent 2.1% on public health. 15th Finance Commission has recommended that it should increase to 2.5% of GDP by 2025

✔     Gender Equality: Equal opportunities for education and vocational training, ensuring fair employment practices and implementing supportive policies like parental leave and affordable childcare, thus maximising the potential of the entire population.

✔     Accelerating manufacturing industry: It will help to decrease unemployment improve skilling and improve the per capita income of people in the country.

●      Example: Currently as per World Bank reports, 2021 only 25% of the population is employed in the manufacturing sector.

✔     Addressing structural issues: India must swiftly tackle its structural challenges such as by generating more jobs, investing in building human capital, and encouraging entrepreneurship to accelerate economic growth.

Issues Related to Population Growth

✔     Economic

●      Unemployment: Rapid population growth can outpace the creation of new jobs, leading to higher unemployment rates and increased competition for limited employment opportunities.

o   Example: Delhi, one of the most populous city is the UT with the highest unemployment rate as per the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) 

●      Ageing population: A shift towards more elderly individuals can strain healthcare and social security systems, posing challenges in ensuring sufficient elderly care

o   Example: According to the 2011 census, Kerala and other South Indian states have a higher proportion of elderly population, posing challenges in providing sufficient elderly care.

●      Pressure on infrastructure: Rapid population growth can exert significant pressure on infrastructure, leading to strained resources such as transportation, housing, and utilities.

o   Example: Traffic congestion in Mumbai

●      Depopulation in rural areas: Due to population growth, there is increased pressure on resources and opportunities. As a result, people in rural areas tend to migrate to urban areas.

o   Example: As per UN report, close to 20 million migrants move from rural to urban areas every year in India.

✔     Social

●      Issues faced by women: Population growth can have significant implications for women, influencing their health, empowerment, and overall well-being.

o   Example: Due to son-meta preference, girl children’s education is sacrificed for male child’s education in the household. Literacy rate of males is 82.14% and 65.46% for females (Census 2011).

●      Increase in social crimes: lack of resources and job prospects results in unemployment which often leads to social issues like crime, drug abuse, etc.

o   Example: Social crimes like robbery, beggarly, prostitution, murder, etc. are prevalent in populous urban parts of the country.

●      Poverty: Population growth can lead to resource scarcity, strain on social services, and unemployment, exacerbating poverty and creating various challenges.

o   Example: The most populous country in the world, India has 18.7% of the population under poverty as per Multidimensional Poverty Index 2023

●      Inequality: Population growth can exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly if resources are not distributed equitably.

✔     Environmental

●      Environment depletion: Overpopulation strains land resources leading to environmental degradation such as pollution, loss of biodiversity, and global warming.

o   Example: Mangrove damage due to unsustainable shrimp farming.

●      Depleting natural resources: When too many people have to be satisfied by the natural resources, the natural resource pool will reduce.

o   Example: Natural resources such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum are rapidly depleting

✔     Political

●      Social welfare burden: The demand for social services such as welfare, housing, and social security can increase with population growth, putting additional strain on government resources.

o   Example: National Food Security Act provides coverage upto 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population creating a huge food subsidy burden.

●     Conflict due to competition on resources: Rapid population growth can strain natural resources, leading to increased competition and potential conflicts over essential elements such as food, water, arable land, and energy.

o   Example: Increased competition on strained resources was one of the reason for Meiti-Kuki conflict in 2023

✔     Health Aspects

●      Spread of infectious diseases: The growth of the population has given rise to various infectious diseases due to issues such as urban overcrowding and environmental changes.

o   Example: Rapid spread of COVID-19 due to high population density in India.

Migration

International Organization for Migration defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a state away from his/her habitual place of residence.

Types of Migration

✔     Internal Migration: It refers to the movement of people within the borders of a single country. This includes mainly Rural to Urban, Urban to Rural, Rural to Rural and Urban to Urban migration

●      Example: Migration of women after marriage to husband’s house within the country.

✔     External Migration: It refers to the movement of people across international borders, involving individuals or groups relocating from one country to another.

●      Example: Migration of people from Mexico to United States for better employment opportunities and improved living conditions

✔     Temporary Migration: It refers to the movement of individuals or groups of people across borders for a limited and defined period

●      Example: Agriculture labour migrates after the agriculture season to other parts for short-term employment.

✔     Permanent Migration: It refers to the relocation of individuals or groups of people from one place to another to establish permanent residence in the destination location

●      Example: As per Ministry of Home Affairs in 2021, more than 6 lakh Indians renounced their citizenship in last 5 years.

✔     Forced Migration: Refers to the movement of people who are compelled to leave their homes or habitual places of residence against their will

●      Example: Migration due to conflict and persecution in Gaza

 

Factors Affecting Migration

Several economic, social, political, environmental and demographic factors affect migration. These factors can be broadly categorized into push and pull factors.

✔     Push factors: Push factors are conditions or circumstances in a person's current location that encourage or force them to leave. These factors make individuals more inclined to migrate, seeking better opportunities, safety, or improved living conditions elsewhere.

●      Economic factors: Lack of economic opportunities, poverty, low wages, and high levels of unemployment act as push factors in migration.

o   Example: As per census 2011, persons below poverty line in rural areas is 25.7% and in urban areas it is 13.7%

●      Political factors: Conflict, civil unrest, or political instability, discrimination, persecution, or human rights abuses create an unsafe environment, forcing people to flee for their safety.

o   Example: Due to the political instability in Afghanistan many people migrated to other countries

●      Social factors: High levels of violence, caste discrimination, gender inequalities make living conditions unbearable, leading individuals to migrate in search of safety.

o   Example: For “lower castes”, migration offers an opportunity to escape oppressive caste practices in some Indian villages

●      Environmental factors: Regions prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or droughts and long-term environmental changes, including shifts in climate patterns, can impact livelihoods and contribute to migration.

o   Example: As per United Nations, Bangladesh is facing climate change induced migration majorly in last decade.

●      Demographic factors: High population density can lead to increased competition for resources, making living conditions difficult and encouraging migration.

●      Lack of infrastructure: Lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and electricity can make living conditions challenging, motivating people to migrate to areas with better facilities.

●      Lack of health and education services: Insufficient access to healthcare, education, and social services can be a significant push factor.

✔     Pull factors: These factors represent the positive aspects or opportunities that make a place desirable for migration

●      Economic opportunities: Higher wages, high number of economic opportunities attract individuals seeking employment and economic stability.

o   Example: Bengaluru experienced significant population growth due to migration, primarily fuelled by economic opportunities in the IT industry.

●      Access to education: Places with reputable educational institutions and access to quality education can attract students.

o   Example: Many students migrate to United States due to reputable education institutions like MIT, Stanford university, etc.

●      Better living standard: Areas with better infrastructure, healthcare, and overall living conditions can be attractive to those seeking an enhanced quality of life.

o   Example: Many individuals from countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala migrate to the United States seeking better living standards.

●      Political stability: Locations with effective governance, open migration policies and stable political environments can be attractive to those seeking a secure and predictable living situation.

o   Example: Political stability is one of the pull factor for the influx of people to Canada

●      Cultural and Social factors: Areas with diverse cultural and social communities may attract individuals seeking a more inclusive and multicultural environment.

●      Environmental quality: Locations with a clean and healthy environment may attract individuals seeking better air quality, natural surroundings, and a more sustainable lifestyle.

o   Example: People migrating from metro cities to tier 2 cities or satellite cities.

Challenges of Migration

✔     Issues of population Explosion

●      Resource scarcity: Rapid population growth can outpace the availability of essential resources such as water, food, and energy leading to shortages and increased competition for these resources.

o   Example: As per Living Planet Report, WWF 2020, by 2050, at least 30 Indian cities will face a grave water risk mainly due to population increase.

●      Unemployment and underemployment: High levels of migration may result in increased competition for jobs, leading to higher unemployment rates and underemployment and economy may struggle to create enough jobs to accommodate the expanding workforce.

o   Example: Urban cities have a large migrated population and as per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), unemployment in urban areas is also more than rural areas.

●      Strain on infrastructure: Rapid population growth can strain infrastructure like roads, public transportation, sanitation facilities, and water supply systems. This may lead to overcrowding and inadequate services.

●      Strain on public services: The sudden increase in population can overwhelm public services. This may result in insufficient access to essential services for both migrants and the local population.

o   Example: Due to high population pressure during Covid crisis, the scarcity of public health services was intensified in India.

✔     Issues faced by migrant labours:

●      Lack of social security: Migrant workers lack access to social security such as health insurance, maternity benefits, and pensions. This leaves them vulnerable to economic shocks and health crises.

o   Example: As per a study sponsored by NHRC in 2021, the reach of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana among migrant workers in Maharashtra is only 3%.

●      Exploitation and breach of labour rights: Migrant labourers predominantly employment is in the informal sector are often exploited.

o   Example: Migrant workers are vulnerable to low wages, poor working conditions, long hours.

●      Lack of affordable housing and basic amnesties: Migrant labourers often live in overcrowded and substandard accommodations with limited access to basic amenities such as sanitation and clean water.

●      Misery due to social media: Fake messages spread through social media which may lead to panic and mass exodus

o   Example: Fake messages of violence triggered a mass exodus of labourers from Tamil Nadu recently

✔     Challenges in rural areas:

●      Depopulation of rural areas: People of rural areas migrate to urban areas which leads to depopulation of rural areas

o   Example: As per UN report, close to 20 million migrants moving from rural to urban areas every year in India.

●      Feminisation of agriculture: It is the increasing participation of women in agricultural activities and the changing gender dynamics within the agricultural workforce due to migration of men to urban areas

o   Example: As per the reports of FAO, 70% of farm work is led by women in India

✔     Other issues

●      Brain drain: The emigration of highly skilled professionals from the origin country results in brain drain, depriving the home country of valuable human capital and expertise.

o   Example: As per OECD data, around 69,000 Indian-trained doctors and 56,000 Indian-trained nurses worked in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia in 2017.

●      Social tensions and xenophobia: Rapid cultural changes and increased diversity may lead to social tensions and, in some cases, xenophobia, as local communities may feel threatened or uneasy about the changes

o   Example: Social tensions and discriminations against migrants in different areas during COVID 19

Government Initiatives for Welfare of Migrants

✔     e-SHRAM portal: National Database of the Unorganised Workers launched for registration of unorganised workers including migrant workers. It is also to facilitate delivery of social security and welfare Schemes to such workers.

✔     Remote voting: To enable domestic migrants to vote for their home constituencies from their remote locations, Election Commission is planning for Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM).

✔     One Nation- One Ration Card: Through this all eligible ration card holders can access their entitlements from anywhere in the country.

✔     Code on social security: It offers benefits to inter-state migrant workers, including provisions for insurance and provident fund benefits.

✔     Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: It is a credit-linked subsidy scheme to facilitate access to affordable housing for the low and moderate-income residents of the country.

Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC)

Caste Census is the census which includes the caste-wise tabulation of India’s population. First Socio-Economic and Caste Census was conducted in 1931 and later the practice came to an end due to cost restrictions. All caste data are projected based on this 1931 census. Recently, Bihar government released a caste survey which increased the demand for caste census.

Significance of Caste Census

✔     Rationalisation in reservation: A new caste census will help in identifying the most vulnerable sections in society. This helps in a more equitable distribution of opportunities through reservation.

✔     Sub-categorisation of castes: Creating quotas within the 27% reservation will provide more opportunities for historically underrepresented and crowded-out OBC communities.

✔     Beneficial in policy making: It will produce comprehensive data, enabling policymakers to formulate improved strategies and policies to uplift marginalized classes through more effective public policies.

✔     Better targeting of government welfare schemes: Utilizing new data can enhance the precision of government welfare schemes, directing them more effectively towards the most marginalized sections of the community.

✔     Fulfilment of constitutional mandate: Article 340 speaks about establishment of a commission to examine the status of socially and educationally backward classes and provide recommendations on actions to be taken by the government. Caste census will be a first step towards this.

Challenges Associated with Caste Census

✔     Caste-based political mobilisation: Political parties may utilise the data for caste-based mobilisation for narrow political gains.

✔     Tedious task of data collection: Enumerating caste numbers in India is a complex task due to the multifarious nature of caste in India

✔     Strengthen demands for further reservation: Caste census may increase demand for more reservation that may end up breaching the 50% reservation limit.

●      Example: Patels, Jats are some of the castes demanding reservation

✔     Hardening of caste identities may hamper the growth of national integration: There is a concern about solidifying or hardening the identities based on castes.

✔     Lack of trust and clarity: Due to a lack of clarity on the process and result of the caste census, there is a lack of trust among people

✔     Privacy concerns: Some people may be hesitant to disclose their caste and details, leading to concerns about data protection and privacy

Measures to Be Taken To Address Challenges Associated With Caste Census

✔     Usage of technology: Government can use new disruptive technologies in data collection and analysis.

●      Example: Technologies like Big data, Artificial intelligence etc.

✔     Independent study: a preliminary socio-anthropological study can be done at state and district levels to acquire the data of castes and subcastes at those levels.

✔     Sub-categorisation of OBC: It will help to provide representation to unrepresented sub-castes of backward classes.

●      Example: Justice G Rohini Panel represented views on Sub-categorisation of OBCs

Government Initiatives to Reduce Population

✔     Policy initiatives

●      National Programme for Family Planning, 1952: In its early days it focused on clinical approach to family planning. Later, it focused on reproductive health, reduction of maternal, and infant mortality rates, child mortality and morbidity.

●      National Population Policy, 1976: It recommended raising the statutory age for marriage, improving female literacy, introducing monetary incentives etc.

●      Fifth Five-Year Plan: It focused on maternal and child health and nutrition services to improve population control. Until then the population control was primarily with birth control.

●      National Population Policy, 2000: To focus on maternal health, child survival, and contraception to make reproductive health accessible and affordable for all.

✔     Government Schemes

●      Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Programme: Their functions include facilitating access and awareness of healthcare facilities about maternal child health and family planning among the poor and marginalised.

●      Jananni Suraksha Yojana: It promotes institutional delivery among pregnant women, thus helps in improving the quality of maternal and child health service which will finally help in reducing number of deliveries.

●      Campaign on family planning like “Hum Do, Hamare Do”, Two child norm to reduce the fertility rates.

●      Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): Its focus is to improve maternal and child health, nutritional support, health awareness and education, thus indirectly influencing population dynamics.

National Population Policy, 2000

✔     Mission Parivar Vikas: It was introduced to accelerate access to high-quality family planning choices based on information, reliable services, and supplies within a rights-based framework.

✔     Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The medium-term objective was to bring TFR to replacement levels (TFR of 2.1) by 2010, by implementing inter-sectorial operational strategies

✔     Stable population by 2045: Long-term objective is to achieve a stable population by 2045, with the requirements of sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection

✔     Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS): It was introduced to facilitate seamless forecasting, procurement, and distribution of family planning commodities across various tiers of health facilities.

✔     Institutionalisation and registration of deliveries: Policy targets 80% of institutional deliveries, 100% deliveries by trained persons and 100% registration of births, deaths, marriages and pregnancies

✔     Delayed marriage of girls: Policy recommended increasing marriageable age of girls to 20 years

✔     Services by ASHA workers: Scheme for home delivery of contraceptives and pregnancy testing kits to the beneficiaries

✔     School education: Policy recommended for making school education free and compulsory up to the age of 14 years

✔     Sexually transmitted diseases: Policy focuses on reducing sexually transmitted infections (STI), management of reproductive tract infections (RTI) and containing the spread of HIV AIDS

✔     Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Recommends to reduce MMR to under 100 per 1 lakh live births

✔     Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): To decrease the IMR to under 30 per 1000 live births in the country.

How to Effectively Manage Population Rise

✔     Focus on demographic dividend: India needs to focus on exploiting its demographic dividend through education, skilling and creating more economic opportunities rather than worrying about it.

✔     Family Planning: Family planning programs provide access to contraceptives and reproductive health services, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about the size of their families.

✔     Raising status of women: Empowering women can lead to delayed marriages, increased use of family planning methods, and a reduction in the total fertility rate.

✔     Employment Opportunities: Providing employment opportunities and economic development can lead to increased income levels, reducing the desire for larger families as a form of economic security.

✔     Health infrastructure: Improving healthcare infrastructure can contribute to better health outcomes, reducing the need for larger family sizes.

✔     Urban Planning and infrastructure: Plan urban development strategically to accommodate population growth. Ensure that infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and education facilities, are adequately prepared for an increasing population

✔     Jaya Jaitly committee recommendation: Raise the age of marriage to 21 for delayed childbearing, lowering birth rates and improving the health of mother and child.

✔     M S Swaminathan committee recommendations

●      Decentralized and democratic planning: Substituting the current vertically organized family welfare program with decentralized and democratic planning facilitated through Panchayats, Nagar Palikas, and State Legislatures.

●      Setup State Population and Social Development Commission: To plan, implement and monitor the population policy of the country with sub-committees at the state, district and panchayat levels.

●      Setup of Population and Social Development Fund: This fund should be utilised to fill the gaps in the effective implementation of the village, town, district and state level socio-demographic charters.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

1.     Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail (2021)

2.     Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main cause of population increase in India. (2015)

3.     How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes? (2015)

4.     Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments. (2014)

Tags:
Society

Keywords:
Indian population Demographic dividend Migration Caste Census National Population Policy 2000

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Indian Society