Family Planning and Population Control in India (2024)

(December 2024: PIB report)

The Big Milestone: India Hits TFR of 2.0

As per NFHS-5 (2019–21), India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 2.0—below the replacement level of 2.1.

📌 What does that mean?
Replacement level fertility is the average number of children a woman must have to replace herself and her partner—essentially ensuring population replacement without growth.

🎯 It fulfills key policy goals:

• National Population Policy (2000)
• National Health Policy (2017)

Key Objectives

India’s population policy today isn’t just about numbers—it’s about health, autonomy, and informed choice.

• Achieve replacement fertility in every region, not just nationally.
• Promote healthy timing & spacing of births.
• Ensure universal access to modern contraception.

🧠 It’s about quality, not quantity.

Monitoring Mechanisms

Government isn’t flying blind. There are multiple layers of data-backed review:

• Common Review Mission (CRM) – Field validation.
• National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) – Central coordination.
• NFHS & state reviews – Data ensures evidence-based planning.

📊 Policy decisions are now increasingly digital and data-driven.

Major Interventions

Let’s break this down methodically:

1. Expanded Contraceptive Basket

Just like a grocery store expands to offer more options 😊, the government has diversified contraceptive choices:

Includes:

• Traditional: Condoms, Oral Pills, IUCDs, Sterilization
• New launches:
  • Antara – Injectable (MPA)
  • Chhaya – Non-hormonal pill (Centchroman)

🧠 Choice increases adoption.

2. Mission Parivar Vikas (MPV)

This is a targeted strike—focused on 146 districts with high fertility rates in 13 states, including:

• Bihar, UP, MP (high-focus)
• 6 Northeastern states

Aim: Reduce unmet need and improve contraceptive access..

3. Sterilization Compensation Scheme

Sterilization is a permanent method. To encourage it (voluntarily), the government compensates for wage loss—especially important for daily wage earners.

4. Post-Pregnancy Contraception

Very logical and timely intervention. Just after pregnancy is ideal for counselling.

• Post-Partum IUCD (PPIUCD) – immediately after delivery
• Post-Abortion IUCD (PAIUCD) – for safe spacing
• Post-Partum Sterilization (PPS) – at the time of delivery

📌 One hospital visit, two outcomes: delivery and contraception.

5. Awareness Campaigns

Social taboos need mass communication to change mindsets.

• World Population Day – symbolic and educative.
• Vasectomy Fortnight – focused on male participation.

🧠 Population control is not just a woman’s burden.

6. Home Delivery of Contraceptives

Carried out by ASHAs—the backbone of India’s rural health system.

📌 They deliver contraceptives to doorsteps, especially where access is poor.

7. FP-LMIS (Family Planning – Logistics Management Information System)

A digital platform that tracks stock, supply, and distribution of contraceptives.

Significance of These Measures

Why does all this matter?

• Helps stabilize population in a democratic and rights-based way.
• Improves maternal & child health outcomes.
• Empowers women to make choices—crucial for gender equity.
• Aligns with:
  • SDG 3 – Health & well-being
  • SDG 5 – Gender equality

Challenges That Persist

Despite achievements, not all is smooth:

• Regional disparities: States like Bihar & UP still have TFR above 2.1.
• Cultural taboos: Male sterilization is still seen as emasculating.
• Service quality: In remote areas, both supply chains and trained staff can be lacking.

📌 The software (policy) is ready, but the hardware (societal attitude and infrastructure) needs upgrading.

🔹 The Way Forward

The next phase should focus on deepening impact:

• Promote education and behavioral change—especially among men.
• Strengthen logistics and incentivize ASHAs better.
• Encourage male responsibility and gender-sensitive planning.

📌 Population control is not about coercion anymore—it’s about informed, supported, and equal choices.

🔚 Summary Thought

India has reached the milestone—but not the finish line.
We have achieved the replacement rate, but unless this success is regionalized, sustained, and owned by communities, the demographic dividend could turn into a demographic burden.