- A landmark report by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) in the wake of declining fertility rates in the country.
- Recommendation to stop incentives and wage compensation for sterilization surgeries.
- Advise to delete all disqualification provisions applicable under the two-child rule.
Declining Fertility Rate In India: In the wake of declining fertility rates in the country, the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) has recommended scrapping incentives for sterilization and removing disqualification provisions under the two-child rule. The council recommended scrapping incentives for permanent family planning practices, compensating sterilizers for their sinking wages and withdrawing additional incentives for service providers. It also recommended scrapping the 'Asha' incentive to limit families to two children.
According to the Council, India's total fertility rate is 1.9, which is below replacement level. Excluding Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the rate is 1.6. Many states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bengal, Punjab and Delhi, have had fertility rates below replacement levels for more than two decades. The Council recommended the discontinuation of awards related to family planning and activities focused on population control such as World Population Day and Sterilization Fortnight.
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It recommended broadening the scope of the 'Family Development Mission' in line with changing demographic conditions and removing language related to fertility rate reduction, population control and stabilization from national and state policies. According to the council, the annual number of births in India in 2001 was approximately 29.3 crore.
A look at population and fertility rates
1.9: Total Fertility Rate of India
1.6: Total fertility rate of India excluding Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
1.5: Fertility rates of Northern Europe
1.6: US Fertility Rate
20% decrease in birth rate
2001: Annual births approximately 2.93 crore
2023: Annual births approximately 2.32 crore
1974: In 2023, the annual birth rate reached the level of about 50 years ago
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It shows the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of various Indian states.
List of states and fertility rates
• Punjab: 1.4
• Himachal Pradesh: 1.5
• Sikkim: 1.0
• Delhi: 1.2
• Maharashtra: 1.4
• West Bengal: 1.3
• Goa: 1.6
• Karnataka: 1.5
• Kerala: 1.3
• Telangana: 1.5
• Andhra Pradesh: 1.4
• Tamil Nadu: 1.3