Population Policies of India

7.1 National Population Policy 2000

India's National Population Policy (NPP 2000) replaced earlier family planning approaches with a comprehensive reproductive rights framework.

Key Features of NPP 2000

• Immediate objective: Address unmet needs for contraception, healthcare infrastructure, and reduction of IMR (Infant Mortality Rate), MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate)
• Medium-term objective (by 2010): Achieve below-replacement fertility (TFR < 2.1)
• Long-term objective (by 2045): Stable population compatible with sustainable development
• Three-pronged approach: Health + Education + Family welfare
• Abandoned coercion: After Emergency-era sterilisation controversy; fully voluntary approach

7.2 National Health Mission and NRHM

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM 2005): → evolved into NHM (National Health Mission) 2013

Key Outcomes

• ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activist): 10+ lakh female community health workers; bridge between communities and health system
• Improved Institutional delivery rate: 52% (2005) → 88.6% (NFHS-5, 2019–21)
• Reduced IMR: 58 (2005) → 35 per 1,000 live births (2020)
• Reduced MMR: 254 (2004–06) → 97 (2018–20) — below SDG target of 70

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