Q.) Highlight India’s Population Policy since independence. For India, the current phase of demographic transition is both a challenge and an opportunity. Discuss.

Ans– India has a population of more than 130 crores that has proved to be both boon and bane at different dimensions. We talk about India’s Population Policy. On one hand, we have been rising as a world market while on the other hand, we have been facing difficulties to cope with the situation like covid health care and management of such a huge population. have several policies since both pre-and post-independence to share its demographic dividend at the right way.

Pre-independence policies–

1. Radha Kamal Mukherjee committee
2. Bhore’s committee

Post-independence policies–

1. Population committee 1951– India was one of the first developing countries to come up with population controlling suggestions. However, it was ad-hoc so it could not perform as expected.
2. Population Policy of 1976-77– Targeted the raise of the strict implementation of the legal age of marriage to be followed. for boys it was after 21 years and for girls, it was after 18 years. Also, a large number of Health Care Agencies were set up to guide people to use contraceptives, sterilization, etc.
3. National Population Policy 2000– It is the most updated policy with its present and future expected figures for population and steps needed to be taken for the stabilized population around 2045. it monitors the total fertility rate State-wise and gives suggestions.

Challenges of such a large population–

1. Uneven distribution– There is no symmetric distribution of population all over the country. For example, Arunachal Pradesh rarely has 17 people per square kilometer while Bihar is the densest state having 1102 people per square km.
2. hunger and malnutrition– We are severely lacking to meet the SDG-2 index of “zero hunger” because it is very difficult to feed such a large population. even though we have improved allowed in Hungry but still we are lacking in malnutrition both investing and stunning.
3. Poverty– this is uneven development having a little population with lots of wealth while a majority of the population under below the poverty line. SDG 1 (poverty removal) is the foremost goal of the united nations which we are lacking heavily.
4. pressure on infrastructure– schools, colleges, hospitals, government institutions, etc are facing heavy pressure. Recently covid-19 management failure has exposed the capability of hospitals to man it’s such a large crowd of patients.
5. Unemployment– with Limited job opportunities, youths are struggling to get desired employment.
6. terrorism and insurgency– unemployed youth without getting employment and misguided and frustrated are not joining unethical works engaging in drug activity, terrorism, etc.
7. environmental degradation– Feeding and sustaining such a large population has created heavy pressure on our environment. a large number of trees are cut down for agriculture, groundwater depletion, and salinity increment in soil. However, this large population has proved to be a fortunately also which is benefiting your country in several ways.
8. large labor force– large population provides a large and cheap labor force which creates India an attractive location of manufacturing and assembling hub.
9. A big role in global decisions– while performing any Global policy India’s role cannot be neglected in any way. Around 17.5% of the world population, India has a significant presence and role in world institutionalized UN, GZO, IMF, etc.
10. Rapid urbanization and industrialization– structure building and Organisation is taking place to sustain the population. which employs to cause it is too large liver free along the same time improving the quality of life.
11. big market forward– India is one of the most attractive markets for worldwide MNC and business forms like Google, Amazon, automobile companies, aviation Sector all are attracted to such a huge customer market.

As time passes India is getting towards stabilizing its population. we need to educate the rural population and teach them about family planning because “Education is the best contraceptive.”

Subsequently, India’s population will begin to reduce more soon than anticipated. For this to occur there is no need to acquire regulations that uphold populace control. A nation’s population, alongside how quickly it develops and its piece, essentially affects its economic development. India’s population is among the most youthful on the planet and the nation is supposed to be on the cusp of partaking in a segment profit if we keep on putting resources into training and our wellbeing frameworks.

This youthful populace ought not to be dependent upon population control regulations that have no logical premise. Our center ought to just be to instruct them (remembering for conceptive wellbeing) and furnish them with occupations that sympathize with their level of education.