PANEL SET UP TO STUDY ‘DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE’

NEWS: The Central Government has constituted a high level committee to study demographic changes caused by: Illegal immigration.

Main Objectives of the Committee

  • Study Demographic Changesà The panel will examine changes in population composition due to: Illegal immigration, Other abnormal causes.
  • The committee will suggest permanent institutional systems forà Population stabilization, monitoring demographic trends.
  • The committee will recommend systems for: Identification, verification.

Composition of the Committee

  • Chairpersonà The committee is headed by: Justice Prakash Shrivastava, former Supreme Court judge.
  • Members include: Former civil servants, Security experts, policy experts.
  • The Joint Secretary (Foreigners) in the Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as: Member Secretary of the committee.

Time Frame of the Committee

  • The committee has been asked to submit its report within: One year.
  • If necessary, its tenure may be extended by: Six months.

Concerns Linked to Illegal Immigration

  • Illegal immigration can createà Security vulnerabilities, border management challenges.
  • Sudden demographic changes may affectà Local administration, resource distribution.
  • Pressure on Resourcesà Population increase can increase pressure on: Housing, healthcare.
  • Impact on Tribal and Local Communitiesà Large demographic shifts may affect: Indigenous populations.

Census

  • India’s last Population Census was conducted in: 2011.
  • The next Census exercise is ongoing and expected to be completed by: 2027.

Decline in Birth Rate

Sample Registration System (SRS) Report

According to the latest SRS Report 2024: India’s birth rate declined from: 21 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

  • According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5): India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to: 2.0 children per woman.
    • This is below the: Replacement Level Fertility of 2.1.

Replacement Level Fertility

  • Replacement Level Fertility is the number of children needed per woman to: Replace the existing population from one generation to the next.
  • It is generally considered: 2.1 children per woman.
  • A TFR below replacement level may eventually lead to: Population ageing, slower population growth.

Sample Registration System (SRS)

  • SRS is India’s large-scale demographic survey system.
  • It provides annual estimates related to: Birth rate, death rate.
  • It is conducted by: Registrar General of India
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