National Population Policy, 2000: Key Points for UPSC Mains
- Team IAS Mains
- Aug 11, 2024
- 2 min read
Reproductive Health Focus
Voluntary and Informed Consent: Emphasises the importance of voluntary and informed consent for reproductive healthcare, ensuring that individuals can make well-informed decisions regarding their health.
Child and Maternal Health
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Aims to reduce the IMR to below 30 per 1,000 live births.
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Targets a reduction in the MMR to below 100 per 100,000 live births.
Institutional Deliveries: Seeks to achieve 80% institutional deliveries across the country.
Trained Personnel: Aims for 100% of deliveries to be attended by trained healthcare personnel.
Timeline Targets
Immediate Goals: Focuses on improving access to contraception, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and increasing the availability of trained personnel.
Mid-Term Goal: Aims to achieve a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.1 by 2010.
Long-Term Goal: Seeks to stabilize the population by the year 2045.
Disease Control and AYUSH Integration
Public Health Integration: Links public health goals with AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Communicable Disease Control: Includes programs aimed at eliminating communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (TB).
Youth and Education Targets
Compulsory Education: Advocates for free and compulsory education until the age of 14.
Marriage Age: Encourages girls to marry after the age of 18, with a preference for marriage at age 20.
Five-Year Plans Associated with Population Policy
First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956): Launched in 1952, making India the first country to implement a national population control program, focusing on natural family planning methods.
Third Five-Year Plan (1961-1966): Adopted sterilization for both men and women, introduced copper-T IUDs, and established the Family Planning Department.
Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-1974): Promoted the use of all available birth control methods, including both traditional and modern techniques.
Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1979): Announced the National Population Policy in 1976, raised the legal marriage age (21 for boys, 18 for girls), and initially allowed forced sterilization, which was later discontinued due to ethical concerns.
These points are crucial for understanding the evolution and impact of India’s population policies, particularly in the context of societal health and demographic management. The National Population Policy, 2000, and its associated Five-Year Plans highlight the country’s commitment to sustainable population growth and improved healthcare outcomes.