Update on family planning & population control in the country

New Delhi, Dec 20, 2024 : India has achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0 as per NFHS-5 (2019–21). This is aligned with the National Population Policy 2000 and the National Health Policy 2017 (TFR of 2.1). The government focuses on achieving and maintaining replacement levels of fertility across regions by raising awareness about healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies, ensuring the availability of family planning services, and approving the budgets proposed by states in the Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) based on their specific needs to manage fertility.

The National Family Planning Programme is reviewed through the Common Review Mission (CRM), National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) meetings, State/ Regional/ National review meetings, field monitoring visits, and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) on a continuous basis.

The following steps have been taken by the government to ensure family planning and population control in the country:

Expanded Contraceptive Choices comprises of Condoms, combined oral contraceptive pills, Emergency contraceptive pills, intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), and Sterilization are provided to the beneficiaries. The Contraceptive basket has also been expanded with new contraceptives, namely Injectable contraceptive MPA (Antara Programme) and Centchroman (Chhaya).

Mission Parivar Vikas is implemented in seven high-focused states and six North-Eastern states to improve access to contraceptives and family planning services.

Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors is provided to beneficiaries to compensate for the loss of wages incurred.

•Post-pregnancy contraception in the form of Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUCD), Post-Abortion Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PAIUCD), and Post-partum Sterilization (PPS) is provided to beneficiaries.

•‘World Population Day Campaign’ and ‘Vasectomy Fortnight’ are observed every year to boost awareness on Family Planning and service delivery across all States/ Union Territories.

•Home Delivery of Contraceptives Scheme by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).

•Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) is in place for the management of family planning commodities at all levels of health facilities.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.