India's demographic transition since 1911 can be divided into different phases, each

characterized by distinct trends in birth rates, death rates, and population growth. Here’s
an overview of the demographic transition in India from 1911 to 2024, with relevant data:

1. Pre-Transition Stage (Before 1921)

• Birth Rates: High, around 45-50 births per 1,000 people.

• Death Rates: High, around 40-50 deaths per 1,000 people.
• Population Growth: Very slow, almost static.

2. Early Transition (1921-1951)

• Birth Rates: Remained high, around 45-50 births per 1,000 people.
• Death Rates: Began to decline slowly, around 30-40 deaths per 1,000 people.
• Population Growth: Began to increase slowly.

Key Events and Data:

• 1921 Census: Marked as the “year of the great divide” due to the significant drop in
mortality rates.
• 1951 Census: Population of India was about 361 million.

3. Mid-Transition (1951-1981)

• Birth Rates: Began to decline slowly, around 35-40 births per 1,000 people.
• Death Rates: Declined significantly, around 15-25 deaths per 1,000 people.
• Population Growth: Rapid increase due to the gap between birth and death rates.

Key Events and Data:

• 1961 Census: Population reached 439 million.

• 1971 Census: Population was 548 million, with a growth rate of about 2.2% per
year.
• 1981 Census: Population was about 683 million.

4. Late Transition (1981-2011)

• Birth Rates: Continued to decline, around 25-30 births per 1,000 people.
 • Death Rates: Further declined, around 8-12 deaths per 1,000 people.
• Population Growth: Slowed down but remained high.

Key Events and Data:

• 1991 Census: Population was 846 million.

• 2001 Census: Population crossed 1 billion, reaching about 1.028 billion.
• 2011 Census: Population was approximately 1.21 billion, with a growth rate of
1.64% per year.

5. Post-Transition (2011-2024)

• Birth Rates: Continued to decline, around 17-20 births per 1,000 people.
• Death Rates: Stabilized at low levels, around 7-9 deaths per 1,000 people.
• Population Growth: Further slowed down.

Key Events and Data:

• Current Population (2023 estimate): Around 1.428 billion.

• Total Fertility Rate: Declined to approximately 2.2 children per woman in recent
years, close to the replacement level of 2.1.
• Life Expectancy: Increased to around 70 years.

Demographic Indicators (1911-2024)

Conclusion

India's demographic transition reflects a significant transformation from high birth and
death rates to lower rates, resulting in a considerable increase in population. This
transition has been influenced by improvements in healthcare, sanitation, education, and
economic development. The country is now approaching the final stages of the
demographic transition, with a slowing population growth rate and an aging population.

Sources:

1. Census of India
2. World Bank Data
3. United Nations Population Division
4. National Family Health Survey (NFHS)
5. Sample Registration System (SRS) by the Government of India

The Indian government has implemented several initiatives and policies to check the
population growth rate. These initiatives focus on family planning, improving healthcare,
raising awareness, and enhancing education. Here are some key initiatives:

1. National Family Planning Program

• Overview: Launched in 1952, it is one of the oldest family planning programs in the
world.
• Objectives: To promote responsible and planned parenthood, reduce birth rates,
and stabilize the population.
• Methods: Distribution of contraceptives, sterilization procedures, and promotion of
spacing methods.

2. Mission Parivar Vikas

• Launched: 2016
 • Target: High fertility districts in seven high-focus states (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Assam).
• Initiatives: Distribution of contraceptives, enhanced access to family planning
services, increased awareness through mass media campaigns, and provision of
contraceptive choices.

3. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

• Launched: 2005
• Objective: To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional
deliveries among poor pregnant women.
• Components: Cash incentives for institutional deliveries, provision of free
antenatal care, and postnatal care.

4. National Health Mission (NHM)

• Launched: 2013 (merging the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban
Health Mission)
• Objective: To provide accessible, affordable, and quality health care to the rural
and urban populations, focusing on the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and
adolescent health (RMNCH+A).
• Strategies: Strengthening health infrastructure, increasing the availability of
healthcare professionals, and improving healthcare delivery systems.

5. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

• Launched: 2016
• Objective: To ensure comprehensive and quality antenatal care to all pregnant
women on the 9th of every month.
• Services: Free antenatal check-ups, identification and management of high-risk
pregnancies, and providing necessary treatments.

6. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

• Launched: 2015
• Objective: To address the declining child sex ratio (CSR) and promote the
education and welfare of the girl child.
 • Components: Advocacy and media campaigns, multi-sectoral interventions in
selected districts, and improved access to education and healthcare for girls.

7. Sub-Centers and Primary Health Centers (PHCs)

• Function: Serve as the first point of contact for healthcare in rural areas.
• Services: Family planning services, maternal and child health services,
immunization, and health education.

8. Sterilization and Contraceptive Services

• Sterilization: Tubectomy and vasectomy are promoted as permanent methods of

contraception.
• Contraceptives: Distribution of condoms, oral contraceptive pills, intrauterine
devices (IUDs), and injectable contraceptives.

9. Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH)

• Objective: To educate adolescents about reproductive health, family planning, and

responsible sexual behavior.
• Programs: School health programs, peer education, and community outreach
activities.

10. Awareness Campaigns

• Mass Media: Use of television, radio, print media, and social media to disseminate
information about family planning and reproductive health.
• Community-Based Programs: Involvement of Accredited Social Health Activists
(ASHAs), Anganwadi workers, and local health educators to spread awareness at
the grassroots level.

Conclusion

The Indian government's multifaceted approach to checking population growth rate

involves a combination of healthcare improvements, family planning services, educational
initiatives, and awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to promote responsible
parenthood, improve maternal and child health, and ensure the overall well-being of the
population.