The National Population Policy (NPP), 2000 is a comprehensive policy framework officially adopted by the Government of India on February 15, 2000, as the country's second population policy. It replaced earlier policies from 1976 and 1977, marking a significant shift from a focus on coercion and numerical targets to a voluntary, rights-based approach. The policy was created to address the challenges of rapid population growth and the unmet needs for contraception and healthcare infrastructure.
The NPP 2000 works by setting clear objectives and socio-demographic goals. Its immediate objective was to address the unmet needs for contraception, healthcare infrastructure, and personnel, and to provide integrated service delivery for basic reproductive and child healthcare. The medium-term objective was to reduce the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to replacement levels (2.1 children per woman) by 2010. The long-term objective is to achieve a stable population by 2045. Key provisions include making school education free and compulsory up to the age of 14 years, reducing the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to below 30 per 1,000 live births, and reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 100 per 1,00,000 live births. It also promotes delayed marriage for girls, preferably after 20 years of age.
The policy connects to the broader Family Welfare Programme and is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is distinct from previous policies as it integrates population concerns with child survival, maternal health, women's empowerment, and education. A key related concept is the freeze on the allocation of seats in the Indian Parliament based on population figures, which was extended to 2026 by the 84th Amendment Act, 2001, using the 1971 Census figures, a measure often linked to population control efforts. The NPP 2000 itself has not been replaced, but its long-term goal of population stabilization by 2045 remains the guiding principle.