India achieves total fertility rate of 2.0: government reports progress on family planning goals
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India has successfully achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0, as revealed by the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), marking a significant milestone in population stabilisation.
This achievement aligns with the targets set in the National Population Policy 2000 and the National Health Policy 2017, which aimed for a TFR of 2.1, said Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Highlighting the government's efforts under the national family planning programme, Patel emphasized the expanded availability of contraceptive options. These include condoms, oral contraceptive pills, emergency contraceptives, intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs), and sterilisation services.
New additions to the contraceptive basket, such as the injectable contraceptive MPA under the Antara Programme and the oral contraceptive Chhaya (Centchroman), have further bolstered these efforts.
The government’s Mission Parivar Vikas focuses on improving access to family planning services in seven high-priority states and six North-Eastern states. Beneficiaries also receive financial compensation under the sterilisation acceptors’ compensation scheme to offset wage losses.
Post-pregnancy contraception options, including Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (PPIUCD), Post-Abortion Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (PAIUCD), and Post-Partum Sterilisation (PPS), are available to enhance reproductive health care services.
To raise awareness and improve service delivery, campaigns such as World Population Day and Vasectomy Fortnight are conducted annually across states. Additionally, the Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) ensures efficient management of family planning commodities at various health facilities.
Separately, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed the Rajya Sabha that 16,586 health facilities have received National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification. This framework, established by the Ministry of Health, ensures the delivery of high-quality healthcare services at public facilities.
In June, the NQAS for Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) was launched to improve testing accuracy and precision, further strengthening the healthcare system.