Social Issues

PDP tables Private Member Bill in J&K Assembly on falling fertility rates

22 September 2026UPSC

In Brief

Introduce legislation in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly to counter falling fertility rates and curb illegal sex selection practices.

PDP legislator Waheed Para tabled a Private Member's Bill in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly aimed at addressing the steep decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) across the Union Territory. Titled the J&K Population Regulation and Enhancement Bill, the legislative initiative seeks to strengthen enforcement against illegal sex-selective practices while simultaneously formulating social security incentives to support larger families in regions experiencing alarming demographic contraction.

Demographic data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) revealed that Jammu & Kashmir's Total Fertility Rate has plummeted to 1.4 children per woman, well below the national replacement level fertility rate of 2.1. A fertility rate below replacement level leads to long-term demographic aging, shrinking labor force, and skewed dependency ratios, triggering serious socio-economic implications for regional economic planning and sustainable social security systems.

The bill underscores the need to modernize the enforcement mechanism of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, 1994, to eliminate illegal sex determination. Additionally, it proposes specific policy measures, including enhanced maternity benefits, child support allowances, and housing subsidies for families, drawing comparisons with demographic stabilization schemes recently trialed in East Asian and Western nations facing similar demographic declines.

This legislative move sparks a vital national discussion regarding regional demographic transitions and differential fertility trends across Indian states. In competitive examinations, this topic falls under Social Issues and Demographics. Candidates should master core demographic metrics such as TFR, Replacement Level Fertility, and NFHS-5 findings for Prelims, alongside Mains analytical arguments concerning population policies and demographic dividends.

UPSC Study NotesHIGHGS2 — Social Issues & Demographics; GS3 — Population Policy

GS2 — Social Issues & Demographics; GS3 — Population Policy

📌 Exam Angle

UPSC may ask: "What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and why is sub-replacement fertility problematic for India?" (Prelims MCQ). For Mains: "Analyze the demographic challenges posed by declining fertility rates in J&K and evaluate policy interventions balancing population stabilization with gender justice" — testing your understanding of demographic transitions and ethical policy-making.

⚠️ Key Concerns

The bill's dual mandate creates tension: incentivizing larger families while combating sex-selective practices risks perpetuating gender-biased cultural norms under state patronage. Should governments actively reverse demographic decline through cash transfers, or focus on sustainable development attracting fertility naturally? The comparison to East Asian models (Japan, South Korea) ignores India's vastly different socio-economic context and gender dynamics.

💡 Why It Matters

Sub-replacement fertility threatens pension systems, labor supply, and dependency ratios across Indian states unevenly, requiring differential regional demographic policies. This reflects India's uneven demographic transition—a crucial governance challenge for sustainable development planning.

🔑 Must Remember

• J&K's TFR is 1.4 against India's replacement level of 2.1, causing demographic contraction • PC-PNDT Act 1994 enforcement gaps enable illegal sex determination; strengthening it is essential • State incentives for family size must not compromise gender equality or women's reproductive autonomy

📝 Key Terms

Total Fertility RateReplacement Level FertilityNFHS-5Demographic TransitionPC-PNDT Act 1994Sex-Selective PracticesDependency RatioRegional Demographics

PDP tables Private Member Bill in J&K Assembly on falling fertility rates

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