Assam Reinforces Two-Child Policy for Government Jobs and Local Elections
Assam government reinforces its two-child policy, making it mandatory for eligibility in government jobs and local body elections from January 1, 2021.
Photo by Poh Soo Donald Soh
त्वरित संशोधन
Assam government reinforces its two-child policy.
Policy applies to eligibility for government jobs and local body elections.
Effective from January 1, 2021.
Aims for population control and sustainable development.
महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां
दृश्य सामग्री
States with Two-Child Policy for Public Service/Local Elections
This map highlights Assam, the state in the news, and other Indian states that have implemented similar two-child norms for eligibility in government jobs or local body elections. This provides a geographical context to the policy's spread and adoption across the country.
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Evolution of India's Population Policies & Assam's Two-Child Norm
This timeline illustrates the key milestones in India's population control efforts, from its inception to the recent reaffirmation of the two-child policy in Assam, providing crucial historical and policy context.
India has a long history of population control efforts, evolving from a focus on birth control to a comprehensive reproductive health approach. While national policy emphasizes voluntary methods, several states have introduced disincentives like the two-child norm, reflecting state-specific demographic concerns and policy autonomy.
- 1952India launches National Family Planning Program (first in the world). Focus on birth control.
- 1975-77Emergency period: Coercive sterilization campaigns, leading to public backlash and shift towards voluntary approaches.
- 1994International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Cairo: Shift towards reproductive health and rights-based approach.
- 2000National Population Policy (NPP 2000) adopted: Aims for population stabilization by 2045, target-free approach, focus on reproductive & child health.
- 2005Several states (e.g., Maharashtra, Gujarat) implement two-child norms for local elections/govt jobs.
- 2018Assam Panchayat Act amended to include two-child norm for contesting local body elections.
- 2019Assam Public Services (Application of Small Family Norms in Direct Recruitment) Rules, 2019, notified.
- 2019-21National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data released: India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) falls to 2.0, below replacement level (2.1).
- 2021 (Jan 1)Assam's two-child policy for government jobs and local elections comes into effect.
- PresentAssam government reaffirms its two-child policy, sparking debates on individual rights vs. state policy objectives.
परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Constitutional validity of such policies (Articles 14, 16, 21, 47).
Interplay between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
Disqualification criteria for local self-governance bodies (73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments).
Impact on demographic dividend, gender equality, and sustainable development goals.
Comparison with population control strategies in other Indian states and globally.
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
The Assam government has reaffirmed its two-child policy, making it a mandatory criterion for eligibility in both government jobs and participation in local body elections. This policy, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, aims to address concerns about population growth and promote sustainable development within the state. What does this mean? Essentially, individuals with more than two children will not be eligible for government employment or to contest local body elections.
This is a significant step towards population control and resource management, reflecting the state's commitment to balancing demographic trends with its development goals. It also sparks debates about individual rights versus state policy objectives.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
The Assam government has reaffirmed its two-child policy, which came into effect on January 1, 2021. This policy makes individuals with more than two children ineligible for government jobs and for contesting local body elections.
The stated objectives are population control, sustainable development, and resource management, reflecting a state-level commitment to balancing demographic trends with development goals. This move has reignited debates concerning individual rights, state policy objectives, and potential socio-economic impacts.
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. With reference to the two-child policy implemented by the Assam government, consider the following statements: 1. The policy makes individuals with more than two children ineligible for government employment and contesting local body elections. 2. It aims to promote sustainable development and resource management within the state. 3. Such policies are explicitly mandated by the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 47 of the Indian Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement 1 is correct as per the news summary. The policy makes individuals with more than two children ineligible for government jobs and local body elections. Statement 2 is correct, as the summary explicitly mentions the policy's aim to address population growth and promote sustainable development and resource management. Statement 3 is incorrect. While Article 47 of the DPSP mentions the duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health, it does not explicitly mandate or even directly refer to a 'two-child policy' or any specific population control measure. Population control measures are generally framed under broader public policy objectives, often debated in the context of individual rights versus state welfare.
2. In the context of population control measures and individual rights in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the right to procreate as an absolute fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. 2. Disqualification from contesting local body elections based on the number of children has been challenged in various High Courts and the Supreme Court. 3. The National Population Policy 2000 advocates for a coercive approach to achieve population stabilization by 2045. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.2 and 3 only
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. While the right to procreate is considered part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, it is not an absolute right and can be subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public health, morality, or other state objectives. The Supreme Court has, in fact, upheld some state laws imposing a two-child norm for contesting local elections, viewing it as a reasonable restriction. Statement 2 is correct. Several state laws imposing a two-child norm for contesting local body elections (e.g., in Haryana, Rajasthan) have been challenged on grounds of violating fundamental rights, and the Supreme Court has largely upheld these provisions, considering them valid restrictions. Statement 3 is incorrect. The National Population Policy 2000 explicitly moved away from coercive methods and adopted a voluntary, rights-based approach to achieve population stabilization. It aimed for stabilization by 2045 through promoting informed choices and access to reproductive health services, not through coercion.
3. Which of the following states has NOT implemented a two-child norm as a criterion for eligibility in local body elections or government jobs at some point?
- A.Rajasthan
- B.Maharashtra
- C.Kerala
- D.Haryana
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Haryana are among several states that have implemented a two-child norm for eligibility in local body elections and/or government jobs. For example, Rajasthan has had such a norm for Panchayati Raj elections since 1994. Maharashtra also has a similar provision. Haryana introduced a two-child norm for Panchayati Raj elections in 1995, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. Kerala, however, has generally focused on high literacy and women's empowerment as drivers for population control and has not implemented a two-child norm for government jobs or local body elections.