Context: Recently, a projections made by the National Commission on Population under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on India’s population which is expected to be more feminine and hold better future for women after 15 years from now.
Key highlights of the report

• The country’s sex ratio of the total population (females per 1000 males) is expected to increase from 943 in 2011 to 957 during 2036.
• It is observed that in 2036, sex ratio in eighteen states, except Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat will increase as compared to 2011.
• As per the report, the lowest sex ratio of 899 is expected to be in NCT of Delhi in 2036, followed by 900 and 908 in Gujarat and Haryana respectively.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) status

• As per the report the infant mortality rate (IMR) of the country, which is reported to be 46 in 2010 is expected to go down to 30 by the end of the period 2031-35.
• The IMR is expected to decline in all the states during 2011-35.
• The IMR, which was highest in Madhya Pradesh at 58 followed by 57 in Uttar Pradesh in 2011-15 is expected to come down to 37 in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Uttar Pradesh (38) in 2031-35.
• The lowest IMR is expected to be in Kerala at 9 in 2031-35.

On reproductive Health and Demographic front

• According to the report, the population of India is expected to increase from 121.1 crores to 151.8 crores during the period 2011-2036 – an increase of 25% in 25 years at the rate of 1.0% annually.
• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is expected to decline from 2.34 during 2011-2015 to 1.72 during 2031- 35. 
• The report has also highlighted that the youth population in the age- group 15-24 years is expected to increase from 23.3 crores in 2011 to 25.2 crores in 2021 and then continue to decrease to 22.7 crores in 2036.
• Its proportion to total population is expected to fall from 19.3 percent in 2011 to 14.9 percent in 2036.

About National Commission on Population

• The commission was set up by union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

It works under the chairmanship of Prime Minister with the following members:

• Chief ministers of all states,
• Chief ministers of UTs,
• Minister of Health and Family Welfare,
• Concerned ministries like Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Environment and Forest etc.
• Others like demographers, public health professionals, NGOs etc.

Mandate

• To monitor and give directions for the implementation of the National population Policy with an aim to achieve the goals targeted in the population policy.
• To achieve synergy among different sectors and agencies in centre and the states like health, educational, environmental and other developmental programmes to hasten the achievement of population stabilization.
• To develop a vigorous people friendly programme to support efforts put towards population stabilization.