Why Andhra has scrapped 2-child rule for contesting local body polls

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Last Updated23/11/2024

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed concern about the ageing population in the state and said his government was contemplating moves to incentivise families to have more children.

Andhra Pradesh has repealed its long-standing two-child policy, a regulation that previously barred individuals with more than two children from contesting local body elections. This move, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, reflects concerns over the state’s declining fertility rates and its potential long-term socio-economic impacts.

Introduction: Originating in the early 1990s, the two-child policy was implemented to control India’s rapidly growing population. Andhra Pradesh adopted it in 1994 under the leadership of Naidu, aligning with recommendations by the National Development Council (NDC).
Rationale: The policy sought to address population growth concerns highlighted by intra-census data (1981–1991), which showed disappointing outcomes despite previous efforts.

States like Rajasthan, Haryana, Odisha, and Maharashtra adopted the policy at various levels. However, some, such as Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh, rolled it back due to its unintended consequences.

The two-child norm, combined with access to pre-natal diagnostic technology, exacerbated the already skewed sex ratio at birth (SRB). Between 2003 and 2005, the SRB dropped to 880 females per 1,000 males.
Preference for male heirs often led to sex-selective practices.

The policy shifted from a target-driven approach to advocating reproductive rights and a “target-free” strategy, making the two-child policy obsolete.

The regulation faced numerous legal disputes, with individuals questioning its constitutional validity.
Critics argued it infringed on democratic participation by disqualifying candidates based on family size.

Declining Fertility Rates:
- Andhra Pradesh’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) stands at 1.5, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 and the national average of 2.11.
- A low TFR raises concerns about an ageing population and its implications for the workforce and productivity.
Economic Concerns:
- A shrinking working-age population could hinder economic growth, necessitating a shift towards policies that encourage higher fertility rates.
Political and Delimitation Dynamics:
- With the 2026 delimitation exercise based on population, states with lower growth rates, like Andhra Pradesh, may lose representation in Parliament.
- Leaders, including K.T. Rama Rao (Telangana) and M.K. Stalin (Tamil Nadu), have opposed penalizing southern states for their successful family planning programs.