Context:
- The Assam government, through the Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam (Amendment), 2025, has reinforced the two-child norm as a criterion for government employment, participation in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and electoral eligibility.
- The amendment became effective immediately after its notification on December 5, 2025, reflecting the state’s emphasis on population control, women empowerment, and governance reforms.
Key Highlights:
Policy Provisions and Scope
- The two-child norm is mandatory for eligibility in government jobs, membership and incentives under SHGs, and proposed participation in local body elections.
- Relaxations are provided to certain communities — Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Tea Garden Tribes, Matak, and Moran communities — allowing up to three children without loss of benefits.
- Individuals marrying below the legal age are declared ineligible for government jobs, linking population policy with child marriage prevention.
Electoral Reforms Proposed
- The state government may legislate provisions to bar individuals with more than two children from contesting panchayat and municipal elections.
- The policy may be extended as a yardstick for contesting State Assembly elections, potentially leading to disqualification of MLAs who violate the norm.
- There is also a proposal to introduce minimum educational qualifications for candidates contesting panchayats and urban local bodies.
Governance and Incentive Mechanism
- Government servants are expected to strictly follow the two-child norm to act as role models for society.
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that adhere to the policy (three-child norm where applicable) will receive special government incentives, linking welfare benefits to population stabilization goals.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Population stabilization through eligibility-linked incentives and restrictions.
- Causes: Population pressure, resource constraints, governance efficiency concerns.
- Government Initiative: Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam (Amendment), 2025.
- Benefits:
- Encourages small family norms
- Enhances women empowerment and health outcomes
- Improves administrative efficiency
- Challenges:
- Potential violation of reproductive rights
- Risk of social exclusion and discrimination
- Possible legal and constitutional challenges
- Impact: Alters access to jobs, political participation, and welfare benefits.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Constitutional Aspects:
- Articles 14, 15, 21 – equality, non-discrimination, right to personal liberty
- Directive Principles related to population control and social welfare
- Key Concepts: Two-child norm, electoral reforms, decentralised governance, inclusive policies.
- Static Linkages:
- GS 1: Population, social diversity, tribal communities
- GS 2: Governance reforms, electoral eligibility, decentralisation
- Way Forward:
- Ensure constitutional safeguards and judicial scrutiny
- Combine restrictions with awareness, education, and healthcare access
- Focus on voluntary family planning rather than coercive measures
- Periodic review to prevent marginalisation of vulnerable groups
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 1: Indian Society – Population policy and social impact
- GS 2: Polity & Governance – Electoral reforms, eligibility norms
- Prelims: SHGs, Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies, state population policies