Family planning in India

Abstract

Family planning, in the modern sense of the term, is a fairly recent development in India. The Five Year Plans for economic development, which started in 1951, recognized it as a prerequisite for a happier life for the family and also for the country. In the First Plan a moderate programme of family planning was undertaken and the progress achieved was very slow. During the Second Plan a larger sum was allocated (£3·75 millions) and the machinery for implementing the programme was strengthened; urban areas mostly achieved their targets for new clinics, but the rural areas lagged far behind. Facilities for training personnel were inadequate and only limited supplies of contraceptives were manufactured in the country. In the Third Plan the sum allocated for family planning has been raised to £37·5 millions. The poor are being supplied with contraceptives free, and for others the concessions have been increased. Sterilizations are performed free of charge irrespective of income and plans for increasing the production of contraceptives are being drawn up. As the motivation for family planning is very low, programmes are being devised to find the best methods for educating the masses.

This article is taken from a chapter of a thesis submitted for the Ph.D. degree in Demography to the University of London in November 1961. I am highly indebted to Professor D. V. Glass, and Mr. J. Hajnal, for supervising my work and for their very valuable guidance, suggestions and encouragement in writing the thesis.

This article is taken from a chapter of a thesis submitted for the Ph.D. degree in Demography to the University of London in November 1961. I am highly indebted to Professor D. V. Glass, and Mr. J. Hajnal, for supervising my work and for their very valuable guidance, suggestions and encouragement in writing the thesis.

Notes

This article is taken from a chapter of a thesis submitted for the Ph.D. degree in Demography to the University of London in November 1961. I am highly indebted to Professor D. V. Glass, and Mr. J. Hajnal, for supervising my work and for their very valuable guidance, suggestions and encouragement in writing the thesis.