All questions of Population for UPSC CSE Exam

The correct answer is option 'C', the Third Five Year Plan. Let's understand why this plan focused on stabilizing population growth as the central feature of planning.

I. Introduction to the Third Five Year Plan:
The Third Five Year Plan in India was formulated for the period of 1961-1966. It aimed to continue the development initiatives started in the previous plans and address various socio-economic challenges faced by the country.

II. Objective of the Third Five Year Plan:
The main objective of the Third Five Year Plan was to achieve a higher rate of economic growth while also ensuring social justice and equity. One of the key aspects of this plan was to stabilize the population growth in India.

III. Population Growth as the Central Feature:
The Third Five Year Plan recognized that the rapidly growing population in India was putting immense pressure on the country's resources and infrastructure. To address this issue, the plan emphasized the need to control population growth through various measures.

IV. Policies and Measures:
1. Family Planning: The plan emphasized the promotion of family planning methods to control population growth. It aimed to encourage smaller family sizes through the use of contraceptives, education, and awareness campaigns.

2. Health and Maternal Care: The plan focused on improving healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to ensure better maternal and child health. This was seen as a means to reduce infant mortality rates and encourage smaller family sizes.

3. Education and Awareness: The Third Five Year Plan recognized the importance of education and awareness in creating a population that understands the benefits of family planning. It aimed to spread knowledge about contraception and reproductive health through various educational programs.

4. Incentives and Rewards: The plan proposed providing incentives and rewards to individuals and families who adopted family planning measures. This included financial incentives, access to healthcare facilities, and other benefits to encourage the adoption of family planning methods.

V. Impact and Evaluation:
The Third Five Year Plan's focus on population stabilization had a significant impact on the population growth rate in India. It led to increased awareness, higher contraceptive use, and a decline in population growth rates over time.

In conclusion, the Third Five Year Plan in India, which spanned from 1961 to 1966, made stabilizing population growth the central feature of planning. It recognized the need to control population growth to ensure sustainable development and implemented various policies and measures to achieve this objective.

Second Stage of Demographic Transition
The population growth rate is highest in the second stage of demographic transition. This stage is characterized by high birth rates and declining death rates resulting in a rapid increase in population.

Reasons for high population growth rate in the second stage:
- **High Birth Rates**: In this stage, birth rates are still high due to factors such as traditional values, lack of access to contraceptives, and high infant mortality rates. Consequently, the population increases rapidly.
- **Declining Death Rates**: Improved healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition lead to a decrease in death rates. This results in a larger number of people surviving into adulthood and reproducing, contributing to population growth.

Impacts of high population growth rate in the second stage:
- **Pressure on Resources**: The rapid population growth puts a strain on resources such as food, water, and land, leading to competition and potential scarcity.
- **Challenges for Development**: High population growth can make it difficult for governments to provide adequate services such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Transition to the next stages:
- As countries progress through the demographic transition, they typically experience a decline in birth rates due to factors like urbanization, education, and access to family planning services. This ultimately leads to a stabilization of the population growth rate in the later stages of the transition.

National Population Policy Announcement
The National Population Policy (NPP) was indeed announced in 1976. This policy aimed to address the growing population concerns in India and set the framework for family planning and reproductive health measures.
Key Points:
- The NPP was a significant step towards managing population growth, and it sought to improve the quality of life through various initiatives.
- The policy recognized the importance of population stabilization for sustainable development.
Voluntary Family Planning
Prior to the announcement of the National Population Policy in 1976, family planning initiatives in India were primarily voluntary.
Key Points:
- The government encouraged citizens to adopt family planning methods, but participation was not mandatory.
- Various programs were introduced to raise awareness about birth control and reproductive health, promoting voluntary participation rather than coercion.
Conclusion
Since both statements—i) the NPP was announced in 1976 and ii) family planning was voluntary prior to this policy—are correct, the correct answer is option 'C', indicating that both statements are right.
This reflects the commitment of the Indian government to address population issues through voluntary measures while also recognizing the need for a structured policy framework to control population growth effectively.