BJP-governedUttar PradeshandAssamare moving towards a two-child policy. Karnataka, the state with the eighth-largest Population (nearly 6.5 crore), is considering a similar population-control measure. Recently, law minister Basavaraj Bommai said the was studying UPs draft law that aims to lower the gross fertility rate to 2.1 by 2026 and 1.9 by 2030.
But some experts argue that Karnataka doesnt need such steps, pointing to the decreasing total fertility rate, which is the number of babies each woman is expected to have during her reproductive years. The rate reached a record low of 1.7 births per woman in 2020 compared to 3.6 in 1981, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
Experts also say that a two-child policy may lead to issues such as an increase in female foeticide and unsafe abortions. The government has been making efforts to sensitise people, but data indicates that this practice is still rampant. Currently, Karnataka stands eighth among states with the most gender imbalance.