Andhra Pradesh Draft Population Management Policy to Raise Fertility Rate Context: Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, introduced the Draft Population Management Policy in the State Assembly. The policy aims to increase the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 1.5 to the replacement level of 2.1. Objective: Reverse the declining fertility trend and prepare the State for an ageing society by 2047. The policy is proposed to be implemented from April 1, 2026. The government proposed an incentive of ₹25,000 to encourage families to have a third child. A “Poshana – Shiksha – Suraksha” package will be provided for families with a third child: ₹25,000 incentive at the time of delivery ₹1,000 monthly assistance for five years Free education up to 18 years for the child The Chief Minister warned that declining fertility could lead to a shrinking workforce and economic challenges. If the trend continues, about 23% of the State’s population may become elderly in the future. The policy also aims to nearly double women’s labour force participation to boost the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by 15%. Tamil Nadu (TFR 1.4) and Kerala (TFR 1.6) were cited as examples of States with declining fertility rates. Countries like Japan, Italy, and South Korea were mentioned as facing challenges due to very low TFRs. Raisina Dialogue (2026) Context: The 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue (2026), India’s leading conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, has commenced in New Delhi. The Raisina Dialogue, launched in 2016, is an annual multilateral forum that discusses issues related to global governance and international cooperation. The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation. The theme for 2026 is “Saṁskāra: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement”, which emphasises the role of civilisational values in shaping global engagement, cooperation, and development. Chief Guest: Alexander…
