The fifth edition of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) provides a valuable insight into changes underway in Indian society. It throws light on traditional parameters, for instance im munisation among children, births in registered hospital facilities, and nutritional levels. While there is a general improvement in these parameters, there were mixed signals in nutrition. Gains in childhood nutrition were minimal as were improvements in obesity levels. The prevalence of anaemia has actually worsened since the last survey in 2015-16. But the survey’s major contribution is its insight into behavioural and sociological churn. When highlights were made public last year, the focus was on India’s declining total fertility rate that had, for the first time in the country’s history, dipped to below the replacement level, or a TFR (Total Fertility Rate) of 2.1. If the trend were to persist, India’s population was on the decline in line with what has been observed in developed countries, and theoretically means improved living standards per capita and greater gender equity. Because this TFR had been achieved across most States, two notable exceptions being most populous Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, it was also evidence that population decline could be achieved without coercive state policies and family planning has struck deep roots. The more detailed findings, made public last week, suggest that this decline is agnostic to religion.
According to the passage, the main reason for decline in the Total Fertility level in India is due to the...
Show Hint
- Deterrent and coercive Government policies
- Incentives announced by the Government
- Effective family planning measures
- Advise of religious scholars
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The question asks to identify the main reason for the decrease in India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) as explained in the passage.
Step 2: Locating the Explanation in the Passage
The passage addresses this directly. After mentioning the decline in TFR, it provides the reason: "...it was also evidence that population decline could be achieved without coercive state policies and family planning has struck deep roots."
Step 3: Evaluating the Options
(A) Deterrent and coercive Government policies: The passage explicitly states that the decline was achieved "without coercive state policies," making this option incorrect.
(B) Incentives announced by the Government: The passage does not mention government incentives as the reason for the decline.
(C) Effective family planning measures: The passage says "family planning has struck deep roots," which is another way of saying that family planning measures have been effective and widely adopted by the population. This aligns perfectly with the text.
(D) Advise of religious scholars: The passage suggests the opposite, stating that "this decline is agnostic to religion," meaning it is happening regardless of religious affiliations or advice.
Step 4: Final Answer
The passage directly attributes the decline in TFR to the fact that "family planning has struck deep roots." This indicates the success and effectiveness of family planning measures. Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.
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