Articles on 15 May 2025

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Birth Rate Decline Latest News
• Introduction
• National and State-Level Trends in Birth Rate Decline
• Regional Comparison of Birth Rate Trends
• Insights from Civil Registration System (CRS) 2021
• Fertility and Reproduction Metrics
• Implications and Policy Reflections
• Conclusion
• India’s Birth Rate Decline FAQs

India’s Birth Rate Decline Latest News

• Recently, the Registrar General of India released the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021.

Introduction

• The Sample Registration System(SRS) Statistical Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India, reveals a significant demographic shift in India. 
• States like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala are experiencing a sharper decline in birth rates compared to the national average. 
• This trend reflects a broader change in fertility patterns, lifestyle preferences, and access to health and family planning services.

National and State-Level Trends in Birth Rate Decline

Image Caption: Birth Rates in Decline

• As per the report, the all-India crude birth rate (CBR) in 2021 stood at 19.3 births per 1,000 population, declining at an annual rate of 1.12% from 2016 to 2021. 
• However, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala saw a decline at almost double this rate:
  • Tamil Nadu: 2.35% annual decline
  • Delhi: 2.23% annual decline
  • Kerala: 2.05% annual decline
• This accelerated drop is also visible across 13 large states and union territories, most of which include India’s more urbanised and southern regions.

Regional Comparison of Birth Rate Trends

• Southern states such as Andhra Pradesh (1.26%), Telangana (1.67%), and Karnataka (1.68%) also showed a faster decline compared to the national average. In contrast, northern and eastern states showed much slower rates of decline:
  • Rajasthan: 0.48%
  • Bihar: 0.86%
  • Chhattisgarh & Jharkhand: 0.98%
  • Assam & Madhya Pradesh: 1.05%
  • Uttar Pradesh: 1.09%
• Notably, Uttarakhand was the only state to record a rise in birth rates during the same period.

Insights from Civil Registration System (CRS) 2021

• The Civil Registration System (CRS) 2021 data complements the SRS findings. 
• While southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka reported a consistent decline in registered births since 2012, many northern and north-eastern states have seen a rise in registered births, such as:
  • Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
  • Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh
  • Lakshadweep, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland
• This discrepancy indicates that while population growth is stabilising in parts of southern and western India, it remains robust in several northern and north-eastern states.

Fertility and Reproduction Metrics

• The report also assessed Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Gross Reproduction Rate (GRR), key indicators for long-term population growth:
  • India's TFR in 2021: 2.0
  • India's GRR: 1.0
• Higher-than-average TFR and GRR were reported in:
  • Bihar: TFR 3.0, GRR 1.4
  • Uttar Pradesh: TFR 2.7, GRR 1.3
  • Rajasthan: TFR 2.4, GRR 1.2
  • Madhya Pradesh: TFR 2.6, GRR 1.2
• In contrast, West Bengal stood out with one of the lowest TFR (1.4) and GRR (0.7), despite an increase in registered births and relatively slow decline in birth rate.

Implications and Policy Reflections

• The findings from the SRS 2021 and CRS 2021 underline India's demographic divergence. 
• Southern states are heading toward population stabilisation, while some northern states may face the challenges of managing youth bulge and resource distribution for a still-growing population.
• These insights are crucial for shaping targeted public policy in areas such as education, healthcare, urban planning, and employment. 
• They also reinforce the need for differentiated policy frameworks, given the contrasting demographic realities between states.

Conclusion

• India’s demographic map is undergoing a complex transition, with southern states leading the way in achieving replacement-level fertility or lower, and parts of the north still exhibiting high fertility trends. 
• The sharp decline in birth rates in states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala indicates successful outreach of health, education, and awareness, but also raises concerns about ageing populations and shrinking workforces in the long run. 
• Understanding and acting upon these trends will be key to India’s social and economic planning for the coming decades.

India’s Birth Rate Decline FAQs

Q1. Which states are witnessing the fastest decline in birth rates in India?

Ans. Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala are seeing the fastest decline, at over 2% annually.

Q2. What is India’s crude birth rate as per the SRS 2021 report?

Ans. India’s crude birth rate in 2021 was 19.3 per 1,000 population.

Q3. Which state recorded an increase in birth rate between 2016–2021?

Ans. Uttarakhand was the only state to report a rise in birth rate during this period.

Q4. What was India’s total fertility rate (TFR) in 2021?

Ans. India’s TFR stood at 2.0 in 2021.

Q5. How do northern states like Bihar and UP compare in TFR to the national average?

Ans. Bihar (3.0) and UP (2.7) had significantly higher TFR than the national average of 2.0.

Source: TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Operation Sindoor Latest News
• Precision Guidance and Navigation in Operation Sindoor
• Lethality and Destructive Power in Operation Sindoor
• Radars and Air Defence in Operation Sindoor
• Role of Unmanned Vehicles in Operation Sindoor
• Operation Sindoor FAQs

Operation Sindoor Latest News

• Operation Sindoor not only fulfilled India’s military goals but also showcased the technological superiority of its defence forces over Pakistan. 
• The standout achievement was the effectiveness of India’s multi-layered air defence system, which intercepted nearly all incoming threats. 
• Though official details remain undisclosed, experts credit the operation’s success to long-term investments in indigenous technologies—particularly in space, aeronautics, avionics, missile systems, and advanced weaponry.

Precision Guidance and Navigation in Operation Sindoor

• Operation Sindoor showcased India's ability to strike with remarkable accuracy deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 
• Specific buildings within terrorist camps and air bases were destroyed with minimal collateral damage, highlighting India's responsible and precise military action.

Advanced Guidance and Navigation Systems

• The success of these precision strikes was made possible by sophisticated guidance and navigation technologies, integrating both ground-based systems and space-based assets.

Role of Indigenous Technologies

• India’s home-grown navigation system, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), provided positional accuracy of 10–20 cm. 
• It was supported by high-resolution satellites like Cartosat, RISAT, and EOS, capable of identifying objects as small as 25–30 cm.

Contribution of Defence Institutions

• Years of research and development by DRDO, ISRO, and other Indian scientific institutions culminated in this capability. 
• The BrahMos missile, likely used in the operation, features state-of-the-art guidance systems developed indigenously.

Future Outlook

• Guidance and navigation has been identified as one of the 75 technology priority areas in DRDO’s 2023 Anusandhan Chintan Shivir, ensuring continued focus and advancement in this critical domain.

Lethality and Destructive Power in Operation Sindoor

• The total annihilation of terrorist camps and the deep craters visible at Pakistani air bases demonstrated not just precision, but the high lethality of Indian weapons. 
• This level of destruction served as compelling evidence of India’s superior strike capability.

Excellence in Warhead and Propulsion Technologies

• The performance of Indian missiles reflected the success of advanced propulsion systems, warheads, and fuses.
• These are results of decades of investment under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Ongoing R&D in Lethal Capabilities

• India continues to enhance its strike power with research into deep penetration warheads, green explosives, and advanced fusing mechanisms. 
• These developments aim to increase both destructive power and environmental safety.

Emerging Role of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)

• Indigenously developed DEWs, including laser-based systems, are believed to have played a role in neutralising incoming drones during the operation. 
• DEWs, which damage targets using focused energy beams, have been identified as a priority sector by the Defence Ministry since 2022. 
• DRDO also showcased DEWs during the 2025 Republic Day Parade.

Radars and Air Defence in Operation Sindoor

• India’s air defence systems played a pivotal role in neutralising almost every Pakistani aerial attack during Operation Sindoor.
• These systems operated in an integrated fashion, combining indigenous and imported technologies.

S-400 Triumph and Strategic Symbolism

• The Russian-origin S-400 air defence system received high praise, reflecting its significance in ensuring aerial security.

Indigenous Radar Backbone

• Several DRDO-developed radar systems—such as the Rajendra radar, Rohini 3D radar, low-level lightweight radars, and Low-Level Transportable Radars (LLTR)—formed the core of surveillance and detection, enabling tracking of enemy drones and aircraft.

Cutting-Edge Radar R&D

• Ongoing DRDO research includes work on:
  • AI-powered radar tools
  • Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces
  • Advanced signal processing
  • Foliage penetration and stealth detection radars
• These technologies aim to further sharpen India’s radar superiority.

Indigenous Missile Systems in Action

• The operation also saw deployment of:
  • SAMAR systems, capable of intercepting low-flying aerial targets within a 12 km range.
  • Akash surface-to-air missile systems, providing medium-range protection.

Upgraded Bofors Guns for Drone Defence

• Modernised Bofors anti-aircraft guns, enhanced with radar, electro-optical sensors, and auto-tracking, were effectively used to take down drones, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir. 
• These upgraded units are also deployed along the LAC (Line of Actual Control).

Role of Unmanned Vehicles in Operation Sindoor

• Operation Sindoor marked the first significant deployment of unmanned systems—especially drones—by India in a conflict with Pakistan. 
• Indian drones penetrated deep into enemy territory, targeting strategic sites in cities like Lahore, whereas Pakistani drone swarms were largely ineffective.

Shift in Warfare Paradigm

• Experts noted that future warfare will rely heavily on unmanned systems operating in sync with manned units. 
• These hybrid formations will dominate the battlefield, with unmanned vehicles at the frontline and human-controlled systems in support roles.

India’s Growing Drone Capabilities

• In recent years, India has made significant advancements in drone technology for diverse applications. 
• However, to fully leverage these technologies, collaboration across users, industry, and academia is essential.

Need for Domestic Production and Secure Supply Chains

• India must now scale up manufacturing capacity to produce unmanned systems rapidly and reduce reliance on imports. 
• Ensuring secure and indigenous supply chains for critical raw materials is crucial to sustain and expand capabilities.

Operation Sindoor FAQs

Q1. What made Operation Sindoor successful?

Ans. Indigenous defence technologies like NavIC, BrahMos, and advanced drones enabled precise strikes with minimal collateral damage.

Q2. Which tech helped air defence?

Ans. Indigenous radars and imported systems like S-400 created a multi-layered shield against enemy aerial threats.

Q3. Did India use drones in the operation?

Ans. Yes, drones were used extensively to strike deep into enemy territory, marking a paradigm shift in warfare.

Q4. Were directed energy weapons involved?

Ans. Likely yes—laser-based DEWs helped neutralise enemy drones, showing futuristic battlefield tech in action.

Q5. What’s the long-term significance?

Ans. The operation validates India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, reducing import dependence and enhancing strike capability.

Source: IE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Periodic Labour Force Survey Latest News
• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
• Revamp of PLFS from January 2025
• Periodic Labour Force Survey FAQs

Periodic Labour Force Survey Latest News

• The Union Government has decided to revamp the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), started in 2017, to include employment and unemployment data from rural areas too.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

• PLFS is a large-scale survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Aim

• PLFS was launched in 2017:
  • To generate quarterly estimates of key employment and unemployment indicators for urban areas using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach, and 
  • To provide annual estimates for both rural and urban areas using both Usual Status (ps+ss) and CWS approaches.
    • Usual Status (ps+ss) assesses a person's activity over the past 365 days, while Current Weekly Status (CWS) assesses it over the past 7 days prior to the survey.

Objective

• Its main objective is to provide reliable and timely data on:
  • Employment and unemployment levels
  • Labour force participation rate (LFPR)
  • Worker population ratio (WPR)
  • Unemployment rate (UR)
  • Nature of employment (e.g., regular salaried, self-employed, casual labour)

Significance

• India lacks reliable high-frequency employment data — PLFS fills that gap.
• Helps track labour market trends in real-time or near real-time.
• Used by government, economists, researchers, and international organizations like the ILO, World Bank, etc.
• Aids in assessing the impact of policies, economic cycles, or crises (e.g., COVID-19) on employment.

Revamp of PLFS from January 2025

• The National Statistical Office (NSO) under MOSPI is actively enhancing the frequency, scope, and relevance of NSS surveys.
• Efforts include faster data dissemination and improved access to survey findings.

Introduction of Monthly Estimates at All-India Level

• The revamped PLFS will now provide monthly estimates of key labour market indicators — Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR) — using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
• First monthly bulletin (April 2025) to be released in May 2025.
• Enables timely, high-frequency policy insights.

Quarterly Estimates Extended to Rural Areas

• Previously limited to urban areas, quarterly estimates will now also be available for rural areas, providing a comprehensive national picture of employment and unemployment.
• First quarterly bulletin (April–June 2025) to be released in August 2025.

Shift to Calendar Year-Based Annual Reporting

• Annual PLFS results will now be aligned with the calendar year (January–December) instead of the earlier July–June cycle.
• Enhances consistency with international labour statistics databases.

Enhanced Data Scope

• Additional data points have been incorporated:
  • Household Income Sources: Rent from land/building; Interest from savings/investments; Pension received; Remittances received.
  • Land Ownership: Land possessed; Land leased out.
  • Vocational/Technical Training: Nature of certifying body
  • Education Details (5 new items): Years of education completed; Months attended in last academic year; Details on secondary education.

Enhanced Sample Size and Coverage

• There has been significant increase in sample size and a shift to a panel design, with households visited four times (First with a full schedule, followed by three revisits).
• Total sample size: ~2.72 lakh households, a 2.65x increase from previous ~1.02 lakh

Improved District-Level Representation

• Districts designated as primary geographical units (basic strata) in most cases.
• Improves spatial representation and reliability of labour market estimates.
• Stratification based on location (e.g., proximity to towns or cities) to better capture variations in labour dynamics.

Comparability with Previous PLFS Data

• Users must consider methodological changes when comparing data post-January 2025 with earlier PLFS rounds. 
• A back-series may be released for continuity.

Periodic Labour Force Survey FAQs

Q1. What is the new PLFS methodology?

Ans. The new PLFS uses cluster sampling for better representation, especially in urban areas, improving accuracy and policy relevance.

Q2. Why was the PLFS changed?

Ans. To provide real-time data, address sampling issues, and align labour statistics with global best practices for employment trends.

Q3. Who will benefit from this revamp?

Ans. Policymakers, researchers, and job market analysts will benefit from more granular, accurate labour and employment statistics.

Q4. What is the impact on quarterly surveys?

Ans. Urban PLFS will now offer improved quarterly estimates by selecting new samples each time, unlike before.

Q5. Will this help with job creation policies?

Ans. Yes, better labour data helps tailor employment policies, monitor outcomes, and guide evidence-based job creation initiatives.

Source: IE | PIB | TH