Andhra Pradesh has abolished its decades-old “two-child policy” for contesting local body elections, a move driven by concerns over the state’s ageing population and declining fertility rates. With a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.5—well below the national average of 2.11—Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the need to encourage larger families to sustain productivity and counter the challenges posed by an ageing society.
The policy, first introduced in 1994 to control population growth, was rolled back citing its adverse effects, including a skewed sex ratio and litigation challenging its constitutional validity. Andhra joins other states like Chhattisgarh and Haryana in rescinding the rule, as experts warn incentivizing larger families may not reverse demographic trends.
This change also aligns with political concerns over the upcoming delimitation exercise in 2026, which could impact seat allocations based on population, sparking debates on fairness for southern states.
