1946

Bhore Committee Report

1952

Launching of Family Planning Programme

1976

Statement of National Population Policy

1977

Policy Statement on Family Welfare Programme, Both statements were laid on the Table of the House in Parliament, but never discussed or adopted.

1983

The National Health Policy of 1983 emphasized the need for "securing the small family norm, through voluntary efforts and moving towards the goal of population stabilisation". While adopting the Health Policy, Parliament emphasized the need for a separate National Population Policy.

1991

The National Development Council appointed a Committee on Population with Shri Karunakaran as Chairman. The Karunakaran Report (Report of the National Development Council (NDC) Committee on Population) endorsed by NDC in 1993 proposed the formulation of a National Population Policy to take a "a long term holistic view of development, population growth and environmental protection" and to "suggest policies and guidelines (for) formulation of programs" and "a monitoring mechanism with short, medium and long term perspectives and goals" (Planning Commission, 1992). It was argued that the earlier policy statements of 1976 and 1977 were placed on the table, however, Parliament never really discussed or adopted them. Specifically, it was recommended that "a National Policy of Population should be formulated by the Government and adopted by Parliament".

1993

An Expert Group headed by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan was asked to prepare a draft of a national population policy that would be discussed by the Cabinet and then by Parliament.

1994

Report on a National Population Policy by the Expert Group headed by Dr. Swaminathan. This report was circulated among Members of Parliament, and comments requested from central and state agencies. It was anticipated that a national population policy approved by the National Development Council and the Parliament would help produce a broad political consensus.

1997

On the 50th anniversary of India's Independence, Prime Minister Gujral promised to announce a National Population Policy in the near future. During 11/ 97 Cabinet approved the draft National Population Policy with the direction that this be placed before Parliament. However, this document could not be placed in either House of Parliament as the respective Houses stood adjourned followed by dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

1999

Another round of consultations was held during 1998, and another draft National Population Policy was finalised and placed before the Cabinet in March, 1999. Cabinet appointed a Group of Ministers (headed by Dy Chairman, Planning Commission) to examine the draft Policy. The GOM met several times and deliberated over the nuances of the Population Policy. In order to finalise a view about inclusion/exclusion of incentives and disincentives, the Group of Ministers invited a cross-section of experts from among academia, public health professionals, demographers, social scientists, and women's representatives. The GOM finalised a draft population policy, and placed the same before Cabinet. This was discussed in Cabinet on 19 November, 1999. Several suggestions were made during the deliberations. On that basis, a fresh draft was submitted to Cabinet.