NEW DELHI: The Union Government has constituted a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change, a key initiative linked to the ‘High-Powered Demography Mission’ announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort on Independence Day in 2025.
The newly constituted panel, chaired by retired judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar, features a strong bureaucratic presence, including former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra (Retd IAS: 1984: UP)and former Delhi Police Commissioner Balaji Srivastava (Retd IPS: 1988: AGMUT) as members.
The committee has been tasked with examining demographic trends and challenges and is expected to submit its report within one year.
Bureaucrats Given Key Role in Demography Mission
The composition of the committee reflects the Centre’s emphasis on administrative experience and governance expertise in addressing demographic issues.
Among the most prominent members are:
- Durga Shankar Mishra (Retd IAS: 1984: UP), former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and former Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Balaji Srivastava (Retd IPS: 1988: AGMUT), former Commissioner of Delhi Police and a veteran officer with extensive experience in internal security and administration.
Their inclusion is being viewed as an effort to bring practical governance perspectives to the committee’s deliberations.
Justice P P Navlekar to Chair Panel
The committee will be headed by Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar (Retd.), who will oversee its functioning and guide its recommendations on demographic issues affecting the country.
Apart from the retired IAS and IPS officers, the panel also includes:
- The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
- Economist Dr Shamika Ravi
- Other government representatives and experts associated with demographic and population-related policy matters
The diverse composition is intended to combine legal, administrative, statistical and economic expertise.
Origin of the High-Powered Demography Mission
The formation of the committee follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a “High-Powered Demography Mission” during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2025.
The mission was envisaged as a mechanism to study long-term demographic shifts, population dynamics and their implications for governance, economic development, social welfare and national planning.
The newly established committee is expected to serve as a key institutional mechanism under this broader initiative.
MHA to Coordinate the Committee’s Work
According to the government order, the Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will serve as the Member Secretary of the committee.
As Member Secretary, the officer will be responsible for coordinating meetings, facilitating research and administrative support, and ensuring timely submission of the panel’s recommendations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will also act as the nodal ministry overseeing the committee’s work.
One-Year Timeline for Report
The committee has been given a period of one year to complete its study and submit its recommendations to the Central Government.
However, the government has kept provisions for flexibility. If required, the Ministry of Home Affairs may extend the committee’s tenure by up to six additional months to allow completion of its work.
Focus on Long-Term Demographic Challenges
While the detailed terms of reference have not yet been publicly elaborated, the committee is expected to examine evolving demographic trends and their impact on governance, economic growth, resource allocation, urbanisation, employment, migration and social development.
The formation of the panel marks a significant step in the implementation of the Centre’s demographic policy agenda and underscores the government’s intent to develop a long-term framework for addressing population-related challenges through evidence-based recommendations.
With experienced administrators, security experts, economists and census officials on board, the committee is expected to play a crucial role in shaping future policy discussions on India’s demographic trajectory.
