Sat Dec 06 15:57:39 UTC 2025: Summary:
The Assam government has amended its 2017 population policy, reinforcing the two-child norm for government jobs, self-help groups, and electoral participation. Exceptions are made for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, “Tea Garden Tribes,” and the Matak and Moran communities, allowing them up to three children without penalty. The policy also disqualifies individuals marrying below the legal age from government employment. The government intends to incentivize SHGs adhering to the policy and may consider barring individuals with more than two children from local elections. Furthermore, Assam will advocate with the central government to extend the two-child norm to state legislators, potentially disqualifying those who violate it.
News Article:
Assam Reinforces Two-Child Policy, With Exceptions for Certain Communities
Guwahati, India – December 6, 2025 – The Assam government has announced a significant amendment to its 2017 Population and Women Empowerment Policy, doubling down on the two-child norm for eligibility in government jobs, self-help groups (SHGs), and participation in local elections. The amendment, effective immediately, aims to promote population control and responsible family planning within the state.
However, the updated policy includes exceptions for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), “Tea Garden Tribes,” and the Matak and Moran communities. Members of these groups are permitted to have up to three children without losing access to government benefits or the right to contest elections to panchayats and urban local bodies.
The notification issued by the State’s Health and Family Welfare Department states that candidates for government jobs must adhere to the two-child norm, and existing government employees are expected to serve as role models. Individuals who marry below the legal age will be ineligible for government employment and state employment-generation schemes.
The government plans to incentivize SHGs whose members uniformly adhere to the two-child (or three-child for exempted communities) policy. Furthermore, the notification indicates that the government is considering legal provisions to bar individuals with more than two children from contesting panchayat and municipal elections.
Looking ahead, the Assam government will lobby the central government to extend the two-child norm to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The state intends to propose the two-child norm as a requirement for contesting state legislature elections, potentially disqualifying any MLA who violates the policy.
The move is expected to spark debate, with supporters arguing it will promote responsible family planning and critics raising concerns about potential discrimination and infringement on personal liberties.
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