The theme of the 46th Annual Conference

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, 2023), population dynamics lie at the heart of sustainable development, shaping how nations grow, adapt, and respond to shifting needs and challenges. The 46th Annual Conference theme—People, Planet, Prosperity: Demographic Drivers of India’s Inclusive Growth—underscores this interplay and the need to examine how climate change, health, and social equity intersect with fertility, mortality, migration, and other demographic transitions in India. The growing threat of climate change is not just an environmental crisis—it is a demographic challenge. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022) highlights that India is among the countries most vulnerable to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation. These climate shocks have direct implications for public health, migration patterns, and livelihoods, especially for those in rural and low-income urban areas. According to the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change (2023), climate-sensitive health outcomes—such as heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and malnutrition—are projected to rise sharply, disproportionately affecting children, the elderly, and low-income communities. These vulnerabilities are compounded when viewed through the lens of India's complex population dynamics.

India is particularly vulnerable to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022), extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and ecosystem degradation threaten millions, especially in rural and low-income urban areas. The Lancet Countdown (2023) warns of increasing climate-sensitive health outcomes—malnutrition, vector-borne diseases, and heat stress—that will disproportionately affect children, the elderly, and socioeconomically marginalized groups. Climate risks are thus not just environmental—they are fundamentally demographic, disrupting lives, health, and mobility.

While India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 1.94 (SRS, 2023), below the replacement level, state level disparities remain stark. Fertility in Bihar (2.8) contrasts with Kerala and Tamil Nadu (below 1.6). Similarly, although the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped to 28 per 1,000 live births, maternal mortality remains high in states like Assam (MMR 195) and Madhya Pradesh (173), reflecting persistent health system inequities. Data from NFHS-5 show gaps in antenatal care and iron supplementation coverage, especially in tribal, remote, and adolescent populations.

Migration is a critical driver of demographic change. Over 450 million internal migrants (Census 2011) reshaped India’s urban and rural landscapes. Increasingly, migration is driven by environmental shocks such as droughts, crop failure, and coastal erosion. Migrant women and youth often lack access to education, healthcare, and housing, and face heightened risks of exploitation and exclusion. This demands urgent alignment of demographic data with urban planning, social protection, and climate adaptation efforts.

Education is central to inclusive growth and demographic resilience. While enrolment has improved, learning outcomes remain uneven, and dropout rates rise sharply after the upper primary—particularly for girls from disadvantaged communities. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 offers a holistic roadmap that emphasizes equity, inclusion, foundational learning, and flexible pathways across school, vocational, and higher education systems. These provisions are vital for India’s 253 million adolescents.

Investing in life skills is key to preparing young people for a complex, changing world. Skills like problem solving, decision-making, and self-efficacy help adolescents navigate transitions in health, relationships, and livelihoods—especially in fragile settings affected by climate stress or social vulnerability. Integrating life skills education, as outlined in NEP 2020 and Samagra Shiksha, is not just a pedagogical reform but a demographic imperative. Gender inequality remains a significant demographic and development concern. The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is skewed at 929 females per 1,000 males (NFHS-5), falling below 900 in states like Haryana. These patterns reflect deep-rooted son preference and have long-term implications for marriage systems, workforce participation, and social cohesion. Empowering girls and women through education, economic opportunities, and access to health and rights-based services is critical to redressing these imbalances.

Adolescent health remains under-addressed. Nearly half of adolescent girls are anaemic, and only a minority receive comprehensive reproductive health information. The unmet need for contraception among young women is 9.4%. Intersectional vulnerabilities—linked to caste, disability, and location—amplify these challenges. Age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and accessible SRHR services are essential to building demographic resilience.

India is also confronting emerging demographic-health-environment linkages. Rising zoonotic diseases like Nipah and avian flu, coupled with antimicrobial resistance, point to ecological stress. The One Health approach—endorsed by WHO and the Government of India—advocates for integrated human, animal, and environmental health systems, which are vital in the face of growing demographic pressure and environmental degradation.

At COP28 (2023), India reaffirmed its commitment to just, people-centric climate action. The COP agreements emphasized the need to align climate adaptation with public health and social equity, ensuring no group is left behind. India’s National Adaptation Communication called for localized, data-informed strategies that integrate population planning with sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The 46th Annual Conference invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage with this critical nexus of population, climate, education, health, and equity. It is a call to reimagine inclusive growth not just as economic expansion, but as a holistic model of shared prosperity—where people thrive, the planet is protected, and no one is left behind.

About Collaborating Institutions

National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO)

Headquartered in Kolkata, the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, has been a pioneer in thematic mapping since its inception in 1956. Originally established as the National Atlas Organisation under Prof. S.P. Chatterjee, a visionary geographer, NATMO played a crucial role in India's planning and development by producing the first 'National Atlas of India' within nine months of its formation. Renamed in 1978 based on a government review, NATMO has since published over a hundred atlases, 500 thematic maps, and 200 monographs, covering topics like agriculture, environment, health, archaeology, climate, tourism, and natural hazards. It offers more than 50 cartographic services, including district planning maps and a unique upcoming atlas on women’s empowerment. Equipped with the country’s largest repository of spatial and non-spatial data, NATMO adopts advanced technologies like GIS, GPS, and remote sensing, and recently launched a state-of- the-art data centre providing 24x7 online map services compliant with OGC standards. Through its geoportal, users can access e-atlases and digital maps freely. NATMO not only expands the relevance of geography beyond academia but also trains students, researchers, and professionals in modern cartographic tools and digital mapping, including services for the visually challenged.

Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI)

Headquartered in Kolkata and functioning under the Ministry of Culture, the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) is the premier institution in India for anthropological research, established in 1945 with a mandate to document and study the diverse biological and cultural fabric of the country. As the only government body exclusively dedicated to both physical and cultural anthropology, AnSI plays a crucial role in understanding India’s rich ethnic, linguistic, and social diversity through field-based research across tribal and non-tribal communities. With seven regional centres, one sub-regional centre, and three field stations across India, AnSI conducts in-depth studies on topics like genetic diversity, gut microbiomes, livelihoods, health, disaster resilience, and cultural heritage, often informing national development and tribal welfare policies. The organisation has embraced modern tools such as GIS, remote sensing, and genomic analysis, while also maintaining a robust archive of ethnographic films, monographs, and cultural documentation. Through partnerships with institutions like NITI Aayog and its own training programmes, AnSI also supports capacity building in ethnographic and development research. As a knowledge hub, it continues to contribute to evidence-based policymaking and inclusive growth by promoting a deeper understanding of India’s human and cultural landscape.

Registration Fee 
A registration fee will be applicable to the conference participants. 

Mode of Registration Fee Payment 

Bank details for submitting the registration fee are as given below: 
Bank Name: Canara Bank A/c No.: 0267101516126 IFSC Code: CNRB0008461 
Branch Name: Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi-110007 
A copy of the payment receipt should be sent to iasp.india@gmail.com 

Awards 

The Annual Conference of IASP offers several awards to young researchers for their outstanding papers.  Descriptions of these awards are provided below. 

PROF. CHANDRASEKHARAN AWARD 

The Professor Chandrasekharan Award recognizes single-author papers on the conference theme or sub themes, submitted by young scholars under 30 years of age. A committee will select papers, and their  authors will be invited to present them at the annual conference. These selected papers will then be honored  with the Prof. Chandrasekharan Award during the event. Please remember that only single-authored papers  are eligible for this award. More details regarding paper submission will be available soon in a separate  flyer on the IASP website at www.iasp.ac.in, Kindly fill the registration form for Prof. Chandrashekharan  Award . Last date for full paper submission is 30th October, 2025. 

PROF. KB PATHAK AWARD 

The annual award in memory of Prof KB Pathak will be presented at the annual conference of IASP to the  author of the best paper in the field of Population and Health with a significant contribution in terms of  methodological innovation. The papers must have been published in any refereed journal on  Population/Demography and Health during the past two years. A separate flyer indicating details of the  submission of papers will be published later on the IASP website.

PROF. K. SRINIVASAN AWARD 

The Professor K. Srinivasan Award will be presented to the authors of the best technical and substantive papers  published in Demography India during the period of July 2024 to June 2025. This includes papers from the  July-December 2024 and January-June 2025 issues. The selection of the winning papers will be made by a  dedicated committee, and the award will be formally presented at the annual conference. 

PROF. SN SINGH AWARD 

This award honors the legacy of Professor S.N. Singh and is presented to the author(s) of the best poster(s)  showcased during the poster sessions at the annual IASP conference. The recipient(s) will be selected by the  chair committee, recognizing their exceptional contribution to the conference through their poster  presentation. 

PROF. SUDESH NANGIA ESSAY COMPETITION AWARD 

The Professor Sudesh Nangia Essay Competition aims to foster insightful deliberations among students by  encouraging them to explore the multifaceted issues of population dynamics, their intricate complexities, and  far-reaching implications. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute valuable perspectives and  innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing demographic concerns, addressing both the challenges  and opportunities presented by population phenomena. The students securing the first and second positions in  this competition will earn the opportunity to compete at the national level. Winners will be recognized with  cash prizes and certificates. Further details regarding the competition, including specific themes and submission  guidelines, will be published in a separate flyer on the IASP website at www.iasp.ac.in. Kindly fill the form for  registration. Last date for full paper submission is 30th September,  2025. 

PROF. PP TALWAR AWARD FOR WOMEN IN TECHNICAL DEMOGRAPHY

IASP is proud to announce the Prof. P.P. Talwar Award for Women in Technical Demography, instituted to  recognize and encourage excellence among women scholars in the field of technical demography. This  prestigious award will be presented to the best woman demographer whose paper demonstrates outstanding  technical rigour, innovation, and relevance in the domain. Submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review  process, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their work in a special session at the conference. 

Final selection will be based on both the quality of the submitted paper and the effectiveness of the presentation.  We encourage eligible women researchers to participate and showcase their contributions to advancing  demographic science. More details regarding paper submission guidelines, eligibility and evaluation criteria  will be announced in a separate flyer that will be published later on the IASP website www.iasp.ac.in . Kindly  fill the form for registration. Last date for full paper submission is 30th  October, 2025.

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For more information, please send an email to iasp.india@gmail.com.

Please keep visiting our website, www.iasp.ac.in, for further updates.

THEMES AND SUB-THEMES

1. Nuptiality, Fertility, Infertility and Family Planning

1.1. Trends in fertility levels, preferences, and determinants

1.2. Shifts in age at marriage and delayed marriages

1.3. Marriage dissolution, remarriage, and family formation

1.4. Infertility: prevalence, socio-cultural drivers, care-seeking

1.5. Teenage pregnancy and its socioeconomic impact

1.6. Unmet need, postpartum contraception, contraceptive dynamics

1.7. Innovations in contraceptive technologies and outreach

1.8. Role of men and digital platforms in FP decision-making

2. Mortality, Longevity and Morbidity

2.1. Life expectancy trends by region and gender

2.2. Lifecycle mortality: infants to elderly

2.3. COVID-19 and mortality shocks

2.4. Healthcare access and mortality reduction

2.5. Epidemiological transition and causes of death

2.6. Maternal and child mortality: gaps and solutions

2.7. Role of NRHM, ICDS, community-based care

2.8. Traditional practices affecting mortality

3. Reproductive and Sexual Health

3.1. SRHR of adolescents and youth

3.2. Access to SRH services and socioeconomic determinants

3.3. SRHR during COVID-19 disruptions

3.4. Reproductive rights, justice, and legal frameworks

3.5. SRH for men and marginalised groups

3.6. Use of digital tools and helplines

3.7. Equity in SRH service delivery

3.8. Disability inclusion in reproductive care

4. Urbanisation and Rural Demography

4.1. Urban-rural population shifts and planning

4.2. Emerging rural-urban continuums

4.3. Urbanisation and infrastructure stress

4.4. Rural deprivation and basic services access

4.5. Migration-driven urban growth

4.6. Disparities in demographic transitions

4.7. Urban poverty, slums, and informal settlements

4.8. Governance challenges in growing towns

5. Poverty, Income Inequality and Health

5.1. Health and financial vulnerability

5.2. Out-of-pocket expenditure and insurance gaps

5.3. Food insecurity, nutrition, and poverty traps

5.4. Vulnerable groups: tribal, migrants, disabled

5.5. Role of Ayushman Bharat and DBTs

5.6. Intersection of poverty with caste, gender

5.7. Access to digital health and telemedicine

5.8. Regional health-poverty disparities

6. Ageing and Generational Dynamics

6.1. Regional trends in population ageing

6.2. Elderly access to healthcare and long-term care

6.3. Economic vulnerability and pensions

6.4. Morbidity, NCDs, and mental health in old age

6.5. Family dynamics and caregiving roles

6.6. Elderly women: widowhood, dependency

6.7. Financial and digital inclusion of the elderly

6.8. Role of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) and state programs

7. Migration and Development

7.1. Rural-urban migration patterns and drivers

7.2. Climate-induced and distress migration

7.3. Role of remittances in regional economies

7.4. Social integration and service access for migrants

7.5. Gender roles, children, and migration impacts

7.6. Internal displacement, trafficking, and safety

7.7. COVID-19/pandemic and reverse migration

7.8. Migration policy frameworks and gaps

8. Adolescence and Human Development

8.1. Access to adolescent health and SRHR

8.2. Mental health, substance use, emotional wellbeing

8.3. Role of education and life skills

8.4. Gender norms, menstruation, safety, mobility

8.5. Boys and masculinities: promoting gender equality

8.6. Transition to adulthood: employment, education

8.7. Influence of digital media and identity

8.8. Disabilities, social inclusion, and services

9. Public Health and Nutrition

9.1. Undernutrition in early childhood and the role of Anganwadi Centres

9.2. Anaemia, stunting, and wasting over the life-cycle

9.3. NCDs and nutrition transitions

9.4. Immunisation, coverage gaps and hesitancy

9.5. Food fortification and nutrition security

9.6. Adolescent nutrition: gender and school programs

9.7. Climate, agriculture and food-nutrition linkages

9.8. Public distribution system and ICDS role

10. Tribal Health and Demography

10.1. Health and nutrition inequalities among tribals

10.2. Cultural barriers to healthcare in tribal areas

10.3. Maternal and child health in tribal populations

10.4. Urbanisation, displacement and tribal health

10.5. Traditional food systems and health

10.6. Government schemes for tribal health

10.7. Gender roles and reproductive health

10.8. Tribal youth: education and access

11. Demographic Approaches to Sustainable Development

11.1. Population dynamics and SDG goals

11.2. Regional demographic diversity and planning

11.3. Demographic dividend and economic productivity

11.4. Urbanisation and demographic adaptation

11.5. Environment-population interactions

11.6. Health system resilience to demographic stress

11.7. Role of education and skill-building

11.8. Sustainability and resource distribution

12. Climate Change and Population

12.1. Health impacts of extreme weather (heat, floods, storms)

12.2. Climate-induced displacement and migration

12.3. Air pollution and demographic consequences

12.4. Climate-related disease pattern shifts

12.5. Gendered vulnerabilities in climate events

12.6. Sustainable, climate-resilient health systems

12.7. Inequities in health outcomes from climate risks

12.8. Demography and climate action modelling

13. Gender and Development

13.1. Gender gaps in health, education, and labour

13.2. Child marriage, GBV and safety

13.3. Women's economic empowerment and credit access

13.4. Education access, gender norms, and skilling

13.5. Gender equality indicators and measurement

13.6. Gender and disability intersection

13.7. Role of Panchayats, SHGs, and local institutions

13.8. Transgender and LGBTQI+ inclusion

14. Education, NEP 2020 and Life Skills

14.1. NEP reforms and school-level inclusion

14.2. Early childhood education and foundational learning

14.3. Gender disparities in educational access

14.4. Life skills and employability pathways

14.5. EdTech innovations and digital learning divide

14.6. Adolescent education, re-entry for girls

14.7. Integration of SRHR and life skills in curriculum

14.8. Vocational education and youth aspirations

15. Data for Development

15.1. Use of AI/ML in demographic analytics

15.2. Innovations in surveys, censuses and data quality

15.3. Linking administrative, big data and health records

15.4. Monitoring and evaluation for SDGs

15.5. Open data platforms and decentralised planning

15.6. Challenges in data ethics, consent and privacy

15.7. Community-level data systems

15.8. Disaggregated data for gender and inclusion

16. Economic Development

16.1. Regional disparities in development outcomes

16.2. Structural shifts in employment and economy

16.3. Linking demographics with GDP and labour force

16.4. Informal sector and social security gaps

16.5. Harnessing demographic dividend effectively

16.6. Youth skilling and entrepreneurship

16.7. Financial inclusion and economic security

16.8. MSMEs and sectoral growth with population strategies

17. Miscellaneous

17.1. Cross-cutting population research innovations

17.2. Behavioural insights in demography

17.3. Experimental models and case studies

17.4. Population ethics, inclusion and surveillance

17.5. Lessons from global demographic trends

17.6. Culture, values, and fertility transitions

17.7. Transdisciplinary and participatory methods

17.8. Forecasting demographic futures