Illegal migration is a major concern for the Home Ministry.

New Delhi: Demographic changes caused by illegal migration are not limited to border areas, but their impact has now expanded, affecting urban centers, industrial corridors, tribal areas, and other socially and economically sensitive regions. This was stated in a government notification.

The notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, regarding the formation of a High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, said that demographic changes due to illegal migration have created widespread challenges.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced the formation of the committee to conduct a comprehensive assessment of demographic changes occurring across the country due to illegal migration and other abnormal causes. The committee, headquartered in New Delhi, will include the Census Commissioner, former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Durga Shankar Mishra, former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Balaji Srivastava, and Dr. Shamika Ravi as members. The committee will submit its report in one year.

Will recommend appropriate policy, administrative, and legal measures

Shah had said on Tuesday, ‘The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-1), Ministry of Home Affairs, will be the member secretary of this committee.’ The notification stated that demographic changes have been observed in some areas of the country, which are not due to normal fertility or mortality trends but are emerging due to external abnormal factors such as illegal migration, irregular population dynamics, and administrative laxity.

It stated, ‘Although these changes are primarily concentrated in border districts, their impact is extending beyond these areas to affect urban centers, industrial corridors, tribal areas, and other socially and economically sensitive regions, seriously impacting public services, local governance, resource distribution, and social harmony.’

The notification said that the existing institutional framework is not adequately prepared to conduct a coordinated, evidence-based, and timely assessment of such demographic changes and to act upon them. It said, ‘…Therefore, the Government of India resolves to form a High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which will scientifically study the nature, causes, and consequences of such demographic changes occurring across the country and recommend appropriate policy, administrative, and legal measures.’

The committee has been tasked with submitting its report within one year after comprehensive deliberation on the challenges arising from demographic changes, including illegal migration. The committee will study the potential causes of demographic changes, such as variations in fertility rates, cross-border movement (including illegal immigration), economic opportunities, and other socio-environmental factors, as well as the underlying factors behind the changes, including illegal migration, abnormal settlement patterns, and planned migration.

The notification stated that the committee will also recommend an institutional mechanism for border management, population stabilization, and strengthening identification systems for continuous monitoring of such trends. Additionally, the committee will propose a comprehensive policy framework to enhance coordination between the central and state governments in such matters.

New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital of India, officially inaugurated in 1931 as the administrative center of British India, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. It replaced Calcutta as the capital, showcasing grand boulevards and monumental buildings like the Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. Today, it stands as a vibrant metropolis blending colonial heritage with modern Indian culture and politics.

Union Home Ministry

The Union Home Ministry is a key government department in India responsible for internal security, domestic policy, and law enforcement. Its history traces back to the British colonial era, evolving from the Home Department established in 1843. Today, it oversees crucial agencies like the Indian Police Service, Intelligence Bureau, and

New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital of India, a planned city designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens in the early 20th century, replacing Calcutta as the seat of government in 1911. It is home to iconic landmarks such as the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Red Fort, reflecting a blend of colonial and Mughal heritage. Today, it serves as the political and cultural heart of the nation, hosting major government institutions and vibrant markets.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi. Designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens, it was originally built as the Viceroy’s House between 1912 and 1929, serving as the seat of British colonial authority until India’s independence in 1947. Today, it stands as a symbol of Indian democracy, featuring stunning Mughal and European architectural styles, sprawling gardens, and a museum open to the public.

India Gate

India Gate, located in New Delhi, is a 42-meter-tall war memorial built in 1931 to honor the 82,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting for the British Army in World War I and the Afghan Wars. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it bears the names of over 13,000 fallen soldiers and stands as a symbol of national pride. Today, it is a popular gathering spot, surrounded by lush lawns and illuminated at night.