AP Plans Cash Incentives For Third, Fourth Child

KURNOOL: The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to introduce cash incentives and nutritional support for families having a third and fourth child as part of efforts to address the state’s declining fertility rate.

The proposal, discussed during the collectors’ conference held in Amaravati on May 7 and 8, will be taken up for final approval after completion of a three-month public consultation and awareness programme.

According to the proposal, mothers giving birth to a third child will receive a one-time incentive of Rs 30,000, while those delivering a fourth child will receive Rs 40,000. The amount will be directly credited to the mother’s bank account at the time of childbirth along with the a NTR Baby Kit will be presented.

The proposal also includes nutritional support in the form of millets. Families will receive three kg of millets every month after the birth of a third child and six kg per month after the birth of a fourth child.

Officials said monthly gram sabhas will be conducted during May, June and July 2026 to gather public feedback on the proposed incentive structure. After consolidation of feedback, the proposal will be placed before the Council of Ministers for final approval.

If approved, implementation of the scheme is expected to begin from August 15, 2026.

Officials have also been directed to conduct awareness campaigns among eligible couples, while health and other department staff will undertake field visits till August to counsel families on increasing birth rates.

Children born as third or fourth offspring under the proposed scheme will also be enrolled in Anganwadi centres and covered under welfare schemes, including the “Thalli Ki Vandanam” programme.

A senior official from the Family Welfare Department said fertility rates are declining not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in several other states, making proactive intervention necessary to avoid long-term demographic and economic challenges.

Officials noted that the state’s fertility rate has dropped to around 1.5 children per couple and is projected to decline further to 1.2 by 2040. The proportion of the working-age population is also expected to fall from 62.9 per cent to 57 per cent, raising concerns over future economic productivity.

According to official data, nearly 48.7 per cent of couples in the state are opting for a single child, while around 11.5 lakh couples are facing issues related to childlessness. The government is also exploring public-private partnership models to provide IVF treatment to such couples.

However, sections of the public have expressed concerns over the proposal. G. Gangabhavani from Nandalur in Kadapa district said rising education costs and financial pressures were making it difficult even to raise one child.

Alongside promoting higher birth rates, the government is also planning to scale down family planning operations and reduce the number of caesarean deliveries in private hospitals.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed district collectors to take steps to curb teenage pregnancies and intensify awareness campaigns at the grassroots level.