New Delhi, May 26, 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday formally announced the constitution of a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change, tasked with examining “unnatural demographic shifts” across the country, primarily driven by illegal immigration and related factors.
The committee, which was first conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2025, has now been officially notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It aims to conduct a detailed study of abnormal changes in population patterns and their impact on national security, social harmony, law and order, and the rights of indigenous and tribal communities.
Committee Composition
The panel will be chaired by Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, a retired Supreme Court judge. Other members include:
- The Census Commissioner
- Durga Shankar Mishra (Retd. IAS)
- Balaji Srivastava (Retd. IPS)
- Economist Dr. Shamika Ravi
The committee has been given a one-year timeline to submit its report, along with concrete recommendations for policy, administrative, and legal interventions.
Focus Areas
According to the government, the committee will analyse demographic shifts caused by illegal immigration (often referred to as infiltration), with particular attention to border states. Regions such as Assam, West Bengal, and parts of Northeast India have long reported concerns over changing religious and linguistic demographics due to cross-border migration, especially from Bangladesh.
The move is seen as a continuation of earlier initiatives including the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and sustained efforts to strengthen border fencing and security.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the development, stating that it will help address long-standing issues affecting the cultural and demographic identity of indigenous populations in the region.
Broader Context
India’s last comprehensive census was conducted in 2011, with subsequent data collection facing delays. Various studies and state-level reports have highlighted disparities in fertility rates and migration patterns across different communities and regions. The government views this committee as a step towards evidence-based policymaking on citizenship, border management, and resource distribution.
While supporters see the initiative as essential for safeguarding national interests, critics argue that inquiries focused on community-level demographic data risk becoming politically divisive.
The formation of the committee reflects the government’s continued emphasis on internal security and demographic stability as key governance priorities.
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