Population policy and sustainable development – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and D are correct because they reflect how population policies interact with development and social change. Many policies target fertility reduction in high-growth situations and recognise that women’s education and empowerment are crucial for voluntary fertility decline. Integrating population variables into broader development strategies is important for achieving sustainable development. Statement C is incorrect since population policies are closely linked with health, education and other social sector programmes. Thus, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it limits the correct statements to A and B and omits D. While A and B are indeed correct, ignoring the role of integrating population concerns into development planning fails to capture an essential dimension of sustainable population policy. The omission makes the option incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds statement C, which claims that population policies are unrelated to health and education. This is factually wrong, as many policies explicitly focus on maternal and child health, family planning services and educational interventions. Including a false statement invalidates the option.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B, C and D and in doing so treats C as correct while excluding A. This combination ignores the role of explicit fertility-reduction measures and misrepresents the close linkage between population policy and social sector programmes. Hence, it cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it simultaneously recognises targeted fertility policies, the significance of women’s empowerment and the integration of population issues into development strategies. By excluding C, it avoids the error of severing the connection between population policy and health and education initiatives.