Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of India's influential Hindu nationalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has sparked a national debate by advocating that Indian families should have three children. Speaking on August 28, 2025, at an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the RSS, Bhagwat voiced concerns about declining fertility rates across all religious groups in India, but particularly among Hindus. He stressed the importance of maintaining a "controlled, yet sufficient" population in the national interest.

Bhagwat's recommendation comes at a time when India, despite being the world's most populous nation with 1.46 billion people, is experiencing a decline in its total fertility rate (TFR). The TFR has fallen to less than two children per woman, according to a 2025 report by the UN Population Fund. This decline has triggered anxiety among nationalist leaders and some regional politicians who worry about the long-term implications for demographic stability, national capacity, and cultural identity.

For years, certain Hindu groups have expressed concerns over the perceived higher birth rates among minority groups, particularly Muslims. However, data indicates that birth rates are declining among Indian Muslims as well. Bhagwat himself acknowledged that the declining birth rates are a trend across all religious communities.

Bhagwat explained that the ideal scenario, as per India's population policy, suggests 2.1 children per family. However, he argued that in practice, this translates to three children, as "you can never have 0.1 of a child". He further elaborated that communities with birth rates below three tend to face extinction, emphasizing the need to maintain a birth rate above this threshold.

The RSS chief's comments have ignited discussions surrounding population control, demographic changes, and their impact on India's future. While India's family-planning program has historically promoted the "two-child norm," Bhagwat's call for three children per family presents a significant departure from this long-standing policy.

Bhagwat also addressed the issue of managing the population, stating that it can be both an asset and a burden. He emphasized the need for careful management through appropriate population policies. He also urged Indians not to marry late.

It is important to note that this isn't the first time Hindu organizations have voiced concerns over declining birth rates. In January 2025, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) expressed similar concerns and urged every Hindu family to have at least three children. These pronouncements reflect a broader anxiety within some segments of Hindu society regarding demographic shifts and their potential consequences.