Early Marriage, 3 Children: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Formula for India’s Demographic Balance

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 16:21 IST

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said a population growth level below 2.3 signals decline, not progress

Mohan Bhagwat, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, advocated for a three-child family to ensure social balance and long-term demographic stability, while citing the suggestions of doctors and population scientists.

He also suggested that an early marriage, between the ages of 19 and 25, and having three children make a couple healthy and happy.

Rejecting the one-child approach and cautioning against celebrating falling fertility rates, Bhagwat said a population growth level below 2.3 signals decline, not progress. Bhagwat was speaking during the second session at his interactive lecture series, titled ‘100 Years of the RSS: New Horizons’ held in Mumbai.

On population

“Marriage between the ages of 19 and 25, and three children, doctors say that this way parents’ health and the family’s health remain good. With three siblings, a family can see successful ego management among the kids and it also ensures that there are no future divisions in the family," said Bhagwat, while answering a question related to the country’s population.

India’s official replacement rate of 2.1, he noted, is a statistical construct, but in practical terms, demographic balance translates into families having three children. Marriage, he underlined, cannot be viewed only as a personal or physical arrangement, but as a social institution involving responsibility to family and society.

“Population scientists say that the fertility rate should not go below three. If you go below that, there is a problem. Falling below 2.3 is a decline. The country’s population policy is 2.1, which practically means three, because 0.1 is not possible. Marriage is not only about a physical or conjugal relationship between two people. If there is marriage, one must also take responsibility," he added.

On conversion

From population trends in the country, Bhagwat moved to issues of conversion, reconversion and infiltration, framing them as crucial civilisational challenges rather than only political talking points. He stated that conversion cannot always be seen as an isolated act of individual choice when it is shaped by inducement, pressure or organised influence. Reconversion or Ghar Wapsi, he said, should be understood as a return to cultural roots. Infiltration, whether social or economical, was described as a slow process that weakens society and the country’s economy from within if left unaddressed. “Conversion and illegal migrants are other problems. Conversion should stop and ghar wapsi should start. Detect and deport is the only way. The Government is working on this through census and SIR etc. We should not employ anyone who is a foreigner. Even if you are employing Muslims, they should be our country’s," he said.

On caste

On caste and leadership, Bhagwat rejected both accusation and assumption. The Sarsanghchalak, he said, is not chosen on the basis of caste identity. Being a Brahmin is not a qualification, and similarly, being from the SC or ST communities is not a disqualification. Any Hindu who works for the Sangh is eligible for leadership, he said, emphasising that commitment and work, not birth, determine responsibility.

Age and authority, Bhagwat suggested, follow a similar logic. After the age of 75, formal responsibility or designation may be set aside, but work continues. Referring to his own age, he noted that as long as one remains healthy and active, there is no reason to withdraw from public work. In the Sangh’s structure, positions are temporary, but service is continuous.

On reservation

Talking about the need for reservation, in his formulation, was linked to empowerment and capability, not permanent social categorisation.

“Reservation should continue until the communities come forward and say that they do not need this anymore," he said, adding, “But casteism, the divisions based on castes, should go lock, stock and barrel."

News india Early Marriage, 3 Children: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Formula for India’s Demographic Balance

Read More