AP’s ₹30,000 Third-Child Incentive: What Naidu Announced and What Is Still Awaited
Four months after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced cash incentives for families who have a third or fourth child, many questions about how the scheme will work remain unanswered.
What Naidu Announced
Addressing a public meeting at Narsannapeta in Srikakulam district in May, Naidu said the government would give ₹30,000 immediately after the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child. He said the decision had been taken and that further details would follow within a month. He made the announcement on the sidelines of the Swarna Andhra–Swachh Andhra cleanliness programme.
The announcement marked a clear shift in tone. Naidu, who earlier advocated population control measures, said the time had come for society to work together to increase the birth rate.
Why the Government Wants More Births
The Chief Minister has linked the move to falling fertility. He said changing social and economic trends are shaping family size, with some couples choosing to have only one child as incomes rise.
Naidu stressed the need to maintain the replacement-level Total Fertility Rate of 2.1 children per woman, the level at which a population remains stable. He warned that declining and ageing populations have hurt economic growth in several countries.
What Families Still Need to Know
Until official guidelines are published, several practical questions remain open:
- Eligibility: whether there will be income limits or residency conditions
- Start date: whether children born after the announcement will qualify
- Process: which department will run the scheme and how families will apply
- Payment: whether the money will be paid in one instalment or in parts
At the time of writing, NXT Media could not find officially released guidelines for the scheme.
Part of a Wider Push
The incentive follows other steps by the state government and ruling party leaders to encourage larger families.
Naidu earlier announced that maternity leave would be granted to all women government employees regardless of how many children they have. This removed the earlier limit of six months’ paid leave for only the first two deliveries.
His government had also abolished the two-decade-old two-child policy, which disqualified people with more than two children from contesting local body elections.
Vizianagaram MP K. Appala Naidu of the TDP pledged a ₹50,000 fixed deposit for every third child born in his constituency if the baby is a girl, and a cow and a calf if it is a boy. He said he was inspired by the Chief Minister’s call.
What Happens Next
The scheme’s impact will depend on its final rules, including who qualifies and how quickly payments reach families. NXT Media will update this story when the Andhra Pradesh government releases official details.
Sources: WION, Deccan Herald, The Tribune (PTI).