Family planning was recognised officially in order to safeguard the health and welfare of mothers and children. The programme was also aimed at aiding the national economy by reducing the birth rate concurrently with the death rate in order to stabilise the population.

There was not much progress for the next ten years. The health infrastructure, which formed the delivery system for the family planning programme, was still developing. The choice of contraceptives was limited to a few barrier and chemical methods, and natural methods like the rhythm method and coitus interrupts. Sterilisation for males and females was still not a popular contraceptive choice.

The programme got a tremendous boost with the creation of a separate Department of Family Planning in the health ministry in 1966. An extension approach was adopted, as against the ‘clinic approach’ of the previous two plans, to increase the outreach of services and improve awareness and knowledge about family planning among the masses.

There was a significant shift in the strategy of the government under the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79). Several important policy decisions were taken and action initiated to give the family planning programme a greater thrust and a new direction. Maternal and child health services were made part of the programme.

Includes bibliographical references.