The Central Government has constituted a high-level committee to study demographic changes triggered by infiltration and related factors. Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, chairs this panel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initially announced the plan to set up this body in 2023. The committee will assess how illegal immigration alters population distributions across various religious and social communities. It is tasked with formulating a comprehensive, time-bound framework to address these shifts, which directly link to national security, territorial sovereignty, internal law and order, and the preservation of indigenous tribal societies.
Composition of the Committee
The panel integrates experts from administration, security, statistics, and economics to ensure a multi-dimensional assessment.
- Chairperson: Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar (Retd.), former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
- Member Secretary: Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Official Members: The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- Expert Members: Retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, and prominent economists.
Core Objectives and Mandate
The committee operates under specific terms of reference to evaluate the socio-economic and security implications of population shifts.
- Assessing Population Shifts: The panel will analyze census data and ground intelligence to map changes in demographic ratios across border states and sensitive districts.
- Identifying Infiltration Routes: It will study the entry points and methods used by illegal immigrants to cross international borders.
- Evaluating Impact on Tribal Societies: A key focus area is assessing how influxes alter the land ownership patterns, culture, and political representation of indigenous tribes.
- Formulating a Policy Blueprint: The committee will recommend actionable, time-bound legal and administrative measures to secure borders and stabilize demographic structures.
Key Dimensions of Demographic Shifts
Demographic changes in border regions carry distinct consequences for regional stability and governance.
National Security and Sovereignty
Unchecked infiltration alters the voter composition in strategic border blocks. This shift can influence local elections and complicate border management operations conducted by security forces.
Socio-Economic Strain
Illegal migration increases the pressure on public infrastructure, healthcare systems, and government subsidized schemes. It leads to heightened competition for local employment and natural resources like water and agricultural land.
Cultural and Tribal Preservation
In regions like the Northeast and Jharkhand, land alienation remains a critical challenge. Infiltration often leads to the displacement of tribal communities from their ancestral lands, threatening their distinct customary laws and languages.
Legal Mechanisms Against Illegal Infiltration
India utilizes specific statutory laws to detect, detain, and deport illegal foreign nationals.
| Act / Regulation | Key Provisions and Powers |
| Foreigners Act, 1946 | Grants the Central Government absolute power to regulate the entry, presence, and departure of foreigners. It places the burden of proof on the suspected foreigner to prove they are an Indian citizen. |
| Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 | Mandates that persons entering India must possess valid passports and prescribed travel documents. |
| Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 | Requires certain foreigners visiting or residing in India to register their presence with designated registration officers. |
| Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 | Provides specific powers to order the removal of certain immigrants from the state of Assam if their presence hurts the local population or indigenous interests. |
IASPOINT Booster Facts for UPSC
- Justice P.P. Naolekar’s Profile: Before this appointment, Justice Naolekar served as a judge of the Supreme Court of India from 2004 to 2008 and later served as the Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh.
- Foreigners Tribunals: Under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964, the Central Government empowers regular individuals and magistrates to set up tribunals to decide whether a person is an illegal immigrant. Assam is the only state with functional Foreigners Tribunals at present.
- Constitutional Provision: Article 355 of the Constitution of India imposes a duty on the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance. The Supreme Court previously ruled that large-scale illegal migration constitutes “external aggression.”
- Biometric Enrollment: The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains a centralized database of illegal immigrants using biometric captures gathered during border apprehensions and state-level verification drives.