Consider the following statements regarding the recently released Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 Report: 1. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her reproductive lifespan. 2. According to the report, the TFR at the national level stands at 2.0, which is below the replacement level fertility rate. 3. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh are the top three States with the highest percentage of the population aged 60 years and above. 4. Bihar and Assam are the States with the highest percentage of elderly population. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct answer is option 2. In News The Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 Report released by the Registrar-General of India provided key demographic insights on fertility rates and the aging population across Indian States. Key Points Statement 1: The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is defined as the average number of children born to a woman over her reproductive lifespan. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2: The SRS 2021 Report states that India’s TFR stands at 2.0 , which is below the replacement level fertility rate of 2.1 . Hence, Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3: Kerala (14.4%), Tamil Nadu (12.9%), and Himachal Pradesh (12.3%) are reported to have the highest percentage of population aged 60 and above . Hence, Statement 3 is correct. Statement 4: Bihar (6.9%), Assam (7%), and Delhi (7.1%) are reported to have the lowest , not the highest, percentage of elderly population. Hence, Statement 4 is incorrect. Additional Information Bihar has the highest TFR at 3.0 , while Delhi and West Bengal have the lowest at 1.4 . The report notes a demographic shift with a rising working-age population (15-59 years) . The mean age at marriage for females has increased from 19.3 years in 1990 to 22.5 years in 2021 . A high-powered committee was announced in the Union Budget 2024 to address demographic challenges.