Centre forms high-level panel on demographic change chaired by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar

“Demographic Change is a serious issue linked not only to our sovereignty but also to national security, law and order, profound changes in social structure, and the preservation of tribal society,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said as he announced the creation of a new high-level committee to examine the issue, The Hindu reported. ^[1]

Shah said on May 26, 2026, that the Centre has constituted the committee and that it will be chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar. ^[1] He described the panel’s mandate as a “comprehensive assessment of demographic changes occurring across India due to illegal immigration and other unnatural causes.” ^[1]

In outlining the panel’s composition, Shah said the committee members include Census Commissioner Shri Durga Shankar Mishra (Retd IAS), Shri Balaji Srivastava (Retd IPS), Dr. Shamika Ravi, and the Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I). ^[1]

Shah also framed the work as tied to broader state concerns, saying demographic change is linked to sovereignty, national security, law and order, changes in social structure, and the preservation of tribal society. ^[1] He added that infiltration and other reasons are causing “unnatural demographic change,” which he said poses “a significant challenge to the present and future of any nation.” ^[1]