BIMARU

• BIMARU is an acronym that refers to a group of states in India with certain socio-economic and demographic characteristics.
• The term was coined by demographer Ashish Bose in the mid-1980s and stands for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• These states were collectively labeled as BIMARU due to their relatively lower development indicators and challenges in areas such as population growth, healthcare, education, and economic progress.
• The term was used to highlight the specific issues and disparities faced by these states compared to other regions in India.

3. Key points about BIMARU:

• Origin: The term BIMARU was coined by Ashish Bose while briefing then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985. At that time, the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand were not separate entities but were included in the original grouping.
• Significance: BIMARU states were characterized by a range of challenges, including high population growth rates, lower literacy rates, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and overall lower socio-economic development.
• Population Growth: One of the central concerns of BIMARU states was their high population growth rates. These states contributed significantly to India's total population and posed challenges to family planning and population control efforts.
• Development Indicators: BIMARU states exhibited lower development indicators such as lower literacy rates, higher infant mortality rates, and limited access to quality healthcare and education. These indicators were significantly below the national average.
• Political Implications: The population distribution of BIMARU states played a role in the allocation of seats in the Indian Parliament. The seats were allocated based on the population as per the 1971 census and remained frozen until 2001 (extended to 2026) to give states time to improve their family planning efforts.
• Criticism and Changes: The term BIMARU has faced criticism for its negative connotation, which some find stigmatizing. Additionally, with the creation of new states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, the composition of the group has changed over time.
• Population Trends: Despite facing challenges, there have been efforts to improve the development indicators in BIMARU states. Some of these states have made progress in reducing population growth rates and improving socio-economic conditions.
• Policy and Development: Over the years, various policies and development initiatives have been implemented to address the challenges faced by these states. These efforts have aimed to improve healthcare, education, infrastructure, and overall economic conditions.
• Regional Disparities: BIMARU highlighted the disparities in development and socio-economic conditions across different states and regions in India. It underscored the need for targeted efforts to address the specific challenges faced by different regions.
• Evolving Landscape: As India's development landscape evolves, the focus has shifted from merely labeling states to understanding the nuances of development challenges and implementing tailored solutions to address them.

4. Role of BIMARU states in population growth