The Centre has formed a high-level committee to examine demographic changes in India caused by “illegal immigration and other unnatural causes”. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision on Tuesday and said the issue is closely connected to national security, sovereignty and social stability.

In a post on X, Shah said the committee was created after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a “High-Level Committee on Demographic Change” during his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2025. The government believes that demographic shifts caused by illegal infiltration and other factors need a detailed assessment because of their long-term impact on the country.

The committee will be headed by retired judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar. Its members include Census Commissioner and former IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, former IPS officer Balaji Srivastava and economist Dr Shamika Ravi. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs will work as the member secretary of the panel.

According to the Home Minister, the committee has been given the responsibility of carrying out a “comprehensive assessment” of demographic changes taking place in different parts of the country due to illegal infiltration and other “unnatural” reasons. The panel will also study trends related to “abnormal population shifts” among religious and social communities. Based on its findings, it will recommend “planned and time-bound solutions” to address the issue.

“Infiltration and other reasons causing unnatural demographic change pose a very significant challenge to the present and future of any nation,” Shah said in his statement.

He further said that demographic changes are not limited to population figures alone. According to him, the issue is linked to sovereignty, national security, law and order, changes in social structures and the protection of tribal societies. The government believes that unchecked infiltration and sudden population shifts can affect the balance in sensitive border and tribal areas.

The announcement comes at a time when illegal immigration and demographic changes remain major political topics across several states. Border regions and tribal areas have especially witnessed strong debates over infiltration and its impact on local communities. Political parties and regional groups in many states have repeatedly raised concerns over changing population patterns and their possible effect on resources, employment and social harmony.

The Centre, however, has not yet announced a deadline for the committee to submit its report. No timeline has been shared regarding when the panel’s recommendations may be implemented. Officials also did not provide further details about the methods the committee would use for its assessment.

The formation of the panel signals that the government plans to closely study demographic trends linked to illegal immigration and other factors across the country. With experts from administration, policing, economics and census operations included in the committee, the Centre appears to be preparing for a wider review of population changes and their possible impact on governance and internal security.