Maharashtra State is rich in its social & cultured heritage. In the last census, population wise Maharashtra was the third largest State in the country. However, as per latest 2001 census, it stands as second largest State in India. The percentage of 0-6 age group Population has decreased from 17.10 in 1981-91 to 13.63 in 1991-2001.

India was the first country to launch family planning program during 1952. The program was initiated in Maharashtra State during 1957. Initially the program had mainly Hospital based interventions. Later, the program adopted extension approach involving reaching to community for promotion of contraceptive Methods. The program achieved a boost during third year plan, wherein infra-structural inputs were provided. Supportive program like All India post partum program (1971), control of Diarrhoeal Diseases, Community Health Guide (CHG) scheme, Multipurpose Worker (MPW) scheme etc were introduced during subsequent years.

Major paradigm shift in the program was introduced in 1997 when Target Free Approach was initiated. This decentralized; Participary Planning Approach was later renamed as Community Needs Assessment Approach.

Maharashtra Government had taken continuous efforts to control its fast growing population. After reviewing the success and failures of existing strategies in 2000 the State Government introduced its own state population policy -
( Govt .Resolution No.Losandho-2000/Prakra57/00/Kuk-1,Mantralaya,Mumbai-32 Dt.9 May 2000)
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(Govt .Resolution No.Losandho-2000/Prakra57/00/Kuk-1,Mantralaya,Mumbai-32 Dt.9 June 2000 )