Minority Affairs Joint Secretary Shyama Prasad Roy reassured the Parsi community of the government’s ongoing commitment to their welfare. The Jiyo Parsi portal saw 300 new registrations during a special camp in Mumbai. This camp, supported by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Bombay Parsi Panchayat, received an overwhelming response.
The Universal Parsi Registration Drive aims to strengthen outreach within the community. Launched in 2013-14, Jiyo Parsi is a key scheme to address the declining Parsi population. It offers various forms of support, including medical assistance for fertility treatment and pregnancy-related care.
The scheme also provides health support for the community, financial aid for childcare and elderly care, and advocacy initiatives like counseling and awareness campaigns. Assistance is provided through Direct Benefit Transfer mode after necessary verifications. Roy encouraged eligible beneficiaries to utilize the scheme and urged registered members to provide feedback for further improvement.
The Parsi population has decreased significantly over the years, from 1,14,000 in 1941 to 57,264 in 2011. The government has allocated Rs 17.64 crore between 2020-21 and 2024-25 for the scheme, resulting in the birth of 232 babies. An evaluation study by the International Institute for Population Sciences in 2025 found the scheme to be successful in its objectives, with widespread recognition of its impact on increasing the Parsi population.
