Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Define the concept of demographic dividend and its significance for India. State the importance of education, awareness, skills, and creativity in realizing this dividend. Present the objective: to discuss the measures taken by the government to enhance the capacity ...
Model ANswer Introduction India has experienced consistently high growth rates in recent years, emerging as one of the fastest-growing major economies. However, despite this impressive growth, the country continues to grapple with low human development indicators, as evidenced by its ranking of 131Read more
Model ANswer
Introduction
India has experienced consistently high growth rates in recent years, emerging as one of the fastest-growing major economies. However, despite this impressive growth, the country continues to grapple with low human development indicators, as evidenced by its ranking of 131 out of 189 in the Human Development Index (HDI) report released by the UNDP. This disconnect highlights the challenges in achieving balanced and inclusive development.
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1. Income Inequality
High levels of income inequality persist in India, with the top 10% of the population holding a disproportionate share of wealth. This unequal distribution limits the ability of the poor to access basic services and social mobility opportunities. For example, in Mumbai, luxury residences coexist with sprawling slums, starkly illustrating this income divide.
2. Regional Disparities
Significant development gaps exist between different regions. States like Bihar suffer from low human development indicators, with a literacy rate of around 63%, compared to Kerala’s over 96%. These disparities perpetuate cycles of poverty and underdevelopment, making balanced growth elusive.
3. Social Exclusion
Socially marginalized groups, including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and religious minorities, face discrimination that limits their access to resources and opportunities. Dalits, for instance, often experience caste-based discrimination, restricting their social and economic mobility.
4. Gender Inequality
Gender disparities hinder overall development. The female labor force participation rate in India is around 20%, significantly lower than the global average of 47%. This gender gap in economic participation undermines inclusive development.
5. Inadequate Investments in Social Sectors
Investments in crucial social sectors, such as health and education, have been insufficient. Public healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, suffers from shortages of doctors and facilities, impeding access to essential services.
Conclusion
Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared across all segments of society. By adopting a more equitable and inclusive approach to development, India can improve human development outcomes for its entire population.
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Model Answer Introduction India boasts one of the world's largest and youngest populations, with approximately 65% of its populace in the working-age group of 15-64 years as of 2023. This demographic dividend offers potential economic advantages, but these benefits can only be realized if the populaRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
India boasts one of the world’s largest and youngest populations, with approximately 65% of its populace in the working-age group of 15-64 years as of 2023. This demographic dividend offers potential economic advantages, but these benefits can only be realized if the population is educated, skilled, and employable. Recognizing this, the Indian government has implemented various measures to enhance the capacity of its workforce.
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1. Skill Development Initiatives
The National Skill Development Mission, launched in 2015, aims to create a cohesive strategy for skill development across sectors. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship program under this mission, targeting the training of millions in industry-relevant skills to boost employability and entrepreneurship. As of 2021, over 10 million youth have been trained under PMKVY (Source: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship).
2. Education Reforms
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been a significant reform, emphasizing foundational literacy, numeracy, and the integration of vocational education. The NEP seeks to improve access, equity, and quality in higher education, fostering a well-rounded and skilled workforce (Source: Ministry of Education).
3. Make in India Initiative
Launched in 2014, this initiative aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by encouraging investment and innovation. By creating employment opportunities, it enhances the employability of the population and promotes skill development (Source: Make in India official website).
4. Start-up India
Introduced in 2016, this initiative fosters innovation and entrepreneurship by simplifying regulations and providing financial support. It indirectly generates job opportunities and encourages skill development across various sectors (Source: Start-up India official website).
5. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
Launched in 2016, NAPS promotes apprenticeship training to create industry-ready skilled workers. It incentivizes employers to engage apprentices, facilitating on-the-job training (Source: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship).
6. Digital India
This initiative aims to empower society digitally by promoting digital literacy and improving internet connectivity. By enhancing digital skills, the government prepares the workforce for participation in the digital economy (Source: Digital India initiative).
Conclusion
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to improving education, skill development, and employability in India. However, continuous efforts, effective implementation, and monitoring are crucial to ensuring that the demographic dividend translates into tangible economic benefits.
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