Que. Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India?
भारत में मानव विकास आर्थिक विकास के साथ कदमताल करने में विफल क्यों हुआ?
Structure of the Answer
(i) Introduction: Introduce the disparity between economic and human development in India by highlighting rapid economic growth and slower improvements in human development indicators.
(ii) Main Body: Discuss the reasons why human development has lagged behind economic development, categorized under relevant themes like health, education, inequality, and governance.
(iii) Conclusion: Summarize the need for inclusive policies to ensure human development keeps pace with economic growth for sustainable national progress.
Introduction
India’s rapid “economic growth” has not been matched by improvements in “human development” indicators such as health, education, and poverty reduction, leading to a significant developmental gap in societal welfare.
Insufficient Investment in Public Health and Education
(i) Low Public Expenditure on Health: India spends only around 1.5% of GDP on public “healthcare,” leading to poor access to healthcare facilities, insufficient infrastructure, and low-quality services, especially in rural areas.
(ii) Inadequate Education Funding: Despite economic growth, public spending on “education” remains below 4% of GDP, resulting in low literacy rates, poor learning outcomes, and unequal access to education.
(iii) Healthcare Inequality: Access to quality healthcare is often limited to the urban elite, with rural populations and lower-income groups suffering from inadequate “healthcare infrastructure.”
(iv) Teacher and Doctor Shortages: Insufficient numbers of “teachers” and “doctors” in public institutions have led to poor-quality service delivery, further widening the human development gap.
(v) Skill Mismatch: Economic development has not been accompanied by corresponding improvements in “skill development,” leaving a significant portion of the population unemployable in key sectors.
Rising Inequality and Poverty
(i) Wealth Concentration: Economic development has largely benefited the “wealthy,” with rising income inequality. The top 10% of the population holds a disproportionate share of wealth, limiting broad-based human development.
(ii) Regional Disparities: States like “Kerala” outperform in human development due to higher social spending, while states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag behind, exacerbating regional inequalities.
(iii) Social Inequality: Marginalized groups, including Dalits, tribals, and women, continue to face “social discrimination” and limited access to basic services, hindering their development.
(iv) Urban-Rural Divide: Economic progress is concentrated in urban areas, while rural India remains underdeveloped. The “urban-rural divide” in access to healthcare, education, and employment widens this gap.
(v) Informal Economy: A large portion of India’s workforce is in the “informal sector,” with limited access to social security, fair wages, and healthcare, keeping poverty levels high despite overall economic growth.
Weak Governance and Policy Implementation
(i) Inefficient Social Schemes: Although schemes like “MGNREGA” and “Mid-Day Meal” have been introduced to promote human development, inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of timely implementation reduce their impact.
(ii) Policy Disconnect: Economic policies focus on GDP growth, with less emphasis on “social sectors.” Human development requires direct interventions in health, education, and social infrastructure.
(iii) Underutilization of Funds: Even when funds are allocated for social sectors, poor “governance” leads to underutilization of available resources, failing to benefit the intended populations.
(iv) Bureaucratic Delays: Slow administrative processes hinder the delivery of “social welfare” services, resulting in delayed or insufficient access to benefits like healthcare, education, and nutrition.
(v) Limited Local Governance: Lack of decentralization and weak “local governance” structures prevent efficient delivery of services, particularly in rural areas where the need is greatest.
Structural Economic Issues
(i) Jobless Growth: India’s economic growth has not translated into enough “employment opportunities,” particularly in manufacturing and formal sectors, leaving many without livelihoods and increasing income disparities.
(ii) Lack of Social Security: The absence of universal “social protection” mechanisms like health insurance, unemployment benefits, and pension schemes leaves vulnerable populations unprotected.
(iii) Agrarian Distress: Despite contributing to the economy, the “agriculture sector” remains underdeveloped, with farmers facing poverty, debt, and inadequate access to resources and technology.
(iv) Unbalanced Development: Sectors like “IT and services” have thrived, but the lack of simultaneous growth in other sectors, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, hinders holistic human development.
(v) Low Labor Force Participation: Despite economic growth, “labor force participation,” especially for women, remains low, which limits economic opportunities for a significant portion of the population.
Conclusion
India’s “economic growth” has not fully translated into improved “human development.” To bridge this gap, stronger policies prioritizing healthcare, education, and inequality reduction are essential. Inclusive, equitable development will ensure sustainable national progress.
