Que. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?

“भारत में जनांकिकीय लाभांश तब तक सैद्धांतिक ही बना रहेगा जब तक कि हमारी जनशक्ति अधिक शिक्षित, जागरूक, कुशल और सृजनशील नहीं हो जाती।” सरकार ने हमारी जनसंख्या को अधिक उत्पादनशील और रोज़गार-योग्य बनने की क्षमता में वृद्धि के लिए कौन-से उपाय किए हैं?

Structure of the Answer

(i) Introduction: Introduce the concept of demographic dividend in India and stress the need for a skilled, educated, and productive workforce to harness its full potential.

(ii) Main Body: Discuss the government’s measures such as education reforms, skill development programs, employment schemes, and awareness campaigns that enhance employability and productivity.

(iii) Conclusion: Summarize the need for sustained policy intervention, highlighting the importance of education, skills, and employability for maximizing India’s demographic dividend.

Introduction 

India’s demographic dividend represents the large proportion of the working-age population, a significant asset for economic growth. However, this potential remains untapped unless the youth are educated, skilled, aware, and employable. The government has initiated several measures to empower the workforce.

Educational Reforms to Enhance Employability

Education is foundational for making India’s demographic dividend truly productive. The government has focused on improving both primary education and vocational training.

(i) Right to Education Act (RTE): Ensures free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6-14, aiming to provide a strong educational foundation for all.

(ii) Skill Development in Schools: The introduction of vocational training courses at the school level ensures that students are exposed to practical skills alongside formal education.

(iii) National Skill Development Mission (NSDM): Aims to provide skills training to millions of youth across India, enhancing their chances of employment in diverse sectors.

(iv) Higher Education Reforms: Initiatives like the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) focus on improving the quality of higher education and strengthening research infrastructure.

(v) Promoting Digital Literacy: The government has launched initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) to improve digital literacy, ensuring a tech-savvy workforce capable of adapting to new-age job markets.

Government Initiatives for Skill Development

Improving skills is critical for increasing employability and ensuring youth are ready for industry demands.

(i) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Provides short-term training and certification to youth in various industries, improving their job-readiness.

(ii) National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Encourages industries to offer apprenticeships, helping students gain on-the-job experience and improve their skills.

(iii) Sector-Specific Skill Councils: These councils collaborate with industries to design training programs specific to sectors like construction, automobile, and electronics, ensuring skills match market demand.

(iv) Skill India Mission: Aimed at skilling 400 million people by 2022, this initiative empowers youth through training in a variety of trades, improving their self-reliance and employability.

(v) State-Level Skill Development Initiatives: States like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have implemented localized skill training programs that cater to regional employment needs, creating better job opportunities.

Employment Schemes to Increase Productivity

Government programs aim to create more job opportunities and enhance economic productivity by integrating the youth into various industries.

(i) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Provides guaranteed employment in rural areas, offering work opportunities while building local infrastructure and improving livelihoods.

(ii) Startup India: Fosters entrepreneurship by providing financial incentives, tax exemptions, and ease of doing business, encouraging youth to start their own ventures and contribute to economic growth.

(iii) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourages collaborations between the government and private companies to create more employment opportunities, especially in sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology.

(iv) Self-Employment Schemes: Initiatives like Mudra Yojana and Stand Up India provide financial support for individuals to start their own businesses, promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

(v) Digital Platforms for Job Matching: The government has introduced platforms like National Career Service (NCS) to connect job seekers with employers, improving the efficiency of job matching and reducing unemployment.

Awareness Programs for Skill and Employment

Creating awareness about skills and employment opportunities is essential to make the demographic dividend more productive.

(i) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Focuses on empowering girls through education and skills training, ensuring equal opportunities for women in the workforce.

(ii) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Promotes hygiene and sanitation, indirectly boosting productivity by improving public health, which is vital for workforce participation.

(iii) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): Financial inclusion programs like PMJDY ensure that all individuals, especially those in rural areas, have access to banking services and are able to invest in their skills and businesses.

(iv) Digital India: This initiative promotes digital literacy and enables youth to take advantage of online learning and global job markets, increasing employability.

(v) Health and Nutrition Programs: Initiatives like POSHAN Abhiyaan aim to improve the health and well-being of the youth, ensuring they are physically fit to contribute productively to the economy.

Conclusion 

The Indian government has implemented a variety of policies and schemes to enhance the education, skills, and employability of its youth. For India to fully realize its demographic dividend, continuous investment in education, skill development, and employment opportunities is essential.