UPSC Mains 2025 GS3 Q14 — Food processing industry
Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- ExamineElaborate
- Scope keywords
- food processing industries in Indiagenerating employment opportunitiesmeasures taken by the governmentscope
- Implicit sub-parts
- What is the current untapped potential (scope) across different sub-sectors like dairy, fisheries, and horticulture?
- How does the food processing industry act as a bridge between agriculture and manufacturing to absorb surplus labor?
- What are the specific schemes and policy interventions aimed at skill development and job creation in this sector?
- What are the forward and backward linkage constraints that limit the actual employment realization?
- Common pitfalls
- Listing general food processing schemes like PMKSY without specifically linking them to labor-intensive outcomes or job creation metrics.
- Ignoring the 'scope' part by only focusing on government schemes, failing to explain the economic potential of India's raw material base.
- Failing to mention the shift from primary agriculture to secondary processing as a solution for disguised unemployment.
- Providing a generic list of food items rather than categorizing the industry into segments like 'Value Addition', 'Supply Chain', and 'Retail'.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (contribution to GDP and export potential)Societal (rural women empowerment and poverty alleviation)Infrastructural (Mega Food Parks, cold chains, and logistics)Policy/Regulatory (FDI norms and PLI schemes)Geographical (Regional clusters and raw material diversity)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 100 words (6 marks) to 'Examine the scope' by highlighting India's production advantages and the sunrise nature of the sector. Use the remaining 150 words (9 marks) to 'Elaborate measures' by detailing specific programs like PM-KMY, PLISFPI, and PMFME, ensuring each is explicitly linked to how it generates direct or indirect employment.
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