UPSC Mains 2018 GS1 Q9 — Poverty and Development
‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Explain
- Scope keywords
- implementation of various programmeseradication of povertygovernment in Indiapoverty is still existinggiving reasons
- Implicit sub-parts
- A brief acknowledgment of existing poverty alleviation schemes (PDS, MGNREGA, PM-Kisan) and their limited success.
- Structural and administrative reasons for the persistence of poverty (the 'Why').
- Emerging forms of poverty or new challenges that keep people in a poverty trap despite intervention.
- Common pitfalls
- Listing every government scheme ever launched without linking them to why they failed to 'eradicate' poverty.
- Focusing only on lack of funds rather than systemic leakages, inclusion/exclusion errors, and 'last-mile' delivery issues.
- Ignoring the multidimensional nature of poverty (health and education) and focusing only on income-based poverty.
- Failing to mention external shocks like climate change or health crises that push people back into poverty.
- Dimensions required
- Administrative/GovernanceSocio-EconomicGeographical/Regional DisparitiesDemographicStructural/Economic
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 20-30 words on a brief intro and context of current poverty levels; 40 words on the 'implementation gaps' of existing programmes; 70 words on the core 'reasons' for persistence (structural, social, and economic); and 20 words on a forward-looking conclusion.
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