UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 Q6 — WASH Scheme
"To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs the identification of the beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes." Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Examine
- Scope keywords
- effective implementation of policieswater, sanitation and hygiene needsidentification of the beneficiary segmentssynchronized with the anticipated outcomesWASH scheme
- Implicit sub-parts
- How does targeting specific demographics (e.g., women, adolescent girls, manual scavengers) change the design of WASH interventions?
- What specific 'anticipated outcomes' (e.g., reduction in MMR, school attendance, economic productivity) are linked to which beneficiary segments?
- What are the challenges in the current 'one-size-fits-all' approach versus a synchronized targeted approach?
- How does data-driven identification (like SBM-G or JJM datasets) facilitate this synchronization?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on the benefits of clean water and toilets without linking them to specific outcomes like stunting or gender parity.
- Failing to define 'WASH' beyond just toilets, ignoring the 'H' (Hygiene/Menstrual Hygiene) and 'W' (Water quality) aspects.
- Ignoring the 'synchronization' aspect, which is the core of the prompt—the logical link between who gets the service and what the societal result is.
- Listing government schemes (Jal Jeevan Mission, SBM) without analyzing their targeting mechanisms.
- Dimensions required
- Gender and Social InclusionPublic Health and NutritionAdministrative and Data GovernanceHuman Capital DevelopmentEconomic Impact
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 25% to defining WASH and the importance of synchronization. Use 50% for the core 'Examine' part, illustrating with 3-4 specific segments (e.g., children/stunting, women/safety, rural poor/O&M). Spend the final 25% on challenges in identification and a forward-looking conclusion on precision-targeting for SDG 6.
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