UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 Q17 — Poverty Alleviation
"Poverty alleviation programmes in India remain mere showpieces until and unless they are backed up by political will." Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Discuss
- Scope keywords
- Poverty alleviation programmesmere showpiecespolitical willperformance of the major poverty alleviation programmes
- Implicit sub-parts
- Evidence of design vs. implementation gaps in major schemes (e.g., MGNREGA, PMAY).
- How 'lack of political will' manifests as fiscal underfunding, corruption, or populist targeting.
- Instances where strong political will led to successful transformation (e.g., DBT integration, Swachh Bharat).
- Structural reforms needed beyond just political intent (e.g., bureaucratic efficiency, data accuracy).
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic list of poverty schemes without critiquing their 'showpiece' status.
- Failing to define what 'political will' means in concrete terms like budgetary allocation or legislative teeth.
- Being overly cynical; the answer needs a balanced view of successes vs. failures.
- Ignoring the role of federalism—how lack of political will at the State level sabotages Central schemes.
- Dimensions required
- Political-AdministrativeSocio-EconomicFiscal/BudgetaryGovernance and AccountabilityTechnological (DBT/Jan Dhan)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 40-50 words to defining the link between political will and scheme outcomes. Spend 120-130 words on an evidence-based discussion of major programmes, contrasting 'showpiece' failures with 'will-driven' successes. Reserve the final 70-80 words for a forward-looking conclusion on institutionalizing accountability to move beyond individual political cycles.
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