UPSC Mains 2016 GS2 Q16 — Demographic Dividend
"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 ? (Answer in 200 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What measures have been taken
- Scope keywords
- Demographic Dividendeducated, aware, skilled and creativeenhance the capacityproductive and employable
- Implicit sub-parts
- The transition from a 'theoretical' dividend to a 'realized' dividend: why the current population is under-utilized.
- Evaluation of current government schemes mapped specifically to the four pillars: Education, Awareness, Skill, and Creativity.
- Critical gaps or challenges remaining despite government intervention.
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on the definition of Demographic Dividend without addressing the specific 'theoretical' qualifier in the prompt.
- Listing only skill development schemes while ignoring the 'awareness' and 'creative' (R&D/Innovation) requirements mentioned in the question.
- Focusing entirely on successes without mentioning the low employability rate (e.g., PLFS data) that justifies why these measures were needed.
- Neglecting the health/nutrition aspect which is the bedrock of 'productive' capacity.
- Dimensions required
- Educational/Academic (National Education Policy)Vocational/Skill-based (PMKVY/SANKALP)Innovation/Creativity (Atal Innovation Mission/Start-up India)Social Awareness/Information access (Digital India/Beti Bachao Beti Padhao)Economic/Employability (ASEEM portal/Labour reforms)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 40 words on the 'theoretical vs real' context. Dedicate 120 words to a structured categorization of government measures across the four specific traits (Education, Awareness, Skill, Creativity). Use the final 40 words for a way-forward that links productivity to economic growth (USD 5 trillion target).
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