According to Amartya Sen, poverty refers to the deprivation of basic capabilities of life rather than merely the lowness of income
It should be visualised beyond the realm of survival and deal with contribution and participation in various aspects of social life
Natural Poverty v/s Social Poverty
Natural poverty was when man was dependent on nature for basic survival- food, clothing, shelter
However over a period of time, dependence on nature was no more present but fruits of socio-economic development were not reaped equally by all, thus leading to social poverty which is a social construct
Poverty - A Multidimensional Concept
Social Pathologies should be challenged
Poverty is a multidimensional concept and should not be seen only in the economic aspect. It consists of
Economic Aspect
Right to work, Right to safe working conditions, Right to minimum wage, Right to equal pay for equal work
Political Aspect
Right to freedom of thought, expression and association
Social Aspect
Access to healthcare infrastructure, education, skill development etc
Cultural Aspect
Ability to preserve our unique, cultural identity and actively participate in communities cultural life
State cannot always be blamed → If poverty is a direct consequence of the government policy or the result of the failure of the government to act, it will be treated as a violation of human rights as it is a direct attack on human dignity
However, it will not be treated as a violation when it is a construct of your inaction
For Example:
You don't want to do a certain job because of caste structure
you don't want to migrate in search of a job
you don't allow your women to work due to patriarchy
you prefer to remain unemployed unless you get a better job
you seek immediate gratification in form of intoxication
Approaches to Poverty
Nutritional Approach
Observed mainly in developing and underdeveloped countries
Deals with minimal food intake for maintaining the working capacity of an individual
Differentiates/ demarcates poor from non-poor
Relative Deprivation Approach
Observed in developed countries
It is with respect to social inequalities existing in society.
It is perceived in terms of exclusion/deprivation of a class of population as against the privileged ones.
It is also viewed as exclusion from participation in social life due to a lack of resources.
SDG 1
Goal
End Poverty in all its forms everywhere
Targets
Eradicate extreme poverty
Reduce poverty by at least 50% as per the national definition by 2030
Implement social protection system and measures, ensure equal rights to ownership, basic services, technology and economic resources
Build resilience to environmental, economic and social disasters
Government Efforts
The government accelerated the economic growth and broadened the social safety nets through National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP), MGNREGA
Access to basic services through PM Aawas Yojana, Jan Aarogya Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana
Strengthening livelihood opportunities and skilled ecosystem through Startup India, Skill India initiatives, etc
Achievements
Per capita income has improved
The poverty rate has declined
Poverty reduction in rural areas has outpaced that in urban areas
Note : Don’t Put HDI from 129 to 131
Shortcomings & Way Forward
Regional variation as much of India's poverty is concentrated in rural areas and low-income areas
For Example: Chhattisgarh has 39.9% of people living below the poverty line whereas, in Andaman and Nicobar, it is 1%
The feminisation of poverty especially in rural areas
Rapid urbanisation has resulted in an increased demand-supply gap with respect to housing, infrastructure, employment opportunities, services, etc
Education, employment and human resource development need to be refashioned.
Practise Question: Briefly discuss SDG Goals related to poverty. To what extent we have been successful to achieve those goals (150 words / 10 marks)
Causes of Poverty
Economic Causes
Agricultural distress, decline in Village industries
Immobility of labour
Globalisation leading to in formalisation of the labour market
Lack of investment in human capital formation
Lack of equitable development leads to denial of opportunities
Lack of equal pay for equal work
Failure to create opportunities in sectors that can readily absorb labour
For example; Agriculture, Manufacturing, etc
Jobless nature of growth
Child labour.
Demographic causes
Family size
Depxendency ratio
Health profile
Socio-cultural causes
Education
Caste system
Patriarchy
Joint family
Social customs and practices
Climatic causes
Includes both natural as well as man-made disasters like earthquakes, droughts, floods, etc
Politico- Administrative cause
Son of soil
War/Conflict
Corruption
Lack of proper implementation of the policies and programmes
Development led displacement
Implications of Poverty
Poverty can lead to and has a vicious cycle with
Illiteracy
Unemployment
Child labour
Hunger/malnourishment
Social conflict/mobilisation of masses based on primordial identities (caste, religion, race, etc)
Feminisation of poverty
Ruralisation of poverty
Regionalisation of poverty
High fertility rate
Increase in Disease burden
Lack of empowerment(political, economic, social)
Food insecurity
Relative deprivation
Skewed migration
Crime - Juvenile Delinquency
Child marriage
Disability
Inequality
Government Efforts
Five Year plans
Nationalisation of banks
20 point programme during the Emergency
Wage employment schemes- MGNREGA
Self-employment schemes: Startup India / Standup India
Food security- NFSA, Mid-day meal scheme
Social security: PMJAY/Ayushman Bharat, Atal Pension Yojana
Miscellaneous: PM Gram Sadak Yojana
Why are we lagging behind despite so many efforts(Lacunae)
Poor identification of beneficiary
Centralised Top-Down Approach
One size fits all approach (opposite of this approach is Piecemeal Engineering Approach)
Lack of people's participation
Leakages → corruption, misappropriation of funds
Lack of awareness among people with respect to schemes
Poverty treated as an economic problem rather than as a social problem
Lack of robust infrastructure
Failure with respect to proper evaluation and plugging loopholes
Lack of credible data with respect to policymaking implementation and evaluation
Lack of Political Will & Laxity on the part of Administrators
Hunger
Flow Chart
Related Questions
Question 1 : In the context of the recent report of the Global Hunger Index. Discuss the factors responsible for the prevailing problem of hunger in the context of India
Question 2 : What do you mean by hidden hunger? Discuss the factors responsible and suggest some measures to address the problem
Question 3 : With respect to the problem of hunger. Critically analyse the government efforts taken to address this problem.
Hunger as a Concept- UnderNutrition & Malnutrition**
It is defined as a situation of distress that is associated with a lack of food. It has various manifestations
Undernutrition
According to FAO, undernutrition is a situation when you are consuming less than 1800 kCal
Malnutrition
Introduction to Malnutrition
As per WHO, malnutrition is defined as any kind of deficiency, excess or imbalance with respect to a person's intake of nutrients/energy.
It is also defined as a lack of ability of a body to perform an activity that is considered normal
For Example : growing or fighting diseases
Types of Malnutrition
Undernutrion
stunting (height with respect to age)
wasting (weight with respect to height)
underweight (weight with respect to age)
Micronutrient Deficiency → is also known as hidden hunger
Diet Related Non-Communicable Diseases : Overweight, Lifestyle diseases
Causes of Malnutrition
Impact of Malnutrition
Calculation of Disease Burden → DALY = YLL + YLD
DALY - Diseases Adjusted Life Years
YLL - Years of Life Lost
YLD - Years Lived with Disability
Challenges in Tackling Malnourishment
SDG 2
Goal
End hunger, improve nutrition, ensure food security and promote sustainable agriculture
Target
Universal access to safe and nutritious food
End all forms of malnutrition
Double the productivity and income small scale food producers
Sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices
Aadhaar seeding of ration cards (Fear of Exclusion Error)
Automation of fair price shops
Ensuring nutritional security through ICDS (INtegrated Child Development Scheme)
Mid-day meal scheme, Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme for Adolscent Girls
Agricultural Productivity and farmer's income- Measures like doubling of farmers' income
Achievements
97.6% of beneficiaries are covered under NFSA.
There have been 6 times increase in food production from 50 MT(1950-51) to 292 MT(2019-20)
By 2019 - 11.4 million hectares of land was brought under micro-irrigation
During 2013-14 to 2019-20, the productivity of fruits and vegetables have increased by 11%
2.5 times increase in land under certified organic farming
Problems
Food wastage at different stages → Harvesting, post harvesting, storage, distribution, etc
Social structures determine the availability and accessibility of food
For example : women
Persisting problems of stunting, wasting, anaemia (50% of our women in reproductve age group are anaemic)
Issues such as access to safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) → Leading to lack of Absorption of Nutrients
Climate change - Global Hunger Index Highlighted that Climate, Conflict & Eco Shocks and Disasters which were further aggravated by Corona
Causes of Hunger
Implication of Hunger
Individual-level
Lack of cognitive and physical development
Poor learning outcomes
Lack of ability of absorption of skills
A high tendency to acquire disease
a+b+c+d leads to low productivity which results in poverty further leading to →
Lack of Food, Lack of nutritious food, lack of absorption of nutrients by the body →
again leading to hunger →
Vicious Cycle
Family Level
It will create a burden on existing resources
The direct and indirect costs associated with hunger
The overall standard of living will remain low
National level
It deprives the nation of the opportunity to reap the benefits of demographic dividends
Loss of human capital
Will create a burden on the government and its resources
The population will act as a liability rather than as an asset.
Way Forward of Hunger
Concept of WASH (Water & Sanitation Hygiene)
Introduction, Status of WASH
Prospects of WASH
Challenges of WASH
Way Forward to WASH
Indian Steprs wrt WASH
Sample Question
What does WASH Strategy Adopted by WHO. Discuss the Efforts taken by Indian Government.
Indices
Reports
Human Capital Index
Sample Question
What do you mean by Human Capital. Briefly Analyse the efforts of the Government wrt Human Capital Formation.
Global Hunger Index
PS : Dont Quote Census. When ever you quote Data, Quote Source as well. Remember NFHS is always criticised
Human Development Index
Introduction to HDI
Trends & Data of Indian HDI
Indian Peformance
Tool to Measure HDI (Old) - PHDI & Anthropocene
Tool to Measure HDI (New) - MPI & Anthropocene
Surveyers
NFHS
Health
Flow Chart
Concept of Good Health - It’s Manifestations & Types
Health as a Social Good
Social Good refers to any good which benefits the largest number of people in the largest possible way
Health as a social good enables a society to become more egalitarian, tolerant, sustainable, etc
It also helps in better absorption of social goods such as education, skills, etc
Health as a Political Good
Political good refers to any good which ensures the participation of people in the political process
It enables the political discourse of society to become more democratic accountable and decentralised
Health as an Economic Good
It ensures better absorption of skills
Better productivity of the workforce
Better decision making, etc
It also lowers the spending on health which reduces the economic burden
Health as an Ecological Good
Health as an Ecological Good can enable sustainable developmnet, consumption, environment-friendly policymaking
3 Tiers of Health Care System (HCS)
Primary Level - Primary Health Care System
If Primary is good, then automatically pressure on secondary and tertiary will decrease
It is the first point of contact between the individual and the health infrastructure
According to Alma Ata Declaration, the purpose of primary healthcare includes - family planning, vaccination, awareness wrt nutrition, access to safe drinking water, etc
The goal of primary healthcare is to
reduce exclusion
organise health services around the need of the people
ensure community participation
development of health workforce
use appropriate technology
development of the multi-sectoral approach
Secondary Level - Secondary Health Care System
It is the second tier of the healthcare system where the patients from primary care are referred
It consists of District hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs)
Tertiary Levels - Tertiary Health Care System
It is the 3rd tier of the healthcare system where specialised consultative health care is provided on a referral basis
It is provided by medical colleges, advanced medical research institutions, etc
SDG Goals for India in Health
Ensure good health and well-being for all
Targets - reduce maternal mortality and end all preventable death under the age of 5
Fight communicable diseases; reduce mortality from NCDs; promote & treat mental health
Prevent and treat substance abuse
Reduce road injuries and death. Example : Swedens Vision 0 program
Universal access to reproductive care, family planning and education
Achieve universal health coverage
Reduce illness and death from Hazardous chemicals and pollution
Govt Efforts & how much have we been successfull in achieving those targets
With respect to affordable health care
Ayushman Bharat
With respect to reducing maternal mortality ratio
RMNCH+A
Jnanai Suraksha Yojana
With Respect to Neo-Natal and Under 5 Mortality
Mission Indradhanush
ICDS
Poshan Abhiyan
Wrt Communicable Diseases
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
National AIDS Control programme
National Programme for prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio-vascular disease and stroke
Achievements of Health in India
Lacnuae / Issues with Health Care System in India
Way Forward
Universal Health Care System and Allied Facts
Secondary Health Care System in India
Sample Question : wrt recently released performance assement report by NITI Aayog, In Context of Secondary Health Care. Discuss the Challenges and also suggest few measures
Global Health Security Index
Ayushman Bharat Scheme
PM - JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana)
Digitalisation of Health infrastructure and its Challenges
National Digital Health Mission
Question : wrt problem associated with accessibility and afforadability of healthcare to what extent digitalisation of health infrastrcuture is the solution
The way forward - Awareness about mental health, remove the stigma
Covid 19 & Mental Health
Education
Introduction to Education
Flow Chart
Intelligence & Character should be the true goal of Education - Martin Luther King Jr
Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world - Nelson Mandela
Essay Topic PYQP : Destiny of Nation can be shaped in the Classroom
Difference between Education and Literacy
Significance of Education
Intelligence and character should be the true goal of education- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Education is the most powerful weapon that one can use to change the world- Nelson Mandela
Levels of Education
Individual level
It provides an opportunity for social mobility
Helps fight poverty and unemployment
Builds rationality, and scientific temper
Preventing cognitive dissonance
Society
Inclusive society
Peace and harmony
Social capital
Helps in preventing social strife
National
It helps in realizing the demographic dividend
Progress of the nation along with unity in diversity
Enhance the status of the nation at the global level
Will enhance innovation and creativity
Morally virtuous nation
Quality Education
Question : With respect to the significance of good qualitative education, discuss the challenges in ensuring good education.Significance of Quality Education
Crucial for the development of children especially the quality of Early Childhood Care and Education(ECCE) (as 90% of the brain grows by 5 years of age)
Low dropout: due to boring, irrelevant education 36% of students drop out of primary education
Education increases productivity levels with better employment, income levels leading to overall empowerment
Issues with Pre School Education & Action Needed
In the backdrop of rapid urbanization, the disintegration of joint families, rise in dual-career families, decline in the moral fabric of society, unfiltered access to the content on the internet, unaffordable nature of preschool education
which has become a platform for admission into prestigious schools rather than the platform for learning
The lack of resources, one size fits all approach, and the significance of ECCE for the cognitive development of the child - offers a strong case for preschool education
The provisions of the National education policy are a significant & welcoming step
School Education System
Issues with respect to the School Education System
Way Forward on Issues with School Education System
Facts on Education System in India
States on Education Infra in India
GER - Gross Enrollment Ratio
DOR - Drop Out Ratio
ASER Report (It is only for Rural Areas)
Question : In the backdrop of the ASER report, it was found that children in rural areas have moved out of private to government schools across all the age groups, and discuss the factors responsible for this shift
Impact of Covid 19 on Education
Question : What have been the efforts taken by the government to minimize the adverse impact of the pandemic on the education system?
Digitalisation of Education in India
Question : How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate on your answer. (UPSC Mains 2020)
Sample Structure of Answer
Accessibility : Swayam, Swayam Prabha
Learning Outcome : NEAT, SARANSH
Affordability : Cost Effective E-Learning
Quality of Education : DIKSHA
Quality of teachers : NISHTHA, DIKSHA
NDEAR : National Digital Education Architecture
Important Scheme on Education by Indian Government
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Higher Education in India
Higher Education - All India Survey of Higher Education Report
Question : Explain the paradox where on one hand the enrolment of girls in higher education is increasing whereas, on the other hand, their labor force participation is declining.
Question : Given that India's higher education system is the third-largest in the world, briefly analyze the challenges with respect to the higher education system in India
Question : Analyse the challenges with respect to the higher education system in the backdrop of Covid
Recent Initiatives in Higher Education
New Education Policy
New Education Policy
SDG Goal 4 Targets and Allied Provisions of NEP 2020 - Primary, Secondary, Higher Education, Teachers & Other Major Provisions**
Question : National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with SDG 4. It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (UPSC Mains 2020)
Structure of Answer
SDG-4 Goal : Quality education and lifelong learning for all
Targets
Equal access to quality pre-primary education
Free primary and secondary education
Equal access to affordable, technical, vocational, and higher education
Universal literacy and numeracy
Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
Increase the supply of qualitative teachers
Government efforts
wrt Preschool: ICDS, Anganwadis and National Education Policy
