💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: Diversity Of India

  • Should India incentivise bigger families

    Why in the News?

    Andhra Pradesh recently announced cash incentives of ₹30,000-₹50,000 for women having a third or fourth child. India’s demographic policy debate has entered a new phase as several states are considering incentives for larger families after decades of promoting smaller families. The trigger is the sustained decline in fertility rates, with India’s TFR falling to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1, and states such as Andhra Pradesh recording TFRs as low as 1.3.

    What is the Demographic transition?

    1. It refers to the shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as societies develop economically and socially. 
    2. Historically, fertility declines have accompanied rising incomes, urbanisation, female education, and workforce participation. 
    3. India has now entered a phase where fertility rates have fallen below replacement levels, prompting discussions on whether public policy should move from population control to population stabilisation or even population encouragement in certain regions.

    Is India Experiencing a Significant Fertility Decline?

    1. Below-Replacement Fertility: India’s Total Fertility Rate has declined to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.
    2. Sharp Regional Variations: Several southern states have reached extremely low fertility levels. Andhra Pradesh’s TFR has fallen to around 1.3.
    3. Long-Term Trend: Fertility decline has been occurring steadily since economic liberalisation and social transformation accelerated.
    4. Demographic Transition: Falling fertility reflects increasing urbanisation, higher female education levels, delayed marriages, and changing family preferences.
    5. Individualistic Social Behaviour: Smaller family norms have become socially embedded and are difficult to reverse through financial incentives alone.

    What Factors Are Driving Calls for Larger Families?

    1. Population Ageing: Falling fertility rates increase the share of elderly citizens relative to the working-age population.
    2. Shrinking Workforce Concerns: Fewer births today may reduce future labour force availability.
    3. Federal Representation Debate: Concerns exist that states with slower population growth may face reduced political representation after future delimitation exercises.
    4. Economic Sustainability: A shrinking working-age population may affect savings, investments, productivity, and economic growth.
    5. Dependency Burden: Lower worker-to-retiree ratios increase pressure on pension systems and healthcare expenditure.

    Can Financial Incentives Reverse Fertility Decline?

    1. Limited International Success: Evidence suggests fertility incentives have produced only modest improvements in fertility rates.
    2. Behavioural Transformation: Fertility decisions are increasingly influenced by lifestyle choices rather than financial considerations.
    3. Rising Cost of Child-Rearing: Education, healthcare, housing, and childcare expenses discourage larger families.
    4. Women’s Workforce Participation: Increased female employment often correlates with delayed childbirth and smaller family sizes.
    5. Economic Trade-Offs: Families increasingly prefer investing more resources in fewer children.
    6. Structural Constraints: Fertility decline is linked to broader social and economic transformations that cannot be reversed solely through cash transfers.
    7. Andhra Pradesh Initiative: The state announced incentives of ₹30,000-50,000 for women having a third or fourth child to encourage larger families.

    What Lessons Emerge from International Experience?

    Poland

    1. Cash Incentives: Introduced financial support programmes to encourage childbirth.
    2. Limited Impact: Fertility rates improved marginally but failed to sustain long-term reversal.

    Hungary

    1. Tax Benefits: Implemented extensive tax incentives and family support policies.
    2. Mixed Outcomes: Temporary increases in births were observed, but fertility remained below replacement level.

    Sweden and France

    1. Comprehensive Family Support: Combined childcare facilities, parental leave, and work-life balance measures.
    2. Better Results: Recorded relatively higher fertility rates compared to many European countries.

    South Korea

    1. Massive Public Spending: Invested heavily in pro-natalist policies.
    2. Persistent Low Fertility: Fertility rates remain among the lowest globally.

    Singapore and Japan

    1. Demographic Ageing Challenge: Despite policy interventions, ageing and low fertility continue to persist.

    Why Is Fertility Decline Difficult to Reverse?

    1. Socio-Cultural Change: Fertility behaviour changes permanently after societies become economically advanced.
    2. Urbanisation: Urban lifestyles increase living costs and reduce preference for larger families.
    3. Career Aspirations: Education and employment opportunities alter family planning decisions.
    4. Delayed Marriage: Rising marriage age directly reduces fertility levels.
    5. Changing Family Structure: Nuclear families increasingly replace traditional joint-family support systems.
    6. Quality-over-Quantity Preference: Parents prioritise greater investment in fewer children.

    How Does Fertility Decline Affect India’s Federal Structure?

    1. Uneven Demographic Transition: Different states are at different stages of demographic transition.
    2. Divergent Economic Needs: Younger states may prioritise job creation, while ageing states may prioritise pensions and healthcare.
    3. Policy Asymmetry: States may require different social and economic policies based on demographic profiles.
    4. Delimitation Concerns: States with lower population growth fear reduced parliamentary representation.
    5. Inter-State Demographic Imbalances: Population trends could reshape political and fiscal dynamics within the federation.

    Does India Face an Immediate Labour Shortage?

    1. Current Labour Surplus: India continues to have a large working-age population.
    2. Low Female Labour Participation: A substantial share of working-age women remain outside the workforce
    3. Labour Market Vacancies: Some vacancies persist despite available labour, indicating skill mismatches rather than absolute shortages.
    4. Underemployment Challenge: Employment generation remains a larger concern than workforce scarcity.
    5. Demographic Dividend Window: India continues to benefit from a sizeable youth population.

    Can Migration Offset Regional Population Decline?

    1. Labour Mobility: Interstate migration can help address workforce shortages in ageing states.
    2. Economic Integration: Workers move towards regions with greater employment opportunities.
    3. Historical Experience: Migration has supported economic growth in rapidly developing regions.
    4. Political Sensitivities: Large-scale migration may generate social and political concerns in receiving state
    5. Labour Market Adjustment: Migration often serves as a natural response to demographic imbalances.

    Is Population Growth the Best Solution to Ageing?

    1. Healthcare Investments: Strong healthcare systems can mitigate ageing-related challenges.
    2. Pension Reforms: Sustainable pension systems reduce dependency burdens.
    3. Human Capital Development: A skilled workforce can compensate for slower population growth.
    4. Productivity Enhancement: Technological advancement can offset labour shortages.
    5. Silver Economy: Ageing populations create new economic sectors related to healthcare, caregiving, and elderly services.
    6. Alternative Policy Choice: Investment in education, skills, and productivity may yield better outcomes than incentivising higher fertility.

    Conclusion

    India’s fertility decline reflects an advanced stage of demographic transition rather than a population crisis. While ageing and workforce concerns require attention, international experience shows that fertility incentives alone have limited impact. India’s priority should be strengthening human capital, productivity, healthcare, and social security to ensure sustainable demographic and economic growth.

    Value Addition

    Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

    Stage I

    1. High birth rate and high death rate.
    2. Population growth remains low.

    Stage II

    1. Death rate declines due to healthcare improvements.
    2. Population grows rapidly.

    Stage III

    1. Birth rate starts declining.
    2. Population growth slows.

    Stage IV

    1. Low birth rate and low death rate.
    2. Stable population.

    Stage V

    1. Birth rate falls below death rate.
    2. Population ageing and decline begin.

    India: Transitioning between Stage III and Stage IV.

    Replacement Level Fertility

    1. Average number of children required per woman to maintain population stability.
    2. Generally estimated at 2.1 children per woman.

    National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)

    1. India’s TFR: 2.0
    2. Several southern states have fertility rates significantly below replacement level.
    3. Reflects continuing demographic transition.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] What is the concept of a ‘demographic winter’? Is the world moving towards such a situation? Elaborate

    Linkage: The PYQ directly examines declining fertility, ageing populations, and shrinking workforce concerns. The article debates whether India should respond to below-replacement fertility by incentivising larger families to avoid a future demographic winter.

  • Rise in middle class vulnerability

    Why in the News?

    India has achieved a major milestone in reducing poverty, with the share of people below the World Bank’s lower-middle-income poverty line falling from ~50% a decade ago to ~30% today. India’s economic growth has reduced extreme deprivation but has not ensured broad-based upward mobility. The outcome is the emergence of a “vulnerable middle”, trapped between subsistence and prosperity, characterized by income instability, weak social protection, and limited access to opportunity.

    For the first time, a major policy shift is being proposed: moving away from a binary classification of poor vs non-poor to a spectrum-based assessment of well-being, measuring how far individuals are from a dignified standard of living. 

    Why is the traditional poverty line inadequate to capture India’s development reality?

    1. Binary Limitation: Classifies population as poor/non-poor, ignoring gradation of well-being (World Bank framework).
    2. Mobility Blindness: Does not capture whether individuals are progressing or stagnating.
    3. Threshold Problem: Crossing the poverty line does not imply economic security.
    4. Data Evidence: Poverty reduced from ~50% to ~30% (World Bank Poverty & Equity Brief), yet vulnerability persists.

    What is the alternate approach proposed for measuring welfare and development?

    1. Spectrum-Based Measurement: Replaces binary poor/non-poor classification with a continuous assessment of well-being (World Bank Policy Framework).
    2. Distance-to-Prosperity Metric: Measures how far households are from a reasonable standard of living, not just subsistence level.
    3. Priority to the Poorest: Assigns greater weight to those furthest behind, ensuring targeted policy focus.
    4. Mobility-Centric Evaluation: Tracks upward economic movement, not just poverty exit.
    5. Outcome Sensitivity: Captures vulnerability, stagnation, and risk of falling back into poverty.
    6. Policy Relevance: Enables better targeting of welfare schemes beyond poverty-line thresholds.
    7. Example/Data Context: Despite poverty reduction to ~30% (World Bank), large populations remain clustered just above poverty line, validating need for this approach.

    How does India’s growth model generate a “vulnerable middle class”?

    1. Capital-Intensive Growth: Limits labour absorption in high-growth sectors (Economic Survey trend).
    2. Weak Income Security: Large population remains above poverty without stable earnings.
    3. Mobility Constraint: Limited transition to higher productivity sectors.
    4. Consumption Fragility: Income volatility restricts sustained consumption.
    5. Outcome Evidence: Rising population clustered just above poverty line (World Bank analysis).

    Why is labour market structure central to economic vulnerability?

    1. Low Formalization: <10% workforce in formal jobs with social security (PLFS).
    2. Informal Dominance: Majority lack job contracts and benefits.
    3. Low Earnings: 94.11% informal workers earn <₹10,000/month (e-Shram Portal data).
    4. Limited Productivity: Informal sector restricts skill and wage growth.
    5. Outcome: High exposure to economic shocks and income instability.

    How does unemployment, especially among youth and graduates, deepen the crisis?

    1. Youth Unemployment: ~45% (Periodic Labour Force Survey – PLFS trend)
    2. Graduate Unemployment: ~29% (PLFS data).
    3. Skill Mismatch: Education not aligned with market demand.
    4. Jobless Growth: Economic expansion without proportional job creation.
    5. Outcome: Delayed entry into stable income pathways.

    What explains the disconnect between productivity growth and wage stagnation?

    1. Productivity-Wage Gap: Output rises without wage increase (industry surveys cited).
    2. Fragmented Gains: Growth concentrated in limited sectors.
    3. Weak Bargaining Power: Informal workforce lacks wage negotiation capacity.
    4. Demand Constraint: Low wages restrict consumption growth.
    5. Outcome: Growth does not translate into improved living standards.

    How does inequality reinforce middle-class vulnerability?

    1. Income Concentration: Top 1% earns >22% of national income (World Inequality Database/Article reference).
    2. Wealth Concentration: ~275 billionaires hold wealth = 1/4th of national income (Hurun/Forbes-type estimates).
    3. Limited Redistribution: Gains not diffused across population.
    4. Opportunity Inequality: Unequal access to education and jobs.
    5. Outcome: Middle class unable to accumulate wealth or move upward.

    What role do structural shifts in employment play in limiting mobility?

    1. Manufacturing Weakness: Limited job creation relative to labour force entry (Economic Survey trend).
    2. Agrarian Burden: ~46% workforce in agriculture vs ~18% output (National Accounts/PLFS).
    3. Labour Absorption Failure: Industry unable to absorb surplus labour.
    4. Low Productivity Trap: Workers stuck in low-productivity sectors.
    5. Outcome: Structural stagnation in economic transformation.

    How do household financial conditions reflect rising vulnerability?

    1. Declining Savings: Net household financial savings ~5% of GDP (RBI Data).
    2. Rising Debt: Increasing reliance on unsecured loans (RBI trends).
    3. Consumption Pressure: Borrowing used for basic consumption.
    4. Low Asset Creation: Limited long-term wealth accumulation.
    5. Outcome: Reduced resilience to economic shocks.

    How do human development indicators signal constrained future mobility?

    1. Child Wasting: ~18.7% (NFHS-5 data).
    2. Child Stunting: ~35% under five (NFHS-5).
    3. Health Deficit: Impacts cognitive and physical productivity.
    4. Intergenerational Impact: Poverty and vulnerability transmitted across generations.
    5. Outcome: Long-term constraints on economic mobility.

    What does the shift from poverty reduction to mobility enhancement imply for policy?

    1. Measurement Shift: Focus on distance from dignified living standards (World Bank).
    2. Policy Reorientation: From poverty reduction to mobility generation.
    3. Growth Quality Focus: Emphasis on inclusiveness.
    4. Targeting Efficiency: Prioritizes most vulnerable segments.
    5. Outcome: Addresses structural inequality and stagnation.

    Conclusion

    India’s development model has achieved poverty reduction without mobility expansion. The rise of a vulnerable middle class reflects structural distortions in labour markets, inequality, and human development, necessitating a shift towards mobility-centric policy design.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2015] The nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.

    Linkage: The PYQ directly links to the article’s core argument of growth without mobility, highlighting weak employment generation, informality, and wage stagnation. It supports analysis of vulnerable middle class formation, where poverty reduces but lack of quality jobs prevents upward economic movement.

  • Lanjia Saora Tribe  

    Why in the News

    • Younger members of the Lanjia Saora tribe are reinterpreting traditions while adapting to modern lifestyles, reflecting cultural transformation within a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

    Who are the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)?

    • PVTG are 75 specially identified, highly marginalised scheduled tribe communities in India (across 18 states/UTs) characterized by pre-agricultural technology, stagnant populations, extremely low literacy, and subsistence economies.

    About Lanjia Saora Tribe

    • State: Odisha (mainly)
    • Category: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
    • Other Names: Savaras, Sabaras, Saura, and Sora

    Distribution

    • Primarily in Odisha
    • Also found in: Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam

    Language

    • Language: Sora
    • Language Family: Munda (Austroasiatic family)
    • Script: Sorang Sompeng
    • One of the few tribal groups in India with their own script
    [2019] Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: 
    1 PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
    2 A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 
    3 There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 
    4 Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct? 
    (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4.

  • Top 10% rural households own 44% land in India: Study

    Why in the News?

    A recent April 2026 study by the World Inequality Lab titled “Land Inequality in India: Nature, History, and Markets” reveals that land ownership in rural India is highly concentrated. Land ownership in rural India remains highly unequal, with the top 10% of households controlling 44% of total land, while nearly 46% households are landless. This reflects structural imbalance in agrarian distribution, impacting equity, productivity, and rural livelihoods.

    Why is land ownership inequality in rural India a major concern?

    1. High Concentration: Top 10% households own 44% of total land, indicating extreme inequality.
    2. Widespread Landlessness: Around 46% rural households own no land, reflecting exclusion from productive assets.
    3. Skewed Ownership Pyramid: Top 5% own 32%, and top 1% own 18% of land, showing elite capture.
    4. Agrarian Distress Link: Landlessness leads to dependence on wage labour, increasing vulnerability.

    What are the regional patterns of land inequality and landlessness?

    1. High Inequality States: Bihar and Punjab show villages where a single landlord owns >50% land.
    2. High Landlessness: Punjab has 73% landless households, highest among states.
    3. Low Inequality: Karnataka has lowest Gini coefficient (65), indicating relatively equitable distribution.
    4. High Inequality Index: Kerala has Gini coefficient of 90, followed by Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal (~80).
    5. Agrarian States Pattern: Rajasthan (34%) and Uttar Pradesh (39%) have lower landlessness than Madhya Pradesh (51%) and Bihar (59%).

    What does the Gini coefficient reveal about land inequality?

    The Gini coefficient for land inequality is a statistical measure (0 to 1 or 0 to 100) determining how land ownership is distributed across a population. A coefficient of 0 indicates perfect equality (everyone owns the same amount of land), while a value near 1 or 100 indicates perfect inequality (one person owns all the land). It shows the deviation from equal land distribution.

    1. Inequality Measure: Higher Gini coefficient indicates greater inequality in land distribution.
    2. Kerala Case: Highest Gini (90) shows extreme concentration despite social development indicators.
    3. Impact of Landless Inclusion: Excluding landlessness reduces Gini significantly, showing inequality is driven by landlessness.
    4. Policy Insight: Landlessness contributes more to inequality than unequal distribution among landowners.

    How is land distributed across different landholding classes?

    1. Marginal Holdings: 48.6% households own 0-1 hectare, indicating fragmentation.
    2. Small Holdings: Significant share in 1-2 hectares, limiting economies of scale.
    3. Average Size (Landowners): Around 6.2 hectares, showing disparity within landed class.
    4. Large Holders’ Dominance: Largest landowners control 12.4% land in villages, rising to >50% in 3.8% villages.

    What are the structural causes behind land inequality in India?

    1. Historical Legacy: Zamindari and feudal systems created concentrated ownership patterns.
    2. Incomplete Land Reforms: Weak implementation of land ceiling and redistribution laws.
    3. Population Pressure: Fragmentation due to inheritance reduces viability of holdings.
    4. Market Forces: Commercial agriculture increases land consolidation in developed regions like Punjab.
    5. Data Limitations: Last comprehensive caste-land linkage from SECC 2011, indicating outdated policy inputs.

    What are the implications for the economy and society?

    1. Rural Inequality: Reinforces socio-economic disparities and caste-based exclusion.
    2. Low Productivity: Small fragmented holdings reduce mechanization and efficiency.
    3. Migration Push: Landless households migrate for informal urban employment.
    4. Credit Access Issues: Lack of land ownership restricts access to institutional credit.
    5. Social Conflict Risk: Concentration of land can lead to agrarian unrest. 

    What government reforms have been undertaken to address land inequality in India?

    1. Abolition of Intermediaries: Eliminates zamindari system; ensures direct ownership between state and cultivator; implemented post-independence across states.
    2. Land Ceiling Laws: Imposes upper limits on landholding; redistributes surplus land to landless households; varies across states (e.g., 10-54 acres depending on land type).
    3. Tenancy Reforms: Provides security of tenure, regulates rent, and grants ownership rights to tenants; successful examples seen in West Bengal (Operation Barga).
    4. Consolidation of Holdings: Reduces fragmentation of land; promotes efficient farming; implemented effectively in Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP.
    5. Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements: Voluntary land donation movements led by Vinoba Bhave; redistributes land to landless, though limited success in long term.
    6. Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): Digitizes land records; ensures transparency, reduces disputes, and improves land ownership clarity.
    7. SVAMITVA Scheme: Provides property ownership rights in rural inhabited areas using drone mapping; enables access to credit and reduces informal land ownership.
    8. Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes land rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities; addresses historical injustice and improves tenure security.
    9. PM-KISAN Scheme: Provides income support to farmers; ensures financial stability, though excludes landless agricultural labourers.

    Conclusion

    Land inequality in rural India reflects structural imbalance rooted in historical, institutional, and economic factors. Addressing landlessness, improving land records, and enabling equitable access to productive assets remain essential for inclusive rural development and sustainable agricultural growth.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy can be considered effective.

    Linkage: The PYQ addresses agrarian inequality and land concentration, directly aligning with current evidence of top 10% owning 44% land and widespread landlessness. It enables evaluation of land ceiling policy effectiveness, linking historical reforms with present challenges of uneven implementation and persistent rural inequality.

  • India’ future demographic challenges 

    Why in the News?

    A new report ‘Unravelling India’s Demographic future: Population Projections for States and Union Territories, 2021-2051, by the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) and the Population Foundation of India projects, for the first time, that India will move beyond a youth-dominated demographic profile into an ageing society. This marks a sharp departure from earlier fears of population explosion. The elderly population is set to double to 20.5% (325.3 million) by 2051, while the demographic dividend window will begin closing after 2041, making this transition a critical policy challenge with long-term economic implications.

    How is India’s demographic structure fundamentally changing?

    1. Population Growth Slowdown: Decline in growth rate to 0.5% annually, indicating demographic stabilisation.
    2. Shift from Youth Bulge: Transition from youth-heavy to ageing population structure.
    3. Median Age Increase: Rise from 28 years (2021) to 40 years (2051), signalling advanced demographic transition.
    4. Balanced Demography: Movement toward a more urbanised and ageing society

    How is the demographic dividend window evolving and why is it time-bound?

    1. Working-age Population Growth: Rise to 65.5% (1,009 million) by 2041.
    2. Post-2041 Decline: Fall to 62.8% by 2051, indicating end of demographic advantage.
    3. Economic Opportunity: Larger workforce enables higher productivity and growth (example: China, Japan, South Korea).
    4. Urgency Factor: Limited window necessitates rapid skill and employment generation policies.
    5. Workforce Share: Nearly 60% population expected in workforce by 2051.

    What are the implications of India’s rapidly ageing population?

    1. Elderly Population Growth: Increase from 130.5 million (9.62%) in 2021 to 325.3 million (20.5%) in 2051.
    2. Healthcare Pressure: Rising demand for geriatric care and chronic disease management.
    3. Social Security Burden: Increased strain on pensions and welfare systems.
    4. Fiscal Stress: Growing elderly dependency ratio impacts state finances.
    5. Silver Economy Potential: New economic opportunities in elder care, healthcare services, and assisted living.

    Why is declining fertility creating structural challenges for the education system?

    1. Falling Child Population: Reduction from 113.5 million (2021) to 86 million (mid-century) in the 0-4 age group.
    2. Declining Government Schools: Drop from 11.07 lakh (2014-15) to 10.18 lakh (2023-24) (~90,000 schools).
    3. Rise of Private Schools: Increase from 2.88 lakh to 3.31 lakh, reflecting shift in parental preferences.
    4. Uneconomic Schools: Lower enrolments threaten viability of government institutions.
    5. Kerala Example: Long-term trend of declining fertility impacting school infrastructure.

    How are socio-economic shifts influencing schooling and human capital formation?

    1. Parental Preference Shift: Movement toward private schools due to perceived quality differences.
    2. Smaller Families: Improved affordability increases investment per child.
    3. Reduced Enrolment: Lower fertility reduces demand for schooling infrastructure.
    4. Quality Gap: Government schools perceived to lag in education quality.

    What policy signals emerge from declining fertility and ageing trends?

    1. Education Reform Need: Strengthens skill development and quality education systems.
    2. Healthcare Reorientation: Facilitates resource optimisation and improved healthcare delivery.
    3. Women Workforce Participation: Expands the labour force by reducing gender gaps.
    4. Reproductive Rights: Ensures access to family planning and prevents unintended pregnancies.
    5. Employment Expansion: Supports formal employment generation to offset workforce decline.

    Conclusion

    India’s demographic trajectory signals a transition from opportunity to responsibility. The closing demographic dividend window, combined with rapid ageing, requires immediate investments in human capital, healthcare systems, and employment generation. Effective policy adaptation will determine whether India sustains growth or faces structural stagnation.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2016] “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?

    Linkage: Demographic dividend potential is time-bound, with workforce share peaking around 2041, requiring urgent investment in skills and human capital. The article highlights declining fertility and ageing trends, reinforcing the need to enhance productivity before the demographic window closes.

  • Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

    Why in the News

    The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be held from March 25 to April 6, 2026 in Chhattisgarh, announced by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

    Key Details

    • Host Cities: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja
    • Participants: Tribal athletes from most States and Union Territories of India.

    Sports in the Games

    • Medal Sports (7): Athletics, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Archery, Swimming, and Wrestling. 
    • Demonstration Sports: Mallakhamb and Kabaddi

    Organising Bodies

    • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
    • Sports Authority of India
    • Indian Olympic Association
    • National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh State Organising Committee.

    Mascot

    • “Morveer”
    • Derived from “Mor” (mine/our) and “Veer” (brave) in Chhattisgarhi.
    • Symbolises pride, courage and identity of tribal communities.

    Note: A mascot is a person, animal, or object adopted by a group—such as a sports team, school, or brand—to represent them, foster a public identity, and bring good luck.

    Significance

    • First national sports event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes.
    • Aims to identify and nurture talent from tribal regions.
    • Strengthens grassroots sports under the Khelo India Scheme.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Khelo India Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2018.
    • The Khelo India Games were declared an “Event of National Importance” in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.
    [2023] Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: It was the first time that Chess Olympiad was held in India. The official mascot was named ‘Thambi’. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup. The trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four

  • How Haryana turned around sex ratio at birth, now close to national average

    Introduction

    Sex ratio at birth reflects deep-rooted social preferences, access to technology, and effectiveness of governance. Haryana’s demographic profile was historically distorted due to entrenched son preference and misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies. The recent improvement indicates a shift driven by administrative vigilance, legal enforcement, and behavioural correction mechanisms, rather than mere awareness campaigns.

    Why in the News

    Haryana’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) rose to 923 females per 1,000 males in 2023, bringing the state close to the national average of 933. This marks a sharp reversal from its historical position among India’s worst-performing states. The improvement follows two decades of sustained interventions, including enforcement against illegal sex selection, medical monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and district-level surveillance. The state also recorded its best SRB performance in five years, signalling structural rather than episodic change.

    How severe was Haryana’s demographic imbalance earlier?

    1. Historically low SRB: Haryana ranked among the worst Indian states during the 2000s due to female foeticide.
    2. Technology misuse: Easy access to ultrasound and weak regulation facilitated sex-selective abortions.
    3. Structural bias: Son preference reinforced by inheritance practices and patriarchal norms.
    4. National comparison: Haryana consistently performed below the national SRB average for years.

    What institutional measures drove the turnaround?

    1. Legal enforcement: Strict implementation of the (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, including registration checks and surprise inspections.
    2. Criminal accountability: Filing of over 1,375 FIRs against illegal practitioners since 2014.
    3. Administrative coordination: Weekly reviews involving health, police, and district administrations.
    4. Tracking mechanisms: Continuous monitoring of ultrasound centres and pregnancy outcomes.

    How did district-level governance contribute?

    1. District surveillance: Identification of high-risk districts and targeted enforcement.
    2. Best-performing districts: Panchkula, Jhajjar, and Rewari crossed 940 SRB.
    3. Worst-performing districts: Palwal, Faridabad, and Panipat remained below the state average, indicating uneven progress.
    4. Outcome-based reviews: Regular district rankings created competitive accountability.

    What role did monitoring of medical practices play?

    1. Ultrasound regulation: Tight scrutiny of ultrasound centres and equipment movement.
    2. Pregnancy audits: Tracking of repeat abortions and abnormal sex ratios at facility levels.
    3. Professional deterrence: Suspension and prosecution of erring doctors.
    4. Sustained vigilance: Monitoring continued even during COVID-19 disruptions.

    Why is this shift considered structurally significant?

    1. Consistency over time: Improvement sustained across multiple years rather than isolated spikes.
    2. Behavioural correction: Reduced acceptance of sex-selective practices at the community level.
    3. Policy credibility: Demonstrates effectiveness of law when combined with administrative resolve.
    4. Replication potential: Offers a governance model for other demographically stressed states.

    Value Addition: Sex Ratio at Birth in India 

    1. National SRB: Approximately 933 females per 1,000 males.
    2. Regional variation: Northern and north-western states historically record lower SRB.
    3. Underlying causes: Son preference, declining fertility, and access to diagnostic technology
    4. Policy instruments: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PCPNDT Act, and conditional cash transfer schemes.
    5. Trend: Gradual national improvement, but inter-state disparities persist.

    Conclusion

    Haryana’s improvement in sex ratio at birth underscores that deep-rooted gender bias is not irreversible when governance moves beyond symbolic welfare to sustained enforcement and accountability. The experience demonstrates that demographic correction requires a long-term, law-driven, and institutionally coordinated approach, reinforcing that gender justice must be ensured at the earliest stage of life for social transformation to be durable.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?

    Linkage: Persistent patriarchal attitudes, reflected in practices like female foeticide and skewed sex ratios at birth, show that women’s progress has not translated into social acceptance. Haryana’s SRB turnaround demonstrates that strict legal enforcement, behavioural regulation, and institutional accountability are critical interventions.

  • Hornbill Festival 2025

    Why in the news?

    The 26th edition of Nagaland’s iconic Hornbill Festival has begun with great enthusiasm, reaffirming its status as one of India’s most vibrant cultural events. The festival has grown into a major platform for showcasing the cultural diversity of Nagaland’s tribes and promoting tourism in the Northeast.

    What is the Hornbill Festival?  

    • First organised: 2000
    • Also called: “Festival of Festivals”
    • Purpose:
      • Promote inter-tribal interaction
      • Preserve indigenous Naga heritage
      • Blend traditional and contemporary art forms
    • Organised by:
      • Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland
      • Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland
    • Venue: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, ~12 km from Kohima, Nagaland
    • Named after: The Hornbill bird, which is deeply associated with the socio-cultural identity of the Nagas
    Consider the following pairs: Tradition State (2018)

    1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram 

    2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur 

    3. Thang-Ta dance — Sikkim 

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 only 

    (b) 1 and 2 

    (c) 3 only 

    (d) 2 and 3

  • Israel to Bring Remaining 5,800 Bnei Menashe Jews From Northeast India

    Why in the news?

    • On 23 November 2025, Israel approved a major plan to bring all remaining 5,800 members of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community from Northeast India by 2030.
    • This marks a significant step in the decades-long Aliyah (immigration to Israel) process.

    Who are the Bnei Menashe?

    • Indigenous community from Manipur and Mizoram.
    • Claim descent from Menashe (Manasseh), one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel exiled by the Assyrian Empire ~2,700 years ago.
    • Faced historical disputes over their Jewish identity.
    • In 2005, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the then Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, formally recognised them as “descendants of Israel”, enabling immigration.
    In India, if a religious sect/community is given “the status of a national minority, what special advantages is it entitled to? (2011)

    1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions. 

    2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha. 

    3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Who are Denotified, Semi-Nomadic and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)?

    Why in the News?

    At an event in New Delhi, Denotified, Semi-Nomadic and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) strongly demanded a permanent National Commission to address their long-standing marginalisation.

    Who are Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)?

    • Denotified Tribes (DNTs):
      • Colonial Tag: Branded “criminal by birth” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
      • Legal Reversal: Act repealed in 1949; tribes de-notified in 1952.
      • Persistent Stigma: Continue to face police profiling and social exclusion.
    • Nomadic Tribes (NTs):
      • Lifestyle: No fixed habitation; move cyclically for livelihood.
      • Occupations: Animal herding, salt trading, performing arts, traditional healing.
    • Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs):
      • Hybrid Living: Alternate between mobile and semi-settled life.
      • Movement: Shift seasonally but often retain a base settlement.

    Current Status in India:

    • Population Share: Around 10% of India’s population.
    • Communities: ~150+ Denotified, 500+ Nomadic tribes.
    • Major States: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh.
    • Examples of Communities (not exhaustive):
      • Denotified: Bedia, Pardhi, Sansi, Kanjar, Lodha, Nat, Chhara, Bhantu
      • Nomadic: Banjara, Gadia Lohar, Rabari, Madari, Kalbelia, Nat
      • Semi-Nomadic: Abor, Adi, Aka, Apatani, Dafla, Galo, Nishi, Tagin

    Major Committees & Commissions:

    Year Contribution
    Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee 1947 Criticized criminal branding
    Ayyangar Committee 1949 Led to repeal of Criminal Tribes Act
    Kaka Kalelkar Commission 1953 Recognized DNTs, no full classification
    B.P. Mandal Commission 1980 Suggested NTs for OBC list
    Constitution Review Commission 2002 Urged protective measures for DNTs
    Renke Commission 2008 Listed 500+ communities, lacked implementation resources
    Idate Commission 2017–2018 Listed 1,200+, proposed permanent commission

     

    [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:

    1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.

    3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4* (d) 1, 3 and 4