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GS Paper: Social Empowerment

  • 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.

  • Australia social media ban on users aged under-16 kicks in

    Introduction

    Australia has enacted a first-of-its-kind law mandating that major social media platforms verify user age and remove accounts of children below 16 unless parents explicitly consent. The reform marks a sharp departure from earlier tech-driven self-regulation and responds to rising concerns over children’s mental health, grooming risks, harmful content, and the pressure of constant screen exposure. The move has been positioned as a “template for the world,” with global relevance as regulators struggle to manage Big Tech.

    Why in the news?

    Australia has become the first country globally to impose a minimum age for social media access, marking a structural shift in how online safety is governed. The legislation is significant because social media firms were previously allowed to operate on self-declared age checks, often exploited by under-16 users. 

    Australia’s Move Towards an Age-Restricted Internet Ecosystem

    1. Minimum age requirement: Platforms must block users under 16 unless parents consent.
    2. Verification mandate: Tech firms must take “reasonable steps” to verify age and remove under-age accounts.
    3. New regulatory law: The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act creates enforceable obligations.
    4. Scope of platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, TikTok, Threads, Reddit covered.

    What Makes the Age-16 Cut-Off Significant?

    1. Based on mental-health indicators: Government-commissioned survey found 74% of children saw or heard disturbing content; 53% experienced online bullying; 27% faced personal attacks.
    2. Escalating harm to minors: 38% reported exposure to harmful content; 16% received sexualised images; 25% faced coercion or harassment.
    3. Self-harm risk: 17% saw content encouraging suicide or self-harm.
    4. Increased vulnerability: Under-16 users are at greater risk of grooming, hate speech, compulsive scrolling and pressure for online perfection.

    How Are Tech Companies Responding?

    1. Compliance with resistance: Firms say the rule may not improve safety unless implemented globally.
    2. Burden of verification: Companies argue age-verification tools are intrusive or inaccurate.
    3. Big Tech backlash: Meta has called it impractical; industry bodies say “it will not make kids safer.”
    4. Regulator’s stance: eSafety insists firms have long failed to prioritise child safety despite repeated warnings.

    How Does This Compare With India’s Approach?

    1. Parental consent focus: India allows minors to access social media with guardian approval; no age-16 prohibition.
    2. Law under review: India’s DPDP Act originally proposed a strict age-limit but relaxed it in 2023.
    3. Tech-industry influence: India’s softer position partly reflects concerns of over-regulation and digital inclusion.
    4. Existing obligations: Platforms must ensure safety of users but without mandatory age verification.
    5. Contrast in regulatory philosophy: Australia mandates verification; India relies on parental oversight.

    Why Is Australia Positioning Itself as a Global Template?

    1. First mover advantage: No other country has set a universal age-16 social media restriction.
    2. Evidence-backed regulation: Emphasis on child mental-health data, grooming cases, hate content rise.
    3. Model for Western democracies: May influence UK’s Online Safety Act and EU child-protection deliberations.
    4. Accountability push: Shifts burden onto platforms, not users or parents.

    Arguments Supporting the Ban

    1. Protects Mental and Emotional Health
      1. Lower exposure to harmful content and compulsive usage.
      2. Reduces anxiety, body-image issues, and cyberbullying.
    2. Ensures Safer Social Environments
      1. Decreases risks of grooming, harassment, stalking.
      2. Strengthens mechanisms of child protection.
    3. Encourages Healthy Childhood Development
      1. Promotes in-person socialisation, sports, hobbies.
      2. Protects attention spans and reduces digital addiction.
    4. Enhances Parental Participation
      1. Builds shared responsibility between state and family.
      2. Forms a bridge for conversations on digital behaviour.
    5. Holds Big Tech Accountable
      1. Platforms must prioritise safety over profit algorithms.
      2. Shifts burden from minors to corporations.

    Arguments Criticising the Ban 

    1. May Not Be Technically Feasible: 
      1. Age-verification technologies can be inaccurate or intrusive.
      2. Teens may bypass rules using VPNs, fake IDs, or loopholes.
    2. Restricts Freedom and Digital Expression
      1. Limits creativity, art-sharing, community-building.
      2. Curtails a teen’s right to express identity.
    3. Affects Social Inclusion: Digital communities are key social spaces; absence may create social disconnectedness.
    4. May Push Children to Unregulated Spaces
      1. Alternative apps, gaming communities, or private groups may become more dangerous.
      2. Harder for parents to monitor.

          5.Differential Impact Across Socio-economic Groups: Children with tech-savvy families bypass       easily; others comply strictly; this may lead to inequality in digital exposure.

    Conclusion

    Australia’s social media age-restriction law marks a decisive shift toward child-centric digital governance. By mandating age verification, compelling parental consent, and imposing significant penalties, it challenges Big Tech’s long-standing autonomy. Its global implications lie in redefining platform accountability and inspiring nations to re-examine their youth-safety frameworks. For India, the development provides an important reference point as it balances innovation with child protection in digital spaces.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children.

    This PYQ directly relates to how digital exposure alters children’s socialisation, a core concern behind Australia’s under-16 social media ban. It links the societal impact of early phone use with the need for stronger regulation to protect minors online.

  • [pib] National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

    Why in the News?

    PIB has provided an update regarding the progress of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).

    About National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):

    • Overview: Launched on 15 August 1995, NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development.
    • Objective: To provides financial and food security to individuals living below the poverty line (BPL), fulfilling the Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 41) by supporting the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and families suffering the loss of a breadwinner.
    • Coverage: It operates across rural and urban India, covering over 3.09 crore beneficiaries.
    • Components of NSAP:
      1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Provides ₹200/month to citizens aged 60–79 and ₹500/month to those 80+, with States adding top-up support.
      2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Offers ₹300/month to widows aged 40–79 and ₹500/month for those 80+.
      3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Extends ₹300/month to persons aged 18–79 with severe disabilities; ₹500/month for those 80+.
      4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Grants a one-time ₹20,000 to BPL families on the death of a breadwinner aged 18–59.
      5. Annapurna Scheme: Supplies 10 kg of free food grains/month to senior citizens eligible for IGNOAPS but not receiving pension.

    Implementation and Monitoring Framework:

    • Selection: Eligible beneficiaries identified by Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies.
    • Disbursement: About 94% through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank or post office accounts; cash-at-doorstep allowed in special cases.
    • Monitoring: Each State/UT appoints a Nodal Secretary; quarterly progress reports are mandatory, and failure to submit can lead to withholding of funds.
    • Transparency Measures: Integration with Public Financial Management System (PFMS) ensures real-time tracking, Aadhaar linkage, and prevention of duplication.

    Recent Update (2024–25):

    • NSAP disbursed funds of ₹6,143.92 crore (IGNOAPS), ₹2,150.03 crore (IGNWPS), ₹243.74 crore (IGNDPS), and ₹394.29 crore (NFBS & Annapurna).
    • 2.5 crore+ beneficiaries have Aadhaar-linked accounts ensuring transparent payments.
    • Budget for 2025–26: ₹9,652 crore, with IGNOAPS receiving the largest share (₹6,645.9 crore).
    • Digital Life Certification (DLC) mobile app launched in July 2025, enabling Aadhaar-based verification and reducing manual procedures.
    • The programme continues to serve as a core pillar of India’s social safety net, enhancing welfare delivery and inclusion through digitisation, DBT, and Aadhaar authentication.

  • Can rural education stop youth migration?

    Why in the News

    India stands at a demographic crossroads. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020–21, nearly 29% of India’s population are migrants, with 89% hailing from rural areas. Over half of these migrants are aged 15–25, indicating that the nation’s most productive youth are leaving villages in search of livelihood. This is a turning point in India’s development trajectory, education, once seen as a ladder out of poverty, has lost its power to insulate youth from migration pressures. The mismatch between education and employment, coupled with the pandemic-driven reverse migration, has sparked urgent questions: Can India reimagine rural education and economies to retain its young talent?

    Introduction

    Migration has long shaped India’s economic and social fabric. But what was once seen as a path to progress is now exposing deep cracks in India’s development model. The migration of rural youth to urban centres reflects unmet aspirations, inadequate rural opportunities, and disillusionment with the promise of education.

    The Covid-19 pandemic acted as a brutal reminder, as nearly 40 million workers were forced to return home during the first lockdown. It exposed the vulnerability of India’s informal urban workforce and, simultaneously, revealed the untapped potential of rural revitalization.

    Rethinking the Roots of Migration

    1. Structural Imbalance: Migration is not purely about aspiration; it arises from rural distress and uneven regional development.
    2. Labour Force Data: PLFS data shows rural India continues to be the main supplier of labour, not a site of dignified livelihood.
    3. Educational Mismatch: Graduates are increasingly unemployed, revealing a disconnect between degrees and employable skills.

    Why is Education Failing to Prevent Migration?

    1. Broken Linkage: Education no longer guarantees employment. Youth with degrees often find no dignified jobs in their hometowns.
    2. Graduate Unemployment: India’s expansion of higher education hasn’t translated into job creation, instead, it has produced educated unemployment.
    3. Informal Urban Absorption: About 49% of youth migrants work as daily wage labourers and 39% as industrial workers, mostly on temporary contracts.
    4. Gender Disparity: While 86.8% of women migrate for marriage, most men migrate for work, reflecting limited female labour participation despite mobility.

    Pandemic: A Mirror to Rural Vulnerabilities

    1. Mass Exodus: Nearly 40 million workers returned home in 2020 (RBI, 2020), exposing the fragility of India’s urban informal economy.
    2. Urban Fragility: Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru struggle with slums, pollution, waste, and overcrowding.
    3. Gendered Impact: Young women were more likely to lose jobs and slower to regain them (ILO, 2021), deepening gender inequality.

    Reverse Migration: Stories of Hope and Resilience

    1. Agricultural Revival: Agriculture showed unexpected resilience, with a 39% increase in sown area in 2020 as returning workers revived farmlands.
    2. Success Stories:
      • Balaram Mahadev Bandagale (Raigad, Maharashtra) diversified into mango orchards using irrigation schemes, now earning higher income.
      • Chandrakant Pawar, once a migrant worker, returned to dairy farming and became Sarpanch, a symbol of empowered reverse migration.
    3. These examples highlight the potential of self-reliant rural ecosystems driven by local enterprise and education.

    How Can Rural India Retain Its Youth?

    1. Diversified Rural Employment: Beyond agriculture, India needs to expand into dairy, poultry, food processing, handicrafts, rural logistics, renewable energy, and tourism.
    2. Rural Entrepreneurship: Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Start-Up India, and FPO expansion can empower youth — but need integration and youth-focused redesign.
    3. Digital & Renewable Energy Jobs:
      • Solar panel maintenance, microgrid operations, and biofuel units can create decentralized jobs.
      • Digital infrastructure is essential to bridge divides and enable e-commerce, telemedicine, and remote work.
    4. Agri & Eco-Tourism: Leveraging local ecology and culture can create sustainable livelihoods rooted in community pride.

    Changing the Narrative: Migration as a Choice, Not Compulsion

    1. Breaking Stigma: Returning to villages must not be equated with failure. Reverse migrants should be portrayed as innovators, not dropouts.
    2. Portable Social Protection: Schemes for health, education, and pensions should be location-independent, following the worker wherever they go.
    3. Balanced Urban–Rural Growth: Development must prioritize equitable access to education, digital infrastructure, and markets in rural India.

    Conclusion

    India’s youth migration crisis is not merely about movement, it’s about meaning. It questions what development truly offers and whether education still promises empowerment. The path forward lies in integrating rural education with employable skills, expanding decentralized job ecosystems, and redefining success beyond cities. If India invests in its rural potential, migration will no longer be a story of escape, it will become a story of choice, dignity, and empowerment.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries.

    Linkage: This PYQ directly links with the article’s theme by highlighting how rural distress, weak educational–employment linkages, and uneven regional development push youth towards cities. It reflects the same structural imbalance where urban centres appear as opportunity hubs while villages remain economically stagnant.

  • Not the way Criminalising Adolescent Sex will undermine the aim of the POCSO Act

    Why in the News?

    Recently, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is under scrutiny as the Supreme Court examines whether consensual sex between adolescents aged 16–18 should be decriminalised.

    What are the issues related to criminalising adolescent consent as per SC?

    • Misuse of Law Against Teens: Criminalising consensual sex between 16–18-year-olds leads to misuse of the law, treating teens in mutual relationships as offenders. Courts observed this goes against the protective intent of the POCSO Act.

    • Denial of Autonomy: Adolescents lose the right to make consensual choices, as their consent is legally invalid. Under Section 2(d) of POCSO, all under 18 are considered children, ignoring their autonomy.

    What legal provisions support the criminalisation of adolescent consent?

    • Evolving Capacity of Adolescents: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which India is a signatory, recognises that adolescents have evolving capacities. Eg: International norms suggest that children above 16 may have sufficient maturity to make informed decisions, including about consensual relationships.
    • Madras High Court (Vijayalakshmi vs. State, 2021): The court observed that consensual relationships among adolescents should not be criminalised when the age difference is modest (within 5 years). Eg: A 17-year-old girl and her 19-year-old partner in a consensual relationship were seen as victims of misuse of POCSO.
    • Amicus Curiae Submissions to the Supreme Court (2024): Senior Advocate Indira Jaising suggested reading an exception into the POCSO Act to decriminalise consensual sexbetween adolescents aged 16–18. Eg: She argued that consent between sexually mature adolescents should not be labelled as abuse under law.
    • Law Commission of India Report (2023): While not favouring a change in the age of consent, the Commission recommended “guided judicial discretion” in cases involving 16–18-year-olds in consensual relationships. Eg: Judges may consider the consensual nature while deciding on punishment, avoiding harsh sentences for adolescent partners.

    Note:  Amicus Curiae is a Latin term meaning “friend of the court.” It refers to a person or organization not a party to the case, but who offers relevant information, expertise, or insight to assist the court in making its decision.

    What about the POSCO? 

    ​​POCSO stands for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. It is a comprehensive law enacted by the Indian Parliament to protect children under 18 years from sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography.

    Case Study: 

    • United Kingdom – “Gillick Competence” Doctrine: The UK follows the principle of Gillick competence, where children under 16 can legally consent to medical treatment (including sexual health services) if they are mature enough to understand the consequences. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 criminalises sex under 16, but the law is applied with discretion, especially in mutual consensual relationships between teenagers close in age.
    • Canada – Close-in-Age Exemption: Under Canada’s Criminal Code, the age of consent is 16, but there is a “close-in-age exemption”. Eg: A 14–15-year-old can legally consent to sex with a partner less than 5 years older if the relationship is not exploitative. This balances protection from abuse with recognition of adolescent development and autonomy.

    Way forward: 

    • Legislative Clarity with Close-in-Age Exemption: Amend the POCSO Act to introduce a close-in-age exemption (e.g., age difference ≤5 years) for consensual adolescent relationships between 16–18 years, as suggested by courts like the Madras High Court. This ensures protection from exploitation while avoiding unjust criminalisation.
    • Comprehensive Adolescent Legal Awareness Programs: Launch school-based sensitisation campaigns to educate teenagers on consent, law, rights, and consequences of sexual activity. This promotes informed decision-making and reduces misuse or misunderstanding of the law.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2023] The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society”. Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty.

    Linkage: The debate surrounding the POCSO Act and the age of consent for consensual adolescent relationships directly exemplifies how legal frameworks, and indeed the Constitution, must adapt to the realities of a “progressive society”. The call for exemptions or caveats to the POCSO Act, especially when “normal adolescent behaviour” is criminalized.

  • [19th July 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Indian inequality and the World Bank’s claims 

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2015] Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.

    Linkage: The article highlights that the World Bank’s report, “India Poverty and Equity Brief: April 2025,” claims India has “almost eradicated extreme poverty” and “significantly reduced consumption inequality since 2011-12”. This directly supports the premise in the PYQ about a reduction in poverty levels.

     

    Mentor’s Comment:  The World Bank’s April 2025 report highlights a decline in extreme poverty in India, supported by new HCES datarevealing insights into consumption inequality. The launch of the PMDDKY aims to reform agriculture through district-level planning, despite concerns over falling public investment in agriculture. Emphasis on inclusive participation and localised implementation is crucial for sustainable growth.

    Today’s editorial analyses the World Bank’s report “India Poverty and Equity Brief: April 2025”. This topic is important for GS Paper I (Indian Society) and  GS Paper II (Social Justice) in the UPSC mains exam.

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    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    Recently, the release of the World Bank’s report “India Poverty and Equity Brief: April 2025”, which made significant claims about the reduction in poverty and inequality in India.

    What are the key findings of the World Bank’s April 2025 report on poverty in India?

    • Extreme Poverty Has Nearly Been Eliminated: India has made substantial progress in poverty reduction over the past decade. Eg: About 27 crore people were lifted out of extreme poverty between 2011 and 2023, based on the International Poverty Line of $2.15/day (2017 PPP).
    • Consumption Inequality Has Declined: The gap between the rich and poor in consumption patterns has reduced significantly.  
    • India Among Least Unequal Countries (by Consumption): In terms of consumption distribution, India now ranks among the top four least unequal countries globally. Eg: Both rural and urban households reported increased and more balanced access to milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables, showing better consumption equity.

    How has the HCES data helped understand consumption inequality?

    The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022–23 data has provided deep insights into consumption inequality in India.

    • Decline in Consumption Inequality: HCES showed a reduction in the consumption gap between the richest and the poorest households. Eg: The Gini coefficient for consumption dropped to 28.2 in rural areas and 31.9 in urban areas, indicating more equitable spending.
    • Improved Nutritional Access Across Income Groups: Data showed that low-income households are consuming more nutritious food than before. Eg: Compared to 2011–12, rural poor households now consume more milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables, narrowing the dietary gap.
    • Urban-Rural Gap Has Narrowed: Consumption growth in rural India outpaced urban areas, helping to reduce regional inequality. Eg: The monthly per capita consumption rose by over 164% in rural and 146% in urban households (in nominal terms).
    • Shift Towards Non-Food Expenditure: Rising non-food spending like education, transport, and health among lower-income groups suggests improving quality of life. Eg: In rural areas, non-food items made up 50.3% of total spending, indicating broader access to services.
    • Policy Targeting Becomes Easier: The disaggregated data helps target welfare schemes better at both the state and district level. Eg: States like Odisha and Chhattisgarh, which showed rising consumption among poor households, can now be used as models for nutrition and cash transfer schemes.

    Why is distinguishing between income and consumption inequality important?

    • Households Smooth Consumption Despite Income Fluctuations: People often use savings, credit, or social networks to maintain consumption when incomes fall temporarily. Eg: A daily wage worker in Uttar Pradesh may lose work during the monsoon, but still manages basic consumption (food, rent) by borrowing from local moneylenders or using savings.
    • Public Transfers Reduce Consumption Inequality: Government subsidies and welfare schemes help the poor consume more than their income alone would allow. Eg: A family in Odisha earning low wages may still access subsidised food under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and free school meals, narrowing consumption inequality even if income remains low.
    • Informal Support Influences Consumption: Land, gold, livestock, and informal social support can enhance consumption even when income is unstable. Eg: In Maharashtra, a small farmer with seasonal income can sell stored grain or gold jewellery to fund household expenses during lean months—sustaining consumption better than someone with the same income but no assets.

    What are the steps taken by the government?

    • Expansion of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): The government has expanded cash transfer schemes like PM-KISAN, PM-Garib Kalyan Yojana, and Ujjwala 2.0 to ensure income support and reduce consumption inequality. Eg: As of 2024, over 11 crore farmers received ₹6,000 annually under PM-KISAN through DBT.
    • Strengthening Food Security SystemsThrough the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and One Nation One Ration Card, subsidised food grains are provided to nearly 80 crore beneficiaries, helping smoothen consumption shocks. Eg: NFSA covers 75% of rural and 50% of urban population, ensuring minimum nutrition.
    • Investment in Social Infrastructure and Welfare: Increased spending on education, health, rural housing (PMAY-G), and employment (MGNREGA) to reduce long-term structural inequality. Eg: In FY 2024-25, the budget for MGNREGA was over ₹86,000 crore, supporting rural livelihoods and stabilising consumption during crises.

    Way forward: 

    • Enhance Targeting Through Data-Driven Welfare Delivery: Leverage HCES and SECC data to better identify vulnerable households and customize welfare delivery, especially in nutrition, health, and education. Eg: Use Aadhaar-linked data and digital platforms like PM Gati Shakti to streamline benefit distribution and plug leakages.
    • Promote Employment-Led Growth in Rural and Urban Areas: Focus on labour-intensive sectors like agro-processing, textiles, and construction, while supporting MSMEs and skilling initiatives to boost income equality and domestic consumption. Eg: Scale up schemes like PM Vishwakarma and Skill India Mission to create sustainable livelihoods.

  • SMILE Scheme 

    Why in the News?

    Reasi is set to become J&K’s second district after Srinagar to implement the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme for marginalised individuals’ dignity and livelihood.

    About the SMILE Scheme:

    • Launch: It was launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
    • Type: It is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at the rehabilitation of beggars and empowerment of transgender persons.
    • Core Focus: It promotes rehabilitation, livelihood creation, skill development, and social inclusion for the most marginalised individuals.
    • Approach: It merges earlier schemes for transgender persons and those engaged in begging to provide a cohesive welfare framework.
    • Key Features and Components:
      • Shelter Provision: Uses existing shelter homes run by states/UTs; new homes are set up where needed for secure accommodation.
      • Livelihood and Skilling: Offers education, identity documentation, vocational training, and economic linkages to ensure self-reliance.
      • Target Group Size: The scheme aims to benefit approximately 60,000 marginalised individuals, especially transgender persons and urban beggars.
    • Implementation and Funding:
      • Pilot Launch: The first phase started in 30 cities and later expanded to 50 more cities under Phase 2.
      • Survey Mechanism: Local authorities conduct field surveys, with each unit aiming to rehabilitate at least 25 individuals.
      • Financial Allocation: A total of ₹100 crore was allocated for 2023–26, with ₹14.71 crore spent by December 2024 on rehabilitation efforts.
    [UPSC 2016] ‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to:

    (a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood*

    (b) abolish the Child Labour

    (c) salvage the marshy lands and wetlands in the coastal areas and cultivate crops in them

    (d) rehabilitate the manual scavengers and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood

     

  • [21st May 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Scheme-based workers, the struggle for an identity

     

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2021] Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India.

    Linkage: While the PYQ focuses on empowerment and women within the gig economy, it aligns with the broader theme of identity and status challenges faced by workers in non-traditional/precarious employment structures, a challenge explicitly highlighted for SBWs and then linked to gig workers in the article.

     

    Mentor’s Comment: The central government employs millions of regular and contract workers, including around 60 million in schemes like ICDS, NRHM, and mid-day meals. These workers—such as Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHAs, and mid-day meal staff—support children, mothers, and nutrition. They connect communities with public health and help improve school enrollment and overall health.

    Today’s editorial talks about the problems faced by Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs). This content is useful for GS Paper I (Women’s Issues) and GS Paper II (Social Justice).

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    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    The recent developments surrounding Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs)—particularly Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and MDM workers—have reignited the debate on labour identity, social security, and worker rights in India.

    Who are scheme-based workers (SBWs)?

    •  Workers employed under various government social welfare schemes but not formally recognized as government employees. Around 60 million workers across government schemes. Eg: Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Mid-Day Meal Workers (MDMWs).
    • ICDS (since 1975), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), and Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

     

    What roles do they perform?

    • Childcare and Nutrition Services: SBWs play a vital role in early childhood care by ensuring nutritional support, immunization, and preschool education. Eg: Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) under the ICDS scheme provide nutrition and basic health services to children and lactating mothers.
    • Public Health Outreach: They serve as a crucial link between the public health system and rural communities, improving health awareness and access. Eg: ASHAs under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) assist in maternal care, vaccination drives, and promote institutional deliveries.
    • Educational and Nutritional Support in Schools: They help enhance school enrollment and retention by providing mid-day meals, which also address child malnutrition. Eg: Mid-Day Meal Workers (MDMWs) prepare and distribute meals in schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

    What challenges do SBWs face in gaining formal recognition and benefits?

    • Lack of Worker Status: SBWs are often classified as “volunteers” or “honorary workers” rather than formal employees, denying them recognition as government workers. Eg: The Supreme Court in State of Karnataka vs Ameerbi (2006) ruled that Anganwadi workers are not state employees as they don’t hold statutory posts.
    • Absence of Minimum Wages: Most SBWs receive honorariums instead of wages, which are far below minimum wage standards. Eg: Anganwadi workers and helpers across states earn as low as ₹4,500–₹9,000 per month, without alignment to state minimum wage norms.
    • No Social Security Benefits: SBWs are denied access to pensions, provident fund, maternity benefits, and health insurance. Eg: Despite working in public health, ASHAs are not covered under schemes like EPFO or ESI.
    • Policy Delay and Avoidance: Governments often cite financial burden or the need for long-term planning to delay regularisation. Eg: In 2016, the Labour Minister told Parliament that there’s no fixed timeline to implement ILC recommendations for SBWs.
    • Suppression of Collective Action: SBWs’ strikes are often met with state repression or legal barriers. Eg: Maharashtra invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in 2017 to curb Anganwadi workers’ right to strike.

    Why is the government reluctant to regularise SBWs?

    • Financial Burden: Regularising SBWs would significantly increase the government’s salary and welfare expenditure, making it fiscally unsustainable. Eg: The central government employs over 60 lakh SBWs, and converting them to regular employees would involve massive budgetary allocations for wages and benefits.
    • Policy Ambiguity: Successive governments delay decisions by citing the need for long-term policy formulation without committing to a timeline. Eg: In 2016, the Labour Minister told the Rajya Sabha that implementing Indian Labour Conference (ILC) recommendations requires indefinite planning.
    • Privatisation Push: The government aims to reduce its role in welfare delivery by promoting public-private partnerships, weakening the case for regularisation. Eg: There have been attempts to privatise the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), directly affecting the employment security of Anganwadi workers.

    How have trade unions and courts supported SBWs’ demands?

    • Union Mobilisation: Major trade unions have organised SBWs to demand minimum wages, worker status, and social security through strikes and negotiations. Eg: In March 2025, Anganwadi workers in Kerala ended a 13-day indefinite strike organised by unions like AITUC, BMS, and CITU demanding regularisation and fair pay.
    • Judicial Recognition: Courts have gradually recognised some labour rights of SBWs, even when earlier rulings were unfavourable. Eg: In Maniben Maganbhai Bhariya vs District Development Officer (2022), the Supreme Court ruled that Anganwadi workers are eligible for gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act.

     

    What are the policy implications of granting SBWs formal employee status?

    • Fiscal Burden: Recognising SBWs as formal employees would significantly increase the government’s expenditure on salaries, pensions, and social security. Eg: The central government is concerned about cost implications due to the growing number of SBWs (nearly 6 million), especially as population-linked schemes expand.
    • Policy Reorientation: Granting formal status would require new frameworks for recruitment, training, service conditions, and grievance redressal. Eg: The Gujarat High Court in 2024 directed the State and Centre to create a joint policy to regularise Anganwadi workers as Class III and IV employees.
    • Precedent for Other Informal Workers: Regularising SBWs could set a precedent for other informal or gig workers demanding similar recognition and protections. Eg: Like SBWs, gig workers (e.g., delivery partners) are also fighting for worker status and social security rights in courts and labour forums.

    Way forward: 

    • Enact Clear Policies: Governments should promptly create and implement policies to grant SBWs formal worker status with fair wages and social security benefits.
    • Strengthen Monitoring: Improve enforcement by regional bodies to ensure timely wage revisions, labour rights protection, and prevent exploitation of SBWs.

  • India’s shame — the trap of bonded labour 

    Why in the News?

    On May 1, as people around the world celebrate Labour Day to respect workers and their rights, the lives of millions of bonded labourers in India show a sad and harsh reality.

    What are the key factors contributing to bonded labour in India?

    • Economic Vulnerability: Poor financial conditions force individuals to take loans or advances from employers or agents, trapping them in bonded labour. Eg: A family in Andhra Pradesh takes an advance of ₹2,000 to work at a brick kiln, leading them into a cycle of forced labour.
    • Social Discrimination and Exclusion: Marginalized communities, including lower-caste and ethnic minorities, are more likely to be exploited and trapped in bonded labour due to societal inequalities. Eg: A tribal family from Madhya Pradesh faces exploitation in a sugarcane farm in Karnataka, where they are denied fair wages and basic rights.
    • Lack of Education and Awareness: Illiteracy and lack of access to information prevent workers from understanding their rights, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Eg: Migrant workers in India often unknowingly agree to exploitative terms, not realizing they have legal protections, as seen with many labourers working in informal sectors without contracts.

    Why has the government’s target of eradicating bonded labour by 2030 been deemed overly optimistic?

    • Low Rescue and Rehabilitation Rates: Despite a target of freeing 1.84 crore bonded labourers, only 12,760 were rescued between 2016 and 2021. Eg: To meet the 2030 goal, around 11 lakh people must be rescued every year since 2021, but actual rescues remain far below this mark.
    • Lack of Effective Implementation: Government plans and policies exist on paper, but enforcement at the ground level is weak due to administrative apathy and corruption. Eg: Mukesh Adivasi was trafficked and brutalised despite bonded labour being abolished in 1975, showing poor implementation.
    • Underestimation of the Scale and Complexity: The issue of bonded and forced labour is deeply rooted in economic, social, and cultural structures, making it hard to resolve with short-term policies. Eg: Millions of unorganised migrant workers face bonded-like conditions across industries, beyond the government’s current rescue capacity.

    How does the lack of unionisation among unorganised workers affect their conditions and bargaining power?

    • No Collective Bargaining Power: Without unions, unorganised workers cannot negotiate better wages, safety standards, or working hours. Eg: Migrant workers like Mukesh were forced to work 14–16 hours daily without fair compensation or the right to protest.
    • Increased Vulnerability to Exploitation: The absence of union support leaves workers exposed to abuse, wage theft, and arbitrary dismissal. Eg: Thenmozhi’s family faced verbal abuse, beatings, and confinement in a brick kiln with no platform to seek redress.
    • Lack of Legal Awareness and Representation: Unorganised workers often remain unaware of their rights and have no representation to access justice or government schemes. Eg: Many bonded labourers accept exploitative terms due to illiteracy and isolation, with no union to guide or support them.

    What was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contribution to workers’ rights?

    • Advocated for Legal Recognition of Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining: Dr. Ambedkar strongly supported the formation of trade unions and the workers’ right to strike, believing these were essential for industrial democracy. Eg: As Labour Member in the Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942–46), he introduced laws ensuring trade union recognition and promoted fair negotiations between workers and employers.
    • Pioneered Labour Welfare Legislation: He played a key role in framing foundational labour laws related to working hours, minimum wages, and social security. Eg: The Indian Factories Act, 1948, limiting work hours and ensuring basic worker protections, reflected Ambedkar’s vision for humane working conditions.

    How have recent Labour Codes undermined his legacy?

    • Weakened Collective Bargaining Rights: The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, imposes stricter conditions for strikes and allows employers to hire contract workers more freely, diluting workers’ ability to unionise and negotiate. Eg: A strike now requires a 60-day notice in all sectors, undermining spontaneous worker movements.
    • Erosion of Job Security: The new codes ease the norms for hiring and firing workers in establishments with up to 300 employees, without government approval, reducing job stability. Eg: Earlier, firms with over 100 workers needed government permission for retrenchment; this threshold has now tripled.
    • Dilution of Social Security Coverage: The Social Security Code, 2020, merges multiple welfare laws but leaves vast sections of informal workers outside its effective coverage due to unclear implementation mechanisms. Eg: Gig and platform workers are included in name, but lack defined contributions and benefits, weakening the universal welfare vision Ambedkar championed.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Enforcement and Rehabilitation: Ensure strict implementation of anti-bonded labour laws with timely rescue, rehabilitation, and compensation for victims.
    • Empower Workers through Unionisation and Awareness: Promote unionisation among informal workers and spread legal awareness to build collective bargaining power and prevent exploitation.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2018] Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons.

    Linkage: Bonded labour is a manifestation of extreme poverty and the failure of poverty alleviation programmes to reach the most vulnerable, forcing them into debt bondage.

  • Making primary health visible, offering accessible and affordable health care

    Why in the News?

    Public health has evolved with the growing economy and modern lifestyles. Key challenges include antimicrobial resistance, chronic diseases, zoonotic diseases, and mental health, with NCDs making up 60% of global deaths.

    What are the key modern public health challenges faced globally, and how do they impact India?

    • Rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): NCDs like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer account for over 60% of global deaths and are projected to rise by 17% in the next decade. India faces a dual burden of NCDs and infectious diseases. Eg: As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), over 20% of Indian adults suffer from high blood pressure.
    • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock has led to drug-resistant infections, making common illnesses harder to treat. India is one of the largest consumers of antibiotics, and AMR increases mortality rates and healthcare costs. Eg: A 2019 ICMR report showed a rise in resistance to last-resort antibiotics like colistin in Indian hospitals.
    • Mental Health Crisis: Stress, urbanization, and socio-economic pressures are driving a rise in mental health illnesses, yet policymakers and health systems continue to under-address them. India has a high treatment gap — about 80% of people with mental illness do not receive treatment due to stigma and lack of resources. Eg: WHO estimates that India loses nearly $1 trillion in productivity annually due to mental health issues.

    How does the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme aim to strengthen India’s public health system?

    • Financial Protection through PM-JAY: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offers ₹5 lakh health insurance coverage per family per year to poor and vulnerable populations. It reduces the financial burden of hospitalization and protects against catastrophic health expenditure. Eg: A BPL family needing heart surgery under PM-JAY can avail treatment in empanelled hospitals without paying out-of-pocket.
    • Strengthening Primary Healthcare via Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): These upgraded Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) provide comprehensive care, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services, close to communities. Eg: A rural health centre now screens for diabetes, mental health, and cancers under the AAM model, increasing early detection and timely treatment.
    • Infrastructure Development through PM-ABHIM: The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) improves health system preparedness by investing in labs, critical care units, and public health surveillance systems. Eg: District hospitals are being upgraded with ICU beds and disease monitoring labs under PM-ABHIM, boosting emergency response and pandemic readiness.

    What are the reasons behind the lack of trust in India’s public health system?

    • Poor User Experience and Service Quality: Long wait times, overcrowding, and inadequate attention from healthcare staff often lead to patient dissatisfaction and erode trust in public facilities. Eg: Patients at many government hospitals report delays in receiving treatment due to staff shortages and administrative inefficiencies.
    • Inconsistent Infrastructure and Cleanliness: Lack of clean facilities, essential medicines, and functional equipment in some centers diminishes public confidence in receiving quality care. Eg: A 2022 Health Ministry survey found that several PHCs in remote areas lacked basic amenities like running water and power backup.
    • Stigma and Miscommunication in Care Delivery: Lack of sensitivity among staff, especially in mental health and maternal care, coupled with poor communication, creates a sense of neglect or discrimination. Eg: Many rural women avoid public health centers for childbirth due to past experiences of rude treatment or neglect by staff.

    How does the quality and accessibility of private healthcare in India compare to the public sector?

    • Better Infrastructure and Perceived Quality in Private Sector: Private hospitals often offer cleaner facilities, modern equipment, and shorter wait times, making them the preferred choice for many. Eg: Urban patients may choose a private multispecialty hospital over a government facility due to advanced diagnostic tools and faster service.
    • Higher Costs and Risk of Catastrophic Expenditure: While private healthcare ensures timely treatment, it comes at a high cost, which can push middle- and low-income families into debt. Eg: A cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy in a private hospital may face bills in lakhs, unlike subsidized or free treatment in public hospitals under schemes like PM-JAY.
    • Limited Accessibility for Rural and Poor Populations: Private hospitals are concentrated in urban areas and are often unaffordable for rural or economically weaker sections, widening the healthcare gap. Eg: A villager may have to travel over 50 km to access private healthcare, while a nearby government PHC is under-equipped or understaffed.

    What is the role of National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) in enhancing public health services in India?

    • Improves Service Delivery and Patient Care: NQAS ensures that healthcare facilities follow standardized procedures, improving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care provided. Eg: A district hospital certified under NQAS follows set protocols for infection control and patient safety, reducing the chances of hospital-acquired infections.
    • Builds Accountability and Performance Monitoring: Facilities are regularly assessed on key quality indicators, encouraging a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Eg: A Primary Health Centre (PHC) striving for NQAS certification upgrades its infrastructure and staff training to meet quality benchmarks.
    • Enhances Public Trust in Government Facilities: By aligning public health facilities with global standards like ISQua, NQAS boosts confidence among patients to seek care from government institutions. Eg: An NQAS-certified Community Health Centre (CHC) attracts more patients due to its improved cleanliness, better staff behaviour, and reliable service delivery.

    Way forward: 

    • Invest in Quality and Infrastructure: Strengthen public health facilities with adequate staff, modern equipment, and essential supplies to ensure reliable, high-quality care across rural and urban areas.
    • Promote Awareness and Trust: Launch community-based health education campaigns and feedback mechanisms to reduce stigma, improve service perception, and increase public trust in government healthcare systems.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2021] “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.

    Linkage: The importance of a strong primary health structure, which is fundamental to making healthcare accessible and achieving broader development goals.