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Subject: Inclusive Growth

  • Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges

  • What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth.

  • The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them?

    India’s life expectancy has increased to 72.4 years (2025) due to better healthcare and nutrition. However, an ageing population brings new epidemiological, economic and social health challenges.

    Newer Health Challenges Emerging from Higher Life Expectancy

    Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – Higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, dementia cause over 65% of total deaths in India.

    Geriatric Health Issues

    Increase in frailty, vision/hearing loss, arthritis.

    Growing burden of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

    Multi-morbidity – Elderly increasingly suffer from multiple chronic conditions, requiring continuous care.

    Mental Health Challenges

    Rising cases of depression, loneliness, anxiety.

    Lack of community-based mental health services.

    Treatment of chronic and age-related conditions increases out-of-pocket expenditure.

    Weak Elderly Care Infrastructure – Limited geriatric wards, rehabilitation centres, home-care services and trained geriatric nurses.

    Feminization of aging – women face greater economic insecurity, inadequate pensions, elder abuse, and social isolation.

    Steps Needed to Address These Challenges

    Strengthen Geriatric Healthcare – Establish geriatric wards in district hospitals and train geriatric specialists

    Community-Based Care

    Promote home healthcare and caregiver support services.

    Incentivise care economy (eldercare workers, physiotherapists).

    National NCD Prevention Strategy

    Screen population for hypertension, diabetes, cancers through HWCs.

    Promote lifestyle interventions: yoga, diet counselling, tobacco control.

    Strengthen Mental Health Services

    Expand Tele-MANAS, district mental health programmes.

    Senior citizen counselling and social engagement platforms.

    Social Protection – Expand pension coverage by strengthening PM-SYM.

    Promote Active and Healthy Ageing through Fit India Movement.

    Data and Technology Integration – Use telemedicine, remote monitoring, and AI-based early diagnosis.

    A forward-looking strategy that integrates healthcare, community support, and the silver economy will ensure that longer lives translate into healthier, dignified, and economically meaningful lives.

  • Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth?

    The Human Development Index (HDI), introduced by UNDP in 1990, measures a country’s progress in terms of health, education, and income. The Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), introduced in 2010, refines HDI by factoring in inequality of distribution of these achievements.

    India’s Human Development Performance

    Human Development Index (HDI)

    Rank improved from out of 193 countries.

    Since 1990, HDI improved by 53%, outpacing global and South Asian averages.

    Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)

    India suffers a 30.7% loss due to inequality.

    Poorest 40% hold only 20.2% of income, while the richest 10% hold 25.5%.

    Why IHDI is a Better Indicator of Inclusive Growth

    Accounts for Inequality – Unlike HDI, IHDI reduces scores based on income, education, and health disparities, showing the real distribution of gains.

    Closer to Ground Reality – Reflects what people actually experience, not just national averages. For India, 30.7% loss of human development due to inequality.

    Reveals Hidden Gaps – Exposes divides across region, caste, class, and gender that HDI alone masks. Eg- gender gap in Labour Force Participation Rate

    Guides Policy Better – Eg- targeted schemes like PM Poshan Abhiyan or Eklavya Model Schools

    Captures Inter-generational Equity – By highlighting disparities, it stresses need for equal opportunities for long-term human development.

    Comparative Value – Countries with similar HDI can differ widely in IHDI, revealing which societies are more inclusive.

    Supports SDGs – Aligns with SDG 10 (Reduce Inequality) and SDG 1 (No Poverty) by showing inequality-adjusted outcomes.

    As Amartya Sen observed, “Development is about expanding freedoms.” HDI shows progress, but IHDI shows whether that progress is fairly shared.

    Government Budgeting