Despite significant economic growth, human development in India has lagged due to factors such as unequal resource distribution, inadequate access to education and healthcare, and persistent social inequalities. This disconnect between economic and human development highlights the need for inclusive policies that prioritize health, education, and social welfare.

Q16. Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India?

Model Answer:

Introduction

The Human Development is defined as the process of enlarging people's freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being. As of the latest data, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries on the HDI, indicating significant room for improvement. As per IMF’s prediction, India will achieve the target of becoming the Third largest economy by 2030. This shows the gap between human and economic development in India.

Body

Several factors contribute to the lag in human development despite economic growth in India:

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• Low Public Spending on Health and Education: India spends around 1.28% of its GDP on health and approximately 3.1% on education, which is significantly lower than many other developing countries. This underinvestment leads to inadequate healthcare facilities and poor quality of education, hampering human development.
• Lack of Quality Education: Despite high enrollment rates, the quality of education remains a concern. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 highlighted that a significant percentage of students in rural areas are unable to read basic texts or perform simple arithmetic, indicating poor learning outcomes.
• Lack of Access to Basic Services: Many regions in India still lack access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and electricity. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), only 70% of households have access to improved sanitation facilities, affecting health and overall well-being.
• Regional Disparities: Economic development is uneven across states. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have better human development indicators compared to states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This disparity is due to differences in governance, infrastructure, and social policies.
• Gender Disparities: Gender inequality remains a significant barrier. The Global Gender Gap Report 2023 ranked India 127th out of 156 countries. Women face challenges in accessing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, which affects overall human development.
• Lack of Social Security: A large portion of the Indian workforce is employed in the informal sector, lacking social security benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and unemployment benefits. This insecurity affects their quality of life and human development.

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Human development is crucial for sustainable economic growth. It ensures a healthy, educated, and skilled workforce, which is essential for productivity and innovation.

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To improve human development in India, the following measures can be taken:

• Increase Public Spending: Allocate more resources to health and education sectors to improve infrastructure and service delivery.
• Enhance Quality of Education: Implement reforms to improve teaching standards, curriculum, and learning outcomes.
• Improve Access to Basic Services: Ensure universal access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity.
• Address Regional and Gender Disparities: Implement targeted policies to uplift underdeveloped regions and promote gender equality.
• Strengthen Social Security: Expand social security coverage to include informal sector workers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while economic growth is essential, it must be accompanied by improvements in human development to ensure inclusive and sustainable progress. By addressing the underlying issues and implementing targeted measures, India can achieve a higher HDI and improve the quality of life for its citizens

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