DEVELOPING HUMAN RESOURCES FOR VIKSIT BHARAT BY 2047

GS-2-Governance

Context:
‘Viksit Bharat’ envisions transforming India into a $30-trillion developed economy by 2047, the 100th year of independence. To realize this goal, it is essential to empower and enhance the capabilities of key groups: youth (Yuva), poor (Garib), women (Mahila), and farmers (Kisan).

Challenges in Attaining Viksit Bharat

1. Education and Skill Development:
   • Current government spending on education stands at over 4% of GDP, yet practical skills and problem-solving remain underemphasized.
   • Limited alignment of educational outcomes with market demands.
2. Health Infrastructure:
   • Public health expenditure is just 2.1% of GDP, insufficient to ensure robust healthcare systems.
3. Demographic Shifts:
   • By 2047, both younger and older working-age groups will each constitute 28% of the population, necessitating policies to balance workforce dynamics.
4. Human Development Deficit:
   • India ranks 134th on the UN Human Development Index (HDI), indicating gaps in health, education, and income parameters.
5. Unemployment:
   • Youth unemployment, although reduced to 18.4% in 2022, still constitutes 82.9% of total unemployment.
   • The recent India Employment Report (2024) highlights unsatisfactory job creation outcomes.
6. Gender Gap:
   • Female labor force participation (32.8% in 2022) is among the lowest globally, significantly lagging behind male participation (77.2%).
7. Sustained Growth Requirement:
   • To achieve a $30-trillion economy, India must maintain an annual growth rate of 8% for the next two decades—a challenging target requiring inclusive and uniform growth.

Measures to Attain Viksit Bharat by 2047

1. Education and Skill Development:
   • Expand investment in skill training to boost employability.
   • Initiatives: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
2. Health and Well-being:
   • Strengthen affordable healthcare infrastructure.
   • Initiatives: Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
3. Combat Malnutrition:
   • Address high rates of stunting, wasting, and anemia among children.
   • Initiatives: Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Poshan Abhiyaan, Anaemia-mukt Bharat, and Mission Indradhanush.
4. Promote Research, Innovation, and Technology Adoption:
   • Invest in research, enhance academia-industry collaborations, and encourage innovation.
   • Initiatives: National Research Foundation by ISRO, Atal Innovation Mission.
5. Bridge the Digital Divide:
   • Digital inclusivity is critical for a data-driven economy.
   • Initiatives: Digital Bus Project in Maharashtra, digital literacy programs.
6. Strengthen Agriculture:
   • Agriculture remains pivotal, engaging 45% of the workforce.
   • Initiatives: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Conclusion:

Achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 demands a focus on five critical policy areas:

1. Job Creation: Encourage industries and entrepreneurship to generate employment.
2. Quality of Employment: Enhance job security, wages, and working conditions.
3. Labor Market Equity: Reduce gender disparities and promote inclusivity.
4. Skill Development: Strengthen active labor market policies to adapt to emerging trends.
5. Knowledge Enhancement: Bridge research gaps in labor markets and youth employment.

With sustained efforts, India can turn its vast human resources into a key driver of development, propelling the nation towards its vision of becoming a $30-trillion economy by 2047.