Notes: Migration | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Migration:  
 
Definition: 
Migration is a livelihood strategy and a means to cope with distress arising from drought, flood 
and lack of employment opportunities locally. 
It is a change of place of residence for a comparatively long period. 
Migration is Voluntary, whereas, displacement is Forceful, Permanent.  
Migration is a livelihood strategy. 
 
4 Main streams of Migrating: 
- Rural – urban (most important, only this will be discussed) 
- Rural – rural 
- Urban – urban 
- Urban – rural 
 
Different types: 
- Translocatory : to settle down 
- Circulatory : migrate repeatedly and for varying duration. 
- Step Migration : Migrate in graded steps from small to large settlements. 
 
Why Migrate: Reasons of Migration: 
Ashish Bose explained it from demographic perspective. 
- Push factors:   
o Economic 
o Natural 
o Social  -> Caste based disabilities, etc. 
o Political -> Riots, conflicts 
o Lack of resources , unemployment , overpopulation , droughts , floods etc. 
 
- Pull Factors: 
o Better employment opportunities elsewhere 
o Better Education facilities elsewhere 
o Better trade opportunities elsewhere, etc. 
Page 2


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Migration:  
 
Definition: 
Migration is a livelihood strategy and a means to cope with distress arising from drought, flood 
and lack of employment opportunities locally. 
It is a change of place of residence for a comparatively long period. 
Migration is Voluntary, whereas, displacement is Forceful, Permanent.  
Migration is a livelihood strategy. 
 
4 Main streams of Migrating: 
- Rural – urban (most important, only this will be discussed) 
- Rural – rural 
- Urban – urban 
- Urban – rural 
 
Different types: 
- Translocatory : to settle down 
- Circulatory : migrate repeatedly and for varying duration. 
- Step Migration : Migrate in graded steps from small to large settlements. 
 
Why Migrate: Reasons of Migration: 
Ashish Bose explained it from demographic perspective. 
- Push factors:   
o Economic 
o Natural 
o Social  -> Caste based disabilities, etc. 
o Political -> Riots, conflicts 
o Lack of resources , unemployment , overpopulation , droughts , floods etc. 
 
- Pull Factors: 
o Better employment opportunities elsewhere 
o Better Education facilities elsewhere 
o Better trade opportunities elsewhere, etc. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
o A means to more freedom. 
 
- Socio–Economic factors: 
o Small landholdings 
o Depressed economic conditions 
o Poverty 
o Failed LRs 
o Regional disparities 
o Failure of poverty alleviation schemes 
o Virilocal/Patrilocal pattern of residence -> Girls migrate to husband’s home  
 
Impact/Consequences: 
- Family:   
o Functionally joint family arrived 
o I.P. Desai: Traditional joint families are replaced by functionally joint family. 
 
- Caste:   
o Diminished caste  identity 
o Weak caste solidarity and caste panchayats . 
o Andre Beteille: Class ties are much more important than caste ties 
 
- Women: 
o Status improved 
o Divorce more 
o Remarriage 
o Increase in marriage age 
o Karuna Ahmed: Still women cluster in low status occupation. 
 
- Mobility:  
o Increased 
o Ashish Nandy: Urbanization has supported caste mobility 
 
- Ethnic Minority:  
o Increased 
o Society becoming multi–ethnic 
 
Problems caused by migration: 
- Pollution 
- Crowding 
- Corruption 
- Unemployment 
- Crime 
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Migration:  
 
Definition: 
Migration is a livelihood strategy and a means to cope with distress arising from drought, flood 
and lack of employment opportunities locally. 
It is a change of place of residence for a comparatively long period. 
Migration is Voluntary, whereas, displacement is Forceful, Permanent.  
Migration is a livelihood strategy. 
 
4 Main streams of Migrating: 
- Rural – urban (most important, only this will be discussed) 
- Rural – rural 
- Urban – urban 
- Urban – rural 
 
Different types: 
- Translocatory : to settle down 
- Circulatory : migrate repeatedly and for varying duration. 
- Step Migration : Migrate in graded steps from small to large settlements. 
 
Why Migrate: Reasons of Migration: 
Ashish Bose explained it from demographic perspective. 
- Push factors:   
o Economic 
o Natural 
o Social  -> Caste based disabilities, etc. 
o Political -> Riots, conflicts 
o Lack of resources , unemployment , overpopulation , droughts , floods etc. 
 
- Pull Factors: 
o Better employment opportunities elsewhere 
o Better Education facilities elsewhere 
o Better trade opportunities elsewhere, etc. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
o A means to more freedom. 
 
- Socio–Economic factors: 
o Small landholdings 
o Depressed economic conditions 
o Poverty 
o Failed LRs 
o Regional disparities 
o Failure of poverty alleviation schemes 
o Virilocal/Patrilocal pattern of residence -> Girls migrate to husband’s home  
 
Impact/Consequences: 
- Family:   
o Functionally joint family arrived 
o I.P. Desai: Traditional joint families are replaced by functionally joint family. 
 
- Caste:   
o Diminished caste  identity 
o Weak caste solidarity and caste panchayats . 
o Andre Beteille: Class ties are much more important than caste ties 
 
- Women: 
o Status improved 
o Divorce more 
o Remarriage 
o Increase in marriage age 
o Karuna Ahmed: Still women cluster in low status occupation. 
 
- Mobility:  
o Increased 
o Ashish Nandy: Urbanization has supported caste mobility 
 
- Ethnic Minority:  
o Increased 
o Society becoming multi–ethnic 
 
Problems caused by migration: 
- Pollution 
- Crowding 
- Corruption 
- Unemployment 
- Crime 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
- Juvenile delinquency 
- Slums 
- Drug addiction 
- Alcoholism 
- Begging due to population explosion in urban areas. 
 
Migrants not a homogeneous group. 
Huge variations in: 
- Age 
- Gender 
- Educational level 
- Occupational status 
- Skills 
- Earnings 
- Linguistic and cultural background. 
As a result, different levels of vulnerability and inclusion exist. 
For example: North–Easterners often find it tough in Delhi, whereas Punjabis better fit in.  
Migrants with poor skills and education are hugely vulnerable and suffer from deprivations and 
exploitation in the places they migrate to. 
Solutions: 
- Restructuring of village life (PURA) (Rurbanisation – MS Ghurye)  
- Improve agriculture as a means of livelihood 
- 2
nd
 Generation of Land reforms 
- Taking GR to Eastern India - BGREI 
- MNREGA (Providing employment opportunities)  
- Better infrastructure, electricity, water, education in villages, Bharat Nirman, OFCN 
 
Y. Singh 
In India this process of migration to urban areas is characterized by “over urbanization” where 
there is Migration without Industrialization. 
Migration has increased continuity between rural & urban Areas. 
 
 
  
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Migration:  
 
Definition: 
Migration is a livelihood strategy and a means to cope with distress arising from drought, flood 
and lack of employment opportunities locally. 
It is a change of place of residence for a comparatively long period. 
Migration is Voluntary, whereas, displacement is Forceful, Permanent.  
Migration is a livelihood strategy. 
 
4 Main streams of Migrating: 
- Rural – urban (most important, only this will be discussed) 
- Rural – rural 
- Urban – urban 
- Urban – rural 
 
Different types: 
- Translocatory : to settle down 
- Circulatory : migrate repeatedly and for varying duration. 
- Step Migration : Migrate in graded steps from small to large settlements. 
 
Why Migrate: Reasons of Migration: 
Ashish Bose explained it from demographic perspective. 
- Push factors:   
o Economic 
o Natural 
o Social  -> Caste based disabilities, etc. 
o Political -> Riots, conflicts 
o Lack of resources , unemployment , overpopulation , droughts , floods etc. 
 
- Pull Factors: 
o Better employment opportunities elsewhere 
o Better Education facilities elsewhere 
o Better trade opportunities elsewhere, etc. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
o A means to more freedom. 
 
- Socio–Economic factors: 
o Small landholdings 
o Depressed economic conditions 
o Poverty 
o Failed LRs 
o Regional disparities 
o Failure of poverty alleviation schemes 
o Virilocal/Patrilocal pattern of residence -> Girls migrate to husband’s home  
 
Impact/Consequences: 
- Family:   
o Functionally joint family arrived 
o I.P. Desai: Traditional joint families are replaced by functionally joint family. 
 
- Caste:   
o Diminished caste  identity 
o Weak caste solidarity and caste panchayats . 
o Andre Beteille: Class ties are much more important than caste ties 
 
- Women: 
o Status improved 
o Divorce more 
o Remarriage 
o Increase in marriage age 
o Karuna Ahmed: Still women cluster in low status occupation. 
 
- Mobility:  
o Increased 
o Ashish Nandy: Urbanization has supported caste mobility 
 
- Ethnic Minority:  
o Increased 
o Society becoming multi–ethnic 
 
Problems caused by migration: 
- Pollution 
- Crowding 
- Corruption 
- Unemployment 
- Crime 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
- Juvenile delinquency 
- Slums 
- Drug addiction 
- Alcoholism 
- Begging due to population explosion in urban areas. 
 
Migrants not a homogeneous group. 
Huge variations in: 
- Age 
- Gender 
- Educational level 
- Occupational status 
- Skills 
- Earnings 
- Linguistic and cultural background. 
As a result, different levels of vulnerability and inclusion exist. 
For example: North–Easterners often find it tough in Delhi, whereas Punjabis better fit in.  
Migrants with poor skills and education are hugely vulnerable and suffer from deprivations and 
exploitation in the places they migrate to. 
Solutions: 
- Restructuring of village life (PURA) (Rurbanisation – MS Ghurye)  
- Improve agriculture as a means of livelihood 
- 2
nd
 Generation of Land reforms 
- Taking GR to Eastern India - BGREI 
- MNREGA (Providing employment opportunities)  
- Better infrastructure, electricity, water, education in villages, Bharat Nirman, OFCN 
 
Y. Singh 
In India this process of migration to urban areas is characterized by “over urbanization” where 
there is Migration without Industrialization. 
Migration has increased continuity between rural & urban Areas. 
 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
UNESCO Report: 
U.N. Report -> Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India  
Titled "Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India". 
It highlights that: 
- Internal migrants a neglected segment of population 
- A third of India's population categorised as internal migrant by the census 
- Half of them participate in the workforce 
- Visible everywhere in big and small cities, rural areas 
- Prominently employed in the construction and textile sectors, at brick kilns and salt pans 
- Also in commercial and plantation agriculture 
- Informal sector as vendors, hawkers, rickshaw pullers and daily wage workers, domestic 
workers 
They contribute to the rising GDP of India and send remittances to their families back home, to be 
spent on food, education and healthcare. 
Remittances by internal migrants amount to about Rs 60,000-70, 000 crore. 
But financial inclusion has not spread much among migrants yet — less than 50 per cent of the 
remittances are sent through formal channels. 
States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Uttarakhand are the major recipients of 
internal remittances. 
Social remittances (Urban Culture) - Returning migrants bring a variety of skills, innovation and 
knowledge to their areas of origin. 
In the long run, migration could play a positive role. 
Right policy could benefit both the areas of origin and the areas that receive migrants. 
Migration cannot be stopped. It is a historical process that shapes human civilisation, culture and 
development. 
Article 19 of the Indian Constitution grants citizens the fundamental right to move. 
Urgent need to issue a universally recognised and portable proof of identity. (UIDAI, a right step) 
 
So, imagine it like this:  
- Composition  
- Contribution  
- Financial resistances 
- Social resistances – Urban culture  
- Usage   
- Recognition  
Page 5


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Migration:  
 
Definition: 
Migration is a livelihood strategy and a means to cope with distress arising from drought, flood 
and lack of employment opportunities locally. 
It is a change of place of residence for a comparatively long period. 
Migration is Voluntary, whereas, displacement is Forceful, Permanent.  
Migration is a livelihood strategy. 
 
4 Main streams of Migrating: 
- Rural – urban (most important, only this will be discussed) 
- Rural – rural 
- Urban – urban 
- Urban – rural 
 
Different types: 
- Translocatory : to settle down 
- Circulatory : migrate repeatedly and for varying duration. 
- Step Migration : Migrate in graded steps from small to large settlements. 
 
Why Migrate: Reasons of Migration: 
Ashish Bose explained it from demographic perspective. 
- Push factors:   
o Economic 
o Natural 
o Social  -> Caste based disabilities, etc. 
o Political -> Riots, conflicts 
o Lack of resources , unemployment , overpopulation , droughts , floods etc. 
 
- Pull Factors: 
o Better employment opportunities elsewhere 
o Better Education facilities elsewhere 
o Better trade opportunities elsewhere, etc. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
o A means to more freedom. 
 
- Socio–Economic factors: 
o Small landholdings 
o Depressed economic conditions 
o Poverty 
o Failed LRs 
o Regional disparities 
o Failure of poverty alleviation schemes 
o Virilocal/Patrilocal pattern of residence -> Girls migrate to husband’s home  
 
Impact/Consequences: 
- Family:   
o Functionally joint family arrived 
o I.P. Desai: Traditional joint families are replaced by functionally joint family. 
 
- Caste:   
o Diminished caste  identity 
o Weak caste solidarity and caste panchayats . 
o Andre Beteille: Class ties are much more important than caste ties 
 
- Women: 
o Status improved 
o Divorce more 
o Remarriage 
o Increase in marriage age 
o Karuna Ahmed: Still women cluster in low status occupation. 
 
- Mobility:  
o Increased 
o Ashish Nandy: Urbanization has supported caste mobility 
 
- Ethnic Minority:  
o Increased 
o Society becoming multi–ethnic 
 
Problems caused by migration: 
- Pollution 
- Crowding 
- Corruption 
- Unemployment 
- Crime 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
- Juvenile delinquency 
- Slums 
- Drug addiction 
- Alcoholism 
- Begging due to population explosion in urban areas. 
 
Migrants not a homogeneous group. 
Huge variations in: 
- Age 
- Gender 
- Educational level 
- Occupational status 
- Skills 
- Earnings 
- Linguistic and cultural background. 
As a result, different levels of vulnerability and inclusion exist. 
For example: North–Easterners often find it tough in Delhi, whereas Punjabis better fit in.  
Migrants with poor skills and education are hugely vulnerable and suffer from deprivations and 
exploitation in the places they migrate to. 
Solutions: 
- Restructuring of village life (PURA) (Rurbanisation – MS Ghurye)  
- Improve agriculture as a means of livelihood 
- 2
nd
 Generation of Land reforms 
- Taking GR to Eastern India - BGREI 
- MNREGA (Providing employment opportunities)  
- Better infrastructure, electricity, water, education in villages, Bharat Nirman, OFCN 
 
Y. Singh 
In India this process of migration to urban areas is characterized by “over urbanization” where 
there is Migration without Industrialization. 
Migration has increased continuity between rural & urban Areas. 
 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
UNESCO Report: 
U.N. Report -> Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India  
Titled "Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India". 
It highlights that: 
- Internal migrants a neglected segment of population 
- A third of India's population categorised as internal migrant by the census 
- Half of them participate in the workforce 
- Visible everywhere in big and small cities, rural areas 
- Prominently employed in the construction and textile sectors, at brick kilns and salt pans 
- Also in commercial and plantation agriculture 
- Informal sector as vendors, hawkers, rickshaw pullers and daily wage workers, domestic 
workers 
They contribute to the rising GDP of India and send remittances to their families back home, to be 
spent on food, education and healthcare. 
Remittances by internal migrants amount to about Rs 60,000-70, 000 crore. 
But financial inclusion has not spread much among migrants yet — less than 50 per cent of the 
remittances are sent through formal channels. 
States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Uttarakhand are the major recipients of 
internal remittances. 
Social remittances (Urban Culture) - Returning migrants bring a variety of skills, innovation and 
knowledge to their areas of origin. 
In the long run, migration could play a positive role. 
Right policy could benefit both the areas of origin and the areas that receive migrants. 
Migration cannot be stopped. It is a historical process that shapes human civilisation, culture and 
development. 
Article 19 of the Indian Constitution grants citizens the fundamental right to move. 
Urgent need to issue a universally recognised and portable proof of identity. (UIDAI, a right step) 
 
So, imagine it like this:  
- Composition  
- Contribution  
- Financial resistances 
- Social resistances – Urban culture  
- Usage   
- Recognition  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
 
National Sample Survey (NSS) 
- Internal Migrants are deprived of Political (voting) & Economic rights (Access to schemes). 
- About 15 million seasonal and temporary migrants. 
- Not able to exercise their political and economic rights because rights and entitlements 
are place bound.  
- Lacking residential and identity proofs, barred from exercising their voting rights.  
- Excluded from the PDS and other government programmes. 
 
Imagining from a migrant woman’s angle 
- Vulnerable to sexual harassment (Domestic helps)  
- Most women migrate along with their family members, many also move independently.  
- Their statistical database is extremely poor.  
- Usually marriage as a reason for these migrations.  
- Such women do work before and after migration.  
- Migrant women vulnerable to sexual harassment and trafficking.  
- Urgent need to ensure safe migration for women workers particularly those joining 
the domestic workforce. 
 
Imagining from a migrant child’s angle 
- Affects regular and continued schooling 
- Hampers Socialising 
- Development of sub-cultural tendencies, leading to deviance 
- These children could be kept in the source regional-seasonal hostels.  
- Another option - set up work-site schools. 
 
 
Problem of Urbanisation for Migrants-  
- Urbanisation inevitable. Shelter an important issue for the migrant and homeless 
population. 
- Migration issues should be factored into city development plans - JNNURM & RAY.  
- Night shelters as well as working women's and men's hostels could be incorporated in city 
development plans. 
 
Problem of Labour Issues -  
- The Inter-state Migrant Workmen Regulation Act, 1979 deals with contractor-led 
movement of inter-state migrant labour, is not enforced.