Social Sectors of India | RBI Grade B Phase 2 Preparation - Bank Exams PDF Download

Introduction

Sustainable and inclusive economic growth is the foundation for India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. To ensure that this growth translates into meaningful development, it is essential to focus on education, health, social security, and employment opportunities through skilling.

Social Services Expenditure:

• The general government's social services expenditure (SSE) has been increasing since FY17, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from FY21 to FY25 (BE).
• Expenditure on education has grown at a CAGR of 12%, while health expenditure has increased at a CAGR of 18%.

Outcomes:

• Urban-Rural Gap. The monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, decreasing to 70% in 2023-24 from 84% in 2011-12.
• Reduced Inequality. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, has improved in both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, it declined from 0.266 in 2022-23 to 0.237 in 2023-24, and in urban areas, it decreased from 0.314 in 2022-23 to 0.284 in 2023-24.

Education

Key Initiatives:

• New Education Policy (2020):. comprehensive framework aimed at transforming the education system in India.
• NISHTHA:. program for training teachers to enhance their skills and improve the quality of education.
• Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA): An initiative to provide digital resources and training for teachers.
• PM SHRI:. scheme to develop and upgrade schools.
• PM POSHAN:. program to provide nutritious meals to school children.

Early Childhood Care and Education:

• Aadharshila: An initiative for early childhood education.
• Navchetana:. program focused on early childhood development.
• National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation: Guidelines for early childhood care and education.

Progress:

• Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER): Nearly universal at the primary level (93%).
• Decline in School Dropout Rates: Steady reduction in dropout rates across schools.
• Increase in GER for Higher Education: From 23.7% in 2014-15 to 28.4% in 2021-22 for the 18–23 age group.

Bridging the Gap with Digital Technology:

• Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM): An online learning platform.
• e-VIDYA: An initiative for digital learning.
• Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging AI for educational tools and resources.

Healthcare

Key Initiatives:

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY):. health insurance scheme providing coverage for secondary and tertiary care.
• Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Integrating SDGs into local health planning and implementation.
• Jan Aushadhi Scheme: Providing affordable generic medicines through designated outlets.

Disruptive Technology for Seamless and Equitable Healthcare:

• U-WIN:. unique health identification system.
• E-Sanjeevani:. telemedicine initiative providing remote healthcare services.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM):. digital health initiative for health data management and teleconsultation.
• i-DRONE: ICMR’s drone-based initiative for health service delivery in the Northeast.

Progress:

• Increase in Government Health Expenditure: From 29.0% to 48% of total health expenditure.
• Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: Share of out-of-pocket expenditure in total health expenditure has decreased from 62.6% to 39.4%.

Rising Health Challenges:

• Mental Health Issues: Increasing prevalence of mental health disorders among children and adolescents.
• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Proportion of deaths due to NCDs has risen from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.

Rural Infrastructure

Roads:

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): 99.6% of targeted habitations have been provided with road connectivity.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN):. separate initiative under PMGSY to enhance road connectivity in tribal areas.

Housing:

• Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G): 2.69 crore houses have been completed since 2016 under this scheme.

Water Bodies:

• Mission Amrit Sarovar: 68,843 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) have been constructed to enhance water storage and management.

Drinking Water:

• Jal Jeevan Mission: 12.2 crore households have been provided with tap water connections to ensure access to clean drinking water.

Localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDGs localisation is being implemented at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level through:

• Village Panchayat Development Plans: Plans developed under Mission Antyodaya and the Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme (TADP) to align local development with SDGs.
• Social Inclusion and Gender: Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) supported by Gender Point Persons (GPPs) to address local gender issues and promote gender equality.

Enhancing Rural Incomes

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY NRLM)

• Capacity Building: Mobilisation of 10.05 crore rural poor households into 90.90 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Financial Inclusion: Positioning of 1.37 lakh SHG women members as Banking Correspondent Sakhis and providing ₹49,284 crore capitalisation support to SHGs.
• Farm Livelihoods: Establishment of agri-nutri gardens in more than 2.64 crore households and coverage of 4.30 crore Mahila Kisans (women farmers).
• Non-Farm Livelihoods: Implementation of the Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) leading to nearly 3.13 lakh enterprises in 280 blocks across 31 States/UTs.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS):

• Payment System: 99.98% of payments are made through the National Electronic Fund Management System (NEFMS) with wages transferred under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Aadhaar-based payment systems.
• Programme Evolution: MGNREGS has evolved into a durable rural asset creation programme facilitating sustainable livelihood diversification.
• Convergence: MGNREGS has been converged with various initiatives such as Nutri Gardens with NRLM and fodder farms with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) for enhanced impact.

Outlook

Health, Education, and Rural Development are pivotal for achieving India’s growth objectives, underpinned by a 'welfare for all' approach.

Focus on delivery mechanisms and learning outcomes is essential, alongside trust-based regulation and market promotion through transparency and disclosure.