1. Unlocking India's Demographic Dividend: Opportunities and Challenges for Economic Growth
Introduction
India’s demographic structure presents a unique opportunity for economic growth as it emerges as the world’s fastest-growing large economy and the fifth largest in the world. With a median age of 28 and 63% of the population in the working age group, the potential to harness the demographic dividend is immense. However, challenges such as low labour force participation, outdated labour laws, and skill gaps persist, hindering optimal utilization of this advantage.
- Demographic Dividend:
- Working-age population: 63% of India’s population is working age, offering a large labour pool.
- Labour force participation: Stood at 2% in 2022 (ILO report), showing a declining trend. Labour-intensive growth, especially in the manufacturing sector, is needed to counterbalance jobless growth.
- Challenges to Leveraging Demographic Advantage:
- Jobless Growth: Services sector-led growth is contributing to jobless growth, while the manufacturing sector remains weak.
- Compliance Burdens and Outdated Labour Laws: SMEs, the backbone of employment, face regulatory challenges that stifle growth and employment opportunities.
- Low Productivity in Unorganised Sectors: About 19% of the workforce is engaged in the unorganised and non-agricultural sectors, suffering from low productivity.
- Need for Continuous Reforms:
- Ongoing Reforms: There is a need to accelerate economic reforms, as highlighted in Budget 2023-24. Steps have been taken to improve ease of doing business, but state-level production and industrial policies remain a bottleneck.
- Focus on High-Growth Potential Sectors: Labour-intensive sectors like toys, apparel, tourism, and logistics should be targeted to generate more employment opportunities.
- Skilling and Technological Advancements: Skilling is essential, with only 4% of the workforce in the 15-29 age group being formally skilled, as per the Economic Survey. Lifelong learning and public-private partnerships in skilling initiatives are crucial for India’s sustained growth.
- Impact of AI/ML:
- Opportunities and Challenges: While AI/ML will automate repetitive tasks, there will be continued demand for human oversight and intervention in skilled areas.
- Global Talent Gap: With AI/ML projected to grow into a $826.73 billion market by 2030, India must bridge the talent gap, currently at 51%.
Conclusion:
India’s demographic advantage offers a significant opportunity for economic growth, but this can only be fully realized with the right policy measures. These include addressing skill gaps, reforming outdated labour laws, improving productivity in key sectors, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI/ML. The country is in a sweet spot, but proactive steps must be taken to turn the demographic dividend into sustained economic progress.
Mains Practice Question
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India’s demographic advantage is often hailed as a key driver of its future economic growth. Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with harnessing this demographic dividend. Suggest policy measures to ensure that this potential is realized for sustainable growth. (250 words)
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2. Reevaluating the Death Penalty in India: Challenges and the Path Forward
Introduction
The death penalty in India continues to be a contentious issue, with periodic legislative and societal responses reigniting debates. The West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2024, and the overall increase in offenses punishable by death reflect a continued commitment to capital punishment, especially for heinous crimes. Yet, there remains a significant global push towards the abolition of the death penalty, raising questions about its effectiveness and ethical standing in the Indian context.
- Legislative Developments:
- The West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2024 was introduced in response to a brutal murder, aligning with laws such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Suraksha Sanhita, and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
- The Bill seeks to expand the scope of crimes punishable by death from 12 to 18 offenses.
- Recent cases have prompted states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh to use the death penalty for rape, murder, and sexual crimes, underscoring the severity of such acts.
- Global Context of the Death Penalty:
- 112 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while 53 countries retain it.
- In South Asia, countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan still practice the death penalty, with India being a retentionist nation.
- The Project 39A report in 2023 indicated that 165 people were under the death sentence in India, with the number of death sentences remaining constant despite global trends towards abolition.
- Social and Cultural Responses:
- Cultural narratives in India often justify the death penalty through societal values linked to honor, revenge, and justice, which is reflected in judicial and public discourse.
- The notion of punishing crimes such as rape or sexual violence against women and children has often been framed as a deterrent, though it marginalizes communities and tends to reinforce patriarchal notions.
- The framing of certain accused as “othering” or different from mainstream society reinforces the demand for harsher penalties.
- Challenges to Fair Justice:
- Death penalty decisions often lack consistency and transparency, with socio-economic and regional disparities influencing outcomes.
- Judicial processes may be affected by populist demands, leading to an emphasis on retributive justice rather than a reformative approach.
- Calls for reform suggest that India needs to align its practices with international human rights standards, focusing on rehabilitation and alternative forms of punishment.
Conclusion:
The death penalty remains a divisive issue in India, with strong societal and legal backing in certain cases, especially concerning heinous crimes. However, growing international opposition and evidence of its limited deterrence value call for a critical reassessment. As India continues to evolve its legal framework, balancing justice, human rights, and societal expectations remains essential for addressing the complex issues surrounding capital punishment.
Mains Practice Question
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The death penalty remains a contentious issue in India, especially in light of global trends towards abolition. Critically examine the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent in the Indian legal system and suggest alternatives for achieving justice and societal reform. (250 words)
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