Inclusive Growth and Social Sector Initiatives
Inclusive Growth and Social Sector Initiatives
What is Inclusive Growth?
Inclusive growth refers to economic growth that benefits all sections of society, especially the marginalised, poor, and disadvantaged groups. It ensures that economic opportunities and benefits are equitably distributed, reducing inequalities in income, access, and social indicators.
Pillars of Inclusive Growth
1. Poverty Reduction
- Growth should lift people out of poverty, not just enrich the already wealthy.
2. Employment Generation
- Growth must create productive and decent jobs in all sectors.
3. Access to Education and Healthcare
- Universal access to quality education and healthcare ensures equal opportunities.
4. Financial Inclusion
- Bringing the unbanked population into the formal financial system.
- Example: PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – Bank accounts for every household.
5. Gender Equity
- Promoting women’s participation in economic activities and decision-making.
- Example: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign.
6. Social Security Nets
- Ensuring minimum income and social protection for vulnerable populations.
- Example: MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment.
Key Social Sector Initiatives in India
1. Health
- Ayushman Bharat – World’s largest health insurance scheme.
- POSHAN Abhiyaan – Comprehensive nutrition program for mothers and children.
- National Health Mission – Strengthening primary healthcare.
2. Education
- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan – Integrated scheme for school education (pre-primary to higher secondary).
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme – Provides nutritious meals in schools.
- Skill India Mission – Enhancing employability through vocational training.
3. Rural Development
- PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) – Affordable housing for rural poor.
- PM Gram Sadak Yojana – All-weather roads to villages.
- NRLM (National Rural Livelihoods Mission) – Promotes self-help groups (SHGs) and rural entrepreneurship.
4. Financial Inclusion and Livelihoods
- PM Jan Dhan Yojana – Universal banking access.
- Stand-Up India – Loans for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
- MUDRA Yojana – Collateral-free loans for micro-enterprises.
5. Women and Child Development
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – Promoting girl child survival and education.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana – Maternity benefit scheme.
- Saksham Anganwadi – Strengthening childcare infrastructure.
Challenges to Inclusive Growth
- Regional disparities – Uneven growth across states and regions.
- Urban-rural divide – Poorer access to services in rural areas.
- Informal employment – Majority of workforce in low-wage informal jobs.
- Climate vulnerability – Disasters disproportionately affect the poor.
Statement-based MCQs
MCQ 1
Which of the following are pillars of inclusive growth?
- Poverty reduction
- Employment generation
- Gender equity
Select the correct answer using the code below:
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 2 and 3 only
MCQ 2
Which of the following schemes aims at providing universal health insurance to poor families?
a) PM Jan Dhan Yojana
b) Ayushman Bharat
c) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
d) Skill India Mission
MCQ 3
Consider the following statements about PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):
- It provides zero balance savings accounts.
- It aims to cover every household with basic banking facilities.
- It offers accidental insurance coverage linked to the account.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 1 and 3 only
MCQ 4
Which of the following statements is correct about MGNREGA?
a) It guarantees 200 days of employment to every urban household.
b) It is a skill development scheme for urban youth.
c) It provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households.
d) It offers interest-free loans to self-help groups.
MCQ 5
Which of the following are objectives of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
- Reducing child stunting.
- Promoting financial literacy among rural women.
- Reducing maternal anaemia.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
