INDIAN

SOCIETY
UPSC / MPSC MAINS

GENERAL STUDIES - 1
Class Notes
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INDIAN
SOCIETY
UPSC / MPSC MAINS

GENERAL STUDIES - 1
Class Notes
 INDEX
1. SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN SOCIETY 2

2. CASTE SYSTEM 16

3. ROLE OF WOMEN 44

4. POPULATION AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES 63

5. POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUE 86

6. URBANIZATION, THEIR PROBLEMS 107

7. EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION 129

8. COMMUNALISM 155

9. SECULARISM 162

10. REGIONALISM 182

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 SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN SOCIETY
Indian Society – An Introduction
India offers astounding variety in virtually every aspect of social life. Diversities of ethnic, linguistic,
regional, economic, religious, class, and caste groups crosscut Indian society, which is also
permeated with immense urban-rural differences and gender distinctions.
Indian society is a pluralistic society. Full of diversities of language, region, religion, caste and
customs, Indian society is moving towards the modernization. The establishment of democracy in
India that rests on the principles of equality, freedom and universal franchise, changed the
traditionalstructure of Indian society.
Historical Perspective
Indian society is very old, complex, plural and it has a long history. It is composed of different
religious groups, racial groups and groups having cultural differences. In the long span of Indian
history various groups from” different parts of the world entered into India with their own socio-
cultural and racial features. The best example is Indus valley civilization. In the later stage the Indo-
Aryans came and they had interaction with earlier inhabitants of the land. They had their own socio-
cultural pattern of living. They considered themselves as superior. They developed norms and
customs for different social groups with their own category and for the outsiders. That was the
phase when Varna's originated.
Christianity and Islam both influenced Indian social system. Not only both the religious groups
influenced Indian social system but both were influenced by the prevailing social conditions. So,
theyacquired some special characteristics in the Indian setting.
Features of Indian Society
• Multi Ethnic: Waves of migrations from different corners of the world made this country home of
diverse races. India is a mixture of different races. Indian population has all the major races of
theworld.
• Multi Lingual: There is a popular aphorism that depicts India's linguistic diversity rather well:
Kos-kos par badle paani, chaar kos par baani (The language spoken in India changes every few
kilometres, just like the taste of the water).
• Religious Pluralism: India is a multi-cultural and a diverse nation with a flourishing history of
pluralism that has been thriving for thousands of years. Among the many faiths represented
hereare Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• Tribes: A tribe is an Indian group that poses similar features and qualities that makes it different
from other entities. They are tied together by customs, rituals, beliefs, kinship, social rank,
political organization, etc. According to an official report, there are 705 Scheduled tribes in the
country andthey constitute around 6% of the total population of India.
• Dynamic and Syncretic: India as Country had a free hand in assimilation and accommodation
of different cultures, religions (Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs), traditions (Sufi, Bhakti, Vaishnav),
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 different rulers(Mughals, Marathas, British) in the past. India or Indians are the outcome of the
mixtures of these all.
• Unity in Diversity: India has variations in physical qualities, skin colour, castes, creed, cultural
and religious traditions, etc. These differences are viewed upon as varieties that improve the
society and the nation as a whole.
• Caste and Class: Social inequality exists throughout the world, but perhaps nowhere has
inequality been so elaborately constructed as in the Indian institution of caste.In India, there are
different classes present in society. This different class differs based on economic differences.
This difference is based on education, property, business and work-related, etc. According to
famous economist Karl Marx, Man is a class animal.
• Family: Family is of huge importance in society for Indian and it is a dominant institution in the
life of an individual. With the second largest population in the world, and often three or more
generations often found living together under one roof showing just how much of an importance
family life is in the country. This family structure is very well-suited to India's current working
conditions, and often family-run businesses will prefer to hire family members over anybody else
out of preference.
• Marriage: Throughout India, marriages are customarily arranged. Partners are chosen from
within a caste (endogamy), excluding certain categories of very close kin. Strategies both of the
'extension' and of the 'intensification' of kin ties are manifested through marriage alliances.
• Kinship: The system of kinship, that is, the way in which relations between individuals and
groups are organised, occupies a central place in all human societies. kinship continues to be a
basic principle of social organisation and mobilisation. It is a complex phenomenon that both
rigidity and flexibility exist side by side in regard to values and norms related to the kinship
systems.
• Patriarchy: In Indian society, patriarchal ideology is formalized and enforced through laws,
customs, and rituals and is evidenced by power relations within households. For example, the
majority of households within India are headed by a male, with only 15% of the total number of
households in India having a female head of household.
• Rural and Agrarian: Almost 65 % of the population of the country reside in the villages. They
aresolely dependent on the agriculture and allied activities for their survival.
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance: Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and
beliefs is embedded in our Social values. The Indian society has survived in the face of diversity,
thanks to its accommodative values of tolerance and mutual respect that have existed from the
early times.
• Presence of Spirituality and Materialism: In Indian society both features of spirituality and
materialism are present. Spiritualism is concerned with the human soul and it is a principle that
aims to alleviate the human soul. It is a way to od. India is known as the centre of spirituality in
the world. On the other hand, Materialism values worldly goods and services. This philosophy
advocates valuing the materialistic things of the world. This advocate accommodating luxury
items. In India, you will find both coexisting peacefully. Indian society strikes a perfect balance

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 between them.
• Co-existence of Traditionalism and Modernity (Modernisation of Indian tradition):
Globalization might have bought with it a surgeof modern values and practices, but traditionalism
is still prevalent and preserved in India. The traditions of Indian society have also made their
way to the outside world through the same gates of globalization. Ex. Modern Gym and Yoga,
Western Medicines and AYUSH
• Collectivism and Harmony: Indians generally place a high value on harmony and unity with
others, keeping a strong nexus with their community and relatives. A unified and interdependent
community or family provides a support system that an individual can rely on.
• Modesty and Conservativeness: Modesty is one of the core values in the Indian culture.
Indians tend to be quite conservative in most aspects of life, particularly in rural areas. This is
especially noticeable in people's behaviour and dress. Clothing is usually traditional, but it is
common to see Western-style clothing throughout the country for men and in urban areas for
women.
• Adaptability and Light-Heartedness: diversity is celebrated alongside an inventive and
entrepreneurial spirit. In this sense, many Indians are very adaptive and creative, often
visualising big possibilities for themselves, their people and country. Problems are usually
managed in a cheerful, cooperative and innovative manner, along with a light-heartedness
towards situations that might otherwise be understood as frustrating.

Factors responsible for continuity in the social system:

1. Status quoist tendency: By and large Indians are orthodox and tradition-bound. They are not in
favour of violent changes.
2. Each institution has some social roots. It is felt that any change in one will have the adverse
impactupon the other for which society is not prepared.
3. Fear of idea of God : Most of the institutions in India are linked with the idea of God. These are
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 given religious orientations and it is felt that any violation of any social institution amounts to
displeasing God.
4. vested Interest: In the society, the forces of changes are vitiated by vested interests. They
generally swing thebalance in their own favour.
5. Institutional Advantage : Undoubtedly each social institution has its own advantages, which in
no way can be under-estimated.
6. Illiteracy : A vast majority of population in India is illiterate and as such it becomes difficult to
convince them ofthe need of eradication of evil social institutions.
7. Livelihood factor : A vast majority of the people in India live from hand to mouth and they are
averse to understandsocial problems.
8. Vast geography : India is a vast country and people live in far flung areas where access is
difficult. It becomes difficult for our social and religious leaders to reach the people, particularly
when means of transportation and communication are difficult. Our foreign rulers did not make
any effort to make the people conscious of social problems, leave alone removing the evils. Our
leadership in independent India and even during freedom struggle, did not favour complete
break with the past. Indian leadership has always believed that radical and drastic changes in
any field are bound to do more harm than good in the society.

CHANGES IN INDIAN SOCIETY OVER THE PERIOD OF TIME

• Traditional Values and Cultural Continuity:
o Despite modernization, India has retained many traditional values rooted in its rich
cultural heritage.
o Practices such as joint family living, respect for elders, and celebration of festivals
continue to hold significance.
• Technological Advancements:
o The advent of technology, especially the widespread use of smartphones and the
internet, has transformed communication and connectivity.
o Increased access to information has influenced how people access education, news, and
entertainment.
• Educational Landscape
o The education sector has seen substantial growth, with a rising emphasis on literacy and
skill development.
o There's an increased awareness of the importance of education, leading to a growing
number of students pursuing higher studies and specialized fields.
• Changing Family Dynamics:
o Urbanization has led to a shift in family structures, with nuclear families becoming more
common in urban areas.
o The role of women has evolved, with more women participating in the workforce, leading
to changes in traditional gender roles.
• Urbanization and Lifestyle Changes:
o Rapid urbanization has resulted in the development of modern cities and a shift from

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 agrarian to industrial and service-based economies.
o Urban lifestyles have brought changes in dietary habits, fashion, and entertainment
preferences.
• Economic Transformations:
o India's economic growth has led to an expanding middle class and increased
consumerism.
o Economic reforms have influenced job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and the overall
standard of living.
• Social Issues and Activism.
o There's a growing awareness and activism around social issues such as gender equality,
LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental sustainability.
o Social media has played a significant role in mobilizing public opinion and fostering
discussions on these matters.
• Cultural Globalization:
o Globalization has facilitated the exchange of cultural elements, leading to a more
cosmopolitan outlook.
o The influence of Western culture is evident in fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle
choices.
• Political Changes and Governance:
o India's political landscape has witnessed shifts, with changes in leadership and policy
reforms impacting the nation's trajectory.
o Increased political awareness among the populace has contributed to a more engaged
citizenry.
• The COVID-19 lockdown :-
It swiftly reshaped society, emphasizing the surge in remote work, online education's digital
disparities, heightened health consciousness with widespread mask use, economic adaptations,
community solidarity, increased focus on mental health, altered consumer behavior favoring e-
commerce and essentials, temporary environmental improvements, and a rapid adoption of
digital health solutions like telemedicine In summary, India's societal changes are multifaceted,
encompassing cultural, technological, economic, and political dimensions, reflecting the
complexities of a nation in transition.

• There are a number of factors which are responsible for continuity and change in Indian society.
Change may occur through adaptation or integration. Adaptation occurs when existing
institutions readjust to meet new needs. Integration occurs when a society adopts a new element
and makes itpart of itself.
• Of the various factors which have enabled our society to adapt/integrate or fail to
adapt/integrate, the most important ones are: political independence and introduction of
democratic values, indus- trialisation, urbanisation, increase in education, legislative measures,
social change in caste system, and social movements and feminism, globalisation and anti-
casteism.
• Some ethnic groups want political independence to preserve their cultural identity. Religious
groups want freedom to teach certain values and sub-cultural norms to their members. All these
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 desires and demands have affected the nature of social change and the process of
modernisationin our country in the last five decades.
• Urbanisation is another factor that has affected the society. The family, kinship, caste and
marriage etc., systems in the urban areas differ from those in the rural areas not only in
composition but in ideology and functioning too.
Urban Culture
• Changes in cities are also reflected in many other social systems. The kinship relations in the
urban areas are not so close as in the rural areas. Whereas in cities, only primary and
secondary kin have intimate contacts, in villages, the relations are extensively extended to
tertiary and distant kin too. The caste system in the urban areas is not as rigid as in the rural
areas.
• In the economic field, Industrialisation has L.G.P. resulted in specialisation in work, occupational
mobility, monetisation of economy, and a breakdown of link between kinship and occupational
structures; in the social field, it has resulted in the migration of people from rural to urban areas,
spread of education, and a strong centralised political structure; in the cultural field, it has
brought secularisation of beliefs. Instead of all family members working together in an integrated
economic
enterprise, a few male members go out of the home to earn the family's living. This has affected
notonly the traditional structure of the joint family but also the relations among its members.
• Education has not only brought about changes in the attitudes, beliefs, values and ideologies of
the people but has also created and aroused individualistic feelings. The increasing education
not only brings changes in the philosophy of life of men and women but also provides new
avenues ofemployment to the latter. After becoming economically independent, women demand
more voice in family affairs and also refuse to accept anybody's dominance over them. This
shows how education brings changes in relations in the family, ultimately leading to the structural
changes too.
• Covid 19: Boost to work from home culture. It Sector Reverse migration.

Key facts :-

● In 2022, males make up 51.95% of the population at 730 million, while the number of females
accounts for 48.05% of the total population at 675 million. That makes the gender split at 52%
male – 48% female.

● As per Census 2011, in the age group (5-14) years, 10.1 million (3.9% of total child population)
were working, either as ‘main worker’ or as ‘marginal worker’.

● As per the Census 2011, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 19.3% of the total
population of the country. The population of Muslims are 14.2%; Christians 2.3%; Sikhs 1.7%,
Buddhists 0.7%, Jain 0.4% and Parsis 0.006%.

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 ● Dalits form around 16.6% of India’s population and tribal population in India is over 104 million
which is spread across 705 tribes and accounts for 8.6% of the country’s population.

● according to the 2011 Census, 2.21% of the population has one or multiple types of disabilities.

● India, with its population of 1.3 billion people, now has 5% of its population living in extreme
poverty, according to the World Poverty Clock.

● About 34% of India's population now lives in urban areas, the U.N. World Urbanization Prospects
2018 report. It has been estimated that by 2050 more than 50% of India’s population will live in
cities.

Quick revision through Mind map:-

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 Maps/Diagrams/ illustrations:-

Model answers from pyq:-

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 Currently in news :-

• Same Sex Marriage :-

Recently, The Supreme Court has delivered its long awaited verdict rejecting petitions to
legalise same-sex marriage and delved deeper on the provisions of the Special Marriage Act,
1954 to examine the issue thoroughly, which have convergence and interrelationship with
homosexuality.

● Traditional New Year Festivals:-

Recently, India celebrated Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and
Sajibu Cheiraoba. These festivals of the spring season mark the beginning of the traditional
new year in India.

● State of World Population Report: UNFPA:-

Recently, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released the State of World
Population report 2023, which states that India will overtake China to become the world’s
most populous country by the middle of 2023.The State of World Population is published
annually which covers and analyses developments and trends in world population and
demographics, as well as shedding a light on specific regions, countries and population
groups and the unique challenges they face.

● Preserving Tradition: The Landmark Ruling on Jallikattu:-

For centuries, the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has been steeped in rich cultural
traditions, with one event in particular captivating the imagination of both locals and visitors
alike: Jallikattu. This ancient bull taming sport, which dates back over 2,000 years, has long
been a symbol of pride and heritage for the people of Tamil Nadu. Recently, A five-judge
constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the amendments made by the legislatures of
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act,
1960, allowing bull-taming sports like jallikattu, kambala, and bullock-cart races.

Ready template on common themes :-

Factors of social change:-

Major heading Subheadings Explanation

Socio-economic • Globalization
• Industrialisation
• Greeen revolution
• Urbanization

Socio-political • Legislation
• Governance
• Pressure group

Socio-cultural • Education
• Social reforms and
activism

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 • Secularisation

Socio-geographical • Climate change

• Agriculture
• Resources

Socio-technological • Elements of 4 th
industrial
revolution. Eg:- AI ,
machine learning
etc
• Growth of IT sector
• Allied sectors -
health , education
etc

Reasons for diversity:-

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Geographical reasons • Himalayan

• Desert
• Vast area

Historical reasons • Different time

period of different
rulers
• Mughals ,
Marathas, rajputs
etc
• Pluralistic historical
evolution

Economic reasons • Globalization

• trade and tourism

Cultural reasons • Value of Tolerance

• Vasudhaiva
kutumbakam

Factors leading to unity amidst diversity:-

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Political factors • All India services

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 • Federalism
• Constitution

Social factors • Social

movements
• Religious
practices
• Institutions of
pilgrimage
• Festivals

Economic factors • Freedom of trade

and commerce
• Tourism
• GST - one nation
one tax

Geographical factors • Natural

boundaries
• Climatic
conditions

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 CASTE SYSTEM
Introduction
Every society is stratified. It has rightly been said that an “unstratified society, with a real equality of
its members is a myth, which has never been realised in the history of mankind. The form and
proportions may vary but its essence is permanent.” The Indian social system rests on three pillars:
the caste system, the joint family system, and the village community. Among these, the caste
system appears to be the most significant feature of the Indian Society due to its interdependence
upon the social, economic and political systems. In fact, the Indian Society has been described as
the caste society par excellence. In India we find a unique system of social stratification based on
birth, which isnot found elsewhere in the world.
MEANING AND DEFINITION
The term 'Caste' is derived from a Portuguese word 'Casta' meaning breed, race or group. As
already mentioned, castes are ascriptive groups. Thus basically caste refers to people belonging to
the same breed. An individual is born into a caste, and this status is usually permanent. Though the
elements of castes are found outside India, it is only in India that numerous castes are found.
“Castes are small and complete social worlds in themselves marked off definitely from one another
though subsisting within the larger society.”

CHARECTERISTICS OF THE CASTE SYSTEM

1. Segmental Division of Society: Under caste system, society is divided into several small social
groups called castes. Each of these castes is a well-developed social group, the membership of
which is based on birth. Each caste has its own traditional social status, occupation, customs, rules
and regulations. It has its own governing body called the caste council or 'jati panchayat', which
enforces the caste rules. Above all, members of a caste are bound together by mutual obligations
of help and co-operation in their day to day activities. Thus each caste is a social world by itself.
2. Hierarchy: The caste system is always characterized by a hierarchical arrangement. It implies
that there are some castes which are considered superior to the others. Membership in the caste is
based on birth and is more or less fixed. Traditionally it is the hierarchical arrangement of caste
according todifferent degrees of dominance and subordination.
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 3. Restrictions on Interaction : In the caste system, there are several restrictions on interaction.
The members of one caste cannot mix or move freely with the members of the other castes. This
ban on interaction becomes still more rigid when the question of mixing of a superior caste with an
inferior one comes to the front. Every caste abides by well-established customs and well-defined
norms of interaction.
4. Social and religious disabilities: In caste system, the members of a higher caste impose
certaindisabilities and restrictions on other castes.
5. Imposition on restrictions on commensality: Each caste group has its own laws which govern
thefood habits of the members.
6. The Ideology of purity and pollution: The higher castes are believed to be pure and the lower
castepeople as impure. The lower castes are regarded as less pure and more polluted.
7. Restrictions on Occupations: The different castes are usually associated with traditional
occupations.
8. Marital restrictions: Caste endogamy is strictly enforced wherein the members of each caste
marryonly within their own caste. Inter-caste marriage is prohibited.
9. Hereditary status: Caste system is based on the ascriptive pattern which implies that the birth of
a person in a particular caste decided his caste and his status in society. It is usually difficult or
rather impossible to change one's own caste despite the acquisition of qualifications or
disqualifications, themembership of a particular caste continues and does not undergo any change.

BENEFITS OF CASTE SYSTEM

1. Stability It continued the traditional social organization of India.
2. Livelihood It has accommodated multiple communities by ensuring each of them a monopoly of
a specificmeans of livelihood.
3. Social Security & Identity Provided social security and social recognition to individuals. It is the
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 individual's caste that canalizes his choice in marriage, plays the roles of the state-club, the
orphanage and the benefits society. Besides, it also provides him with health insurance benefits.
It even provides for his funeral.
4. Division of Labour It has handed over the knowledge and skills of the hereditary occupation of
a caste from onegeneration to another, which has helped the preservation of culture and ensured
productivity.
5. Socialisation / Social Integration Caste plays a crucial role in the process of socialization by
teaching individuals the culture and traditions, values and norms of their society. e.g. Khap
panchayat
6. Interdependence It has also through jajmani relationships. Caste acted as a trade union and
protected its members from the exploitation.
7. political stability Promoted, as Kshatriyas were generally protected from political competition,
conflict and violence by the caste system.
8. Racial purity Maintained through endogamy.
9. Economic Development Specialization led to quality production of goods and thus promoted
economic development. For eg: Many handicraft items of India gained international recognition
due to this.

DRAWBACKS OF THE CASTE SYSTEM

1. Hinders social progress: caste system is a hindrance to social progress because it does not
allow changes to be easily introduced in society. Under caste system, the individual is not free he is
to conform to the age old customs of his caste. Slightest deviation from them is severely dealt with.
Thisrigidity of the system has almost paralyzed Hindu society. Innovation has no place in it.
2. Stifles economic progress: caste system acts as a stumbling block on the path of economic
development. As occupations are determined by status rather than contract in caste system, the
worker is denied of his freedom to choose and occupation of his liking. This leads to immobility and
inefficiency of labour and thereby to economic backwardness.
3. Leads to political disunity: under caste system an individual is required to be more loyal to his

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 caste than to any other group. As such, it fosters casteism rather than nationalism among the
people. It is for this reason that the Indians could not develop nationalism and combine against
foreign invasions. In fact, disunity and lack of patriotism among the Indians encouraged many
foreigners to invade India.
4. Perpetuates social inequalities: caste system has served as an instrument in the hands of the
upper castes to maintain their own privileged position in society. It has led to the despotism of the
upper castes and created permanent feelings of inferiority and insecurity in the minds of lower caste
people.

5. Imposes hardships on women: Another drawback of the system is that it imposes hardships on
women. Under caste system, a caste wishing to raise its status in the caste hierarchy should follow
certain customs like child marriage, prohibition of widow remarriages and seclusion of women,
whichentail hardships for women.
6. Creates untouchabilty: The system keeps a large number of people in a state of virtual slavery.
They are the unfortunate untouchables, who suffer from all kinds of disabilities. Untouchability is the
ugliest expression of caste system.
7. It stood against democracy: The caste system ran contrary to the democratic spirit. Democracy
presupposes human equality, but the caste system believed in inequality and 26 there was a
hierarchical arrangement wherein the Brahmins were at the top, whereas the Sudras were at the
lowest rung of the ladder.
CHANGES IN THE CASTE SYSTEM
1. Decline in the supremacy of Brahmins: In the traditional caste system, the Brahmins were at
the apex of the social and religious sphere and thus they enjoyed supremacy over others. But due
to the processes of secularization and westernization, the authority of the Brahmins gradually
declined andthey ceased to enjoy the traditional respect and honour in the society.
2. Changes in the caste hierarchy: Traditionally, each caste was maintaining its own style of life
and the higher castes maintained a better life than the rest. But in course of time the process of
Sanskritization started. Sanskritization is a process in which a status group aspiring for upward
mobility in the system of social stratification tends to emulate the life style of the higher castes. The
lower castes followed Sanskritization to bring about a change in their social status. e.g. Tamilnadu's

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 Nadar and Ezhava of Kerala
3. Changes in status: The status-indicating function of castes has undergone changes due to the
process of secularization, westernization and materialistic attitude of individuals.
4. Occupational changes: In a caste-ridden society, occupations were hereditary and an
individual's birth into a particular caste determined his occupation forever. But when the rigidity of
the caste system broke down, occupational changes were also marked.
5. Changes in the sphere of culture: It has changed the life style of different caste groups, their
modes of living, patterns of worship and performance of rites and rituals, customs and traditional
practices.
6. Changes in commensality: People are no more confined to their places of origin. They have
migrated to different places and so it becomes very difficult to stick to the restrictions relating to the
food habits. Particularly in the urban places where the strangers dine in hotels, it is impossible to
maintain restrictions. In various offices and work organizations, the same relaxation is evident. The
employees assemble together for interdining.
7. Attitudinal changes: Changes in the attitude towards castes have been noticed within the
system.This relates to loss of faith in the ascriptive pattern and jurisdiction of the system itself.

WAY FORWARD
1. Modern Education: Modern education being secular in nature, is indifferent to, if not against,
religion. It is, on the one hand, based on such democratic values like equality, liberty and fraternity
and on the other hand, grounded on such scientific values like reason and observation. Therefore,
with the spread of modern education, the beliefs like divine origin of caste, karma and 'karmaphala',
which provided ethical justification for 27 caste system, are growing weaker and weaker in the
minds of people. As modern education is usually imparted in co-educational institutions, it
encourages inter- caste marriages, based on love, among the educated young men and women.
Thus, modern education acts as a very powerful force against caste system in India.
2. Industrialization: Caste, like the joint family, is based on rural economy. As such, industrial
economy cuts across the roots of both caste and joint family. Occupational castes cannot survive in
the face of large scale industrialization. For example, the members of the weaving castes are
finding it extremely difficult to follow their traditional caste occupations as it is not possible for them
to compete with the textile mills in the open markets. As a result, of industrialization, the tradition of
following caste occupations has come in to disuse.
3. Urbanization: Under urban conditions of life, the ideas of pollution by touch of a shadow cannot
betranslated into action.
4. Modern means of transportation: Modern means of transportation have increased spatial mobility
of the people and thereby put an end to the geographical isolation, which was a favourable
condition for the creation and continuation of caste system in India. Moreover, while travelling by
the modern means of transportation like buses, trains, it is impossible to observe caste rules
regarding food, drinkand social inter-course.
5. Increase in the importance of wealth: In our present age, wealth is replacing birth as the basis of

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 social prestige. Consequently, caste, which is based on birth, is no longer the basis of social status.
6. New social movements: In the past, a number of movements were launched against caste
system, but none of them succeeded, as they were mainly reformist in their mission. They never
questioned orthodoxy. But the social movements started by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayananda
Saraswati and others were unlike the earlier movements, for they were based on the authority of
reason rather than the orthodox texts. As such, their ideas could influence the intelligentsia of the
country against caste and other evils of Society.
7. Land reforms 2.0
8. Legislation
9. Green revolution 2.0

REASONS FOR CONTINUITY/PERPETUITY OF CASTE SYSTEM

Caste system is, therefore, a dynamic reality with a great degree of flexibility in terms of internal
structure and functions. To examine the continuity of caste system and its reasons, we need to keep
inmind this high degree of flexibility of the system.
1. Moderate role of state : The post-Independence Indian state inherited and reflected some
contradictions. On the one hand, the state was committed to the abolition of caste and explicitly
wrote this into the Constitution. On the other hand, the state was both unable and unwilling to
push through radical reforms which would have undermined the economic basis for caste
inequality.
2. State apathy : At yet another level, the state assumed that if it operated in a caste-blind
manner, this would automatically lead to the undermining of caste based privileges and the
eventual abolition of the institution. For example, appointments to government jobs took no
account of caste, thus leaving the well-educated upper castes and the ill-educated or often
illiterate lower castes to compete on “equal” terms. The only exception to this was in the form of
reservations for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In other words, in the decades
immediately after Independence, the state did not make sufficient effort to deal with the fact that
the upper castes and the lower castes werefar from equal in economic and educational terms.
3. Latent forms of caste : it was remarkable how resilient caste proved to be. Recruitment to
industrial jobs, whether in the textile mills of Mumbai (then Bombay), the jute mills of Kolkata
(then Calcutta), or elsewhere, continued to be organised along caste and kinship-based lines.
The middle men who recruited labour for factories tended to recruit them from their own caste
and region so that particular departments or shop floors were often dominated by specific
castes. Prejudice against the untouchables remained quite strong and was not absent from the
city, though not as extreme as itcould be in the village.
4. Dominant form in Citural & domestic spherb : Not surprisingly, it was in the cultural and
domestic spheres that caste has proved strongest. Endogamy, or the practice of marrying within
the caste, remained largely unaffected by modernisation and change. Even today, most
marriages take place within caste boundaries, although there are more intercaste marriages.
5. Caste Polities / Identity Politics: Perhaps, the most eventful and important sphere of change
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 has been that of politics. From its very beginnings in independent India, democratic politics has
been deeply conditioned by caste.
6. Identity Support: For the so called scheduled castes and tribes and the backward castes, caste
has become all too visible, indeed their caste has tended to eclipse the other dimensions of their
identities. Because they have no inherited educational and social capital, and because they
must compete with an already entrenched upper caste group, they cannot afford to abandon
their caste identity for it is one of the few collective assets they have. Moreover, they continue to
suffer from discrimination of various kinds. The policies of reservation and other forms of
protective discrimination instituted by the state in response to political pressure serve as their
lifelines. But using this lifeline tends to make their caste the all-important and often the only
aspect of their identity that the world recognises.
7. Caste Patriotism / revivalism :

CASTE SYSTEM ASSUMING NEW IDENTITIES

1. Development DE cast The development activity of the state and the growth of private industry
also affected caste indirectly through the speeding up and intensification of economic change.
Modern industry created all kinds of new jobs for which there were no caste rules. Urbanisation
and the conditions of collective living in the cities made it difficult for the caste-segregated
patterns of social interaction to survive. At a different level, modern educated Indians attracted to
the liberal ideas of individualism and meritocracy, began to abandon the more extreme caste
practices.
2. Casteless as Privilege of upper castes One of the most significant yet paradoxical changes in
the caste system in the contemporary period is that it has tended to become 'invisible' for the
upper caste, urban middle and upper classes. For these groups, who have benefited the most
from the developmental policies of the post-colonial era, caste has appeared to decline in
significance precisely because it has done its job so well. Their caste status had been crucial in
ensuring that these groups had the necessary economic and educational resources to take full
advantage of the opportunities offered by rapid development. In particular, the upper caste elite
were able to benefit from subsidised public education, specially professional education in
science, technology, medicine and management. At the same time, they were also able to take
advantage of the expansion of public sector jobs in the early decades after Independence. In
this initial period, their lead over the rest of society (in terms of education) ensured that they did
not face any serious competition. As their privileged status got consolidated in the second and
third generations, these groups began to believe that their advancement had little to do with
caste. Certainly for the third generations from these groups their economic and educational
capital alone is quite sufficient to ensure that they will continue to get the best in terms of life
chances. For this group, it now seems that caste plays no part in their public lives, being limited
to the personal sphere of religious practice or marriage and kinship. However, a further
complication is introduced by the fact that this is a differentiated group.
3. Modern politics Identity policies : Although the privileged as a group are overwhelmingly
upper caste, not all upper caste people areprivileged, some being poor.
4. Domestic sphere : Changing nature of Indian politics still tend to influence caste identity in
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 social life. It plays a crucialrole in upliftment as well as abuse of an individual.
5. Run towards backwardness : Maratha, jat Increasing rate of Inter-caste and Inter-religion
marriages have changed the dynamics of social fabric in India.
6. Clast : classification of caste

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
MEANING
Affirmative action refers to a set of policies that support members of disadvantaged groups that
have previously suffered discrimination in any form. The nature of affirmative action policies varies
from region to region and exists on a spectrum from a hard quota to merely targeting
encouragement for increased participation. Some countries use a quota system, whereby a certain
percentage of government jobs, political positions, and school vacancies must be reserved for
members of a certaingroup; an example of this is the reservation system in India.
PROS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
• Addressing Historical Injustices:
Affirmative action in India aims to rectify centuries-old discrimination based on the caste system.
Historically marginalized groups, like Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), have
faced social and economic exclusion.

• Promoting Equal Opportunities:

By implementing reservations in educational institutions and jobs, affirmative action ensures that
individuals from disadvantaged castes have access to opportunities they might have been denied
in the past. This helps in leveling the playing field.

• Diversity and Inclusivity:

Affirmative action fosters diversity in various sectors. It brings people from different castes and
backgrounds together, creating a more inclusive and representative environment in educational
institutions, workplaces, and public offices.

• Breaking Caste-based Stereotypes:

Reservation policies challenge stereotypes associated with certain castes. When individuals from
marginalized castes excel in education and employment, it challenges preconceived notions,

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 contributing to a more open-minded and egalitarian society.

• Empowerment of Marginalized Communities:

Through reservations, affirmative action empowers SCs and STs by providing them with the
means to improve their socio-economic status. Education and employment opportunities
contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty that has affected these communities.

• Social Cohesion and Harmony:

By addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity, affirmative action plays a role in
fostering social cohesion and harmony. It aims to build a society where individuals from all castes
can coexist and collaborate without biases.

• Constitutional Mandate:
Affirmative action in India is constitutionally mandated under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Indian
Constitution. This legal framework reinforces the commitment to creating a socially just and
equitable society.
• Long-term Structural Change:
While affirmative action alone may not eradicate all social inequalities, it lays the foundation for
long-term structural change. By addressing root causes, it contributes to dismantling deeply
ingrained discriminatory practices.
CONS of affirmative action
• Reverse discrimination: Reverse discrimination is the notion that instead of promoting anti-
discrimination, affirmative action leads to discrimination against individuals and groups that come
from non-disadvantaged backgrounds. Talented individuals may not be given equal opportunities
• simply because they are not part of a minority group. It may also result in hatred between
majority andminority groups.
• Lack of meritocracy: Meritocracy is an important system that aims to push more capable
individuals to places of higher education so that they may have the resources and knowledge
required to make important changes in the world. By encouraging universities to admit more
students of a particular race, nationality, or gender, affirmative action may be discouraging
meritocracy in educational institutions.
• Demeaning true achievement: Achievements by individuals from minority groups and other
disadvantaged groups may be considered a result of affirmative action rather than their own hard
work, which can be demeaning to their true level of effort and confidence in their abilities.
• Tokenism: Critics suggest that affirmative action may sometimes result in tokenism, where
individuals from underrepresented groups are included merely to meet quotas rather than being
valued for their skills and contributions.
• Quality of Output: There are concerns that affirmative action may compromise the quality of
output in certain fields, as it may prioritize diversity over competence in the selection process.
WAY FORWARD
It is essential that the government create a category of people with “no caste” for all those who do
not wish to subscribe to their caste identity. Children of inter-caste marriages must necessarily
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 belong to this category. A social movement may be started for people to relinquish their caste and
caste-based surnames. There may be a need to incentivise inter-caste marriages. Eventually,
asking of an individual's caste could be made a cognisable offence and all caste-based
organisations must be banned. All mention of caste, except where required for reasons of
affirmative action, must be eliminated.
Under the impact of all these powerful forces, wide cracks have already appeared in the walls of the
citadel of caste in India. But it would be a gross mistake to think that it has completely collapsed.
Diversity in India

INTRODUCTION
• Ordinarily diversity means differences. For our purposes, however, it means something more
than mere differences. It means collective differences, that is, differences which mark off one
group of people from another. These differences may be of any sort: biological, religious,
linguistic etc. On the basis of biological differences, for example, we have racial diversity. On the
basis of religious differences, similarly, we have religious diversity. The point to note is that
diversity refers to collectivedifferences.
• When we say that India is a nation of great cultural diversity, we mean that there are many
different types of social groups and communities living here. These are communities defined by
cultural markers such as language, religion, sect, race or caste.
EXAMPLES OF DIVERSITY
• Religio us diversity: According to the data on Population by Religious Communities of Census
2011, Hindu 96.63 crores (79.8%); Muslim 17.22 crores (14.2%); Christian 2.78 crores (2.3%);
Sikh 2.08
• crores (1.7%); Buddhist 0.84 crores (0.7%); Jain 0.45 crores (0.4%) are dispersed all over the
nationforming cultural pockets.
• Racial diversity: Most contemporary anthropologists categorize Indians as belonging to racial
admixture. Mongoloids are largely confined to the North-eastern region whereas Negritos are
foundon the Andaman Islands.
Composition of Indian Society –
Plurality and multiplicity characterize Indian society and culture. India has accommodated and
assimilated various outside elements into its growing culture. However, it has never been a 'melting
pot' in which all differences got dissolved and a uniform identity was created. India is a shining
example of a 'salad bowl' in which different elements retain their individual identities and yet,
together, they form a distinct recipe. It is in that sense that India is a unity in diversity, guided by the
principle oftolerance (Sahishnuta) and mutual respect.
Racial Diversity
The people of India can be divided into four major groups on ethnic and linguistic grounds. The first
group include the Neolithic and Paleolithic men who inhabited in this country since the remote past.
The second group of people belong to the Mongoloid type and they are found in Bhutan, Sikkim
and Nepal. The third group is identified as Dravidians living in the Southern part of the country.

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 The fourth group include the tall and fair complexioned Indo-Aryans living in the North-Western part
of India.
Gradually they brought the whole Gangetic Valley under their settlement. With the passage of time
the Dravidians and the Aryans came closer to each other. Other races like Persians, Greeks,
Kushanas and Huns came to India at different periods and permanently settled in the country. From
the Seventh century onwards Muslim invaders made India their hunting ground. The Arabs, Turks
and the Mughals came to India and settled here. Thus the racial diversities play a vital role in Indian
society and culture

Linguistic Diversity
India is rightly described as a polyglot country – a country of many languages. There are 121
languages which are spoken by 10,000 or more people in India.
Of the total population of India, 96.71 percent have one of the scheduled languages as their mother
tongue, the remaining 3.29 per cent is accounted for other languages. It should be mentioned that
linguistic diversity is found in each of the states of the Indian Union. It is true that after India got
independence, the states were reorganized on the basis of language, but such reorganization did
noterase the multilingual character of the individual states.

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 Religious diversity

India is a land of multiple religions. Apart from the tribal societies, many of whom still live in the pre-
religious state of animism and magic, the Indian population consists of the Hindus (82.41%),
Muslims(11.6%), Christians (2.32%), Sikhs (1.99%), Buddhists (0.77%) and Jains (0.41%).
The Hindus themselves are divided into several sects such as Vaishnavas, Shaivates, Shaktas,
Smartas etc. Similarly, the Muslims are divided into sects such as Shias, Sunnis, Ahmadiyas etc.
Similarly, there are several movements that are mistaken as separate religions such as Lingayat,
Kabirpanth, Radhaswamy, Swami Narayani, Arya Samaj, and Brahmo Samaj. In that sense,
Hinduism is not a monolithic whole. It allows its adherents to follow whatever path they choose to
follow for worship.
The arrival of Islam in India added to the plurality of religions in the country.
Christianity was introduced in Kerala in the first century AD when the apostle, St. Thomas, landed
there and founded seven churches on the Malabar Coast. Their descendants are called Syrian
Christians. The Christians are also divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants.
India also has small religious groups of Parsees and Jews. The Parsees arrived from Persia in the
8th century AD and settled on the Western coast. Practicing Zoroastrianism, the Parsees speak
Gujarati, and wear a distinct dress that bears the Indian imprint. The Jews were concentrated in
Kochi in Keralaand Konkan in Maharashtra.

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 Caste diversity
The term Caste emerged from word caste India is a country of castes. The term caste is generally
used in two senses: sometimes in the sense of Varna and sometimes in the sense of Jati. Varna
refers to a segment of the four-fold division of Hindu society based on functional criterion. The four
varnas are Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra with their specialized functions as learning,
defense, trade and manual service. The Varna hierarchy is accepted all over India. Jati refers to a
hereditary endogamous status group practicing a specific traditional occupation. There are more
than 3,000 jatis in India. These are hierarchically graded in different ways in different religions. The
practice of caste system is not confined to Hindus alone. One can find castes among the Muslims,
Christians, Sikhs as well as other communities.
Cultural diversity
Cultural patterns reflect regional variations. Because of population diversity, there is immense
variety in Indian culture as it is a blend of various cultures. Different religion, castes, regions follow
their own tradition and culture. Thus, there is variation in art, architecture, dance forms, theatre
forms, music etc.
Geographical diversity
Spanning across an area of 3.28 million square kilometre, India is a vast country with great diversity
ofphysical features like dry deserts, evergreen forests, lofty mountains, perennial and non-perennial
river systems, long coasts and fertile plains.
In India, the vast geographical region has various diversities like high mountains and low plains,
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 areas of freezing chill and frost in northern side and tropical heat in the south, places of high rainfall
like in Charapunji and the dry lands of Rajasthan. The territorial and climatic diversities influence the
cultural pattern of the community of those areas. Of course, with all these diversities, these people
havedeveloped a sense of unity, because of which we find continuity of our culture.

In addition to the above described major forms of diversity, we have diversity of many other sorts
like settlement patterns – tribal, rural, urban; marriage and kinship pattern along religious and
regional lines and so on. In this way diversity pervades on the whole of Indian subcontinent. And
such diversities are not the hallmarks of Indian culture. The main theme of Indian culture is unity
which absorbs all these diversities.
REASONS FOR DIVERSITY
• Geographical features : The Indian subcontinent, within it's national boundary, includes a
diverse range of geographical features. Difference in geography brings about great differences in
lifestyle and routine practices of people. The ones residing near the Himalayas will have different
staple food, crop produce, jobs, means of transportation etc when compared to people living in
the Thar desert. Thus, geography calls for diversity.
• Historical Factor: Historically speaking, different rulers occupied different regions of India at
different intervals of time, and thus brought different culuture. Be it the Mughals, or the Marathas
or the Rajputs, or later even the Britishers- every ruler brought with itself a mark of culture,

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 ethnicity and heritage, which cannot be wiped off completely. Thus, history again calls for
diversity.
• Economic Factors : Speaking of modern times, with globalization at its zenith, the transfer of
variations in practices has increased exponentially, especially since the dawn of foreign trade
and tourism. Our trade today isn't limited to goods and services. We also trade traditional
practices, sometimes unknowingly.
• Culture Factor : Diversity is thus caused because India is open to people from every part of the
world. And when people travel to and from a place, they carry with them the old traditions and
new practices.
Unity amidst Diversity in India
Unity means integration. It is a social psychological condition. It connotes a sense of one-ness, a
sense of we-ness. It stands for the bonds, which hold the members of a society together. Unity in
diversity essentially means “unity without uniformity” and “diversity without fragmentation”. It is
basedon the notion that diversity enriches human interaction. National unity and integrity have been
maintained even through sharp economic and social inequalities have obstructed the emergence of
egalitarian social relations. It is this synth esis which has made India a unique mosque of cultures.
Thus, India present seemingly multicultural situation within in the framework of a single integrated
cultural whole.
Factors Leading to Unity amidst Diversity in India
• Geographical unity: India, though very large in size, possesses geographical unity with natural
boundaries. It is surrounded on one side by the great Himalayas and on the other sides by the
high seas. These natural boundaries give the land geographical unity. The term 'Bharat Varsha'
i.e, India has always referred to this vast expanse of, the land expanding from the Himalayas in
the North to the Cape Comorin in the south and from the Brahmaputra in the East to the Indus in
the West. Religious thinkers, political philosophers, poets, statesmen and kings have always
conceived Bharat Varsha in this sense. Even today, Mother India means this vast expanse of
land.
• Political Unity: Political unity, an offshoot of religious and cultural unity, is not something
unknown to Indians. The ideal of bringing the whole country under one central authority has
always been a pre- occupation with great kings and statesmen in India. The concept of
'Chakravarti' clearly refers to this idea of political unification of India under one authority. Many
kings in the past have been fired by the ambition of achieving the title of Universal Overlord or
'Chakravarti', waged wars and established hegemony over the entire land. In the ancient Indian
literature we come across stories referring to kings like Dilip, Sagar, Yajati, Mandhata and
Yudhisthira who actually achieved this much coveted position of being a Chakravarti. Later kings
like Chandra Gupta Maurya, Ashoka, Samudra Gupta andothers also achieved this distinction of
being the universal overlord. In the past kings often declared wars on others with no other
purpose than to achieve this title. The prevalence of religious practices like the Aswamedha
Yajna only indicates the religious support extended to the idea of political unification of India
under one central authority.
• Constitutional Identity: The entire country is governed by one single Constitution. Even, most
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 of the states follow a generalized scheme of 3-tier government structure, thus imparting
uniformity in national governance framework. Further, the Constitution guarantees certain
fundamental rights to allcitizens regardless of their age, gender, class, caste, religion, etc.
• Religious co-existence: Religion tolerance is the unique feature of religions in India due to
which multiple religions co-exist in India. Freedom of religion and religious practice is
guaranteed by the Constitution itself. Moreover, there is no state religion and all religions are
given equal preference bythe state.
• Inter-State mobility: The Constitution guarantees freedom to move throughout the territory of
India under Article 19 (1) (d), thus promoting a sense of unity and brotherhood among the
masses. Other factors such as uniform pattern of law, penal code, and administrative works (eg.
All India services) too lead to uniformity in the criminal justice system, policy implementation etc.
• Economic integration: The Constitution of India secures the freedom of Trade, Commerce and
Intercourse within the Territory of India under Article 301. Further, the Goods and Service
Tax(GST) have paved way for 'one country, one tax, one national market', thus facilitating unity
among differentregions.
• Institution of pilgrimage and religious practices: In India, religion and spirituality have great
significance. From Badrinath and Kedarnath in the north to Rameshwaram in the south,
Jagannath Puri in the east to Dwaraka in the west the religious shrines and holy rivers are
spread throughout the length and breadth of the country. Closely related to them is the age-old
culture of pilgrimage, which has always moved people to various parts of the country and
fostered in them a sense of geo-culturalunity.
• Fairs and festivals: They also act as integrating factors as people from all parts of the country
celebrate them as per their own local customs. Eg. Diwali is celebrated throughout by Hindus in
thecountry; similarly Id and Christmas are celebrated by Muslims and Christians, respectively.
• Celebration of inter-religious festivals is also seen in India.
• Climatic integration via monsoon: The flora and fauna in the entire Indian subcontinent,
agricultural practices, life of people, including their festivities revolve around the monsoon
season inIndia.
• Sports and Cinema: These are followed by millions in the country, thus, acting as a binding
forceacross the length and breadth of India.
Factors that threaten India's unity:
Regionalism: Regionalism tends to highlight interests of a particular region/regions over national
interests. It can also adversely impact national integration. Law and order situation is hampered due
to regional demands and ensuing agitation.
• Divisive politics: Sometimes, ascriptive identities such as caste, religion etc. are evoked by
politicians in order to garner votes. This type of divisive politics can result in violence, feeling of
mistrust and suspicion among minorities.
• Development imbalance: Uneven pattern of socio-economic development, inadequate
economic policies and consequent economic disparities can lead to backwardness of a region.
Consequently, this can result in violence, kick start waves of migration and even accelerate
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 demands of separatism.. For instance, due to economic backwardness of the North East region,
several instances of separatist demands and secessionist tendencies have sprung up in the
region.
• Ethnic differentiation and nativism: Ethnic differentiation has often led to clashes between
different ethnic groups especially due to factors such as job competition, limited resources,
threat to identity etc. E.g. frequent clashes between Bodos and Bengali speaking Muslims in
Assam. This has been accentuated by son of the soil doctrine, which ties people to their place
of birth and confers some benefits, rights, roles and responsibilities on them, which may not
apply to others.
• Geographical isolation: Geographical isolation too can lead to identity issues and separatist
demands. The North-East is geographically isolated from the rest of the country as it is
connected with the rest of the country by a narrow corridor i.e the Siliguri corridor . The region
has inadequate infrastructure, is more backward economically as compared to the rest of the
country. As a result, it has witnessed several instances of separatism and cross-border
terrorism, among others.
• Inter-religious conflicts: Inter-religious conflicts not only hamper relations between
two communities by spreading fear and mistrust but also hinder the secular fabric of the country.
• Inter-state conflicts: This can lead emergence of feelings related to regionalism. It can also
affect trade and communications between conflicting states. For instance, Cauvery river dispute
betweenKarnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Merits and demerits of unity in diversity

Merits
1. Morale Boost : Unity in diversity increases the morale of individuals within the workplace,
organization andcommunity.
2. Livelihood & Standards of Living : It helps to expand collaboration, relationships, interactions
between people, thereby improvingperformance, quality of work, productivity and lifestyle.
3. Co-operation : This enables communication to thrive even under the most trying circumstances.
4. Conflict management : Keep people removed from social ills and it helps to manage conflicts
more easily.
5. Harmony & equality : It promotes healthy human relationships and protects the equal rights of
all people.
6. Tourism / economic benefits : Unity in diversity provides a source of tourism for India. People
from all walks of life, cultures, religions, and clothing are attracted to many visitors and tourists
from all over the world.
7. National Unity : All these, though distinctly different from one another, results in the practice of
national unityamong the peoples of the world.
8. Heritage Conservation : It strengthens and enhances the rich heritage of the country and
moreover as a cultural heritage ofIndia.
9. It helps to fill the agricultural sector with biodiversity as well as economic expectations ?
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 10. Skill Diversity : A source of skilled and developing professionals in various parts of the country.
Demerits
1. Social tensions : This can give rise to multiple social strains among various states and people
of linguistic origin.
2. Corruption : It produces corruption and illiteracy in many regions of the country.
3. Illiteracy : Due to the undeveloped foundation, power deficiency, roads etc. it can be the origin
of poorlifestyle in various pastoral areas.
In-spite of the challenges posed by diversity, there can be no doubt on the role played by
sociocultural diversity in sustaining and developing Indian society. Problem is not of diversity per se,
but the handling of diversity in India society. The problems of regionalism, communalism, ethnic
conflicts etc. have arisen because the fruits of development haven't been distributed equally or the
cultures of some groups haven't been accorded due recognition.

Keywords:-
• Social Justice
• Caste Census
• Caste Mobility
• Caste-based Politics
• Anti-Caste Movements
• Reservation Revolution
• Ambedkar's Advocacy
• Mandal commission
• Sanskritisation
• Run towards backwardness
• Caste patriotism
• Untouchability Eradication
• CLAST
• Meritocracy
• The reaction of the excluded/ subaltern

Acronyms:-
use "ANTI CAST" as an acronym to highlight the demerits of the caste system:
A:-Access Barriers: Members of lower castes face barriers in accessing education, employment,
and other social resources.
N - Nepotism: Caste-based favoritism often leads to nepotism, where individuals from higher castes
receive preferential treatment in various aspects of life, such as education and employment.
T - Tradition-bound: The caste system is deeply rooted in tradition, making it resistant to change
and hindering societal progress toward a more egalitarian and inclusive structure.
I - Intolerance: The caste system fosters intolerance, discrimination, and prejudice among different
caste groups, leading
C - Cultural stagnation: Rigidity in the caste system can stifle cultural evolution by limiting

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 interactions and exchanges between different communities, hindering the growth of a dynamic and
diverse society.
A - Ascribed status: The system assigns individuals a social status based on birth rather than
merit, limiting individual potential and hindering social mobility.
S - Social division: Instead of fostering unity, the caste system creates divisions within society,
undermining the collective strength and harmony of communities.
T -.Talent Suppression: Merit and talent may be overlooked in favor of caste considerations,
leading to the underutilization of human potential.

use the acronym "PROGRESS" to explain factors contributing to changes in the caste system:-
• P - Policies: Implementation of progressive policies and legal reforms.
• R - Reform Movements: Social movements advocating for equality and justice.
• O - Outreach (Education): Increased literacy and educational outreach challenging traditional
beliefs.
• G - Globalization: Exposure to global ideas and diverse perspectives.
• R - Relationships (Inter-caste Marriages): Greater acceptance of inter-caste marriages.
• E - Economic Shifts: Economic development and opportunities leading to a shift from traditional
occupations.
• S - Social Media: Influence of media in breaking down stereotypes and fostering inclusivity.
• S - Social Mixing: Urbanisation fosters social mixing, bringing people from different castes into
closer contact and diluting traditional caste-based distinctions.

"ERASE" - Embrace Respect and Acceptance, Strive for Equality.

"RIGHT" approach- Reject inherent casteism, grow harmony with tolerance.

Case studies/ examples:-

• The Casteless Collective :-
This is a music band from tamilnadu that is without caste, that aims to eliminate caste and
religious discrimination through music,”
• Navsarjan Trust (Gujarat):
The Navsarjan Trust in Gujarat has been actively working to eliminate untouchability and
discrimination against Dalits. Their efforts include grassroots initiatives, legal advocacy, and
community mobilization to create awareness and bring about positive changes.
• Operation Samanta :-
Under this, the beat constables at the police station have to mark such villages in their area,
where till now Dalit grooms are not sitting on the mare or there has been an unpleasant incident
while sitting on the mare or they have been removed from the mare.After marking, equality
committees are formed in such villages so that the brides of Dalit community can be taken out on
the mare without any controversy and untoward incident.
• Bezwada Wilson's Safai Karmachari Andolan: Bezwada Wilson, a prominent Dalit rights
activist, has been leading the Safai Karmachari Andolan, a movement advocating for the rights of
manual scavengers and the eradication of manual scavenging—a practice often associated with
caste-based occupations.
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 • kibbutz:-
Israeli collective settlement, usually agricultural and often also industrial, in which all wealth is
held in common. Profits are reinvested in the settlement after members have been provided with
food, clothing, and shelter and with social and medical services.
• Samathuvapuram (equality village) (tamil nadu)
the equality village scheme was named Periyar to revive a society that was drowned in caste and
religious issues. Under the scheme, people from different communities are housed together in
newly developed residential areas with all amenities.

Feed the data :-

• According to the Annual Crime in India Report 2019 published by the National Crimes Records
Bureau, crime against SCs and STs has recorded an increase of over 7% and 26% respectively
in the year 2019.
• Madhya Pradesh (MP) had the highest crime rate against SCs in 2021. The state also had the
highest crime rate against SCs in 2020 and was ranked second (behind Rajasthan) in 2019.
• India Discrimination Report by Oxfam India:
Decline in discrimination in Urban Areas: It has been the case due to education and supportive
government policies.
Difference in Earning: The average earning of self-employed workers in 2019-20 was Rs 15,878
for people from non-SCs/ST categories, while it is Rs 10,533 for those from SC or ST
backgrounds.
Self-employed non-SC/ST workers earn a third more than their counterparts from SC or ST
backgrounds.
• Oxfam's India Inequality Report 2021 shows a disappointing figure of 25.9 percent in context of
the scheduled casts (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) households' access to improved and non-
shared sanitation facilities whereas for households belonging to people of general category, the
number stands at 66 percent.
• The literacy rate for SCs is around 66% which is less than the national average of 74%.
• According to ministry of education , IITs recorded 34 death by suicide of which 18 from were OBC
and SC communities .
• A benguluru based study in 2016 found that 75% of domestic workers were from scheduled cast ,
15% from obc, and 8% from scheduled tribes.
• A joint study from 2015 to 2017, conducted by Savitribai Phule Pune University, Jawaharlal Nehru
University and the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies shows that 22.3 per cent of forward caste (FC)
Hindus own 41 per cent of the country’s wealth.
• Constitutional articles:-
○ Articles 14 - equality before law
○ Article 15 -The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion,
race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.
○ Article 16 - equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or
appointment to any office under the State.
○ Article 17 -Abolition of untouchability

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 ○ Articles 46-Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker
sections of the society and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation

Readymade conclusions/ introductions:-

• In recent years, there have been efforts to dismantle the caste system and promote greater
social and economic equality, through measures such as affirmative action policies and
education initiatives. However, the caste system remains a deeply entrenched aspect of Indian
society, and addressing its negative impacts remains a major challenge.
• a caste census in India has the potential to shed light on the extent of caste-based
discrimination and atrocities and can be a valuable tool in shaping policies for social justice and
equality.A caste census can serve as a starting point, but sustained efforts are required to bring
about lasting change and reduce caste-based marginalization and atrocities in Indian society.
• Thus, the recent changes in the Indian caste system, highlights the increasing trend in caste-
loyalty, caste-identity, caste-patriotism and caste-mindedness. Through various policy measures
and awareness programmes efforts should be made to promote harmony and the spirit of
common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and
regional or castes diversities.
• Thus, it's too early to predict that the caste system is inevitable. Instead new methods and ideas
have to be initiated that can create an equal society, which is non dependent on caste identity.
• The caste system, while still influential in certain spheres, is gradually losing its iron grip,
especially in urban and multicultural settings. The interplay between traditional caste hierarchies
and modern egalitarian values depicts a society in flux. For the development of a more diverse
and inclusive Indian society, a thorough understanding of this complex transition is essential.
• Be it caste or communal violence, they stall the growth of the nation. Let us affirm that we will be
free from these tensions. - PM modi

Diagrams/illustrations/maps :-

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 Model answers from pyq and predictable questions:-

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 Currently in news:-
● Caste Census:-
The recently released caste survey data by the Bihar government has once again brought the
issue of caste census to the forefront. While the Census of India has been publishing data on
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, there has been no estimate for the population of
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other groups.
● Maratha reservation (run towards backwardness)
.Recently, in Maharashtra, the demand for reservations in educational institutions and
government jobs by the Maratha community has once again taken center stage.The Marathas
are a group of castes comprising peasants and landowners, among others, constituting nearly
33 per cent of state’s population. The demand for Maratha reservation is not new in the state.
The first protest over this was held 32 years ago by Mathadi Labour Union leader Annasaheb
Patil in Mumbai.
● Manual Scavenging in India:-
Recent revelations by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlight that only
508 out of 766 districts have declared themselves manual-scavenging free.This discrepancy
raises concerns about the true extent of manual scavenging and the effectiveness of
government efforts.
● National Commission for Scheduled Castes:-
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has recently issued a notice to
Zomato, regarding an advertisement that was deemed "inhuman" and casteist.

Revision through Mind map:-

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 Ready templates on common themes:-

Changes in caste system:-

Heading Subheadings Explain

Socio- political • Identity politics

• Caste revivalism
• Vote bank politics

Socio-economic • Development
decasting
• Claste(class+cast)
• Brahmanical
capitalism
• Virtuous cycle of
poverty

Socio-cultural • Caste patriotism

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 • Latent forms
• Existence in
domestic sphere

Socio-technological • Technological aid

(bandicoot)
• Loss of traditional
caste based work

Benefits of affirmative action:-

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Individual levele ● Livelihood

● Standard of living
● Mobility

Community level ● Representation

● Social justice
● Status

Society level ● Harmony

● Diversity
● Inclusivity

Governance level ● Diversity of opinion

● Social capital
● Productivity

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 ROLE OF WOMEN
Role and Status of Women in India
The role and status of women in India is a very hot issue that is passionately debated every day, as
ever more women become conscious of the inequalities and bias they suffer from. All around the
world, women are an untapped "resource" to fight poverty and violence.
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT
India's struggle for freedom is one such instance in history where women had stepped out of their
regular roles as home-makers, mothers and wives to shoulder the responsibility of sculpting the
concept of a new nation amidst the conflict between the people and the colonial state. While they
were at it, they had stood shoulder to shoulder with their men-folk to rally the masses to the cause,
face bullets, picket shops, participate in propaganda making. They embodied self-sufficiency as
Gandhi had first visualised through the skill of spinning using a “charkha”.
Ideally taken to be a womanly occupation practiced at home, the spinning of cloth with a charkha
became the guideline for understanding the resilience of the spirit. Given that India found its footing
in ideals drawn from home such as the art of spinning practiced by women, one would naturally
expect that the newly born nation would keep in mind the need of empowering its women to stand
as an example of a just society.
The Constitution of the Republic of independent India did not disappoint this expectation and sure
enough, women found their rights consolidated on paper, in laws and constitutional provisions giving
them equal rights to all aspects defining a quality life.
Role of Indian Women in Nation Building
While the growth of a country is dependent on its economy, the real way to measure its
achievement is to find out how successful its women are. In the past few decades, India has seen a
rise in the number of women ruling different sectors like the IT industry, Banking, Medicine, Real
estate, Textiles, etc.
During India's struggle for freedom, the position of women took a favorable turn. After India became
independent it was realized by most of the national leaders including Nehru, Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra
Prasad that emancipation of Women is necessary and also realized that so long as the conditions
of women were not improved, and granted equal status with men, India could not progress. Women
constitute approximately 40% population of a nation. If she is given the task for the development of
thecountry she can make a wonder. She is more dedicated, more hard working, more sincere, more
devoted to the cause. Many social evils like; dowry, illiteracy among the females, killing of girl child
in the womb, ignoring the hygienic values, polio etc. can well be tackled by the active involvement
of the women. Many women have proved themselves, dynamic, vibrant, sincere, and perfecting
many fields.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act passed in 1992 lay upon the women of country
more responsibilities in accelerating the development of the country. These amendments provide
33% reservation for women in the Panchayat Raj. Women elected to Panchayat and Municipal
Councils, because of the reservation. have started asserting themselves. Now the women in local
governments are taking the basic issues as water, health facilities, family planning, polio eradication,
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 more seriously, more sincerely. Now they can play better role in the development of their area of
operation whether village or municipality, which in turn will result into the overall development of the
State and the country as a whole. Women are more dedicated and devoted to their duties and have
much patience and politeness than man by nature. There is no doubt that women had played very
important role in the national building, but the man is still not in favour of giving them the given due
powers. The example is that the women's reservation bill lor 30% reservation in State Assemblies
and Parliament has not been made the law so far. The bill was introduced several times since 1996
but couldn't take shape of an Act so far. The empowerment of women by itself cannot place women
on equal footing with men. the need of hour is the change of social attitudes towards women. Many
social evils, like dowry, illiteracy among women, infanticide of female child. elimination of girls
foetus, are required to be fully rooted out. The crime against women like, eve teasing, rape. are to
be dealt with strongest hand though several measures but half-hearted are being taken by the
government in this direction, yet a change of social attitude and honesty, on the part of politicians, is
must to make the women participate in the nation building at grass root level,
The following social realities amply indicate the status of women in India today:
• Female Infanticide / Son Preference : There still prevails a preference for a son over a
daughter;
• Stereotype : Stereotyping of gender-based roles occurs even now;
• Unaccounted / unpaid work : Her work at home goes unaccounted for even in the national
level statistics;
• Domestic Sphere / Domestic violent : Power and decision making is shared unequally by men
and women and the scale is tilted in the favour of men; Domestic violence goes uncontested and
unreported;
• Crimes against women like molestation, rape, sexual harassment at the workplace are on the
increase; Dual responsibilities are not accepted by the men at home;
• Economic Sphere / Limited access to Resources : Lack of access to and control of family
and community assets and resources, irrespective of theircontributing to the same;
• Social attitude & Image : Situational Analysis of Women in India 267 Low image of women in
society manifest through socialattitudes and practices.
• Economic & Political exclusion : Fast forward to 2016, 70 years since independence – the
situation stands such that reports indicate a dwindling tendency in participation rates of women
in the formal labour force and political participation of women being no more than 10%.
• Orthodox Practices & Pressure : The discrimination brings together the different oppressive
practices from different traditional communities to write out a common low position for women
which often go unquestioned due to selective “scripture- based” justification for order in
communities. This form of discrimination has over time acquired the status of a norm, permeating the
overall cultural attitude towards determining claims of women at multiple levels, besides limits already
being imposed on production entitlements owing to the forces of globalisation.
• Disproportionate carp giving worked : Due to a disproportionate workload in terms of care
giving duties, women most often have less time for other activities such as paid work and
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 education. Besides the lack of time faced by women after care giving activities to pursue income
generating skills and active careers, they also find themselves often subjected to a family
imposed ideal of priority skill sets to work on which in turn shapes them to cater to the
requirements of a chauvinistic marriage market rather than a job market.
• Voluntary job Department : There are also instances of women willingly leaving their jobs as
they are conditioned to believe that housekeeping, child bearing are their primary duties and
roles. This issue is as much a matteror cultural indoctrination as it is of cultural pressure.
• Gendered Priorities : There is also a noted differentiation in establishing culturally accepted
priorities for men and women.
• Double burden : For women, the disproportionate pressure to sustain the marriage, manage the
household, bear and bring up children alongside careers naturally push them to often
compromise with their worklife aspirations.
• vulnerable : When thrown in a situation where she has to take important decisions affecting the
well-being of her family, she is thus extremely vulnerable to exploitative people.
• Informalisation Of Women : Besides this aspect, in terms of the prospect to take up
employment somewhere to earn for the family in dire situations, her lack of adequate skill set
throws her into the clutches of the informal sector which further fuels poverty in India. The
informal sector being largely unregulated, her quality of life and level of income varies according
to the whims and fancies of her employer.
Some reasons commonly forwarded (Registrar General of India, 2001) for declining sex ratio
are :
• Sex determination before birth and eliminating female foetuses (Female births);
• Killing of girl children (Female infanticide);
• Neglect of girl children—denial of adequate nutrition and access to health;
• Facilities and imposition of household chores at a tender age;
• In spite of declining infant mortality rates, the relative gap between males and females has been
increasing; and High maternal mortality;
• Son preference
• Crime against women

Women Empowerment
The term women empowerment is all about authority, or the power embarked on women sharing
indistinguishable rights. The term refers to the liberation of women from socio-economic restraints of
reliance. Women comprise around 50% of the country's population, and a bulk of them stays
economically dependent on each other without employment.
Problems faced by Women in Lower strata
• Problem of Identity - The identity of a female belonging to the minority is often associated with
a male in the family and in rural areas they are even considered the property of her father or

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 husband thus failing to create her own concrete identity.
• Problem of Security - The problem of security is common to all women of the country and not
just the women belonging to the minority community but these women are often left feeling more
insecure, both physical and psychological and are prone to abuse and threats from both their
community and the majority community. This feeling of insecurity gets even worse when the
relations between the majority and the minority communities in a society are strained or not
much cordial, during the time of communal riots, minority women are specifically targeted and
are killed, robbed and raped without mercy.
• Problem Relating to Equity - Women are deprived of various opportunities of development as
a result of discrimination, based on both religion and gender. Due to the difference in identity,
the minority community develops a sense of inequality. They are forced to miss out on many
academicand employment opportunities.
• Lack of representation - The Constitution of our country provides for equality and equal
opportunities to all its citizens including the religious minorities and women through various
articles and provisions but this concept sometimes fails to apply to the minority women and they
lack proper representation in many spheres, for instance, in civil services and politics.
• Backwardness - Large numbers of people of the minority community belong to the lower strata
of the society and results in backwardness for the whole community. Women and girls of these
communities face several other problems that are often overlooked or that are not considered
as important as the above-mentioned problem. They experience severe discrimination in
workplaces, educational institutions or even public places because of the way they dress or
speak or just on the basis of their religion. They are assumed to be socially, economically or
culturally poor even when that's not true. They are often treated with racial slurs, verbal abuse
and are oftenthe victims of eves teasing.
Factors behind Low Female Labour Participation
• Lack of policy support : Absence of comprehensive and rational policy for women's
emancipation through education, training and access to resources such as land, credit and
technology etc.
• Gender Pay gap : The perception of male as the breadwinner of the family despite the fact that
in low income households women's income is crucial for sustenance. This perception adversely
affects women's education & training. Employers also visualize women workers as
supplementary workers & also cash in on this perception to achieve their capitalistic motives by
keeping the wage low for women.
• Structural change : Structural changes in the economy e.g decline in traditional rural industries
or industrialization.
• Limited access to resources : Lack of assets (land, house) in their own name in order to have
access to credit and selfemployment opportunities.
• Double Burden : Huge demand of time and energy of women for various tasks at home like
child bearing and rearing etc in addition to participation in labour force leave them with little time
for education,training and self development.
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 • Gendered division of babour : Division of labour based on the gender between men and
women & technological advancements work against women. They are the last to be hired and
first to be sacked.
• Beneficiary apparition of state : Govt. programs to increase employment and productivity are
focused more on men & women areseen as beneficiaries rather than active participants.

Causes, Consequences and Solutions to Low Sex Ratio

Causes
• Female Foeticide: The rapid spread and use of ultrasound as well as amniocentesis for sex
determination are playing vital role in female foetus-induced abortions which is called as High-
tech sexism by Amartya Sen.
• Female Infanticide: In India there is still preference for male child and in some areas of the
country the female infanticide is still common. At least 117 million girls around the world
demographically go “missing” due to sex-selective abortions according to United Nations
Populations fund.
• Education : Due to illiteracy, people are unaware about the power and role of women in today's
era. The role of education has a great influence on the sex ratio scenario of India. Child
marriages are a common part of the Indian society. Most of the girls are prone to the issue of
child marriage at a very early age. This makes them to stay away from the education and are
compelled to take the responsibilities of the household.
• Poverty : States like Tamil Nadu have a high sex ratio but the poverty rate is low. There are
stateswherein due to poverty, a lot of girls are denied of nutritious food. This deprives the women
and girlchild from a living a healthy life.
• Social status of women : In most parts of India, women are merely considered as an object.
People are worried about the dowry issue with the birth of a girl child. Due to financial problem,
most of the families in rural areas prefer male child over female.
• Lack of empowerment of women : There is a lack of empowerment of women especially in the
rural areas. Women do not enjoy opportunities as men do. Due to lack of education, women are
unable to establish their roles in many places. The state of Uttar Pradesh has become like a
grave for girls.
• Male domination : Majority of the places in India follow the patriarchal system. In India, males
are considered to be the only bread earners. The methods of sex determination and female
foeticide areadopted which is main reason of declining number of females.
• Infant and Maternal Mortality : Infant mortality rate is the number of death of babies before the
age of one. Due to female foeticide, the sex ratio declines terribly. Maternal mortality also
contributes to the declining sex ratio as most of the women die during the childbirth due to
improper care.

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 • Impact of Population Policies: Under family planning policies, families want one or two
children andgenerally prefer male child over female child.

Consequences
• It is primarily adverse to men.
• Crime will increase in future if the trend continues. There are concerns that skewed sex ratios
leadto more violence against both men and women, as well as human-trafficking.
• Bring down society's reproductive potential by lower net reproduction rate.
• Events such as new household formation will decline.
• Adverse ratio results in a gross imbalance in the number of men and women and its inevitable
impact on marriage systems as well as other harms to women.

What can be done?

• To Increase sex ratio by preventing sex selection by enforcement of PCPNDT act and legal
action against quacks indulging in illegal abortions.

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 • To provide economical assistance for the girl child and to encourage savings for future benefits.
• Bringing Behavioural Change: Increasing female education and economic prosperity help to
improve the ratio. In this pursuit, The government's Beti-Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign has
achieved remarkable success in bringing behavioural change in the society.
• Sensitizing Youth: There is an urgent need to reach young people for reproductive health
education and services as well as to cultivate gender equity norms.
• Nudge of appreciation Regarding the services of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) can
be leveraged, especiallyin rural areas.
Factors affetcting Women Empowerment
• Decision Making : Women's participation rate on household decision making not only varies
from rural to urban areas but also gets affected by their background characteristics like age,
educational status,husband's education, employment status etc.
• Mobility of women : Free mobility of women is another indicator of women empowerment.
Women's mobility is also affected by their background characteristics like age, education, marital
status, type of family.
• Aless to Education : Women's access to education which is one of the important sources
of empowerment denotes the current status of women empowerment in the country.
• Lake of autonomy : Employment and cash earnings are more likely to empower women if
women make decisions about their own earnings alone or jointly with their husband rather than
their husband alone.
• Exposure to Media : Exposure to Media is an important source of empowerment, greater
proportion of women without having access to media reflects the relatively disadvantageous
position of women in relation to men with regards to empowerment.
• Political Participation : Women's political participation is one of the important issues in the
context of empowerment. In conventional analysis it means activities related to electoral politics
like voting, campaigning, holding party office and contesting election. But in broader sense it
encompasses all voluntary actions intended to influence the making of public policies, the
administration of public affairs and the choice of political leaders at all levels of government.
• While India has taken some measures on human development, its global standing on gender
equality remains low. India's ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report, commissioned by the
World Economic Forum, declined from 108th in 2018 to 112th in 2020.
• The Indian legal system is also confronted with gaps between policy and practice. Despite
existing legislation to protect women and girls, the enforcement of these laws and conviction of
alleged perpetrators is weak. The gaps in these processes are widened by systemic
bureaucracy and corruption. It took seven years to hang the perpetrators implicated in the
notorious “Nirbhaya” gang rape case.
• The patriarchal and patrilineal customs, with some exceptions, have impeded female mobility,
access to basic healthcare and access to education and have led to forced marriages.

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 • India's prevailing issues on gender inequality should be seen in a wider context of South Asia. In
rural areas, especially in the Hindi heartland, gender disparity is still significant. Women continue
to be relegated to household tasks, with little or no say in economic decisions. Levels of literacy,
nutrition and access to health care continue to be poor, and social welfare parameters are lower
than neighbouring Bangladesh.
• Social norms and family structures in developing countries like India, manifests and perpetuate
the subordinate status of women. One of such norms is the continuing preference for a son over
the birth of a girl child, which is present in almost all societies and communities.
• Poverty is the reality of life for the vast majority of women in India. It is another factor thatposes
challenge in realizing women's empowerment. In a poor family, girls are the main victims; they
are malnourished and are denied the opportunity of better education and other facilities.
• Lack of awareness about legal and constitutional provisions and failure in realizing it, is
another factor that hinders the process of empowerment. Most of the women are not aware of
their legal rights.
What can be done?
• Positive environment : Creating an environment through positive economic and social policies
for full development ofwomen to enable them to realize their full potential.
• Equal right : The de-jure and de-facto enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedom
by women onequal basis with men in all spheres – political, economic, social, cultural and civil.
• Presentation : Equal access to participation and decision making of women in social, political
and economic lifeof the nation.
• Access to social service : Equal access to women to health care, quality education at all
levels, career and vocational guidance, employment, equal remuneration, occupational health
and safety, social security andpublic office etc.
• Societal : strengthening legal systems aimed at elimination of all forms of discrimination against
women.
• Attitude : Changing societal attitudes and community practices by active participation and
involvement ofboth men and women.
• Mainstreaming a gender perspective in the development process.
• Elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child.
• Building and strengthening partnerships with civil society, particularly women's organizations.
Generally speaking, the women of India are relatively disempowered and they enjoy somewhat
lower status than that of men. In spite of so many efforts undertaken by government and NGOs the
picture atpresent is not satisfactory. Mere access to education and employment can only help in the
process of empowerment. These are the tools or the enabling factors through which the process
gets speeded up. However, achievement towards this goal depends more on attitude. Unless the
attitude towards the acceptance of unequal gender role by the society and even the women
themselves changed women cannot grab the opportunity provided to them through constitutional

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 provision, law etc. Till then we cannot say that women are empowered in India in its real sense.

Keywords:-
• gender mainstreaming
• Feminisation of poverty/agriculture
• Glass ceiling
• Pink collar jobs
• Patriarchal bargain
• Gender pay gap
• gender-sensitive policies
• Right over own body/ bodily autonomy
• breaking stereotypes
• SDG 5- gender equality
• Casual sexism
• Zero tolerance
• Housewife to homemaker
• Caretaker
• Gender blind
• Marital rape
• Menstrual periods
• Objectification of women
• Unpaid work
• Double burden
• Triple shift
• Sarpanch pati
• Batsman to batter , chairman to chairperson

Acronyms :-
INSPIRE:
I - Inclusivity: Promoting an inclusive environment that embraces diversity.
N - Nurturing Leadership: Cultivating and encouraging leadership skills in women.
S - Support Systems: Establishing strong support networks for women in various fields.
P - Personal Development: Focusing on personal growth and self-development.
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 I - Innovation: Encouraging creative thinking and innovation among women.
R - Respect: Advocating for respect and dignity for women.
E - Equal Opportunities: Ensuring equal opportunities for women in all aspects of life.

LIMITS: Barriers to Women's Empowerment

● L - Limited Educational Opportunities:
Challenge: Insufficient access to quality education, limiting women's ability to acquire essential
skills.
● I - Institutional Bias:
Challenge: Systemic biases within institutions that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and
hinder progress.
● M - Misrepresentation:
Challenge: Inaccurate portrayal and underrepresentation of women in media and public
discourse.
● Intolerance:
Challenge: Societal intolerance toward women who challenge traditional norms and seek
empowerment.
● T - Traditional Norms:
Challenge: Deep-seated cultural norms and traditions that prescribe restrictive gender roles for
women.
● S - Socioeconomic Disparities:
Challenge: Economic inequalities that disproportionately affect women, limiting financial
independence.
WISE: Women Inspiring Societal Empowerment.
SHINE: Striving for Harmony, Independence, and Nurturing Equality.

Case studies:-
● Grameen Bank, Bangladesh:
Founded by Muhammad Yunus(Nobel laureate) , the Grameen Bank focuses on providing
microcredit to women in rural areas. Due to this Women borrowers have become entrepreneurs,
starting small businesses and improving their families' economic conditions.
● Rwanda's Women in Politics:
After the genocide in 1994, Rwanda made remarkable strides in women's political

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 representation. Now The country has one of the highest percentages of women in parliament
globally, contributing to legislative changes that prioritize women's rights and empowerment
● Kudumbashree, Kerala:
Kudumbashree is a women's self-help group program in Kerala, emphasizing poverty
eradication and women's empowerment. Through microcredit, skill development, and community
initiatives, Kudumbashree has empowered millions of women, enabling them to improve their
socio-economic status.
● SEWA, India:
Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is a trade union that started as a movement for
the empowerment of poor, self-employed women workers. Now SEWA has empowered millions
of women by providing them with a platform to organize, access financial services, and improve
working conditions.
● HeForShe Campaign -
Launched by UN Women, HeForShe engages men as advocates for gender equality. It
Promoted dialogue on gender issues and inspired men globally to actively support and advocate
for women's empowerment.
● Nike's "Made to Play" Initiative:
It was focused on overcoming barriers that limit girls' access to sports. It resulted into Increased
participation in sports among girls, promoting physical health, confidence, and leadership skills.

Feed the data :-

• On the parameter of gender inequality, India’s Gender Inequality Index (GII) value is 0.490 in
2021.
• The Periodic Labour Force Survey’s 2020-21 annual report says that the labour force
participation rate among Indian women is just 23.15 per cent, in contrast to 57.75 per cent in
men.
• Only 1% of women globally live in countries with high women's empowerment and gender parity.
• On average, women achieve only 60% of their full potential, according to the WEI.
• None of the 114 countries analyzed achieved complete women's empowerment or gender parity.
• Global Gender Gap Report 2023
○ The global gender gap score in 2023 stands at 68.4%, indicating a modest improvement of
0.3% points compared to the previous year.
○ The gender gap in health and survival has closed by 96% globally.

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 ○ The gender gap in educational attainment has closed by 95.2%, with significant progress
made over the 2006-2023 period
○ The gender gap in economic participation and opportunity stands at 60.1% globally,
highlighting the persistent challenges in achieving gender equality in the workforce.The
gender gap in economic participation and opportunity is projected to close in 169 years.
○ India has made significant progress, rising from 135th (in 2022) to 127th out of 146 countries
in the report's 2023 edition, indicating an improvement in its ranking.
• India saw a total of 4,28,278 instances of crimes against women in 2021 – (NCRB)
• Nearly half the women from 57 developing countries do not have the right to make decisions
regarding their bodies, including using contraception, seeking healthcare or even on their
sexuality. (World Population Report 2021: UNFPA)
• Almost 99% of women in Nagaland participate in household decision-making, followed by
Mizoram at 98.8%.
• World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide
have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner
sexual violence in their lifetime.
• A survey conducted in 2020 showed that out of 1,044 members of the Indian National Science
Academy (INSA), only 89 are women, amounting to 9%. In 2015, it was worse with 6% women
scientist members out of 864 members.

Readymade conclusions/ introductions :-

• Women and women’s organizations have played a significant role in various spheres of life
such as education, health, economy, politics, and social movements. Women’s contributions
have been instrumental in bringing about change and promoting gender equality. The
government has also taken various initiatives to support women’s participation and promote
gender equality. However, there is still a long way to go, and more efforts need to be made to
ensure that women’s contributions are recognized and their rights are protected.
• In conclusion, achieving gender equality in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but a
strategic necessity for fostering innovation, creativity, and sustained economic growth. It
requires concerted efforts from individuals, organizations, and policymakers to dismantle
barriers and create an inclusive environment where women can thrive professionally.
• The fight against violence against women is an ongoing battle that demands collective action.
It is imperative to challenge societal norms, strengthen legal frameworks, and provide

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 comprehensive support systems to empower women and create a world where they can live free
from fear and violence.
• In conclusion, ensuring women's health and reproductive rights is fundamental to achieving
broader societal well-being. It necessitates not only accessible healthcare but also
comprehensive education and policies that respect and protect a woman's autonomy over her
body, contributing to a healthier and more equitable society.
• fostering women's leadership is not just about breaking glass ceilings; it is about transforming
organizational cultures and societal perceptions. Embracing diverse leadership styles and
providing equal opportunities will not only benefit women but also contribute to more innovative
and effective decision-making processes.
• As we strive for sustainable development, acknowledging and harnessing the immense
potential of women is paramount. Empowering women economically, ensuring access to
education, and promoting gender-inclusive policies are key components that will lead to a more
resilient and prosperous future for all.

Maps/diagrams/ illustrations:-

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Telegram : PRAYAAS UPSC 57 09894998421 ©PRAYAAS
 Model answers from pyq and predictable questions:-

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Telegram : PRAYAAS UPSC 59 09894998421 ©PRAYAAS
 Currently in news :-
● Women Reservation Act, 2023:-
Recently, the Lok Sabha (LS) and Rajya Sabha (RS), both passed Women's Reservation Bill
2023 (128th Constitutional Amendment Bill) or Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.The bill reserves
one-third of the seats in Lok Sabha, State legislative assemblies and the Delhi assembly. This
will also apply to the seats reserved for SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Scheduled Tribes) in
Lok Sabha and State Legislatures.
● Balancing Reproductive Autonomy and Unborn Child's Rights:-
The Supreme Court of India recently denied permission to terminate a 26-week pregnancy for a
married woman under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy(MTP) Act, 1971.
On the other hand Observing that pregnancy outside marriage, especially in cases of sexual
assault, is injurious and a cause of stress, the Supreme Court of India allowed a rape survivor
from Gujarat to terminate her 27-week pregnancy.
● SC Handbook on Gender Stereotypes:-
Chief Justice of India (CJI) has released a Handbook, correcting Gender Stereotypes and
offering guidance on how to avoid utilising harmful gender stereotypes, in particular those about
women, in judicial decision making and writing.
● Polygamy in India:-
Recently, the Chief Minister of Assam has said that the state government will move to ban the
practice of Polygamy through “Legislative Action”, and that an “Expert committee” would be
formed to examine the issue.
● Menstrual Leaves:-
The Supreme Court of India rejected a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) regarding menstrual leave
for workers and students across the country. The court called it a policy matter and pointed out
that menstrual pain leave has different dimensions and may also act as a disincentive for
employers from engaging female employees.
● Marital Rape in India:-
Out of 185 countries in the world, 77 have laws that clearly criminalise marital rape while there
are 34 countries that explicitly decriminalise marital rape, or in essence, offer immunity to men
who perpetrate rape against their wives. India, is one of the 34 countries that have
decriminalised marital rape.
● Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam:-
Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has launched the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai

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 Thittam, a women's basic income scheme, recognizing Women's Unpaid Labor. The scheme will
provide Rs 1,000 per month to women in eligible households

Quick revision through mind maps:-

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 Readymade templates on common themes :-
Challenges of women empowerment

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Political ● Under
representation
● Sarpanch pati
● Legislation

Economic ● Glass ceiling

● Gender pay gap
● Feminisation of
poverty
● Pink collar jobs

Social ● Patriarchal norms

● Family structures
● Marriage, kinship

Technological ● Low representation

in STEM
● female foeticide

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 POPULATION AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES
INTRODUCTION
India, like many other countries, has come a long way from the initial days of evolution under
conditions of high mortality due to famines, accidents, illness, infections and war, when relatively
high levels of fertility was essential for species survival. Over the years, better equipped in dealing
with diseases and vagaries of nature, it has witnessed significant increase in life expectancy along
with steep fall in mortality. Consequently, in the world of seven billion people, India along with China
already occupies a place in the Billionaire club and is likely to overtake China by 2025.
POPULATION GROWTH
As per UN estimates, World population grew at annual rate of 1.23 per cent during 2010-2020 with
developing countries like India registering a higher growth rate. The population of developed
countries like Japan & USA grew at a slower pace with Russia even witnessing a decline in
population. China registered a much lower growth rate (third lowest in top ten most populous
countries behind Russia & Japan, in fact much lower than USA).It is now estimated that India will
overtake china as the most populous country by 2025-30 despite the fact that the growth rate has
slowed down even in case of India. Decadal growth rate in case of India was 17.7 % compared to
21.5 % in the previous decade.
DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION
India , at present, is at stage three of the four stage model* of demographic transition from stable
population with high mortality and fertility to stable population with low mortality and fertility, with
some of the states/UT's already into stage four.Percentage decadal growth rate of population has
been deciling since 1971-81 at all india level. However, significant fall in case of EAG States(
Empowered action group states: UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Chhatisgarh, Rajasthan
& Orissa )has been noticed for the first time during 2011 census.

*Stage 1: less developed countries , high birth rate ,high no. of deaths due to preventable causes, stable population
Stage 2: Death rates fall due to improved public health but high fertility due to limited access to health and contraceptive services , spurt in population
Stage 3: Birth rate also falls, population continues to grow due to large no. of people in reproductive age group
Stage 4:Stable population but at a level higher than the initial, low birth & death rates, high social & economic development

DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION MOCDEL/THEORY

The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is based on historical population trends of two
demographic characteristics – birth rate and death rate – to suggest that a country's total population
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 growth rate cycles through stages as that country develops economically. Each stage is
characterized by a specific relationship between birth rate (number of annual births per one
thousand people) and death rate (number of annual deaths per one thousand people). As these
rates change in relation to each other, their produced impact greatly affects a country's total
population. Within the model, a country will progress over time from one stage to the next as certain
social and economic forces act upon the birth and death rates. Every country can be placed within
the DTM, but not every stage of the model has a country that meets its specific definition. For
example, there are currently no countries in Stage 1, nor are there any countries in Stage 5, but the
potential is there for movement in the future.

What are the stages of the Demographic Transition Model?

• In Stage 1: which applied to most of the world before the Industrial Revolution, both birth rates
and death rates are high. As a result, population size remains fairly constant but can have major
swingswith events such as wars or pandemics.
• In Stage 2: the introduction of modern medicine lowers death rates, especially among children,
while birth rates remain high; the result is rapid population growth. Many of the least developed
countries today are in Stage 2.
• In Stage 3: birth rates gradually decrease, usually as a result of improved economic conditions,
an increase in women's status, and access to contraception. Population growth continues, but at
a lower rate. Most developing countries are in Stage 3.
• In Stage 4: birth and death rates are both low, stabilizing the population. These countries tend
to have stronger economies, higher levels of education, better healthcare, a higher proportion of
working women, and a fertility rate hovering around two children per woman. Most developed
countries are in Stage 4.
• A possible Stage 5 would include countries in which fertility rates have fallen significantly below
replacement level (2 children) and the elderly population is greater than the youthful population.
Limitations of the Demographic Transition Model
Like any model, there will be outliers and exceptions to the rule and the Demographic Transition
Model is no different. Additionally, there are things the DTM cannot reveal: the impact of other
demographic variables such as migration, are not considered, nor does the model predict how long

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 a country will be in each stage. But even so, the relationship between birth rate and death rate is an
important concept when discussing population and any patterns, such as those provided by the
DTM,that aid in understanding are helpful.
CONSEQUENCES OF POPULATION GROWTH
For India the current phase of demographic transition with low dependency ratio and high working
age group population, represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to develop
these human resources through appropriate education and skill development and utilise them fully
by giving them appropriate jobs with adequate emoluments; if this challenge is met through well
planned schemes for HRD and employment generation which are implemented effectively, there
will be improved national productivity and personal savings rates; appropriate investment of these
savings will help the country to achieve the economic transition from low economic growth - low per
capita income to high economic growth - high per capita income. It is imperative to make the best
use of this opportunity so as to enable the country and its citizens to vault to the high income- high
economic growth status and stabilize at that level.
Possible benefits of an increasing population are listed below:
• If the population is above the optimum size, the country will be able to make better use of its
resources. i.e Resource optimization.
• The size of markets will increase. This should enable firms to take greater advantage of
economies of scale.
• There may be an increase in factor mobility if the rise has resulted from an increase in the birth
rate or immigration. Expanding industries can recruit new workers to the labour force. These
people are likely to be familiar with new ideas and methods. If this is the case, firms' training costs will
bereduced.
• Extra demand will be generated. This is likely to stimulate investment and this may lead to
introduction of new technology.
• Demographics Dividend : A rise in the labour force presently due to net immigration and in the
future, caused by a rise in the birth rate. Net immigration will bring in more workers. More
children being born will increase the dependency ratio in the short term but in the long term, will
result in more workers.
Environmental and ecological consequences
• The already densely populated developing countries contribute to over 95% of the population
growth and rapid population growth could lead to environmental deterioration.
• Developed countries are less densely populated and contribute very little to population growth;
however, they cause massive ecological damage by the wasteful, unnecessary and unbalanced
consumption the consequences of which could adversely affect both the developed and the
developing countries.
• In many developing countries continued population growth has resulted in pressure on land,
fragmentation of land holding, collapsing fisheries, shrinking forests, rising temperatures, loss of
plant and animal species. Global warming due to increasing use of fossil fuels (mainly by the

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 developed countries) could have serious effects on the populous coastal regions in developing
countries, their food production and essential water supplies.
• Greenhouse gas emissions are closely linked to both population growth and development.
Slower population growth in developing countries and ecologically sustainable lifestyles in
developed countries would make reduction in green house gas emission easier to achieve and
provide moretime and options for adaptation to climate change.
• Rapid population growth, developmental activities either to meet the growing population or the
growing needs of the population as well as changing lifestyles and consumption patterns pose
major challenge to preservation and promotion of ecological balance in India.
• Severe pressure on the forests due to both the rate of resource use and the nature of use. The
per capita forest biomass in the country is only about 6 tons as against the global average of 82
tons.
• Adverse effect on species diversity
• Conversion of habitat to some other land use such as agriculture, urban development, forestry
operation. Some 70-80 % of fresh water marshes and lakes in the Gangetic flood plains has
beenlost in the last 50 years.
• Tropical deforestation and destruction of mangroves for commercial needs and fuel wood. The
country's mangrove areas have reduced from 700,000 ha to 453,000 ha in the last 50 years.
• Intense grazing by domestic livestock
• Poaching and illegal harvesting of wildlife.
• Increase in agricultural area, high use of chemical fertilizers pesticides and weedicides; water
stagnation, soil erosion, soil salinity and low productivity.
• High level of biomass burning causing large-scale indoor pollution.
• Encroachment on habitat for rail and road construction thereby fragmenting the Habitat.
increasein commercial activities such as mining and unsustainable resource extraction.
• Degradation of coastal and other aquatic ecosystems from domestic sewage, pesticides,
fertilizers and industrial effluents.
• Over fishing in water bodies and introduction of weeds and exotic species.
• Diversion of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses leading to increased river
pollution and decrease in self-cleaning properties of rivers.
• Increasing water requirement leading to tapping deeper aquifers which have high content of
arsenic or fluoride resulting health problems.
• Disturbance from increased recreational activity and tourism causing pollution of natural
ecosystems with wastes left behind by people.
URBANIZATION
• Urban population growth has outpaced the development of basic minimum services; housing,
water supply, sewerage and solid waste disposal are far from adequate
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 • Increasing waste generation at home, offices and industries, coupled with poor waste disposal
facilities result in rapid environmental deterioration.
• Increasing automobiles add to air pollution.
• All these have adverse effect on ecology and health.
• Poverty persists in urban and peri-urban areas; awareness about the glaring inequities in close
urban setting may lead to social unrest.
Water supply
• In many parts of developed and developing world, water demand substantially exceeds
sustainable water supply.
• In India, water withdrawal is estimated to be twice the rate of aquifer recharge; as a result, water
tables are falling by one to three meters every year; tapping deeper aquifers have resulted in
larger population groups being exposed to newer health hazards such as high fluoride or arsenic
content in drinking water.
• At the other end of the spectrum, excessive use of water has led to water logging and increasing
salinity in some parts of the country.
• Eventually, both lack of water and water logging could have adverse impact on India's food
production.
Food security:
• It is a matter of concern that while the cereal production has been growing steadily at a rate
higher than the population growth rates, the coarse grain and pulse production has not shown a
similar increase. Consequently there has been a reduction in the per capita availability of and
coarse grains.
• Another area of concern is the lack of sufficient focus and thrust in horticulture; because of this,
availability of vegetables especially green leafy vegetables and yellow/red vegetables throughout
the year at affordable cost both in urban and rural areas has remained an unfulfilled dream.
Economic Implications:
• The early Malthusian view was that population growth is likely to impede economic growth
because it will put pressure on the available resources, result in reduction in per capita income
andresources; this, in turn, will result in deterioration in quality of life.
• The population growth or demographic transition can have favourable impact on economic
growth only when there are optimal interventions aimed at human resource development (HRD)
and appropriate utilisation of available human resources.
Migration
• Given the combination of high population growth, low literacy and lack of employment
opportunities in the poorly performing States, there may be increasing rural to urban migration as
well as interstate migration especially of unskilled workers.
• Such migration may in the short run assist the migrants in overcoming economic problems

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 associated with unemployment. However, the migrant workers and their families may face
problems in securing shelter, education and health care.
• It is essential to build up a mechanism for monitoring these changes. Steps will have to be taken
toprovide for the minimum essential needs of the vulnerable migrant population.
Education
• Growing numbers have made it harder to improve schooling. India has had a poor outcome even
with the low educational expenditures it manages.
• Only just over half the population completes more than four years of education, and the average
quality of education is low.
Rise in Unemployment
• When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to unemployment as there are fewer jobs
tosupport a large number of people.
• The rise in unemployment gives rise to crime, such as theft, as people want to feed their families
and provide them basic amenities of life.
High Cost of Living
• As the difference between demand and supply continues to expand due to overpopulation, it
raises the prices of various essential commodities, including food, shelter, and healthcare. This
means that people have to pay more to survive and feed their families.
Pandemics and Epidemics
• Poverty is linked to many environmental and social reasons, including overcrowded and
unhygienic living conditions, malnutrition and inaccessible, inadequate, or non-existent health
care, for which the poor are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases.
• Further, high densities of population increase the chance of the emergence of new pandemics
andepidemics.
Increased Intensive Farming
• With the growth of population over the years, farming practices have evolved to produce enough
food required to feed a larger number of people. However, this intensive farming methods cause
damage to local ecosystems and the land that may pose problems in the future.
• Furthermore, intensive farming is also contributed to climate change due to the machinery
required. If the population continues to grow at its current rate, this effect will likely intensify.
Measures
Better Education
• One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating the
masseshelps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most.
• Similarly, education plays a vital role in understanding the latest technologies that are making
huge waves in the world of computing. Families that are facing a hard life and choose to have
fouror five children should be discouraged.
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 Education for Girl Child
• Entrenched gender norms and child marriage further disrupt their access to education. The girl
who receives less education is more likely to have children early and vulnerable to exploitation.
Making People Aware of Family
• As the population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among people
regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after-effects of overpopulation can
help curb population growth.
• One of the best ways is to let them know about various safe sex techniques and contraceptive
methods available to avoid any unwanted pregnancy.
Tax Benefits or Concessions
• The government of various countries might have to come up with various policies related to tax
exemptions to curb overpopulation.
• One of them might be to waive a certain part of income tax or lowering rates of income tax for
thosemarried couples who have single or two children.
Knowledge of Sex Education
• Imparting sex education to young kids at the elementary level should be a must. Most parents
feel shy in discussing such things with their kids that results in their children going out and look
out forsuch information on the internet or discuss it with their peers.
• Mostly, the information is incomplete, which results in sexually active teenagers unaware of
contraceptives and embarrassed to seek information about the same. It is, therefore, important
for parents and teachers to shed their old inhibitions and make their kids or students aware of
solid sex education.
Social Marketing
• Social marketing has already been started by some societies to educate the public on
overpopulation effects. The intervention can be made widespread at a low cost.
• A variety of print materials (flyers, brochures, fact sheets, stickers) can be distributed in places
such as at local places of worship, sporting events, local food markets, schools and at car parks.
Actions on the national level
• In high fertility developing countries, governments should …
• Generously fund family planning programs
• Make modern contraception legal, free and available everywhere, even in remote areas
• Improve health care to reduce infant and child mortality
• Restrict child marriage and raise the legal age of marriage (minimum 18 years)
• Introduce obligatory education as long as possible (minimum until the age of 16), and generously
fund the necessary infrastructure.
• Empower women, assuring equal rights, treatment and opportunities for both genders Provide

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 information and access to reproductive health care, including all types of low cost, safe, effective
contraception
• Make sterilization free, for men and women, or at least covered under all healthcare plans
Legalizeabortion without restrictions or social stigma
• Integrate family planning and safe motherhood programs into primary health care systems Make
population and environmental issues and sex education part of the basic educational curriculum
Disincentivize third and further children non-coercively, by limiting government support to the
first two children Create a national population policy built around an optimal population size, and
workto achieve it.
• Set aside half the national landscape free from intensive development and dedicated to
biodiversity protection.
AGEING POPULATION IN INDIA
India enjoys one of the youngest global population with average national age at around 29 years,
while 41 percent of our population is under 18 years of age, according to the last census. This
means that most Indians have a majority of their working years ahead of them. This population can
contribute to nation-building and economy, if equipped with the right skills, training and jobs. If the
fertility rate of a nation drops below the replacement rate, it means its population is ageing faster
than the young ones reaching the age where they can join the active workforce. Once fertility
decline is underway, it's hard to flip it back. Europe's population is greying continuously, and their
pro-population-growth measures – such as incentives to have children – are not working. The young
population also came to the country's aid when it is battling a global catastrophe like the coronavirus
pandemic. It has been India'sbiggest shield in keeping the mortality rate well below 3 percent.
As of 2019, over 139 million people living in India are aged over 60 which is over 10% of the
country's total population. The proportion of older people is expected to almost double to 19.5% in
2050 with 319 million people aged over 60. This means that every 1 in 5 Indians is likely to be a
senior citizen.

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 ISSUES RELATED TO AGEING POPULATION
• Family structures are changing. As people live longer and have fewer children, family structures
are transformed, leaving older people with fewer options for care.
• Patterns of work and retirement are shifting. Shrinking ratios of workers to pensioners and
people spending a larger portion of their lives in retirement increasingly strain existing health and
pensionsystems.
• As India's population structure changes, so does its health profile. The prevalence of mental
illness, another prominent NCD, is also rising as the population ages.
• Accompanying the aging of the Indian population is increasing feminization in older age groups,
which brings its own unique issues and challenges. In addition to the perils of widowhood, older
women in India are significantly disadvantaged in terms of education and literacy relative to both
their male contemporaries and to women and men in younger age groups.

• Another major challenge of population aging in India is income and housing security for older
adults. This is due in part to a changing social and economic landscape in which the traditional
family support system is breaking down in the households of many older adults.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Economic Security
• Non-Contributory Pensions to the Older Persons in BPL Families.
• Income Generation Opportunities for Able and Willing Older Persons.
• Imaginative Schemes for contributory Pensions for those older Persons Who can Afford to Save
inPrime Years.
• Special Schemes for Women, Dalits, Rural Poor, Destitute and Disabled Older Persons, Widows.
Health Security
• Accessible, Available and Affordable Geriatric Health Facilities to All Older Persons.
• Provision of Infrastructure and Trained Personnel.

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 • Development of facilities in Public Health Arena for the Poor.
• Exploration of Public Private Partnership in Development of Infrastructure and Financing of
HealthCare.
• Special Attention to Rural Facilities Women, Poor, Disabled, Rural, Dalits, Destitute.
• Promoting awareness about the concept of healthy ageing and the health problems and to
involvethe community in the process of their mitigation.
• All the private hospitals who are receiving govt. grants/ land at subsidised rates can be given
these directions. Others can be given suggestions through Central Governments/ State
Governments/ Indian Medical Associations.
• NDMA to take special efforts to tackle older persons in emergencies. Rehabilitation of elderly in
emergencies through special income generation efforts.
To improve income security for all its aging individuals, India needs to revise its retirement and
pension policy to accommodate the country's changing demography
India faces unprecedented population aging due to lengthening lifespans and dropping fertility. This
demographic shift poses massive and complex challenges to Indian society in the form of a rising
burden of noncommunicable diseases, a vulnerable female-heavy older adult population, a
changing family structure, and a lack of a social safety net. Successfully addressing these
challenges, while certainly far from impossible, will require equally complex and ambitious changes
and innovations in health, fiscal, and social policies.
DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND
Concept
Demographic dividend refers to the growth in an economy that is the result of a change in the age
structure of a country's population. The change in age structure is typically brought on by a decline
infertility and mortality rates.
A decline in fertility and mortality rates boosts working population productivity, which leads to a
demographic dividend.
The demographic dividend comes as there's an increase in the working population's productivity,
which boosts per capita income. The first period for a demographic dividend can last 50 or more
years and then the second period can last indefinitely as an aging population invests in various
investment vehicles. Demographic dividends can be found with savings, labor supply, human
capital, and economic growth.
Status of India
India has 62.5% of its population in the age group of 15-59 years which is ever increasing and will
be at the peak around 2036 when it will reach approximately 65%.
These population parameters indicate an availability of demographic dividend in India, which
started in 2005- 06 and will last till 2055-56. India's demographic bulge can translate into a
demographic dividend lest this human resource takes shape of a productive quality workforce
through interventions in the areas of healthcare, education, skill training and creation of sustainable
employment opportunities, failing which the supposed demographic advantage could turn into a
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 demographic disaster.
BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL
During the course of the demographic dividend there are four mechanisms through which the
benefitsare delivered.
• Labour Supply: The first is the increased labour supply However, the magnitude of this benefit
appears to be dependent on the ability of the economy to absorb and productively employ the
extraworkers rather than be a pure demographic gift.
• Increase in savings: The second mechanism is the increase in savings. As the number of
dependents decreases individuals can save more. This increase in national savings rates
increases the stock of capital in developing countries already facing shortages of capital and
leads to higher productivity as the accumulated capital is invested. Human Capital: The third
mechanism is human capital. Decrease in fertility rates results in healthier women and fewer
economic pressures at home. This also allows parents to invest more resources per child,
leading to better health and educational out comes.
• Increase in Demand: The fourth mechanism for growth is the increasing domestic demand
broughtabout by the increasing GDP per capita and the decreasing dependency ratio.
• Issues related to demographic Dividend
• Demographic dividend will be fully realized only if India is able to create gainful employment
opportunities for the ever increasing working-age population.
o Lack of skill in Indian workforce is a major challenge. India may not be able to take
advantage of the opportunities, due to a low human capital base and lack of skills. India
ranks 130 out of 189 countries in UNDP's Human Development Index, which is alarming.
Therefore, health and education parameters need to be improved substantially to make the
Indian workforce efficient
o and skilled. Informal nature of economy in India is another hurdle in reaping the benefits of
demographic transition in India.
o There is mounting concern that future growth could turn out to be jobless due to de-
industrialization, de-globalization, the fourth industrial revolution and technological progress.
o The status of institutions in India regarding caste discrimination, gender inequalities,
widening income gap between the rich and the poor, religious differences, inefficient and
slow legal system-all contribute to the poor standard of living of the masses.
Measures
• Investing in people through healthcare, quality education, jobs and skills helps build human
capital, which is key to supporting economic growth, ending extreme poverty, and creating a
moreinclusive society.
• Skill development to increase employability of young population. India's labour force needs to be
empowered with the right skills for the modern economy.
• Enhancing educational levels by properly investing in primary, secondary and higher education.
Also, academic-industry collaboration is necessary to synchronise modern industry demands
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 andlearning levels in academics.
• Improvement in healthcare infrastructure would ensure higher number of productive days for
young labour force, thus increasing the productivity of the economy.
• The nation needs to create ten million jobs per year to absorb the addition of young people into
the workforce. Promoting businesses' interests and entrepreneurship would help in job creation
to provide employment to the large labour force.
• The large young and working population in the years to come will migrate to urban areas within
their own and other States, leading to rapid and large-scale increase in urban population. How
these migrating people can have access to basic amenities, health and social services in urban
areas need to be the focus of urban policy planning.

Keywords:-
• Fertility rate
• Mortality rate
• Ageing population
• Gender ratio
• Population density
• Census
• Family planning
• Sustainable development
• National Population Register (NPR)
• Population control measures
• Demographic dividend
• Demographic disaster
• Employment Escapades
• Elderly care
• Gerontology
• Retirement age
• Social security
• Silver economy
• Longevity
• Dependency ratio
• Age-related diseases
• Intergenerational relationships

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 • Active ageing
• Elder abuse
Acronyms:-
word SILVER to suggest a way forward for addressing the issue of the old age population:-
S - Supportive Policies: Implement policies that provide financial, healthcare, and social support
for the elderly, ensuring their well-being and quality of life.
I - Intergenerational Programs: Encourage initiatives that promote positive interactions and
collaboration between different age groups, fostering mutual understanding and support.
L - Lifelong Learning Opportunities: Create opportunities for continuous learning and skill
development for seniors, enabling them to stay engaged and contribute to society.
V - Volunteering Initiatives: Facilitate programs that encourage older individuals to contribute to
their communities through volunteer work, leveraging their skills and experiences.
E - Elderly-Friendly Infrastructure: Design and develop environments that are accessible and
accommodating to the needs of older adults, promoting independence and mobility.
R - Retirement Planning Education: Enhance financial literacy programs to ensure that individuals
adequately plan for retirement and manage their finances effectively.

word DEMOGRAPHY to explain the issues of overpopulation:

D - Diminished Resources: Overpopulation can lead to the depletion of natural resources, putting a
strain on essentials like water, food, and energy.
E - Environmental Degradation: High population density often results in increased pollution,
deforestation, and habitat destruction, contributing to environmental decline.
M - Migration Pressures: Overpopulated regions may experience migration as people seek
resources and opportunities elsewhere, leading to demographic shifts.
O - Overcrowded Infrastructure: Excessive population growth can strain infrastructure, including
transportation, housing, and healthcare, affecting overall quality of life.
G - Global Impact: Overpopulation has far-reaching consequences beyond individual regions,
impacting global issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource distribution.
R - Reduced Quality of Life: Overpopulated areas may experience lower living standards, reduced
access to education, healthcare, and increased competition for jobs and resources.
A - Agricultural Challenges: Meeting the food demands of a growing population can lead to
unsustainable agricultural practices, affecting soil fertility and biodiversity.
P - Poverty: Overpopulation can contribute to poverty as resources become scarce, exacerbating

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 social and economic inequalities.
H - Health Risks: High population density facilitates the spread of diseases, making healthcare
provision and disease control more challenging.
Y - Youth Bulge: Rapid population growth can result in a disproportionately large youth population,
posing challenges in terms of education, employment, and social services.

PLANDEMO: Promote Long-term Approaches, Nurture Demographic Equilibrium, Maximize

Opportunities.
DDD aproach:- Dynamic demographic dividend

Case study:-
• Singapore's "Ageing-in-Place" Program: Singapore has implemented programs to encourage
seniors to age in place, promoting community-based services and support. This has not only
improved the quality of life for seniors but also contributed to the growth of the silver economy.
• Australia's Superannuation System: Australia's superannuation system, with mandatory
employer contributions to retirement funds, has been effective in building substantial savings for
retirees. It emphasizes individual savings and wealth accumulation.
• Netherlands' Green Care Farms: The Netherlands has embraced the concept of green care
farms, where elderly individuals engage in agricultural activities. This approach not only provides
a therapeutic environment but also contributes to the well-being of seniors.
• Civil society:-
Non-governmental organizations like the Dignity Foundation, HelpAge India operate old age
homes in India, providing a supportive living environment for seniors who may not have familial
support. These homes offer healthcare, recreation, and companionship.
• Age-friendly Programme in Hong Kong:-
In 2008 the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) took the lead in promoting the
concept of an age-friendly city by establishing the Age-Friendly Hong Kong Steering Committee.
The aims were broad and inclusive: to promote public understanding, devise solutions to
improve the lives of older people through consultation with elders and stakeholders, and to
share information on best practice and successful initiatives.
• International Longevity Centre-India (ILC-I) is a voluntary organisation working for the cause
of population ageing since 2003. This organisation is playing crucial role in old age support
through its innovative solutions like Aajibai Sathi Batwa (Sachet of Medicines for

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 Grandmothers),Elder Volunteers’ Bureau,Athashri Housing Project – Pioneering elderly home
project.

Readymade introduction/conclusions:-
• balancing population growth with sustainable development remains a global challenge.
Comprehensive policies focusing on education, healthcare, and economic opportunities are
essential for achieving a harmonious demographic transition.
• Addressing gender imbalances requires multifaceted efforts, including education,
empowerment, and policy interventions. Achieving gender parity is not only a demographic
necessity but also a cornerstone of social and economic progress.
• The increasing elderly population demands a shift in social welfare policies towards active
aging, healthcare provisions, and intergenerational harmony. A holistic approach is essential for
ensuring the well-being of the elderly.
• Effective population policies must prioritize education, healthcare, and family planning.
Empowering individuals with choices and ensuring access to reproductive health services are
vital components of sustainable population management.
• The proposed ‘Population Regulation Bill, 2019’ seeks to impose a two child norm. However, it
can add to the burden on women, by way of sex selective practices and forced sterilisations. As
the Economic Survey-2018 points out that ‘son meta preference’ (the desire to have a male
child)– has resulted in 21 million “unwanted girls" in India.Therefore, India needs to put in place
the right policies to maximize the potential of its people by enhancing the state of education,
health and infrastructure, so that India figures at better in various human development rankings.
• India is on the right side of a demographic transition which could aid its rapid socio-economic
development. To reap this golden dividend, the government needs to invest more in human
capital (education, skill development, healthcare) for India to develop sustainably. India needs
to become rich before it gets old.

Feed the data :-

• India currently has 17.5% of the world’s population.This is four times the population India had at
the time of Independence in 1947 (34 crore).
• The total fertility rate is below the replacement level of 2.1 for the first time according to the
National Family Health Survey.Post-Independence, in the 1950s, India had a TFR of six.

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 • UN estimates India's population to reach 1.67 billion in 2050 before settling at 1.53 billion in
2100.
• India is at stage three of the four stage model of demographic transition from stable population
with high mortality and fertility to stable population with low mortality and fertility, with some of
the states/UT’s already into stage four.
• The infant mortality rate declined from 133 in 1951 (for the big States) to 27 in 2020.
• The under-five mortality rate fell from 250 to 41, and the maternal mortality ratio dropped from
2,000 in the 1940s to 103 in 2019.
• In the last seven decades, the share of the working age population has grown from 50% to 65%,
resulting in a remarkable decline in the dependency ratio (number of children and elderly
persons per working age population).

Diagrams/ illustrations:-

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 Model answers from pyq and predictable questions:-

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 `

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 Revision through Mind maps:-

Ready templates on common themes :

Factors of healthy ageing

Headings Subheadings Explanation

Social • Exclusion
• family structures
• Social security
measures

Economic • Income security

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 • Work and retirement
patterns
• Urbanisation
• Poverty

Health • Mental health

• NCD's
• Care support
• Insurance support

Governance • Friendly
Infrastructure
• Support schemes
• Policy support

Factors of demographic dividend

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Economic • Unemployment
• Stagnant
manufacturing sector
• Agriculture disguise
unemployment

Social • Gender factor

• Rural-urban divide
• Lack of skills

Technological • Technological
replacement
• Factors of 4th IR
• skills mismatch

Governance • Policy support

• Political structure
• Corruption, red
tapism etc

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 POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES
Introduction
Poverty involves an infinite variety of circumstantial misfortune experienced both at the household
level and the societal level. Poverty has many faces, changing from place to place and across time,
and has been described in many ways. Extreme poverty strikes when household resources prove
insufficient to secure the essentials of dignified living. The very poor are those who can hardly afford
more than one meal a day and depend exclusively on a single source of income. That fragility is
defined by a lack of education, the absence of work opportunities, the diminution of household back
up resources, and exclusion from valuable social and decision making networks. The trend of
migration from poor farming regions has raised the incidence of urban poverty, especially in the
slum zones of the world's major cities. Nevertheless, poverty remains inextricably linked with the
disappointing progress in agriculture in developing countries. Rural poverty rates are more than
double those in cities, often embracing the majority of the rural population. The most persistent
poverty is found amongst ethnic minorities, scheduled castes, tribal and indigenous people
experiencing discrimination, nomadic pastoralists, and landless labourer toiling on marginal land.
Most often, poverty is a situation people want to escape. So poverty is a call to action - for the poor
and the wealthy alike - a call to change the world so that many more may have enough to eat,
adequate shelter, access to education and health, protection from violence, and a voice in their
communities.
Definition of Poverty
Poverty is the syndrome of assetlessness, landlessness, joblessness, deprivation and
helplessness. It is not a pure economic phenomenon. It has social, cultural, political, historical, and
geographical dimensions. It is lack of livelihood security and food security. It is hunger, starvation,
and vulnerability. Poverty is lack of shelter, and lack of education, and lack of access to health care.
Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not being able to go to school
and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a
time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness,
lack of representation and freedom. In general, poverty can be defined as a situation when people
are unable to satisfy the basicneeds of life.
Features of Poverty
Poverty has many faces, many causes and many effects. It has several monetary and non
monetary dimensions. It has several manifestations. It is caused by several obstacles and
constraints, which doreinforce each other.
It is characterized by the following features.
• Few assets, landlessness and low income
• Low consumption, no savings and high indebtedness
• Jobless, employment insecurity and food insecurity
• Illiteracy and lack of formal education and training
• Poor health, housing, or ill health, poor sanitation
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 • Marginalization and high dependency
• Few contacts with key persons/institutions
• Little involvement in influential forum
• Competition for resources among the poor
• Economic vulnerability and subordination
• Low self esteem, low social status and resignation
• Subsistence living and no future plan.
Types of Poverty
• Absolute Poverty: It is a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs,
including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and
information. It depends not only on income but also on access to social services. For example, a
family is poor if it isnot able to earn food, water or even a basic kutcha house to live.
• Relative poverty: It is a level of household income which is considerably less than median
income of the country. It is the lack of resources when compared to other members of the
society. It is a relative concept therefore it differs across countries. For example, a family may be
considered poor if it is not able to send their children in good school even though they have
basic amenities like food, water, shelter etc.
• Situational Poverty: It is temporary in nature and occurs due to some adverse situation like
earthquakes, floods or some severe health problem. For example, a family earns decent income
ofRS.20,000 per month and is able to meet basic necessities of life. One day earthquake hits the
city and destroys their house; earning member of family loses his job. So a well off family
suddenly becomes poor overnight.
• Generational or Chronic Poverty: This type of poverty is inherited by household. The two to
threegeneration born into poverty and they do not have tools to come out of this situation.
• Rural Poverty: It occurs in non-metro areas with population less than 50,000 inhabitants. Due
to lesser population, the area lacks basic services and amenities which is the cause of their
financialstruggle.
• Urban Poverty: It occurs in areas with population of more than 50,000 inhabitants. These
families live in much stressed condition due to overcrowding. They lack basic necessities like
affordable housing.
Measuring Poverty
To know what helps to alleviate poverty, what works and what does not, what changes over time,
poverty has to be defined, measured, and studied - and even lived. As poverty has many
dimensions, it has to be looked at through a variety of indicators — levels of income and
consumption, social indicators, and now, increasingly, indicators of vulnerability to risks, and of
socio/political access. It has many non-income and non-quantifiable dimensions. Attempts to define
or measure poverty do not give justice to the reality of its experience.
Poverty and inequality are multidimensional – consumption and income, education, health,

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 opportunities, voice, etc., and have multiple determinants: geographic and agro-climatic factors,
services, infrastructure, etc. It has to be looked at through a variety of indicators - levels of income
and consumption, social indicators, and indicators of vulnerability to risks, and of socio/political
access.
Absolute poverty is not related to income or the consumption level of the household but to some
minimum standard of living. The concept of absolute poverty is relevant for less developed
countries.
In order to measure it, absolute norms for living are first laid down. It is expressed in terms of
income or expenditure. A person falling below this norm (called the poverty line) is classified as
poor. In India, the poverty norm is anchored in terms of daily intake of food. According to the
definition by the Planning Commission of India, the poverty line is drawn at an intake of 2400
calories in rural areas, and 2100 calories in urban areas. If a person is unable to get that minimum
level of calories, then he, or she, is considered as living below the poverty line. The consumption
basket representing this calorie intake is then converted into a monetary equivalent by using price
indices separately for rural and urban areas.
Poverty Line in India
The erstwhile planning commission and now NITI aayog is the nodal agency for estimation of
povertyline in India. It is calculated on the basis of data collected by NSSO.
Some the famous committees appointed so far along with their recommendations are:
Suresh Tendulkar panel's recommendations in 2011-12, the poverty line had been fixed at Rs 27 in
rural areas and Rs 33 in urban areas. About 22% of the population lives below this line.
Rangarajan committee raised these limits to Rs.32 and Rs.47, respectively, and worked out this line
atclose to 30%
METHODOLOGY OF ESTIMATION
India has a long history of studies on measurement of poverty. The erstwhile Planning Commission
was the nodal agency in India for estimation of poverty. Based on the methodology suggested by
the Expert Groups/Committees set up by the Planning Commission from time to time, India has
undertaken periodic assessments of the incidence of poverty since the 1960s.
The poverty ratio in India has been measured from an exogenously determined poverty line
quantified in terms of per capita consumption expenditure over a month and the class distribution of
persons obtained from the large sample survey of consumer expenditure data of the National
Sample Survey Office (NSSO). Households with consumption expenditures below the poverty line
are said to be “Below the Poverty Line (BPL)” and deemed poor. Consumption is measured in
terms of a collection of goods and services known as reference Poverty Line Baskets (PLB).
Thus, estimation of poverty in India has been based on two critical components:
• Information on the consumption expenditures and its distribution across households is provided
by the NSS consumption expenditure surveys;
• These expenditures by households are evaluated with reference to a given poverty line.
a) Poverty Line Estimation
The first step in estimating poverty is to define and quantify a poverty line.

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 Pre-Independence Poverty Estimation
b) Poverty and Unbritish Rule in India (1901): Dadabhai Naoroji' in his book 'Poverty and Un-
British Rule in India,' made the earliest estimate of poverty line at 1867-68 prices (₹16 to ₹35
per capita per year) based on the cost of a subsistence diet for the emigrant coolies during their
voyageliving in a state of quietude.
c) National Planning Committee's (1938): In 1938, the National Planning Committee set up under
the chairmanship of Jawaharlal Nehru suggested a poverty line (ranging from ₹15 to ₹20 per
capitaper month) based on a minimum standard of living.
d) The Bombay Plan (1944): Bombay Plan1 proponents suggested a poverty line of ₹75 per capita
per year, which was much more modest than that of the NPC.
Post- Independence Poverty Estimation
Various expert groups constituted by the Planning Commission have estimated the number of
peopleliving in poverty in India:
i) Working Group (1962): The poverty line in India was quantified for the first time in 1962 by this
Group in terms of a minimum requirement (food and non-food) of individuals for healthy living. The
Group appeared to have taken into account the recommendation of balanced diet made by the
Nutrition Advisory Group of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1958. The Group
formulated the separate poverty lines for rural and urban areas (₹20 and ₹25 per capita per month
respectively in terms of 1960-61 prices) without any regional variation. The poverty line excluded
expenditure on health and education, both of which, it was assumed, were to be provided by the
State. Although not official poverty lines, these were widely used in the 1960s and 1970s to
estimate the poverty ratio at national and state level.
ii) Study by VM Dandekar and N Rath (1971): Although this was not a study commissioned by the
Planning Commission, the origins of India's poverty line lie in the seminal work of two economists, V
N Dandekar and N Rath, who first established the consumption levels required to meet a minimum
calorie norm of an average calorie norm of 2,250 calories per capita per day. They made the first
systematic assessment of poverty in India, based on National Sample Survey (NSS) data. Unlike
previous scholars who had considered subsistence living or basic minimum needs criteria as the
measure of poverty line, they derived poverty line from the expenditure adequate to provide 2250
calories per day in both rural and urban areas. Expenditure based Poverty line estimation
generated a debate on minimum calorie consumption norms. They found poverty lines to be Rs. 15
per capita per month for rural households and Rs. 22.5 per capita per month for urban households
at 1960‐61 prices.
iii) Task Force on “Projections of Minimum Needs and Effective Consumption Demand”
headed by Dr. Y. K. Alagh (1979): This Task Force was constituted in 1977 and it submitted its
report in 1979. Official poverty counts began for the first time in India based on the approach of this
Task Force. Poverty line was defined as the per capita consumption expenditure level to meet
average per capita daily calorie requirement of 2400 kcal per capita per day in rural areas and 2100
kcal per capita per day in urban areas. The average calorie requirements were estimated as a
population–weighted average of the age-gender-activity specific calorie allowances recommended

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 by the Nutrition Expert Group (1968) by reference to the 1971 population Census. Based on 1973-
74 prices, the Task Force set the rural and urban poverty lines at Rs. 49.09 and Rs. 56.64 per
capita per month at 1973-74 prices. These lines were based on the assumption of different PLBs for
rural and urban consumption.
iv) Lakdawala Expert Group (1993): The Expert Group submitted its report in 1993. It did not
redefine the poverty line and retained the separate rural and urban poverty lines recommended by
theAlagh Committee at the national level based on minimum nutritional requirements.
v) Tendulkar Expert Group (2009): In 2005, another expert group chaired by Suresh Tendulkar
was constituted to review the methodology for poverty estimation. It was to do address the three
key shortcomings of the previous methods: (i) Poverty estimates being linked to the 1973-74
poverty line baskets (PLBs) of goods and services did not reflect significant changes in
consumption patterns of poor over time; (ii) Issues with the adjustment of prices for inflation, both
spatially (across regions) and temporally (across 6 time); and (iii) Presumption of provision of health
and education by the State only. Instead of monthly household consumption, consumption
expenditure was broken up into per person per day consumption, resulting in the figure of Rs 32
and Rs 26 a day for urban and rural areas. The national poverty line for 2011-12 was estimated at
Rs. 816 per capita per month for rural areas and Rs.1,000 per capita per month for urban areas.
vi) Rangrajan Committee (2014): Due to widespread criticism of Tendulkar Committee approach
as well as due to changing times and aspirations of people of India, Rangarajan Committee was set
up in 2012. This Committee submitted its report in June 2014. It reverted to the practice of having
separate all-India rural and urban poverty line baskets and deriving state-level rural and urban
estimates from these. It recommended separate consumption baskets for rural and urban areas
which include food items that ensure recommended calorie, protein & fat intake and non-food items
like clothing, education, health, housing and transport. This committee raised the daily per capita
expenditure to Rs 47 for urban and Rs 32 for rural from Rs 32 and Rs 26 respectively3 at 2011-12
prices. Monthly per capita consumption expenditure of Rs. 972 in rural areas and Rs. 1407 in urban
areas is recommended as the poverty line at the all India level. The government did not take a call
on the reportof the Rangarajan Committee.
Six official committees have so far estimated the number of people living in poverty in India — the
working group of 1962; V N Dandekar and N Rath in 1971; Y K Alagh in 1979; D T Lakdawala in
1993; Suresh Tendulkar in 2009; and C Rangarajan in 2014. The government did not take a call on
the reportof the Rangarajan Committee; therefore, poverty is measured using the Tendulkar poverty
line. As per this, 21.9% of people in India live below the poverty line.
In what other ways can poverty be estimated?
In 2011, Oxford University researchers Sabina Alkire and James Foster devised the
multidimensional poverty index (MPI) to capture poverty using 10 indicators: nutrition, child
mortality, years of schooling, school attendance, ownership of assets, and access to proper house,
electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and clean cooking fuel. Poverty is measured in terms of
deprivation in at least a third of these indicators. In 2015-16, 369.546 million (nearly 37 crore)
Indians were estimated to meet the deprivation cut-off for three or more of the 10 indicators. While
the overall headcount multidimensional poverty ratio in 2015-16 was 27.9%, the number was 36.8%

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 for rural and 9.2% for urban India. There were wide variations across states — poverty was the
highest for Bihar (52.5%), followed by Jharkhand (46.5%), Madhya Pradesh (41.1%), and Uttar
Pradesh (40.8%). It was the lowest for Kerala (1.1%), Delhi (4.2%), Punjab (6.1%), Tamil Nadu
(7.3%) and Himachal Pradesh (8.1%). The MPI is a more comprehensive measure of poverty
because it includes components that capture the standard of living more effectively. However, uses
“outcomes” rather than expenditure — the
presence of an undernourished person in the household will result in it being classified as “poor”,
regardless of the expenditure on nutritious food.
Causes of Poverty In India
A. Economic causes of poverty
• Slow Economic growth and development: A country that has slow economic growth due to
bad governmental policies causes widespread poverty. Stagnant or slow paced economic
development also leads to poverty.
• Increasing unemployment: The population to jobs ratio if unbalanced can cause
unemployment between masses and is a leading cause of poverty. Increased and uncontrolled
population in any country is the biggest threat of unemployment related poverty.
• Decreased Agricultural Output: This can be due to unpredictable weather patterns. Decreased
agricultural output leads to some serious inflation issues. No country can be economically
balanced without the aid of a strong agricultural backbone. Yearly agricultural produce governs a
major part of acountry`s economy and needs to be in surplus to keep poverty at bay.
• Under-developed infrastructure: Infrastructural development also drives the economic growth
and hence determines the poverty situation of any place.
• Inadequate industrialization in certain areas: Industries provide employment opportunities to
the locals of the place. Concentration of industries in any one state or place sure escalates the
employment in that particular place but, the deprived areas face acute poverty. Areas having
inadequate industrialization causes poverty since employment opportunities become limited in
thesaid area. Industries also offer well salaried jobs when compared to small time jobs.
• Inadequate production of essential items: Any inadequacy in the production of basic
necessities causes poverty nationwide. Food as well as non-food essentials production always
needs to be adequate to avoid poverty.
• Deprivation of resources: Natural deprivation of resources as well as forced or situational
deprivation can cause poverty. Lack of proper resources and opportunities deprive people from
theirtarget lifestyle and employment options and push them towards poverty.
• Uneven concentration of wealth and resources: A nation that has uneven concentration of
wealth and resources is more prone to poverty than the one that has a uniform distribution.
Uneven concentration leads to an extreme situation wherein people are either neo-rich or below
the povertyline. This unbalance is harmful for a nation`s overall economy and development.
• Underutilized natural resources: Natural resources are God`s gift and a place with rich natural
resources is blessed. Hence, natural resources of every place need to completely discovered
and tapped to extract their complete economical benefit. This should be a governmental
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 initiative to ensure that there is no scope of poverty in any place due to under-utilization of
natural resources.
• Economic inflation: An economic inflation not only affects the poor but also the middle class of
the society. This means that more people come under borderline poverty. Economic inflation is
extremely detrimental for a nation and hit all sections of the society. Also, a country may take a
long time to recover from an economic inflation and face years of poverty.
B. Social causes of Poverty:
• Social evils like untouchability: Untouchability is an unfair social norm in some of the
backward parts of a country that limit people of certain lower castes from their democratic rights.
They are shunned from the society and pushed towards poverty. There are not allowed to
venture into the general employment opportunities and are forced to do meagre jobs.
• Unethical abuse of power: When power is abused, it has a biased outlook and never helps the
downtrodden and poor. A corrupt government would always want to keep the poor section of the
society a status quo to exercise more control on the masses. This is another major cause of
poverty incorrupt countries.
• Widespread ignorance and illiteracy: Illiteracy is another major cause of poverty. Uneducated
people are unable to tap their complete potential and hence their earning sources get limited.
They are unable to compete with the educated counter-parts of the competitive society and
hence remain in poverty. Illiteracy also is a reason for ignorance in people. They are unaware of
all the possible opportunities any modern society has to offer and spend their life in ignorance.
• Overpopulated places: Over population in any place increases competition in the employment
sector. As a result, poverty creeps in, in any overpopulated place since competition increases
andopportunities decreases.
• Practicing caste-system: Caste system segregates people (based on their job) in a society
and does not allow them to venture outside their caste to seek employment. For example, a
lower caste person will not be allowed to become a businessman or a trader. This system
makes the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. This unbalanced and unfair system is another
leading cause of poverty.
• High divorce rates and Feminization of Poverty: Feminine gender of the society should be
given equally employment opportunities to eradicate feminization of poverty. Also, high divorce
rates cause poverty among the feminine section that cannot support themselves due to gender
inequality.
• Inequality of available opportunities: Exercising inequality in the society for whatever reasons
can cause poverty. Available opportunities should be offered equally to one and all in a society.
Inequality leads to unfair loss of opportunities among the weaker sections of the society.
C. Geographical Factors:
• Density of population: Area population density also determines the poverty graph of the place.
Densely populated places see a red when it comes to poverty.
• Selective fertility of land: The fertility of soil is not the same in every region of a country and

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 varies from place to place. While the fertile areas have blessed agricultural produce, the unfertile
lands are pushed towards poverty naturally.
• Uneven distribution of fertile land: Geographically, fertile lands are distributed in an uneven
fashion and this is also a primary cause of poverty in naturally unfertile lands. Fertile lands
provide agricultural employment to the local people and they do not have to strive for job
opportunities to earn a living. Unfertile lands completely deprive the natives from the agricultural
sector and take away this employment scope, which is one of the most sought after choice of
employed among the uneducated villagers.
• Variable farm output: Farm output varies from season to season and year by year. A good year
willlead to substantial produce while droughts and other natural calamities can limit the output at
times. This variability also causes poverty in trying times.
• Differential rural and urban poverty: rural and urban poverty differ at many levels. The
difference in rural and urban lifestyle has different effects in their poverty scenario. For example:
Survival of the poor is more sustainable in rural areas than in urban areas due to high cost of
living in the latter scenario.
D. Environmental and climatic factors:
• Flooding of lands: Natural calamities like floods can completely destroy farmlands and adversely
affect the agricultural produce. This will lead to uncalled for poverty situations that a country can
seldom tackle.
• Long spells of drought: Another climatic adversity that causes poverty is drought. Long spells of
drought harms farmlands and the overall agricultural output. Droughts are a permanent cause of
poverty in most nations.
• Lack of seasonal rainfall: Any abnormalities with the seasonal rainfall also can cause some
serious poverty problems. Agricultural produce gets disturbed due to the absence of the predicted
rainfall and hence causes inflation related poverty.
E. Other Causes:
• Lack of proper education: Education is obviously essential for a growing economy, but relevant
education is even more important. For example, rural population should be given more of
technical and vocational education than bookish knowledge. This will help them land technical
jobs easily andabolish poverty among the masses.
• Increasing competition: A society that has a raised qualification standard faces increased
competition in the job acquisition front. This also leads to increased competition and resultant
poverty even among the educated population. This can also be said as a side-effect of increased
education standards, especially in cities.
• More demand and less supply: The demand-supply relationship has to be balanced to achieve
a poverty free nation. The key to a balanced demand-supply state is population control. There is
no escaping from the population management, is you are looking for a poverty free nation.
• Lack of adaptable nature of the rural population: Rural population usually have a backward
mindset and refuse to adapt with modernization. This does little to help them change their

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 economic conditions and eliminate poverty. Open mindedness and adaptability of the population
at large is animportant quality to remove poverty from its very roots.
• Mass migration to cities: It is important to limit over-crowding of the cities. This is only possible
by stopping the mass migration of the villagers to cities. Most rural people leave their village and
migrate to cities in search of bigger employment scopes. If the government can develop the rural
areas sufficiently and provide good employment as well as educational opportunities to the rural
population, they will remain content and stay put in their villages. This will reduce the urban
poverty index and keep the population of cities in control as well.
Consequences of Poverty
Effect on Health – The biggest effect of poverty is poor health. Those who suffer from poverty do
not have access to enough food, adequate clothing, medical facilities, and clean surroundings. The
lack of all these basic facilities leads to poor health. Such individuals and their families suffer from
malnutrition.
Effects on Society –
• Due to unemployment and marginalization, poor people often indulge in wrong practices such as
prostitution, theft, and criminal activities such as chain snatching, etc.
• Poor people are usually homeless. They sleep on the roadsides at night. This makes the entire
situation very unsafe for women and children.
• Due to lack of money, poor people suffer from a lot of stress which leads to reduction in the
productivity of individuals, thereby making poor people poorer.
• Poverty forces poor people to send their children to work instead of sending them to schools.
Thisis because the families fail to bear the burden of their child/ children.
• Youngsters from poor families are usually targeted and involved in terrorist activities. These
people are offered a huge amount of money instead of which they are assigned with a
destructivetask of terrorism.
Poverty is directly proportional to the success of the economy. The number of people living in the
poverty is reflective of how powerful is the economy.
Remedies for Poverty
There are different measures for tackling poverty is discussed below. Let us discuss these aspects
indetail.
i) Increase in Saving : In order to get rid of the supply side vicious circle in these countries, efforts
should be made to increase savings so that investment in productive channels may be encouraged.
To increase saving, expenditure on marriages, social ceremonies, etc., should be curtailed. In under
developed countries, the possibility of voluntary savings is slim. Thus, in this regard, government
interference is necessary. The government can increase saving by altering its fiscal policy. The
government can impose heavy taxes on luxury goods. Moreover, it can increase the role of direct
taxes. Thus, the government can curtail consumption by altering the tax system.
ii) Increase in Investment : To break the vicious circle of poverty, apart from increasing savings,
investment of saving in productive channels is also of immense use. The policies of short run and
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 long run investment should be coordinated. By short period investment, people can get the
necessary goods at fair rates, which will have a favourable impact on their skill. Moreover, along
with short period investment, investment in the establishment of multipurpose projects, like iron and
chemical fertilizers should be properly encouraged. In UDCs, proper monetary and banking policies
should be adopted which may provide facilities and encouragement to small savings.
iii) Balanced Growth: To resolve the demand side vicious circle in under developed countries, the
extent of the market should be widened so that people may get inducement to invest. In this regard,
Prof. Nurkse advocated the doctrine of balanced growth. According to the principle of balanced
growth, investment should be made in every sphere of an economy so that demand of one sector
can be fulfilled by another sector. Thus, an increase in demand will lead to wider extent of the
market, and so, the inducement to invest. On the other hand, economists like Hirschman, Singer,
and Fleming do not consider the policy of balanced growth effective. According to them, the policy
of unbalanced growth would be more useful. In UDCs, there is every possibility of increase in
demand and there is the need of increase in monetary income. The majority of UDCs have adopted
the policy of planned development. Accordingly, due to more investment in the public sector, the
supply of money increases. Due to increase in monetary income, sizes of the market widen. These
countries endeavour to widen the size of foreign market by increasing their exports.
iv) Human Capital Formation : In underdeveloped countries, the main obstacle to economic
growth is the backwardness of human capital. Human capital should no longer be neglected. Many
suggestions can be made to increase skill of manpower. For instance, in these countries,
education, technical knowledge, and vocational training should be enlarged. Health facilities should
be enhanced, which may increase the efficiency of the workers. Transportation and communication
should be developed.
v) Industrialisation : Poverty can be eradicated by a self-sustaining process of industrialization. All
industries should have linkage to build a powerful process of ancilary industries and occupations.
The percolation effect of industries can be very strong through the establishment of auxiliary
industries. Industry should be linked to agricultural growth. Agro-based industries should grow to
provide employment to village people as they are very much labour intensive. Industrialisation can
contribute to the growth process and bring improvement in the standard of living of people.
Other Measures for Poverty Reduction
i) More employment opportunities : poverty can be eliminated by creating more employment
opportunities, so that people may be able to meet their basis needs
ii) Minimum needs programmes: providing minimum needs to the poor people can help to reduce
the problem of poverty
iii) Social security programmes: various social security schemes, like worker's compensation,
maternity benefit. provident fund, etc., can make a frontal attack on poverty
iv) Small scale industries: encouraging and establishing small scale industries can create jobs in
ruralareas, which can reduce poverty
v) Spread of education: education can create awareness and build confidence among people to
find methods to overcome poverty

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 vi) Empowerment of poor: poor people are voiceless due to the ruthless system of development.
So, empowerment of poor people will reduce poverty
vii) Land reforms: land belongs to the absentee landlords in India. Therefore, land reform is
neededfor giving rights to the actual tiller of the soil
viii) Asset creation: productive assets must be created which will ensure regular income for the
poorpeople
ix) Political will: political will and thrust is needed to face the challenge of poverty. Government
policyshould be designed with determination for having a poverty-free country
x) Social change: social strata and traditional values should be free from dogmas. The caste
system should not discriminate any people for anything. Social reforms are also needed to remove
poverty among the lower caste and women.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POVERTY AND HUNGER
• Despite increase in real income of the people over the last two decades, overall calorie
consumption and nutritional intake has not commensurately increased. According to Global
Hunger Index, India is second after South Sudan, when it comes to wasting (low weight for
height) among children. Also, there are millions of children and adults suffering from “Hidden
Hunger”.
• The poor are increasingly spending more on education, healthcare, transportation, fuel and
lighting. The share of monthly expenditure devoted to these items has increased at such a pace
that it has absorbed all the increase in real income over the past decades. This has led to a
'FoodBudget Squeeze'.
• Possibly, the most important reason for this is shrinking social expenditure by the government
which is rendering the urban and the rural poor dependent on market prices of non-food
essentialitems, like education, healthcare etc which are typically high.
• Social sector spending has always been low in India compared to other countries. According to
the National Health Profile 2018, India spends 1.02% of the gross domestic product on public
healthcare, while Maldives spends 9.4%, Sri Lanka 1.6%, Bhutan 2.5%, and Thailand about
2.9%.In education, India's public investment is around 2.7% of GDP, while it is 3.4% in Sri Lanka
and 7.4% in Bhutan.
• Another reason is, rural working people are migrating in large numbers to urban centres or other
rural areas in search of work. Most of such migration is temporary and seasonal in character,
and involves travelling relatively large distances. This large circulation of labor does have
substantial impact on the expenditure patterns of households. For instance, an increasingly
footloose labourforce means that a large section of the working poor have to bear higher costs of
transportation, maintain communication with the sites of work (much of which is seasonal in character),
and are deprived of traditional non-market sources of food when away from home.
• Hunger persists in India also because of a decline in access to non-market food sources,
preference for 'better tasting more expensive calories and increased spending on luxury items
like radio, TV, and mobile phones, as economist Abhijit Banerjee writes in his book – “Poor
Economics”.
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 • In recent times, talks of Universal Basic Income and replacing food subsidies with Direct Benefit
Transfer are gaining ground. These measures may further aggravate the crisis of hunger by
exposing the poor to market volatility.

Keywords:-.

• Relative poverty
• Absolute poverty
• Poverty line
• Calories
• vicious cycle of poverty
• Poverty trap
• Inclusive Growth
• Beyond the Breadline
• Wealth concentration
• Equality Engine
• Poverty anywhere, threat to prosperity everywhere
• Social exclusion
• Feminisation of poverty
• Unemployment is the reflection of poverty.
• Social tensions
• Trickle down effect
• SDG 1
• Sekh help groups
• Universal basic income
• Island's of the prosperity
• “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” — Mahatma Gandhi
• Lack of Resource/ resource curse
• Climate change
• Out of pocket expenditure
• Gini coefficient
• COVID 19
• Climate change
• Per head income

Acronyms:-
acronym using the word "POVERTY" to highlight consequences of poverty.
• P - Persistent inequality in opportunities
• O - Overall health disparities
• V - Vicious cycle of social exclusions
• E - Emotional and psychological stress
• R - Restricted access to Resources

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 • T: Transgenerational impact on families
• Y : Youth unemployment and deviant behaviour

way forward in poverty alleviation using the word "WEALTH":

• W - Wide access to education and training
• E - Empowerment through economic opportunities
• A - Advocacy for fair policies and social justice
• L - Linking communities for mutual support
• T - Technological inclusion and innovation
• H - Healthcare accessibility and affordability

PAISA framework:- "poverty alleviation through Inclusive and sustainable approach"

Readymade conclusions/ introductions:-

• Social welfare programs play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of poverty. However, their
effectiveness relies on efficient implementation, regular evaluation, and a commitment to
addressing the root causes of social inequality. A holistic approach is essential for meaningful and
lasting results.
• addressing poverty requires a multifaceted approach encompassing economic reforms, social
empowerment, and equitable resource distribution. Sustainable solutions must go beyond short-
term relief, aiming to create lasting positive changes in the lives of the underprivileged.
• Urban poverty demands a tailored strategy that addresses challenges such as affordable
housing, access to basic services, and employment opportunities. Integrated urban planning,
coupled with social safety nets, is crucial for building inclusive and resilient cities.
• Women empowerment is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity in the fight against
poverty. By promoting gender equality, ensuring access to education and healthcare, and creating
opportunities for women in the workforce, societies can unlock their full potential for poverty
elevation.
• Education is a powerful tool for breaking the chains of poverty. Ensuring universal access to
quality education is a fundamental step towards creating an informed and empowered society.
Investment in education is an investment in a brighter, more equitable future.
• Generating employment opportunities is central to poverty reduction. Policies promoting skill
development, entrepreneurship, and a conducive business environment can create a ripple effect,
not only reducing unemployment but also fostering economic growth and social stability.
• while globalization presents opportunities for economic growth, it demands careful policies to
ensure that benefits are equitably distributed, preventing the exacerbation of poverty and
inequality.
• Despite rapid growth and development, an unacceptably high proportion of our population
continues to suffer from severe and multidimensional deprivation.If India wants to reduce
malnutrition and food insecurity, we have to address the problem of affordability of healthy diets
first. Thus, a more comprehensive and inclusive approach is required to eradicate poverty in
India.

Case studies:-
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 • China's Rural Development Policies:
China's poverty reduction success is attributed to comprehensive rural development strategies.
Investments in infrastructure, agricultural innovation, and targeted poverty alleviation programs
have lifted millions from extreme poverty, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated, long-
term planning.
• Grameen Bank, Bangladesh:
The Grameen Bank, founded by Muhammad Yunus, pioneered microfinance to empower rural
entrepreneurs, particularly women, with small loans. This approach has lifted millions out of
poverty, showcasing the transformative impact of financial inclusion on grassroots economies.
• Kerala's Social Development Model, India:
Kerala's emphasis on social development, including high literacy rates, healthcare access, and
women's empowerment, has resulted in impressive poverty reduction. The state's commitment
to social indicators showcases the importance of a holistic approach beyond purely economic
measures.
• Amul's Cooperative Dairy Model :-
Amul's cooperative model, initiated in 1946, empowers local farmers by fostering collective
ownership and fair pricing through cooperatives. This bottom-up approach not only ensures
quality dairy production but also significantly uplifts rural communities, contributing directly to
poverty eradication by providing a stable income source and improved living standards.
Through technological innovations and effective branding, Amul exemplifies how community-
driven initiatives can be instrumental in sustainable poverty alleviation.
• tourism-targeted poverty alleviation; identification:-(Hanzhong city in southern Shaanxi
province China)
Poverty alleviation through tourism is an important way for China to achieve targeted poverty
alleviation and win the battle of poverty alleviation.This region has shown tremendous progress
in tourism thanks to its natural, manmade and cultural endowments , due to which it get rid of
poverty in a comprehensive way by promoting the efficient and sustainable development of
tourism.

Poverty Alleviation Programs in India:-

• Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP): It was introduced in 1978-79 and

universalized from 2nd October, 1980, aimed at providing assistance to the rural poor in the
form of subsidy and bank credit for productive employment opportunities through successive
plan periods.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005: The Act
provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household. One-third of the
proposed jobs would be reserved for women. The central government will also establish
National Employment Guarantee Funds. Similarly, state governments will establish State
Employment Guarantee Funds for implementation of the scheme. Under the programme, if an
applicant is not provided employment within 15 days s/he will be entitled to a daily
unemployment allowance.
• Jawahar Rozgar Yojana/Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana: The JRY was meant to generate
meaningful employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed in rural areas
through the creation of economic infrastructure and community and social assets.

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 • National Rural Livelihood Mission: Aajeevika (2011): It evolves out the need to diversify the
needs of the rural poor and provide them jobs with regular income on a monthly basis. Self Help
groups are formed at the village level to help the needy.
• National Urban Livelihood Mission: The NULM focuses on organizing urban poor in Self Help
Groups, creating opportunities for skill development leading to market-based employment and
helping them to set up self-employment ventures by ensuring easy access to credit.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: It will focus on fresh entrant to the labour market,
especially labour market and class X and XII dropouts.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: It aimed at direct benefit transfer of subsidy, pension,
insurance etc. and attained the target of opening 1.5 crore bank accounts. The scheme
particularly targets the unbanked poor.

Currently in news:-
• Social Audit of MGNREGA Scheme:-
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a fundamental
component of India's social welfare initiatives, has been marred by persistent concerns
regarding a high incidence of corruption.Although the program incorporates mechanisms, such
as social audit units, recent statistics reveal disappointing outcomes in terms of fund recovery
and overall effectiveness.
• Hunger Hotspots: FAO-WFP:-
According to a recent Report by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food
Program (WFP) Hunger Hotspots – FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity, India’s
neighbors, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar, are among the hunger hotspots in the world.
• National Multidimensional Poverty Index, 2023:-
Recently, NITI Aayog released National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): A Progress
Review 2023. This index is an important tool that enables the country to track its progress
towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG target 1.2, that aims to
reduce poverty in all its dimensions.Using the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), this report
showcases India’s 2019-21 MPI results – plus, the progress in multidimensional poverty
reduction between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
• Welfare Schemes and Brain Development:-
Recently, a study published in the journal Nature has shed light on the impact of welfare
schemes on brain development, particularly in children from low-income families.aimed to
explore the relationship between poverty and brain development and the role of anti-poverty
policies in mitigating its effects.Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that growing up
in low-income families can adversely affect brain development and cognitive abilities.

Diagrams/ articulations:-

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 Model answers of pyq and predictable questions:-

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 Revision through Mind maps:-

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 Ready templates on common themes:-

Causes of poverty in india

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Economic ● Slow economic

growth
● Unemployment
● Infrastructure
● Deprivation of
resources

Social ● Social evils

● Feminisation of
poverty
● Abuse of power
● Illiteracy
● Caste system

Geographical ● Density of population

● Selective fertility of
land
● Rural-urban divide

Environmental ● Floods
● Droughts
● Climate change

Others ● Lack of education

● Demand supply
mismatch
● Migration
● Competition

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 URBANIZATION, THEIR PROBLEMS
What is Urbanisation?
Urbanization refers to the process of increase in the number of people living in urban areas and the
ways in which the population adapts to the change. Urbanization increases with industrialization. As
urbanization increases, a number of towns and cities increases, and people begin to live and work
in central areas. Urbanization is a result of the historic transformation of human societies, where
the rural culture is being replaced by urban culture. The rural culture consists of closeness in
relations and communal behavior amongst the members of society. However, the urban culture
consists of distant relations and there is competition amongst each other. The lifestyle of cities is
very beneficial in terms of cultural and economic factors. With no industries and facilities in rural
areas, the population is left to work only in the fields. But, in cities, there are more opportunities in
employment in many sectors like industries, and other specialist services which create ample jobs.
In cities, people have access to better medical facilities, they can look for better schools for good
education of their children and can have better living standards. These reasons lead to rural people
settling in cities. Another reason for people moving to cities in the modern environment of urban
areas. There is a variety of fashion, food, travel, and trends that fascinates the people. People try
their luck in cities to get all the luxuries of life and increase their standards of living. Apart from
these factors, environmental factors like drought and rain can also lead to urbanization, as the
livelihood of the village people is primarily dependent upon land and cultivation.
Urbanization in India
India is a rapidly urbanising country. In India, the urban population amounts to 461 million people.
Thisnumber is growing by 2.3 per cent each year. By 2031, 75 per cent of India's national income is
estimated to come from cities. Providing the necessary urban infrastructure is a big challenge: 70 to
80 per cent of the infrastructure that will be needed by 2050 has not been built yet, and the
estimated investment gap amounts to approximately 827 billion US dollars.

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 In 2018 a large number of India's cities have a population between 300,000 and 1 million
inhabitants. There are 120 medium-sized cities of such population size, and only five urban
settlements with 20 million or more inhabitants.

The seven largest cities in India will become even bigger until 2030. Prospects suggest that the
population growth of India ́s capital Delhi will increase about one third within the next decade up to
38.9 million people.

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 The graphic displays the steady growth of India ́s urban and rural population starting in 1950. Around
2030, for the first time, the rural population declines while the urban population continues to rise
rapidly.

Level of Urbanisation (According to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs)

Among all the States and Union territories, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union
territory of Chandigarh are most urbanized with 97.5 percent and 97.25 percent urban population
respectively, followed by Daman and Diu (75.2 percent) and Puducherry (68.3 percent). Among
States, Goa is now the most urbanised State with 62.2 percent urban population, a significant
increase since 2001 when urban population of Goa was 49.8%. Another significant instance of
rapid urbanisation is that of Kerala, its urban population is now 47.7 per cent, while a decade ago it
was just
25.9 percent. Among the North-Eastern States, Mizoram is most urbanised with 51.5 per cent urban
population, though in terms of absolute contribution to total urban population in the country,
Mizoram's contribution is just 0.1 percent. Similarly Sikkim, which was just 11.0 urbanised a decade
ago became almost 25 percent urbanised in 2011. Among major states, Tamil Nadu continues to be
the most urbanized state with 48.4 percent of the population living in urban areas followed now by
Kerala (47.7 per cent) upstaging Maharashtra (45.2 percent). The proportion of urban population
continues to be the lowest in Himachal Pradesh with 10.0 per cent followed by Bihar with 11.3
percent, Assam (14.1 percent) and Orissa (16.7 percent). In terms of absolute number of persons
living in urban areas, Maharashtra continues to lead with 50.8 million persons which comprises 13.5
percent of the total urban population of the country. Uttar Pradesh accounts for about 44.4 million,
followed by Tamil Naduat 34.9 million.
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 Causes of Urbanisation in India
Urbanisation has become a common feature of Indian society. Growth of Industries has
contributed to the growth of cities. As a result of industrialization people have started moving
towards the industrial areas in search of employment. This has resulted in the growth of
towns and cities.Various reasons have led to the growth of cities.
They are as follows:
• Industrialization: Industrialization is a trend representing a shift from the old agricultural
economics to novel non-agricultural economy, which creates a modernized society. Through
industrial revolution, more people have been attracted to move from rural to urban areas
on the account of improved employment opportunities. Industrialization has increased
employment opportunities by giving people the chance to work in modern sectors in job
categories that aidsto stir economic developments.
• Commercialization: Commerce and trade play a major role in urbanization. The
distribution ofgoods and services and commercial transactions in the modern era has developed
modern marketing institutions and exchange methods that have tremendously given rise to the
growth of towns and cities. Commercialization and trade comes with the general perception that
the towns and cities offer better commercial opportunities and returns compared to the rural
areas.
• Social benefits and services: There are numerous social benefits attributed to life in the cities
and towns. Examples include better educational facilities, better living standards, and better
sanitation and housing, better health care, better recreation facilities, and better social life in
general. On this account, more and more people are prompted to migrate into cities and towns
to obtain the wide variety of social benefits and services which are unavailable in the rural areas.
• Employment opportunities: In cities and towns, there are ample job opportunities that
continually draw people from the rural areas to seek better livelihood. Therefore, the majority of
people frequently migrate into urban areas to access well paying jobs as urban areas have
countless employment opportunities in all developmental sectors such as public health,
education, transport, sports and recreation, industries, and business enterprises. Services and
industries generate and increase higher value-added jobs, and this leads to more
employment opportunities.
• Modernization and changes in the mode of living: Modernization plays a very important
role in the process of urbanization. As urban areas become more technology savvy together
with highly sophisticated communication, infrastructure, medical facilities, dressing code,
enlightenment, liberalization, and other social amenities availability, people believe they can
• lead a happy life in cities. In urban areas, people also embrace changes in the modes of living
namely residential habits, attitudes, dressing, food, and beliefs. As a result, people migrate to
citiesand the cities grow by absorbing the growing number of people day after day.
• Rural urban transformation: As localities become more fruitful and prosperous due to the
discovery of minerals, resource exploitation, or agricultural activities, cities start emerging
as the rural areas transform to urbanism. The increase in productivity leads to economic

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 growthand higher value-added employment opportunities. This brings about the need to develop
better infrastructure, better education institutions, better health facilities, better transportation
networks, establishment of banking institutions, better governance, and better housing. As
this
• takes place, rural communities start to adopt the urban culture and ultimately become urban
centers that continue to grow as more people move to such locations in search of a better
life.
• Spread of education: The literacy rate has increased among the rural people. They have
becomemore modernized.
FEATURES OF INDIAN URBANISATION
1. Historical : The history of urbanization in India is quite old as towns and urban places flourished
in the Indus Valley around 2500 B.C. Urbanization in India during the ancient and medieval
periods was associated with the seats of administrations, capitals and trading centers. After the
arrival of the Europeans in India, urbanization rate was accelerated mainly because of the
location and establishment of modern factories and industries.
2. Subsistence nature : The Indian urbanization is of subsistence nature. It implies that the
migrants from rural areas are attracted to the urban centers not for urban environment but for
employment. They may be eating worse food or may be living in worse houses but they stick to
the cities for jobs. This affects badlythe quality of life in the urban places, especially in the mega,
Class I and metropolitan cities.
3. Poly-metropolitan apex : The Indian urbanization has poly-metropolitan apex in which the
million cities dominate the entireurban scheme accounting for more than one-third of India's total
urban population. There are as many as 3 million cities, including three mega cities, i.e.,
Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.
4. Disintegrated : The Indian urban system is not integrated both functionally and spatially as a
consequence of which there are breaks and imbalances in urban hierarchy as well as in the
rural-urban profile. The apex of the urban system in India is lopsided, the urban base in rural
areas is sub-standard and the intermediary link through the market towns is weak.
5. North-South Divide : Southern India is more urbanized than Northern and Eastern India. This is
because of thehistorical, socio-cultural and resource factors.
6. Narrow Focused : City planning focused only on legitimate area.
7. Regionalism : Growing regionalism in face of a migration.
8. Slums : Increase in slums followed by poverty, unemployment, exploitation, inequality,
degradation ofquality of life.
9. Rular Push : Urbanization occurs due to rural push.
10. Demographic explosion in few areas. It has occurred without much industrialization. (Service
sector growth).
The Problems and issues in urbanization in India
In India urbanization is unplanned due to uncontrolled migration. Due to unplanned urbanization,

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 India is facing too much problem such as unemployment, electricity problem, pollution, social
problems, improper sanitation facilities etc. Rapid rise in urban population in India is leading to many
problems like increasing slums, decrease in standard of living in urban areas, also causing
environmental damage. Following problems need to be highlighted.
1. Urban lounge: Urban sprawl or real expansion of the cities, both in population and geographical
area, of rapidly growing cities is the root cause of urban problems. In most cities the economic base
is incapable of dealing with the problems created by their excessive size. Massive immigration from
rural areas as well as from small towns into big cities has taken place almost consistently; thereby
adding to the size of cities.
2. Overcrowding: Overcrowding is a situation in which too many people live in too little space.
Overcrowding is a logical consequence of over-population in urban areas. It is naturally expected
that cities having a large size of population squeezed in a small space must suffer from
overcrowding. Thisis well exhibited by almost all the big cities of India.
3. Housing: Housing provision for the growing urban population will be the biggest challenge
before the government. The growing cost of houses comparison to the income of the urban middle
class has made it impossible for majority of lower income groups and is residing in congested
accommodation and many of those are devoid of proper ventilation, lighting, water supply, sewage
system, etc. For instance in Delhi, the current estimate is of a shortage of 5, 00,000 dwelling units
the coming decades. The United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) introduced the
concept of “Housing Poverty” which includes “Individuals and households who lack safe, secure
and healthy shelter, with basic infrastructure such as piped water and adequate provision for
sanitation, drainage and the removal of household waste”.
4. Sanitation: The poor sanitation condition is another gloomy feature in urban areas and
particularly in slums and unauthorized colonies of urban areas. The drainage system in many
unorganized colonies and slums do either not exist and if existing are in a bad shape and in bits
resulting in blockage of waste water. These unsanitary conditions lead too many sanitation related
diseases such as diahorrea and malaria. Unsafe garbage disposal is one of the critical problems in
urban areas andgarbage management always remained a major challenge.
5. Squatter Settlements: No clear-cut distinction can be drawn between slums and squatter
settlements in practice except that slums are relatively more stable and are located in older, inner
parts of cities compared to squatter settlements which are relatively temporary and are often
scattered in all parts of the city, especially outer zones where urban areas merge with their rural
hinterland. Normally, squatter settlements contain makeshift dwellings constructed without official
permission (i.e., on unauthorized land).
6. Environmental concern : Vulnerability to risk posed by the increasing man-made and natural
disasters. According to UNDP 70 % of Indian population is at risk to floods and 60% susceptible to
earthquakes. The risk is higher in urban areas owing to density and overcrowding. Urban areas are
becoming heat islands, ground water is not being recharged and water crisis is persistent. Here
making, water harvesting compulsory will be beneficial.
7. Poverty: Today roughly one third of the urban population lives below poverty line. There are
glaring disparities between haves and have-nots in urban areas. The most demanding of the urban

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 challenges unquestionably is the challenge posed by poverty; the challenge of reducing
exploitation, relieving misery and creating more human condition for urban poor. There is rise in
urban inequality,
as per UN habitat report, 2010, urban inequality in India rose from 34 to 38 % based on
consumption inperiod of 1995 to 2005.
8. Transport: As high income individual are buying more private vehicle and use less public
transport. Such huge number of vehicles in cities is causing more traffic jam, which in turn
decreases the efficiency of public transport. Also the penetration of public transport is less, which
makes people use private vehicle. Public transport is less disabled friendly. There is also lack of
infrastructure and poor maintenance of existing public transport infrastructure.
9. Unemployment: The problem of unemployment is no less serious than the problem of housing
mentioned above. Urban unemployment in India is estimated at 15 to 25 per cent of the labour
force.This percentage is even higher among the educated people.
10. Water: What is one of the most essential elements of nature to sustain life and right from the
beginning of urban civilization, sites for settlements have always been chosen keeping in view the
availability of water to the inhabitants of the settlement. However, supply of water started falling
shortof demand as the cities grew in size and number.
11.Trash Disposal: As Indian cities grow in number and size the problem of trash disposal is
assuming alarming proportions. Huge quantities of garbage produced by our cities pose a serious
health problem. Most cites do not have proper arrangements for garbage disposal and the existing
landfills are full to the brim. These landfills are hotbeds of disease and innumerable poisons leaking
into their surroundings.
12. Urban Crimes: Modem cities present a meeting point of people from different walks of life
having no affinity with one another. Like other problems, the problem of crimes increases with the
increase in urbanization. In fact the increasing trend in urban crimes tends to disturb peace and
tranquility of the cities and make them unsafe to live in particularly for the women.
Remedial Measures of Urban Problems in India
• Building sustainable and environmentally friendly cities: Governments should pass laws
that plan and provide environmentally sound cities and smart growth techniques, considering
that people should not reside in unsafe and polluted areas. The objective here is to build
sustainable cities that embrace improved environmental conditions and safe habitats for all
urban populations. Governments should also encourage sustainable use of urban resources and
support an economy based on sustainable environment such as investment in green
infrastructure, sustainable industries, recycling and environmental campaigns, pollution
management, renewable energy, green public transportation, and water recycling and
reclamation.
• Provision of essential services: Urban stakeholders must ensure all populations within the
urban areas have access to adequate essential social services namely education, health,
sanitation and clean water, technology, electricity, and food. The objective here is to provide and
implement employment opportunities and wealth creation activities so that people can earn a
living to pay for the maintenance of the services. Subsidies can also be availed by the
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 government to lower the costs of basic healthcare, basic education, energy, education, public
transportation, communication systems and technology.
• Creation of more jobs: To lessen the negative effects of rapid urbanization while at the same
time conserving natural ecosystems, private investments should be encouraged so as to
utilize natural resources and create more job opportunities. Tourism promotion and the
sustainable exploitation of natural resources can create more jobs for the urban populations.
Subsidies and grants may as well be provided to foreign and private investment in
environmentally friendly development projects that encourage job creation.
• Population control: Key stakeholders in urban areas must provide campaigns and counseling
for effective medical health clinics and family planning to help reduce the high rates of
population growth. Medical health clinics oriented towards family planning options must be
made accessible across the entire urban area with the objective of controlling diseases and
population growth.
• Urban Corridors :
Transport and urbanisation mutually reinforce each other. Transport corridors, providing linkages
among important urban centres with increased flow of goods and passengers is well recognised.
• Public Transport :
Cities need to re-examine urban transportation demand and devise new strategies, such as land
use – transport planning, demand management, cleaner fuels and technologies, integration of
traffic modes and traffic management. The objective should be to provide maximum access at a
minimum cost. Other initiatives needed for controlling air pollution are use of unleaded fuel,
phasing out old vehicles and priority for public transport.
• Private sector participation
Urban infrastructure services require huge investments, coupled with requirements for deferred
maintenance of the urban services. Such heavy financing is beyond the means of urban local
bodies.There is a need to turn to private sector or institutional financing.
• Government Initiatives
India's Seven Mission Program With the rapid rise of urbanization in India, there is an increase
in overall development in the different sectors. Due to this, the Seven Mission Program was
founded.This program aims to fund cities to achieve intended milestones.
The Seven Mission Program includes the following plans:
• 100 Smart Cities Mission
• AMRUT stands for 'Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation'
• HRIDAY (National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana)
• Sardar Patel National Urban Housing mission
• National Mission on sustainable habitat

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 • Clean India mission
• National urban information system
The better and efficient management of cities can have multiple impacts on the economy, society
and development of the country. This would lead to allocation of resources in right direction and will
ease up the situation for the people and government as well.
SPEEDY PROCESS OF URBANISATION (BENEFITS AND ISSUES)
BENEFITS
• Ongoing rapid urbanisation has the potential to improve the well-being of societies.
• Although only around half the world's people live in cities, they generate more than 80 percent of
Global Domestic Product (GDP).
• Cities are also younger: home to relatively more young and working-age adults than rural areas,
making them pivotal places to capture demographic dividends.
• Around the world cities are introducing initiatives aimed at addressing poverty, improving
infrastructure and tackling pollution.
ISSUES
• Urbanization also presents many human development challenges. It is estimated that nearly 40
percent of the world's urban expansion may be in slums, exacerbating economic disparities and
unsanitary conditions.
• Rapid urbanization is also linked to environmental concerns and many cities located in coastal
areas or on river banks may also be vulnerable to natural disasters such as storms, cyclones
and floods. Likewise, poor urban infrastructure - such as unreliable power systems, congested
roads and poor public
competitiveness and economic prospects.
• There is, however, no one-size-fits-all urban strategy. Urban policy priorities and choices depend
on a variety of factors - including the scale, speed and source of urbanisation, the size of cities
andthe stage of urban development.
• More than 1 billion people live in housing that is below minimum standards of comfort and
sanitation, and new houses will have to be built for 3 billion people by 2030.
• More industrial activity causing more water pollution. Like the water quality of Noida degraded.
Rapid urbanization is creating a threat to biodiversity. Deforestation, communication tower
radiation is severely causing harm to birds and other creatures.
Investing in essential infrastructure propels growth and human development. There has been some
progress in narrowing the infrastructure deficit in recent decades, but much more needs to be done.
Good planning and sound management is needed to manage this. National and local governments
need to become more strategic in responding to the full range of challenges and opportunities
posed by rapid urbanisation. This can be done by formulating a national urbanisation strategy as a
first step to help to identify urban development priorities, shape plans and better coordinate actions
by all the actors involved, including the private sector.

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 GROWTH OF CITIES AS IT HUBS (BENEFITS AND ISSUES)
According to the Economic Survey of India 2019-20, The IT-BPO sector of India contributed nearly
162 billion USD (2018-19) to the economy of India. The IT hubs located in the cities like Hyderabad,
Bengaluru, Noida, Gurgaon, and Pune emerged India as an epicenter of IT industries and eventually
opened up new avenues of employment.
BENEFITS
• Shifting duties of industries to meet the overseas clients increased the number of recruitment.
• Several other small industries got benefited from the IT industries i.e. facility management, third
party security provider, Maintenance, accommodation, construction industries, etc.
• Skill providing institutions, automobile industry, and e-commerce industry received a boost
indirectly.
ISSUES
• Due to concentration of IT companies only in few cities, urban population swelled leading to
endless traffic jams, over-crowded public transport, etc.
• The cities are booming with malls, shops and offices of multinational companies, but completely
lacks the infrastructure to support this growth.
• Led to the compact growth at central core areas of cities and sprawl at outskirts which are
deprivedof basic amenities.
• Infrastructural issues related to new construction sites other than the main area.
• Lack of adequate public transport, Increased reliance on private transport Increased pollution,
carbon footprint.
• Incoherent planning and ad hoc solution, Rapid urban crawl Contributes to increasing social
tension.
• Issues regarding safety and security of women are increasing.
Planning plays an important role when it comes to sustainable living in urban areas. There is a need
to create better living areas that cater to the employed section such as IT that can translate into
better work efficiency.
For any city to handle large crowds especially from IT, there needs to be properly developed
infrastructure consisting of residential hubs, transport etc so that urbanisation can be better handled.
Keyword
• Megalopolis
• Conurbation
• Urban Sprawl
• Peripheralization
• Brownfield and Greenfield Development
• Gated Communities
• Ghettos
• City Tourism
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 • explosive motorisation due to car-centric growth
• Urban Heat Island
• Car-Free Zones
• Blue-Green Infrastructure
• Economic Engines
• Technology hubs
• Startup ecosystem
• Water Supply and Sanitation
• Waste disposal
• Urban Green Spaces
• Pedestrianization
• Urban Ecotourism
• Informal economy
• Smart Infrastructure/cities
• Housing Affordability
• Nagar van
• economic divide
• Transit-Oriented Development
• Traffic and public transport.
• Renewable energy
• Blending Cultures
• Governance reforms
• mcdonaldization
• Air quality
• Inclusive Urbanization
• Digital divide
• Sponge city
• Public place
• Cultural Quarters(laughter club, cultural centres etc. )
• Rurban
• PURA
• Individualism
• Local self government
• bottom up approach
• Uberisation
• Gig economy

Acronyms:-
acronym SMART for sustainable urban transformation:
S - Sustainable Infrastructure:
Implementing eco-friendly and resilient urban infrastructure to minimize environmental impact.

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 M - Mixed-Use Zoning:
Encouraging diverse land use in designated areas to promote a balanced and efficient urban
environment.

A - Affordable Housing:
Ensuring housing options that are accessible to a diverse socioeconomic

R - Renewable Energy Integration:

Incorporating clean and renewable energy sources to power urban facilities and reduce carbon
emissions.

T - Transit-Oriented Development:
Prioritizing public transportation systems and designing urban spaces that encourage walking and
cycling.

acronym with "URBANISM" to explain Wayforward for urbanism in India:

● U - Urban Planning:
Structured city development incorporating zoning and infrastructure.

● R - Rapid Urbanization:
Swift growth and expansion of urban areas, a notable trend in India.

● B - Blending Cultures:
Diverse cultural integration in urban spaces, reflecting India's pluralism.

● A - Accessible Infrastructure:
Developing facilities that are easily reachable for all residents..

● N - National Urban Missions:

Government initiatives focusing on urban development and sustainability.

● I - Informal Settlements Integration:

Incorporating and improving living conditions in informal settlements.

● S - Special Cultural and Environment Zones,:

Balancing economic growth with environmental and cultural considerations.

● M - Mixed Land Use:

Utilizing urban spaces for a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational purposes.

“7 Cs of urban growth.:-
Comfortable, Constructive, climatic,, creative ,Cheerful , cooperative and civilised city.

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 word DISASTER as acronym to explain the issues of Urbanism:-

● Distressed social harmony

● Infrastructure bottlenecks
● Strain on Resources,
● Air and Noise Pollution,
● Social inequality
● Traffic Congestion,
● Environmental Degradation,
● Residential Displacement.

3A's of URBAN governance or public goods:- affordable accessible available

CITIIS :- the City Investments To Innovate, Integrate and Sustain challenge.

Readymade conclusions on upsc pyqs and expected questions:-

● Mitigating the adverse impacts of rural-urban migration requires a multifaceted approach,
including rural development, skill enhancement, and the creation of employment opportunities in
both urban and rural areas.
● Embracing sustainable practices in urban development is not just an environmental imperative
but a pathway to creating livable cities that prioritize the well-being of current and future
generations.
● Addressing the challenges posed by slums and informal settlements demands holistic
strategies that encompass affordable housing, basic amenities, and community development to
ensure the dignity and quality of life for urban residents.
● Fostering social inclusivity in urban areas requires comprehensive initiatives addressing
education, healthcare, and social infrastructure, ensuring that the benefits of urbanization are
shared by all segments of the population.
● Prioritizing urban health involves a concerted effort towards accessible healthcare, sanitation,
and disease prevention, recognizing that a healthy urban population is fundamental to
sustainable urban growth.
● Effective urban governance is pivotal for addressing the complex challenges of urbanization,
emphasizing the importance of transparent, accountable, and participatory administration in
shaping resilient cities.

Feed the data :-

● According to the United Nations, seven of every 10 people in the world will live in cities by 2050.
● In India, more than half of the urban households occupy a single room, with an average
occupancy per room of 4.4 persons.
● As much as 65% of Indian cities have adjoining slums where people live in small houses
adjacent to each other.

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 ● The most urbanised regions include Northern America (82%), Latin America and the Caribbean
(81%), Europe (74%) and Oceania (68%).The level of urbanisation in Asia is now approximately
50%.
● Currently, India’s population stood at 1210 million in 2011, with an urbanisation level of 31.1%
(Census of India 2011).
● Number of Persons Living in Urban Areas:
○ Over 75% of the urban population of the country is in 10 States: Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan, and Kerala.
○ Goa is the most urbanised State with 62.2% urban population.
○ The NCT of Delhi and the UT of Chandigarh are most urbanized UT's with 97.5% and
97.25%. Urbanisation
● The SDGs Goal 11 promotes urban planning as one of the recommended methods for
achieving sustainable development.
● Cities contribute 66% to the national GDP, a number expected to rise to 80% by 2050.
● Urban India alone generates nearly 0.15 million tonnes per day of Municipal Solid Waste.
● According to GOI, almost 78% of the sewage generated in India remains untreated and is
disposed of in rivers, lakes, or sea.
● The volume of waste is projected to reach 165 million tonnes by 2031 and 436 million tonnes by
2050
● lack of robust and uniform city planning, which according to a UNEP report, may be costing us
up to 3% of our GDP every year.

Currently in news:-
● World Habitat Day 2023 and India’s Urban Landscape:-
In 2023, World Habitat Day (WHD), was celebrated on 2nd October. This annual global
observance has come a long way focusing on the evolution of urban development, sustainability,
and the role of cities in economic growth
● Dharavi Redevelopment Project:-
Dharavi Redevelopment Project is the makeover of Mumbai’s slum cluster, Dharavi.The project
was initially mooted in 2004, but never got off the ground due to various reasons.Recently, the
Adani Group won the bid for this project.It entails resettling 68,000 people, including slum
dwellers and those with commercial establishments.
The rehabilitation construction cost is estimated at 23,000 crore.A special purpose vehicle (SPV)
is to be formed, with Adani as the lead partner
● Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022
Recently, the President awarded Indore as the cleanest city for the sixth consecutive year as
part of the Azadi@75 Swachh Survekshan 2022, hosted as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-
Urban 2.0.Indore further emerged as India’s first 7-star Garbage Free city, while Surat, Bhopal,
Mysuru, Navi Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, and Tirupati earned 5-star Garbage Free certifications.
● Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme:-
The replica of MGNREGA,Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme has been rolled
out in Rajasthan with the objective of providing economic support to the poor and needy families

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 living in the cities through work to be provided on demand for 100 days in a year.
Successful case studies:-
● Paris, France: Paris is one of the world’s most famous cities, known for its iconic architecture,
cultural institutions, and urban parks. The city is characterized by a dense urban core, with a mix
of historic buildings and modern skyscrapers.
● Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo is one of the world’s largest cities, with a population of over 37 million
people in the metropolitan area. The city is characterized by a mix of traditional and modern
architecture, with a focus on high-density development and efficient transportation systems.
● BrasÃlia, Brazil: BrasÃlia is a planned city designed in the 1950s as a new capital for Brazil.
The city is characterized by its modernist architecture, with a focus on functionalist design and a
separation of residential, commercial, and administrative areas.
● Chandigarh - The Epitome of Modern Planning
This unique concept embodies the essence of a “City Beautiful,” with a grid layout that not only
ensures seamless transportation but also promotes the integration of green spaces throughout
the urban fabric, enhancing the well-being of its inhabitants.
● PURA Model of development:-
provide urban amenities and livelihood opportunities in rural areas to bridge the rural-urban
divide. This aim of the PURA Scheme is proposed to be achieved under the framework of PPP
between the Gram Panchayats and their private sector partner.

Diagrams/ illustrations/ graph:

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 Model answers of upsc pyqs and expected questions.

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 Revision through Mind maps:-

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 Readymade framework on common themes:-

Reasons for growth of IT hubs/ urbanisation

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Economic • Employment
• Infrastructure
• Startup ecosystem

Political • Pro business

Policies
• Stable governance
• FDI Policies

Social • Education
• Gender inclusivity
• Social services and
benefits
• Standard of living

Geographical • Market connectivity

• Resources
• Tech Clusters
• Climate

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 EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION
Introduction
Globalization is a significant factor in competitive world that integrate and mobilize cultural values of
people at global level. In the age of rapid technical progression, many countries are unified and
transformed due to the process of globalization. Globalization has a huge impact on cultural, social,
monetary, political, and communal life of countries. Globalization powerfully influences the social
partners' attitudes since traditional labour relations have to cope with completely new and very
dynamic situations. In political field, globalization helps to eradicate poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy,
ill- health and fighting cross border terrorism and global terrorism. The social structure and
construction has been changing due to these modern phenomena. Industrialization and
Globalization are always focusing on industrial investment and economic growth process. Today is
a global world.
Globalization is process of nation prosperity and progress as per the current trend. Globalization is
a series of social, economic, technological, cultural, and political changes occur in all the stages of
society. It mainly focused on the consequences and effects of urbanization, modernization and
globalization process with context to an Indian society.
Definition
Globalization is the spread of products, technology, information, and jobs across national borders
and cultures. In economic terms, it describes an interdependence of nations around the globe
fostered through free trade.
Globalization is a social, cultural, political, and legal phenomenon.
Factors Aiding globalisation
• Improved transport: making global travel easier. For example, there has been a rapid growth in
airtravel, enabling greater movement of people and goods across the globe.
• Containerisation: From 1970, there was a rapid adoption of the steel transport container. This
reduced the costs of inter-modal transport, making trade cheaper and more efficient.
• Improved technology: which makes it easier to communicate and share information around the
world. E.g. internet. For example, to work on improvements on this website, I will go to a global
online community, like elance.com. There, people from any country can bid for the right to
provide a service. It means that I can often find people to do a job relatively cheaply because
labour costsare relatively lower in the Indian sub-continent.
• Growth of multinational companies: with a global presence in many different economies.
• Growth of global trading blocks which have reduced national barriers. (e.g. European Union,
NAFTA, ASEAN).
• Reduced tariff barriers which encourage global trade. Often this has occurred through the
supportof the WTO.
• Growth of global media.

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 • Global trade cycle: Economic growth is global in nature. This means countries are increasingly
interconnected. (e.g. recession in one country affects global trade and invariably causes an
economic downturn in major trading partners.)
• Financial system increasingly global in nature: When US banks suffered losses due to the sub-
prime mortgage crisis, it affected all major banks in other countries who had bought financial
derivatives from US banks and mortgage companies.
• Improved mobility of capital: In the past few decades, there has been a general reduction in
capital barriers, making it easier for capital to flow between different economies. This has
increased the ability for firms to receive finance. It has also increased the global
interconnectedness of global financial markets.
• Increased mobility of labour: People are more willing to move between different countries in
search for work. Global trade remittances now play a large role in transfers from developed
countries to developing countries.
• Internet: This enables firms to communicate on a global level, this may overcome managerial
diseconomies of scale. The firm may be able to get cheaper supplies by dealing with a wider
choice of firms. Consumers are also able to order more goods online E.G. Dell Computers takes
orders online and can meet customer specifications.
• Cross-border political influence: Governments have formulated polices that facilitate cross-
border trade and influence. For example, there is growing influence of China especially in Africa
where China is offering long-term loans to countries. Zambia is a key example where China
virtually tookover operations at the international airport. This shows that developed countries are
positioning themselves to influence political and economic developments in developing
countries.
• Intense competition: With intense competition among firms, firms are looking for new markets
across borders. In some sectors such as news media, there is competition from any corner of
the world. Information is readily accessible from both local and foreign news firms thus forcing
firms to keep innovating in order to remain competitive and/or survive. Due to intense
competition, firms are now searching for foreign markets.
Impact of Globalisation
Globalization has both positive and negative effects all through the globe. May it be business, trade,
and work exposure or the economic and financial status of the nation; no field is deserted from the
scope of globalization. As every coin has two sides likewise globalization also has its positive and
negative effects.
Economic impacts

Positive
• Trade Boom, import-export Boom that helps in capitalising the initial benefits of open and free
markets world over.
• Global food chain of restaurants presents different options in front of people. They bring culture
and traditions along with them.
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 • Mobility of Factors of production.
• Increased inflow of cheap men, Money, labour, material, technology etc which will help in
industrialand economic prosperity of the nation.
• Market expansion with the entry of foreign players that makes market more competitive.
• Growth of software industry, which eventually helps in employment generation and will aid
economic as well as technological advancement.
• Greater access to quality goods and services makes human life more pleasant.
• Greater access to global markets with the help of various means of transportation.
• Access to global capital resources Via stock markets, bond yields, fund markets.
• Protection of IPR through different legal routes.
• Shifting economics from primary to secondary, tertiary sectors
• Ending disguised unemployment.
• Growth of organised retail chain that helps in timely and efficient delivery.
• Increased competition thus greater consumer right protection, high quality low cost products.
Negative
• Rich poor divide will be more strigent.
• Ethical responsibility of business diminished, as they can divert the claims and blame one
anotherfor the problems occured.
• Tribes were unable to integrate in the overall process of developement and thus industrial
expansion led to land alienation, loss of livelihood.
• High growth but problem of unemployment wont decrease with time.
• Native industries of developing and underdeveloped countries badly affected.
• Public Sector Industries suffered and it led to privatization .
• Uneven growth- Regional Disparities.
• More inflow of money lead to corruption.
Cultural impact
Language
• People become multilingual and bilingual
• Some languages got world wide recognition due to easily available literary material.
• Revival of languages as they got new base of speakers.
• Importance of english increase and other languages decreased.
• Extinction of some languages examples Sanskrit Gothic tribal etc. traditional languages suffer
more in the wave of globalisation.

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 • Knowledge expressed in traditional language got extinct Music dance etc
• Many Foreign musical instruments influenced the music
• Indian classical music got worldwide recognition
• Foreign movies and Indian movie industry
• Fusion of Indian and western art forms (Pandit Ravishankar and Norah Jones)
• Marginalization of traditional and folk art forms
• Tribal music nearly got extinct.
• Encroachment of consumerism had further deteriorated the traditional art forms and lost its
purity.
Food and dress
• Foreign brands
• Foreign dressing style and costumes
• Distinction between male and female dressing is blurred
• Food and dress habits are Internationalized
• Indian cuisine got worldwide recognition and attracted tourism
• Flooding of Western fast food has lead to cardiovascular diseases and obesity.
Religion
• New religion like Christianity, Judaism entered
• New Global values to religion
• Global citizenship
Festivals
• New western festivals like valentine's day, Friendship Day etc
• Importance of traditional festivals decreased
• Sacred component of festivals got decreased and festivals are being celebrated as fashion
• Societies are losing our social morals and ideals and happy moments of harmony and peace.
The present age generation is glad observing Valentine's Day and friendship day than Holi and
Diwali. Traditionally namaste, namaskar or touching of feet of elders is a common way of
greeting in the Indian subcontinent. But in modern times 'Hi', 'Hello' is used to greet people in
place of Namaskar.
Social impact
Positive
• Institution of marriage changes with the advent of love marriages
• Inter religious and inter caste marriages are increased

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 • End of disguised employment within a joint family
• Literacy rate increased substantially.
• Foreign university tie ups which opens new avenues of education.
• Scientific and technological innovations and supports are easily accessible and promoted .
• Extension of internet facilities to rural areas and thus rural awareness
• Improved quality of education with the help of technology.
• People shifting from unorganised to organised sector
• Caste system weakened with awareness through education.
• Social taboos weakened
• Growth of self selected culture
• Changing people's outlook and life style
Negative
• Rural urban divide will Increase.
• Migration and urbanization
• Extreme mechanization has reduced the demand for manual labour
• Child labour has been increased as demand for cheap labour increased.
• Increasing health care cost has burdened the middle and lower class.
• Health and emotional vulnerability of old and handicapped people as advent of social media
makes people more self centric.
• Commercialisation of education which is not having a soul or aim to
• Pressure on children to compete in globalised world
• Emphasis on grades
• Nuclear families
• Rise of daycare centres and consequently losing the control over children
• Family cease to be the unit of production
• Voice and decision making power of elders in family decreased
• Divorce rate increased
• Marriage institution changed from sacred thread to Civil contract
• Live in relationships
• Mcdonaldization and walmartization
• Small size, heterogeneous groups, money are a center of family, generation gap, secondary
relationship

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 • Globalization has given the birth to marginalization.
Political impact
• Political participation
• Awareness about voting
• Pressure groups become more influential
• Accountability and transparency
• International obligations and finances
• Crony capitalism
• Criminalisation of politics
• Organised crime with political support increased
Environmental impact
• Awareness and concerns increased
• Funding and Technology for mitigation and adaptation
• Global best practices in conservation
• Over exploitation of resources from Low developed countries
• Dumping ground of West
• Consumerism increased along with use and throw culture
• Trade of illegal species and objects increased
On vulnerable sections
• Increased job opportunities
• Growth in self confidence and bargaining power
• Change in people's attitude and approach against orthodox traditions
• Decreased discrimination and growing equality
• Spread of new ideas of growth
• Increase in Human resource organisations
• Decrease in exploitation
• Marginalisation in to informal sector due to lack of skills
• Loss of traditional source of income
• Commodification or objectification of women
• Increasing incidences of crime
Family Structure, Marriage System and Values
• Expansion of nuclear families and missing persistence to get balanced into the joint family

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 • Kids have begun treating grandparents like visitors or guests, and such upbringing of children is
one of the principle reasons of expanding old-age homes.
• Men and women are gaining equal right to education, to earn, and to articulate.
• Marriages in comparison to earlier times have lost their values and morality. As number of
separation cases, divorce cases and extra-marital affairs are increasing. Today marriage
resembles an expert bond or a purported pledge to share existence without bargaining their self-
interests.
• The sense of self factor into the Indian youth is a result of globalization.
• Inter-caste marriages with totally different social systems are increasing.
Education Sector
• Globalisation like higher literacy rate and foreign universities collaborating with different Indian
universities.
• The Indian academic system faces challenges of globalisation through info-technology although
itoffers opportunities to evolve new paradigms shifts in developmental education.
• Globalization promotes new tools and techniques such as E-learning, flexible learning, distance
education programs and overseas training programs.
Indian Business Culture
• Indian organizations have embraced international accounting standards, Just-in-time and other
more effective methods of stock control, flexitime and new practices of human asset
administration, social duty and business morals thoughts, improvement in corporate governance
practices, customer relationship management practices, inflow of outside assets and healthy
competition with foreign products.
• The effect of globalization has changed the business system in India in terms of psychology,
approach, innovation, attitude, work culture and so on.
• As a consequence of globalisation Indian industries are adapting themselves to newer
challengesand taking benefit from the new and better opportunities making their business all the
more profitable with prospects of future growth.
• Urbanisation is on the rise and people of rural areas preferring to shift to urban areas,
agriculture workers shifting to industry sector, trade market getting opened, boom in
international import and export, big open saturated market for products, a growing market for
high quality and low price product, gradual increase of organized retail chain, growing range of
merger and acquisitions andlucid license policies for overseas multinational corporation.
IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION ON INFORMAL SECTOR
• Informal Sector includes the large and amorphous category called the self-employed, daily
wage laborers, as also those who are salaried employees but do not have job security, wage
revisions and other benefits.
• Globalization often leads to shifts from secure self-employment to more precarious self-

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 employment, as producers and traders lose their market niche.
• Globalization tends to benefit large companies which can move quickly and easily across
borders but posses disadvantage to labour, especially lower-skilled workers that cannot migrate
easily or at all. This puts a pressure on low skilled workers and petty producers by weakening
their bargaining power and subjecting them to enhanced competition.
• As more and more men enter the informal economy, women tend to be pushed to the lowest
income end of the informal economy.
• Thus, globalization of the economy tends to reinforce the links between poverty, informality, and
gender.
• But globalization can also lead to new opportunities for those who work in the informal economy
in the form of new jobs for wageworkers or new markets for the self-employed.
• There has been a radical restructuring of production and distribution in many key areas
characterized by outsourcing or subcontracting through global commodity chains. The net result
is that more and more workers are being paid very low wages and many of them have to absorb
the non-wage costs of production.
IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION ON WOMEN IN INDIA
Positive Impacts
• Prospects of higher and quality education have become feasible for those women who can
affordthem, economically and socially.
• Employment in technological and other advanced sectors, which have global bearing, has
opened up for suitably qualified women.
• With changing attitude towards women, especially in the urban areas, women enjoy more
egalitarian set of gender relationship.
• Augmentation of women's movements through exposures at the international level will help bring
about major changes in the economic, social and political lives of women.
• Reduction in gender inequalities will have positive effect on women's empowerment in the socio-
economic context.
• Attitudinal changes towards women's role in the family due to good education, benefits of family
planning and health care, child care, good job opportunities etc. will surely help in the
development of more confident and healthy women.
• Positive approach to economic and cultural migration will facilitate women to be exposed to
betterprospects at the international level.
Negative Impacts
• The traditional role of women in agriculture, livestock and animal husbandry, Khadi and village
industries including handicrafts, handlooms fisheries, etc, is being undermined because
mechanization and automation is becoming prevalent in the market based economy which will
adversely affect the village based traditional economy.

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 • Privatisation and reduction of public services will reduce regular employment opportunities for
women.
• Globalisation has increased the number of low paid, part-time and exploitative jobs.
• Occupational sex segregation will be a stark reality in the open economy. This will tend to result
inworse working condition, lower pay and inferior career opportunities.
• Curtailment of state provisions in child care, community care and social security, will increase
thedual burden of employment and family responsibilities for women in general.
• With male migration on the increase from the rural to urban sectors, the women have to bear
the triple burden of caring, farming and paid employment in the rural sector.
• In the neo liberal work practices, contract work, unsocial hours of work,, cooperative practices,
payment by result make it very difficult for women to cope with their multiple responsibilities.
• With the disappearing social and financial safety nets and government subsidy, the poverty
alleviation programmes, universal education, and woman oriented health programmes will be
adversely affected.
• Trade liberalisation will allow MNCS to enter into food processing and other feminised industries
which will lead to reduction in low skilled women labour.
• Privatisation of education and training will increase the cost of getting educated. When family
budgets are readjusted, the female children will be the main casualty because most of the
resources will be spent to educate the male children.
• Migration of women specially for economic reasons often give rise to exploitation and trafficking
in women at the local, regional and global levels.
• Open market economy leads to price rise in food and other basic necessities. Women who have
todirectly deal with family subsistence have to cope with such changes.
IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION ON YOUTH
Positive Impact
• Global teenager: In addition to the dynamic, global, economic forces effecting India,
globalization has brought change to India's culture. They see themselves as global teenagers.
The younger generation is embracing western popular culture and incorporating it into their
Indian identity. There is a subtle and powerful hybridization of western and Indian values –
particularly evident among Indian youth. It has a huge impact on their personal as well as
professional life.
• Cultural change: Present day youth, with its more materialistic ambitions and more globally
informed opinions, are gradually abandoning the austere ways and restricted traditional Indian
markets. Youth demand a more cosmopolitan society that is a full-fledged member of the global
economy.
• Attitude towards religion: Most religious activities are becoming irrelevant to the youth. They
want to see changes in religion. They are not internalizing traditional ideas; rather, they are
merely tolerating them. Though they do find some indirect value with religion.
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 NEGATIVE IMPACT
• Increased urban poverty: Economic globalization has led to increased urban poverty as
people move from the rural areas to the cities in search of opportunity. Youth make up the large
majority ofurban migrants. But youth face a high level of unemployment in urban centres.
• Consumerist attitude towards life: Consumerism has permeated and changed the traditional
beliefs and practices of the Indian people. The younger poor population is particularly
susceptible to the allure of expensive products seen in advertisements and when they cannot
respond to these ads, they get frustrated.
• Status of youth in family: Globalization also is changing family institutions, and the nuclear
family is increasingly the norm. Youth are not as close to their grandparents as were earlier
generations and spend less time with the older generation resulting in loss of wisdom handed
down from generation to generation.
• Increased cases of depression and suicide: Globalization has led to an increase in
uncertainty among youth; this underlying instability may serve to magnify the tensions and lack
of control they experience on a daily basis. Uncertainty is because of the breakdown of
traditional norms, weakening of social relations like that of family and marriage, uncertainty in
career due to market economy.
GLOBAL v/s LOCAL DEBATE
When it comes to understanding globalization versus localization, knowing the differences between
the two is crucial. While globalization is the process of ensuring the content can meet multiple
markets, localization is the process of guaranteeing your resources are focused on the
requirementsof one specific audience.
When it comes to looking at the differences between the two, there are three key factors to
remember :
• Localization is the process of focusing on a specific culture, location, or audience. Globalization
is the process of looking at multiple cultures, locations, or audiences.
• Localization is a part of the wider globalization process, whereas globalization forms part of your
overall business strategy.
• Globalization is often part of a larger long-term business strategy, while localization is often used
for more short-term actions.
Pros and cons of globalization
• Globalization is able to provide businesses with a wide range of benefits, helping them to reach
a far greater audience. Not only can this help to increase revenue by expanding your customer
base, but it is also able to significantly enhance your overall brand reputation and global image.
This, in turn, can help to decrease dependence on a single market, ensuring your business is
more resilient in the face of economic challenges.
• However, globalization can be a very time-consuming process and does require additional
resources alongside the many challenges of expanding a business.
Pros and cons of localization
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 • If you are looking to enter specific new markets, then localization is essential in helping to
facilitate this. It can help to create significant brand loyalty from customers, improving their
overall experience with your company. By building loyal customers, you will be able to increase
revenue and secure a more competitive advantage in that market.
• Just like globalization, localization does require significant investment in terms of time and
resources. If not done correctly, it can also have a negative impact on your brand image, so it is
always recommended you work with a professional partner who can help you.
For successful localization, you should find a balance between your global brand and the local
versions that you create for each target market. It's easier when dealing with countries that share a
common cultural background, and gets more complicated when you approach nations with a
differentvision of life.
Finding reliable partners and tools – e.g. a translation management system, among other things –
to guide you through your globalization campaign can help speed up the process and increase the
return on your marketing efforts.
GLOCALISATION
Glocalisation is the combination of the words 'globalisation' and 'localisation'. It's a term that's used
todescribe a type of business that has been seeing more and more growth: a type of business that's
distributed globally, but adjusted to meet local needs as well.
Glocalization is business term for the adaptation of a product or service specifically to each locality
or culture in which it is sold. It is similar to internationalization. Glocalization serves as a means of
combining the idea of globalization with that of local considerations. In other words it is the
integration of the global market with the local market. Many developing countries are both
integrating with the world economy and devolving power to local governments and communities.
This combination of globalization and localization is best called glocalization. The centralized
nation-state is giving way to both supra-national and sub-national institutions.
There is an increasing tendency towards 'glocalization' of culture which refers to the mixing of the
global with the local culture. This “cultural homogenization” is witnessed in sectors like :
• Food/ Dietary: Macdonaldisation i. e. homogenisation of taste and suppression of diversity in
flavour.
• Purchasing habit: Walmartisation i.e. promotion of consumerism , artificial needs Thought
Process:Westoxication i.e. blind imitation of western culture , sense of inferiority.
• Language: emphasis of English as lingua franca.
• Society: Liberal ideas of individualism are permeating the Indian society; nuclear families; live-in
relationships are proliferating;
• Culture: Popularity of Hollywood movies, Bhangra pop, Indi pop, etc. are some of the
homogenizing influences of globalization on Indian society. However, globalization is not simply
about homogenization, but it is also strengthening cultural specificities in India. Indian classical
dance and music has got fillip in the recent years with the efforts of organization like SPIC
MACAY and others. Local customs, and festivals are being observed by some tribal groups,
especially in North-east Indiamore zealously than before.
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 The Indian culture has also spread its impact globally. Yoga traditions and practices are not only
beingpracticed by Indians, but people across the globe are embracing them.
Indian system of Ayurveda is being promoted by a large section of society in the backdrop of the ills
of western system of medicine and cure. Thus, relationship between globalisation and culture is
complex with each impacting the other. The above examples indeed prove that cultural specificities
appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.
With the increasing glocalization we are making the local market available for global control. Local
community are sometimes are not satisfied with global orientation of product and services.
sometimes, it is an essential thing that local requirements are taken care rather of global standards.
therefore too much integration with the global market may lead to the problems with local
community. Glocalization is neccessary to some extent because it presents a potential response
meant to offer protection against the more negative effects of globalization.

Keywords:-

• Economic Interdependence
• Cross-Border Trade
• Cultural Homogenization
• Technological Connectivity
• Multinational Corporations
• Global Supply Chains
• Outsourcing
• International Migration
• Interconnected Markets
• Global Governance
• Cultural Exchange
• Political Interdependence
• Sovereignty
• Inequality
• Transnational Identities
• Digital Globalization
• Glocalization
• Cultural Hybridity
• Global Value Chains
• Data Diplomacy
• Technological Convergence
• Ephemeral Borders
• Culture Blending
• Noodle Bowl Economy
• Cybernomadism
• MacDonaldisation
• Iron cage of rationality
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 • वसधु ैव कुटुुंबकम
• International organisations
• Containerisation

Acronyms:-
word GLOBALISATION for features of globalization

• G - Global Connectivity
• L - Liberalization of Trade
• O - Outsourcing and Offshoring
• B - Borderless Markets
• A - Access to Information
• L - Cultural Homogenization
• I - International Investment
• S - Social Integration
• A - Accelerated Innovation
• T - Transnational Corporations
• I - Interconnected Financial Systems
• O - Openness to Cultural Exchange
• N - Networked Economy

word DRAWBACKS to highlight the disadvantages of globalization

• D - Disparities in Wealth:
• R - Loss of Cultural Diversity:
• A - Accelerated Environmental Degradation:
• W - Worker Exploitation:
• B - Breakdown of Local Industries:
• A - Adverse Impact on Traditional Livelihoods:
• C - Concentration of Economic Power:
• K - Knowledge Inequality:
• S - Social Fragmentation:

"Respond SMARTLY (Sustainable Practices, Multilateral Cooperation, Adaptive Policies,

Responsible Trade, Local Empowerment.

"Navigate GLOBAL (Global Collaboration, Opportunities for All, Balanced Governance,

Environmental Responsibility, Adaptive Strategies, Local Empowerment) challenges with
resilience."

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 Case studies:-
• McDonald's in India:
○ Global Strategy: McDonald's is a global fast-food chain known for its standardized menu
worldwide.
○ Local Adaptation: In India, McDonald's has glocalized its menu to cater to local tastes and
cultural preferences. They introduced items like the McAloo Tikki burger (made with a
spiced potato patty), the Maharaja Mac (a chicken or vegetarian version of the Big Mac),
and a range of vegetarian options to respect the local population's dietary choices.
○ Cultural Sensitivity: McDonald's also respects cultural sensitivities, such as avoiding beef
in deference to the Hindu majority, making significant adjustments to accommodate the
diverse dietary habits in India.
• IKEA in Japan:
○ Global Strategy: IKEA, a Swedish furniture retailer, is known for its standardized furniture
designs and store layouts.
○ Local Adaptation: In Japan, IKEA adapted its product offerings and store layout to suit the
smaller living spaces prevalent in Japanese cities. They introduced furniture pieces with a
minimalist design to align with Japanese aesthetics. Additionally, the layout of the stores
was adjusted to showcase small living spaces, demonstrating how IKEA's products could
fit into Japanese homes.
• Toyota in the United States:-
Toyota has integrated aspects of American culture into its marketing and product
development. For instance, they've focused on larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs, which are
popular in the U.S., reflecting the local preference for bigger, more spacious cars.
• Coca-Cola in Plachimada, Kerala, India:
Coca-Cola established a bottling plant in Plachimada, Kerala, in 2000. The plant faced
allegations of depleting and contaminating local water resources, negatively impacting the
environment and the community.
• Nike:-
Nike, a global sportswear and apparel company, faced criticism for its use of sweatshop labor
in developing countries.Nike's subcontractors in countries like Indonesia and Vietnam were
accused of providing poor working conditions, child labour ,low wages, and long hours for
factory workers.
• Pandemics (covid-19)
Globalization plays a central role in shaping the course of the pandemic, because the volume
of travel between countries is endogenous to trade and mobility costs.globalization,
characterized by the increase in human mobility and the exchange of goods throughout the
world, can be considered a vector for the spread of epidemics and even pandemics.
• Arab Spring:
social media and global connectivity played a role in the Arab Spring uprisings, showcasing
the political impact of globalization.

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 Readymade conclusions on upsc pyqs and expected questions:-
• Globalization has led to a rich exchange of cultural ideas and practices. While this cultural
diffusion promotes diversity and understanding, there is a need for safeguarding and
preserving unique cultural identities to ensure a harmonious glocalised society.
• The environmental ramifications of globalization necessitate urgent attention. Collaborative
global initiatives are crucial to mitigate climate change, promote sustainable practices, and
ensure the responsible management of natural resources for the well-being of current and
future generations.
• globalization has significantly impacted the global economy, fostering economic growth,
cross-border trade, and technological advancements. However, challenges such as income
inequality, job displacement, and economic volatility must be addressed through collaborative
international efforts.
• Globalization has improved access to healthcare and medical advancements globally.
However, the spread of diseases, challenges in healthcare equity, and the need for
collaborative global health policies underscore the interconnected nature of health issues in
our interconnected world.
• Balancing national sovereignty with the benefits of globalization is a delicate task. Nations
must collaborate on global issues while safeguarding their autonomy, emphasizing diplomacy
and international cooperation over unilateral actions.
• The technological aspect of globalization has brought unprecedented advancements, but
managing its societal impact requires ethical considerations. Striking a balance between
innovation and ethical use of technology is imperative for a sustainable future.

Feed the data :-

• The UN Development Program reports that the richest 20% of the world's population consume
86% of the world's resources while the rest 80% consume just 14 percent.
• In 2020, the world GDP was estimated at around $83.84 trillion.
• The number of internet users worldwide reached around 4.9 billion in 2020.
• In 2019, the total value of world merchandise exports was around $18.89 trillion.
• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global
FDI flows fell by 42% in 2020, primarily due to the pandemic. Prior to that, FDI had been
growing, reaching $1.5 trillion in 2019.
• Global trade has risen significantly. In 2020, the World Trade Organization reported a 5.3%
decline in the volume of world merchandise trade due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However,
prior to that, global trade had been steadily increasing.
• poverty declined by 1.36 percentage points per annum after 1991, compared to that of 0.44
percentage points per annum prior to 1991.
• The Gini coefficient measured in terms of consumption for rural India increased marginally
from 0.29 in 1993-94 to 0.31 in 2011-12.There was a significant rise in the Gini coefficient for
urban areas from 0.34 to 0.39 during the same period.
• After 1991 crisis, a recent Reserve Bank of India report shows that India's total foreign
exchange reserves stood at $595 billion in Q2 2023.
• After 1992, the average annual growth rate of GDP was 6.1%.
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 • In 1993-94, the export of India recorded an exponential growth of 20%. Also, in the following
financial year, it was at a healthy 18.4%.
• In 1995, the total export value of computer services was about ＄11 billion, and in 2015 it
recorded around ＄110 billion.

Diagram:-

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 Model answers of upsc pyqs and expected questions:-

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 `

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 `

Currently in news:-
● Perspective: Bharat: The Mother of Democracy
Recently the Parliament 20 (P20) summit was held in New Delhi. It is an engagement group
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 led by the parliamentary speakers of the G20 countries. It aims to bring a parliamentary
dimension to global governance under the theme "Parliaments for One Earth, One Family,
One Future."The event included an exhibition called "Mother of Democracy," highlighting
India's ancient democratic traditions and values. India's democratic legacy, emphasizes the
importance of equality, harmony, freedom, acceptability, and inclusivity, which have been
integral to Indian culture from ancient times to the present.
● Second Voice of the Global South Summit:-
India recently concluded its second ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’ (VOGSS), held
virtually. This summit follows the inaugural summit in January 2023, signaling India's
commitment to fostering solidarity among nations and consolidating its leadership in the
Global South.
● NATO Suspends CFE Treaty Amid Russian Withdrawal:
Recently, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has announced the formal suspension
of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), a key Cold War-Era Security
Treaty in response to Russia's pullout from the deal.
● Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit 2023
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit 2023 held at Bletchley Park, England has
marked a significant turning point in the global approach to tackling the challenges posed by
frontier AI technologies.To tackle these challenges, 28 major countries, including the United
States, China, India, and the European Union, signed the Bletchley Park Declaration at this
first-ever AI Safety Summit.
This landmark declaration seeks to create a collective understanding and coordinated
approach to address the potential risks and benefits of advanced AI systems, known as
frontier AI.
● China’s Belt and Road Initiative:-
China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This
colossal project, in 2013, aims to reshape global trade and infrastructure development.
● India, Iran and Chabahar Port:-
India and Iran are making significant progress in finalizing a 10-year pact for operations at the
Chabahar port, with key issues narrowing down.
Additionally, the two nations are exploring ways to address the depletion of Iran's rupee
reserves, which has impacted trade, especially in commodities like rice, tea, and
pharmaceuticals.

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 Quick revision through Mind maps:-

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 Ready framework on common themes

Positive Impact of globalisation on Indian society:-

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Social • Cultural exchange

• Standard of living
• Western values
(equality)

Political • International
cooperation
• Effectivity of
International
institutions (world
bank , WHO)
• political values
(democracy, right
to vote etc)

Economical • Economic growth

and development
• Forex reserves
• Employment
• Poverty alleviation
• Urbanization

Geographical/climatic ● Migration
● Global villages
● Direction towards
borderless world
● Climate
cooperation (COP)

Technological ● Research and

development
● IR 4.0
● TECH HUB cities

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 Negative impact of globalisation on various sections ofIndia society:-

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Family ● Divorce
● Alienation from
family members
● Nuclear families

Women ● Double burden

● Exclusion
● Feminisation of
poverty

Tribals ● Alienation from

JAL-JUNGAL-
JAMEEN
● Exploitation
through cheap
labour
● Loss of cultural
indentity

Rural ● Migration
● Ignorance
● Depeasantisation
and agriculture loss

Old age ● Exclusion from

social services.
● Isolation and
depression
● Suicides

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 COMMUNALISM
INTRODUCTION
Communalism has been described as a sectarian exploitation of social traditions as a medium of
political mobilization. This is done to punish the interests of the entrenched groups. Thus,
communalism is an ideology used to fulfil socio-eco-politico hopes of a community. It requires
proposals and programmes to ensure its very existence. These become active in phases of social
change. Communalism arose in India during its colonial phase. Communal politicises it strategies on
religion and tradition. The interpretation of history is for purposes of mobilisation. Communal
organisations have little room for democracy. Secondly they may also involve racist contrasts and
perpetrate the same. Communalism is therefore a belief system and social phenomenon.
Concept and Definition of Communalism
Communalism, in a broad sense means a strong attachment to one's own community. In India, it is
understood as unhealthy attachment to one's own religion. It's an ideology that, in order to unify the
community, suppresses distinctions within the community and emphasizes the essential unity of the
community against other communities. In this way it promotes belief in orthodox tenets and
principles, intolerance and hatred of otherreligions and thus, divides the society.
Positive aspect of communalism stands for the affinity of an individual towards his own community
involving efforts for the social and economic upliftment of his community.
However, in negative connotation, it is an ideology which emphasises the separate identity of a
religious group in relation to other groups with a tendency to promote its own interests at the
expenseof the others.
Characteristics/Nature/Features of Communalism
i) It is more politically motivated than fuelled by religion.
ii) Besides political interests, economic interests also play a vital role in fermenting communal
clashes.
iii) The probability of recurrence of communalism in a town where communal riots have already
takenplace once or twice is stronger than in a town when such riots have never occurred.
iv) Most of the times communalism pops up on the occasion of religious festivals.
Historical Background of Communalism
For centuries, the Hindus and Muslims in India had lived in peace and harmony. Before the advent
of the British, religion and religious community had no political salience. The society was divided
into the ruling class and the subject class. It was the British who accentuated the religious and
cultural differences between the communities and tried to pit one against the other. They
maliciously designated the entire period from 1200 AD to 1757 AD as the period of Muslim rule over
the Hindus Moreover, the European historians portrayed this long period as one of the subjugation
and oppression of the Hindus. Thus, after the Battle of Plassey in 1757, they claimed that the
British rule was a Divine Providence for the Hindus as it had delivered them from the tyranny of the
Muslim rulers. The accentuation of the religious and cultural differences between the Hindus and

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 Muslims and the consolidation of separate communal identities were aided not only by the
aggressive religious revivalist movements during the nineteenth century but also by the deliberate
British policy of promoting one community and downgrading the other, particularly after the Revolt
of 1857. After the failure of the Revolt, the Hindus had taken full advantage of opportunities of
modern education and employment created by the British and improved their lot whereas the
Muslims followed a policy of aloofness from the British and suffered from degradation and
backwardness.
The huge imbalance created between the two communities was one of the reasons for the
alienation of Muslims from the Indian National Congress. When the British saw a challenge to their
supremacy from the growing nationalism of the Hindu middle class, they applied the traditional
policy of divide-and-rule and the counterpoise of the natives by the natives. The grant of certain
safeguards (separate electorate and weightage) to the Muslim community under the Morley-Minto
Reforms of 1909 began a new era of Hindu-Muslim conflict as the majority community considered
any gain of the minority community as the loss of the majority.
A measure of the Hindu-Muslim political unity and cooperation was brought about by the Congress-
League Lucknow Pact of 1916 and the Khilafat and Noncooperation Movement, the movement that
had joined together the Khilafat Committee, the Muslim League, the Jamiat-ul-Ulama and the Indian
National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
However, the collapse of the Khilafat and Noncooperation Movement, the growth of extremist
politics and a series of Hindu-Muslim skirmishes on petty issues embittered the inter-community
relations. A turning-point in Indian politics came with the Montague Declaration of 1917 which
changed the approach of the majority towards the minority entirely as became evident later with the
abandonmentby the Motilal Nehru Committee Report (1928) of the Congress-League pact of 1916.

Then came the next crucial phase in 1937 when the Indian National Congress won the first general
elections held for the provincial legislative assemblies under the Government of India Act, 1935. Its
steadfast and outright refusal to take the minority party into its ministries heralded an era of full-
fledged Congress- League confrontation and consequently, the worsening of Hindu-Muslim
relations. It was perhaps at this stage that the term communalism was coined to describe the inter-
party and inter-community antagonism. During the period 1937-1947 no efforts could lead to an
inter-party understanding and a communal settlement. As a result, India got independence with the
Partition of the country in 1947.

TYPES OF COMMUNALISM
• Welfarist communalism aims at the welfare of a particular community, say, improving living
standard and providing for education and health of Christians by the Christian associations, or
Parsi associations working for the uplift of the Parsis. Such communal mobilization aims at
working only for the members of one's own community.
• Retreatist communalism is one in which a small religious community keeps itself away from
politics; for example, Bahai community, which proscribes its members from participating in
political activities. Retaliatory communalism attempts to harm, hurt, injure the members of other
religious communities.
• Separatist communalism is one in which one religious or a cultural group wants to maintain

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 its cultural specificity and demands a separate territorial state within the country, for example,
the demand of some Mizos and Nagas in northeast India or Bodos in Assam, or of Jharkhand
tribals in Bihar, or of Gorkhas for Gorkhaland in West Bengal, or of hill people for Uttarakhand
in Uttar Pradesh,or of Vidarbha in Maharashtra.
• secessionist communalism is one in which a religious community wants a separate political
identity, and demands an independent state. A very small militant section of Sikh population
de- manding Khalistan or some Muslim militants demanding independent Kashmir were
engaged in practising this type of communalism. Of these six types of communalism, the last
three create problems engendering agitations, communal riots, terrorism, and insurgency.

Causes of Communalism
The main forces, which have encouraged the growth of communalism in contemporary India, are:
• Economic backwardness of the religious communities
• Growth of communal parties and organisations
• Electoral compulsions of political parties
• Communal media, literature and text-books
• Separatism and isolation religious communities
• Hindu and Muslim revivalist movements
• Rise of communal and fundamentalist parties.

Consequences of Communalism
Jawaharlal Nehru once described communalism as the Indian version of fascism. He said, while all
communalism is bad, we must remember that minority communalism is born out of fear, while
majority communalism takes the form of political reaction to assert dominance. But he added: 'there
could be no compromise on the issue of communalism, Hindu communalism or Muslim
communalism, as it is achallenge to Indian nationhood and Indian nationalism.
• It causes hatred among different religious sections in the society and disrupts the peaceful social
fabric of our society.
• Communal riots often break out in many parts of the country and damge the social fabric which
take more time to repair.
• Economic growth can take place only in environment of peace and tranquillity, communalism
creates an atmosphere of intolerance and violence which would impede the flow of goods and
capital.
• The flow of labour from productive activities is diverted to unproductive activities; there is massive
destruction of public properties to spread the ideology. The investment attitude towards the
country from foreign investor would be cautiousness; they tend to avoid the countries with highly
communal country, for not take the risk of end up losing their investment.

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 • Voters generally vote on communal lines. After getting elected, the representatives try to
safeguard the interests of their community and ignore national interests. These conditions hinder
the progress of democracy in the country
• Due to prevalent communalism in the society individuals are never at peace and a spiritual
powerhouse India seems to lose its charm.

Long and short term perspective measures to deal with communalism

Measures to meet the challenge of communalism and communal violence can be of two types:
long-term and short-term.
The long-term measures are:
• In initiating the process of de-communalising the people at all levels, say, by bringing home to
them that communal assumptions are false, by explaining to them the socio-economic and
political
roots of communalism.
• Communalisation of the state and of the political elite has to be checked because it leads to
inaction against communal violence and covert or overt political and ideological support to
communalism by the state apparatus.
• The communalisation of civil society also needs to be checked because it leads to riots that are
more communal. People with communal ideas and ideologies pressurize the government to act
ina manner, which is always against the principles of secularism.
• The role of education, particularly emphasizing on value oriented education both in schools and
colleges is important in preventing communal feelings.
• The media can also prove to be significant in preventing communal feelings. Communal press
canbe banned and legal action can be taken against communal writers.
• Abolition of Communal Parties in our Country: In our country, the political parties are mainly
responsible for promoting communalism under the veil of various religious and cultural
organisations. The Government should keep a vigilant eye on them and, if found detrimental to
theinterest of the nation, should abolish them.
• Transmission of the Past Heritage: Attempts should be made to remind the countrymen those
glorious moments of history in which the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs were combined to
safeguardthe interest of the nation. This will inspire our countrymen with nationalist zeal.
• Inter-religious marriage: In order to have close contact among various communities, youth
organisations should be formed in every locality in which young people belonging to different
communities can get a scope to come in contact with each other and work together in different
developmental programmes. That apart associations of other kinds may also be constituted to
give opportunity to people of every community to come closer and know each other. This may
help them to practise inter-religious marriages. Inter-religious marriages will lessen the social
distance among the members of different religious groups.
• Declaration of National Festivals: The most widely observed festivals of every community should
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 be declared as national festivals, as a result of which members of every religious group will have
a chance to take part and have mutual contact and thereby communal harmony can be
promoted. Notwithstanding the different methods of eradication or mitigation of communal
conflict, what is really needed is a concerted effort of both, the government as well as the
people. The combined effort of the institutional as well as attitudinal change can only bring the
desired result.
Some immediate measures are imperative for containing communalism and communal riots:
• Peace committees can be set up in which individuals belonging to different religious
communities can work together to spread goodwill and fellow feelings and remove feelings of
fear and hatred in the riot affected areas. 314 Social Work Intervention with Individuals and
Groups
• The state has to plan and use new strategies in dealing with communal violence. Whenever
strong and secular administrators have used or threatened the use of strong steps, riots either
did not occur or were of short duration.
• The role of media is immensely highlighted during the course of communal violence. The fear
and hatred can be checked if the press, radio and TV report the events in a way conducive to
soothingthe frayed nerves of people instead of inflaming the temper further.
• Lastly, the government in power has to treat the extremist communal outfits as its immediate
targets and cripple their capacity to disrupt law and order. The secessionists in Kashmir, the
militants in Punjab, the ISS now banned in Kerala and other extremist organisations of Hindu,
Muslim and Sikh communalism have to be dealt with by the state through its law and order
machinery.
• Healthy Public Opinion: People should be appealed through mass media for changing their
attitude towards other communities. Communal propaganda in any form should be banned.

Religiosity and Communalism (Transition and comparison)

Religiosity
Religiosity is as old as the religion and civilization itself. It can be found throughout the world.
Religiosity is concerned with the worship of God. A person usually engage in religiosity to seek help
of a supernatural power to solve his problems. Religiosity is the human response to those elements
in the life and environment which are beyond his ordinary comprehension.
Religiosity by default is not associated with violence, unless the religious tenants themselves require
human or animal sacrifice.
Communalism
Communalism is a newer phenomenon compared to religiosity. It was born during the colonial
times,when the British used religious contrasts among different communities to rule over them.
Communalism is a belief system and a social phenomenon wherein, history is interpreted for
mobilization of people. It involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal
and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.
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 Secularism and egalitarianism are portrayed as abnormal. People belonging to other faith and
religion are portrayed as antagonists. In Communalism the religious identity overrides everything
else. Anyone who doesn't share this identity can be attacked verbally or physically. When
communalism escalates into communal riots, people become faceless members of their respective
communities. They are willing to kill, rape, and loot members of other communities in order to
redeem their pride, to protect their home turf or avenge the death of dishonour suffered by their co-
religionists elsewhere or even in the distant past.
Communalism needs to be denounced by political leaders and all leading citizens. Measures should
be taken for raising the economic lot of the minority community; About all overall ethos should be
created which leads to peace between communities and an end to communal violence. Community
leaders should explain the situation to the community and defuse tensions.

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 SECULARISM
INTRODUCTION
Secularism is a principle which advocates the separation of religion from politics (what in India we
call dharma-nirpekshataa). The key term here is separation. On the face of it, this seems a simple,
uncomplicated principle. But on a closer examination, it will be seen that it is not. Separation can
mean many different things and can pose difficulties, if we work with a single meaning. It can mean
different things in different societies. The Indian case poses unique difficulties.
Secularism seeks to ensure and protect freedom of religious belief and practice for all citizens.
Secularists want freedoms of thought and conscience to apply equally to all – believers and non-
believers alike. They do not wish to curtail religious freedoms.
Secularism seeks to defend the absolute freedom of religious and other belief, and protect the right
tomanifest religious belief insofar as it does not impinge on the rights and freedoms of others.
Secularism ensures that the right of individuals to freedom of religion is always balanced by the
rightto be free from religion.
In a secular democracy all citizens are equal before the law and parliament. No religious or political
affiliation gives advantages or disadvantages and religious believers are citizens with the same
rightsand obligations as anyone else. These equality laws ensure that non-believers have the same
rights as those who identify with a religious or philosophical belief.
Atheism is a lack of belief in gods. Secularism simply provides a framework for a democratic society.
Atheists have an obvious interest in supporting secularism, but secularism itself does not seek to
challenge the tenets of any particular religion or belief, neither does it seek to impose atheism on
anyone. Secularism is simply a framework for ensuring equality throughout society – in politics,
education, the law and elsewhere – for believers and non-believers alike.
Religious people have the right to express their beliefs publicly but so do those who oppose or
question those beliefs. Religious beliefs, ideas and organisations must not enjoy privileged
protection from the right to freedom of expression. In a democracy, all ideas and beliefs must be
open to discussion. Individuals have rights; ideas do not.
DEFINITION OF SECULARISM
It means the separation of religion from political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life,
religionbeing treated as a purely personal matter.
Separation of religious institutions from state institutions and a public sphere where religion may
participate, but not dominate.
Freedom to practice one's faith or belief without harming others, or to change it or not have one,
according to one's own conscience.
Equality so that our religious beliefs or lack of them doesn't put any of us at an advantage or a
disadvantage.
WESTERN CONTEXT OF SECULARISM
• As per the western model of secularism, the "State" and the "religion" have their own separate
spheres and neither the state nor the religion shall intervene in each other's affairs.
• Thus, the western concept of secularism requires complete separation of religion and state.
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 • As per the western model, the state cannot give any financial support to educational institutions
run by religious communities.
• In the western model, State does not intervene in the affairs of religion till the time religion is
working within the limits of the law.
• In western concept of secularism, religion is relegated entirely to the private sphere and has no
place in public life whatsoever.
• The western model prohibits any public policy to be drafted on the basis of religion therefore;
stateis absolutely distanced from the religious activities and practices of its citizens.
SECULARISM IN INDIA
Indian Model of Secularism:
• It has a place not only for the right of individuals to profess their religious beliefs but also for the
right of religious communities to establish and maintain educational institution.
• The acceptance of community specific rights brings us to the third feature of Indian secularism
because it was born in a deeply multi-religious society, it is concerned as much with inter-
religiousdomination as it is with intra-religious domination.
• It does not erect a wall of separation between the state and religion. This allows the state to
intervene in religions, to help or hinder them without the impulse to control or destroy them.
• It is not entirely averse the public character of religion. Although the state is not identified with a
particular religion, there is official and therefore public recognition granted to religious
communities.
• Multiple values and principled distance means that the state tries to balance different, ambiguous
but equally important values.
In Indian Context Secularism has changed its course throughout the history and it is still in the
evolving phase. Secularism, under such conditions of shifting conflictual communal equations,
requires careful and flexible application.
Secularism as practiced in India, with its marked differences with Western practice of secularism, is
a controversial topic in India. Supporters of the Indian concept of secularism claim it respects
"minorities and pluralism". Critics claim the Indian form of secularism as "pseudo-secularism".
Supporters state that any attempt to introduce a uniform civil code, that is equal laws for every
citizenirrespective of his or her religion, would impose majoritarian Hindu sensibilities and ideals.
THE NEED OF SECULARISM IN INDIA/IMPORTANCE OF SECULARISM
Secularism and Democracy are two remarkable achievements of independent India. Secularism
has no alternative option in a multicultural nation like India, therefore, the Indian Constitution
adopted secularism. People of different languages and religions live in Indian Union. They needed
secularism to keep them together. Therefore, with the right to freedom, it was necessary to accept
secularism.
The State, remaining free from religious obligations, can take a tolerant attitude towards every
religion and can pursue the ideal of achieving the well-being of the people, irrespective of caste,
creed, religion etc.
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 Though there is an attempt to bring unite in diversity in India, the minority communities suffer
injustice,oppression of minorities. Of course, even after the formation of a secular state, the spirit of
nationalism could not be created. Awareness of social intolerance among minorities is a threat to
national integration. There is a need for secularism to instil a sense of nationalism among the
minoritygroups in the country.
Although India has adopted the concept of secular state, in fact religion has been politicized.
Religious institutions are used for voting politics. Therefore, the principle of secularism is falling
behind by increasing communalism. Communalism is anti-democratic, so the concept of secularism
needs to be rooted in the promotion of democratic values. In a pluralistic society like India, politics
based on religion is detrimental to national integrity. Therefore, in order to build a strong democracy,
the values of secularism must be respected in the society while respecting religious values.
We are marching fairly rapidly to the goal of universal brotherhood. In this age of universal fraternity,
the narrow concept of theocracy has absolutely no place.
SECULARISM AND CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
Secularism as contemplated by the Constitution of India has the following distinguishing features:
• The state will not identify itself with or be controlled by any religion;
• While the state guarantees to everyone the right to profess whatever religion one chooses to
follow, it will not accord any preferential treatment to any of them.
• No discrimination will be shown by the state against any person on account of his religion or
faith.
• The right of every citizen, subject to any general condition, to enter any offices under the state
and religious tolerance form the heart and soul of secularism as envisaged by the constitution. It
secures the conditions of creating a fraternity of the Indian people which assures both the dignity
ofthe individual and the unity of the nation.
The Preamble of Indian Constitution aims to constitute India a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic
Republic. The terms socialist and secular were added to it by the 42nd amendment. The whole
constitution is summarized in the preamble. It is the mirror to the spirit of the constitution. The
arrangement of the words in the preamble is also very significant. Indian society is a multi-religious
society it is having different caste, religion along with several religion diversification. So, all these
are the divisive factor in some way or the other and if not handled carefully then can cause a threat
to theunity and integrity of the nation.
THE CHALLENGES BEFORE SECULARISM IN INDIA
• Communal Politics : Increasing interference of religion in politics is a major challenge facing the
secular state.Candidates selected for elections are given on the basis of religion.
• Religious insecurity : Everyone has the right to spread and promote his or her religion. Despite
this, the feelings of insecurity in religious minorities still do not seem to diminish. This makes it
difficult to create a secular society. India's growing racism is one of the major challenges facing
the secular society.
• Problems of Religions low : The attempt to respect religious law has created a number of issues

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 in India, such as acceptability of polygamy, unequal inheritance rights, extra judicial unilateral
divorce rights favourable to somemales, and conflicting interpretations of religious books.
• ICompetency of State : The failure of the government to evolve a just economic order and
eliminate poverty also gave aserious setback to secularism.
• Non-separation of religion from politics à the few events in the past like the demolition of the
Babri Masjid, anti-Sikh riots in 1984, Mumbai riots in December 1992 and January 1993, Godhra
riots in2002, etc. have shown the well-established problem of communalism raising its head now
and then.
• Growing fundamentalism à Religious fundamentalism refers to the blind and unquestioning
adherence to particular religious beliefs. It is manifest in orthodoxy, conservatism, and singularity
as against democratic norms of modernism and plurality.
CRITIQUE OF SECULARISM
• Supporters of the Indian concept of secularism claim it respects "minorities and pluralism".
Criticsclaim the Indian form of secularism as "pseudo-secularism".
• Supporters state that any attempt to introduce a uniform civil code, that is equal laws for every
citizen irrespective of his or her religion, would impose majoritarian Hindu sensibilities and ideals.
• Critics state that India's acceptance of Sharia and religious laws violates the principle of Equality
before the law.
• Anti-religious: it is often argued that secularism is anti-religious. We have tried to show that
secularism is against institutionalised religious domination. This is not the same as being anti-
religious. Similarly, it has been argued by some that secularism threatens religious identity.
• Western Import: A second criticism is that it is western and therefore unsuited to Indian
conditions. The fact is that the secularism has both western and non-western origins. In the west,
it was the Church-state separation which was central and in countries such as India, the ideas of
peaceful co-existence of different religious communities has been important.
• Minoritism: A third accusation is the charge of minoritism. To make a separate arrangement for
them is not to accord them any special treatment. It is to treat them with the same respect and
dignity with which all others are being treated. The lesson is that minority rights need not be nor
should be viewed as special privileges.
• Interventionist: A fourth criticism claims that secularism is coercive and that it interferes
excessively with the religious freedom of communities. Indian secularism follows the concept of
principled distance which also allows for non-interference. Besides, interference need not
automatically mean coercive intervention.
• Vote Bank Politics: According to some scholars Secularism encourages the politics of vote
banks. To blame a politician for pursuing a group of people or promising to initiate a policy with
the motivation to secure their votes is unfair. If secular politicians who sought the votes of
minorities also manage to give them what they want, then this is a success of the secular project
which aims,after all, to also protect the interests of the minorities.
HOW TO DEVELOP INDIAN BRAND OF SECULARISM
• In a pluralistic society, the best approach to nurture secularism is to expand religious freedom

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 rather than strictly practicing state neutrality.
• Movements for social reform will have to be organized and public opinion mobilized- Minorities
should be encouraged to participate in the mainstream of national life.
• Two crucial moves to kick-start the discourse and practice of secularism. First, a shift of focus
from a politically-led project to a socially-driven movement for justice. Second, a shift of
emphasis frominter-religious to intra-religious issues.
The history of civilizations and the painful experiences felt because of the communal problems have
made us realize that the secularism is indispensable to overcome the religious anomalies.
Secularism is crucial to restrain the authority of the majority religion and restrict the use of political
clout on religious base. It is also to safeguard the freedom of individuals (i.e., to exit from their
religion,embrace another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings).

Keywords:-
• Sectarianism
• Religious Tolerance
• Minority Rights
• Communal Riots
• Identity Politics
• Social Cohesion
• Religious Extremism
• Secular Governance
• India's as Spiritual powerhouse
• Cultural Pluralism
• Communal Harmony Initiatives
• Communal Discord
• National Integration
• Communal polarisation
• Interfaith Dialogue
• Communal Peacebuilding
• Constitutional Safeguards
• Positive secularism
• Social media as weapon of mass disasters
• Vote bank politics
• Diversity Resilience
• Diverse Threads of Society
• "Threads of Unity, Woven in Diversity:
• Thali model (keywords of chapter one)

Acronyms:-
word "VIOLENCE" to explain causes for communalism

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 • V: Victimization Perception: Communities may perceive themselves as victims, fostering a sense
of grievance and resentment.
• I: Identity Politics: Exploitation of religious identities for political gain can contribute to communal
tensions.
• O: Opportunistic Leaders: Politicians exploiting communal sentiments for their own agendas can
exacerbate divisions.
• L: Land and Resource Disputes: Communal conflicts may arise from disputes over land,
resources, or economic opportunities.
• E: Economic Disparities: Socio-economic inequalities can fuel communal tensions as
marginalized groups seek redress.
• N: Nationalism and Exclusion: Exclusive nationalism that marginalizes certain religious or ethnic
groups can breed communal tensions.
• C: Cultural Stereotypes: Prejudiced beliefs and stereotypes about different communities can
contribute to divisive attitudes.
• E: Educational Divide: Disparities in education access and quality can contribute to
misunderstanding and perpetuate communal divides.

word "SECULAR" to propose solutions for addressing communalism:

• S: Social Harmony Education: Promote inclusive education that emphasizes understanding and
tolerance of diverse cultures and religions.
• E: Empowerment through Economic Equality: Address economic disparities to ensure equitable
opportunities for all communities.
• C: Civic Engagement and Communication: Encourage open dialogue and civic engagement to
foster mutual understanding and bridge communication gaps.
• U: Unity in Diversity Celebrations: Organize events that celebrate cultural diversity and
emphasize the shared values of pluralism.
• L: Legal Safeguards: Strengthen and enforce laws that protect minority rights and punish those
inciting communal violence.
• A: Awareness Campaigns: Conduct public awareness campaigns to dispel stereotypes and
promote a sense of common citizenship.
• R: Religious Freedom Protection: Safeguard the freedom of religion, ensuring individuals can
practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution.

'HARMONY' strategy: Honor All Religions, Maintain Equality, Embrace Diversity, Foster Unity,
Nurture Inclusion, Yield to Respect.

Case studies:-
• Malaysia's National Unity Policy: Malaysia has implemented policies to address communal
tensions between its diverse ethnic and religious groups. The National Unity Policy focuses on
promoting understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among Malays, Chinese, Indians, and
other ethnic communities to build a more harmonious society.
• Germany: Holocaust Remembrance and Education: Germany's commitment to
acknowledging and educating about the Holocaust is a notable example. Through memorials,

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 museums, and educational programs, Germany has actively confronted its dark history,
fostering a collective understanding of the importance of tolerance and human rights.
• Rwanda: Community-based Gacaca Courts (2001-2012): In the aftermath of the Rwandan
Genocide, the Gacaca Courts were established to promote reconciliation at the community level.
These grassroots initiatives encouraged open dialogue, accountability, and forgiveness,
contributing to the rebuilding of social bonds.
• Community Engagement in India's Muzaffarnagar: After communal riots in Muzaffarnagar in
2013, local NGOs and community leaders initiated efforts to rebuild trust between Hindus and
Muslims. Community dialogues, joint economic projects, and educational initiatives were
launched to promote coexistence and reduce tensions.

Conclusion:-

• India's commitment to secularism, enshrined in its constitution, necessitates the impartial

treatment of all religions. A delicate balance between religious diversity and a secular state is
crucial for fostering national unity and upholding individual freedoms.
• While India's secular ideals are laudable, challenges persist, including communal tensions and
identity politics. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach, promoting interfaith
dialogue, and reinforcing the secular fabric of the nation.
• Communalism, whether based on religion or ethnicity, poses a significant threat to social
harmony. Policymakers must adopt inclusive measures, encourage cultural understanding, and
address economic disparities to mitigate the root causes of communal tensions.
• The constitutional safeguards for secularism in India are the bedrock of a pluralistic society.
Upholding these safeguards necessitates constant vigilance, legal reforms, and public
awareness to protect the secular fabric of the nation and ensure that religious harmony prevails
over divisive forces.
• The media plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion. Responsible journalism that highlights
the shared values among diverse communities is crucial. By avoiding sensationalism and
promoting inclusive narratives, the media can contribute significantly to fostering secular values
in society.
• Education plays a pivotal role in shaping a secular and inclusive society. Integrating values of
tolerance, respect, and understanding in educational curricula is crucial. By nurturing a
generation that values diversity, India can build a strong foundation for a harmonious and
secular future.
• Maintaining communal harmony and respecting pluralism in a country as diverse as India can be
a challenge. However, it is important to address the collective conscience of people of the
country to uphold the constitutional values like fraternity and secularism. A strong nation, which
is built by the contribution of communities working together for its prosperity can further
contribute to the maintenance of global peace and harmony.

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 Drawing:-

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 Model answers from pyq and expected questions:-

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 `

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 `

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 Quick revision through mindmap:-

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 Readymade framework on common themes:-

Causes of communalism:-

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Political • Vote bank politics

• Hate speeches
• Communal voting
• Identity politics

Economic • Competition for

resources
• Unequal
distribution
• Poverty
• Unemployment

Social • Social stigma

• Intolerance
• Social exclusion

Geographical • Regional
disparities
• Border issues

Technological • Social media

• Cyber
radicalisation

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 Features of secularism or solutions to the communalism

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Political • Equal
representation
• Non biased
legislation
• Political awareness

Social • Religious pluralism

• Tolerance
• Education

Economic • Inclusive growth

• Social welfare
programs
• Equal economic
opportunities

Technological • Protection from

Online Extremism
• Ethical AI

Governance • Separation of
religion and state
• Religious neutrality

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 REGIONALISM
INTRODUCTION
To understand regionalism, we need to know various dimensions of the region. Region as a
geographical unit, is delimited form each other. Region as a social system, reflects the relation
between different human beings and groups. Regions are an organized cooperation in cultural,
economic, political or military fields. Region acts as a subject with distinct identity, language, culture
and tradition. Regionalism is an ideology and political movement that seeks to advance the causes
of regions. As a process it plays role within the nation as well as outside the nation i.e. at
international level. Both types of regionalism have different meaning and have positive as well as
negative impact on society, polity, diplomacy, economy, security, culture, development,
negotiations, etc. At the international level, regionalism refers to transnational cooperation to meet a
common goal or to resolve a shared problem or it refers to a group of countries such as Western
Europe, or Southeast Asia, linked by geography, history or economic features. Used in this sense,
regionalism refers to attempts to reinforce the links between these countries economic features.
The second meaning of the term is regionalism at national level refers to a process in which sub-
state actors become increasingly powerful, power devolves from central level to regional
governments. These are the regions within country, distinguished in culture, language and other
socio-cultural factors.
Concept and Definition of Regionalism
Regionalism is the expression of a common sense of identity and purpose by people within a
specific geographical region, united by its unique language, culture, language, etc. In a positive
sense, it encourages people to develop a sense of brotherhood and oneness which seeks to
protect the interests of a particular region and promotes the welfare and development of the state
and its people. In the negative sense, it implies excessive attachment to one's region which is a
great threat to the unity and integrity of the country.
In the Indian context generally, the term 'regionalism' has been used in the negative sense.
Various Forms of Regionalism
Regionalism, properly so called.
It is the first and most legitimate kind of regionalism which is often in the form of the demand of a
separate space or state of one's own, for the purpose of resting securely within the Union of India.
This was spearheaded by the Telugu-speaking residents of the erstwhile Madras Presidency. The
forms of protest it involved were attacks on state property, and the hunger-fast, most definitively in
the case of Potti Sriramulu, who in 1952 died after not eating for 52 days, his death leading, in the
short term and as a result of this, the creation of the state of Andhra Pradesh and, later redrawing
of the map of India on linguistic lines took place.
Parochialism
Another form of regionalism has been termed as parochialism. This can be benevolent, as in
evident in form or pretensions of the Bengali Bhadralok, who claim that their literature, music, dress
and cuisine are superior to others in India. However, sometimes it has also taken the form of blood

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 shade, as evident in the attacks on Bihari labourers by the Ulfa cadre, in which the belief rests that
only Assamese speakers have the right to live in Assam.
Secessionism from the Indian Union
It can be classified as the most violent and dangerous form of regionalism as it is based on the
desire, or hope, or fantasy, to divide the Republic of India and form a separate nation of one's own.
The movement of Khalistan, spearheaded by the Sikh extremists during 1980s also hoped to form
their own nation-state. In fact, even the Dravidian movement for many years demanded a separate
nationout of India.
Inter State Disputes
Another form of regionalism in India has found expression in the form of Interstate disputes. There
is a dispute over Chandigarh between Punjab and Haryana. There are boundary disputes, for
example, between Maharashtra and Karnataka on Belgaun, where the Marathi speaking population
is surrounded by Kannada speaking people between Karnataka and Kerala on Kasargod and
several other border areas between Assam and Nagaland on Rangma reserved forests in Ram
Pagani area.
REGIONALISM IN INDIA: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Roots of regionalism is in India's manifold diversity of languages, cultures, ethnic groups,
communities, religions and so on, and encouraged by the regional concentration of those identity
markers, and fueled by a sense of regional deprivation. For many centuries, India remained the
land of many lands, regions, cultures and traditions. For instance, southern India (the home of
Dravidian cultures), which is itself a region of many regions, is evidently different from the north, the
west, the central and the northeast. Even the east of India is different from the North-East of India
comprising today seven constituent units of Indian federation with the largest concentration of tribal
people.
Regionalism has remained perhaps the most potent force in Indian politics ever since independence
(1947), if not before. It has remained the main basis of many regional political parties which have
governed many states since the late 1960s. Three clear patterns can be identified in the post-
independence phases of accommodation of regional identity through statehood.
First, in the 1950s and 1960s, intense (ethnic) mass mobilisation, often taking on a violent
character, was the main force behind the state's response with an institutional package for
statehood. Andhra Pradesh in India's south showed the way. The fast unto death in 1952 of the
legendary (Telugu) leader Potti Sriramulu for a state for the Telegu speakers out of the composite
Madras Presidency moved an otherwise reluctant Jawaharlal Nehru, a top nationalist leader and it
was followed by State reorganization commission under Fazal Ali paving way for State
Reorganization Act, 1956.
Second, in the 1970s and 1980s, the main focus of reorganization was India's North-east. The
basis of reorganization was tribal insurgency for separation and statehood. The main institutional
response of the Union government was the North-eastern States Reorganization Act, 1971 which
upgraded the Union Territories of Manipur and Tripura, and the Sub-State of Meghalaya to full
statehood, and Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (then Tribal Districts) to Union Territories. The
latter became states in 1986. Goa (based on Konkani language (8th Schedule)), which became a

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 state in 1987, was the sole exception.
Third, the movements for the three new states (created in 2000)—Chhattisgarh out of Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand out of Bihar and Uttaranchal out of Uttar Pradesh— were long-drawn but
became vigorous in the 1990s. And the most recent one, we can see with the division of Andhra
Pradesh, giving a separate Telangana, which started in 1950s.
WHY REGIONAL DISPARITY STILL PERSISTS?
Low rate of economic growth: The economic growth of India has been fluctuating since
independence. But with respect to High population growth, the economic growth has been not
enough to catch the development with full speed. In the last decade, the economic growth were
bottlenecks at domestic level.
Socio-economic and political organisation of states: The states have been unable to do the
adequate land reforms and the feudal mentality still persists. Bhoodan and Gramdaan movements,
after independence, were not enthusiastically carried and even land under land Banks were not
efficiently distributed. The political activities in the backward states were limited to vote bank politics
and scams.
Lower level of infrastructural facilities in backward states: The level of infrastructural
development, such as- power distribution, irrigation facilities, roads, modern markets for agricultural
produce has been at back stage. All these are state list subjects.
Low level of social expenditure by states on education, health and sanitation: These subjects
are core for human resource development. The sates which have invested heavily on these
subjects, fall under the developed and advanced states, for example Tamil Nadu, where health care
services inPrimary health centre is bench mark for other states.
Political and administration failure: This is source of tension and gives birth to subregional
movements for separate states. Jarkhand, Chattisgarh, Uttrakhand and recently Telangana are
result of these failure only. Many such demands are in pipeline such as- Vidarbha, Saurashtra,
Darjeeling and Bodoland, etc. These failures also weakens the confidence of private players and do
not attract investors in the states.
“Son of the soil” doctrine explains a form of regionalism, which is in discussion since 1950.
According to it, a state specifically belongs to the main linguistic group inhabiting it or that the state
constitutes the exclusive homeland of its main language speakers, who are the sons of the soil or
local residents.
STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF REGIONALISM:
• Balanced Regional Development : Regionalism could have flourished in India, if any
state/region had felt that it was being culturally dominated or discriminated against. Regional
economic inequality is a potent time bomb directed against national unity and political stability.
But, this potential cause did not take shape of regionalism, because of government steps, which
focused on the balanced regional development and fulfilled the aspiration of states. Few of them
are – Industrial Policy, 1956, National Integration council, 1961. Transfer of financial resources to
poorer states on the recommendation of Finance commission.
• Planning : Planning became an important tool through Planning commission and Five year
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 plans. But the new government is planning to devolve the planning power to the respective
states, so that they can do planning with real-time approach of their respective needs and
requirements.
• State Categorisation : The central government has categorized states on the basis of
backwardness and accordingly gives grants and loans. In September 2013, Raghuram Rajan,
recommended a new index of backwardness to determine- which state need special help from
central government. It is composed of 10 equally weighted indicators. According to that, Orissa
and Bihar are the mostbackward states.
• Regular public investment by central government through centrally sponsored schemes have
focussed on development of necessary infrastructure and poverty eradication, integrated rural
development, education, health, family planning, etc. For example Prdhan Mantri Gram sadak
yojana, Mid day meal, MGNREGA, etc.
• Government at centre and states give incentives to private players to develop in backward states
through subsidies, taxation, etc. Nationalization of banks, granting new banking licenses, making
mandatory for banks to open rural branches are few other steps for inclusive development and
balanced regional development.
• There are certain discrepancies at the implementation part of these schemes. Few areas have
been neglected like irrigation, which has created agricultural disparity. Rain fed and dry land
agriculture also have been neglected, which became cause for suicide of farmers in various
states (Coverage of P. Sainath, gives us more insights on such issues.)In reality, the interstate
industrial disparity, agricultural disparity, number of BPL, etc. are decreasing. But, more actions
are neededto completely eradicate the disparities.
IMPACT OF REGIONALISM IN INDIA
Positive
• Scholars believe that regionalism plays important role in building of the nation, if the demands of
the regions are accommodated by the political system of the country.
• Regional recognition in terms of state hood or state autonomy gives self-determination to the
people of that particular region and they feel empowered and happy. Internal self determination
of community, whether linguistic, tribal, religious, regional, or their combinations, has remained
the predominant form in which regionalism in India has sought to express itself, historically as
well asat present time.
• Regional identities in India have not always defined themselves in opposition to and at the
expense of, the national identity, noticed a democratic effect of such process in that India's
representative democracy has moved closed to the people who feel more involved and show
greater concern for institutions of local and regional governance. For example- Tripura Tribal
Autonomous District Council (TTADC), formed in 1985, has served to protect an otherwise
endangered tribal identity in the state by providing a democratic platform for former separatists
to become a party of governance, and thereby reduced significantly the bases of political
extremismin the state.
• In such political setup, there always remains a scope of balanced regional development. The
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 socio-cultural diversity is given due respect and it helps the regional people to practise their own
culture too.
Negative
• Regionalism is often seen as a serious threat to the development, progress and unity of the
nation. It gives internal security challenges by the insurgent groups, who propagate the feelings
of regionalism against the mainstream politico-administrative setup of the country.
• Regionalism definitely impacts politics as days of collation government and alliances are taking
place. Regional demands become national demands, policies are launched to satisfy regional
demands and generally those are extended to all pockets of country, hence national policies are
now dominated by regional demands. E.g. MSP given to sugarcane, it was helpful for farmers in
Maharashtra but it was implemented across all states resulting agitations of farmers belonging to
UP, Punjab and Haryana. Meanwhile it sowed seed of defection among ministers and targeting
tocorresponding minister.
• Some regional leaders play politics of vote bank based on language, culture, this is certainly
against healthy democratic procedures. This always leads to demand for separate state and it
has observed that after creating small states only few political leaders could run efficient
government else alliances run government which ultimately makes administration machinery
ineffective.
• Based Developmental plans are implemented unevenly focusing on regions to which heavy
weight leaders belongs are benefitted, hence unrest is generated among rest regions. Law and
order is disturbed, agitations with massive violence take place ultimately government is
compelled to takeharsh steps; hence wrong signals are emitted about government authorities.
• Regionalism, also becomes hurdle in the international diplomacy, as in 2013 we saw how Tamil
Nadu regional parties were against the Prime Minister of India, attending the Commonwealth
heads meeting(CHOGM) in Sri Lanka. These actions have their direct implication on the relation
of India with Sri Lanka or other countries of the forums or in case of Mamata Banerjee not
agreeing to Land Boundary agreement and Teesta River Water sharing, when the leaders at
centre level were ready to do it.
• The regionalism induced violence disturbs the whole society, people are killed, students cannot
attend the schools & colleges, tourism cannot be promoted, etc. This impacts the development
of human resource, governments need to deploy extra forces to control the situation and it has
direct implication on the economy of the nation. Impacted societies remain aloof from the
mainstream development and then the regional variations and backwardness is clearly reflected.
• On the broader front, it harms India's status in global arena and becomes hurdle in becoming
global power or world leader.
SUGGESTIONS
In order to eliminate the regionalism and achieve national integration the following suggestions may
be given.
Doing away with regional imbalance: It has been experienced that the regional imbalance has been

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 the main cause of disgruntlement among the inhabitants of a particular region for regionalism. If the
national resources are distributed in a balanced manner, the problem of regionalism will be
mitigated.
Abolition of regional parties: The regional parties play a dirty role in exploiting the regional feelings
of people. This solidifies the base for regionalism. Therefore efforts should be made to ban all
regional parties posing threat to national unity.
Top priority to the economic development of deprived zones: Due to uneven development of
different areas of the country, political issues have been made (As in case of Telengana in Andhra
Pradesh and Vidarbha in Maharashtra) and enmity between different regions increased. Therefore if
top priority is given to economic development of those areas where the people have developed the
feeling of relative deprivation, the situation will improve and they can be drawn into the national
mainstream.
Restructuring the society: The social structure of the developing societies at the national or regional
level is essentially anti-development. India is no exception to it. The benefits of increased investment
in economic and social activities in this society often go to those who need them the least and the
majority is the deprived section. But the irony is that the beneficiaries set the deprived mass against
the nation showing the plea of regionalism. Hence our social structure needs to be restructured.
Acculturation: The regional groups of people also maintain their cultural distinctiveness. This
delimits the interaction between different regional and cultural superiority for each group. Frequent
cultural contacts should be promoted to break the regional barriers and to develop the nationalistic
spirit.
Developed means of Transport and Communication: Most of the backward regions of the
country do not have proper link with the rest of the country through transport and communication
system. Due to this reason their interaction and contact with other regional groups become
restricted and they develop a, feeling of alienation. Therefore transport and communication system
should be developedin the backward areas in order to bring economic and social development.
Proper education: Education may be construed as a very powerful agent for doing away with the
separatist tendencies and for flourishing the sense of nationalistic spirit among the country men.
Appeal through mass media: Today mass media have become very powerful agents of change. If
bothdirect and indirect appeals are made highlighting the concept of equality of opportunity to every
region for their development and the concept of national unity through various programmes like
'Mera Bharat Mahan', people will be motivated to cut across regional boundaries and come forward
for national development.

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 STATEHOOD DEMAND IN INDIA

SMALL STATES Vs LARGER STATE DEBATE

Are larger states better than smaller ones? It's a never-ending debate that took centre-stage during
the pro-Telangana movement and after the formation of the 29th state. It is a popular notion that
smaller states have better development prospects. More than a decade ago India created three new
states—Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand—following long-standing demands and protests.
But does a smaller size necessarily guarantee development?
Smaller states
Pros:
• Key decisions related to local issues will be taken closer home. Ex: Neither Delhi nor Hyderabad
nor Mumbai could think of solutions for food shortage & farmer suicides in Chattisgarh, AP,
Vidarbha, etc. The closer-to-home the government stays, the easier will be managing regional
issues.
• Governmental and bureaucratic affairs can be managed well with focused attention when the
population and the administrative area are of manageable proportions.
• Smaller states signify empowerment of common people.
• A few concerned and well-meaning experts in demographics and psychographics believe that in
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 India, a lot of larger states need re-division – UP can be split into four states, Andhra,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and J&K into three (Valley, Jammu and Ladakh), and Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu and Kerala into two each.
• Improved attention especially towards neglected areas, better focus on developing backward
regions, a new legislative assembly and monetary support from the union prove to be
advantageous to new/smaller states.
• New states generally get separate institutions exclusively for the state – State Election
Commission, Human Rights/ Women's/ SC/STs/Child Commissions, Public Service
Commission, separate cadre for IAS/IPS/IFS under UPSC, and High Court – which will be
beneficial to the state.
• Better representation for minorities – in terms of caste, religion, tribe, etc.
• Better administration and access to better development for hitherto ignored areas and people
there.
• Re-distribution of tax and other resources ensures that money and resources are being utilized
forthe overall development of the entire state rather than being concentrated on a few areas.
Cons:
• Since India is primarily an agrarian economy, there's no guarantee that smaller states will benefit
immediately after the division. Most states depend on agriculture largely and their fate is,
therefore, decided by the monsoon.
• Setting up of various institutions (mentioned above), government offices & residences,
universities & research institutions, stadia, basic amenities like hospitals in remote places, etc.,
requires huge sums of money. A new state invariably ends up depending on the Union for funds
–which may or may not be readily available.
• River water distribution and other new issues in terms of resource distribution and management
may crop up and become a major bone of contention between the two states.
• Distribution & control of natural resources isn't very easy post-division. Some regions may be
flourishing while others are deprived of resources and the latter ones tend to lose in the bargain.
• Newer political parties come up leading to more disputes & dividing people further on regional
grounds too, and a 'stable centralized power' will remain a distant dream as coalitions will
becomeour preordained destiny.
• If one state's demands are granted, it'll encourage other states to follow their lead.

Larger States
Pros:
• Though a state's performance is not so much determined by its size, size does matter –
especially when it comes to utilization of available natural resources & man power, the larger the
state is, thebetter it is for overall progress.

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 • United we stand, divided we fall' may or may not hold true always but when the majority of a
state's population stands together and demands for something, the government will be forced to
sit up and take notice of/listen to its vox populi.
• The political will and orientation of a state's government determine the development of its people,
and concentrated political agendas in certain areas may sometimes help bring people together
inlarger states.
• In terms of economies of scale and growth rate, larger states tend to fare better than smaller
ones.
Cons:
• Administering large and diverse states is more complex and leads to inefficiency on part of
government and bureaucratic agencies.
• A majority of states in India are just too huge to manage things without complexities & conflicts of
interest.
• Diversity is not only about language but also about economy and culture. The economic culture
of certain regions in a state leads to a gap that cannot actually be filled. Ex: Coastal Andhra
versus Telangana; Vidarbha versus Marathwada versus Mumbai (which in itself is another story
becauseof its diversity, population and thriving business).
• Allocation of resources isn't easy in larger states due to inconsistent-yet-influential power
structures created by politicians for their own selfish ends.
• The physical distance between the 'power centre' (capital city usually) and the complete
disconnect between the people of one region and the powerful/richer politicians who come from
another region influences the public sentiment & divides the state.
The need of the hour is to develop each region of India, through devolution of power to local
governments and empowering people for their participation in decision-making. The governments at
state level need to find out the alternative resources of energy, source of employment for local
people, use of technology in governance, planning and for agriculture development. The 12th five
year targets for “Faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth“, which will be instrumental for
balanced regional growth.

Keywords:-

• National Integration
• Economic Disparities
• acculturation
• Linguistic Diversity
• Cultural Dimensions
• Regional Movements
• Federalism
• Regional Political Parties
• son of the soil” doctrine
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 • Locals First policy
• Regional Development
• Territorial Identity
• Socioeconomic Disparities
• Communal Harmony
• Indigenous Autonomy
• Grassroots Pluralism
• Regionalist Agendas
• Communal Diversity
• Localized Governance Structures
• Identity Politics
• Communal Tapestry
• Unity in diversity
• Sabka sath sabka vikas sabka prayaas
• Ek Bharat shreshth bharat
• Internal colonialism
• centrifugal force in the federal political system.
• pandora box
• cooperative federalism
• Sarakariya commision

Acronyms:-

Word REGIONALISM to provide characteristics of regionalism.

• R - Regional identity
• E - Economic Disparities
• G - Governance deficit
• I - Identity Amplification
• O - Overarching Autonomy
• N - National Integration Challenge
• A - Aspirations for Development
• L - Localized Policy Needs
• I - Innovative Governance
• S - Shared Cultural Bonds
• M - majority rule doctrine

word UNITY as an acronym to explain the way to tackle the menace of regionalism.
• U - Understanding Diversity
• N - National Integration Initiatives
• I - Inclusive Development
• T - Transparent Governance
• Y - Yielding to Local Autonomy
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 PEACE strategy:-
PEACE: Promote Equity, Advocate Cooperation, Embrace Differences, Catalyze Unit

Three D strategy of Defense, Dialogue and Development

Readymade conclusions:-
• In light of the multifaceted nature of the issue, a holistic strategy that integrates economic,
political, and cultural dimensions is essential to foster sustainable solutions and mitigate the
adverse effects of the challenges presented.
• The insights gained from this analysis underscore the need for adaptive governance structures
that can accommodate diverse regional dynamics without compromising the integrity of the
nation.
• Thus, regionalism is a natural phenomenon in a federal polity like India where diversities are
territorially grouped, largely on political, ethnic, cultural and linguistic basis. The federal system
of polity has indeed made regionalism feasible and vice-versa.
• For the Indian nation-state to maintain its diverse nature, the concept of “Unity in Diversity”
must be preserved. Multiple aspirations of diverse people must be accommodated. By
encouraging the participation of the State Governments of India in the formulation of economic
policy using a bottom-up approach, the establishment of the NITI Aayog has been a positive
step toward improving cooperative federalism.
• Regionalism, with its complex dynamics, has both positive and negative impacts on national
integration and governance in India. While it fosters regional aspirations and gives voice to
marginalized communities, it also poses challenges to national unity and cooperative
governance. To ensure a harmonious balance, it is crucial to strengthen federalism, promote
cultural exchange, and implement inclusive policies that address regional disparities. By
embracing the diversity of regional identities while fostering a sense of national identity, India
can harness the strengths of regionalism to achieve sustainable national integration and
effective governance.
• However, regionalism used to serve vested interests and threaten the syncretic fabric of indian
society, in the name of voicing regional concerns, needs to be checked, as it undermines the
unity and strength of nation in the longer run, defying the constitutional and national spirit of
‘unity in diversity’.
• The Khalistan issue is a complex and sensitive one that requires a holistic and inclusive
approach from the government.The government should address the legitimate grievances and
aspirations of the Sikh community in a peaceful and democratic manner while safeguarding
the unity and integrity of India.
• For the permanent cessation of this conflict, India needs to move forward with a humanitarian
approach, creating better educational and economic prospects for local youth along with
dealing sternly with menace of regionalism.
• Nagas are culturally heterogeneous groups of different communities/tribes having a different
set of problems from mainstream population. In order to achieve the long-lasting solution, their
cultural, historical and territorial extent must be taken into consideration. Therefore, any
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 arrangement to be worked out should lead to social and political harmony, economic prosperity
and protection of the life and property of all tribes and citizens of the states.
• Of the various security challenges India is facing, regionalism in both these areas remains the
most dangerous to security of India. Thus there is a need to tackle this challenge from a
security as well as development perspective.
• For the Indian nation-state to maintain its diverse nature, the concept of “Unity in Diversity”
must be preserved. Multiple aspirations of diverse people must be accommodated. By
encouraging the participation of the State Governments of India in the formulation of economic
policy using a bottom-up approach, the establishment of the NITI Aayog has been a positive
step toward improving cooperative federalism.

Case studies:-
• Canada's Quebec Accord:
Strategy: Canada addressed regionalism through negotiations and the Quebec Accord,
recognizing the distinctiveness of Quebec and granting the province significant powers.
Outcome: While the accord wasn't fully implemented, it contributed to a more cooperative
federal-provincial relationship, reducing tensions and promoting a sense of accommodation for
regional differences.
• Devolution in the United Kingdom:
Strategy: The United Kingdom's devolution process, particularly in Scotland, Wales, and
Northern Ireland, involved the delegation of significant powers to regional governments.
Outcome: Devolution has allowed for a more localized governance approach, addressing
regional aspirations and fostering a sense of autonomy while maintaining the overall unity of
the UK.
● Swiss Federalism:
Strategy: Switzerland's federal system has effectively managed linguistic and cultural diversity
by decentralizing powers to cantons, allowing them a high degree of autonomy.
Outcome: The Swiss model has ensured stability and unity while respecting regional identities,
showcasing the success of a federal structure in a diverse country.
● The North-East Special Economic Package:
Strategy: The Indian government introduced a special economic package for the northeastern
states to address economic disparities and promote development.
Outcome: This initiative aimed to boost infrastructure, attract investments, and create
employment opportunities in the region, contributing to economic growth and mitigating
regional disparities.
● Special Category Status for States:
Strategy: The government has, at times, granted special category status to certain states,
providing them with fiscal benefits and assistance to address economic challenges.
Case Study: States like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and northeastern states
have been granted special status, allowing them to receive preferential treatment in terms of
central assistance and tax benefits.
● Regional Development Programs:
Strategy: Implementation of targeted development programs to address regional disparities

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 and promote inclusive growth.
Case Study: The Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) in India aimed to bridge development
gaps among states. It provided financial assistance for projects focusing on infrastructure,
health, and education in backward regions.

Feed the data :-

• India recognizes 22 officially recognized languages, with Hindi being the most widely spoken.
Each state often has its own language, contributing to linguistic regionalism.
• Article 371 of the Indian Constitution to protect the rights and interests of the special States.
• According to the 2011 Indian census, the last when it was held, there are about 20.8 million
Sikhs, making up 1.7 percent of the country’s population.The majority of Sikhs, about 16
million at the time of the census, live in the northern state of Punjab where they make up about
58 percent of the state’s population.
• North east linked with Indian heartland through the 21 km. wide Siliguri Corridor, which is
commonly known as the chicken neck, created by the Radcliffe line. The corridor is flanked by
Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
• North east has an area of 2.6 lakh sq. km. (7.6% of India’s land area) while its population is 39
million plus (3.6% of India’s population). It has 475 ethnic groups and 400 languages/ dialects
are spoken here.
• Mizo National Front (M.N.F.) - (leader -Laldenga)
• Naga National Council (N.N.C.), headed by A.Z. Phizo, Nagas. The N.S.C.N. further broke into
two factions: Isak-Muivah faction (N.S.C.N.-I.M.) and the Khaplang faction (N.S.C.N.-K.).
• Article 244 (1) provides that – Provisions of the 5th schedule shall apply to the admin. or
control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes.
• Article 244 (2) provides that – Provisions of the 6th schedule shall apply to the admin. or
control of schedule areas, in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to create
Autonomous Districts Councils in these states.
• South India contributes 8.8% to the National Gross Domestic Product.
• Under Article 3 of Constitution of India, the states have no right to secede from the Union.
• Violent events rise by 9.9% and violent deaths by 13.4% when a regional party comes to
power
• Gujarat police have arrested over 150 people and lodged 18 FIRs following a series of violent
attacks on non-Gujaratis, mostly factory workers from North India, in North Gujarat

Currently in news:-
● Statehood Demand by Puducherry
Recently, the Chief Minister of Puducherry has demanded Statehood for the Union Territory
(UT) of Puducherry.The demand for Statehood is a long pending issue for Puducherry making
it unable to exercise any powers for creating employment potential by inviting more industries
to Puducherry and also creating infrastructure facilities for tourism.
● Khalistan Issue
Amritpal Singh, a follower of the Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who has been
preaching the Idea of Khalistan Separatist Movement in Punjab for a few months, has
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 managed to escape.
● Violence in Manipur
There have been violent communal clashes in Manipur due to the Manipur High Court (HC)
directing the State to pursue a 10-year-old recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST)
status to the non-tribal Meitei community. The violence escalated after the All-Tribal Student
Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a "tribal solidarity rally" against the alleged move to include
the Meiteis on the ST list.
● Naga Ceasefire Agreements Extended:-
Recently, the centre has extended the ceasefire agreements between the Central government
and three Naga groups by a year which was signed on 19th April 2022.
● Dima Hasao Peace Pact: Assam
Recently, the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) signed a Peace Agreement with the
Assam government and the Union Government. In September 2021, the DNLA had declared a
unilateral ceasefire for a period of six months following an appeal by the chief minister. The
ceasefire has been extended since then.
● One Nation, One Election
The central idea behind One nation, One election is to synchronize the timing of Lok Sabha
and State Assembly elections across all States to reduce the frequency of polls throughout the
country.
This concept was the practice till 1967, but it was disrupted due to various reasons such as
defections, dismissals, and dissolutions of government.
● Inter-State Water Dispute
Odisha has complained to the Ministry of Jal Shakti under the Inter-State River Water Disputes
(ISRWD) Act 1956 accusing Chhattisgarh of misleading the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal
(MWDT) by releasing water in Mahanadi river in the Non-Monsoon Season.

Diagram/ illustrations:-

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 Model answers of pyq and expected questions.

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Telegram : PRAYAAS UPSC 200 09894998421 ©PRAYAAS
 Quick revision through Mind maps:-

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Telegram : PRAYAAS UPSC 202 09894998421 ©PRAYAAS
 Ready templates on common themes:-

General causes of regionalism

Heading Subheadings Explanation

Political ● Isolation
● State Party politics
● Lack of
Representation
● Regional political
parties

Economic ● Poverty
● Development
imbalance
● Resources protection
● Unemployment

Social ● Ethnicity
● Social support
● Education
● Backwardness

Governance ● Corruption
● Inefficiency
● Red tapism

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