Development
Sunday, 17 August 2025 8:48 AM
Here’s a concise, exam-ready version:
Challenges in India’s development
• Economic inequality: Top 1% owns 40.1% of wealth (World Inequality Lab, 2024) → rising
concentration.
• Environmental degradation: 14 of world’s 20 most polluted cities in India (IQAir 2023).
• Jobless growth: GDP grew ~6.5–7% (2011–22) while employment grew only ~1.9% annually
→ weak job creation.
• Bureaucratic delays: Regulatory red-tape slows key projects (e.g., DMIC delays).
• Corruption & misallocation: Leakages in PDS and welfare reduce effectiveness.
• Neglect of health & education: Combined public spending on education ≈ 2.9% of GDP
(2019–23); rural health personnel shortages persist despite national averages
(doctor:population ~1:836).
• Gender disparity: India ranks 129/146 on Global Gender Gap 2024 — gaps in economic and
political participation.
Way forward (priority actions)
• Clear targets & evidence-based planning with measurable indicators.
• Stakeholder engagement (local communities, industry, panchayats) for ownership.
• Stronger laws & regulation to streamline approvals and curb leakages (tax/GST model).
• Adequate resource allocation to health, education and social protection (e.g., well-funded
MGNREGA).
• Robust M&E & transparency: realtime tracking, audits and outcome-based metrics.
• Sustainable growth focus: green policies, pollution control and inclusive job creation.
Conclusion: Tackle inequality and quality deficits through better planning, funding, governance
and citizen participation to make development equitable and sustainable.
