GS Paper 2 10 marks · 150w 9 min Medium
The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy.
Subtopic: Social Justice · Human Resource Development
How to structure your answer
Introduction (HRD as core of development) → evidence of neglect (health, education, skilling underspend) → consequences for demographic dividend → measures: raise public expenditure, quality reforms, skilling, health, convergence → Conclusion (human capital as growth engine)
Detailed model answer
203 words · target 150 words · 9 min
Human Resource Development (HRD) — investment in health, education and skills that raises the productive capacity of people — is the true foundation of development, yet India has under-prioritised it relative to physical capital.
Evidence of the inadequacy
- Public education spending has stagnated near 3% of GDP against the 6% target of NEP 2020 and the Kothari Commission.
- Public health outlay is around 2% of GDP versus the 2.5% goal of the National Health Policy 2017.
- ASER surveys show weak foundational literacy and numeracy; only a small share of the youth workforce is formally skilled.
Why it matters
With a median age around 28, a poorly developed workforce risks turning the demographic dividend into a demographic burden, depressing productivity and worsening inequality.
Measures
- Progressively raise public spending on education to 6% and health to 2.5% of GDP, with outcome-linked budgeting.
- Strengthen foundational learning through NIPUN Bharat and teacher training; expand higher-education access and research.
- Scale industry-aligned skilling via Skill India, PMKVY and apprenticeships tied to National Credit Framework.
- Deliver universal primary health and nutrition through Ayushman Bharat, Poshan Abhiyaan and Health and Wellness Centres.
- Ensure convergence across ministries and states, with disaggregated data to reach women, SC/ST and lagging regions.
Treating people as the primary asset, not a residual, is essential to sustaining high-quality, inclusive growth.
What an examiner expects to see
- HRD = investment in health, education and skills that builds productive human capital, the foundation of development.
- Education spend near 3% of GDP against NEP 2020's 6% target; health near 2% against NHP 2017's 2.5% goal.
- Weak foundational learning (ASER) and low formal skilling threaten the demographic dividend.
- Raise and outcome-link public expenditure on education and health.
- Strengthen foundational literacy/numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) and industry-aligned skilling (Skill India, PMKVY).
- Universalise primary health and nutrition via Ayushman Bharat, Poshan Abhiyaan, HWCs.
- Ensure inter-ministerial convergence and inclusion of women and disadvantaged groups.
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- NEP 2020 target of 6% of GDP on education; Kothari Commission (1966) same recommendation
- National Health Policy 2017 target of 2.5% of GDP on public health
- ASER reports on foundational learning gaps
- Skill India Mission, PMKVY, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
- Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY and Health and Wellness Centres), Poshan Abhiyaan, NIPUN Bharat
Terminology to weave into the answer
human capitaldemographic dividendfoundational learning (NIPUN Bharat)public expenditure on health and educationskilling and employabilityoutcome-based budgeting