The nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.

Context

"Jobless growth" describes an economy whose output grows without a commensurate rise in employment. India's high GDP growth alongside sluggish job creation has led many to apply this label.

Arguments in favour of the view

• Falling employment elasticity: Growth's capacity to generate jobs has declined; capital- and skill-intensive sectors lead expansion.
• Services-led growth: High-productivity services (IT, finance) add output but limited mass employment.
• Stagnant manufacturing: Manufacturing's share in GDP and jobs has stayed low, unlike East Asian economies.
• Informalisation: Most new work is informal, low-paid and insecure; open and educated-youth unemployment is high.
• Automation: Technology and mechanisation displace routine labour.

Nuances

The picture is not wholly bleak — construction, gig platforms, MSMEs and rural non-farm work do add jobs, and data-measurement issues (informal sector) understate them. It is more accurately "jobs-poor" than truly jobless growth.

Way forward

• Promote labour-intensive manufacturing (textiles, food processing, electronics via PLI).
• Skill development, formalisation and MSME support.
• Boost female participation and rural non-farm employment.

Conclusion

The concern is largely valid: India's growth has not created enough quality jobs. Structural reforms towards labour-intensive, skilled and formal employment are essential to make growth genuinely job-rich.