11 July 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. India’s demographic journey of hits and misses

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS1 – Indian Society – Population and associated issues.

Context

The article highlights India’s demographic journey and progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amidst challenges such as population ageing, health disparities, and income inequality. It underscores the importance of addressing these issues through comprehensive policies for sustainable and inclusive development by 2030.

World Population Day and India’s Demographic Journey

• World Population Day was established in 1989 by the United Nations after a proposal by Dr. K.C. Zachariah, aimed at highlighting global population challenges such as poverty, health, and gender inequality.
• In the 1960s and 1970s, global population growth was alarming at 2% yearly, with dire predictions for India’s future, including widespread poverty and food insecurity.

India’s Demographic Transition

• Fertility Decline: Since the 1970s, India has experienced a significant decline in fertility rates, dropping below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman by 2021, attributed to improved living conditions and healthcare.
• Mortality Reduction: Marked reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, indicating improvements in healthcare infrastructure and services.
• Population Ageing: Shift towards an ageing population, with those aged 60 and above projected to increase from 8.6% in 2011 to 19.5% by 2050, necessitating policies for geriatric care and social security.

Significance of India’s Population Dynamics

• Development Implications: Reduced fertility rates suggest a demographic dividend potential, requiring investment in education and job creation for youth employment.
• Healthcare Improvements: Lower mortality rates and increased life expectancy reflect advancements in healthcare access and quality.
• Migration and Urbanization: Rapid rural to urban migration strains urban infrastructure, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning.

India’s Journey Towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Poverty Reduction: Substantial decline in poverty rates from 48% to 10% between 1990 and 2019, supported by initiatives like MGNREGA.
• Nutrition and Hunger: Progress made in reducing hunger, yet challenges remain with India contributing significantly to global malnutrition.
• Healthcare Advances: Significant reductions in maternal mortality rate (MMR) and under-five mortality, indicating improved healthcare services and outcomes.

Challenges Ahead for India

• Income Inequality: Concentration of wealth among the top percentile poses challenges to equitable development and poverty eradication.
• Health Challenges: Double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) necessitates robust health policies and increased healthcare spending.
• Nutritional Deficits: High prevalence of stunting, wasting, and anaemia among children and women underscores the need for targeted nutrition interventions.

Policy Recommendations and Future Outlook

• Multi-Sectoral Approach: Addressing income inequality, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing nutrition programs are crucial for achieving SDGs.
• Gender Equality: Empowering women and promoting gender equality can catalyse progress across all development indicators.
• Political Will: Effective implementation of policies and increased budget allocations are essential for sustainable development and achieving SDG targets by 2030.

Conclusion

• India’s demographic journey reflects significant achievements in healthcare and poverty reduction but faces persistent challenges in nutrition, healthcare access, and income inequality.
• Addressing these issues requires comprehensive policies, political commitment, and investment in human capital to ensure sustainable development and inclusive growth.

PYQ: “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2016)

Practice Question:  Discuss India’s demographic transition and its implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Highlight key challenges and policy measures needed to address them effectively. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. A pathway for the most populous nation

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS1 – Indian Society – Population and associated issues.

Context

The article discusses global population trends, focusing on projections of 8.5 billion by 2030 with implications for Asia and Europe, urbanisation challenges, and the theme of women’s health and rights on World Population Day. It emphasises India’s demographic role, migration trends, urban development issues, and the need for accurate census data.

Global Population Trends

• The world population is projected to reach 8.5 billion by the end of the decade.
• Asia faces overpopulation concerns, while Europe is expected to face underpopulation issues due to declining fertility rates and increasing longevity.
• Currently, a majority of the global population resides in urban areas. By 2030, two-thirds of the population is expected to be urban, straining infrastructure and amenities, potentially compromising urban quality of life.

Women’s Health and Rights

• This year’s World Population Day theme focuses on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, marking the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development.
• Progress and Challenges: Despite advancements in access to contraceptives and reductions in maternal mortality, disparities persist globally. Preventable maternal deaths remain high, especially in developing countries, highlighting ongoing challenges in maternal health.

Implications for India

• Demographic Dynamics: India, with its large population and median age of 28 years, plays a crucial role in global population dynamics. Shifts in fertility and longevity are reshaping household compositions, potentially exacerbating inequality.
• Elderly Care and Dependency: Household structures in India are evolving unevenly, impacting dependency ratios and care burdens, disproportionately affecting women who bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities.

Migration Trends

• Internal and International Migration: Significant internal migration of 60 crore Indians annually within the country, along with 2 crore migrating abroad, influences population distribution. There’s a need to develop new cities to alleviate pressure on existing megacities.
• Urban Challenges: Indian cities lag globally in terms of livability and quality of life. None feature in the top global city rankings, highlighting critical challenges in infrastructure and sustainability.

Policy and Data Needs

• Census and Policy Formulation: India lacks recent population data, relying on outdated projections. Accurate census data is essential for effective policy formulation and planning, particularly in managing urbanisation and migration challenges.
• Workforce Preparation: As India prepares for a significant global labour force contribution, aligning workforce skills with global demands is crucial for economic competitiveness and realising India’s potential in the 21st century.

Conclusion

• World Population Day holds significance for India due to its demographic and economic footprint.
• Addressing demographic shifts, improving urban infrastructure, and enhancing workforce preparedness are critical for India’s sustainable development goals and global standing.

PYQ: While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain. (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2014)

Practice Question: Discuss the implications of global population trends, focusing on Asia’s overpopulation and Europe’s underpopulation by 2030. How can India address challenges posed by urbanisation, migration, and the need for accurate demographic data in its policy framework? (250 Words /15 marks)

3. Gig workers need a comprehensive national law on their employee status

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Issues relating to development and employment.

Context

The rise of India’s gig economy has brought increased reliance on platform-based work, yet gig workers lack formal employee status, facing income volatility and long hours without regulatory protection.Karnataka’s proposed Gig Workers Bill aims to address these challenges, offering social security and rights protections amid ongoing legislative and implementation debates.

Introduction to Gig Workers and Current Challenges

• Growth of Gig Economy: Over the past decade, India has seen a rapid rise in gig workers, primarily through platform-based apps for ride-sharing and food delivery, reaching 77 lakh by 2029-30.

What is a gig worker?

A gig worker is an individual who performs temporary, flexible jobs (gigs) often mediated through digital platforms or apps. They work independently, often without formal contracts, for multiple employers or clients. Gig workers include those in ride-sharing, food delivery, freelance writing, and other service sectors. They typically lack traditional employee benefits like health insurance or job security, and their work arrangements are characterised by short-term engagements and payment per task or assignment completed.

• Perceived Benefits: Initially, gig work was attractive due to perceived autonomy and flexible hours, but these benefits eroded as income volatility and long working hours became prevalent.
• Lack of Employee Status: Gig workers lack formal employee status, leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary practices by aggregators and without essential safety nets or regulatory protection.

Overview of Karnataka Gig Workers Bill, 2024

• Rights-Based Legislation: The Karnataka draft Bill aims to address key issues such as arbitrary dismissals and lack of grievance redress mechanisms.
• Transparency and Accountability: It seeks to bring transparency to automated monitoring and algorithm-based payment systems, which have been opaque and often disadvantageous to workers.
• Social Security Measures: Introduces a welfare board and fund funded by government and aggregator contributions, aiming to provide basic social security benefits.
• Funding Mechanism: Proposes funding through either a transaction-based fee or a percentage of the platform’s turnover in the state, with discussions ongoing about the most viable funding approach.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Viability of Funding: Concerns raised about funding sustainability, especially considering many platform companies report minimal profits.
• Implementation Hurdles: Previous experiences with welfare boards in the unorganised sector suggest challenges in effective implementation and delivery of benefits.
• Political Dynamics: Political transitions and opposition may affect the enactment and implementation timeline, as seen in Rajasthan’s similar legislation.

Need a comprehensive national law for gig workers:

Legal Recognition: Establish gig workers as a distinct category under labour laws, ensuring they receive benefits and protections equivalent to traditional employees. Social Security: Mandate platforms to contribute to a welfare fund covering healthcare, insurance, and retirement benefits for gig workers. Fair Treatment: Ensure mechanisms for grievance redressal, protection against arbitrary termination, and fair compensation for work done. Regulation of Platforms: Implement transparency in algorithmic management, payment structures, and work conditions to prevent exploitation. Minimum Standards: Set guidelines for minimum wages, working hours, and occupational safety tailored to gig work environments. Enforcement: Create robust enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance by platforms. Skill Development: Facilitate training and skill enhancement programs to enhance gig workers’ employability and income. Inclusivity: Address gender disparities and ensure equitable opportunities within the gig economy. Collaborative Governance: Involve stakeholders in policy formulation and updates to adapt to evolving gig work dynamics.

PYQ: Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2021)

Practice Question:  Discuss the need for comprehensive national legislation to regulate and protect gig workers in India. How can such legislation address the challenges faced by gig workers and ensure their socio-economic security? (150 Words /10 marks)