UPSC CSE Mains 2020 · GS2

“Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of the Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India.

Theme

T69 SHGs & microfinance

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC repeatedly asks whether SHGs and microfinance reduce poverty and empower women, SHG-Bank Linkage, socio-cultural hurdles, and accountability of microfinance.

What to cover

SHG-BLP and NRLM (DAY-NRLM)
Successes: Kudumbashree, Jeevika
Limits: debt traps, elite capture, social barriers
Regulation of MFIs

Writing the answer

Link women (GS1), development actors (GS2) and financial inclusion (GS3)

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

More PYQs from this theme

GS22021
Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.
GS22017
‘The emergence of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs.
GS22015
The Self Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.
GS22014
The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.
GS22013
The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss.

All 20 GS2 2020 questions · Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations · Report a typo