Theme T76 · Social Justice & Welfare

Inclusive growth & human development: HDI/IHDI, social spending, equity, CSR

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What UPSC asks

A cross-paper core theme: why human development lags growth, HDI vs IHDI, social sector spending, inclusive growth's features, capitalism and inequality, equity across generations, environment vs needs of the poor, and CSR.

Prepare these

• Inclusive growth: meaning and indicators
• HDI vs IHDI
• Public spending on health and education
• Intra- and inter-generational equity
• Market economy vs inclusion
• CSR under Companies Act 2013

Answer writing

• Use data and connect GS1 development debates with GS3 economics

Directive words in these PYQs: Comment (2), Why (2), Suggest (2), Discuss (2), Distinguish (1), Examine (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L7 — Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• GS3-L1 — Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
• GS3-L2 — Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

All 10 PYQs, newest first

1. GS1202515 marks · 250 wordsGS1-SOC-04-M2025-Q19

   Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people's needs in a country like India – Comment.

   Also needs: T159 Climate change impacts on India: food security, Himalayan & coastal statesCopyReport a typo
2. GS3202510 marks · 150 wordsGS3-ECO-02-M2025-Q01

   Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth?

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3. GS3202410 marks · 150 wordsGS3-ECO-02-M2024-Q01

   Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?

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4. GS1202315 marks · 250 wordsGS1-SOC-04-M2023-Q16

   Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India?

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5. GS3202210 marks · 150 wordsGS3-ECO-03-M2022-Q02

   Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India.

   Also needs: T132 Financial inclusion & rural creditCopyReport a typo
6. GS32020GS3-ECO-02-M2020-S01

   Explain intra-generational and inter-generational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive growth and sustainable development.

   Also needs: T125 Global climate regime & India's commitments: Kyoto, Paris, COP26, ISA, CCUSCopyReport a typo
7. GS32017GS3-ECO-02-M2017-S01

   What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth.

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8. GS32016GS3-ECO-02-M2016-S01

   Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.

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9. GS32014GS3-ECO-02-M2014-S01

   Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages short-sightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism for bringing inclusive growth in India? Discuss.

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10. GS32013GS3-ECO-02-M2013-S01

    With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also discuss other provisions in the Bill and their implications.

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