Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Human Development Approach (HDA), championed by Amartya Sen and Mahbub ul Haq, fundamentally shifts the focus of development from mere economic growth to expanding people’s choices and capabilities. It posits that education, health, and a decent standard of living are not merely outcomes of economic prosperity but are integral to it, and often more important in achieving genuine human well-being. Post-liberalization India, since 1991, has witnessed significant economic growth, but this growth has been accompanied by persistent social inequalities and challenges in human development indicators. This necessitates a critical examination of whether India’s development trajectory has adequately prioritized education and healthcare alongside economic expansion.
The Human Development Approach: A Paradigm Shift
Traditional economic models primarily measure development through Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. However, the HDA, as articulated in the Human Development Report (HDR) initiated in 1990, introduces the Human Development Index (HDI) – a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators – to provide a more holistic measure of progress. The core argument is that economic growth is a means to an end, not an end in itself. The end is to improve the lives of people, and this requires investments in human capital.
Post-Liberalization India: Economic Growth and its Discontents
India’s economic liberalization in 1991 unleashed significant economic growth, driven by factors like deregulation, privatization, and globalization. This led to increased national income, a burgeoning middle class, and advancements in certain sectors. However, this growth has been unevenly distributed.
- Rising Inequality: The gap between the rich and the poor has widened significantly. According to Oxfam India’s ‘State of Inequality in India’ report (2023), the top 10% of Indians own 77% of the country’s wealth.
- Regional Disparities: Economic growth has been concentrated in certain regions, leaving others behind. States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh continue to lag in most human development indicators.
- Social Exclusion: Marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and religious minorities, have often been excluded from the benefits of economic growth.
Education and Healthcare: The Cornerstones of Human Development
Education
Education is crucial for empowering individuals, enhancing their capabilities, and promoting social mobility. While India has made progress in increasing school enrollment rates, significant challenges remain:
- Quality of Education: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) consistently highlights concerns about learning outcomes, particularly in government schools.
- Access to Education: Despite initiatives like the Right to Education Act (2009), access to quality education remains a challenge for many, especially girls and children from marginalized communities.
- Vocational Training: There is a mismatch between the skills imparted by the education system and the demands of the labor market.
Healthcare
Access to quality healthcare is essential for improving life expectancy, reducing morbidity, and enhancing productivity. India’s healthcare system faces several challenges:
- Public Health Expenditure: India’s public health expenditure remains low, at around 1.3% of GDP (as of 2021-22), significantly lower than the global average.
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: There is a shortage of doctors, nurses, and hospital beds, particularly in rural areas.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: A large proportion of healthcare expenditure is borne by individuals out-of-pocket, leading to financial hardship for many families.
The Interplay: Economic Growth, Education, and Healthcare
The Indian experience demonstrates that economic growth alone is insufficient for achieving sustainable human development. While economic growth generates resources, these resources must be strategically invested in education and healthcare to translate into improved human well-being.
| Indicator | Pre-Liberalization (1990) | Post-Liberalization (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth Rate | ~5% | ~7-8% (average) |
| Literacy Rate | ~64% | ~74% |
| Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births) | ~53 | ~27 |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | ~58 years | ~70 years |
Despite improvements in these indicators post-liberalization, the pace of progress has been uneven and insufficient to address the existing inequalities. For example, while GDP growth has been robust, improvements in literacy rates and infant mortality rates have been relatively modest, particularly among disadvantaged groups.
The Kerala Model: A Case for Prioritizing Human Development
The state of Kerala provides a compelling example of how prioritizing education and healthcare can lead to significant human development outcomes, even with relatively modest economic growth. Kerala’s investments in education and healthcare have resulted in high literacy rates, low infant mortality rates, and a long life expectancy, comparable to those of developed countries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while economic growth is undoubtedly important for development, the post-liberalized Indian experience underscores the critical importance of prioritizing education and healthcare. The HDA provides a valuable framework for understanding that true development lies in expanding people’s capabilities and choices, not merely increasing national income. India needs to move towards a more inclusive and equitable development model that invests strategically in human capital, addresses social inequalities, and ensures that the benefits of economic growth are shared by all. A sustained focus on improving the quality and accessibility of education and healthcare is essential for realizing India’s full potential as a developed nation.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.