Question #16
"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?
edited by Sanjana
The Indian government has taken several measures to enhance the capacity of its population to be more productive and employable. Some of the major initiatives include:
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Skill India Mission: Launched in 2015, Skill India Mission aims to provide skills training to over 40 crore people by 2022. It focuses on creating a skilled workforce through various skill development programs and initiatives.
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National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): The NSDC is a public-private partnership initiative that works towards enhancing the skills of the Indian workforce. It collaborates with various industries, educational institutions, and training providers to offer skill development programs and certifications.
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Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): PMKVY is a flagship initiative under the Skill India Mission, providing industry-relevant training to youth across the country. It offers short-term skill training courses in different sectors, along with the provision of recognition of prior learning and certification.
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Make in India: Launched in 2014, Make in India is an initiative aimed at transforming India into a global manufacturing hub. It emphasizes the importance of skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship to create a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the growth of the manufacturing sector.
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Atal Innovation Mission: The Atal Innovation Mission aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among school children, college students, and startups. It promotes research and development, technology-based solutions, and provides support and funding for startups through various schemes and incubators.
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Digital India: The Digital India program aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society. It emphasizes digital literacy, promotes the use of digital technologies, and provides various digital tools and platforms for skill development and employment opportunities.
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Startup India: The Startup India initiative focuses on promoting startups and entrepreneurship in India. It provides a supportive ecosystem for startups through tax benefits, funding options, and various schemes to encourage innovation and job creation.
While these measures have been taken, the government continues to focus on expanding and improving the existing skill development initiatives to further enhance the productivity and employability of India's population.
edited by Jasmeet
You're absolutely right! The demographic dividend is a powerful tool, but only if we equip our young population with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. India has been working on various initiatives to address this. Here are some key measures the government has taken to enhance the capacity of its workforce:
Education and Skill Development:
- Universal Education: The Right to Education Act (2009) makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14. This aims to build a strong foundation for future generations.
- Focus on STEM: The government has been pushing for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, recognizing its importance in the modern economy.
- Skill India Mission: Launched in 2015, this mission aims to train over 400 million people in various skills by 2022. It encompasses programs like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
- Vocational Training: The government has been expanding vocational training programs to equip individuals with industry-specific skills, making them more employable.
- Digital Literacy: Initiatives like the Digital India program aim to bridge the digital divide and improve computer literacy, crucial for the modern workforce.
Promoting Entrepreneurship:
- Startup India: This initiative provides support to aspiring entrepreneurs, including funding, mentorship, and regulatory ease, encouraging innovation and job creation.
- Mudra Yojana: This scheme provides micro-loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them get started and grow.
Healthcare:
- Ayushman Bharat: This program aims to provide affordable healthcare to millions of Indians, ensuring a healthier workforce.
- Focus on Public Health: The government is investing in improving public health infrastructure and services to reduce illness and increase productivity.
Other Measures:
- Ease of Doing Business: The government has been working to improve India's ranking in the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" index, making it easier for businesses to operate and create jobs.
- Infrastructure Development: Investments in roads, railways, airports, and power infrastructure aim to create jobs and boost economic activity.
Challenges and Future Direction:
Despite these efforts, several challenges remain:
- Quality of Education: Ensuring quality education, particularly in rural areas, is critical.
- Skill Gap: The mismatch between the skills required by the industry and those possessed by the workforce needs to be addressed.
- Uneven Development: Reaching marginalized communities and ensuring equitable access to opportunities is crucial.
The government needs to continue focusing on these challenges and further enhance its efforts in the following areas:
- Increased Funding: Investing in education, skill development, and healthcare is paramount.
- Improving Teacher Training: Enhancing the quality of teachers is essential to improving the quality of education.
- Better Industry-Academia Linkages: Closing the skill gap requires better coordination between educational institutions and the industry.
- Strengthening the Social Safety Net: Providing support to vulnerable sections of society is crucial to ensure inclusive growth.
By addressing these challenges and continuing to invest in its human capital, India can truly harness the power of its demographic dividend and build a more prosperous and equitable future.
edited by Prachi
The Indian government has taken several measures to enhance the capacity of its population to be more productive and employable, thereby realizing the Demographic Dividend. Some of these initiatives include:
- National Skills Development Mission: Launched in 2015, this mission aims to train over 400 million people in various skills by 2022, making them employable and productive.
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): This flagship scheme provides skill development training to youth, with a focus on industries like IT, healthcare, and construction.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The new education policy emphasizes holistic, multidisciplinary education, with a focus on skill development, critical thinking, and innovation.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET): The government has introduced vocational education at the school level to equip students with industry-relevant skills.
- Apprenticeship Act 2016: This Act aims to promote apprenticeships in industries, providing on-the-job training to millions of youth.
- ** Startup India and Standup India**: These initiatives aim to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation, encouraging startups and entrepreneurship among youngsters.
- Digital India Program: This program aims to increase digital literacy, online accessibility, and digital infrastructure, making India's workforce more technology-savvy.
- National Digital Literacy Mission: This mission aims to make at least one person in every household digitally literate by 2020.
- Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA): This initiative focuses on improving the quality of higher education, increasing access, and promoting research and innovation.
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme: This program aims to improve nutritional levels and increase attendance in schools, particularly among disadvantaged groups.
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP): This initiative focuses on girls' education, aiming to increase female literacy and empower them to participate in the workforce.
- Industry-Academia Collaborations: The government has encouraged partnerships between industries and academia to develop industry-relevant skill sets and promote research and innovation.
These initiatives are expected to enhance the capacity of India's population to be more productive, employable, and entrepreneurial, ultimately realizing the Demographic Dividend.