Q. The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy.

Model Answer: 

Human Resource Development (HRD)

Human Resource Development (HRD) is a crucial component of national progress, encompassing education, skill development, healthcare, and overall human capital enhancement. Despite its significance, India’s development process has often overlooked the critical aspect of HRD, leading to various socio-economic challenges.

The inadequate attention to HRD in India is evident in several key areas:

1. Education: While enrollment rates have improved, the quality of education remains a concern. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) consistently highlights poor learning outcomes in rural schools.

2. Skill Development: The National Sample Survey (2011-12) revealed that only 2.3% of the Indian workforce had formal skill training, significantly lower than in other developing countries.

3. Healthcare: India’s public healthcare system is overburdened and underfunded, with the country spending only 1.28% of its GDP on health (Economic Survey 2020-21).

To address these inadequacies, the following measures are proposed:

1. Education Reforms:
– Implement the National Education Policy 2020 effectively, focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy.
– Enhance teacher training programs and introduce performance-based incentives.
– Promote digital learning to bridge the urban-rural education gap.

2. Skill Development Initiatives:
– Strengthen the implementation of the Skill India Mission.
– Encourage industry-academia partnerships to align skill training with market demands.
– Introduce skill development courses in secondary education.

3. Healthcare Improvements:
– Increase public healthcare spending to at least 2.5% of GDP, as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017.
– Expand the Ayushman Bharat scheme to cover a wider population.
– Strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

4. Employment Generation:
– Promote entrepreneurship through schemes like Startup India and Stand-Up India.
– Encourage labor-intensive industries to absorb the growing workforce.
– Implement the recommendations of the Periodic Labour Force Survey to address unemployment.

5. Technology Integration in HRD:
– Leverage digital platforms for skill development and online education.
– Implement telemedicine to improve healthcare access in remote areas.
– Use data analytics to identify skill gaps and tailor training programs.

6. Policy Reforms and Implementation:
– Ensure better coordination between various ministries dealing with HRD aspects.
– Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system for HRD programs.
– Increase budgetary allocations for HRD sectors.

Addressing HRD inadequacies is crucial for India’s progress. By prioritizing education, skills, healthcare, and employment, India can harness its demographic dividend, driving sustainable development and economic growth in the coming decades.