General Studies 2023 GS Paper I 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Explain

Q16

Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत में मानव विकास आर्थिक विकास के साथ कदमताल करने में विफल क्यों हुआ? (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2023 General Studies questions

Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'explain' requires causal reasoning for why human development lagged behind economic growth. Structure: brief introduction acknowledging India's growth-development paradox → body with 3-4 causal factors (structural, policy, social) → conclusion with forward-looking synthesis.

Key points expected

Structural factors: jobless growth, informal sector dominance, capital-intensive growth pattern post-1991
Policy misalignment: prioritization of GDP over social sector spending, low public health/education investment (1.2% GDP on health till recently)
Regional and social disparities: uneven HDI across states (Kerala vs Bihar), rural-urban divide, caste-gender gaps
Institutional weaknesses: poor implementation of welfare schemes, leakage in PDS, weak state capacity in social service delivery
Demographic and epidemiological challenges: high disease burden, malnutrition (35.5% stunting as per NFHS-5), poor sanitation legacy

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Explicitly frames the question as a causal analysis of divergence between GDP growth and HDI indicators; distinguishes correlation from causation; addresses 'why' not merely 'what'	Mentions both growth and development but treats them descriptively without establishing causal mechanisms for the gap	Describes economic growth OR human development separately without addressing the divergence; confuses with sustainable development
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Covers structural, policy, and social dimensions with accurate references to planning periods, constitutional provisions (DPSP), and sectoral priorities	Lists 2-3 factors superficially; some accurate points but missing critical dimensions like informalization or state capacity	Vague assertions without specificity; factual errors on growth periods or conflates human development with poverty alleviation
Structure & flow	20%	3	Logical progression from macro-structural to micro-social factors; clear signposting; integrated narrative without fragmentation	Identifiable introduction and conclusion but body lacks clear thematic organization; some abrupt transitions	Disjointed listing of points; no clear introduction or conclusion; poor paragraphing within 250-word constraint
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Uses specific data: India's HDI rank (134 in 2021), Gini coefficient trends, NFHS-5 findings, state comparisons (Kerala HDI 0.752 vs Bihar 0.574), or schemes like ICDS performance	General references to 'low health spending' or 'high inequality' without specific figures; mentions schemes without data on outcomes	No data or examples; or irrelevant examples (using Bangladesh comparison without Indian data); outdated statistics
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Synthesizes factors into systemic critique (growth model choice, federal constraints, capability approach); suggests Amartya Sen-inspired reframing or recent corrective shifts (Ayushman Bharat, Samagra Shiksha)	Summary restatement of points; generic recommendation to increase spending without analytical integration	No conclusion; or abrupt ending; purely normative platitudes without analytical closure

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →