Group Discussion for SSB
What should be India's Priority today:
- Research, Development and manufacturing
- Employment and education
- Heathcare facilities and better farming subsidies
Introduction to the topic:
India's focus in the past decades and the last century has been on rapid economic growth, which has led to significant development in various sectors. The country has made significant strides in areas such as information technology, telecommunications, and infrastructure development. However, the country still faces challenges in areas such as research, development, and manufacturing, employment and education, and healthcare facilities and better farming subsidies.
Research Development and Manufacturing
Keywords: Research and Development (R&D), Increased R&D Expenditure, Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD), Per Capita R&D Expenditure, National Policies, Addressing National Problems, Clean Water Access, Food Productivity, Affordable Healthcare, Energy Security, Climate Change, National Security, International Collaborations, Societal Benefit, Knowledge-Driven Economy, High-Tech Industries, Chandrayan 1-3, Aadhar Card
India’s commitment to research and development (R&D) is evident in its strategic initiatives and investments aimed at fostering innovation and scientific progress. Here’s a brief overview of India’s priority on R&D:
- Increased R&D Expenditure: The Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) in India has more than doubled from Rs. 60,196.75 crore in 2010–11 to Rs. 127,380.96 crore in 2020–21, showing a strong commitment to research and development.
- Per Capita R&D Expenditure Growth: India’s per capita R&D expenditure has increased, reflecting the country’s dedication to advancing its scientific capabilities.
- National Policies: The ongoing revision of the Science and Technology Policy and the consolidation of research funds demonstrate India’s ambition to become a global leader in science and technology.
- Addressing National Problems: India is gearing up its science and technology sectors to solve national issues such as clean water access, food productivity, affordable healthcare, energy security, climate change, and national security.
- International Collaborations: India is engaging in international collaborations to enhance its R&D capabilities and contribute to global scientific advancements.
India has undertaken several impactful projects that have significantly contributed to its development. Here are a few examples:
- Aadhaar: Launched in 2009, Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric ID system, providing a unique identification number for over 1.2 billion Indian residents. It has streamlined various government services and subsidies, reducing fraud and improving the efficiency of public service delivery.
- Delhi Metro: Since its inception in 1998, the Delhi Metro has become the country’s largest and busiest metro system. It has reduced traffic congestion and pollution in the capital city and is the first rail system in the world to receive carbon credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Operation Flood: Initiated in 1970, this project transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer, benefiting millions of dairy farmers and consumers through the establishment of a nationwide milk grid.
- Chandrayaan-1: ISRO’s mission launched in 2008 confirmed the presence of water on the moon and significantly boosted India’s reputation in space technology and research.
Globally, countries have developed through research and development by focusing on innovation and technological advancements. For instance:
Switzerland: Continuously ranked as the most innovation-friendly country, it has a robust R&D ecosystem supported by strong pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.
South Korea: Known for its rapid economic growth, South Korea has become a global leader in electronics and automobiles, with significant investments in R&D placing it among the top innovative countries.
China: Despite being a middle-income economy, China has made remarkable progress in R&D, leading to advancements in high-tech industries and a surge in patents and industrial designs.
These examples show how strategic investments in R&D can lead to sustainable development and position countries as leaders in innovation and technology on the global stage.
Employment and education
Keywords: Inclusive Growth, Sustainable Development, Quality Education, Job Opportunities, Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Employment-Intensive Growth, Job Quality, International Labour Organisation (ILO), Labor Market Inequalities, Active Labor Market Policies, Knowledge Deficits, Youth Employment, Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), NEP 2020, Universal Access, Education Regulation, Governance, Equitable Education, Inclusive Education System, Economic Growth, Social Advancement, Entrepreneurship.
India’s priorities on employment and education are aimed at fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development. Employment and education have also been important areas of focus for India. The country has made significant strides in providing quality education to its citizens, with the number of schools and colleges increasing over the years. Additionally, India has made efforts to create more job opportunities through various schemes and initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and skill development.
Employment: India is focusing on more employment-intensive growth and improving job quality. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) highlights the need for India to:
- Increase employment-intensive growth and production.
- Overcome labor market inequalities.
- Make systems for skills training and active labor market policies more effective.
- Bridge knowledge deficits on labor market patterns and youth employment
Education: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a significant step towards reforming the educational landscape. It emphasizes:
- Making environmental education an integral part of school curricula.
- Providing universal access to quality education.
- Restructuring the regulation and governance of the education system.
- Creating an equitable and inclusive education system that can provide learning for all
These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to leveraging education and employment as key drivers for economic growth and social advancement.
Education automatically creates space for entrepreneurship which connects the gap between educated citizen to job-doing citizen and make his/her livelihood.
Heathcare facilities and better farming subsidies
Keywords: Healthcare Infrastructure, Affordable Healthcare, Aging Population, Preventive Healthcare, Healthy India, Healthcare Sector Promotion Programme, Health Coverage, Primary Care System, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Agriculture Sector, Climate Change, Water Scarcity, Soil Degradation, Food Security, Rural Development, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), PM-Kisan Scheme, Neem Coated Urea (NCU), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Scheme.
Healthcare Facilities: Healthcare facilities and better farming subsidies are two other areas that require India's attention. The country has made progress in improving its healthcare infrastructure and providing affordable healthcare services to its citizens. However, more needs to be done to address the challenges posed by the rapidly aging population and the need for better preventive healthcare measures. India aims to transform its healthcare system by 2024 with key priorities including:
- Expanding financing for a ‘Healthy India’
- Promoting ‘Healthy India’ as a mass movement
- Launching a Healthcare Sector Promotion Programme
- Ensuring health coverage for all
- Strengthening the primary care system
- Driving Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) till the last mile
Farming Subsidies: India's agriculture sector faces challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation. To ensure food security and promote rural development, India needs to invest in better farming subsidies, improved irrigation systems, and support for sustainable agriculture practices. The government of India provides various subsidies to support farmers, which include:
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
- National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- PM-Kisan Scheme
- Neem Coated Urea (NCU)
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Scheme
These initiatives are part of India’s broader strategy to enhance healthcare access and agricultural productivity, ensuring sustainable development and economic growth for the country.
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