Social Sector : Extending reach and driving empowerment

Introduction

• The economic and social development starts with sustainable and inclusive economic growth, central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. 
• For growth to transition into meaningful development focus is required on education, health, social security, enhancing employment opportunities through skilling etc.

Social services expenditure 

• General government's social services expenditure (SSE) has shown a rising trend since FY17. From FY21 to FY25 (BE), the SSE grew at a CAGR of 15%.
  • Expenditure on education has grown at a CAGR of 12%.
  • Expenditure on health grew at CAGR 18%. 

Outcomes

• Urban-rural gap: Monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) has declined to 70 % in 2023-24 from 84 % in 2011-12.
• Inequality reduced: The Gini coefficient improved for rural areas (declined to 0.237 in 2023-24 from 0.266 in 2022-23) and urban areas (declined to 0.284 in 2023-24 from 0.314 in 2022-23).

Education

• Key Initiatives: New Education Policy (2020), NISHTHA (for teachers training), Digital Infrastructure for knowledge sharing (DIKSHA), PM SHRI, PM POSHAN etc. 
• Early Childhood Care and Education: Aadharshila, Navchetana, National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation.
• Progress: Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is near-universal at the primary (93%). School dropout rates have steadily declined. 
  • The GER in higher education for the 18–23 age group also increased from 23.7% (2014-15) to 28.4% (2021-22).
• Bridging the gap with Digital technology: Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), e-VIDYA, Artificial Intelligence etc.

Healthcare

• Government health expenditure increases from 29.0% to 48%.
• Rising Mental health Issues among children and adolescents and non-communicable diseases (NCDs): proportion of deaths due to NCDs in India increased from 37.9 %( 1990) to 61.8 %( 2016).
• Progress: Share of out-of-pocket expenditure in total health expenditure declines from 62.6% to 39.4%.
• Key Initiatives: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Jan Aushadhi scheme etc.
• Disruptive technology providing seamless and equitable healthcare: U-WIN, E-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), 'i-DRONE' (ICMR's Drone Response and Outreach for North East) etc.

Rural Infrastructure

• Roads: Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) 99.6% of the targeted habitations provided connectivity.
  • Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), a separate vertical has been launched under PMGSY.
• Housing: Under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) 2.69 crore houses completed since 2016.
• Water Bodies: 68,843 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) constructed under Mission Amrit Sarovar.
• Drinking Water: 12.2 crore households provided with tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Localising SDGs

• SDGs localisation is being pursued at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level through Village Panchayat Development Plans under Mission Antyodaya and the Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme (TADP).
• Social Inclusion and Gender: Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) supported by Gender Point Persons (GPPs) to address gender issues at the local leveletc.

Enhancing rural incomes

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY NRLM)
  • Capacity Building: Mobilised 10.05 crore rural poor Households into 90.90 lakh SHGs.
  • Financial Inclusion: 1.37 lakh SHG women members positioned as Banking Correspondent Sakhi, ₹49,284 crore capitalisation support provided to SHGs.
  • Farm Livelihoods: More than 2.64 crore households have agri-nutri gardens, 4.30 crore Mahila Kisan covered.
  • Non-Farm Livelihoods: Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP): nearly 3.13 lakh enterprises in 280 blocks of 31 States/UTs.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: 
  • 99.98%  payments are through National Electronic Fund Management System, wages are transferred under DBT, Aadhaar-based payment.
  • Evolved into a durable rural asset creation programme for sustainable livelihood diversification.
  • Converged with various initiatives, including Nutri Gardens with NRLM, fodder farms with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) etc.

Outlook

• Health, Education and Rural development are key to achieve India's growth. A 'welfare for all' approach has been crucial for this. 
• There is need to focus on delivery mechanisms and learning outcomes. Trust-based regulation backed up by transparency and disclosure is also needed along with promotion of markets.