What are the salient features of inclusive growth? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth. (15 Marks)

Inclusive growth expands opportunities and capabilities while ensuring that growth benefits reach disadvantaged groups across regions, genders, castes and generations.

Features

• Broad-based employment, rising productivity and fair access to assets, finance, education and health.
• Reduction of poverty and inequality with regional, gender and social inclusion.
• Environmental sustainability, participation and resilience against shocks.

India’s experience

Growth, poverty reduction, financial inclusion, rural programmes and digital delivery show progress. Yet informal employment, agrarian distress, unequal learning and health outcomes, malnutrition, regional disparity and wealth concentration reveal incomplete inclusion.

Measures

• Prioritise quality jobs, labour-intensive manufacturing, skilling and social security.
• Strengthen public health, school learning, nutrition, women’s work participation and urban services.
• Improve credit and market access for MSMEs and farmers; use cooperative, accountable federalism.

Keywords: inclusive growth; poverty and inequality; social development.