India's HDI score from 0.434 in 1990 to 0.

644 in 2022-23 with an

average annual growth rate of 1. 22% . India's human development during
these three decades increased by 45.9% . life expectancy has increased from
57.9 years to 67.2 years i.e. 8.6 years growth in every year . Per capita income
increased from 1787 $ to 6590 $ i.e. 268. 1 % growth has been recorded.

on the other hand, India is lagging behind in terms of gender inequality index,
gender development index, motherhood, infant mortality rate, literacy etc.
which are considered as the most important indicators of human
development. India's neighboring small countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
Myanmar are ahead of India in human development.

According to the UN Population One Fund's Set of World Population One 2024
report, India is the most populous country in the world, with 144.17 cr. The
report predicts that by 2060, India's population will reach 1,7 billion. But it is
noteworthy that in a country that has a huge amount of human resources,
human development is lagging behind. In a country with a high demographic
dividend and a high youth population, low human resource development is an
antidote to social and economic progress.

Human Development - definition

The HDI is a composite statistical measure created by the United

Nations Development Programme to evaluate and compare the level of
human development in different regions around the world.
It was introduced in 1990 as an alternative to conventional
economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do
not consider the broader aspects of human development.
The HDI assesses a country’s average accomplishment in three
aspects: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of
living.
Map
NDP annually publishes a report called the Head Index to assess the
performance of various countries in human resource development
around the world. It includes three pillars: long-term healthy living,
knowledge and a dignified standard of living.
Map

However, social and economic opportunities are not increasing for the
growing population, and their problems such as poverty,
unemployment, gender inequalities and low skills are increasing and
limiting the development of Indian human resources. India ranked
116th in HDI in 1990 and will be ranked 134th by 2023-24, indicating
low human development in the country.
Little human development since time immemorial
The British who ruled India for about 2 centuries before independence,
the country was financially exploited by their selfish economic policies.
In the same way Indians are also neglected with severe poverty,
underemployment and discriminations like minimum standard of
living. Human development has been completely disrupted by
centuries of famines, wars, insurgencies, food shortages, agricultural
crises and the destruction of cottage industries.
But after independence, human development was neglected as the
government initially focused on agriculture, irrigation and industrial
development in order to realign the Indian economy. However, after 5,
6 five years planning was suppressed, the focus on issues like poverty
and unemployment increased. Government focus on human
development has increased since the 8th Five Year Plan.
As a result of the economic reforms of 1990-91, with the onset of
globalization, concepts like sustainable development and inclusive
development gained popularity. As a result, since the 11th & 12th Five
Years period, Central and State Governments have been implementing
welfare and development agendas in the country, giving priority to the
concepts of inclusive and sustainable development. As a result some
positive progress is seen in human development.

What are the Obstacles that India Faces in Attaining Human

Development?

Geographical reasons:

Ex: North eastern states and tribal areas

 Unevenly Distribution of Economic Growth:
o One of the main reasons in achieving human development is
that economic growth has been unevenly distributed.
 The top 10% of the Indian population holds over 77% of the
wealth.
 This has resulted in significant disparities in access to basic
amenities, healthcare and education.
 Low Quality of Services:
o While India has made significant progress in reducing poverty and
increasing access to healthcare and education, the quality of such
services remains a concern.
 For example, while the country has achieved near-universal
enrolment in primary education, the quality of education remains
low.
 Lack of Effective Educational Infrastructure:
o India also faces challenges in providing quality education to its
citizens. Many schools lack basic facilities such as adequate
classrooms, clean water, and trained teachers.
 Lack of Proper Nutrition:
o Malnutrition and undernourishment are major problems in
India, particularly among children. This can have long-term impacts
on health, cognitive development, and overall well-being.
 Over 70% of India's population cannot afford a healthy diet as of
2020 despite the fact that the cost of food remains relatively low by
comparison to other countries.
 Among all women aged 15-49, the prevalence of anaemia has risen
to 57% in 2019-21 (NFHS-5) from 53% in 2015-16 (NFHS-4).
 Lack of Social Security:
o India also struggles with providing social security to its citizens,
particularly those in the informal sector. Many workers lack access to
basic benefits such as health care, retirement pensions, and job
security.
 Gender Inequality:
o Despite progress in recent years, gender inequality remains a
significant obstacle to human development in India. Women and
 girls face discrimination in areas such as education, employment, and
access to health care, and are often subject to violence and abuse.
 Male-female ratio for Expected Years of Schooling (EYS) declined
from 1.43 in 1990 to 0.989 in 2021 and for Mean Years of Schooling
(MYS), it declined from 1.26 to 1.06.
 As per the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report
2022, women make up only 22% of the AI workforce.
o Political reasons
Impact of low human development

1.Social issues
2. economic issues
3.political issues
4.environmental issues
Low Human Development in India :

1.Poverty
2.Unemployment
3.low score in health index
4. literacy
5. lack of skill development

owards a developed India …..on the path of human development

India, which has already become the 5th largest economy in the
world with long-term FF system, inclusive development programs
and Amritkal strategies, will focus on human development and
implement programs towards self-sufficient India. The government
is taking steps towards sustainable development targeting the four
pillars of poor, youth, women and farmers.
Sector Human Development Programmes
Education: 1. Making India a Global Super Technology Power through
National Education Policy 2020. 2. PM Shri - Increasing the state-of-
the-art infrastructure in schools 3. Reducing school dropout rate
through mid-day mail scheme.

2. Food security : National Food Security Act 2013, eradicating

hunger through PM Garib Kalyan Yojana 2. Addressing the nutritional
problem through poshan Abhiyan
3. Health: Through Ayushman Bharat to provide health security to a
family of up to 5 lakh, to set up health wellness centers in rural,
urban and rural areas.
Matruvandana Yojana, Sankhyam Anganwadis Protecting child-
mother Mission Indra Danush 6.0, Mission Covid Suraksha and other
health enhancing immunity through programmes
Employment Generation: Through the Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, to provide employment for at
least 100 days in rural areas. Creating industry and increasing
employment opportunities through McCain India, Start Up India,
Standup India, Mudra Yojana programmes.
Skill Development: Providing skill upgradation opportunities to 5
lakh people in the upcoming period through the PM Pachkage
program announced in the 2024-25 budget. Provision of training and
apprenticeship facilities through PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Govt.

Financial Inclusiveness : Providing financial support to the

depressed sections through programs such as PM Jandhan Yojana,
Social Security Pensions PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Atal Pension
Yojana etc.

Upliftment of living standards: Providing housing through PM Sixth

Yojana Increasing sanitation through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Providing subsidized gas cylinders through PM Ujjwala Yojana
Providing energy security through PM Suryodaya Yojana, Deena
Dayal Gram Jyoti Yojana

Wayforward: keeping in mind the famous economist Amartya Sen's

words that development without human development is temporary
and an antidote to future progress. ack of infrastructure, corruption
of funds, and the effects of climate change are all likely challenges in
achieving sustainable human development and need to be
coordinated.

Human resource development can be achieved by improving self-

employment opportunities, strengthening the co-operative system,
making the fruits of new technology accessible to all by making
digital technologies accessible to all, from school level to university
level, and by actively including vocational training and internship,
apprenticeship. .
We need to add modern technology to common development and
welfare programs and increase transparency and accountability in
development governance so that we focus on progressive emerging
areas to turn the results of the demographic dividend in our favor in
the coming period. From gig economy to green economy to blue
economy to bio economy to space economy to smart economy, the
government should implement citizen-centric inclusive policies to
create opportunities for human beings in all sectors. This will
improve the prospects of making India the most human developed
country to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047.