Dec 09 2024

Unemployment has emerged as a major issue in India’s economic policy discussions. Recently,  Economic Survey 2023-24 also highlighted that India needs to create 78.5 lakh new non-farm jobs annually until 2030 to meet the growing demand of its workforce. 

India’s Skilling Challenge

  • Over time, India has developed a robust institutional and policy framework to promote skill development. 
  • However, the success of these initiatives has been limited. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2022-23, only 21% of Indian youth aged 15-29 years have received vocational or technical training, whether formal or informal. Of these, only 4.4% have received formal vocational training. 
  • Moreover, India’s Chief Economic Advisor, V. Anantha Nageswaran, pointed out that only 51% of graduates in India are employable. 
  • These figures raise critical concerns regarding the accessibility, quality, and industry relevance of existing skill development programs.

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Industry 4.0

  • The need to equip the workforce with skills for Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is centered around smart manufacturing through technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data. 
    • Over two-thirds of Indian manufacturers are expected to embrace digital transformation by 2025. 
      • However, estimates suggest that only 1.5% of Indian engineers possess the skills required for these new-age jobs, and 60% of the workforce in Indian MSMEs lacks essential digital skills. 
  • The government has launched initiatives like SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 to promote the adoption of digital technologies in Indian industries. 
    • However, there is still a significant gap in terms of readiness of the workforce to support these advancements. 
      • Therefore, addressing this skill gap in the digital and technological domains has become an urgent priority.

Way Ahead

1. Innovative Approaches: To address these challenges, India can explore incorporating following innovative learning methods:

  • Gamified Learning: Gamified learning incorporates elements of games—such as challenges, points, badges, and rewards—into the training process. 
    • This method makes skill development more engaging and fun, increasing participant motivation and knowledge retention. 
    • The module can be customized by identifying areas where skill sets are lacking. 
      • For example, learners can receive instant feedback, progress tracking, and participate in challenges that foster a sense of competition, encouraging them to strive for excellence. 
      • With clear goals and milestones, trainees can stay focused and motivated throughout their learning journey.
  • Simulation-Based Learning: This type of learning uses virtual environments to mimic real-world scenarios, allowing learners to apply their skills in a safe, controlled setting. 
    • Simulations offer hands-on experience, enabling learners to make mistakes and learn from them without real-world consequences. It also helps in developing critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and practical skills. 
    • These immersive simulations have been shown to improve knowledge retention and are effective in helping learners understand complex systems. 
    • Countries like Singapore and Germany have already integrated gamified and simulation-based training into their vocational education systems with success.

Adopting these approaches in India’s government-led skilling programs could improve the quality and outcome of training. 

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2. Leveraging Existing Platforms: SWAYAM and SIDH: India has already launched following platforms:

  • SWAYAM: This platform, which hosts over 4,000 courses, has enrolled more than 40 million participants since its inception. It has been particularly popular for engineering and physical sciences courses, with 93.45% of successful completions in these streams
    • With such a large base of learners, SWAYAM is a promising platform for the implementation of new-age learning methods, such as gamification and simulations.
  • SIDH: This platform offers 752 online courses, providing over 7.37 lakh minutes of digital content. 
    • It has enrolled 7.63 lakh candidates as of June 2024. With its extensive digital resources, SIDH has the potential to serve as a key tool in the expansion of skill training programs, including the incorporation of gamified and simulation-based learning.

Conclusion

Addressing India’s unemployment challenge requires not only the creation of new jobs but also ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the right skills. 

Mains Question:

Q. “Gamified learning and simulation-based training offer an engaging and effective way to enhance skill retention and practical application.” Critically assess their potential role in addressing India’s skilling challenge. (15 M, 250 words) 

The Syrian Civil War, ongoing since 2011, involves complex geopolitical dynamics between Assad’s regime, backed by Iran and Russia, and various rebel factions, causing immense humanitarian and regional instability.

Background

  • In 2011, during the Arab Spring, widespread protests for democracy erupted in Syria, leading to violent repression by Bashar al-Assad’s government. 
  • The protests escalated into a civil war, with opposition groups emerging by September 2011. 
  • Despite failed international mediation, Assad consolidated power, controlling two-thirds of the country. 
  • Recently, however, anti-Assad rebels have made significant territorial gains, including capturing Aleppo and Hama, and advancing towards Damascus. 
  • The war has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and millions of displaced Syrians, severely impacting global geopolitics, particularly in Europe.

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Assad’s Allies

Assad’s regime has survived, in large part, due to support from two major allies:

  • Iran:
    • The Assad regime is part of Iran’s “axis of resistance,” which includes groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. This coalition aims to challenge Israel and diminish U.S. influence in the Middle East.
    • Syria serves as a critical geographic link, allowing Iran to funnel weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. In return, both Iran and Hezbollah have provided significant military support to Assad during the civil war.
  • Russia:
    • Historically, Syria was aligned with the Soviet Union. Today, Vladimir Putin views Syria as essential to maintaining Russian influence in the Middle East.
    • Russia has actively supported Assad by deploying planes, troops, and military advisers.

These alliances position Syria as a secondary, but important, player in the emerging geopolitical alliance involving China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

The Complicated Geopolitical Picture

The Syrian Civil War involves a web of conflicting interests:

  • Assad’s Regime: Backed by Iran and Russia, Assad has benefited from their military and financial support.
  • The Rebels: Divided among Islamist and nationalist factions, they are supported by Turkey but viewed with skepticism by the West due to their extremist origins.
  • The U.S. and Europe: While opposing Assad’s brutality, Western nations view his primary opponents with concern, especially H.T.S., which they classify as a terrorist organization. This complex dynamic leaves unclear what the U.S. and its allies hope to achieve in Syria, especially since they did not object when Russia supported the regime. A rebel victory could empower Islamist factions, while Assad’s continued rule sustains a brutal dictatorship.

Note: Syria’s population is 85 to 90 percent Sunni, while Assad’s regime represents a minority Alawite (Shia) sect. The initial protests and discontent stemmed from the Sunni majority’s dissatisfaction with the regime, and the lack of resistance from the people played a significant role in the conflict’s escalation.

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Why the Rebels Have Gained Momentum

The recent rebel advances seem to be linked to a temporary weakening of Assad’s allies:

  • Iran: Its focus has shifted to its ongoing conflict with Israel.
  • Hezbollah: Weakened by its involvement in the Israel conflict, it has fewer resources to support Assad.
  • Russia: Preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, it has less capacity to assist Assad militarily.

These distractions have created an opening for the rebels to strike.

Who Are the Rebels?

The opposition to Assad is fragmented, with two main factions leading the charge:

  • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (H.T.S.):
    • The largest rebel group, H.T.S. controls much of Syria’s northeast. Originally known as the Nusra Front, it was formed by jihadists to fight Assad’s forces through insurgent and suicide attacks.
    • Initially linked to Al-Qaeda, H.T.S. has since distanced itself from the terrorist network and rebranded under the leadership of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani as a more nationalist group focused on toppling Assad. Despite this shift, the U.S. continues to classify H.T.S. as a terrorist organization.
  • Turkey-Backed Rebel Groups:
    • These smaller factions operate near the Turkish border, supported by Turkey for strategic reasons. 
    • Turkey backs these groups to weaken Assad’s regime, gain leverage in negotiations regarding Syrian refugees in Turkey, and counter Kurdish-led militias, which it views as a threat to its own territorial security.

The geopolitical dynamics between the U.S.,Turkey, and the Kurds are shaped by competing interests in the Middle East.

  • U.S. and Kurds: The U.S. has supported Kurdish forces, particularly in Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which include many Kurdish fighters, have been instrumental allies to the U.S. in the region. 
    • However, U.S. support for Kurdish groups has strained relations with Turkey, which views some Kurdish factions as terrorist organizations due to their separatist ambitions in Turkey.
  • Turkey’s Actions: As a result of its opposition to Kurdish separatism, Turkey has launched military strikes against Kurdish positions, particularly targeting forces in northern Syria and Iraq. Turkey’s concerns are rooted in the fear that Kurdish autonomy could fuel separatist movements within its own borders.

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What’s Next for Syria?

  • The future of Syria remains uncertain. Recent rebel gains mark a new phase in the conflict, but whether these advances lead to meaningful change or further bloodshed is unclear. 
  • There is a growing fear that removing Assad could result in a situation similar to Libya after Gaddafi’s fall or Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s regime ended—both countries have faced instability, weak economies, and ongoing violence after authoritarian rule was dismantled.
  • Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll on Syrian civilians continues to rise, with no resolution in sight. The global response to this ongoing crisis will likely play a significant role in shaping the Middle East’s future and global stability for years to come.

India’s robust economic growth over the past few decades has been a matter of global recognition. However, this rapid growth has often been associated with increasing  stress, particularly through rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This raises concerns about the sustainability of India’s growth trajectory and its potential impact on climate change.

Note: The 2023-24 Economic Survey of India makes an important claim: that India has decoupled its economic growth from GHG emissions.

Relation between Environment Degradation and Economic Growth

  • Historically, economic growth has been closely linked to environmental degradation because industries, transportation, and energy use drive both growth and emissions. 
  • However, as the global climate crisis intensifies, achieving economic growth without exacerbating environmental damage has become a critical goal, with sustainability now taking center stage.

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Understanding Decoupling

  • Decoupling refers to reducing or eliminating the connection between economic growth and environmental harm, particularly GHG emissions. 

There are two main types of decoupling:

  • Absolute Decoupling: This is the ideal scenario where an economy grows while emissions decline. It represents a sustainable balance where living standards improve without increasing environmental harm.
  • Relative Decoupling: This occurs when the economy and emissions both grow, but the economy grows at a much faster rate than emissions. While it signals progress, emissions still rise, which means the environmental pressures persist, albeit less intensively.

Significance of Decoupling:

Decoupling economic growth from emissions is crucial for sustainable development for several reasons:

  • A Path to Green Growth: It provides a way to achieve prosperity without worsening the climate crisis. Nations can improve living standards, address energy poverty, and foster economic opportunities while curbing emissions growth.
  • A Middle Ground in the Green Growth vs. Degrowth Debate:
    • Proponents of green growth believe that technological innovation and sustainable practices can reduce environmental harm while maintaining economic expansion.
    • Advocates of degrowth, on the other hand, argue that economic growth itself drives ecological degradation and that reducing consumption is essential.
    • Decoupling offers a balanced approach, acknowledging the need for growth in developing countries like India where green growth is required as millions still face low living standards and energy poverty.

Analysis of the Economic Survey claim

  • Economy-Wide Trends: Between 2005 and 2019, India’s GDP grew at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%, while emissions increased at a much slower CAGR of 4%. This indicates relative decoupling, where emissions are increasing but at a slower pace than economic growth.
  • Since 1990, India’s GDP has grown at a much higher pace than the GHG emissions. Sector-Specific Insights: Agriculture and manufacturing, major contributors to emissions in India, have shown similar trends. By comparing the growth rate of sectoral Gross Value Added (GVA) to the sectoral emission growth rate, it appears that both sectors have achieved relative decoupling.

Long Road Ahead

India’s relative decoupling is a commendable achievement but falls short of absolute decoupling, which poses significant challenges due to the following reasons:

  • Developing Country Dynamics: As a developing nation, India is still in the process of industrialization and urbanization. This results in increasing energy demands, which are often met by fossil fuels, leading to a rise in GHG emissions. Emissions are expected to peak only after significant economic and developmental milestones are achieved.
  • Lack of Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency improvements across industries, transport, and households remain inadequate. Outdated infrastructure, inefficient technologies, and limited awareness contribute to higher energy consumption and emissions, particularly in high-growth sectors like manufacturing and transport.

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Global Comparison: Many developed countries have achieved some degree of absolute decoupling, but this has often come after decades of high emissions during their industrialization phase.

As  India has made ambitious climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Achieving absolute decoupling is critical for meeting these goals and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

Policy Recommendations for Achieving Absolute Decoupling

To progress toward absolute decoupling, India must adopt policies and initiatives that support both economic growth and environmental preservation:

  • Accelerating Renewable Energy Adoption: Expand solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Promoting Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in industries, transport, and households to lower emissions.
  • Encouraging Green Manufacturing: Support industries in adopting cleaner production techniques and low-carbon technologies to mitigate emissions.
  • Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture: Promote climate-smart agricultural practices to reduce emissions from this key sector.
  • Strengthening Climate Policies: Enforce stricter regulations on emissions while incentivizing businesses to adopt sustainable practices. 
  • Investing in Research and Innovation: Foster innovations in green technology to decouple growth from environmental harm effectively.

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Conclusion

India’s claim of relative decoupling reflects progress but also highlights the challenges ahead. While economic growth outpacing emissions growth is a positive sign, the ultimate goal of absolute decoupling remains a distant but necessary target. Sustainable development demands that India continue its efforts to integrate economic policies with climate action, ensuring prosperity for its people and a healthy planet for future generations.

Mains Question:

Q. Decoupling involves reducing emissions growth relative to GDP growth. Analyse the progress made by India’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors in achieving decoupling since 1990. (15 M, 250 words)

The modern education system is critiqued for delaying life milestones, with prolonged academic preparation often leaving individuals unprepared for real-world challenges. Practical skills and quicker paths may be more effective.

Comparison Between Then and Now

  • In the past, it was common for people to settle down and achieve traditional life milestones early. People learned basic life skills like farming and cooking, married young, started families, and life followed a relatively predictable trajectory. 
    • However, this reality has shifted significantly today.
  • Then:
    • Bhagat Singh: At just 23 years of age, he sacrificed his life for India’s independence.
    • Alexander the Great: Conquered West Asia and defeated the Persian Empire at an age when many today are still completing their undergraduate studies.
    • Albert Einstein: Made groundbreaking discoveries in physics and built a family before the age of 26.
  • Now: 
    • Many people in their 30s or 40s are still “figuring things out,” delaying milestones such as starting a career or a family. 

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Reasons for delay in traditional milestones

1. The long path of Modern Education System(10+2+4+2 Model): Modern education often requires an extended commitment:

  • 10 years of schooling.
  • 2 years of senior secondary education.
  • 4 years of undergraduate studies.
  • 2 years of postgraduate studies.

Despite spending over 18 years in formal education, many individuals still feel unprepared for real-world challenges. This raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of such a prolonged system.

2. Limited Practical Relevance

  • Disconnect Between Education and Job Skills: Subjects like advanced chemistry (e.g., aldol condensation, Cannizzaro reaction) may have limited practical application in most professions.
  • Skill Gaps in the Workforce: Many argue that a 12th-grade graduate with six months of targeted skill training can sometimes perform tasks as effectively as MBA graduates.
  • Real-World Challenges Remain: Even after studying complex topics, graduates often struggle with tasks like participating meaningfully in workplace meetings or achieving sales targets.

3. The Global Comparison Pressure

  • Earlier Generations: People compared their achievements within smaller, localized groups, such as family or close community members. Once they felt satisfied with their accomplishments, they moved forward.
  • Modern Era: The internet and platforms like LinkedIn have created global peer groups. 
    • Today, people compare themselves to top performers featured in news stories or celebrated online, often leading to heightened pressure and dissatisfaction.   

4. The Discipline and Rigor Argument

  • Proponents’ View: Supporters of the modern education system argue that it instills discipline, rigor, and critical thinking, which are universally valuable skills.
  • Reality Check: While these intangible benefits are real, they often fail to bridge the gap between academic success and real-world readiness.
  • Feeling of Emptiness: After years of education and incurring student loans, many individuals privately question the value of their education, feeling disillusioned or unfulfilled despite their academic achievements.

5. The Shift to Overeducation and Unemployment

  • Mismatch of Education and Employment: Expanding formal education created overqualified individuals for manual jobs but left them ill-prepared for white-collar roles. 
    • While a select elite thrived in specialized fields or abroad, the majority faced unemployment, underemployment, and delayed life milestones like stable careers or starting families.

One possible reason for this delay is the increase in life expectancy due to advances in modern medicine

While we now live longer, the author advocates that the productive years of our lives might not have necessarily expanded proportionally. Hence, postponing traditional milestones is risky.

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What needs to be done?

  • There is a growing call to reconsider the traditional education model, which demands years of preparation but often leaves people feeling unprepared well into adulthood.
  • A more balanced approach—integrating practical knowledge with academic learning—could help individuals achieve their goals more efficiently, without unnecessarily delaying important life milestones.

Conclusion

The traditional education path requires rethinking, as excessive years of theoretical learning often delay personal and professional milestones. A practical, real-world approach is essential to better align education with success and readiness for modern challenges.

Mains Question: 

Q. Despite various educational reforms and policies, India’s school education system faces multifaceted challenges. Critically analyse the need for radical changes in the system, suggesting innovative solutions beyond the traditional reforms, while considering socio-economic factors affecting educational outcomes (15 M, 250 words)

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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