BC

BHAVIKA CHOFRAAIR 25· 2025

Question 20GS1GS1

With a significant proportion of India's population expected to live in urban areas by 2030, the welfare of the urban poor needs to take centre-stage in public policy. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)

Open scan (p.53)

Introduction

At present, about 31% of India's population lives in urban areas. Unsurprisingly, it is projected by July that the number of urban poor is expected to grow.

27 words

Main Body

Shift to urban areas:

1. All job opportunities are clustered near cities. (eg: National Capital Territory)

2. Search for better living conditions: better education, better healthcare in

Current status of urban poor:

1. Improper public space - eg: parks, pathways, streetlamps etc.

2. Sub-standard living conditions in slums, crammed apartments (leads to domestic violence too)

3. Improper amenities: such as running water, electricity, sanitation

3. Improper amenities: such as running water, electricity, sanitation

Need for urban-poor centric policies:

1. Livingprovision of housing (PM urban housing scheme)provision of electricity
conditionssanitation facilities
access to running water
2. Productivefocused aroundskill-upskilling model for industriesneed for skilling urban poor
employmentcandidate vacancies
3. Infrastructureneed for affordable and well-connected public transportprovision of blue-green architecture: to improve environmental conditions

Thus, provision of basic facilities must also be augmented by the following measures:

1. Food security: such as one nation one nation card for migrants.

2. Social security: such as some unemployment benefits (eg: Rajasthan's urban unemployment guarantee)

3. Gender-sensitive administration: that takes into account student disparity in pay, structural violence perpetrated by women, etc.

Besides this, rural development via self help groups and rural livelihood mission to augment income could curb unnecessary migration to urban areas and promote 'sakha sakha' and 'sakha vikasas'

Thus, provision of basic facilities must also be augmented by the following measures:

1. Food security: such as one nation one nation card for migrants.

2. Social security: such as some unemployment benefit (eg: Rajasthan's urban employment guarantee)

3. Gender-sensitive administration: that takes into account student disparity in pay, structural violence perpetrated by women, etc.

Beside this, rural development via self help groups and rural livelihood mission to augment income could curb unnecessary migration to urban areas and promote 'sakha sakha and sakha vikasas'

308 words6 paragraphs

Conclusion

Provision of basic facilities through food security, social security, and gender-sensitive administration, combined with rural development initiatives, can address urban poor welfare while curbing unnecessary migration.

26 words

  • Clear statistics (31% urban population)
  • Identifies pull factors for urban migration
  • Addresses multiple dimensions of urban poverty

Topper

BHAVIKA CHOFRA

AIR 252025

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India / Urbanization, their problems and their remedies

Urbanization and poverty

Urban poor and public policy

Writing Stats

361

Total words

6

Paragraphs

analytical and descriptive

Tone