Question 18GS1GS1

Urban poverty in India persists despite high economic growth. What are the structural causes of urban poverty in India? Suggest appropriate measures to address the problem of urban poverty. (Answer in 250 words)

Open scan (p.42)

Answer Strengths Gaps Keywords

Introduction

Urban poverty is the prevalence of marginalized and socio-economically backward centers populations in urban centers.

15 words

Main Body

It still persists in India:

1More than 16% urban population lives in slums

2High cost of urban healthcare leads to financial insecurity

3Jobless growth forces urban poor into to engage in low paying jobs

4Skill gap prevents urban poor from accessing high-paying tertiary sector jobs

Structural Causes of Urban Poverty:

1Jobless Growth → in tertiary sector

Doesn't absorb labour and forces employes in low income jobs.

2Societal marginalization hinders mobility of SCs, STs → 76% manual scavenging by SCs

3Lack of affordable housing leads to declining disposable income

4Skill gap leads to exclusion of urban poor from high-paying jobs ⇔ in the IT sector.

5Lack of Manufacturing growth → only 20% of employment present mass-employment at low-skill labor

Measures to reform issues:

1Promotion of housing development under schemes such as PM Awas Yojana

2Increasing skilling and employment of workers under schemes like PMKVY

3Promoting vocational education in schools and midday meal to increase attendance

4Development of entrepreneurship in manufacturing and IT under PM MUDRA and SIDBI grants

5Increasing insurance penetration in urban poor population by PMJAY and free primary care

6Enforcement of societal and legal safeguards like NFMASAE to prevent employment in hazardous sector

Urban poverty is a crucial issue to resolve in reaching a SS billion economy.

Heat stressbleaching of corals

2Ocean acidification leads to dissolution of corals

3Presence of invasive species brought by tourism, such as Great Barile/Reef causes competition

4Illegal mining and sale of corals for carbonate ⇒ used in Cement

5Anthropogenic weather variations due to global warming reduce climatic sustainability of corals

6Shift in current ⇒ loss of nutrient

Corals are integral to preserving Marine biodiversity. Initiatives such as artificial backwaters in Mumbai signify positive developments to achieve SDG-14

305 words5 paragraphs

Conclusion

Urban poverty is a crucial issue to resolve in reaching a 5S billion economy.

14 words

Answer continues on next page

Clear definition of urban poverty
Provides specific statistics (16% slum population)
Identifies key causal factors (jobless growth, skill gap, healthcare costs)
Specific statistics on SC manual scavenging (76%)
Clear connection between structural issues and poverty
Names actual government schemes (PM Awas Yojana, PMKVY)
Addresses social discrimination dimension
Comprehensive policy approach spanning multiple sectors
Covers health, education, employment, and social protection
Names specific schemes (PMJAY, NFMASAE)
Links urban poverty to broader economic goals
Clear enumeration of multiple threat factors to coral ecosystems
Connects local examples (Mumbai) to global sustainability goals
Links environmental threats to socio-economic impacts

Open original scan

Page 42

Topper

Varun Tokas

AIR 117

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Urban Poverty in India

Structural Causes and Policy Measures

Slums, Inequality, Economic Growth Disconnect, Poverty Alleviation

Writing Stats

334

Total words

Paragraphs

conclusive analytical

Tone