GS2GS2
"Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a viable solution to eradicate extreme poverty in India." Critically discuss the statement.
Main Body
Universal Basic Income (UBI) refers to provision of a fixed amount by the government to all of its citizens on periodic basis.
Viable solution to eradicate poverty:
1Fulfils constitutional mandate of social welfare (Art-45).
2Provides access to basic necessities like minimum income availability.
3Ensure nutrition and shelter class as mentioned in Art-21.
4Ensures lack of exclusion and inclusion error due to universal nature.
5No guarantee over time of expenditure.
LACUNAE:
1Will lead to inflation and hence pricing out of poorer sections.
2Only ensures affordability and not availability and accessibility.
3Fails to address interconnected aspects of poverty like nutrition, sanitation, health etc.
4Huge burden of govt exchequer.
5Promotes mindfulness to mark away the poor.
6Often leads to alcoholism, drug addiction etc.
7Long-term sustainability of policy has been questioned.
8Fails to address unemployment and underemployment issue.
Way Forward:
1Capability development approach through education and skilling (Top RKY).
2Universal healthcare coverage (Top JAY).
3Remove inclusion and exclusion error in NREGA (Shasta Kiran Card).
4Nutrition care can be diet with fortification, diet diversification (Top Poshan).
5Labour inclusive-indigenous employment (Top PARL).
Universal Basic Income can be used as step-gap mechanism while institutional, infrastructural and personal capability is developed.
211 words21 paragraphs
Examiner score
1.15/10Open original scan
Page 38
Topper
Hrishikesh Alase
AIR 612025
Subject & Paper
GS2GS2
Topic
Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections - Performance, Mechanisms, Laws and Institutions
Poverty and Social Welfare
Universal Basic Income
Writing Stats
211
Total words
21
Paragraphs
suggestive prescriptive
Tone