2016 · GS Paper 2 · Q16 · 12 marks
"Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative." What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable ?
In short
The government has tried to realise the demographic dividend through NEP 2020 and foundational learning, digital literacy, Skill India and apprenticeships, and innovation drives like Atal Tinkering Labs and Startup India. PLFS shows youth unemployment falling from 17.8% in 2017-18 to 10% in 2022-23.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 276 words
India's working-age share will peak near 65% around 2030 (UN World Population Prospects 2022). The State has therefore acted to make this cohort educated, aware, skilled and creative, drawing on Articles 21A and 41.
Measures to Make Manpower Educated and Aware
From Population to Dividend → Educated: NEP, NIPUN → Aware: digital literacy → Skilled: Skill India → Creative: AIM, Startup India → Productive workforce
Foundational learning
The RTE Act 2009, Samagra Shiksha and NIPUN Bharat (2021) target reading and numeracy by Grade 3.
NEP 2020
Vocational exposure from Class 6 and a 50% higher-education GER goal by 2035, with institutions rising to 70,683 by May 2025 (AISHE).
Health as capacity
POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat protect the nutrition and health that productivity needs.
Awareness
PMGDISHA builds rural digital literacy and the National Career Service portal links jobseekers to openings.
Skill India
PMKVY courses on the NSQF ladder, with the restructured ₹8,800 crore programme (2025) linking the Skill India Digital Hub to credit transfer.
Learning on the job
Apprenticeship promotion, the PM Internship Scheme (2024) and the Employment Linked Incentive scheme pull youth into formal work.
Creativity
Atal Tinkering Labs, Startup India and the IndiaAI Mission prepare youth for innovation and emerging work.
Early outcomes
Youth unemployment fell from 17.8% in 2017-18 to 10% in 2022-23 (PLFS), and female participation reached 41.7% by 2023-24.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.