2019 · GS Paper 3 · Q11 · 15 marks
It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement.
In short
The statement is largely valid: inclusive growth is designed to pursue inclusiveness and sustainability together, and schemes like Ujjwala, PM-KUSUM and MGNREGA water works align them. In practice coal dependence, jobless growth and subsidies that drain groundwater create tensions that only a just transition can resolve.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 269 words
The poor depend on nature
Rural livelihoods rest on land, water and forests, so MGNREGA's water conservation works create wages while restoring aquifers and soil.
Clean energy that empowers
Ujjwala's over 10 crore LPG connections cut smoke and fuelwood use, and PM-KUSUM lets farmers earn from solar power.
Green jobs
Non-fossil sources crossed 50% of installed power capacity in 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 target, creating solar and storage jobs.
Coal and livelihoods
Coal still generates about three-quarters of India's power and sustains districts like Dhanbad, so a fast exit hurts workers.
Jobless growth
Capital-intensive green sectors create few jobs while agriculture holds over 45% of the workforce (Economic Survey 2024-25).
Subsidy trade-offs
Free farm power drains Punjab's groundwater, trading today's inclusion for tomorrow's scarcity.
Just transition
Retrain coal-belt workers and fund decentralised renewables through Sovereign Green Bonds (2023) and the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (2023).
Labour-intensive green sectors
Back natural farming, recycling and eco-tourism, which create many jobs per rupee invested.
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This chapter in the exam
Inclusive Growth11 questions
Asked in 9 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026Examine the view that financial inclusion is an integral part of social and economic inclusion in a country like India. Also throw light on the usefulness of the R.B.I.'s Financial Inclusion Index. (Answer in 150 words)
- 2023Distinguish between 'care economy' and 'monetized economy'. How can care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment?
All 11 questions, sorted by sub-topic, with model answers and practice.
Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019 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.