UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 36)Premium Story

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress.

The rise in female labour force participation rate has been accompanied by a rise in the share of self-employment and agriculture among working women. Discuss.

How would river interlinking projects assist in solving the water crisis? Mention some examples.

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: The rise in female labour force participation rate has been accompanied by a rise in the share of self-employment and agriculture among working women. Discuss.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The Department of Economic Affairs’ ‘Indian Economy — A Review’ (2024) highlights the increased female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) over the last six years, particularly in rural India.

— According to the report, whereas urban FLFPR has been rising, rural FLFPR has increased dramatically. The growth in rural female FLFPR has coincided with an increase in the share of self-employment and agriculture among working women, both of which merit closer examination.”

— In rural areas, the FLFPR has risen to 41.5% in 2022-23 from 24.6% in 2017-18, whereas in urban areas it has risen to 25.4% from 20.4% over the same period.

— The mission covers approximately 9.96 crore women across the country. Over 90 lakh Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the DAY-NRLM have accessed Rs 38,892 crore as capitalisation support.

— Evaluation studies conducted by the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (2018) under Pramod Kumar Singh and the Stanford University team under Anjini Kochar (2020) confirmed a nearly 20% increase in incomes for households covered by the mission, as well as a maturing period of 6-8 years for newly formed SHGs.

— In 2016, the MGNREGS began adopting a 60:40 unskilled labour to material ratio at the district level and aggressively pushed individual beneficiary income-generating initiatives such as animal barns, agricultural ponds, and vermicomposting.

— Ninety days of labour under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, which is also in the woman’s name in more than 70% of cases, has resulted in more women becoming employed in MGNREGS.

— The majority of agricultural land is owned by men. As a result, women’s contributions in the field were underestimated. However, in practice, women farm more than half of the land. In 2011, the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) was started under the DAY-NRLM to develop skill sets through Community Resource Persons such as Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi.

Conclusion:

— MGNREGS pays equal wages to men and women. Its wage rates set the floor rates in numerous states. Raising MGNREGS wage rates, combined with a rise in productivity, can be an effective technique for ensuring the poor’s dignity and bringing them up the skilling ladder.

— The DAY-NRLM and MGNREGS play a crucial role in improving the female labour force participation rate.

(Source: Indian women are working more. Here’s why by Amarjeet Sinha)

Points to Ponder

DAY-NRLM

MGNREGS

Deendayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)