General Studies (Paper - 2) : Model Question & Answers

Question: “Social progress index is considered to be a better reflection of inclusive growth.” Why India is placed at the bottom of the Index? Do you think good governance can change this situation?

Answer: Social progress index has greater inclusive criteria to map the various degrees of achievements by countries in education, health, skill development, personal safety etc. The index is broadly divided into basic human needs, foundation of wellbeing and opportunities. India is placed at 101 out of 133 countries with a score of 53.06.

Basic Human needs in turn include Nutrition and medical care, water & sanitation, shelter, personal safety. On this front, high levels of undernourishment, child mortality rate, lack of access to safe drinking water are the major challenges. Increased citizen participation, decentralization can improve the public health service delivery. Implementation of NFSA by integrating it with Aadhar is a right step in this direction.

Foundations of wellbeing include access to basic knowledge, information and communication, health and wellness, ecosystem sustainability. Here, ICT tools can lay the foundations for good governance. ICT technologies can help in effective implementation of RTI, citizen charters , monitoring of programs. E Pragati is one such an example.

Opportunity involves personal rights, personal freedom and choice, tolerance and inclusion, access to advanced education. Here, most of these are political choices and governance can only play an instrumental role. At last it shall be remembered that, good governance can be a guide and reforms centered round it can be successful, if they get deeply enrooted in to the values of Indian society.