Q1. As per NITI Aayog Chief, ‘India’s poverty level is below 5%.’ In light of the above statement, discuss the findings of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) for 2022-23. (250 words)
Topic- Indian Economy:
Introduction:
The latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), conducted between August 2022 and July 2023, provides insights into household consumption, highlighting poverty levels and the effectiveness of poverty alleviation measures implemented by the government.
Body :
- Context
- What is CES
- Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) in 2022-23
- Findings of Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES)
Conclusion :
The HCES findings reveal an increase in consumption, with both rural and urban areas experiencing a surge of about 2.5 times. The survey claims that the urban-rural consumption divide has narrowed from 91% in 2004-05 to 71% in 2022-23, signifying a reduction in inequality.
UPSC Syllabus Indian Economy:
Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V-shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer. (Answer in 250 words) (UPSC Main 2021)
Introduction
The latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), conducted between August 2022 and July 2023, provides insights into household consumption, highlighting poverty levels and the effectiveness of poverty alleviation measures implemented by the government.
Body Status :
Background
- For the first time in about 11 years, the government released the data of the All-India Household Consumption Expenditure Survey.
- The survey was carried out between August 2022 and July 2023.
- The data will play a key role in reviewing critical economic indicators, including the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), poverty levels, and the Consumer Price Inflation (CPI).
What is CES
- The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) is usually conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) every five years,
- But the findings of the 2017-18 survey were never released after the government cited “data quality” issues.
- The estimates of the Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) are based on data collected from 2,61,746 households, of which 1,55,014 were in rural areas, spread over all States and Union Territories
Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) in 2022-23
- During the fiscal year 2022-23, the average monthly expenditure for an individual in rural areas amounted to Rs 3,773, while in urban regions, it stood at Rs 6,459
- Among the States, the MPCE is the highest in Sikkim for both rural (₹7,731) and urban areas (₹12,105).
- It is the lowest in Chhattisgarh, where it was ₹2,466 for rural households and ₹4,483 for urban household members.
- There is a sharp rise in urban and rural consumption by over 2.5 times from 2011-12 levels in current prices.
Other Findings of Consumer Expenditure Survey
- The urban-rural consumption divide has narrowed to 71% in 2022-23 from a peak of 91% in 2004-05, so inequality is declining.
- Rural households’ spending on food has dropped below 50% of their total expenditure for the first time ever.
- Lower spends on pulses and cereals — which dropped below 5% of per capita consumer expenditure
- Higher expenditures on conveyances, consumer durables, and consumer services.
Significance of Consumer Expenditure Survey
- Given the absence of official income statistics in India, the CES data holds paramount importance, serving as the primary source not only for insights into consumption expenditure but also for gauging poverty levels and household inequality across the nation.
- Furthermore, CES data plays a pivotal role in updating key economic indicators such as the GDP series and the inflation basket in the country.
Conclusion
The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) findings reveal an increase in consumption, with both rural and urban areas experiencing a surge of about 2.5 times. The survey claims that the urban-rural consumption divide has narrowed in 2022-23, signifying a reduction in inequality.
Q2. ‘There is an urgent need to carry out a comprehensive linguistic survey in order to create the Language Atlas of India.” In light of the above statement, discuss the background and need of the language survey in India. (250 words).
Topic- Languages of India :
Introduction
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently proposed a pilot study to test the feasibility of open book exams for Classes 9 to 12. This is a new concept, which can bring revolution in education in India. However, they also present challenges in form of question design as well as the need for training students on how to approach open book exams.
Body
- History
- About IGNCA
- Position of Languages in India
- Need of Language Survey
- Stakeholders of Survey
Conclusion
As India makes efforts towards imparting education in the mother tongue, specially at the primary level, a crucial question remains on the actual number of languages that can be considered to be “active” in the country. The proposed Languages Atlas of India can provide answers to such crucial questions.
UPSC Syllabus Languages of India:
Why was this question asked?
Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity?. (UPSC Main 2106).
Introduction:
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous body under the Union Culture Ministry, has proposed to conduct a linguistic survey across the country to create a ‘Language Atlas’ of India.
Body Status
History
- The first and most exhaustive Linguistic Survey of India (LSI) was carried out by Sir George Abraham Grierson and published in 1928.
- The Indian map was redrawn after Independence, and therefore, the LSI includes languages and dialects that may not be a part of contemporary Indian States.
About IGNCA
- The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is an autonomous institution under the Indian Ministry of Culture established in 1987 in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- Headquartered in New Delhi, IGNCA’s vision focuses on nurturing, preserving and promoting India’s cultural resources including heritage across arts, humanities, and science disciplines.
- Key activities include academic research, exhibitions, training programs and grants supporting cultural endeavors.
- With centers across India, IGNCA undertakes projects like cataloging cultural assets through digital repositories and geospatial mapping thereby amplifying awareness regarding rich indigenous knowledge systems.
Position of Languages in India
- India recognises 22 languages officially, which are part of Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution.
- According to Census data, 97 % of the Indian population speaks one of these languages.
- There are an additional 99 non-scheduled languages included in the Census, and according to the 2011 Census, around 37.8 million people identify one of these non-Scheduled languages as their mother tongue.
Need of Language Survey
- A language is not only a means of communication, but is essential for preserving local wisdom, knowledge, stories and culture.
- The native language of 1.2 million people remains unaccounted for due to the decision to not include languages with less than 10,000 speakers in the Census since 1971.
- Many of these languages not recorded in the official Census records are spoken by tribal communities.
- The survey would focus on the number of languages and dialects in India.
- The survey would try to know how many languages are spoken in India, and how many scripts and dialects there are.
Stakeholders of Survey
- According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the IGNCA, the stakeholders in the survey would be the Ministries of Culture, Education, Tribal Affairs, Home, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Development of North East Region, apart from various languages communities.
- IGNCA has identified the Central Institute of Indian Languages, the National Museum, Centres for Endangered Languages, and the Linguistic Departments of various universities as potential partners and collaborators in carrying out the survey.
- The survey has to be carried out in phases. The DPR proposes that firstly, there should be State-wise data collection, and then region-wise. It also proposes to digitally archive the audio recordings of all the languages spoken.
Conclusion
As India makes efforts towards imparting education in the mother tongue, specially at the primary level, a crucial question remains on the actual number of languages that can be considered to be “active” in the country. The proposed Languages Atlas of India can provide answers to such crucial questions.