Daily Mains Answer Writing –13 October 2025

Model Answer

Introduction

India’s economic rise hides a silent crisis — poor nutrition. Despite 6.5% GDP growth in 2024–25, malnutrition continues to cost India nearly 0.8–4% of its GDP annually. This is equivalent to billions of dollars in lost productivity, higher healthcare costs, and reduced human potential. The paradox of economic expansion with weak nutrition outcomes highlights a structural weakness in India’s development model.

Economic Cost of Malnutrition

• Hidden drain on GDP: Annual loss from malnutrition equals almost the entire budget of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Economic multiplier loss: Every US$1 invested in nutrition can yield US$23 in returns, yet underinvestment persists.
• Reduced labour efficiency: Undernourished workers have lower energy levels, frequent absenteeism, and lower earning potential.

Demographic Dividend at Risk

• Demographic advantage eroded: The 15–59 age group forms India’s core workforce, yet malnutrition limits their productivity.
• Anaemia data: NFHS-5 shows 57% of women and 67% of children are anaemic — this reduces both physical work capacity and cognitive ability.
• Intergenerational loss: Poor maternal nutrition produces undernourished children, locking families into a low-productivity cycle.
• Productivity trap: Malnutrition → low learning → low skill acquisition → low income → continued malnutrition.

Policy Gaps and Contradictions

• Food policy bias: Focus remains on calorie sufficiency rather than nutrient density; this sustains a hidden form of deprivation.
• Workforce neglect: Corporate wellness programmes rarely integrate nutrition, reducing industrial efficiency.
• Implementation gap: POSHAN Abhiyaan and PM POSHAN show success in learning and attendance but fail to offset the anaemia surge in NFHS-5 data.

Way Forward

• Policy integration: Nutrition must be treated as economic infrastructure, not welfare.
• Institutional reform: Inter-ministerial coordination linking agriculture, health, and finance can yield higher returns.
• Smart investment: Nutrition bonds and ESG-linked corporate initiatives can finance large-scale improvements.
• Measurement shift: Tools like Poshan Tracker should include productivity and income outcomes, not just health indicators.

Model Answer

Introduction

Education is the most powerful tool for transforming women’s status in society. In India, rising literacy and higher education enrolment have accelerated empowerment. Yet, deep state-level and regional gaps continue to restrict equal access to opportunities, keeping empowerment uneven and incomplete.

Education as Foundation of Empowerment

• Education builds awareness: Enables women to make informed choices in health, family, and finance.
• Education boosts employment: Improves skill levels and income prospects.
• Education strengthens agency: Enhances confidence and participation in decision-making.

Progress in Literacy and Higher Education

• Female literacy improving: Projected at 70.3% in 2025; youth literacy at 96%.
• Schemes promoting education: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Samagra Shiksha, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya.
• Rising higher education participation: 2.07 crore women enrolled in 2021–22, nearly 50% of total.
• STEM inclusion: 42.57% of STEM students are women, as per AISHE 2022.

Regional Disparities Shaping Empowerment

• High-performing states: Kerala and Mizoram near universal literacy, translating into better workforce participation and social outcomes.
• Low-performing states: Bihar and Rajasthan still around 63–66% female literacy, reflecting gender bias and poverty.
• Impact of gap: Limits access to government schemes, reduces employability, and sustains patriarchal dependence.

Urban–Rural and Gender Divides

• Rural women face barriers: Inadequate schools, safety concerns, early marriage, and social conservatism.
• Urban women progress faster: Better access to digital tools and educational institutions.
• Gap implications: Unequal participation in labour market and health awareness.

Linkages with Empowerment Outcomes

• Higher literacy improves health: Literacy correlates with lower maternal mortality and better nutrition.
• Economic benefits: Educated women join workforce or start enterprises.
• Social benefits: Literacy reduces child marriage and increases civic engagement.

Policy Imperative

• Focus needed on lagging states: Targeted schemes, female teacher recruitment, and digital learning access.
• Need for behavioural change: Community awareness to challenge patriarchal norms.

Conclusion

Women’s empowerment in India depends not only on rising literacy averages but also on bridging inter-state and social divides. A balanced approach that links education with employability, health, and social reform is essential for achieving true gender equality.

Model Answer

Introduction

Women’s empowerment in India is no longer confined to welfare schemes. It is increasingly driven by expanding economic participation, greater representation in politics, and evolving social attitudes that challenge patriarchy. These dimensions together redefine women’s role in national development.

Economic Participation and Independence

• Workforce participation rising: Increased from under 30% a decade ago to 41.7% in 2023–24.
• Rural women leading growth: Rural employment up 96% since 2017–18, compared to 43% in urban areas.
• Self-employment surge: 51.9% to 67.4% between 2017–18 and 2023–24.
• Supportive schemes: Mudra Yojana (68% loans to women), Stand-Up India (84% women beneficiaries), Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi initiatives.

Political Representation and Leadership

• Representation at grassroots: Women form 46% of PRI members; several states ensure 50% reservation.
• National-level inclusion: 13.6% in Lok Sabha; Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) to mandate 33% reservation in legislatures.
• Political impact: Institutionalizes women’s voice and strengthens gender-sensitive policy frameworks.

Sociocultural Transformation

• Changing mindsets: Education, urbanization, and digital platforms are reshaping gender roles and aspirations.
• Positive visibility: Women leaders in politics (Mamata Banerjee), business (Falguni Nayar), and sports (Smriti Mandhana) act as role models.
• Media and campaigns: Initiatives like Mahila E-Haat and gender equality campaigns amplify women’s agency and participation.

Interlinkages of Three Pillars

• Economic strength creates political confidence: Financial independence enhances leadership and public participation.
• Political power drives social reform: Women leaders influence policy on education, health, and equality.
• Social change sustains empowerment: Shifting norms and attitudes ensure continuity of progress.

Conclusion

Women’s empowerment in India now rests on a dynamic tripod — economic independence, political participation, and sociocultural evolution. Strengthening each dimension simultaneously is crucial for ensuring equality that is both inclusive and sustainable.